...because I couldn't think of a pithy title so I just used the foremost thing in my head (although, it's not
actually the formost thing in my head since you can't even see it in a frontal view and would need a lateral..... .... right. Stopping now.)
As you may have guessed I am seriously deep into studying neuroscience. We had our first small group this afternoon and I thought to report on it. My first impressions are very favorable. With only four people per table the groups are smaller than anatomy groups. It also helps that I happen to like the other three people in my group and managed to avoid (narrowly, thank you last name!) a few folks that I'd rather not have been in a group with. And the sessions are only two hours each which is just nice. We had a list of structures to locate on models for about half an hour and then spent another hour on a hypothetical case. It was a little less pressure since there was only one clinical tutor for two tables so half the time we were self-mediated (which worked out just fine). The case study did serve to remind me though that I can't forget my anatomy (err, the nerves through L5 mediate, uh, and if the ankle jerk reflex is normal that means....). *wince* Anatomy is going to be my albatross for a while longer I think. I'm hoping that over this term and the next few it will all finally sink into my long term memory piece by piece. I did remember though that veterbral discs tend to prolapse in a posteriolateral fashion (since really, that's the only way they can go; nerve impigment = not good times).
Neuroscience aside, CPM continues to be very straight foward and easy. Physio is picking up a bit but still remains mostly review of concepts I've had multiple times before. I hope it stays that way for a good long time (even though I know realistically it won't).
I would also like to say that the wet season here in Grenada is
brutally hot. I mean. I grew up in Texas so I'm not exactly a stranger to heat but the sun here is just so...close. It's like a physical force trying to squish you into the hot pavement as you slave up a hill (since everything in Grenada seems to be up a hill).
Just thought I'd say that. On the other hand the intense heat has been burning off the rain before it can hit the ground or something since it hasn't been raining as much as it was the past few weeks (better? worse? you decide).
I have had excellent luck with my bird watching though! I've seen several really georgous herons in the mornings while waiting for the bus. I then of course drop everything and promptly run off after them with my camera (much to my roommate's distress). Here are the pictures!
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (
Nyctanassa violacea):
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Juvenile Striated Heron (
Butorides striata):
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Listening to: Mad Surfer (浅井健一)
Welcome to my world. It is a world of tracts and cardiac performance curves. It is a world that is really really too close to midterms for comfort. @_@ Midterms are T-12 days people. That's just... frightening. Tr
uly. All in all though it could be worse (really). I've been much more on top of the game this term than last (understatement of the year). I haven't missed a class and have only been mentally absent for a few. hehe Seriously though. Going to class = win. Also, with the except of the new professor who is teaching the GI module the people teaching physiology have been absolutely awesome! I've been blown away by the excellent lectures, powerpoints, handouts and presentations. I hardly have to do any outside studying for physio since the classes have just been taught so darn well it's almost unbelievable. Unfortunately I can't say the same for neuroscience. In fact, I'd have to say that I've been singularly underwhelmed by the teaching. Granted, it's better than some of the more pitiful professors from last term but I think some of the lectures could have been explained a little better. Especially the neuroanatomy and cellular sections (rushed though and read in monotone respectively). On the other hand though the textbook and atlas for neuro are fantastic and have been my constant companions. Here's hoping they don't let me down! Anyways. I was just looking around for a study break and this turned out to be it. Later!
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