I'm looking at some year long graduate programs in London and some look exactly what I want, but there is a problem. I'm deathly intimidated by the idea of taking graduate level courses in the UK. I feel like all Britons are naturally superior to me in every way. I afraid that I'll show up to an immuno class and have no idea what any of them are talking about on multiple levels.
1. They'll be talking about things of which I have no concept.
2. The accents. I couldn't even understand "Take away?"
3. Anything I say/write won't be understood because I'll format everything in the American way.
Are these even legitimate concerns?
Does an average American undergraduate education match up to a British undergraduate?
You can be brutally honest because I already think the British are way better than us.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Happy Easter! (Unless you take offense to that; to you I offer no title.)
A quick update before I go home for a long weekend.
Failed my Physics test (below 80 is failing) in less than 10 minutes. How's that possible? We take them on the computer so you know whether you got the question wrong or not. Once I got 5/23 points taken off I stop taking it and left. Except I forgot that if you get a 50% or below you have to redo the HW. Woops. Whatever, I have all the answers for it anyway.
(In my Abroad - Lit/Art class)
Prof: (To class) Where is the weirdest place you've ever been?
Dr W: This class...
Prof #2: Hahaha, you must be a science major.
Damn straight.
Failed my Physics test (below 80 is failing) in less than 10 minutes. How's that possible? We take them on the computer so you know whether you got the question wrong or not. Once I got 5/23 points taken off I stop taking it and left. Except I forgot that if you get a 50% or below you have to redo the HW. Woops. Whatever, I have all the answers for it anyway.
(In my Abroad - Lit/Art class)
Prof: (To class) Where is the weirdest place you've ever been?
Dr W: This class...
Prof #2: Hahaha, you must be a science major.
Damn straight.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
I Don't Care If It Is the Most Populous Molecule in the Atmosphere
This is going to sound silly, but I hate Nitrogen. Yes, I'm talking about Nitrogen the element.
Every time Nitrogen is brought up in one of my classes I always get completely lost. And it's not like there is a specific thing about N that's common in the different classes when it's brought up. When I was taking Microbiology and we started talking about Nitrogen fixation I was lost for sure. This is actually one of the reasons I avoid Environmental Science classes at all cost, because N plays such a huge role in it. (Well, that and because I would start killing people when they brought up Global Warming every class.)
In Organic we're covering Amide and Amines and needless to say it's not going well. I don't know what happened. I know I'm not great in Organic, but I generally get what's happening and can figure out how to reach the answers when given them. But I'm looking at the answers to some of the reactions and I just have no idea what's going on. I look through the text for a mechanism to reference, but none of them touch on this specific issue I'm having. I don't know what to do.
Ugh, it's really upsetting that I don't like any of my current science classes. (Oragnic and Physics) I don't know why medschools make you take these classes that really have nothing to do with medicine. I know that I need a background in Organic for Biochem, but honestly do I really need all of this? And the sad thing is I'm getting terrible grades. (C's) But it's not like I don't understand the material. I do understand it, I just can't master it I guess. Should I even need to master this stuff to get into medschool? One reader told me a while back that if I can't handle this then I shouldn't be admitted. That was upsetting, but probably true. Ahh truth; it's a bitch.
When applying to schools I'd really like to say, "Hey I know I keep getting C's in these classes, but they're the one's that aren't related to medicine. And if someone is getting C's in General Chemistry or Orgo1 shouldn't their grades keep going down as the material gets harder? My grades at least stay consistent, which I think at least shows that I "get it." It's not like I'm a moron. And I generally retain what I learn long after I take the class. But why do you only want the students that are aces at Chemistry and Physics. Sure they're difficult, but do they really correlate to clinical material?
Basically I wish the "pre-med courses" meant taking classes that actually resembled medical school classes. Well next year it's nothing but science classes with strong clinical connections. (Vertebrate Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, Genetics, Human Nutrition) I became a BioMed major for these classes, not Physics, Gen Chem and Orgo. Unfortunately the schools that I apply to won't see the grades that I get in these classes because my applications will be in before I take them. Hopefully I do well in them next year and I have a better shot at getting in the second time around. Yeah, I'm planning on not getting in this time around. The question will just be what should I do with that year off?
Okay, back to freaking Hoffmann Elimination Rxn. ugh...
[Edit: PS - My favorite pen just ran out of ink. This work just got a little more painful]
Every time Nitrogen is brought up in one of my classes I always get completely lost. And it's not like there is a specific thing about N that's common in the different classes when it's brought up. When I was taking Microbiology and we started talking about Nitrogen fixation I was lost for sure. This is actually one of the reasons I avoid Environmental Science classes at all cost, because N plays such a huge role in it. (Well, that and because I would start killing people when they brought up Global Warming every class.)
In Organic we're covering Amide and Amines and needless to say it's not going well. I don't know what happened. I know I'm not great in Organic, but I generally get what's happening and can figure out how to reach the answers when given them. But I'm looking at the answers to some of the reactions and I just have no idea what's going on. I look through the text for a mechanism to reference, but none of them touch on this specific issue I'm having. I don't know what to do.
Ugh, it's really upsetting that I don't like any of my current science classes. (Oragnic and Physics) I don't know why medschools make you take these classes that really have nothing to do with medicine. I know that I need a background in Organic for Biochem, but honestly do I really need all of this? And the sad thing is I'm getting terrible grades. (C's) But it's not like I don't understand the material. I do understand it, I just can't master it I guess. Should I even need to master this stuff to get into medschool? One reader told me a while back that if I can't handle this then I shouldn't be admitted. That was upsetting, but probably true. Ahh truth; it's a bitch.
When applying to schools I'd really like to say, "Hey I know I keep getting C's in these classes, but they're the one's that aren't related to medicine. And if someone is getting C's in General Chemistry or Orgo1 shouldn't their grades keep going down as the material gets harder? My grades at least stay consistent, which I think at least shows that I "get it." It's not like I'm a moron. And I generally retain what I learn long after I take the class. But why do you only want the students that are aces at Chemistry and Physics. Sure they're difficult, but do they really correlate to clinical material?
