Two weeks of medicine down, one more to go!

So far, I really like this rotation and I feel kind of silly for dreading it as much as I did. Granted, I expected it to be like surgery with a lot of cases to juggle, late hours and crazy weekends. Fortunately the case load has been steady but not overwhelming and the weekends have been manageable. There have definitely been some late nights but I don't feel nearly so exhausted as I did during surgery. On top of that, I feel as though I've been developing my skills, both technical and diagnostic, and continue to feel as though this profession is absolutely the right place for me. There have been some sad cases but there have also been some very happy endings that make it all worth it. If I had room for it in my schedule, I would totally do a second block of medicine!

Since last posting, I also had two fun events: buddy dinner and awards night.


Buddy dinner is where our buddy groups (one to two students in each academic year plus a faculty adviser) get to sit down to a sponsored dinner, catch up and exchange advice. My buddy mentor is a great guy, always offering valuable advice on life, and my buddies are really sweet. I only got to meet one of my incoming buddies but she was really nice too! I like being able to help other students out (I got to chat with a gaggle of first years in the teaching hospital today which was awesome). Plus, you know, free dinner ;)

Awards night was Wednesday night. I love awards night because you get to see everyone rewarded for their hard work and achievements. I was selected by my class for an award recognizing courtesy, sincerity and integrity. The award was put together by a family in honor of their veterinarian son who passed away and the short speech the guy gave before it was so touching. I felt ridiculously honored to have been selected by my class. Definitely made my night :) But my favorite part of the evening was the presentation of the annual teaching award; the professors are always so happy and touched at being selected and I love being able to recognize them for having such an impact on our education and our future careers. The person I voted for didn't win - and I thought she really deserved it! - but the winner was totally deserving too. All in all a great night.

I've managed to be lazy and not accomplish much of my fall to-do list lately, but hopefully I get some time this weekend even though I am on call...