The heart has ears

In no particular order, some facts:

My housemate is a great cook, see photo to the right for the proof of his fabulous tacos. The way to study is hearing these being made while reviewing some histology and pathology of major organ.

Our enthusiastic guide to the previously-living bodies preserved for our eager viewing told us several interesting facts. I like that the right and left atrium of the heart have ears (auricles). I picture the inner self walking into a glass-domed, plant-filled atrium. In this space, you can hear what only the heart hears, plants growing, the beat of other hearts (this is not just poetic language, put cells from two different hearts in their own test tubes - they keep their own beat, put them next to each other, they assume the same rhythm).

Another fact, my big bookcase is falling apart. The sun is setting orange and purple behind black tree outlines and slivers of rain chipped off of clouds by abundant thunder and lightning.

Annie likes to watch the computer screen.

and I still live Med school.

Even more dangle

This lovely item speaks for itself -worn by an equally lovely Zambian woman. One of the unexpected joys of medical school is meeting people from all over the world. I am inspired by the colors, decorations and stories. My little house will be glad I met these people, so I will bedazzle this space, poco-a-poco.

Speaking of Spanish, what a great little taco shop I discovered this weekend in South Tucson: Taqueria Pico de Gallo. The tacos are the thing to order, with handmade corn tortillas that are about 1/4 inch thick! MMm, you can smell them as you drive up! Not greasy, but baked or roasted, perfect for the desert any time of year.

I used to think I had a good imagination, but all of this proves me wrong. I never thought to have such interesting classmates, such delicious food, dramatic monsoons, (and so many fabulous earrings!)

White lights,old city

Dinner under the stars, courtesy of generous housemates. A cool breeze transforms a hot day to a warm evening.

How do we transform ourselves from awkward med students into the people you trust with your life? Somewhere in our lectures, and first patient histories and physical exams are the seeds.

What will we become if we are more worried about remembering OPQRSTADA*for a patient history then the pain they are presently in, the cancer they may be dying of?

Dinner with friends while the patients I saw today are likely still in the hospital..I hope they had some moments of joy, somehow, today.

*a mnemonic for remembering the type of questions to ask a patient about their illness.

All that we can't leave uneaten

After lecture, yoga. At the end of yoga, a woman singing in sanskrit? seems like a dream. After that, ice cream - lemon ginger and almond... Then home to cook and study and watch lightning storms outside my window. A good day.

Dangle Envy

These put it all in perspective, after first 'practice' exam, financial aid conversations, climbing at the wall and fabulous Filipino food - these earrings are the icing on a big cake of a day.

Night Fishing deserves a quiet night

Sushi bar at night because I am too tired to drive to grocery store, come home and cook. Met more faculty today, ordered labs on our 'patient in a coma', talked at lunch about the risks/benefits of being married in med school...agreed that someone cooking for you was one of the main benefits...(if you can get the kind of deal). No storm, yet, today.