Hey Nann!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANN!

One of the things about being consumed with grad school and being 400 miles away is the fact that you miss out on important family events. Last weekend, Nann and Pop go to get together with mom, dad, and mitch for the weekend and boy was I jealous. Today is Nann's birthday, so I would like to pull my head out of the study hole and say, "Happy Birthday!" to a wonderful woman.

Just one research paper away and 4 days of class away from Thanksgiving break!!!! (which honestly, isn't going to be much of a break at all...)

Survived!

Okay, so I have noticed that most of my posts are about surviving some milestone in graduate school. Well, we just got past another my friends. Quiz 2 day is down. Now starts the pre-marathon. We still have one quiz on Friday and the 5k on Saturday. Then it's a week filled with learning until the quizzes on the Monday after Thanksgiving and then FINALS week.
Wow.
You know, everyone said PT school would go by fast, and I am sure learning a lot along the way. We learned evaluating and examining the shoulder today and we have more examination to do on Thursday. Next week we learn lymphedema massage for breast cancer (and just post-surgical) treatment. This is a lot like where I worked at Get Real and Heel last year. It's nice to have that background going into all of this.

I certainly am blessed when I think about it. I can worry and freak out about school, but I am lucky to have all that I have. Cheers to another stressful week! Let's meet it head-on!

Life...

So this past Friday I got my first experience examining and evaluating a patient by myself. It was at a free clinic in Wheeling and even though I was nervous, the process went as smooth as butter. It's almost like I am suppose to do this. It was very life affirming to know that I am doing what I am meant to do.

I have spent most of the weekend studying, and I still feel like I will never be up to par. We have a huge week coming up next week so I will be spending this whole week preparing for the 4 quizzes and the 5k we have Saturday.

I read this really interesting quote, "I didn't say it would be easy; I said it would be worth it".
I hope this applies to everything in life.

Alive part 2

So, I know I haven't updated this very much and I apologize. Right now I am sitting on the couch, watching netflix after having finished my homework early on a rainy day. Here's an update of everything I've done in the past few weeks:

• Trip back home to NC
• NC State Fair
• Kappa Kappa Gamma's Tar Heel Trot 5k
• Baking pumpkin muffins
• Not-so-Haunted Hayride
• School

So, now it's back to the grind, and honestly I don't have much motivation. Even though PT school is going by relatively quickly, I just am a little burnt out and don't have the "spark" I ususally do to want to go in depth with topics and learn more. Yet, I am still forcing myself to make millions of flashcards.

Also, I need to do my laundry, but it is raining and i feel like it would make all of my clothes wet if I went to the laundramat. Note to self: Find an apartment with a washer/dryer unit inside.

I AM ALIVE

So I am happy to say I am alive, and killed my midterms like the two dear on National Road this past week. In celebration, I found a capri-sun for adults. It's a frozen lemonade with wine. Adult win. I can't wait for a weekend of friends, family, the state fair, and the Tar Heel Trot!

Now onto chinese food, adult frozen beverages and Grey's anatomy with some friends to celebrate!

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting things I have thought of in the past 5 minutes to show you that I am surviving mid-terms:

• I got a thumb cramp from writing too much
• The HP support guys are amazing.
  
• I am really missing Hall-o-Scream at Busch Gardens. Note to self: Move closer so I can go in the future.
  
• I am so ready for mammaw cookies and fudge.
  
• I Need to keep studying.....
  

Welcome to the family

So....guess who was lucky enough to get a new computer? ME!
After frantically searching and driving all over the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, I finally found my computer: Hp Pavilion. It is already 10x better than the old laptop and is super quick. I had to get the new computer in such a hurry because my midterms have questions that deal with a certain anatomy software. Also, Mozilla Firefox spell checks for you. Yay!
So here is how i'm feeling....
Not yet panicked over midterms...but we'll see...

