Links for Lunch || But first, coffee

Morning views

An N.Y.U. Study Gone Wrong, and a Top Researcher Dismissed
Every once in a while, researchers can have the best intentions with clinical trials, but if the care and safety of the patient as a human being is not the top priority, the perception of the research and medical field takes a hit with the community. I find that to be an important factor in entering the medical profession: in order to be given permission to care for patients, you need to gain the respect of the community. Studies like these create distrust between medical professionals and the public, and ultimately causing set backs in medical innovation and research.

Researchers Uncover Long-Lost Tunnel Used By Jews To Escape Extermination Pits
In my Behavioral Sciences class, my professor wisely stated perseverance is born when an obstacle exists. This story truly shows human perseverance in times of turmoil. Although this is an example in the past, it is unfortunate that it is still happening today in other parts of the world.

The last few doctors still in Aleppo sent a letter to Obama pleading for help
Brave souls, brave doctors. Reading the letter made me cry, to have such dedication in such turmoil. How can we help them out?

Ted Talk - A doctor's touch
Dr. Verghese talks about Sherlock Holmes in the first few monites of his talk - he got me hooked from the beginning. The entire video is highly recommended for anyone interested in getting into the medical field in the near future!

‘America’s other drug problem’: Giving the elderly too many prescriptions 
Again, for anyone interested in entering the medical field this is a MUST READ! The sad reality of medicine and the elderly.

Olympians in Hijab and Bikini
And now, something completely unrelated to science. The juxtaposition is beautiful, this needs to happen more often.

Pin to Present || Roasted Chickpeas

Living on an island means that everything, including food is expensive unless you know what to get and you've got some skills in the kitchen (or at least try in my case). One of the things that I'm having trouble finding is good snacks to eat between meals that are healthy and don't break my piggy bank. My roommate started buying chickpeas in cans and using them in her salads, and I decided I should start finding recipes that will make these bad boys taste amazing.

Enter roasted chickpeas...

These little guys taste so good!! They're super easy to put together - drain, add oil and spices and pop in oven. Shake a few times. Done! I love that I can mix the spices I want and I can do a giant batch during my meal preps. Then, I pack them up in ziplock bags and bring them to school throghout the week. So all in all, definitely a successful recipe!

I'm going to try to do the same thing with raw peanuts and see how it goes! Wish me luck :)

Check out Kim's post for ingredients and recipe!

Hello Summer!

Similar dress || Jean Jacket

 

I've basically decided to stop wearing pants for the next year. I've got so many dresses, skirts, and workout pants that I find jeans to be way too restricting. The freedom and easiness that comes with picking an outfit and walking around in dresses has made me a convert. Especially in med school where every minute is spent learning, memorizing, studying and reviewing, any time shaved off getting ready is time to improve myself.

What are your favorite go-tos?

Links for Lunch || A cup of positivitea

Cutest little Tea Cozies in a Tea shop in London, England

When engineering and medicine collide 
This is so freaking cool, and hopefully it works. It's not as invasive as deep brain stimulation so for those that are afraid of brain surgery, it'd be a great temporary fix. 

When doctors need sleep 
Sometimes you just need a surface... any surface to sleep on. And doctors can't be criticized for where they choose to sleep when they live at the hospital.

Deserted Doctor's Mansion in Germany
There's something about looking at the past, untouched, that is both sad and beautiful at the same time. Imagining someone had to leave everything behind without looking back is unfathomable, and how often can we see the aftermath of the deserted?

The Perils of being manly in medicine 
I've read a lot of articles about women in medicine, so this was an interesting article about men in medicine. 

The Go to the ER mentality of American Medicine
As an EMT/medic, I have seen the abuse of the ER way too often. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this and this article does a great job of explaining the issues that drains the hospital's resources and money. There needs to be a fix, and it needs to happen soon!

And finally, just for fun: Dancing Hair Cells

I need you in my closet | Getting ready for Grenada

Wow, so medical school took over my life. I know I've said that in the last few posts, that's all I've been saying I've been too busy to blog. But now I'm on vacation so I have no excuses! I've taken the break I need to start fresh just in time for school to start again. Unlike other schools, mine has included a 3rd term in the summer so I'm going back at the end of June. This time I'm off to Grenada, and I'm both excited and scared. Excited because I can't wait to go back, and scared because it's a new place and I have to get my bearings and get used to a new environment quickly because second year is no joke.  I'm create another post soon on how my first year of medical school went, I've really enjoyed Fran's and Mary Ella's updates and I'd really like to put one together.

