My biochemistry final is now history. I really enjoyed the class, even though it went 300mph! Histology is another story. I am finding it VERY difficult to study for this test, as I hated everything about how this class was presented. I was taught histology at NDSU in the Animal and Range Science department. They made it fun, NOT a core. Also, about half the material we learn in histo will be re-taught, correctly, in physiology!

So, guess what I did instead of studying yesterday? Yup, I bought my wedding dress. It was sort of weird, because it was just me and no one else. The sales people thought I was strange. I guess I am just "too damn independent" like my dad used to say. I don't want to share details, so you will all have to just wait and see what it looks like.

Kirk and Jon both came home late last night. Luckily I was far enough asleep to not really notice. As tonight is my last night here until New Year's, I suppose I will try to wait up for them to give them their presents. I know that both of them have noticed their gifts under my sad little trees, as they have been moved several times.

Well, I am going to grab a sandwich and force myself to study some more. I have a review session at 4:30, followed by a work out and dinner out. The rest of the day is studying, whether I want to or no!
Wish me luck!

I woke up this morning to a sound that was out of place here in Minneapolis, gusts of wind. It reminded of my times in Fargo, waking up in the middle of the night to 35 + mph wind gusts rattling the windows in my cozy LLC room. The only thing that is missing today is the snow, as it is still a balmy 33 degrees here in Minneapolis.

Today is my last push to study biochemistry and the start of my histology effort. I will be very relieved when Wednesday noon comes, as I will be completely finished with my first semester of medical school. What a semester it has been! It has gone by so fast that I can hardly believe I have absorbed half the material pushed at me. I now know why people compare the first two years of medical school to trying to drink out of a fire hydrant!

Word has it that Tyler Aman is in Minneapolis today. I am hoping to catch up with him for a bite to eat later today. I really miss all my friends from home. I lack time to write everyone, so it is a rare treat to even hear from some of the people I used to see on a daily basis. Matt is good about keeping me up with current news, but it is not quite the same. I can image that is a few years, the crew back in Fargo will be saying "do you remember that Beckman girl....she was insane.....I wonder what happened to her." I guess this is my plea for people to stay in touch, and to know that my couch is always free for people to crash on.

Well, I need to get back to histology.

Well, it is my birthday today. I would like to be writing about how I am going out with all of my friends and living up what has been a pretty good year, but instead I am at home, alone, trying to get enough motivation to study. Yup, I am spending my birthday ALONE, STUDYING BIOCHEMISTRY AND EVIL HISTOLOGY! I have had plenty of well-wishes from my sister, my parents (at 7:30 am!), Derik Rieckens, a few odd people in the lab (Sara, Deepali, Brenda), and some other random medical students who were in need of espresso as much as I was at 2:30 today. Tonight I am ordering in take out (I might splurge for some indian food, yummy!), and studying my ass off. This week has turned out to be one of my worst in medical school yet because I have been too tired, too busy, or too tired AND too busy to anything productive done. I guess it my lesson NOT to donate blood while trying to perform an insulin sensitivity trial and study for three exams.....!
I am heading back to ND on December 15th. I am spending a night in Fargo, and then it is off to Jamestown for wedding planning. I am looking forward to having some time to do nothing.....as I haven't had that kind of time in the longest I can remember. I am also looking forward to catching up on sleep, my old tv shows, and finding out what my neglected friends and family are up to.
I need to get going here. Otherwise it is just going to another unproductive late night.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, so finals are upon me. Right now I have only two cups of milk, two slices of bread, and some eggs to tide me through until Friday.....I have a feeling I will be eating out at least once in the next three days. I had my nutrition "test" today. All I can say, it that there is a reason why there are registered dietitians, because our survey of nutrition is hardly adequate to help people. I have strong feeling about what people eat, so I know I will have to pursue further study in this area myself. Our next final is on genetics. This class has been surprisingly interesting. I am even considering using one of my elective rotations to do a genetic couseling program.

I have a small Christmas tree up here in our apartment. It is sort of sad right now, because I haven't had time to get ornaments. I hope to fix that probably this Saturday when I go out shopping to get the rest of my presents. I only have four people left on my list......thank god for e-shopping!

The wedding plans are rolling along smoothly. I hope to have the dress, flowers, and bridesmaids taken care of by the end of December. Invitations, menu, music, guest lists, and program will follow up in March and May. The guest list is looking to be a bit of a battle, as both the Larson and the Beckmans are blessed with large families and lots of good friends. This wedding could easily bankrupt both families! Hopefully the compromise I struck with my parents and the Larson will prevent this!

Well, I need to get back to studying patterns of inheirtance. The disease of choice this semester is colon cancer. .......

Oh...just a reminder....only 9 shopping days until my birthday (12-10)