MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med' source. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:46:21 +0100 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/helping-out-technologically-incompetent.html So, I am not the most techy person, maybe some of you will know the answers to my blog questions!How do you guys create your own headers? Most of you have cool headers with pictures and stuff, and I can't figure out how to do that.In the same vein, how can I put a Christmas-y theme on my blog? Ms-ellisa has one with snowflakes, and the Little Medic had one last year with Christmas lights and stuff. I wanna pimp mine out too! :)Thanks! (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964601 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:01:00 +0100 1964601 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/tgif.html We had a fantastic psych lecture today, made especially interesting by the fact that a pack of rather drunk teenagers caused a bit of a ruckus in the middle of it! I have never seen a professor leave a lecture to go and have a stern talking to with students before, I suppose there's a first time for everything!This weekend is going to consist primarily of preparing my last qualitative research project -- it's on health maintenance behaviours, so I've compiled a good list of questions, using the FANTASTIC lifestyle assessment topics as a template and working from there. I'd absolutely love to get all my interviews finished and transcribed this weekend, and have a solid draft of my write up done so that I can see the prof on Monday about any issues or questions I have. I also have a psych ex... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961794 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:11:00 +0100 1961794 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-step-closer.html I've mentioned before on this blog that getting into UofT medicine is my everest. I don't actually know if that's where I want to go for sure, but in my mind if you can get into UofT you can pretty well get in anywhere. Therefore, I set my sights on making it into UofT, because I figure that way I will have my best chances of going to whatever school I eventually decide is perfect for me.I've always seen getting into Toronto as somewhat of a longshot, primarily because it's so hard to get an average that's high enough to get in. So, uh, I don't want to jinx this, but I am doing really well in school. Like, really really well. I honestly used to think this was impossible, but I'm currently sitting at a 97.5 average, with 5 weeks to go until the end of final exams.The reason why I'm sharing ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961795 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:20:00 +0100 1961795 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/best-music-ever-and-maybe-new-blog-name.html I have discovered the best artist ever. His name is Jack Johnson, and his 2006 CD has become my study anthem, I've been studying and writing to his music on repeat.Here is my favourite song: (the video is really weird, but I couldn't find another one and I really want you guys to hear the song. The real song begins about a minute in, so give it a chance for at least a minute and a half).In other news, I learned in psych about anti-social personality disorder, and it's really uncool. I thought "I'm not anti-social, I'm just pre-med" meant that it's not that I don't want to go to parties/movies/out with friends, it's just that I have a ton of work to do in order to get into med school, but it turns out it's actually related to sociopathic behaviour. Therefore, I'm thinking about changing my ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1952807 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:33:00 +0100 1952807 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/okay-that-was-not-good-idea.html I've been eating super healthy recently, and getting lots of exercise, trying to mimic my lifestyle from Toronto as best I can. I went running twice yesterday, and I've basically been living off of oats, bran, tofu, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, apples, and fat free sugar free yogurt for the past 5 days or so.Tonight I was really upset (oncology research is super sad, what can I say) so I broke down and had a hot chocolate.Bad idea -- my body is not used to the sugar and can't tolerate it, even after such a short time! I'm going to take this as a good thing and keep working on my healthy diet, that is once the nausea and tachycardia stop! I can't even think straight. Man, I had no idea sugar could make you feel so gross. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947974 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:04:00 +0100 1947974 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-get-unbelievably-excited-by-learning.html Did you know that carbohydrates inhibit ALA synthase activity, and that's why fasting can trigger an acute neurovisceral attack in those with hereditary coproporphyria? How cool is that?!? (That's also apparently why you're supposed to administer plenty of carbohydrates to patients admitted for an acute attack).God I love learning about metabolic diseases. Seriously. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947975 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:27:00 +0100 1947975 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/having-i-love-school-day.html Thank freaking goodness too, because I've been having to give myself mini pep talks on how I have only five more years of school to get through, and it's been really hard to get motivated at all. For someone who usually adores school, continually having to remind myself that university is far better than the alternative (namely, working some dead end job where I don't get to use my brain or help anyone) has been sucky, and had me a little concerned. Having a day of loving school is helping things immensively!Okay, I've gotta go work on my write up for my cancer patients' experiences research (4 pages done, so nearly there!), find out exactly what mutation causes hereditary coproporphyria (can't find it in the literature for the life of me), and work on some psych!Yay, learning. Happy study... