Angels & Airwaves is a  rock band fronted by former Blink-182 and Box Car Racer guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge.  The band includes guitarist David Kennedy, notably from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, former Offspring drummer Atom Willard and former 30 Seconds to Mars bassist Matt Wachter.  And my recent favorite band.  The band has released two albums thus far: We Don't Need to Whisper (2006)and I-Empire (2007).  Check out their site at www.angelsandairwaves.com and let me know what you think of there tunes.

The holiday has come and gone in  a breeze.  It was delightful to be home, see family and friends, and enjoy the brisk weather for only a short time.  I enjoyed playing games, visiting, reading, sleeping, and eating tasty foods.  I loved playing with all the kids (barbies, coloring, chase, tickles, and snuggles) especially when it was nap time or when the parents took over.  It was definitely fun watching "Enchanted" with Ella on my lap.  She was enveloped by the princess and the scary witch, but enjoyed her own popcorn and drink.  It was also fun to watch Shaelea, Abbie, and Kenzie create all sorts of inventions together while Oscar found a new hero in Alex.  I was impressed by Alex's guitar talent and commitment.  Of course, I enjoyed my day cooking and baking with mom before the family came.  It was fun learning how to make pie crust and chatting about my life's love, drama, and latest knowledge on everything.  And then spending time walking and chatting with dad, mom, and Marlene.  The few days I got outside running or walking were chilly.  I was glad I didn't overstuff myself on Thanksgiving day, like Phil, so that I could get up for a decent jog the next morning.  It was GREAT catching up on needed sleep, but it's hard adjusting to be constantly focused without my daily nap.      

It seems as time is flying by.  Third quarter has begun with an usual schedule.  Every day seems to be a bit different, but somehow they have coordinated it so we get all classes intermixed through the next few months.  We have Pathophysiology, Pharmocology, Nutrition, H&P Lecture & Lab, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Genitourology, and Neurology.  An intense, but do-able class load, right?  I'm not expecting to have much of a life this quarter.  Neurology is for one full week before Christmas break with our final two days after we get back.  I'm not expecting much of a holiday.

My newest nephew, Ian William Scoville, is so precious.  He was born November 12, 2007, 6 lbs 12 oz, 21 inches.  It has been fun to spend a couple days with him.  JP and Mary Ann have said that Max is adjusting to the change after constantly asks "What's tat?" while pointing at Ian for the first few days.  I'm glad to live close by so that I can visit occasionally for hugs and play time.  I try to make it over before it's too late in the day - else Max isn't the most pleasant child. 

(L to R): Sarah, Daina, Kari, Jenny, Trisha 

Old roommate gathering at Jenny's latest casa.  A couple weeks ago we were all able to get together, probably for the one of the last times before Jenny gets married in January.  It was so fun chatting on the bed and fixing quesadilla's together.  I miss our talks and silly times.  Things are definitely changing: Jenny getting married, Daina in Tempe, me in Mesa, and Trisha and Kari will soon be transferring to ASU.  It's interested to think that a year ago I was wondering what I was doing in AZ.  Now it's all about school.  I'm glad that Dr. Rhey didn't fire me and made me stick out the hard times.  Look where it's got me! 

(L to R): Erin Benjamin, Sarah, Shea, Erin Beckman, Megan, Tiare

(L to R): Megan, Alyssa, Jenna, Sarah

A night out with the ladies after completely 2nd quarter finals. Yeah, we made it!  That was a rough week.  We had 7 exams in three days.  We had already finished the GI final and OSCEs the week before, but my body and mind weren't capable of functioning after that Wednesday.  I remember going to lunch with Derik and Kristen afterwards and discussing how we could talk/think about anything but we mostly talked about school.  I guess it's hard to think of anything else when school is all that's on our minds.  Dancing that night with the ladies was super fun.  It was a nice refresher from our classroom profiles!

I'm taking a short, needed break from studying. 

It's been a pretty good week.  I went country dancing (first time in months) and loved it.  I wish I had more time to go.  It was great seeing some old friends and I just love being spinned around.  It was a perfect way to distract me from the upcoming OSCE's. 