In the meantime, here are a few items I've had my eyes on for my stay:

This crochet top || This cocoon dress

 That romper || This flirty dress

Bonus:

 This travel wallet

Hurt.

One year ago, I hurt so much. It was like someone had gone in and ripped a piece of my heart out and then decided to put it back and leave it in my chest to cause more hurt. I couldn’t eat for a while. The days after, there were moments. Waves hitting me hard, then flowing away and leaving me numb. My roommates were my support system for a good while, and working helped take my mind off of it along with my heart and guts. And I could forget for a few moments.

I’ve healed so much since this day one year ago. I’ve been able to put my heart back together, but I still hurt.

The weeks and months leading up to that day was like a runaway train, pushing and fuming to its inevitable end. It’s true we had good moments, and I cherish those so much. I wonder where it all went wrong, but nothing truly went wrong. No one is really to blame. People grow. Sometimes they grow together, sometimes they outgrow each other or overgrow one each other, and sometimes they grow apart.

But I still hurt. I still think that if we had been together, we could have grown together, but being apart made everything harder. I still think that you cared for me, but I was in a bad place at that time, as I am every year around this time. And you didn’t have the skills or the time to care for me the way I needed to be cared for. I think I still resent you for that, but you aren’t to blame. I should let these feelings go.

A year has changed so much, and I truly think I’m in a better place. I want to say that I’ve moved on and in many ways I have. Many things have changed about me. But many things I wish would have changed haven’t changed. I still care for you, I still wonder what you’re doing and if you’re thinking of me. If the last year meant anything to you; if it meant as much to you as it did to me.

And I still hurt. These thoughts I’m thinking, they need to stop. Enough now; enough you. You drained so much energy from me. You tore me down, piece by piece. I could have done so many more things, been so many more things. But you’re not to blame. I let you do this to me, I let this happen to me. But no more, enough now I say.

I want to be better. Damn it, I will be.

I will let today hurt. I’ll let the emotions succumb, but just for one day. And then I will put it all away, and I will be better, and I will become a greater person than I was with you. You will be too. Because you are not the person that hurt me last year, you are the person you are today, and I will not resent the person you are today.

I won’t hurt anymore.

----------------------------------

Earlier this evening, my friend confided in me that her grandfather passed away. I'm praying for her, her family, her grandfather. I'm also praying that she keeps her strength, her innocence, her love for the world. Days like today can change a person, and I hope for goodness sake that this day showers her with love as she deals with all the emotions that comes with such a sorrowful passing. Please keep her in your thoughts, along with all the people you have loved and lost <3

Life lately

...And then a month goes by and I haven't posted anything. Ugh.

What have I been doing exactly? Well that's a very good question. Two words: medical school. It's basically consumed my life, or most of it (two weeks ago I took a weekend trip to Ireland, see some photos on my Instagram!) I was reminded by two of my classmates to post more outfit posts, so ask and you shall receive... soon :)

Being in medical school has changed my life. Big shocker, I know. But it's so true! In the past few years, I had become very frustrated with what my life was turning into, and not knowing where it was going put a lot of undue stress on me, mentally and emotionally. My family would keep asking me if I had gotten into medical school yet, and my little cousin was starting to apply to schools himself, so I knew I had to do something. So far, best decision I've ever made.

There haven't been too many times that I can say that phrase and not look back on it with regret. Joining the rescue squad was also one of those decisions. After a year of being pre-med and feeling like I had learned nothing about medicine during that time, I impulsively decided to fill out an application form for one of the local stations in my neighborhood. That may have been my first "best decision ever." I have learned so much about the medical system, the emergency system, and about society in general that I don't know why anyone doesn't decide to volunteer at their local fire department (or volunteer in general!). But, that's another story.... The reason why it's been one of the best thing I've ever done is that it's helped me grow into the individual that I am today, and has given me the experience to succeed in medical school. So far, I've aced my first semester, and I'm currently keeping up with the material of second semester because of the prior knowledge I've gained as a EMT/paramedic. I have no idea how my other classmates are doing this right now and I admire them greatly for it!

Medical school is tough. There is so much information being thrown at you each day and you have to be able to interpret the information and keep it somewhere in your mind palace for the rest of your life. One of my professors in grad school used to say: "Medical school is like throwing mud at the wall. You gotta keep throwing that mud until it sticks. Just keep throwing that mud!" Basically, mud referred to the amount of knowledge we were being given during class, and the wall was our brain. The biggest issue is finding the time to do all of this mud throwing! My study partner made notecards last term for histology and would fall asleep at night and wake up the next morning with notecards all over her bed (I fell asleep watching an episode on netflix to clear my head, by the way!). One of the things that keeps me going though, is the future.

