This post is a bit premature, but I am certainly feeling like the semester is over.
I came into this semester prepared to be utterly miserable. It has been far from the case.
Granted, there were weeks that were pretty ridiculous, but it has surprised me how it hasn't been as bad as I expected. This is only true though because I expected the worst.
Christmas seems so far away, not in terms of how it is already December 10, but in how it has hardly crossed my mind yet because I'm still in school. By this time of the year for the past 5 years, I've been out of school for several days. Guess that is just a change in pace I'll have to get used to.
We just finished a big block of tests (physiology last Thursday, Histology written and practical on Friday, Developmental Anatomy and Gross written and practical on Monday...) and even though Biochem hasn't wrapped up yet, things feel so much lower pressure right now. We've got a week to prepare for that board exam.
Last night was our "coat-burning party" and I was really impressed. When I finish a class, it never feels like a big deal, but they really made a big deal about being done with Gross and I'm thankful for that. The school didn't hold back, and they had a huge turnout of the class at Luckett Lodge - look on facebook and you might see some evidence of what went down. It wasn't a night to forget, ha. Nothing like standing by a fire that is stoked with the lab coats, books, and shoes of 100+ medical students. Thankfully there was some wood in the fire so I don't just smell like formaldehyde (sp?) but theres a campfirey smell to my clothes too.
It's been a while since I've posted, maybe I'll get some inspiration during the holidays to do more posting.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
A return to normalcy...
Life has a way of becoming normal, doesn't it? No one can constantly have new, exciting, riveting things happening all the time, and I think that might be where I'm at. That doesn't mean that I'm not enjoying where I am, but there hasn't been a lot of change going on in my life the last couple of weeks like there were at the beginning of the semester. All the classes I'm going to be taking for a while have begun, CMDA has been happening half a semester, the new Sunday school class is getting its stride.(shameless plug: Come to Highlands and join The Well!!) This is when LIFE happens... when things are "normal." This isn't a bad thing, in fact, times like these give us the time and sanity to reflect on what we're doing here and who we are and who we want to be. It's hard to do this when everything in our world is changing quickly.
So this is a good thing. "A return to normalcy" as President Warren Harding once put it (don't worry... I had to look that one up).
To play catchup on Rob's life: been dissecting the abdomen in gross lab. We didn't find a gallbladder, ascending colon, or an appendix. This is not because we weren't observant, but rather because they weren't there! So we've been learning a lot and it has been interesting when it doesn't stink too much.
In other news, we're about to begin an exciting two week series of tests that will have us spending copious amounts of time in the library and in lab. Friday is physiology, Monday is Gross and Developmental Anatomy, Friday is Biochemistry and the next Monday is Histology written and practical exams. mmmmm.... but it'll be fine, just gotta put my head down and do the work. Enjoying most of the material has definitely made it easier. I hope this continues, but I know there will be times it it harder to stay motivated.
If you read this and have a blog, feel free to give me a link to your blog! I use bloglines.com to keep up with blogs and it lets me know when y'all update.
So this is a good thing. "A return to normalcy" as President Warren Harding once put it (don't worry... I had to look that one up).
To play catchup on Rob's life: been dissecting the abdomen in gross lab. We didn't find a gallbladder, ascending colon, or an appendix. This is not because we weren't observant, but rather because they weren't there! So we've been learning a lot and it has been interesting when it doesn't stink too much.
In other news, we're about to begin an exciting two week series of tests that will have us spending copious amounts of time in the library and in lab. Friday is physiology, Monday is Gross and Developmental Anatomy, Friday is Biochemistry and the next Monday is Histology written and practical exams. mmmmm.... but it'll be fine, just gotta put my head down and do the work. Enjoying most of the material has definitely made it easier. I hope this continues, but I know there will be times it it harder to stay motivated.
If you read this and have a blog, feel free to give me a link to your blog! I use bloglines.com to keep up with blogs and it lets me know when y'all update.
Monday, September 14, 2009
oh Gross!
This is a good day for me my friends...I just took my first gross anatomy test. It is funny how the drama in my life has been reduced to tests.
I think it went well. Things so far have gone well w/school, but that probably has to do with my aims and goals. If my goal was to be in the top 10, well... I might be dissapointed, but anyways.
I really have felt cared about. When everyone in the school knows that "you have a gross test" coming up, and CMDA (christian medical and dental association) brings homemade goodies to the test for when you're halfway done, it is encouraging to know that other people know what you're going through.
Overall, I really am enjoying most everything I've been up to for the last 6 weeks. I can't say that every moment is filled with joy and excitement, but I like it more than I had guessed I would. I tend to expect the worst beforehand for most things. Then I tend to be overoptimistic afterwards (like with a test...ha).
