Learning Something New...

So there's that old saying that you learn something new every day. Being a medical student, I don't believe this saying will be difficult to fulfill. However, what I've learned today has nothing to do with being a student:

My dinner tonight.

What is that magnificently mauve mass in the middle of my noodles? It is chicken. It was excellent chicken -- I cooked it with olive oil, butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, red pepper, half and half, and wine. It had a spicy bite and wonderfully aromatic Italian flavors. I learned, however, why we cook with white wine: so your chicken doesn't turn purple.

My Coffee Table Is a Blank Slate

Yesterday, as I was waiting for movers (who ended up being almost exactly 5 HOURS LATE) to help me get furniture from a relative moving away from Manhattan, I decided to meander along Broadway in the Upper West Side. Other than getting a fantastic panini and cappuccino for dinner, the highlight for me was wandering around a Barnes and Noble that I happened to find along the way. I love Barnes and Noble -- it always smells like new books. Also, I'm always a sucker for their bargain-priced selections. Now that I have a sofa and a coffee table, I decided to buy a coffee table book. Milestones of Aviation will provide many hours of entertaining history (along with lots and lots of pictures), and hopefully I'll be able to tell the difference between F-86, C-135, and B-52 aircraft (to mention a few) by the time I'm done...after all, I don't want to look like a total fool when people find out I'm in the Air Force and start asking complicated questions about flying machines I've never heard of. Also, I caved in and bought Newsweek (so expensive on the rack!). It was impossible to resist the single large title word, "ALIENS." Yes, I know I'm a huge nerd.

So here's a question: How am I supposed to stay focused on my class reading when these gems are tempting me? Decisions, decisions.

Glorious Food

I couldn't resist. In my previous post, I noted the giddy trip we took to a local Italian bakery. Now I feel obligated to share the glorious splendor of our meal and dessert.

For dinner, we had Laura's amazing concoction of peppers, onions, corn, and beans over whole wheat couscous and topped with avocados. This was accompanied by Allison's beautiful salad (not pictured) as well as my fresh green beans and carrots with hummus.

Lots of vegetables to make up for the dessert that would follow...

Next came dessert, which Joanne and I were very proud of. I already described it, with the exception of the delicious crisps that Allison provided. See it for yourself.

Cinnamon-sugar bakery crisps, cappuccino gelato, chocolate cannoli, and tiramisu

How can you feel anything but blissful after a dessert like this?

I think we're going to try to do meals together regularly. It sounds perfect to me.

White Coat

I've officially been a medical student for 2 days now. Initial impressions: We're going to have a lot of work to do. It's not bad yet, but it will get "worse" quickly. There's more to do than there could ever be time for, especially with the city tempting me with all it has to offer.

Well, that's not so bad. Our first classes have been an introduction to and/or review of cellular structures. I'm not a huge fan of cells -- I just don't find them interesting. I know I could gain a lot of potential enemies from that statement, but least I'm being honest! At any rate, I certainly realize that it's entirely necessary to understand the basics before we can get into more interesting stuff like systems and diseases, so I won't complain, at least not too much. Our first set of courses is comprised of histology (the study of microscopic structures), molecular and cellular foundations of medicine (basically genetics, biochemistry, etc.), and introduction to clinical medicine (learning how to take patient histories and things like that). We'll begin anatomy in October, once we've finished with histology.

Last night was our official induction into medical school: We had our white coat ceremony. This meant that we were all gathered into Robbins Auditorium with family and friends (including Andrew and Mom), and after speeches were given, Einstein alumni cloaked us in our brand new white coats, the symbol of the doctors we will become. Our coats are awesome; they have the Einstein patch, our embroidered names, and a lapel pin that says "Humanism in Medicine," something that is really important at Einstein and, in my opinion, in medicine as a whole.

White coat status: Received.

(Side note: I just took a break to go to an Italian bakery up the street with my friend Joanne. A few of us are making dinner together tonight, and Joanne volunteered to bring some dessert. Being a huge fan of all things Italian, I imposed my presence on her as she investigated the options. We are now in possession of 2 iced mochas, 4 chocolate cannoli, a giant slice of tiramisu, and an overflowing quart of cappuccino gelato.)

After the ceremony, there was a "cocktail reception" which was actually a giant tent filled with catered goodies. I had sushi, dumplings, and rice noodles, along with really fudgy brownies and wine. Einstein definitely treats its medical students (and their families) well. Here's to 4 years of excellence!

