Sunday, June 14, 2009

I'm back...for now....
Here are a few pics!
Studying in Cafe Gecko...



view from outside the cafe, you might imagine you are in the southwest..for a brief moment!

Yemeni restaurant across the street...haven't tried it yet, but it's supposed to be good.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Apologies to my ever faithful fans and readers. I know there are many of you out there..well ok, maybe 2-3. I know you are waiting eagerly for news of my studying. It's been going well. I had a bad and grumpy day yesterday, after which I realized that seven 10 hour days of studying deserve a real break. Up till then my "breaks" had consisted of watching the French Open while writing flash cards. After a hot and grumpy day, I decided I would completely stop studying at 6pm. Felt much better this morning. I also realized that I need to turn on the air conditioning in the middle of the day.
I finished biochem and I'm onto Microbiology which involves mucho memorization and gross pictures.



Sample question:
Each of the following statements concerning Mycobacterium leprae is correct EXCEPT:
a) In lepromatous leprosy, large numbers of organisms are usually seen in acid-fast-stained smears
b) The organism will grow on bacteriologic medium in 3-6 weeks
c) Prolonged therapy (9 months or longer) is required to prevent recurrence
d) Skin tests for delayed hypersensitivty are useful diagnostically


Whoever gets the right answer first wins!!!!!!!!!

Monday, May 25, 2009

GARLIC SPAGHETTI...
Well, my first 2 days of studying have been going well. Still on Biochem, which is one of my least favorite subjects so best to get it out of the way early. Fortunately I was thinking ahead and started studying on Saturday instead of Sunday. Last night we went to the wedding of friends of Alon and today I have a slight red wine hangover. Open bar = not the highest quality wine. Of course, drinking 4-5 glasses didn't help. I woke up at 9 this morning, ready to go with only 5 hours of sleep, but now the tiredness and wine is catching up. What to do??? The best cure!! Garlic spaghetti..just plain spaghetti, olive oil, lots of garlic, pepper, a shake of chili flakes to wake me up, and the less traditional nutritional yeast!!!! YUMBO!!! I am ready to go now, though I may need a nap soon. :-)

Saturday, May 23, 2009

DAY 1: Biochem...
I decided to get started with the studying a day early. First of all, there is not much else to do in Beer Sheva. Second, I have some stuff to do tomorrow so I won't have a full study day. And..third, I am EXCITED!!! Not sure how long the excitement will last but I should go with it while it's here.
First block of studying is Biochem which also includes Genetics and Cell and Molecular Biology. I have 5 days scheduled for this. This morning I started by reading the relevant chapter in FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP 1. This book is what most people use as their study guide/bible. It's not good to learn from as it has no real explanations, but at this point that's not what I (should) need. It lists everything you need to know...only 30 pages but packed with info. So, I read through this for an overview and now I'm starting on the rapid review Biochem book. I plan on reading in the morning, making flash cards for the really important facts I tend to forget and then do questions in the afternoon. There are some great online question banks that are very close to the real exam. OK...watch is beeping, time to get back to work. Pictures coming soon..They will be super action-packed and adrenalin inducing!!! ;-)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

LAST DAY OF SECOND YEAR

Yesterday was the last day of second year! I'm so excited to be done and not have to think about sitting in a little chair for 8 hours a day looking at power point presentations written in very small font. Hopefully next year will involve more actual patients. Tomorrow morning I take my rheumatology exam and then DONE!!!!!!!! But, not really done. There are still 6 weeks of self-study for the USMLE STEP 1. This is what I'm afraid of, self-study. Trying to follow a schedule on my own, not getting distracted by the computer, the fridge, the TV; I'm worried that I'll decide that this is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby like salsa dancing or knitting. My only hope is to get out of the house and head to the library or a study friendly cafe every day. I'm taking the weekend off and then time to hit the books, the exam is scheduled for July 13 but I'm hoping that if I'm sticking to my schedule I can push it back to the 6th and get an extra week of summer vacation.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008




Saturday, September 13, 2008

Guess who just told me "you triathlete types are so funny." ??? the very person who is soon to become one of those "triathlete types"!!!!!!!!!!!!!


GO NIKKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#37