Thread Drift

[SadieKate]

Snap--sigh. "Colonoscopy" looms large in my future. I did a bone density test a few years ago after some meds that increased the risk of bone loss. I was "denser than average". I could've told 'em that!

Several years ago my mom had a brain tumor removed. She had to have a shunt placed as an emergency. The doc was vastly relieved that he took her to the OR rather than using the ICU drill because the OR drill is longer. From an internationally known neurosurgeon: "She has the thickest skull I've ever seen!" Just what do you think our response was?

[winddance]

Hi everybody,

I need some help here. I know some of you are medical and science types, but really, anyone who has had a bit of trouble deciding what they want to be when they grow up is welcome to weigh in.

I just attended a Q&A session about Berkeley's new pre-medical fields post-bacc program. And then I came home and signed up for a biology class. I figure, if I volunteer, work full time, and can still complete the coursework, I can do anything. I just might not be able to pay for whatever crazy scheme I come up with. The scheme might be that no, I can't handle it, and I should stick to my current, very comfortable job.

I have a business degree. I'm lucky enough that UCB is starting a program like this that offers evening classes, so I could even get in the prereqs over the course of the next few years -- should I go forward.

But what about you? How did you figure out what you wanted to do? Did it just happen, or did you try something else first? Did everyone else think you were crazy?

Thanks.

[DrBee]

But what about you? How did you figure out what you wanted to do? Did it just happen, or did you try something else first? Did everyone else think you were crazy?

Thanks.

I started as a math major for undergrad, then switched to biology major/math minor. That took 6.5 years (worked full time and went to school part time for a year in the middle of that). I then took 6 months off and worked on campus in the Biol dept (animal husbandry) and applied for a few jobs. Somewhere during those 6 months after seeing my prospects with a B.S., I decided to get an M.S. in Biology. About 1 year into my M.S. program I knew (just knew - hard to explain) that I wanted to go straight through and then onto a Ph.D. I did that and don't regret it all.

Go for it and good luck!

[Pax]

Beta - I'm a little out of the loop, are you going to Grad school to do something in psych? Just curious since that's my field.

[betagirl]

Yup, in my 3rd year toward my doctorate. Speaking of, gotta get my butt to class then to practicum

What do you do queen?

[Pax]

Yup, in my 3rd year toward my doctorate. Speaking of, gotta get my butt to class then to practicum

What do you do queen?

Sorry for the late reply, waaaaaay too many hours at work today.

I work with severely mentally ill adults and adult MI homeless populations. I'm in management so I spend most of my time writing reports/grants/budgets, and developing housing projects for the homeless population.

[Nanci]

I just found out the sequel to one of my favorite movies of all time is coming out in September, Jackass Two!! http://www.jackassmovie.com/

I have never come so close to dying of laughter in a theatre ever. People probably thought I was having seizures.

******************

While mowing yesterday, I had a very scary close encounter. You know we have these huge spiders here, who spin a web from a tree to the ground. The web is strong enough that a person will bounce off it.

(ooh, weird little fact while I was looking for a picture-In modern times, the Golden Orb Web Spider's silk is set to become a major product. The silk is almost as strong as Kevlar, the strongest man-made material which is drawn from concentrated sulphuric acid. In contrast, spider silk is drawn from water. If we could manufacture spider silk, it would have a million uses from parachutes, bullet-proof vests, lightweight clothing, seatbelts, light but strong ropes, as sutures in operations, artificial tendons and ligaments. Studies are now being done to have genetically engineered plants produce fluid polymers which can be processed into silk! Spiders are not used to produce silk fabric because Silkworm Moth caterpillars produce twice as much silk and are easier to manage (for example, they don't eat each other up!!).)

Nevermind, I will just attach a pic I took!

Anyway, I'm out in the front, by the road, and have spotted a large spider and web, and have been carefully avoiding it. But on one of my passes back, I forget. Not good. I drive the mower at top speed so I can mow about an acre per hour. Before I know it, I have plowed into the web and the spider is coming closer and closer to my chest, in fact even _touches_ my chest, as I am frantically putting the mower in reverse. Thank God it stayed on the web as I sped backwards away from it!

Ok, leaving to ride now...

[KnottedYet]

But what about you? How did you figure out what you wanted to do? Did it just happen, or did you try something else first? Did everyone else think you were crazy?

I literally fell into it. I'd always been interested in medicine, but I was also interested in a million other things. My senior year of college I fell and sprained my ankle. Went to PT for the first time. Walked in the door to the clinic and the heavens opened up and the angels sang! (before I even said "hi" to the receptionist)

Took me 10 years (no, wait, it was 11 years!) before things worked out and I could start a career in my "new" field, as a minor functionary with an associates degree from a community college.

I cannot tell you how tortured I am with regrets for the things I didn't do, and the courage I didn't have.

(And regrets for the advanced degrees I was capable of getting, but couldn't for one reason or another.)

GO FOR IT!!! Don't let anything stop you!!!!

[maillotpois]

Snap - did I read that right? They're giving you a "do at home" something colonoscopy test?????

Winddance - I almost did a post bacc for pre med about 10 years ago during my first wave of job dissatisfaction. I think you're younger than I was then, so I say go for it!! I still had a ton of student loans from my current education at that point, so I really couldn't justify it on a financial level.

[DrBee]

Living room is done. Wow, that took a lot of work. Note to self - buy new house with minimal amount of carpeting. Kids + carpet = lots of cleaning. I love the carpet cleaner I borrowed from a friend. It is amazing how much dirt this thing pulls up!!!

back to cleaning...

[Nanci]

What I did on my second day of vacation:

Two loads of laundry- bird towels and sheets. Hung out to dry.

Changed the bed. I hate that mostly because of trying to find 11 pillowcases that match. (Seven for me, four for him.)

Sat out with the torts. Drank coffee out of SS mug. Still not getting into French Revolutions...

Moved a tree. Am resisting moving it again.

Got nails done. Have only screwed up two so far. [[How come every time I write screw now I think of s-word for bolt???]]

Colored hair, FINALLY!!

Very light grocery shopping, including only one bottle of wine (white merlot) and, unfortunately, a pint of Neopolitan Dynamite. Also some drugstore shopping.

Ate lasagna for breakfast and sushi for lunch.

Sent in entry for next Saturday's 200k, in Indian Harbour Beach, and made a hotel reservation. Tried to lure GF into going. Haven't heard back.

Major cleaning of Dillbird's room, including removing all towels and vacuuming the bed (I love you, Dyson!!) and putting down new towels and vacuuming the floor.

Emptied the Dyson cannister. Everytime I do that, I am re-amazed at how simple and foolproof it is. You would not believe the size of feathers I can suck up with that thing and not have it get clogged. Then, click- the cannister is released, and click- the bottom falls away and all the bird gunk falls out into the trash, and click, it goes right back together. I think I bought it around last Thanksgiving- so almost a year later, I am still in love.

Tomorrow the bike riding starts!! New routes planned for the three-day weekend!

[Nanci]

Which would be more fun, mow the lawn or take a nap?? If I mow the lawn, can I have ice cream?

[snapdragen]

Snap - did I read that right? They're giving you a "do at home" something colonoscopy test?????

The visual for that is just too.....too.... It's called Colocare, not a colonoscopy. http://www.helena.com/104colocare.htm

[winddance]

Thanks, everybody, for your responses so far. You've given me a lot of encouragement and things to think about!

I'm glad my class starts next week, before I lose my newly found courage...

[KnottedYet]

There were cooked crabs (cooked and frozen whole) at Costco. I couldn't resist.

I ate half (only half!) of one for dinner. Now my stomach is extremely unhappy with me. Dang it, I used to eat crab all the time, and this one was just fine! It's been so long since I had real crab (not pressed pollock) that my tummy just can't cope.

Today was my first day of vacation. I did errands, bought groceries, hung out at my LBS. We discussed plans for my new-to-me Waterford. The guy I was talking to has one. I was intending to go to a different shop with the Waterford, but the 2nd time I talked to the other shop they were kinda short with me. They didn't like me asking dumb questions very much, and I ask a lot of questions.

My LBS is great with my questions, and will show me stuff and tell me how to fix things myself. Plus they are willing to almost match the prices for things at Nashbar if I need to make a special order. And they have used parts for some things.