Basically I wish the "pre-med courses" meant taking classes that actually resembled medical school classes. Well next year it's nothing but science classes with strong clinical connections. (Vertebrate Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, Genetics, Human Nutrition) I became a BioMed major for these classes, not Physics, Gen Chem and Orgo. Unfortunately the schools that I apply to won't see the grades that I get in these classes because my applications will be in before I take them. Hopefully I do well in them next year and I have a better shot at getting in the second time around. Yeah, I'm planning on not getting in this time around. The question will just be what should I do with that year off?
Okay, back to freaking Hoffmann Elimination Rxn. ugh...
[Edit: PS - My favorite pen just ran out of ink. This work just got a little more painful]
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Do You Have a Double?
I've heard theories that say somewhere in the world there is someone who looks exactly like you. But what about people who don't look like you, but are exactly like you?
When I say exactly alike I mean, mannerisms, interests, views, processes of thinking, tastes in everything. Everything is the same.
Generally, you can find people who will have a shared sense of humor, interests or affiliations. I on the other hand have found two people who are identical to each other.
Friend #1, we'll call Lee, because that's a nice stereotypical Asian affiliated name. Friend #2, we'll call Mike, cause that's a nice typical Caucasian name.
I've known Lee since high school. We're nothing alike but we get along surprisingly well. To get an idea of what he's like here are some of his interests: elitist underground indie rock, elitist (but not necessarily good) indie movies, vegetarianism, English/Philosophy major, music journalism, social liberalism, smart comedy (Arrested Development, 30 Rock, The Office). You get the picture.
Mike became my former roommate's new roommate when I left him last semester. It was about 30 minutes into meeting to him that I realized he's nothing but a Caucasian version of Lee. The first thing that gave it away was the fact he was talking about music artists that I had only heard of from Lee. I told Mike to check out Lee's Last.FM playlist and they both listen to the same exact music.
Okay, big deal they listen to the same music. If you're into one type of band, you're probably into most of the other ones in the same genre. We shall continue.
Lee started out as a computer science major, but quit because at his school it's part of the engineering school, which required him to take too many classes that had nothing to do with what he likes. He is now an English and Philosophy major. Mike is a computer science major, but is very into philosophy, especially existentialism, which is exactly what Lee is into. Mike is currently reading a book on World Religions, which is not required for a class.
Mike has gotten me to watch movies that Lee has been meaning to make me watch for a while.
Mike is a vegetarian. Lee has given up meat for the past few Lents and is now planning on giving it up for good, without knowing that Mike is a vegetarian.
They both have the same exact sarcastic humor that many don't appreciate, but I'm very keen to.
Both of them love to piss me off at any chance they get. And they do it in the same exact way. Mainly by taking anything I say and twisting it into something else, or proving me to be a hypocrite at any chance. (Oh wait, everyone does that.)
When I was food shopping with Mike he told me how he use to love New England Clam Chowder, but, alas, he can eat it no longer. The next day I'm on the phone with Lee telling him how I'm thinking about having NE Clam Chowder and he responds with, "Yeah, I'm going to miss that when I stop eating meat."
When I visited Lee while he studied in London I unknowingly met his twin Mike BECAUSE HE WAS STUDYING IN LONDON AT THE SAME TIME WITH OTHER FRIENDS OF MINE!!!!
Is this enough?!?!?!?
The two of them readily acknowledge the fact that they are the same person and plan on meeting over the summer. It's really really really weird. (REALLY!)
I haven't known Mike for very long but I seem to "get him" very quickly, which is saying something because he has some very... ummm... interesting idiosyncrasies. I chalk this up to being friends with Lee for so long. Being with Mike is exactly like being with Lee. I'm at the point where I predict what he's about to say/do/think (wait isn't that almost the name of a band they both like?) based off of what Lee would do. I'm almost always right. I wish that I could better explain this, but it's something that you really only notice when you know both people personally. Unfortunately, I'm the only person that knows both of them.
I wonder if there is another Dr. Wannabe out there. Maybe he goes by the name Dr. Want2B. You guys have to make sure to tells us about each other. Wait, none of you know me well enough to make that connection. Damn it!
When I say exactly alike I mean, mannerisms, interests, views, processes of thinking, tastes in everything. Everything is the same.
Generally, you can find people who will have a shared sense of humor, interests or affiliations. I on the other hand have found two people who are identical to each other.
Friend #1, we'll call Lee, because that's a nice stereotypical Asian affiliated name. Friend #2, we'll call Mike, cause that's a nice typical Caucasian name.
I've known Lee since high school. We're nothing alike but we get along surprisingly well. To get an idea of what he's like here are some of his interests: elitist underground indie rock, elitist (but not necessarily good) indie movies, vegetarianism, English/Philosophy major, music journalism, social liberalism, smart comedy (Arrested Development, 30 Rock, The Office). You get the picture.
Mike became my former roommate's new roommate when I left him last semester. It was about 30 minutes into meeting to him that I realized he's nothing but a Caucasian version of Lee. The first thing that gave it away was the fact he was talking about music artists that I had only heard of from Lee. I told Mike to check out Lee's Last.FM playlist and they both listen to the same exact music.
Okay, big deal they listen to the same music. If you're into one type of band, you're probably into most of the other ones in the same genre. We shall continue.
Lee started out as a computer science major, but quit because at his school it's part of the engineering school, which required him to take too many classes that had nothing to do with what he likes. He is now an English and Philosophy major. Mike is a computer science major, but is very into philosophy, especially existentialism, which is exactly what Lee is into. Mike is currently reading a book on World Religions, which is not required for a class.
Mike has gotten me to watch movies that Lee has been meaning to make me watch for a while.
Mike is a vegetarian. Lee has given up meat for the past few Lents and is now planning on giving it up for good, without knowing that Mike is a vegetarian.
They both have the same exact sarcastic humor that many don't appreciate, but I'm very keen to.
Both of them love to piss me off at any chance they get. And they do it in the same exact way. Mainly by taking anything I say and twisting it into something else, or proving me to be a hypocrite at any chance. (Oh wait, everyone does that.)
When I was food shopping with Mike he told me how he use to love New England Clam Chowder, but, alas, he can eat it no longer. The next day I'm on the phone with Lee telling him how I'm thinking about having NE Clam Chowder and he responds with, "Yeah, I'm going to miss that when I stop eating meat."