Welcome to October

Hello adoring fans! I am still computerless (and was internet-less for a few days there) so this update will have to be short and sweet. I've been looking at laptops and it seems my ideal laptop is slightly out of price range reach. So, the question is...do I wait for it to go down in price? Do i order it online ($50 cheaper before tax, but wait until mid october to get it)? Do i buy a less satisfying model? Oh the choices. Meanwhile, I will just live at school. I'm slowly moving all of my books there. We have a practical skills assessment this wednesday. I was randomized as the first person to go. Awesome. It's just BP and HR so hopefully I can think on my feet and answer questions. Also, midterms are coming up next week. So I will let you know how i'm surviving all of the studying. Or if I survive.....dun dun dunnnnnnnn

Ugh the future

So, technology is really frustrating. It can make your life so much easier, and when it's gone, it makes your life 10x harder than before it was introduced. My laptop has been giving me problems for awhile, such as not connecting to the internet without external power, broken CD drive, not turning on, blue-screening and shutting off. So, it's time to pass the torch and look for a new one. After all, in this program, internet access is key to what I need to do. I cannot function without it. It is also my source of television (no cable!) so for weather and such, it is necessary for life.

The only frustrating thing about getting new technology is that I feel like if I don't get what is best to have out there, the technology that is not the top now, is already out of date, and will continue to be out of date as I continue to use it into the future. It is just frustrating, because the new parts of technology are always financially out of reach. The impractical thing is, you pay top dollar for something that is mediocre in 6 months because something else newer and better has come into the picture. So. The practical thing? Get what's mediocre now because that's what's worth it at the time, and know that some day, you might have the top technology, but most likely, that will also be out of date......

300 + notecards

So I have officially used over 300 notecards. I might even be to 400. After a full weekend of studying, and old series of Grey's Anatomy, I am ready to take a deep breath and try and stick out this next week. Sometimes I feel like there is no way to ever get ahead in this program.

On the bright side, most of my favorite television shows are back on the air, giving me a much needed study break every night. I think that PanAm is going to be a good show, and the new desperate housewives. Grey's Anatomy was pretty good this week, but really sad. No one likes to see a baby taken away from their parents. Desperate Housewives was good, but it needs to go. I have been a faithful Desperate follower since the early 2000, and I am ready to say good-bye.

With that being said, I think I have started a love affair with my text book, Guyton and Hall. I spend more time with that book than with anyone I love and care for, so its only right that I make it official. However, this textbook frustrates the heck out of me, so it's kind of one of those arranged marriages. Oh well! At least I am trying? hehe.

Survival!

So...I survived my first round of quizzes with successful to triumphant grades. I think it was good I studied so much because it gave me a confidence boost going into midterms in 3 weeks! (eek!) I can't believe it's almost October, but with October begins my favorite time of the year!

I love fall. I love the sun during the day and the crisp nights. I love pumpkins and leaves changing colors. I love that fall contains Halloween, one holiday that I have loved as a kid, and may go and see if I can celebrate it with a kid this year just so I can take part in the fun. :) After Halloween comes Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays just because after being away from home for so long, I am truly thankful to be with my family again. I wonder where we'll go this year? Though, I'm not going to lie, it might be nice just to stay home. After Thanksgiving starts the Christmas season, even though CVS things that Christmas starts after Halloween. (Crazy!) With Christmas comes traditions, yummy egg nog, and just the spirit of giving. I feel like I am given so much during the year, and Christmas is what allows me to give back.

Anywho. I am very much ready for fall to begin and for all of the fun and challenging things that are going to come. I think I'm going to buy a baby pumpkin to put on my kitchen table to commemorate the start of the season!
Cheers!

ps. (Shout out to Nann and Pops who faithfully follow my blog! Love you guys!)

Just keep swimmin'...

So I have pretty much spent the weekend studying my butt off. In the process, I have probably done the opposite and added to my butt by baking myself a heart-shaped chocolate cake with funfetti icing. Yeah. I deserved it. What hard working female doesn't?

So far I have covered everything from Glycolysis to scoliosis to isotonic vs. isometric training. I've taken quite a break, so I should probably get back to studying. I just keep hearing Dori the fish in my head singing, "Just keep swimming...Just keep swimming..."

TGI...W?

I will say, Wednesday is one of my most favorite, yet busiest days of the week. We don't have class on Wednesdays so it is up to my will power to drag my butt out of bed at a decent hour to study. The only motivation to that was knowing that I was going to get work done because I'd probably get burnt out later.

I got the pleasure of seeing my dad's parents (M&P) today. We went out to lunch and it was great to just catch up and hear what has been going on in their lives lately. Pray for my grandma because she is starting Chemo on Monday, and I truly wish her the best.

On a brighter note, I talked to my clinical coordinator about where she would recommend me going for clinicals. I know that there are places in Durham, CH, Albemarle, Wilmington, and a bunch of other places that I have to opportunity to get. I am also keeping my eye out in Houston, where my aunt is from, to see if maybe I could get some time with her down there. If anyone knows of an acute inpatient setting near Cypress/Houston TX that isn't going to put me in 3 hours of traffic a day, feel free to let me know!

It's kind of exciting thinking about everything that is coming up. I was talking to one of the second years today about the quiz and things that we will be doing and he says that I should be fine and everything goes by pretty fast. And you know what? I'm starting to believe him. Thanks to Wednesdays, and all the work that accumulates, my weeks are going by faster. Now I just need to find some people that like potlucks, mexican food, movies, and margaritas, and I am set.

Oh Happy Day!

So, this weekend I went to the wedding of my dear friend, KW, to the love of her life, EB. I am so happy for the two of them! It was great to see some of my favorite Kappa sisters along the way and to spend some much needed girl time with them. I also got the pleasure of being escorted by my lovely boyfriend, whose pictures I will post here, because he is a photographer. (Also, if you need a photographer, he's pretty jank.) Now, it's back to the grind. I have to hit the books hard this week since I have a test on Monday in 3 classes. Yikes!

Everyone has something wrong with thim...I guess that makes abnormalities normal?

So today in PT Skills Lab we learned about posture, scoliosis, leg length discrepancies and anthropometric measurements. In order to get an accurate reading on your posture, you need to essentially be topless. Now. We are learning how to be professionals, so bathing suit tops for girls were required. I go to a Jesuit school after all, topless would just rock Wheeling. So after standing there with my top off, I learned that my right shoulder is considerably higher than my left! I Know I have had hip structural abnormalities in the past, but I didn't know it would affect my posture this much. Interstingly enough, when I externally rotated my leg (or turned-out) my shoulder became more even. Has dance helped me with my posture?

So this will be my last update for awhile. I will be heading out of town for my lovely's wedding!!!! Can't wait to see KW, BK, and all of my Kappa Girls!

The only problem with rain is...

...it makes me want to fall asleep. So, this upcoming weekend one of my best friends is getting married. I am lucky enough to be a part of her wedding, and it just hit me during a study-break at the gym yesterday that not only do I have to do my preparation work for this week, but I also need to get my preparation work done for next week. You see, I plan on thoroughly enjoying myself this weekend being with my friend on her special day. To KW if you are reading this, I am so happy for you! You are an amazing girl and deserve the world! Enjoy the last week before your wedding and try not to be too anxious.

So, in reaction to my realization I have had to buckle down these past two days and study my life away. Unfortunately, it's 6pm on Monday and I just finished my prep for this week. I figure I would much rather exchange my free time this week for a free weekend. So, if I don't update this week, it's because I am living with my nose in my books and not the internet. Hey! My boyfriend and besties are calling! I am so close to hearing them!

As for what I've been learning so far, it all has to with the basics of the musculoskeletal system, a little review, a little more detail. This week in lab we're learning about posture and how to test for scoliosis. If you have any questions, post and I'll research and let you know. We're still on our case study of wellness, so I'm pretty sure we're going over metabolism and dietary requirements in class tomorrow. We also have Integrated Seminar, a meeting of the PT Club (fundraising and philanthropy...my niche), and a meeting with my advisor to create semester goals.

