Ready to Start

Our third semester begins tomorrow. I have four classes: neuroanatomy, remediation (rehabilitation), occupational therapy in a work setting, and OT in a mental health setting. Those aren't the official names, but they work for me. The only other thing I know about the classes are the required books, which have all arrived. Everything else can wait until tomorrow morning. I may regret not getting an earlier start next Saturday if I'm scrambling to finish the assignments for Week 1, but I'll deal with that then. In the meantime I will be thankful for the blessing of a break that allowed me to rest and renewed my motivation. The summer-like weather this weekend gave me the opportunity to watch a couple of high school rugby games, wear sandals, and get in my first bike ride of the season.

One of the things I discovered over break is the reason for the tension and sometimes pain in my shoulders and hips. Because I spend so much of my time sitting with my head tilted forward, the muscles in the front of these joints have shortened causing the ones in the back to be overstretched resulting in intermittent pain. There isn't much I can do about the amount of time I'm required to read or stare at a computer screen. However, I've begun adding some stretching for my hip flexors, chest and neck to my routine. Hopefully that will make a difference. The chiropractor I found in Minneapolis said the people who need the most chiropractic care are students and people who work at a desk. That means there is hope for the future. Practicing OTs usually don't spend much time sitting!

Taking a Break

It was a great relief to finish off the semester over a week ago. It took a few days, but I was able to slow down while taking care of things that I've been putting off.  Saturday I did my taxes. Monday morning I went to the dentist at 7:00 and enjoyed leaving with clean teeth. Later that morning I went to the chiropractor while a simple recall on my car was taken care of. My neck and back were in great need of an adjustment after two semesters of grad school spent reading or staring at a computer screen.

My other main objective for this break has been to catch up on my social life. Last summer I helped a friend with an estate sale for her aunt and was given a cous-cousière because I actually knew what it was. Friday evening I finally put it to use and made cous-cous for these friends. Though I have often eaten cous-cous, this was my first attempt at making the dish myself. It turned out great. I made a huge pot and was able to serve four friends on Sunday and two others later in the week and still have a bit to bring to my parents so my family could have a taste. It has been wonderful to welcome some friends into my home and have the time to sit and catch up. A friend I talked to on Skype said I sounded busy. In reality the slower pace has also allowed me to take a nap almost every day.

I am currently at my parents for the first time since New Year's. Yesterday we enjoyed family game night with my 10 year old niece. A game of charades brought much laughter especially since Dad and I aren't very good at the game. Thankfully there are no video cameras to record our antics.

Finals

The usual posture for taking a test is sitting at a desk or table with head down and little if any looking around. The focus is on answering the questions. Too much looking around leads to distraction or suspicion that we are trying to get the answer from somewhere  besides our own head. Our cadaver lab final was a  different experience, which may be why I actually enjoyed it.

We have nine cadavers in our lab and during the exam, one student was allowed on each side of a cadaver at a time. That left at least 10 of us standing around as we waited a turn. This gave me ample time to people watch, which often proves to be quite interesting. In this particular case, I knew those I was observing. Over the course of two semesters with numerous group projects, I've come to appreciate the individuality and personality of each of my classmates. As I leaned against the wall waiting for my turn I noticed that no one looked their best. After all, this was cadaver lab so old clothes and pulled back hair was most appropriate. I saw a classmate bent over the forearm pulling on a tendon hoping that something on the other end would move so she could identify the correct muscle. Another was tracing a blood vessel or nerve farther up the leg so she could give it the right name. Through their actions I could see the logic they were using. I know the pressure we've been under and the amount of work we have done to get to this point. As I observed, I found myself rooting for each one, thankful that we were not in competition. A few days later the grades were posted and our professor included the highest and lowest grades in the class. I was pleased to know that not only had I done well, but so had everyone else in the class.

In the next three days I have three comprehensive finals. I've tried to be motivated to study and push through to the end of the semester but I'm far more excited about planning what I will do during our two week break. And even though I won't have the leisure to lean against the wall and watch my classmates, I'll be pulling for all of them. We are almost half-way done.