When I visited Lee while he studied in London I unknowingly met his twin Mike BECAUSE HE WAS STUDYING IN LONDON AT THE SAME TIME WITH OTHER FRIENDS OF MINE!!!!
Is this enough?!?!?!?
The two of them readily acknowledge the fact that they are the same person and plan on meeting over the summer. It's really really really weird. (REALLY!)
I haven't known Mike for very long but I seem to "get him" very quickly, which is saying something because he has some very... ummm... interesting idiosyncrasies. I chalk this up to being friends with Lee for so long. Being with Mike is exactly like being with Lee. I'm at the point where I predict what he's about to say/do/think (wait isn't that almost the name of a band they both like?) based off of what Lee would do. I'm almost always right. I wish that I could better explain this, but it's something that you really only notice when you know both people personally. Unfortunately, I'm the only person that knows both of them.
I wonder if there is another Dr. Wannabe out there. Maybe he goes by the name Dr. Want2B. You guys have to make sure to tells us about each other. Wait, none of you know me well enough to make that connection. Damn it!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I Called It
You know how I said that I wasn't going to be able to recognize my psychology group partners? Well one of them started a sheet for us to to write our names and e-mail addresses on so that we can begin to meet together and when I passed the sheet to the one guy I could definitely recognize I handed it past one of the other guys in the group before he had written his name on it. He was probably wondering what the fuck was the matter with me. It's okay though cause I recognize him sitting across from me in the SciBld. Comp. Lab. But only because I remember the coat he was wearing and book he was reading....
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sick of the Speculation
Today my friend sent me a CNN article about what may happen because of Global Warming and all of you will pay for it.
I'm sorry, but speculation is cheap. I want to see scientists do some research on proving that it is in fact greenhouse gases that cause Global Warming, instead of treating it like fact. I heard that in the 70's there was a scare that Global Cooling was occurring because they saw a dip in the average temperature for that decade. Well they saw that dip go away and now everyone believes in Global Warming.
All I see are studies after studies about what Global Warming may do, but nothing showing that it's due to us. Uggggggh. You know people, the Earth temperature has fluctuated by much more than a few degrees in the past, long before the car was invented and cows were farting. What do you think was doing it then??? What about that thing called the Ice Age? Human were around during that. How'd it happen? (Because humans killed the mastodons which were a major contributor of greenhouse gases. Duhhh.) How many times did you hear that Global Warming would increase the number of hurricanes. Well when the Atlantic had more than average the Pacific had less than average. The only reason people were making a big deal about them was because they kept hitting the Gulf Coast over and over again. PS - last hurricane season the Atlanic had like what... 3 storms reach hurricane status. Don't quote me on these numbers because they're not accurate, but the general idea is.
I'm not saying that a couple degrees change wouldn't be significant, and I'm not denying that it may be getting warmer. I'm calling into question what causes it. Generally in science before things are considered true predictions must be made and seen to occur according to the mechanism proposed. Well I haven't heard of any experiments done that show any accurate results. From what I can see there is way too little known about the complexities of the climate to make any accurate predictions about it. Hence why meteorologist only make 10-day forecasts and are still only right something on the lines of 60% of the time.
This post, as one of my friends would say, is nothing but "shambles." I'm aware that I made no arguments to disprove traditional global warming theories. That's because I honestly don't want to spend the time to do that right now. Maybe another time. I think if you go through my old posts though you'll find one that touches on some studies that suggests greenhouse gases aren't the cause of global warming.
I'm sorry, but speculation is cheap. I want to see scientists do some research on proving that it is in fact greenhouse gases that cause Global Warming, instead of treating it like fact. I heard that in the 70's there was a scare that Global Cooling was occurring because they saw a dip in the average temperature for that decade. Well they saw that dip go away and now everyone believes in Global Warming.
All I see are studies after studies about what Global Warming may do, but nothing showing that it's due to us. Uggggggh. You know people, the Earth temperature has fluctuated by much more than a few degrees in the past, long before the car was invented and cows were farting. What do you think was doing it then??? What about that thing called the Ice Age? Human were around during that. How'd it happen? (Because humans killed the mastodons which were a major contributor of greenhouse gases. Duhhh.) How many times did you hear that Global Warming would increase the number of hurricanes. Well when the Atlantic had more than average the Pacific had less than average. The only reason people were making a big deal about them was because they kept hitting the Gulf Coast over and over again. PS - last hurricane season the Atlanic had like what... 3 storms reach hurricane status. Don't quote me on these numbers because they're not accurate, but the general idea is.
I'm not saying that a couple degrees change wouldn't be significant, and I'm not denying that it may be getting warmer. I'm calling into question what causes it. Generally in science before things are considered true predictions must be made and seen to occur according to the mechanism proposed. Well I haven't heard of any experiments done that show any accurate results. From what I can see there is way too little known about the complexities of the climate to make any accurate predictions about it. Hence why meteorologist only make 10-day forecasts and are still only right something on the lines of 60% of the time.
This post, as one of my friends would say, is nothing but "shambles." I'm aware that I made no arguments to disprove traditional global warming theories. That's because I honestly don't want to spend the time to do that right now. Maybe another time. I think if you go through my old posts though you'll find one that touches on some studies that suggests greenhouse gases aren't the cause of global warming.
Facial Memory
This sucks. I have a terrible memory for faces, but I myself am very memorable. No, no, I'm not saying that to sound cocky. I'm 6'4'' and have a huge head with a prominent forehead. Actually, I look like Peyton Manning and have been told this since I was in 7th grade. Just he's 220lbs of muscle, and I'm 200lbs of anything but. Hmm, I guess if I hit the gym and put some weight on I have a better idea of what I would look like... ANYWAY...
So I'm in the Science Building Computer Lab and I'm printing something out and this girl moves around her screen so I can see her face, waves and says "Hi." I wave back and say hello, but I have zeroooo idea who she is. This happens all the time. I actually read an article about people with terrible memories for faces. It sucks. I'm totally "that guy" who everyone knows even if you haven't actually had a conversation with that person. Someone told me once when meeting them that they had seen me all over campus but never knew my name. I, on the other hand, didn't recognize him at all.
I don't even know if I could pick out three guys in my project group in my psychology class. One of them I definitely can. The other two I'm not so confident with. Hopefully we'll have to meet in groups again once more in class so we can setup a meeting outside of class. The same thing goes for my group in my abroad class. Two of the girls I would definitely recognize but the other two I'm not so sure about. And I'll be damned if I know any of these people's names.
Time to go back to studying. Got a 25 on an old MCAT today. Ehhh, not really what I want it to be, but I can't complain since I haven't actually studied outside of taking tests. And I had a ton of time left over for each section so maybe I would have scored higher if I spent that time going over it... :-/
So I'm in the Science Building Computer Lab and I'm printing something out and this girl moves around her screen so I can see her face, waves and says "Hi." I wave back and say hello, but I have zeroooo idea who she is. This happens all the time. I actually read an article about people with terrible memories for faces. It sucks. I'm totally "that guy" who everyone knows even if you haven't actually had a conversation with that person. Someone told me once when meeting them that they had seen me all over campus but never knew my name. I, on the other hand, didn't recognize him at all.
I don't even know if I could pick out three guys in my project group in my psychology class. One of them I definitely can. The other two I'm not so confident with. Hopefully we'll have to meet in groups again once more in class so we can setup a meeting outside of class. The same thing goes for my group in my abroad class. Two of the girls I would definitely recognize but the other two I'm not so sure about. And I'll be damned if I know any of these people's names.
Time to go back to studying. Got a 25 on an old MCAT today. Ehhh, not really what I want it to be, but I can't complain since I haven't actually studied outside of taking tests. And I had a ton of time left over for each section so maybe I would have scored higher if I spent that time going over it... :-/
Sunday, March 25, 2007
This Shit is BANANASSSS
Seriously, yall need to start watching Battlestar Galactica.
That was the most intense piece of TV I have ever watched in my life.
That was the most intense piece of TV I have ever watched in my life.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Not So Witty
A conversation that I thought was a lot funnier than the other person did:
Friend: She was telling me how when she was in Japan they were landing planes without wheels.
Dr W: Yeah, they're good at that. They've been doing it since WW2.
Well, I laughed...
Friend: She was telling me how when she was in Japan they were landing planes without wheels.
Dr W: Yeah, they're good at that. They've been doing it since WW2.
Well, I laughed...
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wow
Yeah, so you know how I estimated my score on Test #3 to be a 27? Well, I actually got a 27 on Test #4, w00t! And now that I have some tests to get a good idea of what areas I'm weak in I know what to concentrate my studies on. Oh man if I start breaking 30's then I might do something crazy like apply to in-state MD schools. (I'm such a sellout as my friend tells me)
While I was in the library I noticed the person next to me studying from a USMLE and I asked him if he was a medical student, knowing damn well that he was. He had just finished his 2nd year at St. George's in Granada. He said that he liked it down there, but was doing all of his rotations locally. He didn't apply to any DO schools and says that he doesn't regret going to school abroad, but that he also knows that he's "one notch below DOs when applying to residency." He also was filling me in on how much work the first two years are. He said that biochem was rough and that I should probably take it, but at the same time he told me that the people who already took it only "kind of had a head start." Once again, I'm left in limbo on the situation. Still leaning towards no though.
Well, tomorrow starts three days of heavy drinking at night. It's going to be sweet. 5 of my friends and I are visiting a friend at his school and going to a bar for a Beer Pong Tourney. Then Friday is my friend's 21st and his family is supplying all the alcohol and food. It's going to be amazing because price is never a question with them. And then Saturday is St. Patrick's and I claim my birthright as a 100% IRISH 21 year old. SPRING BREAK!!!!!
While I was in the library I noticed the person next to me studying from a USMLE and I asked him if he was a medical student, knowing damn well that he was. He had just finished his 2nd year at St. George's in Granada. He said that he liked it down there, but was doing all of his rotations locally. He didn't apply to any DO schools and says that he doesn't regret going to school abroad, but that he also knows that he's "one notch below DOs when applying to residency." He also was filling me in on how much work the first two years are. He said that biochem was rough and that I should probably take it, but at the same time he told me that the people who already took it only "kind of had a head start." Once again, I'm left in limbo on the situation. Still leaning towards no though.
Well, tomorrow starts three days of heavy drinking at night. It's going to be sweet. 5 of my friends and I are visiting a friend at his school and going to a bar for a Beer Pong Tourney. Then Friday is my friend's 21st and his family is supplying all the alcohol and food. It's going to be amazing because price is never a question with them. And then Saturday is St. Patrick's and I claim my birthright as a 100% IRISH 21 year old. SPRING BREAK!!!!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Fluke?
Well, my MCAT practice tests have been going pretty well so far. I got a 22 on my first practice test, a 25 on my second, and the third one was a little weird. When I was taking it somehow I wasn't given the verbal section so I got a zero there, but I got a 9 and 10 in physical science and biological science, respectively. And I got a 7 and 10 in verbal on test 1+2, so I'm scoring test three as a 27. Holy shit, could I be knocking on 30's door?!?!?!
Today I shall shower, eat, get a haircut, go to Jiffy Lube and take test 4. I'll update you on how I do. I have a feeling I'm going to go down back to around 23.
Today I shall shower, eat, get a haircut, go to Jiffy Lube and take test 4. I'll update you on how I do. I have a feeling I'm going to go down back to around 23.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
TV, never leave me
You know I started the day maybe a little stressed out because of housing issues again and midterms and scheduling and blah blah blah. But a good healthy dose of The Amazing Race and The Real World: Denver just gave me a smile from ear to ear. They were both just absolute hilarious shit shows that I couldn't help laughing constantly throughout. The Amazing Race is made up of dwarves, gay cubans, gay old people, straight old people, boston accents, blondes and male nipple piercings just running around Chile speaking English with Spanish accents thinking that people understand them. There is nothing in the world like it. And then The Real World is just a bunch of my drunk peers having alcohol induced heart-to-hearts. Oh, and p.s., they're all super horny. Especially the girl who keep flirting with her gay roommate, who has admitted that he's never been as turned on by a girl as her. Oh, and his boyfriend is visiting and they're always talking about three ways. It's just too funny.
Well I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow I have my Psych of Sleep midterm and then a Chem Lab lecture. Then I'm studying Organic all day. Life is good. And I'm not even being sarcastic. I think I'm tired-drunk, and high off this delllllllicious Tropicana Orange Juice. NOT FROM CONCENTRATE!!!!