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1945624 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:53:00 +0100 1945624 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/school-stuff.html We had a molecular bio/pathology test today. It went pretty well, although there was a question on BRCA1/2 that was a little tough... I'm mostly just relieved that it's over at this point though.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Shock of all shockers, I'm actually enjoying psych. As in, really enjoying psych. I've hated it for years, and yet as soon as we hit clinical psych I've been completely absorbed by it. Last week we did anxiety disorders and depression, and we're currently doing schizophrenia -- I'm loving learning about the diagnostic criteria for each condition as well as how to treat the different illnesses; it's so fascinating and so clinically relevant! I might actually take more psych electives next year... who would have ever thought??* * * *... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943841 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:05:00 +0100 1943841 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/you-know-its-midtermpaper-season-when.html First, the list from last year, modified slightly:1) You're so focused on studying that you forget to eat, and only realize you've missed meals when you get home at bedtime and wonder why you're so hungry. (Or, alternatively, you snack constantly as a way of staying awake through your studying, and are thus never really hungry at all).2) You've replaced at least half of your blood volume with caffeine.4) Your verbal skills have disintegrated to the point where your study group communicates with grunts and sighs because talking would take too many precious neurons.5) When you do talk, you're so out of it that conversations come out like this: "Yeah, uh, you know, the thing..." "Whaaaa? Sorry, huh? Oh, right, the thing..."6) Showering is the best part of the day.7) You talk about napping the... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1940258 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:50:00 +0100 1940258 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-i-was-in-high-school-i-worked-for.html When I was in high school I worked for a certain fast food company that will remain nameless (it serves fresh vegetables and is named after a form of public transit...) I actually quite enjoyed my time there as I had some great co-workers all my age, despite the actual job not being fantastic. One thing that got to me though was going the whole day standing up -- we weren't allowed to sit down, and there would sometimes be shifts where I was on my feet for 9 or 10 hours straight. Our one salvation was bathroom breaks -- it was the precious two minutes where we got to give our knees a rest, so we all took plenty of them.Now, this particular restaurant chain has it's own line of cleaners for different parts of the store, which of course includes a very distinctive smelling bathroom cleaner. ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933529 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0100 1933529 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/qualitative-research.html For school I am conducting two qualitative research studies, one on doctor-patient relationships from the perspective of cancer patients, and another on preventive health behaviours among healthy middle aged adults. I'm a bit nervous because I've never really inteviewed people before in this way. Last year we did a couple of fake patient interviews in my health communication class, but those were more clinical "let's figure out what's causing your symptoms" interviews, rather than "lets sit down for an hour and talk about your experiences" interviews.I'm a bit afraid that I'm going to accidentally be insensitive, or that my questions will not be received well, or that generally I'll make a mess of things. I'm going to interview my parents and friends for practice today before I talk to rea... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930784 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:16:00 +0100 1930784 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/11/quotes-from-weekend.html After Nora asked me a question about why no one likes Windows Vista, and I attempted to answer her best I could...Nora: "Wow, Vista is slower than a snail with arthritis!"Upon looking at my molecular biology notes (I'm quite sure she was kidding):Momma: "Apoptosis, what's that? Something that stops you from toasting pop tarts?" Momma told me about this one. Older brother sorting out the hallowe'en candy amongst him and his little sister:Brother: "One for me, one for you, one for me for counting. One for me, one for you, one for me for counting..." (and so on). Apparently the little girl was too young to catch on :) (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930785 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:31:00 +0100 1930785 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-dork.html While still in the midst of the awful, here are three things that are cheering me up today:1) It's halloween, which means that creative costumes abound. My favourite by far that I have heard about but not yet seen (I've been promised pictures) has been two people, one dressed as sodium and one dressed as chloride. Think hoola hoops with balls attached as electrons, and an ionic bond between them. Awesome.2) We had the BEST epidemiology guest lecturer today. He was absolutely hilarious, and managed to make epi fun, if that's possible. Seriously, I may have developed an eensy crush (as have approximately half the girls sitting in the audience, no doubt). You know you're a nerd when a professor cheers you up.3) This:There are a ton of parties tonight; I might go to one, or I might go "trick o... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1925076 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:22:00 +0100 1925076 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/whats-going-on.html Clicky. (I believe all of my regular readers can access this already; it's not a huge deal or anything, just a little bit personal so I stuck it on my private blog). (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921556 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:32:00 +0100 1921556 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/stressed.html AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH.AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH.AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1918446 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:08:00 +0100 1918446 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/athlete.html Upon realization yesterday that I've lost status as an athlete, I'm pushing myself a little harder to dance every day. I don't really have any place to dance properly here except for the ballet studio once a week, but I've decided that I can still do some barre exercises and centre work in my little apartment. So, that's what I'm doing now, every day. I'm doing a whole set of different exercises in my "kitchen", and I figure that doing 30 or 45 min of ballet training a day along with some strength training and such should still be enough to go back to athlete status. I'm not going to let myself lose such an important part of my identity. (Thanks M&2S for the little push in the right direction, even if it was by accident!)*Changing topic completely now*I'm supposed to begin as a volunte... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1915418 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:31:00 +0100 1915418 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/school-and-bunch-of-other-stuff.html I have discovered a new study spot. It's supposed to only be for graduate students so I hadn't tried it before, but they don't check ID or anything and I figure I'm not hurting anyone by being here; there are plenty of empty desks and I'm quiet as a mouse. Plus, I'm in desperate need of a new study area... Apparently all the other people around me had the same idea, because they all seem to be working on undergraduate work as well!The marks from the midterms are starting to come back now, and I've got a 95% and a 96% so far... thank goodness, I've been so nervous waiting for the results! I can't relax completely though until molec bio/path and health research come back though.In other news, we're apparently going to get about 20 cm of snow in the next two days, so it looks like winter has ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1915419 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:04:00 +0100 1915419 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/ps-i-am-in-love.html with this book... it is making my life SO much easier right now! Just in case any of you are looking for a good one :) (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1912015 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0100 1912015 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/procrasta-blogging.html We had our second-last midterm on Friday, health research. I think it went well, but it's another case of really not being able to tell until the marks come out (which will hopefully be soon, they're taking their sweet time getting the marks up for our other midterms and I'm not terribly good with waiting).The last midterm will be psych, and I'm actually excited for this one because it's on clinically relevant stuff (symptoms of different psychiatric disorders, which drugs for which conditions, etc) but it isn't for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, there are numerous papers and assignments that are due in November so it's harcore paper writing season.At the moment I'm working on my molecular bio/pathology paper on hereditary coproporphyria (the most interesting diseases are completely i... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1912016 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:33:00 +0100 1912016 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/xavier-emt.html I've gotten into the bad habit of using this blog for nothing other than ranting about the bad things in life, and it really doesn't give a very clear perspective of what my life is really like. So, I'm going to try to talk about more good things too, such as this...I've decided that I want to become a volunteer junior paramedic. It would only be a few hours a week and I think it would be fantastic to get some more clinically relevant stuff in -- I'm not sure if I can spare the time though, what with aboriginal medicine clinical and health promotion and everything. Anyway, I've spoken to the person in charge and I've already got the qualifications necessary, so I'm going to try it out on Wednesday and see how it goes!(Oh, and there was another car crash right in front of me today. Seriousl... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1902626 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:09:00 +0100 1902626 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-need-to-buy-new-cell-phone-like.html Oh my god. I missed THREE calls from the midwife. THREE. My cell phone just never rang, and it never told me that I'd missed a call! While I haven't gotten to speak to her directly yet (I certainly left a lengthy apology on her voicemail) what this likely means is that I missed THREE DELIVERIES.I'm kicking myself, and I'm pretty sure she's gonna KILL ME when she calls me back.I would NEVER EVER miss a delivery on purpose, and the fact that I didn't receive any of her calls over the last three weeks means that basically I've now made myself look like a complete idiot and slacker who wouldn't even bother to call a person back.I would do just about anything to go to help with a delivery, and now she's probably never going to ask me ever again because of this. I really hope that my voicemail w... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1902627 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:02:00 +0100 1902627 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/darn-you-person-who-walked-by-me-with.html It's been less than 24 hours since I began my healthy food only plan, and I've already cheated twice.According to community health, it's not really my fault that I couldn't resist the call of the chocolate bar, it's the environment and the social structure that is to blame.According to psych, my Ego is not doing a good enough job regulating my Id.According to molecular bio, I'd better watch out, otherwise my IRS-1 will start having it's serine/threonine residues phosphorylated instead of its tyrosines!According to illness and disability, I should know that when moving from the preparation to action phases of the transtheoretical model, the threshold for temptation and levels of self-efficacy are both low, so regression is normal but should be expected and planned for. Regardless of which o... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1896146 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:33:00 +0100 1896146 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-gave-up-junk-food.html I gave up junk food. Currently the guy beside me in lecture is eating salt and vinegar chips and full sugar cola, and I can't concentrate on the lecturer because I'm about 30 seconds away from jumping him. Giving up food as a coping mechanism is always particularly hard the first couple of days... (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1896147 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:51:00 +0100 1896147 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/calamity-part-2.html This is starting to freak me out. Ever since that cyclist versus car collision right in front of me last month, there seems to be a black cloud following me around.I step out of a building and 5 seconds later an ambulance pulls up with lights flashing. There are car crashes everywhere I go, and people keep collapsing in front of me. Seriously, in this morning alone there were ambulances called to two buildings where I was, and there was a nasty car accident less than 10 feet from me.Obviously in the cases of the ambulances showing up I'm not needed, but in the cases of the car wrecks I keep being the first person on the scene. At this point I just hear the crunch of glass and metal and start running towards the sound. Thankfully each time no one has been badly hurt so all I've ever had to ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1892365 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:37:00 +0100 1892365 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/thanksgiving-weekend-chez-parents.html (You know you're from the country when hay bales make you nostalgic!)After the psych exam last Friday I headed home to my parents' place in Rurality for the Thanksgiving weekend! I had to spend most of the weekend studying for my two midterms the next week, but I must say that I enjoyed studying more than I have in weeks. Here's why:Just in case you can't tell from the picture, Nora quickly discovered that she could snuggle up on my chest while I did homework, and once she figured that out it was all she wanted to do. I set her up with some children's books on CD and she listened to those with earphones on while I worked, pausing occasionally to ask me what "glycogenolysis" or "extracellular ligands" are (she is getting to be such a good reader, that girly of mine!)Of course I didn't let s... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888617 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:24:00 +0100 1888617 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/aboriginal-health-first-day.html The clinic I'm at for aboriginal health is a health promotion nerd's dream. (I'm the health promotion nerd, just in case that's not abundantly clear). I'm so impressed, I barely even know where to start!The clinic is specifically for aboriginal patients, and it integrates traditional medicine into the western medicine care plan. They have what you'd expect to see at a typical clinic -- exam rooms, doctors, and what not, but they have so much more.There are HIV prevention programs, diabetes prevention programs, addiction prevention and treatment, and whole parts of the building focused on providing support for seniors. They have a huge, lovely kitchen within the building where they host healthy eating classes and community kitchen seminars, with an in-house chef and everything. They hold pr... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888618 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:03:00 +0100 1888618 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/obscene-quantities-of-illness.html If you're tired of hearing me rant and whine, you might want to skip this one...I'm generally a pretty healthy person. I get a cold/flu or something occasionally, and I did have to spent a fair amount of time at sports medicine because of dance injuries, but I'd almost never grace the doors of the family medicine clinic. Seriously, I think I've been to the FP because of illness only four times in the last 15 years, if you disregard the last 6 months.Enter, the last 6 months: I needed antibiotics THREE TIMES, and spent my precious time off last night in urgent care being reassured that I do not have an acute abdomen (I was pretty sure I didn't have appendicitis because a) I'm not nauseated or vomiting, and b) I'm a nerd and I palpated my own abdomen checking for rebound tenderness. But it's... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1887005 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:07:00 +0100 1887005 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/three-midterms-down.html The experiences of illness exam went about as well as could be expected... I think I did okay although it's hard to know for sure, at the moment I'm mainly just thankful that it's over! Unfortunately there were many questions with this format, and they always mess with my head:abca and ba and cnone of the aboveI definitely got the Suchman stages of illness question wrong, but I'm hoping I'll do okay otherwise!My next midterm isn't until next week (thank goodness), so even though I have paper writing and studying to do I've got a little more breathing room! Tonight is going to consist primarily of sleeping, buying groceries (I'm currently in dire need of vegetables), and doing laundry so that I'll have something nice and professional looking to wear to "clinical" tomorrow! (My prof keeps ca... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883926 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:36:00 +0100 1883926 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/quickie.html The midterms seem to be going well, although I'm getting mighty tired of 15-hour study days. (Yesterday evening my study group did discover the most lovely study spot though, which serves STRONG Italian espresso over gelato. Yum!)Molecular biology was a little bit painful but I was expecting worse and I hopefully came away with a 90 or above, and I ended up with the highest mark in Psych so that's a bit of a morale booster.At the moment I really ought to be revising for my midterm tomorrow, so gotta go! Good luck to everyone on your various exams/midterms! (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1880678 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:26:00 +0100 1880678 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/molecular-bio-midterm-in-two-days.html ...and all I have to say is, if they give us one more freaking three letter acronym I'm going to COMPLETELY LOSE IT.Aka I spent the last 9 hours studying at Starbucks, 5 of which consisted of my study group trying to memorize freaking molecular pathways and periodically swearing outloud slash slamming our heads against the tables.I would really love to tell you all about my fantastic weekend chez parents, but at the moment I have to go review some stupid pathways. I'll be back after my two exams on Wed and Thurs... (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873457 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:24:00 +0100 1873457 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/autumn-morning.html Blaring of the alarm, stumbling, fumbling to find an off switch in the sleepy darkness.Warm water beats a steady rhythm against my back, the scent of lavender blossoms in the air.Cool crisp air stings my cheeks and fingertips as I step out into the street; sharp rays of bright morning light christen my eyes to the new day.Men in tailored suits bustle by, strapped to cell phones, too preoccupied to notice the world around them.Not noticing, not noticing...Bronzing leaves hang precariously from branches, fluttering in the gentle wind.The sky a brilliant blue, beyond the walls of glass and concrete.Teenagers lie still sleeping in doorways, wrapped tightly in faded, dirty sleeping bags.A woman in bright colours and mismatched socks dances to a song of her own amongst the cooing pigeons, her st... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1865984 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:48:00 +0100 1865984 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/daily-journal.html Another good day today -- not as excellent as yesterday but certainly better than many that I've had recently. Tiring though, that's for sure! We had a mental health workshop teaching people to sleep better which took up a whole bunch of the day, but it went well overall. I also got quite a lot of studying for psych done... I just wrote six practice exams for psych and came out with about 95% overall, so that's pretty decent and with another couple of days until the exam I'm hoping that I'll do fine.Molecular biology continues to be slow death, although today's lecture was slightly better given that it was clinically relevant -- we did the normal physiological mechanism of insulin and what happens to this mechanism in NIDDM. It was interesting, but there were still far too many teeny tiny ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1863407 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:55:00 +0100 1863407 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/identity.html I am having the kind of day that I love -- the kind of day where I'm happy and confident, and actually feel like a doctor in training rather than a stupid undergrad who's never going to be done school ever. I actually like school today, which used to be normal for me but right now is rare. I've spent the whole day revising for psych, and have actually enjoyed doing so (well, as much as psych can be enjoyed, sorry Shrink). Now I have a lecture to go to, and then some preparations to do for mental health day tomorrow for health promotion, and I'm excited for both.Methinks this is very much related to the hour and a half ballet class I took last night! I really do have to be a dancer first (who does well in school and is working towards becoming a doctor for sure, but a dancer primarily) in o... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1860102 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:24:00 +0100 1860102 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/random-monday.html I just got back from ballet class and I feel great. It was a tough workout for sure, but definitely worth the couple of hours I took away from studying! Hopefully I will be able to study effectively tomorrow, as there are three exams coming up quite soon... it was really important to me to make some time for dancing though and I'm glad I did. Note to self: do this more often!Gotta go hit the books (and tidy my apartment!) (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856740 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:41:00 +0100 1856740 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/study-tool.html Several years ago, I think it during first year finals, my Dad suggested that I use earplugs when I study... he was really into cognitive psychology at the time, and insisted that it would make my study time more effective. Naturally, I refused, citing that I didn't want to look like an idiot in front of my peers.Well, Dad, as usual, you were right.Last year I saw plenty of med students in the library with bright orange peeking out their ears, which helped lessen the fear of being ostracized by my peers. Then, this summer I bought myself a pair of pretty lavender ones when they were doing construction beside my office and it was too loud to get any work done, and found them helpful. Today I tried studying with them, and I think it's made my study time more productive -- I'm definitely find... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856741 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:24:00 +0100 1856741 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/yes-im-procrastinating-again.html I'm sure Sara in Israel is going to kick my butt in this meme, but I used to be a huge English literature nerd so I thought I'd try it! “The Big Read says that the average adult has only read 6 of the Top 100 books they’ve printed. How many have you read?”1) Bold: I have read.2) Underline: Books I love. (I'm italicizing because I don't know how to underline... sensing a theme here)3) Reprint this list in your own blog so we can try and track down these people who’ve read 6 and force books upon them ;-)1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen2. The Lord of the Rings–JRR Tolkien (I read the Hobbit, but that was enough for me)3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte4. Harry Potter Series- JK Rowling5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (how have I not read this? I kept taking it out of the libra... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853997 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:01:00 +0100 1853997 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/beautiful-canadian-autumn.html The trees were just gorgeous yesterday. I love this season, except for that the vibrant leaves are an indication that snow is not too far behind. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853998 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:35:00 +0100 1853998 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/random-saturday.html This study break has been far too long, I'd better be getting back at it! Have a great weekend everyone. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852789 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:40:00 +0100 1852789 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/10/friday-randoms.html Having a good day today. Super boring lectures one after another after another, but I'm feeling generally happy which is a bit rare nowadays. Basking in the positive feelings and trying to make them last as long as possible.I don't really have much to say at the moment, the only things going on are that I got a cute new haircut yesterday (well, it's cute now that I re-cut it this morning! Yay for my mad hair skillz)... pics to follow when I get a minute... I've got several midterms coming up so I'm going to spend the entire weekend studying for those (but make some time for dancing and general exercise as well of course!)I'll end this post for now with a joke from my health promotion mental health team meeting:A squirrel walks into a psychiatrist's office wearing a little backpack made of ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1851512 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:09:00 +0100 1851512 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/perinatology-research-proposal-finished.html P.S. Handed in my research proposal today. I'm just so terrifically glad that it's finished. I feel bad because so many people are still freaking out about it; thankfully I've been able to help some people to edit theirs, or just look it over for them. I like being "that academic friend who can be counted on for help, and who neurotically checks her e-mail so will likely respond to e-mailed questions within like 15 minutes". It feels good to help people, to feel like I can be counted on. Helps build feelings of self-efficacy I guess.I need to go to the gym now. Seriously. And clean my apartment. Happy Tuesday! (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841575 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:08:00 +0100 1841575 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/goals-for-school-year-revised.html At the beginning of the school year I posted some goals here, but I'm going to revise them now given the current state of things.1) Get some proper exercise every day. I have not been doing well with this one, and I'm going to work harder at it.2) Dance more. Also have not been doing well with this one, ironically when I feel low I abandon the things that are the best for me, and dance is one of them.3) Get an A+ in every one of my fall semester classes. Try my best in my school work and let go of the results. You guys were right, (*cough* Katie *cough*)I was putting WAY too much pressure on myself and it wasn't helping my ability to study and it was just going to make me burn out.4) Be more compassionate towards myself. See revised #3.5) Eat well. It always seems that this is the first th... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841576 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:45:00 +0100 1841576 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/just-to-get-that-depressing-post-off.html (And also because playing around with my new camera is more fun than reviewing for my psych midterm. Camera = birthday present from the 'rents; thanks guys I love it!) (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837943 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:14:00 +0100 1837943 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/shamelessly-asking-for-homework-help.html I'm going to seek advice from you upper years, as well as those who have already finished school, because you've made it much further in this whole "becoming a doctor" process, and I've hit a rough patch. How do you deal with stress effectively to prevent yourself from burning out? The last two years I've been pretty burned out by the end of the year, but I've had the summer to recover so I've been keen and ready to learn once more by the time September rolled around. This year I had a much more difficult summer, and as a result I'm feeling the burnout already and it's only the end of September. My current methods of stress relief, mostly food and time lying around doing nothing, are really not effective in helping my ability to study, my mental health, my waistline, or my self-esteem, so ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837944 