Have you ever felt like life was on hold? I'm trying hard not to do this. It is tempting to say...well, I'm adjusting to things - I'll do "this" when I have time, or when I'm not adjusting anymore. or I'll do "that" next semester, I've got too much on my plate. I really don't want to be at a personal standstill in life right now. It is too easy to do this. With music, with relationships, with church, with God. It is so easy to say - later will be a better time for "this." Certainly this is true with some things. For example - buying a house or traveling to europe is just something I probably shouldn't do right now, but there are a lot of smaller things that I CAN do - so that my life is not on "hold." Otherwise I know one day I am going to wake up when I'm 30 and am going to feel like I haven't even lived. I don't want to think that I'm going to start living when I get out of medical school or get out of residency, or when I get married, or when I am making money (some day far far in the future, ha). I'm called to live RIGHT now, and for some reason that seems hard. Need to start living in the present....
I think it went well. Things so far have gone well w/school, but that probably has to do with my aims and goals. If my goal was to be in the top 10, well... I might be dissapointed, but anyways.
I really have felt cared about. When everyone in the school knows that "you have a gross test" coming up, and CMDA (christian medical and dental association) brings homemade goodies to the test for when you're halfway done, it is encouraging to know that other people know what you're going through.
Overall, I really am enjoying most everything I've been up to for the last 6 weeks. I can't say that every moment is filled with joy and excitement, but I like it more than I had guessed I would. I tend to expect the worst beforehand for most things. Then I tend to be overoptimistic afterwards (like with a test...ha).
Have you ever felt like life was on hold? I'm trying hard not to do this. It is tempting to say...well, I'm adjusting to things - I'll do "this" when I have time, or when I'm not adjusting anymore. or I'll do "that" next semester, I've got too much on my plate. I really don't want to be at a personal standstill in life right now. It is too easy to do this. With music, with relationships, with church, with God. It is so easy to say - later will be a better time for "this." Certainly this is true with some things. For example - buying a house or traveling to europe is just something I probably shouldn't do right now, but there are a lot of smaller things that I CAN do - so that my life is not on "hold." Otherwise I know one day I am going to wake up when I'm 30 and am going to feel like I haven't even lived. I don't want to think that I'm going to start living when I get out of medical school or get out of residency, or when I get married, or when I am making money (some day far far in the future, ha). I'm called to live RIGHT now, and for some reason that seems hard. Need to start living in the present....
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Untitled
I couldn't think of anything else to call this post... so there you go.
Highlands recently began a young adult's class called "the Well." We went to the new Beagle Bagel Cafe after church today. Good times.
I've always had a different view on the Sabbath and it has definitely changed over the past few years. I used to be a lot more legalistic about it. I would miss out on opportunities to see and fellowship with people in order to follow what I feel was right. I also found myself being more judgemental of people who would do things that I didn't agree with.
In more recent years, I've started to see it as a gift. God created us, right? And he know's how we're made, right? Well, when he tells us that you can't work ALL the time, I think he knows what he's talking about. With this statement, I'm not here to draw out lines that everyone is supposed to follow. BUT... I think that He really does call us to intentionally set aside time for Himself with us and time for us to have as a rest from our labors. That may not look the same for everyone, but it is a mandate from our Maker.
The Sabbath used to be a burden to me. "I can't do ____; I can't do ____"
Now, I'm realizing it's a gift. "I don't HAVE to do ________ 24/7. This doesn't have to consume me" This has especially become more apparent and more important since beginning medical school a few weeks ago. Time has become a lot more hard to come by although it's not impossible to find time for things. I'm learning that I genuinely cannot study ALL of the time. I discovered this after staring at an anatomy book for 5 hours and nothing is sticking anymore.
Hoping to start posting more often. By the way, bloglines.com is a great way to keep up with all your favorite blogs. It lets you know when you're friends update their blogs.
Highlands recently began a young adult's class called "the Well." We went to the new Beagle Bagel Cafe after church today. Good times.
I've always had a different view on the Sabbath and it has definitely changed over the past few years. I used to be a lot more legalistic about it. I would miss out on opportunities to see and fellowship with people in order to follow what I feel was right. I also found myself being more judgemental of people who would do things that I didn't agree with.
In more recent years, I've started to see it as a gift. God created us, right? And he know's how we're made, right? Well, when he tells us that you can't work ALL the time, I think he knows what he's talking about. With this statement, I'm not here to draw out lines that everyone is supposed to follow. BUT... I think that He really does call us to intentionally set aside time for Himself with us and time for us to have as a rest from our labors. That may not look the same for everyone, but it is a mandate from our Maker.