In other news, this past weekend was yet another chance to venture into Manhattan. As Andrew and I were walking from Rockefeller Center to his hotel, we happened to come suddenly upon St. Patrick's Cathedral. Its majestic spires of stone looked slightly out of place among the glass and steel of the nearby skyscrapers, but it was more beautiful for that. Inside, the large space was full of tourists and the familiar smell of incense, not unlike many of the churches I saw in Italy. I have this unreasonable desire to go to Mass at every church in New York City. I know there's next to no chance that I would ever be able to accomplish this, but it would certainly be an incredible experience. We'll see...

Slightly out of place, but ever the more awesome for that fact.

Last Week of Freedom

I have been in New York for a week now, and I'm beginning to realize that I'll never, ever be able to do it all. This city is amazing. It is SO big, filled with SO many people, ripe with SO many opportunities. Even if all I did for the next 4 years was explore, I still wouldn't be able to do everything that I want to do. Add being a medical student on top of that, and there's absolutely no way that I could ever run out of things to do on top of the hours of class and studying, which, incidentally, begin tomorrow.

So what have I been up to during this last week of freedom before the grueling years of nights with minimal sleep begin? If I had to name the single activity that I've spent the most time on this week (besides sleeping), it would definitely be unpacking. It's such a ridiculously gradual process, trying to figure out exactly where I want to place and store all of my possessions; as far as I know, this room -- this apartment -- could be my home for 4 years. (I'm actually not sure how the housing system works, so I could be completely wrong about this and may even have to move next summer. I guess we'll see what happens there.) I've never lived in an unfurnished place before, since St. Olaf housing always provided a bed, dresser, and desk; I never realized how much these things mattered until now. Luckily Target sells some nice-looking furniture for decent prices, because I definitely took advantage of that. I've realized very quickly the importance of storage space: I had to make another Target run to pick up some more shelving and drawers because I simply didn't have enough hide-away space for all those little miscellaneous supplies which seem so innocuous at first but demand their own little homes -- office supplies, important documents, hair dryer, spare glasses...

Enough with the boring stuff. I realize storage isn't really the most captivating of subjects. What about the city? Well, last Monday, I went to Manhattan with Shira, one of my new roommates. We spent a good portion of the day just walking around and enjoying the sights in the Chelsea and Greenwich Village areas. Our first stop was the High Line, a new park created from an old elevated railroad. The tracks are still there, but they are hidden by beautiful wildflowers and trees that have been planted, and there is a path and plenty of chairs along the entire way. It's a relaxing place to walk, jog, or simply sit and enjoy the sun or a good book.

Wildflowers among the tall buildings

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, we walked and did whatever met our fancy. We had falafel sandwiches at Mamoun's, played in the fountain and rested under a tree at Washington Square Park, grabbed some iced tea at Grey Dog's Coffee, and browsed the extensive book collection at the Strand Book Store.

On a 90-plus-degree day in the city, what could be better than cooling off in the fountain at Washington Square Park?

The next day, I ventured into the city again. This time I was on a mission: My car's radiator had been replaced, and it was ready for me to pick up. This meant I had to catch a train to Trenton, NJ, where my uncle would pick me up and drive me back to Newtown, PA, to get my car. I had a little extra time before the train left, so I wandered from Penn Station over to Times Square. Oh, the life! So many people, so many colors and flashing lights, so many captivating things to see!

My emerging NYC policy: When all else fails, people-watch.

The drive from Newtown to the Bronx was surprisingly low-key. My experiences driving in Minneapolis and St. Paul this past year, while not the same as driving in New York, have certainly taught me the basics of driving aggressively. That being said, I still don't think I ever want to try driving in Manhattan.

Medical school orientation began on Wednesday. Like all orientations, everyone, including me, is beginning fresh; we all come in knowing nothing and no one. It's tiring to be constantly meeting new people and trying desperately to remember names and how many siblings each person has, but it's so rewarding, as well. I've already made some good friends, and I have a feeling I'll be meeting more and more amazing people every day. The biggest blessing about this school is that it places such high value on attracting and accepting genuinely nice people. That's what matters the most. Yes, Albert Einstein College of Medicine is a great school, known for its top-notch research and medical training, but it does not use this as an excuse to admit people who are going to be cutthroat and competitive. I could feel that at my interview last year, and it's turning out to be true in reality, as well.

For me, the most exciting part of orientation happened on Thursday night: We all were treated to a chartered boat tour around Manhattan. Since it began around 6:30 and ended at 9, we were able to watch the city in its transformation from day to night.

I would love to be on that sailboat...

...but hanging out on the larger boat with some of my new friends is just as fun!

We came suddenly upon an American icon, and my heart stood still in the beauty and symbolism.

The sky (and the city) treated us to wonderful colors...

...and then the city came to life.

