6 Years Later, in a Nutshell

So wow. A lot has happened since leaving my blog to fall to the wayside. But I'm happy to report it fell for many good reasons. I'd like to first blame my husband for initiating it, as I met him in the class I last blogged about: organic chemistry! So in a quick list, here's what happened:

1. I started dating my now husband
2. I applied to and got rejected to the 3-4 PA schools I applied to in 2012. Turns out those core 101 science classes were not really negotiable and needed to be retaken to bring them up to date. 
3. I married my now husband. 
4. I had a beautiful baby girl in 2013!!!
5. I got laid off from my design job
6. I reapplied (on a whim) to 1 PA school near my parents
7. I got an interview to said PA school
8. I got in to PA school to begin in 2014.
9. Husband got into medical school the same year in the same state where I would live while attending PA school
10. My daughter and I moved back home to my parents and my husband rented a place near his school and visited every weekend
11. PA School for 2 years = HELL
12. Graduated in PA celebration on 05/07/16. Will officially walk in cap and gown for diploma on 05/14/16!!

Will fill in on random events on the list for the next coming posts.

Organic Chem Day 1

Tonight was my first class of orgo chem. It's still too early to tell, but it seems pretty good so far. I really like the professor. He's relaxed, funny, and clearly loves the subject he's teaching. Since today was the lab session, we had the intro, rules, etc. and were let out early.

Orgo chem is one of those classes you hear horror stories about. So, I had (still do, so far) a lot of preconceived ideas just how difficult this class might be. Happily, I've recently talked to two other women who, upon hearing this would be my upcoming class, could only wax poetic about how much they loved orgo chem! I started to wonder if, perhaps this class won't be as bad as I think. Sure, it'll be work, no doubt.

Another consolation is when a classmate from my other summer classes said to me today, "After AP I and II this summer, this class is THREE times as long! It'll be like slo-mo for us!" Very good point. We survived 2 semester-long classes smooshed into 5 weeks each. This class is 15 weeks. In addition, many people have told me that those who hated general chem, end up loving and doing well in orgo. Here's hoping that's me (wasn't crazy about gen chem)!

I just ordered my book from Amazon.com for cheaper than the school bookstore. Also, it's the looseleaf edition, which will allow me to carry along only the chapters I need. It should arrive by Monday—just in time to read the first 3 chapters assigned for Tuesday! :( UPDATE: Grrrr. Amazon doesn't actually ship for 1-2 weeks! Too late for me. Turns out the looseleaf arrived at the school bookstore over the weekend. How lucky! I wasn't sure how I'd get the book before class, otherwise.

Thriathlon

Tomorrow, the school/volunteer/work triathlon schedule begins. And yes, even in that order of priority! I'm excited about returning to a busy schedule, but not without a little trepidation how I will handle it. But there's really no way around it; I need to do all these things this semester. Just like when people asked me if I will be able to handle the "gory" parts of this PA path, I'm just going to wait and see as it comes. Hopefully I'll find time to drop a post here and there.

Starting at Hospital1

Tonight was my second week volunteering at Hospital1. I started last week and it was pretty mellow. I think volunteers are a little more restricted of what they can do here, vs. Hospital2. But I like seeing the different ways they work. Both hospitals seem to have their pros and cons, in my limited volunteer viewpoint. I noted that I have yet to meet a surly, mean, or attitude-filled doctor, nurse, nurse tech, or any employee at Hospital1. It's inspiring, and I can imagine it really raises the bar for every employee there.

Although the work is not taxing, it's far, taking 1 hour and 15 minutes to return home. I hope I can keep this up! Fortunately, it is only once a week. Nonetheless, with my schedule it leaves me only Wednesdays free after work. I officially paid for Psych 101 today, so my Friday evenings are now sacrificed. :( I will have Sat. and Sun. open (minus the mornings, when I'll be volunteering at Hospital2) to study. And of course, I plan to take days off here and there to lessen the load.

There will be one week per month when even Wednesday evenings will be filled to do my NYCares event. Whew... Hope I'm not going to regret this!

To Psych, or Not To Psych?