The Sabbath used to be a burden to me. "I can't do ____; I can't do ____"
Now, I'm realizing it's a gift. "I don't HAVE to do ________ 24/7. This doesn't have to consume me" This has especially become more apparent and more important since beginning medical school a few weeks ago. Time has become a lot more hard to come by although it's not impossible to find time for things. I'm learning that I genuinely cannot study ALL of the time. I discovered this after staring at an anatomy book for 5 hours and nothing is sticking anymore.
Hoping to start posting more often. By the way, bloglines.com is a great way to keep up with all your favorite blogs. It lets you know when you're friends update their blogs.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A roller coaster
The past three weeks have certainly been a roller coaster. Only 5 weeks ago my daily duties included doing a daily cabin cleanup check and walking around checking on my counselors. The stress level there was preeeeettttty low. I had it good :)
I'm starting to understand why medicine is such a club. I don't consider myself a member of this club yet (and I don't mean it as a status thing. It's more of a camaraderie among people with something in common.) because I'm still at the beginning. Never have I been able to work all day long and still not really have enough time to feel like I've mastered the material. Never have I sat with a group of 6 people in the library with all of us being quiet doing our schoolwork. It's hard to stick out in a group like this.
In one sense it has been such a privilege to be able to study something in such depth that so few people get to experience. And I can admit that although I'm interested in the material, the lectures sometimes go more deeply than my interest would normally take me, but that's the nature of the beast. Do I REALLY want to know every step of the Krebs cycle? well... no not really, but it's probably a good thing that I've learned at least somewhere along the way. Ha.
Anatomy has been amazing so far. I know I'm gonna grow weary of all the hours put into gross anatomy and just as many hours sitting over a cadaver in the gross lab (which is an interesting experience!) and saturday mornings asking questions in the lab to make sure I can identify all of the structures. I know I'm gonna get tired - even the best tell me this. I pray God can give me what I need to keep going.
So far things are going fairly well. I feel kept up for the most part. I've been able to study even despite the fact that I don't have a test for a couple of weeks. Knowing how hard to study can be a battle because I'm trying to maintain some sense of sanity and balance. You really can't know everything. You can't...therefore you just do the best you can. A big adjustment for most in my class.
I know I keep blabbing, but there's just been a lot going on lately. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of Christians in my class. UMC feels very open to the church and ministry. It's been really encouraging -especially CMDA (christian medical and dental association) which will have Pastor Wheat speaking tomorrow for lunch. I'm pumped...
Well, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight, but I figured I'd update this thing or else I risk this blog becoming obsolete.
Hope to post more often.
I'm starting to understand why medicine is such a club. I don't consider myself a member of this club yet (and I don't mean it as a status thing. It's more of a camaraderie among people with something in common.) because I'm still at the beginning. Never have I been able to work all day long and still not really have enough time to feel like I've mastered the material. Never have I sat with a group of 6 people in the library with all of us being quiet doing our schoolwork. It's hard to stick out in a group like this.
In one sense it has been such a privilege to be able to study something in such depth that so few people get to experience. And I can admit that although I'm interested in the material, the lectures sometimes go more deeply than my interest would normally take me, but that's the nature of the beast. Do I REALLY want to know every step of the Krebs cycle? well... no not really, but it's probably a good thing that I've learned at least somewhere along the way. Ha.
Anatomy has been amazing so far. I know I'm gonna grow weary of all the hours put into gross anatomy and just as many hours sitting over a cadaver in the gross lab (which is an interesting experience!) and saturday mornings asking questions in the lab to make sure I can identify all of the structures. I know I'm gonna get tired - even the best tell me this. I pray God can give me what I need to keep going.
So far things are going fairly well. I feel kept up for the most part. I've been able to study even despite the fact that I don't have a test for a couple of weeks. Knowing how hard to study can be a battle because I'm trying to maintain some sense of sanity and balance. You really can't know everything. You can't...therefore you just do the best you can. A big adjustment for most in my class.
I know I keep blabbing, but there's just been a lot going on lately. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of Christians in my class. UMC feels very open to the church and ministry. It's been really encouraging -especially CMDA (christian medical and dental association) which will have Pastor Wheat speaking tomorrow for lunch. I'm pumped...
Well, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight, but I figured I'd update this thing or else I risk this blog becoming obsolete.
Hope to post more often.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A whole new life...
The last month and a half have certainly been one of the most demanding I've ever experienced. Going from a schedule where I could pretty much pick my working hours while in college, I've had to become used to being constrained to a classroom for at least 8 hours a day. I originally mentally made (what I thought to be...) the liberal commitment of working 50ish hours per week to be a high school math teacher. Well this didn't last long. Before I knew it, I was putting in 60 hours easy. I tell you what, never, never, never will I have only a little respect for schoolteachers. I understand what it takes to do a good job now. You must put a lot into it to get a lot out of it. The hours have settled down a little, but there's still a lot of work to be done...not to mention the Biology class I'm trying to get through. :P
Funny how perspectives change so fast.... only a few years ago I was on the other side of the desk, never giving even the slightest thought to my teachers and their life they led while away from the classroom. It always seemed strange to see my teachers at the grocery store. I guess I thought they just slept in a cot somewhere in the janitor's closet, haha.
