Holiday Studies

So let's just say that planning to do a lot of DAT study over the holiday was a stupid idea. Granted, I got a lot done, but not as much as I planned. I have a lot to do. Same old story of, "Oh, you're trying to get in dental school" from people I meet and the obligatory "Did you always want to be a dentist?" I look forward to the day when it will be as simple as, "Well I taught high school for a few years and went to dental school. I have a practice in Austin...just had a baby....love what I'm doing...wouldn't change it for the world..." I talked to my buddy from high school - we both had medical dreams for a long time and both took some time off before committal. She's in her second year of med school and I was really proud of her when she made the jump and got back in the game. I'm feeling really good that I'm doing the same. There are still so many hurdles, but they are getting fewer and fewer and I just need to start checking some off my list - professor evaluations, helping Kevin at the clinic, some more observations - oh yeah and making As in my last few classes. Oh, yeah, and the DAT. It's sure going to fly by.

Me and my supportive husband. 

December 16

I decided that having a journal of my journey would be a great way to keep my thoughts straight, my motivation up, and generally have a record of what happens to me as I change my life. Teaching high school generally stunk. It had its ups and downs and most of the kiddos were great. I love science and the idea of teaching, but I'm out. And I will not spend all my blog time whining about it. I'm off to bigger and better. So I just finished my second full semester of school and I'm still encouraged. I have to say that my mind is so changed about organic because of the best professor in the WORLD and I'm so glad that God has given me the opportunity to be in his class - He knew I needed that and, man what a difference! Now, as much as I love A&M and my time there, I'm glad that UT has something good to offer the world in terms of, well, anything. So, today I study. Monday begins the task of studying for the DAT over the holidays and I've been trying to prepare myself. I've found message threads of people who recently took it and how they studied, what they studied. I have a long four months or so ahead of me, but whatever it takes. From here on, I have no life. I've pretended to have one this semester and that of course required procrastination on my part, which I cannot afford next semester. Now that community college is long and gone, I don't think the distraction of what they call "classes" will interfere, and my time will seem more focused.

I think the biggest part of needing this blog is that I'm sure that most people in my life, as interested and supportive as they might be, really don't need all the details and might not understand all of them, and it's nice to explode all over a blank page all of the exciting and boring issues that come forth when pursuing any medical field.

And maybe someone else will find it interesting. Who knows? So ends entry one. Let's see how often I do this. I hope it's often. It'll be great to read one day when I'm a dentist.