Saving the world, one PDF and exam at a time.

Just over three months ago, I sat propped up in bed, laptop rested against my knees, a TV remote control in the left hand, and a glass of shiraz in the other. Surely I was living la vida loca. It was my first summer vacation, and I was going to milk it in all my laziness glory. After two years of teaching inner city high school, I was spent, and I needed recovery time before med school began later that summer.

Now here I am, still propped up in bed with my laptop rested against the knees, except no TV remote control in the left, and no wine either. In fact, I don't even own a TV--not because I am trying to prove an elitist point--more so because I am too cheap to buy a TV or subscribe to cable. (Thank you, Netflix!) And on enjoying some alcohol on a weeknight? Fah-get about it! There comes a point when my body boasts, "Oh, you fancy, huh? You want that drink? Ok, drink it." At this point, I decide that I am the master of my body and retort, "It's my body, I do what I want!" and drink the crap out of my drink with much gusto and fervor. Of course, this mismatch in preferences normally ends in tragedy for my mind and body as I stumble for Advil in my medicine cabinet the morning after celebrating, post-exam.

Med school has got my entire class on iPads in an initiative to go paperless and more high-tech. Many of us have adapted to take notes on PDFs using apps like iAnnotate, Evernote, Smartnote, and Noterize. Though I prefer writing with my stylus on the iPad over taking notes on my laptop, I miss the crisp turn of a page. But if I must to save trees, then it shall be done! Well, that, and I don't have to carry an extra ten pounds of notes with me when I study.

We're currently in a testing block, where we've had about seven tests for seven Mondays in a row. Cardiovascular physiology on Tuesday, and we wrap up, just in time for Thanksgiving. It couldn't come any sooner!

As for life out of med school--well, it's pretty much non-existent. You know the time you hate when you're sitting around bored? Yeah, I miss that. In fact, I want that. I'd happily accept moments of boredom if that means that I get time to breathe. I could use it to blog, which would have been nice, since my blogging time is currently infiltrating my precious sleep time. :(

I just have to remember that break is near. I don't know if it makes me want to work harder or get lazier because it's so close. I guess we'll find out on Tuesday!

Sad that I didn't go to sleep earlier since tomorrow is going to be another exhausting day,

Shopgirl.