Well I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow I have my Psych of Sleep midterm and then a Chem Lab lecture. Then I'm studying Organic all day. Life is good. And I'm not even being sarcastic. I think I'm tired-drunk, and high off this delllllllicious Tropicana Orange Juice. NOT FROM CONCENTRATE!!!!
Friday, March 02, 2007
What's worse than taking biochem?
The answer: Taking biochem twice.
So I spoke with my advisor today to see if he thought I should take biochem or not. He basically told me that if I'm a "chem person" to go for it. And he said he basically leaves it up to the student. He told me that he loved organic and biochem, which means I don't think I'm going to take it. It's not that I don't like organic, cause I kind of do. But I'm not the heavy details type of person that's required for chemistry, whereas he's the type of person that likes to memorize the S-values for different types of white blood cells.
Not heavy on details? That came out wrong. Do you need to be that kind of person to be a competent physician, cause you basically need to be in order to be a successful science major? I hope not. I like to think that clinical skills are separate from being able to understand the placement of substituents on aromatic benzene.
So I spoke with my advisor today to see if he thought I should take biochem or not. He basically told me that if I'm a "chem person" to go for it. And he said he basically leaves it up to the student. He told me that he loved organic and biochem, which means I don't think I'm going to take it. It's not that I don't like organic, cause I kind of do. But I'm not the heavy details type of person that's required for chemistry, whereas he's the type of person that likes to memorize the S-values for different types of white blood cells.
Not heavy on details? That came out wrong. Do you need to be that kind of person to be a competent physician, cause you basically need to be in order to be a successful science major? I hope not. I like to think that clinical skills are separate from being able to understand the placement of substituents on aromatic benzene.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
House 3.0
Oh Spring Break, you're so close. I'm in desperate need of you.
Everything has been going okay lately. I've come to terms with my grades and I no longer stress over them the same way. I'm just accepting my 3.0GPA (Out of 4.0) as an inseparable part of me.
I read a short article over at www.studentdoctornetwork.net that gave some tips with how to handle a lower than average GPA. It basically said to be proactive and not try to avoid it when applying to medschools and interviewing. I was glad to hear that because I did directly address it in my autobiography and was careful not to make it seem like too negative of a point. I also showed that I did have a plan for how to solve the problem once entering medical school, which was another thing stressed in the article. Horrah Problem Based Learning-pathways!
I've also started the process of scheduling my classes for next semester. Originally I was going to have a really easy semester with Fridays off, but people are starting to talk me into taking Biochemistry. I don't know how good of an idea this is considering I have a C+ average in Organic Chem, but from what I've heard it's basically becoming a pre-req for medical schools and if you don't have a background in it then your first semester of medschool is particularly impossible.
If I take that then my cumulative transcript will include the following science/math classes:
General Bio I+II + Lab
General Chem I+II + Lab
Organic Chem I+II + Lab
Physics I+II + Lab
Biochemistry I
Microbiology + Lab
Immunology
Veratbrate Physiology + Lab (different from A+P)
Comparative Anatomy + Lab
Genetics + Lab
Animal Behavior
Science/Medicine/Ethics
Calculus I
Statistics
I'm hoping my courses at least look like a challenged myself. One day I'll post the grades next to those courses, but I'm still a little too self-conscious. I will share my latest practice MCAT score, although it's still not where it needs to be. 23. I'm content with it so far because the genius-guaranteed-to-get-into-medschool-friend got a 19 on that test. But we'll see how I do on the one she got 26 on. The school that I want to attend has an average of 24 and is PBL, so maybe my sob story will win them over because of my dedication to PBL.
Well I have to go back to finishing my Physics lab report. Thanks for the comments. It's nice to know that some people care.
Everything has been going okay lately. I've come to terms with my grades and I no longer stress over them the same way. I'm just accepting my 3.0GPA (Out of 4.0) as an inseparable part of me.
I read a short article over at www.studentdoctornetwork.net that gave some tips with how to handle a lower than average GPA. It basically said to be proactive and not try to avoid it when applying to medschools and interviewing. I was glad to hear that because I did directly address it in my autobiography and was careful not to make it seem like too negative of a point. I also showed that I did have a plan for how to solve the problem once entering medical school, which was another thing stressed in the article. Horrah Problem Based Learning-pathways!
I've also started the process of scheduling my classes for next semester. Originally I was going to have a really easy semester with Fridays off, but people are starting to talk me into taking Biochemistry. I don't know how good of an idea this is considering I have a C+ average in Organic Chem, but from what I've heard it's basically becoming a pre-req for medical schools and if you don't have a background in it then your first semester of medschool is particularly impossible.
If I take that then my cumulative transcript will include the following science/math classes:
General Bio I+II + Lab
General Chem I+II + Lab
Organic Chem I+II + Lab
Physics I+II + Lab
Biochemistry I
Microbiology + Lab
Immunology
Veratbrate Physiology + Lab (different from A+P)
Comparative Anatomy + Lab
Genetics + Lab
Animal Behavior
Science/Medicine/Ethics
Calculus I
Statistics
I'm hoping my courses at least look like a challenged myself. One day I'll post the grades next to those courses, but I'm still a little too self-conscious. I will share my latest practice MCAT score, although it's still not where it needs to be. 23. I'm content with it so far because the genius-guaranteed-to-get-into-medschool-friend got a 19 on that test. But we'll see how I do on the one she got 26 on. The school that I want to attend has an average of 24 and is PBL, so maybe my sob story will win them over because of my dedication to PBL.
Well I have to go back to finishing my Physics lab report. Thanks for the comments. It's nice to know that some people care.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Nightmare
Ever since I started college I've had a reoccurring nightmare, which is always at the top of the realistic dreams list.
I'm back in high school and in my senior year. Standing at the bus I'm extremely nervous because it's my first day back in many months. I hadn't been in school for a while because of a sickness and I was home schooled for that period. The bus arrives and I step through the narrow doorway. While on the bus I'm trying to remember all the thing that I need to do in order to be ready for school. Books, blazer, tie... Oh shit, I forgot my tie and blazer. I'm totally out of rhythm for getting ready for school.
Awesome, my bus is late. My home room teacher won't care that it's not my fault. They never give a shit what the reason is. You were suppose to be in homeroom at 8:10AM, and that's that.