Most of us med students went to a bar in the theater district called Zanzibar after the boat tour was done. The whole boat/bar/subway-back-to-Einstein experience was yet another of many opportunities to meet more of my fellow students. I can honestly say that so far, every person I've met seems like someone I would want to hang out with on a regular basis. Everyone here is so nice. I can't emphasize that enough.

The rest of the weekend, I've been doing this and that. I went to a movie with some friends on Friday night, and yesterday evening I went to church and then dinner with two other students. It was so awesome to be able to go to church with other people, and it sounds like they (and others, potentially) want to go together each week. It will be like being back at St. Olaf! We had dinner at Patricia's, which has the most incredible bread and olive oil mixed with whole pieces of garlic and spices and herbs. Mmmm. Mom and I ate there for lunch last weekend, and the waiter last night, thinking that he recognized me, said, "From Minnesota, right?" I love little places like this! Luckily, the Bronx is full of them.

Speaking of Minnesota, I'm pretty rare here. Almost 50% of my classmates are from New York, and another 30% or so are from California. The rest are mostly from the Northeast, with a few scattered students from the Midwest and other West Coast areas. I like it. I like being the odd one. I've only gotten a few comments about my accent so far, but I have a feeling that as I get to know people and be more myself, they'll start recognizing it more. It's like COT all over again -- but in that, I'm feeling just fine. I made such great friends at COT, and I have a feeling I'll make great friends here as well.

And speaking of COT, that's another funny thing as well. When I tell my classmates (new friends) that I'm in the Air Force, they're all initially surprised, saying things like, "Wow, you must be tough." I guess they all get the initial impression that I'm just this nice, normal girl, and it never crosses their minds that I would be in the military. Well, they'll learn. :)

Excitement into the Bronx

I have made it to the Bronx, but the trip wasn't without some excitement. The plan was to drive to Newtown, PA, from Rochester, MN, in 2 days; stay with my uncle for a day (2 nights), and then drive the rest of the way to the Bronx the following day. In a trip of nearly 1300 miles, the first 1200 or so were no problem. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio all look essentially the same: flat and full of farmland. As I've told many of my friends, I think I've seen enough amber waves of grain to last a lifetime. Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is gorgeous. Driving down I-80, we were treated to the sight of majestic, forested hills and mountains dotted with the occasional farm and perfectly painted red barns. Once we came to Newtown, it was fun to stay with family and buy ridiculous amounts of Target furniture for my apartment.

After that much traveling with no noteworthy glitches, you'd think the last 90 miles would be a piece of cake. Well, they would have been if the unseen object in the middle of the highway hadn't thunked my car loudly, doing some sort of damage that caused the radiator to smoke and leak. Yes, my car, which had served so honorably, obediently, and faithfully across 1200 miles of country, was indeed out of commission in the middle of New Jersey. It was towed back to Newtown, where it awaits diagnosis and repair. Meanwhile, my aunt, who had decided not to come with us because she wasn't feeling well, heroically drove to our rescue. We transferred all of my luggage to her car, and she drove with us the rest of the way to the Bronx.

All things considered, it could have gone much worse. We made it to the apartment only an hour or two behind schedule. We were able to move all of my things up to my new place and assemble most of the furniture before my uncle and cousin had to leave. By then, I was so good at identifying parts (pan-head vs. flat-head screw? I've got it!) and using my handy dandy toolkit that I was able to assemble the last bit of furniture essentially on my own. Once I get everything unpacked and in its proper place, I will post pictures of the apartment. It's a nice place, and my two roommates are awesome as well. Tomorrow will be our first sojourn into the city -- I can't wait!

The End of the Adventure

This is it! The final week at COT...the end of this particular adventure. Monday was rather unremarkable. We had our last PT session, which consisted of a 35-minute easy run. With 330 people all on the track at once, it was rather ridiculous. Also, we had our second parade practice, the first having been on Friday. Since I was among the masses, it was pretty easy: just stand still for most of the ceremony, and then follow instructions for the rest. Basically, we did a few rounds of saluting, marched in a big circle to show off our stuff to the crowd, and said the Oath of Office once more to reaffirm our commission and commitment. Easy stuff. Very warm in the Alabama sun. Our shiny black shoes particularly soaked up the sun -- it felt like my feet were in an oven.

On Tuesday, we had our second round of LRC. By then, my flightmates had recognized that I enjoy and am pretty good at climbing all over things, so I often was given the role of "scout" or something similar. I'd get to climb or be hoisted up a wall or pole or rope or whatever it was so I could scope out the rest of the obstacle and try traversing it alone. It was fun! It also led to some very strangely placed bruises. Before each obstacle, we Sidewinders decided to be extra cool and standardize our Camelbaks in Sidewinder style: we arranged them into the letter S. It looked spectacular. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of it, so just imagine 16 black backpacks arranged on white gravel into a giant S. Impressive.