Following Fran and Laura (among the many other medical bloggers out there!) shows me what I get to look forward to. That constant reminder that in a little under two years, I'm going to be out on the wards and seeing patients, working and learning alongside other health care providers... those that have come before me... pushes me to sit at the library for 12+ hours and work my butt off!

Don't worry though, I'm making sure to enjoy life as well. Like I said, I traveled to Ireland two weeks ago, and I've taken up rockclimbing again this semester! It is addicting! But no worries, I'll be back to writing on here real soon.

What have you been up to this past month?

Links for Lunch || Thinking about my future

Celebratory hot chocolate after acing my first semester of medical school

Here's a fascinating article on the evolution of listening among scientists. Not what you would expect :P

I absolutely love learning about what other cultures and countries are doing regarding politically and scientifically heated topicts. Here's how Australia is handling the issue of vaccinations.

I'm currently interested in surgery, so reading this article about women in surgery is very insightful! In case anyone out there is interested, you are welcome to read another article about this here.

I still can't believe they unearthed a ship in Virginia!

Scientists have been trying to find male contraception methods, and here's another option. I wonder how it'll pan out. I sort of think that one of the biggest reasons why there hasn't been anything on the market is because men are more dependent on the women to be on the pill, and more potentially more afraid of changing their own bodies. But as I am not a man, I could be very wrong in all this. This new device could potentially change that though, maybe?

The UK is trying to find ways to improve health and reduce obesity. New policy will impose a "sugar tax" in hospitals.

Last professional outfit of the semester!

I am currently having one of the laziest vacations ever, and I love it. When all I did was sit on my ass and study for most of the days for the last 5 months, being able to stay in bed and watch Netflix or go hiking everyday is absolutely welcomed. Coming back to blogging, I've realized I had one more professional outfit to share.

 

I've bought a few new items and am bringing back some things to England that have stayed in my closet in the U.S. I hope to improve my style, especially when it comes to accessorizing with jewelry. I just can't bring myself to wear other necklaces or even rings. Maybe earrings... 

I am quite pleased with myself in terms of my make up. I make it an effort to put on some blush, eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara. I still have no clue how foundation is supposed to be applied, so this might be something I'll have to work on.

Is there anything that you'd like to improve on this semester? Do you have any advice for me?

Websites I have used to study medical school topics - Term 1

In the past semester, I've learned that you can't learn everything you need to learn from medical school with just the professors' notes and textbooks. I happen to be a visual learner, so if I can't see what I'm supposed to understand in my mind, then it won't stick. I decided to go on a hunt for videos and other resources that will help me become a better medical student.

Here I will share with you the resources I have found to be most helpful in my studies, I hope that they become helpful for those medical school hopefuls or those who will be starting shortly. Feel free to include links to videos that you found helpful in medical school.

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Anatomy
General
https://www.instagram.com/nerddrill/
-The short videos are perfect for memorization! They were invaluable during the Head and Neck course, thank you Nerddrill! (You can also find Nerddrill on Youtube)

**I didn't start finding good resources until the Head and Neck Section of Anatomy. But as I find better resources, I will update this post.

Head and Neck
Part 1: https://youtu.be/LGms75SH7sg?list=PLVOlXYIT90WEKkzKrbUg1GXzeGLjw3FCM
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBuIVrSfIUg

Part 1: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92hh_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-1_school
Part 2: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92nn_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-2_school
Part 3:  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92oe_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-3_school
Part 4: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92vr_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-4_school
Part 5: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1t92yi_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-5_school
Part 6: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1tataa_human-anatomy-head-and-neck-part-6_school

Cranial Nerves:
http://www.wesnorman.com/cranialnerves.htm

http://library.med.utah.edu/diganat/SOM/unit_3/lec/CN%20tutorial/CN_Tutorial.html
-This tutorial has probably been one of the best resources that my study group and I used to learn about the cranial nerves. After playing with it for a while, we would print the blank picture and draw and label out the details as a way to remember the details.

http://www.neuroanatomy.ca/cranial_nerves/cranial_nerves.html

Pterygopalatine Fossa:
https://wiki.uiowa.edu/download/attachments/108441664/contents.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1382112120923&api=v2 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-6YKly84t4

Infratemporal Fossa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIuSuJZVZZ0

Biochemistry
Amino Acids
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq-rWb0fmzQ
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2GfoGXfySQ

Lipids and Lipoprotein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llWn7imdHVk (Part 1 of 6)

Blood Hemostasis (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy3a__OOa2M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8JMfbYW2p4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjhHQHMnMjI

Links for Lunch || "I love days when my only problem is Tea or Coffee"

Christmas Tree Decoration from the Mormon Temple Visitor Center in Kensington, MD

Sorry I've been on a mini break from school, and apparently that meant from blogging as well. I hope everything is enjoying their time off. Here are a few links I've found in the last few weeks that I really liked.