Highschoolers are a fickle species. One day they love you and the next one they don't. During the time that they like you, you really do get attached and want to befriend them. Then they get lazy and think that things will be easy just because they like you. Then they do crappy on the test they didn't study for... then they don' t like you. then yo have to convince them that if they just study more and come by for help, they'll do better. Then they believe you and do what you say and the cycle starts all over. - It really is kinda funny.
I'm thankful though. The Lord really has given me a tremendous opportunity with these kids. He is not only allowing me to improve upon what they were receiving before I got there, but I can sense some of the relationships that are building with the students. Unfortunately, because of my age, I feel like I'm a bit limited as to how close I can get with my students. When they feel like they are your 'buddy,' they tend to feel entitled. (...aka.. not a good situation). I need to be praying for them more. Seeking opportunities not only to serve and educate, but even to witness - if not just in word, but also in my daily interaction with them.
I've been asked several times. "Is this something you'd want to do forever?" -....mmmmm....eehhhh... - no. I really don't feel called to teaching high school long term. I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I think it is mostly because I know I can put my all into it and then be done in a couple of months.
Anyways. That's my life as of late. Hope yours has been as interesting as mine :)
Funny how perspectives change so fast.... only a few years ago I was on the other side of the desk, never giving even the slightest thought to my teachers and their life they led while away from the classroom. It always seemed strange to see my teachers at the grocery store. I guess I thought they just slept in a cot somewhere in the janitor's closet, haha.
Highschoolers are a fickle species. One day they love you and the next one they don't. During the time that they like you, you really do get attached and want to befriend them. Then they get lazy and think that things will be easy just because they like you. Then they do crappy on the test they didn't study for... then they don' t like you. then yo have to convince them that if they just study more and come by for help, they'll do better. Then they believe you and do what you say and the cycle starts all over. - It really is kinda funny.
I'm thankful though. The Lord really has given me a tremendous opportunity with these kids. He is not only allowing me to improve upon what they were receiving before I got there, but I can sense some of the relationships that are building with the students. Unfortunately, because of my age, I feel like I'm a bit limited as to how close I can get with my students. When they feel like they are your 'buddy,' they tend to feel entitled. (...aka.. not a good situation). I need to be praying for them more. Seeking opportunities not only to serve and educate, but even to witness - if not just in word, but also in my daily interaction with them.
I've been asked several times. "Is this something you'd want to do forever?" -....mmmmm....eehhhh... - no. I really don't feel called to teaching high school long term. I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I think it is mostly because I know I can put my all into it and then be done in a couple of months.
Anyways. That's my life as of late. Hope yours has been as interesting as mine :)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I haven't disappeared... I just haven't been blogging
You can call me Mr. Cochran for the next 5 months. I'll probably need the practice.
A little over a month ago, I got the offer to teach math at Starkville Academy and I took it. I really am excited about it, but it will certainly be a challenge and a big change. I'll be teaching Calculus, Trig/Pre-cal and Statistics throughout the spring semester.
Monday, Monday... that's when it all goes down. So much of my mind has been directed towards this day I've not had time to think about much else. Truly, I need to direct my thoughts upwards more often lately. I always need strength from the Lord (although I deny it most of the time), but I am especially feeling needy lately. Monday has the potential to be the start of something really awesome. A chance to impact juniors and seniors that are going to hit college soon. I really hope to be able to be there for these students, but I also can't be their buddy. It just doesn't work that way it seems.
Lot's to think about, and I know it sounds weird, but I just want Monday to get here! Tired of thinking about it, know?
Happy New Year to you guys, I'm really hoping this one's better than the last.
A little over a month ago, I got the offer to teach math at Starkville Academy and I took it. I really am excited about it, but it will certainly be a challenge and a big change. I'll be teaching Calculus, Trig/Pre-cal and Statistics throughout the spring semester.
Monday, Monday... that's when it all goes down. So much of my mind has been directed towards this day I've not had time to think about much else. Truly, I need to direct my thoughts upwards more often lately. I always need strength from the Lord (although I deny it most of the time), but I am especially feeling needy lately. Monday has the potential to be the start of something really awesome. A chance to impact juniors and seniors that are going to hit college soon. I really hope to be able to be there for these students, but I also can't be their buddy. It just doesn't work that way it seems.
Lot's to think about, and I know it sounds weird, but I just want Monday to get here! Tired of thinking about it, know?
Happy New Year to you guys, I'm really hoping this one's better than the last.
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