Later that night was the Dining In, which is a huge tradition in the military. We had a "Combat" Dining In, so we all wore ABUs for our last time. We saw this as an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and get Sidewinder (Sharpie) tattoos again, and this time, even Capt Raley participated! Throughout the night, we were all careful not to break any rules of the mess for fear of the grog bowl, a toilet bowl filled with very alcoholic punch. That wasn't the bad part about it, though; the scary part was the thought of performing all of the procedures required for anyone sent to the bowl. If I remember correctly, it involved at least 4 about-faces, addressing the president and the mess, and turning the cup upside-down over your head to prove the drink was gone. It was particularly fun to see some of the flight commanders being sent up there for various "offenses." Another highlight of the evening was watching a game of crud, which is essentially full-body-contact pool. I'd like to try it sometime!

A spectacular show of Sidewinder spirit

The next morning, we got to sleep in until 0630! Unfortunately, by that point, we were all accustomed to waking up at 0440, so I kept waking up between 0500 and 0630 because I kept having dreams that we were late. Some of my other flightmates said the same thing happened to them. Yet more evidence that they train you the way they need you to be trained. Wednesday was the day of our individual evaluations with the flight commander, so for much of the day we just sat around in the flight room, patiently waiting our turns. Some people were smart and brought cards, so we were able to start up a few games of Euchre. It was also prime time for my fellow card-playing flightmates to make fun of my Minnesotan accent. They refused to believe that mine is actually very, very little compared to many of the people I know at home, so they teased me relentlessly.

Other flightmates found alternate ways to keep occupied.

That night was our flight dinner. All of us, including Capt Raley, were able to dress in civilian clothes and meet at an Italian restaurant in Montgomery. Some of the guys thought it would be funny to tell the waiters that it was Capt Raley's birthday. She did an excellent job at playing along when the free cake arrived; she even cooperated and graced us with a speech saying how sincerely "pleased" and "honored" she was to be spending her "23rd birthday" with all of us.

Thursday was the beginning of the end. We had to go through a lot of the final outprocessing that day, which was an interesting (and, of course, hilarious) experience because it meant Capt Raley had to come to the dorm. As she moved from room to room, each pair of roommates would enthusiastically call the room to attention. She would shake her head and maybe make some sarcastic remark and then continue on with her briefing as if we weren't behaving completely ridiculously. By the time she came to my and Lt Luu's room, the last room, at least 6 other Sidewinders had hidden themselves in preparation for her entrance. When she stepped over the threshhold, we all stood and shouted, "ROOM TENCH HUT!" It was spectacular, full of oomph. Later, we lined up in the hallway to call the hall to attention when she exited a different room. It was impressive to hear immediately back-to-back, "ROOM TENCH HUT!" "HALL TENCH HUT!" Ridiculous? Yes. Fun? Undoubtedly.

Stalking the hallway, waiting for Capt Raley to emerge...

That afternoon was the awards ceremony, which was essentially the graduation ceremony. There was a great slideshow of some of the best pictures from all of COT. That was probably the highlight. Also, awards were given to top performers in athletics, academics, and overall. Additionally, the top 10% of the class received Distinguished Graduate certificates from Col Koch; my roommate and I each received this honor and were able to go up on stage and shake the colonel's hand, which was pretty exciting. Afterwards, back at the flight room, we all received graduation certificates from Capt Raley. She even did a mock ceremony for those who demanded some pomp and circumstance. The most exciting part for me was receiving our Air Force RMOs, which are totally awesome.

Getting a certificate is fun!

Friday morning was the final bit of graduation, the parade. At first it looked like the weather would not cooperate, but after a brief downpour, things cleared up enough for the parade to go on. The field may have been a little soggy, but we were still able to march and look sharp for all the guests that had come.

Griffin 2 Squadron stays in step...

...says the Oath of Office...

...and celebrates being officers.

One last chance to say goodbye to friends...

One last chance to be among Sidewinders...

And one last chance to show the Falcons who's boss.

And that was the end of COT. Three flights later, I was back in Rochester, away from all of the friends and memories I had made in Alabama. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I was really blessed to make so many good friends; it truly did feel like a family. I know the Air Force was the right decision for me; now I just have to get through 4 years of medical school. Speaking of which, tomorrow is the day I leave to begin the trip to New York. With any luck, I will be all moved into my new apartment in the Bronx on Saturday. Big Apple, here I come!