I mean who wouldn't want a hot chocolate smoothie for breakfast?? Speaking of cooking, I found this link to be inspirational, as I've yet to master a few of these recipes. I do have a few years before this will no longer be acceptable, but at least I have medical school to blame for that!

As some of you are aware, I'm spending my first year of medical school in England, and that means that most days are rainy days. So no vitamin D for me :( This past term we learned the importance of a whole bunch of different vitamins, including vitamin D. This article describes another important job that vitamin D has in our health.

And finally, I'm excited by China's change in policy. It's still not okay for the government to control how many children someone can have... to be honest I find that completely absurd... but at least this means that some girl babies will survive. And we need a little more girl power over there!

Happy holidays everyone!

Inspiration

This past term, one of my professors had a thing for scarves, while another one had a thing for blazers. One of the outfits she put together really struck with me, and I'd like to wear something like it in the future. Here are some of the pieces I've found while using her outfit as an inspiration.

I would actually use black heels like the one in the image for the skirt, and the pink blazer really makes for a unique ensemble. Have you found any inspirational pieces? What do you think of these items?

A few of my favorite things

This has probably become my favorite outfit this term! The oversized sweater is super comfy for long hours of studying, and you can't tell I'm wearing leggings which I promised myself I wouldn't wear in public. But if you can't tell they're leggings while I'm studying, then it's a perfectly presentable outfit, right? The scarf also helps bring in the colors between the forest green in the sweater and the navy blue of my coat. And finally the boots give the whole outfit a bit of an edge. I feel so put together in this and yet it's one of the most comfortable outfit I've put together so far!

So excited to see my family and friends and be back in the ol' U. S. of A this week! Hopefully I'll get through all my lay overs without trouble.  See you guys on the other side of the pond!

Everyday Wear

Cowlick Sweater (old) || Skirt - Old Navy (similar)|| Black Tights || Boots - TK Maxx

Here is one of the outfits I wear the class on an every day basis. I found that wearing jeans and a t-shirt doesn't really fit with the whole medical student (at least for me). That and the fact that there are so many cute pieces to put on, that it's a shame to be wearing jeans on a daily basis. Wearing scrubs and uniforms in the past year has really made me crave better quality items. I particularly enjoy unique pieces, things that are eye catching, but I understand that working in the medical field means I have to be a little more refined, so I'm trying to find the right balance between the two.

I am finally done with my first term of medical school, which means I'm 1/8th of a doctor! I'm unbelievably happy with how I performed, almost shocked to be honest because I really thought the Biochemistry final was one of the toughest exams I've taken so far.... and surprisingly, it's one of the best of my final scores!

For now I'm glad to be on vacation, although I'm incredibly sad that some of my classmates have gone home while I'm here for a few more days. I'll be able to sight-see for a few days, but once I'm home I'll definitely miss this place over the next month. I do have to say, I can't wait to go shopping for clothes again :)

Links for Lunch || Finals Week

Canals in Amsterdam 

 

 This week was such a rollercoaster, but I'm finally done with final exams. Awaiting on one final grade before I can celebrate, so for now, I'll make it up to you and provide you with some cool links!

Interesting article about HIV then and now

This makes me want to become a pediatrician, he seems to love his job and the kids. Truly inspiring!

I have a giant sauce pan, and the eggs always go everywhere. This neat little trick solves the problem of frying eggs!

I think these shoes would be super warm and comfy for cold British days.

Finally, this video shows the beauty of mixing nature, art, and science.

Floral Dress Up

Dress: Primark || Black tights || Black ankle boots: TK Maxx

 

It is so easy to look professional, just put on a dress! Takes 20 seconds to get ready and you always look put together afterwards. Just make sure it's an appropriate length and isn't too revealing. The flowy sleeves on this dress makes it look so elegant, and the flower design gives a little bit of excitement to an otherwise simple outfit. Tights and boots finish off the look!

Dress - 15 USD

Links for Lunch || ...Or dinner?

