So this is what we call biochem...

Okay, for all you undergrads out there, it ALL comes back to haunt you:

Biochemistry for MS1: combination of Freshman biology (and you thought Pope was hard), molecular (thank-you Dr. Grens for forewarning us that it would come back and haunt us!), cell (hmmmm....), organismal physiology, genetics, and BIOCHEM (with the lovely Dr. Gretchen Anderson and Nicholas Cage, hehe), oh yea, and a little O-chem thrown in for flava!

Anatomy: Anatomy, organismal physiology, devo (wish I would have taken it now!)

Histology: Anatomy (the histology in the lab helps a little, but nothing prepares you for the Meekster (or his equivalent at other medical institutions!).

Diagnostic imaging: nothing really helps with this except maybe physics (yuck!)

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: massaging my little sister, hehe, just kidding

Classes that may come in handy later: Microbiology, chemistry (gotta love acid-base!)

Ok kids, back to biochem! Just thought I'd leave you those words of wisdom.

Okay, three exam down and all were passed (THANK GOD!!!). Sitting here wasting time in the library when I should really be studying. Gretchen Anderson, how I love thee! You are saving my butt in biochem right now (and we haven't even got to Krebs yet!!!! wohoo).

So outside of school work, I must say that God is teaching some mighty strong lessons right now. In particular (and an all-time favorite for me to learn I suppose), I am learning (STILL!) to trust and rely on Him for everything. A situation arose earlier this week and I must say, it was very testing. I won't go into details here, but I'm so grateful to have a Savior who loves me unconditionally and who I know won't leave me like some that have. While my fleshly side still hates the rejection, I solace myself in knowing that He will never leave me or forsake. I wish and am trying to give Him the kind of devotion that He has given me.

At times I question why I left everything I've ever known for the calamity that is out-of-state med school and why I've exposed myself to all this ugliness. But I have to remind myself that I have been called to serve a purpose (although I know it not yet) and that the most I can do is try to glorify God while doing it.

Well kids, I am sorry for the tardiness in this latest post. I will try to be more diligent. I love you all at home. Kisses to all!

First anatomy test- one hour and counting. I don't think I've ever been as nervous for a test before (well, besides the MCAT:-)....). I sit here and am doing everything I can do to remain calm. One thing that I think is really cool- God is continuing to reveal Himself to me and remind me that I am not here for my own reasons, but for His and it's by His grace that I am going to survive this experience. I was really blessed yesterday and got to attend a pretty neat church. It was the first real worship experience I've had in a formal setting since I moved here (I can't begin to express how much I miss Zion Chapel). The worship was wonderful. I so enjoy feeling refreshed in God's presence. So, as I sit here waiting down that final hour, I try to focus on God and His wonder and remind myself that I am merely on this earth for a short while and that the best I can hope to accomplish is to be used by God to achieve His purpose for my life. So, my friends, I must go eat some food so I don't pass out in this exam:-) Love you all!

Exam 1 down, how many more to go?

Got my biochem exam back....didn't do too bad. God gets all the credit for that! The big Anatomy test is looming very close! Monday is a very short time away. I am in a much better disposition. Stuff finally seems to be sinking in...I don't know what I was experiencing earlier this week, but it was like brain block! Very frustrating, but now I'm trying to just take things step by step. So, this weekend, I plan on puting in copious amount of hours studying, so hopefully I should be able to pass the lecture exam. The way exams work here is that we have lecture and lab exams on the same day. The two are very much related, but it's still alot of material to cover. Apparently, the typical story is that most of the class relies on their lab grade to bring them up because half the class is going to fail the first exam. Hmmmm, interesting statistics. I hope to not be one of them, but that's kind of hard to say at this point, because I keep reminding myself that I am no longer in undergrad and all of my classmates are my colleagues, equals, and fellow-commiserators:-) Well, I'm off to study! Thanks everyone for all your prayers. I really think they make all the difference in the world!

BTW, I was certainly optimistic several posts ago saying grades don't matter....I still have to survive..............

Mush

My brain is mush! First exam tomorrow- Biochem! I don't want to study anymore. It's so overwhelming. Everyone one gave me all these analogies for how med school was going to be, and I was just like "Yeah, yea, I can handle it. It's probably not that bad." No, it is! I haven't even faced my first anatomy or histology final and I'm already freaking out! So ladies and gents, who wants to be a med student and why am I one? Some thoughts to ponder until I get into a better mood. Life's a rollercoaster and I'm hanging on for dear life!