Now I'm scrambling around the hallways desperate to find someone that I can borrow a jacket and tie from. Well, maybe I have one in my locker. I get to my locker... Oh fuckers. It's been 6 months and I have no idea what my locker combo is. I guess I'll have to go to the devil incarnate. I mean, the head of student affairs. He has a book of locker combos. I hope homeroom doesn't end soon.
I find Br. Damien and he tells me my locker combo, of course not without grilling me about my not being in homeroom. I start power walking back to my locker while praying to God that I have a tie and jacket in it. 31 right, 11 left, 36 right.... No jacket or tie. Cool deal. **RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING** Mother fuckers homeroom had ended and I have 3 minutes to get a jacket, tie and get to class. I start asking everyone passing me on their way to class for a jacket or tie. Finally I find a jacket too small of me and a tie that's too long. Okay time to get to class. Wait a second... What class is that?
Uggggggggh. I never received my schedule in homeroom and now I don't know where to go. Maybe the main office will be able to print one out for me. I rush over to the main office and ask for a copy of my schedule. They look at me like I'm crazy but do it anyway. I find out that I'm suppose to be in Pre-Calc for 1st period on "A" days. I really hope this is an "A" day.
I walk into the class and somehow manage to slide into my desk undetected by the teacher. It doesn't even matter though cause I've undoubtedly been marked absent and will have to go meet Br. Damien again and receive detention. Hmmm, why is the teacher attempting to teach Earth Science, and failing at doing so... I ask the person next to me what "day" it is and he tells me that it's a "C." Why, why, why, why, why... WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME!!!!!! I pull the crumpled schedule from my bag to see what freaking class I'm suppose to be in. Phys. Ed. You've got to be kidding me. I have no sneakers, shorts, tee shirt and obviously no support strap, which are required for unknown reasons. They tell us that we have to wear it in case we get hit in the nuts, but lets be honest, it going to kill no matter what.
I leave the class and get on my way to gym...
The dream fades out with the impression that all of this happens again and again over the next couple of days.
I'm freaking out that I'm not going to pass my classes and I'm not going to graduate. I'm going to have to spend another year of torture at this place. Why didn't I just go to the public high school. Ugh, I'm waking up now I have to go to school. This sucks I just want to graduate. Wait, where am I? This isn't my room at home. I'm in college? If I'm in college then I graduated high school... OMG I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! IT REALLY IS ALL OVER!!!! THANK GODDDD
I'm back in high school and in my senior year. Standing at the bus I'm extremely nervous because it's my first day back in many months. I hadn't been in school for a while because of a sickness and I was home schooled for that period. The bus arrives and I step through the narrow doorway. While on the bus I'm trying to remember all the thing that I need to do in order to be ready for school. Books, blazer, tie... Oh shit, I forgot my tie and blazer. I'm totally out of rhythm for getting ready for school.
Awesome, my bus is late. My home room teacher won't care that it's not my fault. They never give a shit what the reason is. You were suppose to be in homeroom at 8:10AM, and that's that.
Now I'm scrambling around the hallways desperate to find someone that I can borrow a jacket and tie from. Well, maybe I have one in my locker. I get to my locker... Oh fuckers. It's been 6 months and I have no idea what my locker combo is. I guess I'll have to go to the devil incarnate. I mean, the head of student affairs. He has a book of locker combos. I hope homeroom doesn't end soon.
I find Br. Damien and he tells me my locker combo, of course not without grilling me about my not being in homeroom. I start power walking back to my locker while praying to God that I have a tie and jacket in it. 31 right, 11 left, 36 right.... No jacket or tie. Cool deal. **RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING** Mother fuckers homeroom had ended and I have 3 minutes to get a jacket, tie and get to class. I start asking everyone passing me on their way to class for a jacket or tie. Finally I find a jacket too small of me and a tie that's too long. Okay time to get to class. Wait a second... What class is that?
Uggggggggh. I never received my schedule in homeroom and now I don't know where to go. Maybe the main office will be able to print one out for me. I rush over to the main office and ask for a copy of my schedule. They look at me like I'm crazy but do it anyway. I find out that I'm suppose to be in Pre-Calc for 1st period on "A" days. I really hope this is an "A" day.
I walk into the class and somehow manage to slide into my desk undetected by the teacher. It doesn't even matter though cause I've undoubtedly been marked absent and will have to go meet Br. Damien again and receive detention. Hmmm, why is the teacher attempting to teach Earth Science, and failing at doing so... I ask the person next to me what "day" it is and he tells me that it's a "C." Why, why, why, why, why... WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME!!!!!! I pull the crumpled schedule from my bag to see what freaking class I'm suppose to be in. Phys. Ed. You've got to be kidding me. I have no sneakers, shorts, tee shirt and obviously no support strap, which are required for unknown reasons. They tell us that we have to wear it in case we get hit in the nuts, but lets be honest, it going to kill no matter what.
I leave the class and get on my way to gym...
The dream fades out with the impression that all of this happens again and again over the next couple of days.
I'm freaking out that I'm not going to pass my classes and I'm not going to graduate. I'm going to have to spend another year of torture at this place. Why didn't I just go to the public high school. Ugh, I'm waking up now I have to go to school. This sucks I just want to graduate. Wait, where am I? This isn't my room at home. I'm in college? If I'm in college then I graduated high school... OMG I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! IT REALLY IS ALL OVER!!!! THANK GODDDD
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Have you seen my mind? I've seem to have lost it.
Yeah, so my apartment still doesn't have TV or internet installed. It's all because the people who lived there before me never canceled there subscription, which would lead some of you to think that I have been getting free internet and cable, but alas, it wasn't the case.
I marched into Time Warner Cable the other day and proved that I was now the Lord of the Manor and signed up to get it installed. Unfortunately, the earliest they can come is tomorrow. But since I hadn't memorized my scheudle I signed up for a time when I, nor either of my roommates are around. I guess I'll have to call them and reschedule. Blast it all!
Classes have been okay so far. But how often do they suck during the first class?
I think my psychology of sleep class is going to be my favorite. We're suppose to try to write down our dreams every morning. Last night I managed to forget my dreams on three different occassions. By the time I realize I'm suppose to remember them I've lost it. But I think I'll be able to better train myself as time goes on.
