MS2 Begins

Well after Orientation (which wasn't really orientating me to anything!!)... well I guess I should comment on that first... I did not learn where a bathroom was, a drinking fountain, my locker, the student lounge, etc... but i did meet all the support staff and their offices.... the prearranged "ice-breakers" were awful and I met more people at the less structured events including my morning bus ride, on which there are 7+ medical students in my class.... whatever... it was a waste of time but at least I oriented MYSELF to seattle, the bus, my house, and got my dogs oriented as well... lol!

SOOOOO after orientation and labor day weekend, I started class on Tuesday.... This quarter (which happens to look a lot like a semester to me [Sept - Dec...?]) includes Pathology, Pharmacology, intro to clinical medicine, clinical ethics, blocks of Urinary System, Respiratory system, cardiovascular system, hospital mornings, 1 elective (I chose visual thinking strategies - translation ART GALLERY viewing and art observation!! :D), and something else I am sure I am forgetting... lol... not to mention club meetings, sports opportunities, etc (if I EVER have any time..)... So far this week I experienced Pharm and Path and ICM, and they were overwhelming enough! This weekend was full of studying and really other than 2-3 hours dinner breaks, there was no other free time...  :( hopefully I will figure out this schedule thing soon! Here's on to the next few weeks! Keep Calm and Carry On!

Orientation and Labor Day Weekend

My First week in Seattle was full of orientation. Getting to school by both car and bus, getting around school, finding my class room, the book store, the counselors, etc… and for the first time ever in my life, being in class of 220 all in one classroom. I met a ton of great people and am looking forward to MS2 (minus the crazy classes, the fact that the learning specialist said to consider the end of Sept- thru Thanksgiving as a non existent time, and the USMLE step 1 boards at the end of this dream hell year)! I might regret saying this, but Bring it On MS2!!!!

UW Med Center

Main Campus Red Square View of the fountain

My Hood

Greenlake again... I live here and walk around the lake!

Labor day weekend began on Friday and I headed back to the Kan! Friday evening Brandon took me out to Outback Steakhouse for dinner, and then we were so stuffed we vegged the rest of the evening… until I remembered that my car overheated again on the way here… which brings us to Ford Car take #4. Apparently the REAL reason my car was overheating was the fact that the cooling fan resistor shorted and wasn’t turning on. All fine and dandy minus the fact that they can’t get the part in until TUESDAY (my first day of school!)… After arranging a rental car and more, I headed out for one last weekend of 2012 Maxwell house time. Beautiful day for volleyball with the man. Today we had big plans that got ruined by this cold that seemed to overtake me…. Stupid flu shot this week at orientation is my best guess…. So movies and catching up on blogging and hw for me…. Tomorrow I return to Seattle for HW and the last night of sleep before MS2! 

Moving to the West Side.....

I got back Monday from Seaside about the same time my Dad drove up from CA. He and my Grammy were here to help me move my furniture to Seattle and set up my house! We moved a U-Haul and my car full of stuff over and set it all up.

After I get back, my dad tells me my car is leaking transmission fluid and to take my car in…. Ford Visit Car take #3… a quickie but nonetheless a visit for them to “tighten” screws that were “loose.”

After a last few days of volleyball and spending quality time with Brandon, I embarked on my trip to the West side….

Summer Volleyball

As with most of my summers (and winters for that matter), Volleyball is my favorite past time. Earlier this summer I got to play in a 5ths Tournament. For this tourney the entrance fee is a 5th of Alcohol and then it's lottery style quads all day with and individual +/- score. The top score gets to choose the 1st fifth and so on.... I scored +6 this year and was in the top 10! 

Later this summer was the annual Spike and Dig weekend – first weekend in August (like usual)! (http://www.spikeanddig.com/). My team “I’d Hit That” was signed up for C league. We had a great Tent set up aptly named Tentropolis, which led to new friends and great times. We played well and made it to the C league consolation bracket finals. Sadly we lost, but all in all, not too shabby for playing with 3 newbies!

The very next weekend, well actually Thursday before the weekend, I left in my carpool for Seasiiiiide! Seaside, OR hosts a tournament every year. (http://www.seasidebeachvolleyball.com/) This would be my first time in an actual sponsored doubles beach volleyball tournament. I also was set up in to play in a quads division too. My partner Billy and I were signed up for Co-ed novice level. Billy is a lot like me in that after receiving a bachelors degree, he went for a massage therapy certification for his LMP, and then a Master’s in Counseling, and then recently embarked on his JD at Gonzaga Law School!!! So between my 3 bachelors, 1 master’s and my in progress MD, we were aptly named “TEAM OVER EDUCATED!” Seaside was a great weekend with friends and an even better weekend for volleyball. Doubles faired better than quads but we are all ready for a rematch next year!!

California..... home sweet home!

On July 19, I left on a road trip for So cal. My car was loaded with stuff, pups, and Kindra (my boyfriend’s little sister!)  I had room in the car, wanted the company, and once I heard she had NEVER been to Disneyland! had an inn n out burger, swam in the pacific,  etc. I knew she had to come with me!

Kindra's first InnOut!

Getting in to my parent’s home late Friday night, Kindra woke up Saturday sick, picked up a bug earlier that week at cheer camp. :( After letting her rest a day, my parents took her on a sailboat birthday cruise from Santa Monica Harbor. Her 17^th birthday was celebrated with the Newton’s in true So Cal style! 

Yoga in the harbor?!

Monday came bright and early as we headed out to take Kindra’s Disneyland virginity. We arrived as the gates opened and began our adventure filled day. Kindra braved most of the mountains (Matterhorn, space mountain, and big thunder mountain!) as well as hunted down Tinkerbelle for pics and autographs. She experienced the Tiki Room and parades and more. All in all, it was a great day!  

The following day, Kindra and I relaxed at Newport Beach with 80+ degree weather, clear fairly warm water, and tasty snacks. 

Wednesday came for another take at Disneyland, CA adventure style. Here Kindra braved the rollercoasters, long lines in Cars land, and more. We even stayed for World of Color, which had changed since I saw it last and been updated to include Brave. 

Thursday came, and Kindra and I were exhausted. She spent the afternoon shopping in so cal while I visited with my HS friend Nikki, her baby girl Brookie, and her Prego belly Dalton. Finish the day off with Dad’s carne asada, home grown avocados, peppers, cilantro, and home made tortilla chips! BEAUTIFUL! Friday Kindra was homesick so we decided to head back early.

Once returned to Spokane, I had to take my car in to Ford because it was overheating on the roadtrip. So Ford Car take #2. Not quite 2.5 weeks after the first visit (where everything was A-ok!) and NOW I was told that EVERY hose in my car was cracked and leaking, that I was leaking antifreeze and this would fix EVERYTHING. After a run around and issues later… my dad called and had it all fixed. SWEET! Back in the Kan and ready to enjoy the last 3 weeks I have until Med School Year (MS2) #2 starts.