I am hoping to be better about chronicling the trials and tribulations of med school life during my 4th year. Obviously, I've been busy and sadly this blog has been neglected.

It's pathetic in that I have had much blogworthy news!

4th year is going swimmingly thus far. I am currently working in a NICU taking care of premature infants. It's a more humane rotation in that I am not working 90 hoursa week -- more like 35, which is reasonable since I am taking Step 2 of the boards soon. I'm enjoying the preemies -- they're like little pocket-sized peanuts I just want to take home. I am currently managing 2 with very severe neurological problems (Bilateral Grade 4 Intraventricular Hemorrhage), and they are both day-to-day status. I am going to run upstairs soon to observe a head ultrsound on one of them to see if the dilation of brain ventricles has reduced. Then I'm off -- heading home to check on my very very pregnant roommate, Peri (twin girls on the way!!) to see if she is still vomiting her guts out. (Love you too, peri!)

In two weeks I will be working in downtown LA for my Pediatric Emergency Medicine rotation. Then it's off to UCLA for more rotation fun -- and my beach house in Hermosa Beach! Schwing!!! Got a place right on the Strand, so bikini watching will vie for my time. (I don't care what my girlfriend says, I do NOT have a neoprene neck.)

The great news is that I will be doing my last rotation of medical school in Hawaii. I'll be there for 5 weeks (march-april) for an Addiction Medicine rotation.

Let's see... what else. I've been to the beach a lot - twice this past weekend, actually. Working on my stellar tan -- Lord knows I have some seriosuly white legs and tan face and arms. Go figure. I need scrubs that are not SPF 2000. (OK, and I need to wear something other than scrubs and crocs all week long.)

Got my grades for third year - Honors in 9/10 rotations! That should help my residency application.

And... when not studying or trying to figure out a way to go to the beach I am obsessing with my iPhone (yes, Deb, and monkeys.. just wait til you get back and I've added 27 more to the collection!). Not the 3G, damn it. But it's still the best phone hands down. I finally gave up my Treo for something way cooler and slicker. Yes, I sacrificed epocrates for style.

Well, I should get back to studying and the babies... hopefully, I'll be back soon and upload some pics from the Playboy Jazz Festival, LA Pride festival, the beach, yadda yadda yadda.

For those of you back in CT -- see you Thursday! Yes, I'm heading home for another world-wind trip - 4 days. My last until after I graduate!

I'm officially a senior - and 10 months away from being a doc! This is how Beth feels about that:

Life's been pretty busy the past few weeks as I am winding down my third year. In a few days I will be a 4th year med student and with that comes the stress and joy of residency applications. It also means no more tests! Well, of course, I will have my Board exams in July and September, but medical school exams will be a fond (NOT) memory.

I'm currently rotating in my last internal medicine slot, and have been assigned to the Nephrology team. This was unexpected, as this type of rotation works more like a sub-internship. However, I am pleased to be learning so much about renal disease, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac and pulmonary disease, etc. It's mentally intensive but I am learning an amazing amount and have managed to get out of working weekends -- a bonus for being on the Renal Team! Initially I was supposed to work 6am to 6pm, 6 days a week - now it's only 5. Believe me, 12 hours is a BIG deal when you miss so much. (60 hours as opposed to 72/wk.)

My sister scored some Sex and the City screening tix for this past week, but I had to pass as I was on call. I'm also missing the Relay for Life next weekend in CT (sorry ladies!!!!) because I initially thought I had to work.

I also have tickets for the upcoming Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl for the entire weekend, but I need to wake up early and study for about 8 hours each day of the weekend as my last round of shelf exams is the following week.

It's not that I'm not getting in important events. Just yesterday I was post-30 hour call, and was home from work by noon so hopped in the car with D and went to Disneyland for the day/evening. Easy to do when you have annual passes and live 30 minutes from the great mouse house. We actually go down there quite a bit to hit a few rides and grab dinner in the evenings.

I should also be getting in some beach time next week - I'll be post-call Friday and have the weekend off - what's known as a Golden Weekend. (A rare 3-day off event.)

Speaking of time off, my next vacation is not until September, which seems an eternity since I haven't had one since November.

I know, I know. Quit whining! I signed up for this! And I DO love every minute of it. I just miss my family and friends a fuck of a lot... and having a normal life. (will that ever be possible again???)