So basically things are truckin. Feel free to comment or email or skype! Oh, and it's rained the past 2 days and I keep falling asleep. Sad.

Happy Labor Day!

So it isn't exactly Labor Day, but it's the weekend so close enough. We get a 3 day weekend so I am taking the time to go out a bit, watch some movies, and STUDY. First off, I want to say... YEAH CAROLINA FOOTBALL! We just need to keep playing like that the rest of the year.

So things that I've noticed that are different about Wheeling than Chapel Hill:
1. We dress up way more to go out. Where are the sundresses? I brought many and I am unsure what I am going to do with the collection while I am up here.
2. They don't have ABC stores up here. You buy your liquor at CVS. That took me awhile to figure out.
3. The cops are really strict about drinking and driving, maybe because that's how everyone gets around up here? Hello 7pm on a Tuesday sobriety check point.
4. Few things are within walking distance and there is little to no public transportation? Does everyone have a car or am I just crazy?
5. Where are the A/C units? A/C is important WV. If you want to call yourself "southerners" you need to learn that.

Okay, I can only think of 5 right now, but I'll get back to you once I remember them.

Thank-you UNC EXSS Dept...

I would like to start off this post by saying, "Thank-you" to the UNC EXSS Dept. You guys have done an amazing job in prepping me for PT school. Not only did I know all of my body composition methods, but I was totally brainwashed with appropriate values for resting vitals. Go Dr. B's Exercise Testing class!

Anyways, so today is the day of the week that I'm in class from 8am to 4:30 pm with two 30min breaks. Needless to say I am wiped. However, the time went by pretty quickly. I've always passed off group work in the past but it really helps life go by faster when you actually have something to do. My classes are 2.5 hours long, and after one day of Problem Based Learning, I can honestly say that it surpasses regular classroom learning any day. Hopefully it will continue to be this fast-paced. I already feel one step behind, but they say that the program starts off running.

Right now we're working on a patient case in the "education" portion of Physical Therapy. We have a "mildly obese" patient that needs to go on an exercise and diet program. Did you know that DPT's are trained to do this? I doubt that people know that education and health promotion are a big part of a PT's job.

Anyways, only one more day of classes and we're having a welcome cook-out. Then it's labor day weekend. Let's see what I can find to do around the area!

Welcome to the next stage in your life...

So, today was the first day of this new stage in my life. It's more of a transitional stage in my opinion, not necessarily undergrad where I'm the same place for four years but I am in a phase that is constantly moving, fast paced, and completely unplanned. For all who don't know, today was my first day as an SPT, or Student Physical Therapist. After being talked at for a good 8 hours, I can honestly say that I am ready to dive-in head first. I've got a lot of good things going for me: a great living situation, a fixed golf swing, gluten free food readily available, and a gorgeous campus to be going to school. If only I could apparate and be closer to you all at the blink of an eye. (If you don't understand that reference, please go read the Harry Potter series. You are seriously missing out on a part of history. Culture yourself.)

Important skill that I learned today:
Apparently being a part of a Jesuit education has a lot to do with figuring out your desires. Which ones are suppose to be, and which ones are rushed. I am talking in more of a general sense. One idea I got from today is to consciously reflect on your day. I am going to try and take on this task, and I challenge you all to do the same. List out the positive happenings in your day (what you are grateful for or what made you smile), then reflect on what disappointed you (a personal or interpersonal conflict). Think about how this could have been avoided, and try to figure out how you will fix it for tomorrow. Always end on a good note. Kappa taught me that one. ;) I feel like we all subconsciously do this anyways, but try to be aware of it. Apparently it's suppose to make your quality of life better. We'll see about that one.

So, after one day down and another outfit picked out for tomorrow, I am off to shower off sweat from the gym. I will try to remember to take pictures, because who doesn't love those?
Chao Amigos.