So I've signed up for Psych 101 for this fall as well. I'm not sure if that's suicide or not. But it meets only once a week and I'm hoping it won't be too bad since I'll have my orgo chem classes behind me for the week by the time Psych 101 class comes around. I just hope it doesn't have a lot of papers. I figured if I can take it now, I'll have all the courses I need to apply (hopefully) for one of the PA schools for fall admission of 2011. That would leave me with Microbiology for spring semester. And if needed, I have wiggle room to take other classes.

A Little Summer Left

My last class (and exam) of summer was Monday! I'm happy to report I received the grade I wanted. I should probably relish it now, as orgo chem is around the corner! It's been odd not having to run to class after work, four times a week. But I know fall will come fast and furious. I have already restarted my NYCares event at the hospital. This was the first one since the summer hiatus, so I was a little nervous; especially as I was on my own this time without the hospital liaison. However, it went really smoothly. We had a great group of volunteers and the kids and parents really enjoyed the dessert treats!

I start my first volunteer day at Hospital1 on Monday. As always, starting something new is full of anticipation, but also anxiety. In addition, I'll soon be starting up my regular weekends at Hospital2 again. My class begins on the 26th. Just a sliver of summer left for me. I didn't expect it, but I felt a bit lost this week with this sudden amount of free time. I'm sure that feeling won't last once fall semester begins. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying just being a slug. I'm calling friends who I haven't had time to meet up with and doing errands or making appointments that I've neglected. I'm sure there are many more things I *need* to get done.

In a stroke of perfect timing, my friend is throwing his annual Beach BBQ event this weekend—an excellent way to get a hefty dose of summer!

Exam from Hell

3 tests were slotted for this week: 2 lab quizzes, 1 exam. Three days in a row. Fortunately, one of the quizzes was rescheduled for next Tuesday. But the fluids and electrolytes portion of the exam just wasn't sticking in my head, no matter how hard I tried. I managed to eke out a B in the exam, which I sort of figured I'd get. I'm still kicking myself for one question I should have known, but just read the question too fast and assumed too quickly. It cost me 2 points. :(

Fortunately, the last week left of this class should be a little easier. There's one quiz, one lab practical, and a final exam based on the reproductive and endocrine systems.

Wha?!?!

I received 100 on the last lecture exam! I'm still a bit shocked and can't quite believe it. I naturally expected a couple wrong answers, so I didn't see the 100 below the 50. My jaw dropped thinking I had scored a 50 on the exam. Realizing my mistake, my jaw dropped again and my eyes widened. It was entirely unexpected. I'm not sure there will be many of these in my life, so I'm really relishing it now. :)

I now have 3 tests to prepare for next week. There are 2 lab quizzes (instead of the usual 1), and the lecture exam. So all but one day of class will have some sort of test! It's not going to be a fun weekend. :( It's a lot of reading and scary looking chemical reactions to understand. Off I go to study...

Still No Sleep

Tonight was lecture exam #2. I feel pretty good about it. I know I got one wrong. I may have gotten a couple others wrong as well. Next exam is going to be tough because it's more the metabolic reactions and scary looking complex cycles. :( The 3rd lab quiz is tomorrow, so I have to do much better on this one! At least I know what I have to study.

No Sleep

So I've been a little absent from posting lately. Why? Because I've been studying my arse off for this class. Material is tougher and there's a lot more to absorb due to the shorter summer session. :(  As I suspected, I didn't do so well on my 2nd Lab quiz. But the good news is, I got an A on my first lecture exam. I was a little surprised since I didn't think I did that well. But I'll take the good surprises!

Off Running

Well AP II started by hitting the ground, running. With me chasing. Two days after our first class, we had our first quiz (lab). I received 20/21, so I'm happy about it. Nonetheless, the first week has been a crazy blur. The professor moves pretty fast and my notes are all over the place for lecture. Our first lecture exam is Wednesday!

The material for the class focuses on the systems. Right now, we're on the circulatory system and already dissected a fetal pig last Thursday. We were only looking at organs and circulatory system. Compared to high school, it seemed somewhat of a waste as I remember we had our pig for weeks, moving layer to layer. However, our last lab test is the fetal pig practical, so we had better know what everything looks like!