Here's something for ya'll to try. My teacher told us that if we have a hard time dreaming, or remembering our dreams, then we should take calcium because that stimulates nerve firings, thus giving us stronger dreams. So now all of you can lay off the acid. Just drink some milk before going to bed.
I marched into Time Warner Cable the other day and proved that I was now the Lord of the Manor and signed up to get it installed. Unfortunately, the earliest they can come is tomorrow. But since I hadn't memorized my scheudle I signed up for a time when I, nor either of my roommates are around. I guess I'll have to call them and reschedule. Blast it all!
Classes have been okay so far. But how often do they suck during the first class?
I think my psychology of sleep class is going to be my favorite. We're suppose to try to write down our dreams every morning. Last night I managed to forget my dreams on three different occassions. By the time I realize I'm suppose to remember them I've lost it. But I think I'll be able to better train myself as time goes on.
Here's something for ya'll to try. My teacher told us that if we have a hard time dreaming, or remembering our dreams, then we should take calcium because that stimulates nerve firings, thus giving us stronger dreams. So now all of you can lay off the acid. Just drink some milk before going to bed.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Just Breath
In hopes to gather my thoughts I'm going to list some of the things that I need to get straightened out before they cause me to crack:
I'm feeling really stressed but I think once I get back to school everything will start being normal again.
- TV/Internet running in new apartment
- Furniture assembled
- Order a mattress
- Get registered for my new internship (Family Medicine)
- figure out how the hell I'm going to fit that internship into my Wednesday schedule
- Get credit card debt paid off. (Still in debt from London adventure)
- Finish the premed autobiography
- Start studying for MCAT (The test is in April and I'm way behind)
- concentrated on Bio, Chem and Verbal, since taking Organic and Physics this semester
- Get an oil changed
- Figure out back up plan to med school
- PA school?
- Grad school?
- Teaching?
- Peace CORPS?
- Trip to Italy at end of May
- Finishing the MCAT in April and having all med school application stuff done before said trip.
- Get letter from DO
- Get professors to hand in those letters that I asked to be written a year ago
- Get transcripts from summer schools sent to med schools
- Make the final list of med schools applying to
I'm feeling really stressed but I think once I get back to school everything will start being normal again.
Monday, January 08, 2007
TV!!!!!!!
The spectrum of this list is going to include Summer '06 and Fall '06 TV shows. I wanted to include Spring '06 to give Arrested Development and The West Wing one last chance, but the quality of of TV changed dramatically over the summer making it hard to rank them. I'll leave it to the Emmy's to give those shows their dues. (I doubt they will)
The main things looked for in the shows when determining their ranking:
plot/story flow
character depth
production quality
acting
entertainment! - including the guilty kind
10 - Project Runway: This was actually the hardest choice because it came down to kicking other shows off the list, specifically Gilmore Girls, The 4400 and Nip/Tuck. But they respectively lacked plot, acting and entertainment. I know people get appalled at the very existence of reality TV, but good realty TV requires a much higher quality of production and creativity to keep the viewers interested and make it decent, compared to TV drama.
9 - The Amazing Race: I promise that this is the last realty show on the list. The rough draft didn't even have two realty shows on it. This show made the list because of the great job done in casting, editing, creativity and execution. Oh, and the fact that you can't help but get completely engulfed into the show.
8 - ER: I miss the theme song, but the addition of John Stamos' character has given new life to this TV classic. I see it finishing this season strong and don't worry about its next season, which was originally thought to be its last. If they can continue to bring in a couple of solid new characters and get rid of a couple of old/tired ones (KOVAC!) then I don't see why it can't go on for another 2 or 3 seasons. Michael Crichton's the man.
7 - LOST: If you're saying "OMG LOST IS #7! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?!?!?" then you obviously haven't watched this season. Seasons one and two would have easily been in the top two of this list, but this season came to a screeching halt. There has been very little plot development, and no major character development. The show is still very well made and still has a tight hold on its fans, but it definitely seems to be struggling to find ways to keep the story going.
6 - Heroes: This is just a plain cool, fun show. The number of characters that it has really helps it because you get an excellent variety people to relate to, love or hate. The plot is pretty solid too, again because there are so many story lines going on at once. Once all the characters start mixing together it'll be interesting to see what happens with the show. It'll either bomb or become huge. Right now the show approaches the season in segments, using commercials to keep the audience in suspense on how things will turn out. (i.e. "Save the cheerleader, save the world" "Are you on the list?") It's all very comic book-esque, (including very little happening in each episode) but it could work as long as they don't make the stories too weird. (DC World...)
5 - 30 Rock: Funny, funny, funny. I feel like maybe the whole NBC Thursday Comedy Night should be here. But I'll use 30 Rock to represent them all since it's the only one I watch and the one I find the funniest. Tina Fey has a good mix of the observational humor that can be seen in The Office, but also will include funny jabs at current events. PS - did anyone know how funny Alec Baldwin is?!?!? The only thing I'd like see change is Tina Fey's performance. She reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld when reading her lines. She laughs during them...
4 - Grey's Anatomy: Sex and medicine. Could it get any better? At first the season didn't really go anywhere, but then it picked up. The show still has a great combo of humor and drama, the acting is solid, production is high quality and story line started looking at characters other than Meredith, which helped a lot.
3 - House, M.D.: Okay, there is something better than sex and medicine. Medicine, pain killers and sarcasm! Gregory House is the best character on television and Hugh Laurie the best actor. Dr. House is hilarious, the show keeps your attention with the medical mystery du jour and the show has developed a decent long term plot.
2 - Brothers and Sisters: Brothers and what??? What is this show that came in second? Yes, true, this is not the most watched show, but that doesn't change the fact that it's excellent. I may be slightly biased because I too come from a larger family and can easily relate, but I think most people can see their own family dynamics in this show. This is also the main reason why the show is number 2 because of how real the drama is. You may watch it and think that it's unbelievable, but I assure you it's not all that crazy. The inner workings of a family are generally much deeper and secret than the public knows, but this show does a good job of showing the tension that only exists within a family.
1 - Battlestar Galactica: Again.. What is this dork-ary? This show is by far the best show on TV. I don't know when this story was written, but it feels like they had everything planned out 4 seasons ahead of time, which is ironic cause it started as nothing more than a mini-series. I shouldn't forget that this is actually a remake of the original, but this has become far more developed. The story is non-stop. You can't find another show where you see such major developments in each episode without it going on crazy random tangents. And the show also has so many different aspects to it. You could watch it to see if they make it to Earth, or to see what the cylons really are, or how character relations develop. It's very much like LOST where two people can be into very different parts of the show. The show has a complete mythology that could have a class dedicated to it. The acting is also above average, which is surprising since it's on the Sci-Fi channel. The thing that surprised me the most though was the production value. You honestly feel like you're watching a big budget movie with every episode. (A good big budget movie.) All of you right now should legally or illegally download the mini-series, season 1, 2 and 3.0. Season 3.5 starts soon!!!!
Funny thing to point out after all of this. My number 1 and 2 shows have been scheduled against each other for the spring half of the season. I need to get a TiVo... and maybe a life.
I'm sorry to Gilmore Girls and CSI:, I still love you. Prisonbreak, we may give you another chance if I can find the time. 4400, you'll always be my #1 summer hit guilty pleasure.
The main things looked for in the shows when determining their ranking:
plot/story flow
character depth
production quality
acting
entertainment! - including the guilty kind
10 - Project Runway: This was actually the hardest choice because it came down to kicking other shows off the list, specifically Gilmore Girls, The 4400 and Nip/Tuck. But they respectively lacked plot, acting and entertainment. I know people get appalled at the very existence of reality TV, but good realty TV requires a much higher quality of production and creativity to keep the viewers interested and make it decent, compared to TV drama.
9 - The Amazing Race: I promise that this is the last realty show on the list. The rough draft didn't even have two realty shows on it. This show made the list because of the great job done in casting, editing, creativity and execution. Oh, and the fact that you can't help but get completely engulfed into the show.
8 - ER: I miss the theme song, but the addition of John Stamos' character has given new life to this TV classic. I see it finishing this season strong and don't worry about its next season, which was originally thought to be its last. If they can continue to bring in a couple of solid new characters and get rid of a couple of old/tired ones (KOVAC!) then I don't see why it can't go on for another 2 or 3 seasons. Michael Crichton's the man.
7 - LOST: If you're saying "OMG LOST IS #7! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?!?!?" then you obviously haven't watched this season. Seasons one and two would have easily been in the top two of this list, but this season came to a screeching halt. There has been very little plot development, and no major character development. The show is still very well made and still has a tight hold on its fans, but it definitely seems to be struggling to find ways to keep the story going.
6 - Heroes: This is just a plain cool, fun show. The number of characters that it has really helps it because you get an excellent variety people to relate to, love or hate. The plot is pretty solid too, again because there are so many story lines going on at once. Once all the characters start mixing together it'll be interesting to see what happens with the show. It'll either bomb or become huge. Right now the show approaches the season in segments, using commercials to keep the audience in suspense on how things will turn out. (i.e. "Save the cheerleader, save the world" "Are you on the list?") It's all very comic book-esque, (including very little happening in each episode) but it could work as long as they don't make the stories too weird. (DC World...)
5 - 30 Rock: Funny, funny, funny. I feel like maybe the whole NBC Thursday Comedy Night should be here. But I'll use 30 Rock to represent them all since it's the only one I watch and the one I find the funniest. Tina Fey has a good mix of the observational humor that can be seen in The Office, but also will include funny jabs at current events. PS - did anyone know how funny Alec Baldwin is?!?!? The only thing I'd like see change is Tina Fey's performance. She reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld when reading her lines. She laughs during them...
4 - Grey's Anatomy: Sex and medicine. Could it get any better? At first the season didn't really go anywhere, but then it picked up. The show still has a great combo of humor and drama, the acting is solid, production is high quality and story line started looking at characters other than Meredith, which helped a lot.
3 - House, M.D.: Okay, there is something better than sex and medicine. Medicine, pain killers and sarcasm! Gregory House is the best character on television and Hugh Laurie the best actor. Dr. House is hilarious, the show keeps your attention with the medical mystery du jour and the show has developed a decent long term plot.
2 - Brothers and Sisters: Brothers and what??? What is this show that came in second? Yes, true, this is not the most watched show, but that doesn't change the fact that it's excellent. I may be slightly biased because I too come from a larger family and can easily relate, but I think most people can see their own family dynamics in this show. This is also the main reason why the show is number 2 because of how real the drama is. You may watch it and think that it's unbelievable, but I assure you it's not all that crazy. The inner workings of a family are generally much deeper and secret than the public knows, but this show does a good job of showing the tension that only exists within a family.
1 - Battlestar Galactica: Again.. What is this dork-ary? This show is by far the best show on TV. I don't know when this story was written, but it feels like they had everything planned out 4 seasons ahead of time, which is ironic cause it started as nothing more than a mini-series. I shouldn't forget that this is actually a remake of the original, but this has become far more developed. The story is non-stop. You can't find another show where you see such major developments in each episode without it going on crazy random tangents. And the show also has so many different aspects to it. You could watch it to see if they make it to Earth, or to see what the cylons really are, or how character relations develop. It's very much like LOST where two people can be into very different parts of the show. The show has a complete mythology that could have a class dedicated to it. The acting is also above average, which is surprising since it's on the Sci-Fi channel. The thing that surprised me the most though was the production value. You honestly feel like you're watching a big budget movie with every episode. (A good big budget movie.) All of you right now should legally or illegally download the mini-series, season 1, 2 and 3.0. Season 3.5 starts soon!!!!
Funny thing to point out after all of this. My number 1 and 2 shows have been scheduled against each other for the spring half of the season. I need to get a TiVo... and maybe a life.
I'm sorry to Gilmore Girls and CSI:, I still love you. Prisonbreak, we may give you another chance if I can find the time. 4400, you'll always be my #1 summer hit guilty pleasure.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Me bitching
I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little upset that I wasn't nominated for a Medical Blog Award.
I'm just going to tell myself that it's because I'm not part of the medical community or something. I guess I'll start a new blog when I actually become part of it so that maybe I can then get nominated then.
I'm just going to tell myself that it's because I'm not part of the medical community or something. I guess I'll start a new blog when I actually become part of it so that maybe I can then get nominated then.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)