Running Girl

Upcoming Travel

I'm heading back to my stomping grounds this week. That's right: Kirksville, MO. Actually, I never did any stomping there. Maybe just once or twice in a fit of fury at some thing or another. They're really more like studying grounds, or wasting-time grounds. Oh, actually "proving grounds" sounds good. And, it's appropriate. I've always liked that term. It sounds official and all-business, a purpose-built moniker.

This trip should bring back a lot of memories, too. I had a lot of good times in that town and not too many bad ones. The thing that makes me wistful is that two of the people I shared the most time with won't be there: one, I'll have just missed by a day; another, I've missed for much longer.


In local news....

Dear Running Girl in my Apartment Complex,

The weather was fantastic today. I got home from work way before sunset so I knew I could get a good run in.....which meant there was a chance today would be the day you and I were out running at the same time. Unfortunately, like all the other times, you decided to start your run after me. Is it just coincidence? Or do you do it on purpose? Do you do it so that I can watch you glide effortlessly from window edge to window edge as you loop-de-loop around our subdivison? You were wearing a white tank and red shorts today and looked great. Then again, the closest I've seen you is at about 50 yards so I guess I shouldn't make assumptions.

Until next time Mysterious Running Girl.....


Spring Flings....er, Weddings

Two of my dear friends from high school are getting married not a month apart from each other...and not a month from now! The gravity of that struck me today...briefly. I have not given much thought to getting married soon myself. I feel like I have enough on my plate now with finishing medical school and getting the residency I want. How do these maniacs handle wedding plans on top of that? Hats off to them....or their wedding planners....or their moms, more than likely.

Me? I'm getting the training I want, in a place I like waking up in every morning, working with people I look forward to seeing every day (or night). I'm going to have some fun in the Army, see some bad shit, see some good stuff, heal the people. I'm going to travel to all the places I've only seen on TV, set up my parents for life, see that my brother makes it to where he's going. Now there's probably a chick in there somewhere, but I'm not stressing out too much.....

A Promise to Future Medical Students

Let this be a public testament;

When I have the opportunity to train medical students as an intern, resident, or attending, I will always be mindful of their schedules.
I will release them as early as possible when there are no foreseeable education opportunities.
I will do my best to ask them about their school's curriculum and probe their existing fund of medical knowledge to teach them better.
I will not keep them around to chit chat when they could be reading or sleeping.
I will learn their names and use them.
I will try to refrain from using the "Look it up" line because an explanation or demonstration always worked better for me than a text chapter.
I will be patient.
I will offer advice if asked for it.
I will not ridicule.
I will not yell.
I will not speak behind someone's back unless I'm also willing to speak to their face.
I will be the student's advocate.
When I am frustrated with a student, I will remind myself of what it was like to be a student.