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July! And happy end of A&P I! Thursday was the last day of class and the last quiz in lab. There were the usual 25 stations with numbered flags on a part of the eye or brain that we had to identify. It wasn't so bad, but I got tripped up at a couple stations of the brain. By the time I had moved on and we were finishing up the test, I realized I had the same answer for two. And worse, I couldn't quite remember which number went to which flagged part of the brain. Plus, we weren't allowed to go back to any of the stations (we'd all rotate to the left until all stations were met). I did some quick mental visualizing and looking at the remaining brain in front of me to try to remember. I ended up with 25/25. Whew!

And...I'm proud to announce I got an A in the class! This is a milestone for me. Mainly because I haven't taken a science class since college and really wasn't sure how I'd do. But I also realized that I have never aimed to get in A in a class, including in college. I told M. that I couldn't even remember how I ever made it through final exams in college. I don't recall how I studied and I'm sure I didn't retain anything once the exam was over. This going back to school however, seems to be a whole new experience. I'm completely opposite now!

So I am going to enjoy my first weekend in a month, when I don't have to study for anything. However, it will be my ONLY weekend, as A&P II starts up on Tuesday. :( I have a feeling it's going to be more difficult material and a more difficult professor. Wish me luck!

Last Lecture Exam and Class!

Today was our last lecture exam! It was tough studying for this one. I felt like my notes were all over the place and the parts of the brain and their functions just wouldn't sink in! Sure enough, that was the question I know I got wrong. The test was rough. There were a few really specific questions that I'm sure most of us didn't expect to be there. Strangely, I think I got my best grade from this test. I'll know tomorrow. The prof said he'd give us our final grade at the end of the lab quiz.

I can't believe my last class is tomorrow (lab)! However, I won't have much rest. A&P II starts next Tuesday! :( Not much of a break. So I'm going to really enjoy my mini-vacation this long weekend. Being able to buy the iPhone 4 would realllllly make my weekend. But it's pretty slim chance that the Apple stores will be restocked. I guess I'll have to wait some more.

Mmmm... Cow Eyeball...

We got the Lab Quiz 3 results back today. I knew I got one wrong, but as promised on the first lab quiz, the professor gave me an extra point. I'm going for a perfect lab score! I know, I'm being really geeky about it. But this has all been about pushing myself. I know these pre-req courses are going to be the "easy" part of the whole PA track. So I have to keep it in gear.

We also dissected the cow eye today. We have 10 things to learn on it. It's a little hard seeing a scalpel applied around the cornea since you sort of "feel" it. But our group got over it and tore the eye apart in no time! :) We also reviewed the sheep brain from last week's class since our final lab practical quiz is Thursday. I badly needed that review. I think I have it down now, but I'm pushing it aside to study for tomorrow's last lecture exam. It's a lot to go over (nervous system) and I don't feel like I have the best grasp of it. I'm also not taking the day off tomorrow, as I usually do. I decided I rather have an extra long holiday weekend. So, I've really got to review for the exam!

Test 3, More Mnemonics, Baa Baa Brain

Whew. I finally got a solid A on one of my lecture exams! I'm pretty happy about it, since I'm aiming for an A in the class. This will give me a bit more room to breathe for the final exam and lab quiz.

We were instructed today to memorize those 12 Cranial Nerves. Well, at least I remember the mnemonic I made up. But now I have to actually know the names of the nerves they stand for. In order. Also, the organ they relate to. And whether it's a Motor, Sensory, or Mixed (both) type. :( Fortunately, there's a mnemonic for the Motor/Sensory/Mixed (B): Some Say Money Matters, But My Brother Says Big Balls Matter More. This one sticks only because one of my classmates uses it as his mnemonic. Unfortunately, it's now stuck. But I guess that's the whole point, huh?

We also started on the sheep brain in lab tonight. We have 19 places in the brain we have to be able to name for the final lab practical, including the cow's eye next week. I'm not as worried about that part, but the last lecture exam is going to be a lot to remember. A lot to read!

Tests: Week 2

This week's test resulted in a 92 for Lecture exam; 25/25 for the Skeletal Practical. Yay! Although they're fine, I would really like to get a solid A for one of those lecture exams since they accout for 60% of the final grade. I keep making stupid mistakes like changing my answer (they're multiple choice). I still have 2 more chances to better the average!