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:25:00 +0100 1837944 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/shoebox.html Finally, some pictures of my new apartment! (Just so you know, the shoebox is a term of endearment, I really do love my apartment despite its size!) (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833702 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:04:00 +0100 1833702 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/ever-since-last-year-when-i-got-my.html Ever since last year when I got my health care provider life support certification thingy (I can't remember what it's called, I have the piece of paper somewhere, but basically the slightly fancier version of CPR, first aid, & AED training) I have been mentally preparing myself for a situation where something bad happens on the street and I'm the most qualified person around. Basically, I feared that someone would collapse in front of me on the sidewalk or something and that I would have absolutely no idea what to do until the paramedics came.So, sometimes when I am doing the dishes or walking down the street, my mind will wander into scenarios: I quiz myself -- steps to take if someone suddenly develops MI symptoms or stroke symptoms, or priorities for dealing with someone who's been ... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833703 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:47:00 +0100 1833703 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-feel-so-old-right-now.html Yesterday I officially entered my twenties. We had a molecular bio/pathology test in the afternoon so I spent most of the day studying for it, but the test went superbly well and we had a great evening afterwards!First my friends and I went out for drinks and supper, where I had a virgin strawberry daquiri and the best veggie burger I've ever had in my entire life. As an added plus our whole table got free dessert, even though I had to stand on a chair and have the whole restaurant sing happy birthday to me in order to get it! (Quote of the night: Jess: "Do you do anything embarrassing for birthdays?" Waitress: "Yes" Jess: "Oh good, we have a birthday here then!" Me: "I love that you only got excited after you found out it was embarrassing!")After supper we went shopping at the trendy stor... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829888 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:17:00 +0100 1829888 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/because-i-complain-too-much-sometimes.html Three things I am very very thankful for right now:1) My Family. Dad, who is the picture of unconditional love (and unofficial therapist sometimes, sorry). Nora, who reminds me to play often and love always. Momma, for being supportive and wonderful, and just being who she is.2) My friends, who make wonderful study buddies, shopping partners, crazy story collectors, shoulders to cry on and people to laugh with, and so much more.3) My dear, lovely apartment, which may be the size of a shoe box but is my cocoon, my little piece of the world, a space that is mine. I appreciate having my own space more than I ever thought possible. (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1816245 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:47:00 +0100 1816245 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-motivation-to-study-whatsoever.html I seriously don't know what's wrong with me. I haven't been so apathetic towards my studies since grade 11... we're three weeks into school, and I still have no motivation to study. I sit at a desk and stare at my slides, and my brain just refuses to learn the material.I come across this issue several times per year, but it usually only lasts a day or two. This year, I'm three weeks into school and there have only been maybe 5 days where I've actually wanted to hunker down and study properly.Seriously, what the heck?*sigh* (Source: I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med) I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1813035 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0100 1813035 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/meme-yes-im-procrastinating-again_20.html Got this meme from KC of Where's My Cape, and because my research project is driving me insane I'm going to do this instead!The rules are:1) Copy this list into your blog, including these instructions.2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. (I don't know how to cross things off, so instead I italicized them)And the list: (It's amazing how many of these things I had to google to find out what they are!)1. Venison (I'm vegetarian, I don't do the whole eating dead animals thing.)2. Nettle tea3. Huevos rancheros (have never had it, but now that I know what it is I'm quite keen to try it!)4. Steak tartare (Blood is for arteries, veins, and vacutainers only. Also see #1)5. Crocodile 6. Black pudding (Um, ew! Also, see #4)7. Cheese fondue8... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811650 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:14:00 +0100 1811650 http://xavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com/2008/09/research-project-is-making-me-crazy.html Um, so my research topic may not have been the best idea. I have about a thousand gazillion hours of obstetrics and anaesthesia research to do right now, just to try to figure out exactly how I'm going to design my study...I chose to do my research (or rather, the research that we're pretending to do for the purpose of this class) on the relationship between epidurals and c-sections, looking at late-labour epidurals versus early-labour ones. Plenty of studies have looked at this already, but I planned on dividing the women in the study into very specific groups, based on the centimeters of dilation at the time of epidural as well as taking maternal age into account, and I am hoping that it would make my research at least marginally unique. The body of literature seems to conflict itself qu... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1810150 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:45:00 +0100 1810150