Monday, October 10, 2005

 

I can't wait to have my life back... kinda...

Wednesday is my last board exam for a while... I'm not counting the exam I have in November, apparently it's not too horribly difficult to pass. And since we're guinea pigs, I actually don't have to pass it to graduate. It's just an expensive, time-consuming pain in the ass.

I'm pretty nervous about Wednesday's test. I know I'm not prepared for it - I'm incredibly exhausted from studying for so many board exams in such a short period of time. The material for Wednesday's test is the stuff I studied over a year ago - I didn't think I'd need this test, so I didn't take it a year ago when I should have, but I just might need it after all. This sucks. And as nervous as I am, I'm not freaking out... I'm attributing that to my body and mind being exhausted from all these tests. Well, that and I'm doing an Emergency Medicine rotation at a hospital whose EM residency I'm really interested in... and I'm so bent on not looking like a complete moron.

OK, back to studying I go... wish me luck...

Claud 9:11 PM 

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

 

I'll miss you, Marshall Field's...

A little part of Chicago died today. Well, yesterday. I just didn't get a chance to post because Blogger was acting up yesterday.

F*ck Macy's.
F*ck Federated Department Stores.

Marshall Field's IS Chicago. The building is a landmark. The institution is a legend. I grew up with the green bags. I loved looking at the Christmas displays. I wanted to register there someday when I got married (although apparently the change won't go into effect until next fall...). The food court has tasty food. The Walnut Room is gorgeous. We don't want to be NYC or LA - no offense to those cities. We like being Chicago.

Call me a baby if you will. I'm just bitter.

I'm going to go buy me some Frangos. Before those rat bastards change the box.

Macy's and Federated can kiss my ass.

Claud 5:00 PM 

Monday, September 12, 2005

 

things i did this weekend that probably weren't a good idea...

Having that 2nd Sam Adams after the 36-oz Blue Moon... and the onion rings... and the quesadilla... and the chicken fingers... and the jalapeno poppers.

Coming home drunk and watching "Beaches" on TV, alone, with the leftover quesadilla to keep me company.

Attempting to run the next morning. Note, greasy food + lots of beer - enough water + running = needing to stop on the side of the trail to dry heave.

Helping Jenn (technologically challenged) buy an MP3 player and teaching her a crash course in digital music - I am reminded how easily she gets frustrated and irritated. Tomorrow's lesson - ripping CD's. Wish me luck.

Claud 9:17 PM 

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

 

Welcome to the world, little man!


So my verrrrry pregnant cousin Trully FINALLY had her little boy on Saturday night... All 9 pounds of him! Congratulations to the new mama and the new papa Irio! I can't wait to meet the little guy. Sucky, I have to wait another week and a half before I get to see him, since I'm currently back in the QCA. I'm so excited for them. They've been waiting for the little guy for a long time. I saw a few pics, and he's adorable... Yay for them!

Claud 10:53 PM 

Saturday, September 03, 2005

 

Give the Gulf Coast a hand...

Never mind the arguments about race, about socioeconomic status, about who is to blame. These are our fellow humans. These are our countrymen. And they need our help.

The Red Cross

Claud 8:13 AM 

Monday, August 22, 2005

 

I'm old. And I need a nap...

So my 27th birthday has come and gone. I've felt kinda blah about it, but not so much because it's another year older. I've just been so stressed lately about boards and residency stuff that I just didn't feel much like celebrating. Saturday, Dan took me out to Mon Ami Gabi for lunch. He even wore a button-down shirt with a collar! I'm still amazed! Then we went with the herd over to watch the Windy City Thunderbolts in Crestwood. I was the dork who studied during the game (cut me some slack, my test is Thursday). There were fireworks afterward, so that was very cool - they did a very good job with them. Sunday, after brunch at Panera, Dan headed off to Vermont for yet another business jaunt. So the cousins were due to come out for my birthday, and since T was in the hospital possibly in labor, we figured we'd just do it at our house in case the little guy decided to be my birthday buddy. At any rate, by the time 4pm rolled around, I just about didn't want to do anything any more. I just felt blah. Oh well. I guess the whole not wanting to do anything crept on me when I was by myself, when I could think about all the studying I still need to do, all the things I have to do, all this crap with applying, etc. But as usual, once the cousins all got to my house, it was all laughs and good times. I love those knuckleheads.

Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes!

Oh, and T didn't end up in actual labor. So I'm still in the baby pool. Come on, 8/28!!!

Claud 11:04 AM 

Friday, August 19, 2005

 

Yes, I'm still alive, but it's not as fun as it used to be...

Howdy. Yes, I'm still here. Just taking a study break.

I've been super-busy with "I want to be a doctor" stuff. I'm currently doing my application for emergency medicine residencies and studying for the multitude of board exams that I have coming up. By my last count, by the time 2006 rolls around, I'll have taken 4 exams and spent $2500 on said exams, not counting the airfare/hotel I'll be purchasing for the test in Philly. Good times, good times.

I already had my "I don't want to do this any more" breaking point the other night. I'll probably have another one or two before this year is over. Especially before I take the MD step 1 board exam. Because I haven't studied that stuff in over a year. I'm still kicking myself in the head for not taking it last year, but then again last year I wanted to go into Family Practice or Internal Medicine and figured the DO boards would suffice.

Plus, this applying for residencies business has me all up in a tizzy. I desperately want to stay in Chicago (there's some darn good EM residencies here), but that would likely require at least doing decently, if not fabulously, on the MD boards. As much as I like my school, we didn't get a huge amount in the way of guidance for filling out all of this stuff, what we need to apply for, what paperwork is involved, or who to talk to about it. I just feel lost and confused and anxious. And if you ask Dan, that's not a good combination for me. Because then he has a crying fiancee on the phone. I've talked to a couple of my comrades, and I'm just glad I'm not the only one who feels lost. Phew.

Oy vey.

Back to studying I go.

Claud 4:16 PM