Just a quick update from the desk of almost-Dr. V. We're almost at the half-way mark! Boards study is going better than expected. I think being on a strict(ish) schedule suits me. I study as hard as I can manage during designated study time and am able to feel less guilt when taking the breaks. My only fear is that nothing I learn will stick, but there is plenty of repetition built in to the study plan, so I won't worry too much!

Also, I moved my test up by a day to allow for summer travel plans (haha!). Just 22 days left on the wee counter!! It seems so soon, but not...

On an unrelated note, you must see Bridesmaides! I laughed until my face hurt and then some!

It's here folks. Tomorrow is the first day of my boards study month, or "crunch month" as we like to call it. Classes ended uneventfully on Friday and I spent this last free weekend celebrating with friends, cleaning house, trimming trees, pulling weeds, and running tons of errands (all the things that have been neglected over the last, uh, year...) to prepare for this next phase.

As you can see, I've got all the supplies I'll need. Highlighters, books, flashcards, and a pound of delicious Lamplighter beans. Here we go!!

Just 47 days remain on the USMLE countdown! That means posts are about to become sparse here on S.R. I may still check in once or twice, but let's face it: I'll be locked up with a pile of books most days (and nights) with minimal human contact and probably won't be emanating much thoughtful prose. That said, I have tweaked my schedule to allow for more wiggle room near the end of the month and will try and stay as positive as one can.

In other news, my group-mates and I met yesterday to decide where we will each spend our surgery rotations (certain services require at least one or two students to be on staff, so not everyone can do what they want). For now, it looks like I'll be spending most of the two months at the Veteran's hospital doing a month of general surgery followed by a month of urology and neurosurgery. I can't wait! I've heard that the VA is a great place to learn and tends to be a more relaxed atmosphere than the academic center. Before you know it, I'll be trading in this pile of books for...a new pile of books...and holding retractors...and, who knows? Doctor-y stuff!

This is it, you guys! We are in our last purely didactic class of medical school: the musculoskeletal system. I admit, it's not a class I was looking forward to, but so far I have found it enjoyable. Which is good because it's not like I'm distracted or anything. Definitely not about this insignificant exam we have coming up in June, nor about picking my first rotation schedule. Nope! Not at all!

Also, bunnyfish resting atop the completed pile 'o syllabi: