Monday, August 13, 2007

I am missing you...

So being up in Chicago all by myself really stinks. I have family around, and I have been enjoying the time with them, but I really miss Jim. I just wish our condo would sell, and I could move down to Tennessee and be with Jim. I just know I would be able to support him more down there. Well I will be there again in a couple of weeks.

On another note, Jim made it through his first week of classes. A bit overwhelming at first, but he is doing well. He had his first quiz last week and got 4 out of 4. WAY TO GO!!! He is really enjoying his time down there. He has met some amazing people, and he is really enjoying his schooling so far.

Friday, August 10, 2007

And it begins....

well, the first week of medical school has come and gone. Jim started his first week of medical school. He absolutly loves it. I just wish i could be down in TN with him supporting him a bit better. He has met some wonderful people, and is studying like he never has before. I am so proud of him. He is finally doing what he has always wanted to do. He is very happy with his decision. Below is an update that he sent out in the beginning of this week.

Hello everyone, Well, I finished my orientation at school and had my first medical school lecture - WOW. This is going to be one unique experience. I will be taking 27.5 credit hours this semester. Yes, that is one year's worth of undergraduate education crammed into one semester! Ouch. Our first lecture was, of course, anatomy and all I can say is that we are going to be learning a lot in a very short period of time. I mean a lot. I can't help but agree with an analogy my anatomy prof told me about medical school - it is like trying to take a drink from a fire hose. I am so glad I have anatomy experience. I really feel for those who don't. Tomorrow (Monday) will be my first full day of classes and this week is my first full week, so there is going to be a huge adjustment for me within the next couple of weeks. But I am looking forward to all of this madness (at least for now) and I can't believe that by the end of August I will be learning to take patient histories, and by the end of September, be using all those tools you see in the doctor's office. It is really cool though. It is all starting to become a reality now. Jennifer made it back home safely today after being out here for a little over a week. I can't say how awesome it was to have her here for a little while. I really missed her and having her here helped me tremendously. We both have met a lot of people over the last few days. We have made some really good friends already and I am very grateful for that. Jennifer even went shopping with one of the other wives (go figure). We have just been the social butterflies for the last week, going to many social functions through school and going to other students' houses. It is amazing because all of us students, professors, and spouses have come together so well so quickly. As I have said before, we are going to, and already have, an amazing class and I look forward to the next four years learning with them, and having them as colleagues in the future. I am so glad I chose this school. I know, without a doubt in my mind, that I made the right decision to come here. Yeah, the first few days were a little difficult, but I am all better now and am really liking it here. Absolutely no regrets - none. I finally have seen the inside of the school and let me tell you it is unbelievable!!! There was no stone unturned when it came to designing this place. Our anatomy lab has the most technology of probably any medical school in the United States. It is like the Jetsons (minus the flying cars). We have about 15 plasma TVs all over the room, video recorded lectures, and a robotic camera. The camera can be moved to any cadaver in the lab and the prof can set it up over a region of the cadaver and broadcast the image to the TVs so we can all see what he is pointing out rather than trying to look over 75 shoulders. It is truly remarkable. Our lecture halls and OMM lab is state-of-the-art as well. I will try to take pictures at some point so y'all can see what I am talking about. I also will never have to carry notebooks again due to the tablet, laptop computers we received from the school. This computer, quite frankly, is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Instead of writing on a separate sheet of paper, or printing out pages of PowerPoint presentations, I can write directly on my computer using the stylus pen. It is amazing. It is very similar to the pads y'all sign your name on when using a credit card at Home Depot, Target, etc., only a ton better. There is barely any delay and the writing looks exactly as if you wrote it using a pen. It is so freaking cool. The pen can also do everything the mouse can do, so I literally never have to "open" my laptop, but just turn it on and I am ready to go. I would recommend this to anyone starting college because it cuts down on all that stuff you have to carry. There is also programs we have that can do all kinds of fancy things that I have no idea how to do. Luckily, I don't need to know that so much. We even have anatomy software that does some of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It would take too long to type out and explain, so I will just have to show you all when I see you next. Also, I switched cell phone companies (I'm with Sprint now), BUT MY NUMBER IS STILL THE SAME 708-567-2174. I hope this email finds all of you in good health and spirit. I am definitely ready for this wild ride and I know I have the support of each and everyone of you. Thank you. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon. Until then...God Bless you all.

I am going to continue to update on a daily/weekly basis. Please pray that I can get down there soon. I pray everyday that our condo sells, and i can move down there.