I am a PA-C!

I have a confession.  I may have lied to you.  I told you all I went to San Francisco for a break from studying last week, but I actually went to the city to take my board exam, the PANCE.  I didn't want to tell anyone until I knew the results.  I'm sorry I didn't tell you, forgive me? :)

And guess what?  I PASSED!  After 10 days of torture and painful waiting; I got my results this morning!

Talk about relieved.  I am officially a PA-C (certified)!

Now comes the fun.  As Jake said this morning... "Get a job!"

PANCE, Froyo with HRG, and Boston...

Let's have a little chat about how scared I am for my national board exam aka the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam).   

300 questions

13 organ systems (Cardiovascular, Pulmonology, Infectious Disease, etc.)

5 hours of torture 

All for the affordable cost of $500.  

No pressure, right?  The general consensus from everyone I talk to is that I will walk away from the test feeling like I've failed, but will likely pass.  Eek!  Keep me in your thoughts as I keep cramming my brain full of information!

This is my favorite tip from the board review course I took:

"C it is!"

During my mid-day break from studying yesterday, I met up with my fave girls, Janae and Brooke (her adorable daughter).  She is probably the nicest and most fun girl ever and I am devastated that I only have one month to hang out with her and talk for hours.

We went on a nice long walk in the beautiful Cali sunshine... just what I needed to give my brain a break.  

She is also slightly addicted to running, and shares the same passion for Froyo toppings that I do, so we went to a magical place called Yogurtland.  It took us each around 8-9 samples to determine the ideal yogurt flavor combination, after which I think we were both a little full...  but that didn't stop me from enjoying every bite of my oreo-boba-cheesecake bites-capn' crunch-mochi-fruity pebble masterpiece (tastes way better than that sounds...haha).  

Janae is getting over an injury, and since my injury is still being a pain in my butt (literally...it's glute pain! :( ), we have a date on Friday to run in her pool!  I've missed my pool running adventures, so it should be fun to do it with someone.  My injury was about 100% healed, then I ran the 17 miler 2 weeks ago and flared up my right sciatic nerve which sends pain into my glute.  I can run 8-9 miles without pain, but after that the pain starts to come back just enough that I don't want to push it.   The problem stems from irritation when I'm sitting and as much as I'd love to not sit for 10 hours/day, I have this silly little test to study for.  

Boston Marathon is two weeks from yesterday, and I'm on the fence as to whether I will run it or not.  I've realized that the most important thing to me at the moment is being injury-free and somehow I don't think running 26.2 miles is the appropriate therapy for an injury.  In the ideal world, I would just run the 8 or 9 miles and walk the rest, but I don't think I'd be able to cut myself off when I see all of the other runners around me!  (Actually, I take that back.  In an ideal world I wouldn't be injured, haha!).  There are many races in Alaska that I'd like to run this summer and I don't want to ruin that either.  Any advice?  Wisdom?  

Either way, I will be going to Boston to see JAKE (finally, it's been four months now!), my parents, my cousins/aunts/uncles, and Grandpa. 

This is how excited I am to see my hubby!

And the good news is that I already qualified for Boston Marathon again next year at St. George Marathon last fall!  So either way, I hope Boston will be happening in the near future... :)

A Cocktail Affair!

After an enjoyable 7 straight hours of studying yesterday, I changed into my finest cocktail attire for my bestest SD friend, Carrie's, 29th birthday party.

Cutie Patootie.

Carrie wins the award for greatest hostess that has ever existed. From incredible 4th of July parties to an amazing Thanksgiving Dinner, she always goes above and beyond!  Her own birthday was no exception :)

Case in point:

Cocktail bar complete with Pomegranate Mimosas, Wine, and Vanilla Rum & Coke.
(Did I mention that Carrie doesn't like alcohol? It was all for her guests!)

Not only is she beautiful but she throws one heck of a party! 1.25 drinks was all I needed to feel extra social (can you say light weight? Haha) after which I took it upon myself to eat all sorts of yummy snacks.

