Friday, May 17, 2002

Well, one exam done and 3 to go. I actually didn't have a final foundations exam because Dr. Lazarus felt like giving us a break (she probably didn't want to waste her time writing another lame easy test). And even bigger news: I finally earned enough points through doing online Harris Poll surveys to earn my crockpot. Okay, so why a crockpot? Well, because the other choices suck and this seemed the most useful. I could have gotten a Belgian Waffle maker but I'm not really planning on making those very often (that's my next prize if I earn enough points before they remove it as a choice). Or I could have gotten a skooter but it's scary enough getting around on two feet in this city that all I would be doing is riding around the pool or using it to ride to the other bigger pool and the hottub a few hundred feet away. Not very practical. And like I said, the other choices were lame. So I have no idea when it will get here or how because when I redeemed my points, all they gave me was a reference number and no way of using it to track the package. I emailed the support center to find out how to track it so hopefully they can help me out. I hope it's not some lame thing where I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks. I sent in a rebate for $10 off the CD-Rs I bought in february but never heard back. And I just sent in a $30 rebate for my wireless router. I better get that rebate or I will have to raise hell with the friendly folks at microwarehouse.com. I met some of my future neighbors when I went over to find out when my renter will be out (very soon so I can move stuff in after the locks are changed and other business like that - that was for you folks mom and dad). The guy right next to me just graduated from med school (the neighbor who told me think it was Tulane) and he starts his residency in surgery at Charity Hospital in July. There's another surgery resident living on the second floor, a retired anesthesiologist, an alternative therapy physical therapist (I didn't ask what that exactly meant), a PR person for the American Heart Assn, another resident, and a lady with MS. Okay, so that's not really being in the health profession but after hearing about all the medical people, I looked at her waiting to hear she was a brain surgeon or a nurse or something like that and she said, "I just have MS." with the "don't look at me" expression. One of the other neighbors is a white guy married to an Asian lady (I really didn't look hard enough but she might have been Japanese or Chinese). They have a little dog. I also met this one lady who I hope I won't have to deal with much. She works in sales for the condo and she has this attitude I just don't care for. Alright, I better get to work!

~me~ at 8:32 PM

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

Even when things are simple I apparently can't get them done. I had planned on writing on this site more often but since only one or two people appear to read this, I guess it's not too important that I keep it updated. I mean, all the entries would have basically said, "I'm studying." Anyway, I got my hair cut and Albert (the hair cut guy) thinned out my hair and yet, it's still like a huge thick bush. I guess that's better than it being thin and limp but oh well...I thought he was going to give me layers since that's what Christina told him to do but since I was adament that he didn't shave the back of my neck, he decided to be a bit conservative. I like my hair short since I have no desire to ever style my hair (mostly because I don't know how nor do I have the patience and dexterity) and it will be nice for this hot summer. I think I might try and go somewhere else since while he does a good job, it's rather spendy. I'm staying away from supercuts as I have heard a few horror stories.
I discovered that Kmart has the old formulation of my daily thyroid pills so I don't have to deal with the chalky nasty new formula that I got from Walgreens. Plus since I only got a 30 day supply (I needed a prescription before the labs were back), I only had to pay $5 (insurance). So, while I usually get a 100 day supply and have to pay out of pocket about $22, I may just see if I can get around this by getting 30 day supplies since for $20, I can get 120 pills. Kmart is right by my future home so it's quite convenient for me.
What else, oh, today Dr. K told us not to feel discouraged after leaving the shelf exam on the 29th since 40% usually ends up being like a 80 or 90 % in our class. Apparently, we're not supposed to do well in the context of the total questions on the shelf exam since the national average tends to be low and tulane students usually have a higher average and that we shouldn't worry because they'll take care of us...Kind of reminds me of the Foundations biology course sequence at the U of O. I got an A in the class that I got a 45% on a midterm exam because the average was insanely low. Though at the moment, I wasn't quite aware of that possibility and decided to apply for a job from the dept of sanitation.
I guess that's it for now. Time to get back to work. Oh, did I mention that today was my last day of classes of my first year of med school? The only things holding me back from 2nd year are 4 exams. Oh and I learned that I will be parking outside next year at the Radisson Lot. That will suck when it's cold and rainy since that's quite a walking distance from the school and yet all we get is a $10 discount. At least I'm guaranteed a contract since I had a contract this year. I may go visit the HEAL parking lot to see what they can offer me since that's a covered lot with a walkway connected to the school...yes I am that lazy and if I bring my computer to school I don't want to have to worry about it getting wet on rainy days.


~me~ at 5:11 PM