I never make a big deal about Santa and gifts. As a result, they let us sleep until 10 this morning!

May you all experience the magic of the season!

School/Exam Update

I had originally worked out in my mind that I would take the Intern Entrance Exams (3 of them) this coming Spring semester (2011). Somewhere along the line, I pushed that goal up one semester after speaking with my classmates, many of whom were planning on taking them this semester. So, I tried to follow suit and got lost in everything I was trying to do.

I had over loaded on classes this semester with the original idea of finishing as many classes as possible before my internship hoping to keep the whole thing less stressful. So, when I decided on a whim last semester to take the bio med exam after studying for about 2 1/2 days and I passed with an 82%, I honestly thought I could pull it all off. I set out to study for the remaining 2 exams (acupuncture and herbs) while maintaining my 7 classes (15 credit hours).

Needless to say, it hasn't been easy. While I passed my acupuncture exam with no problem, the herbs got me. They are my weak point. And, oddly enough, the area I really want to learn and become good at in my career.

So, while having an herb tutoring session with a student who knows the herbs really, really well, it dawned on me that there is no advantage to killing myself to learn something in such a half-assed fashion just to accomplish something that really wasn't in my original plan.

I've made the decision to NOT retake the herb exam next Friday. Instead, I will sign up for the herb review class (which didn't work into my schedule before because of other class conflicts) and focus on actually LEARNING the herbs instead of trying to outsmart the exam just so I can pass it.

The down side is that I will have to take the bio med exam again! We have 2 semesters to pass the 3 exams before we become interns. Since I took the bio med exam at the end of the summer semester, I would have to go into the clinic next semester for it to count. I guess it won't kill me to take it over again!

So, now I can focus on the 4 finals I have left to take between now and next Tuesday (14th) then be finished with the semester, relax and enjoy my holiday break and get back on it in Jan.

Thanks for listening and for all of your support. I WILL get this done and I WILL do it well. But I'm still a bit sad about the time I wasted and the things I missed with my family this semester because I was doing too much. I'll make up for it next week!

Updates

For those of you who haven't heard yet, I passed 2 of the 3 exams I need to to become an intern. The herb exam kicked my ass. I will retake it on Dec. 17th. I believe I didn't pass because I didn't have a good study strategy. I would begin one route and one of my fellow classmates would say, 'that didn't work for me' so I would change plans and so on until I didn't retain any info! I will need to focus more to get through the next study period. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes.

In other news, the airport security fiasco has us hesitant to fly for Christmas. So, we are taking the train to Rochester! Should be a fun adventure full of blog material. All of you Rochester people, let us know when we might see you the week between Christmas and New Year holidays.

Ok, gotta hit the books.

It Is Cram Time

Just over a week left until my first and most difficult exam I've taken thus far in school. I am finding time to study and I'm trying every different method I can: practice exams and rote memorization leading the pack. Who knows if it will be enough. But I have to work with what I have available to me. While I think positively, I am fully prepared to have to retake the exam. Some tell me not to think that way. But I need the balance. I need to know that I'll pass but it may take 2 times so that I'm ok with it. Otherwise, the devastation of not passing the first time would be too much.

I think I would stress and obsess over it more except, after losing my Grandpa this past weekend and having a school friend lose her son in an accident, I know it isn't the end of the world. I can prepare as well as I know how to and see what happens. I must not let the process take over and negatively affect my entire life.

Ok, back to work.

Life Changing

So many things going on. My head is swirling and it is all manifesting in grumpiness. So many things I have control over and others I don't. Those things I can control, I seem to put off causing more work and stress. What is it with that??

When I inevitably get to this point in life (several times each year), I yearn for the "good old days" when things seemed easier. I know full well that things weren't easier. Just different. I miss friends and family more because I crave their love and support. I know, it is always there when I need it and I appreciate that. But I long to be closer to those people who gave me the memories I have of the "good old days". Those memories and that feeling of comfort will help me through the changes to come. I can see from looking back how far I've come, how many changes have occurred (both welcome and unwelcome) and they support me as I move ahead.

I'm a lucky girl to have such amazing family, friends and wonderful memories.

Now, back to work...

Finally Here

Not everything got completed as I had hoped. And I'm ok with that. No matter what was checked off my list or not, I get to hop into a plane tomorrow morning and head to Vegas to spend time with the girls. My BFF will be there along with several who are near and dear to my heart plus a few I'm meeting for the first time.

I love spending this weekend every Oct. doing what I want to do, when I want to do it and having a wonderful laugh along the way. It fills my soul. It is something I do for me. Each year it gets bigger and better. I can hardly wait!

Photos will be uploaded throughout the weekend if I can remember how to do it! If not, I will post them next week.