I went to the dental clinic today and had my teeth cleaned.  Now my gums are sensitive and I have to get some teeth fixed.  At least it's a little cheaper since I'm a student.  What was I thinking, though, the week before finals?  Oh well, it only took like two hours and it needed to be done.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment - there is so much stuff for me to know and so little time to go over everything.  I can't believe the quarter has come to an end.  We had our last lecture yesterday and last lab today.  It has been a busy week with finals starting last Mon and OSCE's on Thursday.  Only 7 more exams to finish by next Wed.  But I was very relieved once the practical exam was over.  I have a hard time coming up with differential diagnoses and follow-up questions when I'm put on the spot.  All I can think about are the symptoms/signs the patient has revealed on the history.  I hope it comes more naturally with continued exposure to problems.  I'll have to bring my instruments home over Thanksgiving and practice!  

Today in lab we practiced putting in ear wicks, cleaning out cerumen (or foreign bodies), how to treat epistaxis (both anterior and posterior bleeds), obtaining throat swabs for office tests/lab cultures, and how to view the epiglottis and larynx.  Unfortunately, I didn't ever get to see the larynx on my partner - his were very posterior and I need to practice my technique.  Let me tell you, though, the numbing spray is disgusting.  It did prevent me from gagging when my partner pushed my uvula back against my throat, though - I didn't even know he'd done it.  But the taste was horrific.  The interesting things we learn at school, eh?  At least now I can inform my patients of the burn and taste.
 
I found out that my friend Brian is engaged.  It is definitely the season of my friends to get married.  I'm excited that he finally found someone to marry.  I remember when I first met him (like 8 years ago) that he was so anti-marriage.  So this is a big step for him.  She's cool and she had some good retaliation ideas when Steve broke up with me last February in UT.  The thought was nice :)

Gidget, my roommates dog, had a rough morning on Wed.  I guess she was convulsing like with seizures.  Tasha freaked out and rushed her to the vet.  Nothing was wrong, Gidget just hadn't been eating properly.  So...Gidget went back to the breeder for a few days to learn how to eat.  But she came home tonight.  Hopefully she'll be ok from now on.

I'm still waiting to get the phone call that Mary Ann has gone into labor.  I'm sure she is anxiously waiting to make that phone call.  I was getting so excited for my sleep over with Max, but I guess that will happen another time.  MA's mother comes into town, so they won't need me to come over.  I'm looking forward to the new little guy.  Hopefully he comes before I head home to UT for Thanksgiving. 

 I better get back to Pharmacology.  There are so many drugs with so many different names (chemical, generic, trade), indications, side effects, contraindications, drug-drug interactions, and any other miscellaneous information we need to know about each of them.  How is it all going to stay in my brain?  I don't know.

Gidget

Sorry for the blurry picture of Gidget from my cell phone.  That's all I had on me.

Happy Sunday!

Gidget is the newest member of our little household.  Natasha, my roommate, bought her yesterday.  She's a mix between Maltese and Poodle, 7 weeks old , and as adorable as ever.  It will be super fun to have her here.  Hopefully she will start getting comfortable in her new place. 

Other news in my life...

I dogsat for the Rhey's all weekend.  That's always good. 

I "watched" Max while JP and Mary Ann went out last night.  Max was sleeping the whole time they were gone, so I did some studying and took a little nap.  Finals are over the next week and a half.  That's always something to look forward to.   I'm getting nervous for OSCE's (our practical exams) and hope I remember all the steps in the right order.

I went to Amanda's Halloween party.  It was great seeing her and Trent.

I played some tennis with Marco yesterday.  He worked me over (6-1).  I was pretty tired after his lessons/exercises for me, but I got a few good shots in during our games.  It's so fun to play with him because he shows me what I'm doing wrong and how to correct my technique.  I love tennis!

Deanna Watts (a friend in AZ) is getting married in Jan.  Good thing I rotate friends frequently.

I'm getting SO excited to come home for Thanksgiving!  It will be great to see everyone even though I'll miss being around the new baby (once he gets here).  I'm excited for Max to have a new baby brother.