We're now studying muscle tissue and how they contract. The next lecture test is 70% on the muscle, so we were instructed to read the entire chapter. It's a beautiful day out, so I'm having difficulty heading out to do that. But I'll enjoy part of the day and then go to the library or Barnes + Noble. Unfortunately, it's too hot for a bike ride. I wish I had a pool to go swimming. I canceled my gym membership earlier this year because I never had the time to go. Now, I'm wondering if that was a good idea!

First AP Tests

So we had the first of our AP tests this week. It's always nerve-wracking to take the first tests because you're not sure how the professor is going to present it. I know it sounds boastful, but being my first science class since college days, I'm proud to say I received a perfect score on the lab quiz! However, the lecture test was a slightly different story. Although it was all multiple choice, I was thrown by some of the questions and just plain couldn't remember certain definitions that would have helped. :/ I eked by with a 90. I'm determined to get an A in this class, so I have to get a solid A on the next lecture test.

Next week, we have the Skeletal Practical exam for lab. We'll be tested on all the bones we've learned so far, plus the new markings we've learned in today's lab. I don't know why, but I really have no problem remembering and identifying these. They are work at first, of course, but the professor gives us time to get in groups and quiz one another on all the bones and review. Once that's done, it sticks. I will probably be able to get away with a short review before the quiz, but I am not sweating it. Now, why the lecture material doesn't stick as easily, I have no idea. Maybe because it's not as visual? Despite having plenty of slides, notes, charts, drawings, etc., some of these processes and details are lost in my memory. Somehow, I've got to improve that.

I was talking to my mother about how I don't ever recall wanting to get an A in any class... in high school or college. So this is really strange that I want to do well. Strange in a good way, but I probably sound super competitive and geeky. Now I know what it feels like to be those older students who sat in the front in my college classes! But I guess it's what comes with maturity—and when the drive is there to push yourself towards a goal. I know people who think I'm nuts to do all this schooling so "late" in life. But I'm actually enjoying it! And that's a good sign: I better enjoy what I'm planning to do!

My Aching Back

Isabella by
The North Face

My 10+ lbs of books for this one class is killing my back and shoulders. Currently, the backpacks I own just aren't cutting it. One is much too large and the other is more "fashion" than utilitarian. So I did some research online and settled on The North Face's Isabella. Being petite, I don't want a bag that makes me resemble a turtle, but I still need something that will be roomy enough and make the weight manageable. It seemed to receive rave reviews and I liked it was designed to fit women. The bungee cord system on the front will be good for bulky things, like an extra sweater or jacket.

I visited a sports store in the city that I knew carried it, to test it out. Definitely a huge difference! It was so much more comfortable around the shoulders and plenty roomy. Also, the load seemed to weigh less than the bag I'd been using. Since Zappos' price was cheaper, I ordered from there. For some reason, the black color is $6 less than the other colors, but that's perfectly fine for me! I can't wait till it arrives!

I also bought the mandatory white lab coat for class at Barnes and Noble 18th Street. M. had shown me the 3rd floor where it's all medical and law books (mostly medical) and I remembered they had lab coats. They had run out of the XS unisex size at the school bookstore. B+N had both unisex and ladies sizes, so I took the ladies style since it fit better.

Appendicular Skeleton

I've survived first week of AP I. Next, I find out if I survive the first of the weekly quizzes. Today in lab, we learned 126 bones of the 208 in the human body. This is the Appendicular portion of the skeleton. That would be everything except the cranial, thoracic, and vertebral portions, which would be the Axial skeleton. It sounds difficult, but broken down, it's not that hard. Since left and right are the same, we only needed to know 63. We'll learn the other 80 in the next couple of labs. Being visual, this is easier for me. So far. :)

Celebration + Lecture

Got my English Comp I grade: A !! Despite knowing I had at least an A-, the final exam's grade left things questionable. As I have mentioned: I don't do well writing essays in a timed environment. I have no idea what I got on the final exam, but the final grade is all that I care about at this point. I just hope I can continue this trend into the science classes. Which leads me to...

Tonight was also my first AP I lecture class. It was long and without breaks (unless you chose to leave the room briefly). But the positive side of that was, we got out an hour earlier! It was a lot of material, sometimes more in depth than I thought needed; other times, incredibly simple. I have a good feeling about the class, but I'll know better after the first tests. Every week there will be a quiz for the lecture class and another for the lab. Oof. But at least there will be no cumulative exam (except for the practical lab exam). So far, so good!