Blurry, but jalepeno poppers, brie, cheesy foccacia, kahlua brownies... yummmm

After a day of frustration, there is no better way to uplift your spirits than seeing great friends. Carrie, you rock and I'm going to miss you so much when I leave!

Love this girl! 

Happy birthday!

I woke up feeling extremely motivated this morning and did something HUGE. You ready....? I worked out on the elliptical without looking at the clock ONCE.  Instead of yawning in boredom, I used my handy-dandy iPhone and scheduled one of the most important appointments of my life. Board Exams.  After paying the $475 dollars, you have to wait for a link to the testing center to schedule the day/time of your exam.  I got my e-mail this morning which means...

I am officially scheduled to take the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) in April... EEK! 

This is the exam that puts the famous "C (certified)" behind PA-C and allows you to put your medical knowledge to use. Without it, you just have a very expensive and useless degree! It is so exciting, scary and monumental! Until then, I will likely become a sleep-deprived recluse with a practice exam in hand at all times. Worth it? Yes. So so so worth it. I want that "PA-C" next to my name more than you can imagine! Time to continue on my studying quest!  Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

When life gives you lemons...

What's a broke grad student do?  Yep, that's right!  Keep 'em! 

Ever feel like you're running against a cement wall?
And just when you chisel your way through the wall, you step into a pit of quicksand?
You see a tree branch to grab onto and pull yourself free only to realize the branch is actually a venomous snake?

Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic.  Or a lot dramatic.  But it's safe to say, we all have times that feel as if the world is sitting on your shoulders and could sure use an extra hand (or two or eight).

The past two weeks since I arrived back from Mexico have been one obstacle course followed by another. Mainly due to some ridiculously stupid frustrating challenges with hospital credentialing for my surgery rotation that were due to miscommunications beyond my control.  No need to go into my long story, but my frustration/worrying level is at approximately a 2493 out of 10.  Yes, it's possible.  Believe me.

It doesn't take a PA student to tell you that stress is probably not the best for your health.  So what is one to do when they're discouraged?  Run!  Oh wait, I can't do that because I'm still injured.  I was doing great but had another set back.  (Sciatic nerve irritation causing hip and knee pain).  Perfect combo for training for my first Boston Marathon in 3 months! haha.

Hmph. So I can't run like I want to... what's a girl to do?

Options that I have tried:
1.) Cry.  (Not successful. Makes for an interesting public spectacle and makes your face look pudgy.)
2.) Study to distract myself.  (Leads to unhelpful thoughts like, "Wow, I really have a lot to learn in the next 3 months before my board exams!")
3.) Work out at the gym.  (Why does the elliptical have to cause me such boredom?)
4.) Call your amazingly supportive husband and repeat #1 (Actually VERY successful but could lead to a discouraged husband so it's only recommended if you can pull it together.)
5.) Drink wine.  (Not successful. Tried once and fell asleep on top of my books. ha)
6.) Retail therapy.  (Wait, you have to have money to do that. Does a sale on cheerios count as retail therapy?  That does make me pretty happy.)
7.) Pray.  (Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner!)

Sometimes you just need someone to take that weight off your shoulders and trust that everything will work out.  I know it will be okay, but it would sure be nice to worry less.  That is where faith comes in.  Knowing that the big man upstairs has a plan for this crazy little thing called life. Obstacles are placed to learn how to chisel through them and ultimately to grab that venomous snake and use it as a rope to climb to safety.

On a positive, less philosophical note, I am officially registered for my board exams! HOLY COW.  That is crazy.  Also crazy is that it costs $475 to torture myself in the 6 hour exam. haha

Haha.  You think?

Graduation planning is in full effect and the realization has settled in that in 68 days I will (hopefully... if silly hospital logistics get solved) be done with school for the REST OF MY LIFE. And 36 days after that I will walk across the stage and become a graduate of Stanford. Two words: Thank God. :)

May 4, you can't come soon enough! 

So what is the lesson learned today?  Have faith. Be positive. And as my very wise husband says:

"Believe in yourself."