Having a quick glance through my past entries, there’s been a lot of whining lately, hasn’t there?
Now don’t get me wrong, these last few months have been pretty damn stressful. But they haven’t been all bad. Although I’m restricting myself to one fun activity per weekend, and chaining myself to the desk for the rest of the time, it’s not all bad. And last weekend’s “fun” activity was my netball grand final in which (a) I got sent off (for wearing my tragus piercing covered by a band-aid like I have done every other game for the entire year) (b) the girl who came on to replace me left the court 3 minutes later with a broken ankle and (c) we were beaten 50-something to 19. Ouch!!!
But let’s face it, it could be worse.
I think I have reached a somewhat zen-like state about my coming exams. In 4 weeks time they will happen, and then for better or worse they will be over. If I pass, fantastic, boy will I be celebrating. If I fail, I won’t be happy at all, but you know what, the world won’t end. I’ll have 2 more months to study my ass off again, and I’ll resit it in December.
Although studying isn’t what I’d choose to do with 90% of my leisure time, it is interesting in a masochistic kind of way. Today I’ve spent alternating between leukaemia, pneumothorax, and a bit of lower back anatomy and some random cardio questions thrown in. It is a nice feeling to understand how your body works a bit better!
I guess what I’m finding at the moment is that at least I am (for the first time) starting to understand all of this stuff. Remembering is another matter, but I just have to hope time and repetition will deal with that. They say it takes 50 times of repeating a new word before you remember it, so I figure I’ve just gotta keep running through this stuff again and again and hope something sticks.
What I wanted to spend more time dwelling on today was the Ben Folds & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert I went to at the Opera House on Friday night. It was just brilliant! I spent the whole day yesterday playing my Ben Folds CDs, but they go nowhere near to recreating the live sound with a 90 piece symphony thrown in. That guy is such a talented piano player, has a beautiful voice and is a real shownman. Makes me sad he isn’t putting out more new music or playing more shows (in Sydney anyway at least).
The only other time I had seen Ben Folds was a few years ago at the Enmore theatre. He was fab then, but when it came to forking out $70 for a ticket to the opera house I was dubious. I don’t like opera or classical music and I was scared it was going to be a bit poncie. I was glad D was keen to go, because he organised all the ticket buying. I just turned up on the night (45 mins late), ate some oysters and had a bloody mary beforehand then sat back and enjoyed the music.
It’s nice to go see something special like that. I think I need to try and do it more often! For now I’ll just go listen to my CDs yet again.
I’m sure there’s some German word for ‘the sensation that you get when studying for medical exams, when after reading the same information twenty times over it all coalesces in your mind and you can see the links between the various systems and, more importantly, repeat them coherently.’ If there isn’t, well there should be!
There’s probably also a word for ‘being 5 years out of medical school and realising that you don’t remember much, but seem to be getting by OK because the important stuff is hard-wired in now.’ Good luck with the exams!
Comment by groverjones — September 11, 2006 @ 8:25 pm
I love Ben Folds! That show sounds amazing.
Comment by Susanne — September 12, 2006 @ 1:38 am
Yikes! and you’re thinking of asking me to come and play with you guys!? I’m already running the other way LOL, I got two black eyes last time I played netball
I reckon with all the studying you’ve been doing lately, you’ll be fine and with being in a zen like state, that’s the best way to approach it all.
That show does sound amazing! I am not a Ben Folds fan but I do respect what he does.
Comment by Mary — September 12, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
Hi groverjones, hmm if there is a word for that I certainly don’t know it either. There are words for pretty much everything else though, isn’t there? May favourite at the moment is palilalia. I can’t even pronounce it properly though!
It’s nice to know that some of it you can forget. It’s working out what it is important and what isn’t that I find difficult!!!
Hey Suzanne, yes it was definately amazing!! You should go see him in Melb for sure! (that’s where you are, right???)
Hehe Mary you’d fit right into our team then
Only joking we are not rough at all. These things just happen sometimes. I broke my wrist 3 years ago so I’m hoping that’s my injuries done for good. It’s the knees you’ve gotta worry about most I reckon though!!!
Comment by yublocka — September 13, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia? What’s palilalia?
Comment by groverjones — September 13, 2006 @ 5:15 pm
OK I can’t even say it once let alone that many times! Showoff!!
Comment by yublocka — September 15, 2006 @ 1:21 am
Sweets, you’ve got a great attitude to study. Being calm is what is going to get you through. Best of luck
Comment by steph — September 15, 2006 @ 10:31 pm
Ahh, the old days of going to Uni, I miss them, they were almost care free. Didn’t have much of a penny to my name but it was still a great time to meet new people and all.
Now, it is nice to make some dollars doing the thing I love most.
Enjoy your Uni days, they will be over before you know it
Comment by Cazzie!!! — September 18, 2006 @ 11:00 am
Hey Steph, I try, but I don’t naturally do calm do well. I am all about denial most of the time!
Thanks for the good luck though!!!
Hi Cazzie, welcome!! My official uni days are indeed almost over - only 3 left!!! (assuming I don’t have to repeat this year, which feels like a big IF right now). Although I’m still doing my course for the next 2 years its not on campus, so everything feels a bit surreal right now!
Comment by yublocka — September 19, 2006 @ 11:47 am
That would have been awesome. I knew he was here doing stuff but hadn’t seen any ad’s for concerts etc (although I have been a bit of a hermit lately LOL). Would have loved to have gone. He is amazing!!
Comment by Jodie — September 20, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
Well figners crossed he will be back here again soon Jodie!! I’ll have both hands crossed for that one!!
Comment by yublocka — September 30, 2006 @ 11:40 pm