My roommate made apple crumble dessert for our biochemistry study session! She's the best <3

 Just a few quick ones this week because it's the week-before-finals-major-study-mayhem-happening week!

It's so fascinating to read about the socioeconomical status of the country that gave me my roots. In particular, this article gives a brief description of women in society before the Iranian revolution (when Iran was known as Persia, and everything was so much better when it was known as Persia) and after it.  

Living in England has been a bit of an eye-opener for me! For example, did you know that they don't have annual physicals here?? People only go to see their doctors if they have a health complaint. I nearly lost my mind when I heard this... what about preventive health?! Anyhoo, here's a little bit more about the current events in the British Medical Association this week.

While studying anatomy, I've noticed that my professors keep saying - for example: "this region used to be called the Pouch of Douglas, but now we are getting away from the proper name and just call it rectouterine pouch." Here's an interesting take on the way that diseases are being named these days.

In case you want to know how I study the anatomy, I tend to use many youtube videos. Here is one of them. I use them solely as a visual reference and if I find any discrepancy, my notes and textbooks overrule whatever 3rd party material I use to study.

And finally, what do you do when you're sick at 30,000 ft??

OSCE I

 Cowlick short-sleeve sweater (option 1| option 2)

 The Limited Stretch Pants 

Primark floral pointed flats (similar 1| similar 2|similar 3)

Popping in to say hi to everyone! Today is OSCE day (Objective structural Clinical Examinations) - which means that we are being tested on professionalism and our basic knowledge of clinical anatomy. I've got one more week of classes and then finals! Eek! Can't believe we're at the end already!

Anyhoo, outfit is from last week when I didn't particularly feel very creative with my professional outfit. But my shoes are still cute, right?

Hope this week has been going well and a special Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends and family! We celebrated a combined American-Canadian Thanksgiving on November 1st, so I feel a bit detached from the holidays this year... hopefully someone save me a good leftover Thanksgiving sandwich?

Links for Lunch || Tea is for Tuesday

Since I started med school, I have found that taking pictures and blogging were the two mediums where I could let my creative flow live. Every picture you have seen so far in these series (Links for lunch) have been shots that I captured since I started school. And all of this was done with my lil' ol' iPhone 5c. I've been seriously considering getting a professional camera, but for now, I will enjoy the moments that other very gifted and talented visionaries have captured this year.

Can I live here please? Great, thanks! These apartments are absolutely breathtaking in both their architectural design and the integration of natural and man-made materials.

We are currently doing Head and Neck in our Anatomy class, so when I came across this article, I was really excited!! The video is probably the coolest part because I can actually understand the anatomy part of the surgical procedure. Even if you're not a major medical dork, I'd hope that you'd still find this interesting...

Our cadaver textbook is not the best book out there (several things are labeled incorrectly) so you learn to appreciate when someone creates a beautiful dissection.

And finally, here's a little plug of my school: "The Harvard of the Caribbean" :P

Pattern, Ruffles, and Minion Cufflinks

 

 The Limited (old) || Skirt (old) || Tights: DSW || Boots: TK Maxx 30 USD

I'm proud of this outfit for three reasons: 1) I'm wearing patterns! 2) I'm not covered in black from head to toe, and 3) I'm wearing boots in a professional look. I managed to pull off patterns two weeks in a row, and coming from someone who likes to have simplistic look, it's a big accomplishment. I've been trying to channel Adina from BlueCollarRedLipstick since I started following her two years ago. She has an amazing eye for pattern matching, and I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone thanks to her.

Last time I wore this top was probably sometime last year, and I told myself I would find a way to bring it back into my wardrobe. And that day is today! I love the ruffled sleeves, and the colors of the top allows for a lot of color matching, so I can't go wrong! It's also a very forgiving top, especially when the temperature in the lab is unpredictable (no one will ever know I am sweating like a pig... except you guys...)

(I really hate the green colored carpet in my flat, it's EVERYWHERE)

These boots were a much needed addition to my closet. My last pair were from Payless, and as much as I loved them (wore them for 2-3 years), I was wearing them so much that the insoles were getting worn out and the suede color were getting quite stained. These are perfect for rainy days, which... is almost every day (England weather... go figure!) I still need to waterproof them because I don't think they are completely protective against large British puddles.

I was outdone by one of my classmates this week though.... I mean... Minion Cufflinks!! What an amazing find! I love how my classmates stay true to their personalities while still looking professional.

Finally, I live you guys with my inspiration for the rest of the year. I can only dream of looking this good in my white coat.

Cheers!