My first round of shelf exams are finished and, admittedly, they were more difficult than I expected. I feel I did well on Obstetrics and Gynecology, and as for Pediatrics ... I am still hoping for 1 standard deviation above the national average. I am gunning for honors in both. Yes, you read correctly - gunning. But the results won't be available for several weeks.

I was so emotionally drained from the past week that after dinner at Eric's last night, I came home and promptly passed out at the early hour of 10.45 and slept until 9.30 this morning. Two hours of cleaning and several cups of coffee later, I was overcome by the need for a 2.5 hour nap. It was pouring rain here in Southern California today -- and the sound of the rain beating down on my roof made me sleepy. Deb and I spent a good chunk of the afternoon lounging in the new Barnes & Noble, sipping latte and picking up a few books for reading pleasure -- yes, I can read for fun again! I have not been able to do that in years. Naturally, I picked up some light reading on neuroscience and brain medicine, as I begin my long-awaited neuro rotation on Monday. But I also picked up Alan Greenspan's latest The Age of Turbulence (you continue to inspire me, Elizabeth) and several Abbott & Costello dvds, less anyone think I am entirely too serious.

Student Doctor Peri has also moved in with us today. We celebrated with dinner at my favorite sushi place, Sho Gun. She shared her BIG news - to which we drank some sake, Kirin and scotch and bourbon.

Tomorrow I will be driving out to RLA to check out where I need to be on Monday morning. Can never be too prepared. I also need to pick up a few things for my pending move to Las Vegas and then my trip around the globe.