My First Day

Well, I survived my first day of PT school and am already wondering if it is too early to start a countdown. ;) There are 36-37 students in my class and we spent the morning in anatomy lecture, followed by physiology lecture and then a 4 hour long orientation session that left me literally exhausted.

My classes are definitely going to be very demanding and I'm already dreading September 26-27 because I have my first anatomy exam followed by (back to back, no less!) my first physiology exam and then my lab practical on the next day. The work seems rigorous, but I'm excited to get started to see if I can rekindle the passion I had for this as much as when I decided to go back for my pre-requisites.

Our orientation consisted of having lunch with our advisors, another tour of the facilities (that's three I've had in total; I think I know my way around!) and introductions by all of the faculty and all of my classmates and a lot of going over the rules, expectations and overview of the program.

It was a lot to take in on one day, but I am happy that I am not the only "older" student, as there are a handful of people my age and slightly younger/older that are not coming directly from our undergrad degrees, or related fields.

I feel like so much happened today, but honestly my brain feels like it can't anymore at the current moment, but I just wanted to post and say "I did it! I survived the first day!"

The search for the perfect backpack

So, as school is closing in closer and closer and I should be thinking about important things (i.e.; buying my anatomy book, buying a new laptop, etc) I am instead debating on what wonderful and amazing backpack will help me meet all my schooling goals.

I have a couple of backpacks, however, they have seen their fair share of destruction throughout my high school and undergrad career. I bought a new backpack when I went back to do my pre-requisite work, however, it's not very large and I ended up using some of my other old backpacks in place of it...

I am extremely picky when it comes to backpacks... I can't simply go into a store and choose one at random and walk away... I usually have to look for weeks, multiple times debating over whether it should be one pocket or two pockets, too many zippers, not enough. Are there hiding spots? Do I want hiding spots? Are there places for me to put my pens? Do I need a pencil case?

The questions are endless and so, unlike most may think, the search for the right backpack is quite an investigative adventure that takes some time. I hope I can pick one before the 29th. ;)

I have an addiction to school/office supplies.

Side Note: Woohoo! I am officially done with all of the requirements for school; I got my bloodwork done today and hopefully will have the titer results in the next couple of days and another big thing can be checked off my "to-do" list. *does a happy dance*

So, I am a sucker for office/school supplies. I could spend hours and spend hundreds at Staples or anywhere where office supplies are sold. I love post-its, tables, folders, sharpies, etc. I love it all. However, since I have such a great love for supplies, I often end up buying a bunch of stuff that I don't use... So, I have decided that this year, I am not buying ANYTHING before I go to class and actually see what I need. That's right, I am cutting myself off from anything school or office supply related.

I did buy one thing, though: a planner. A planner is a must-have item for me; I love writing down what I'm doing and what needs done and checking off the days/items as I go. It helps me keep my head on straight and feel accomplished. And this year, I got a super, super cute planner because I didn't wait until the last minute to find it!

So, this is my oath to you all; I am not buying any school supplies until I see what I actually need!!

The countdown is becoming much more real...

41 days until the first day of school... Let me just throw some adjectives out there of what I'm feeling:

excited, nervous, determined, scared, committed, unsure, proud, sick.

Yes, I realize that these words are contradictory... But, alas, that's what I feel, so I'm saying it. It feels like I made this commitment YEARS ago (In reality, it was only about 7 months ago) and even longer since I was in a classroom learning (hello August 2010).

Thus, I am a creature of habit, and I have grown quite used to my habits, my life as it is right now. Friday was a hard day for me. It was my very last day of work at the Physics Department. Honestly, if that job paid more and was in a closer location to my new house, I would keep it forever. The physics department taught me so much more than I ever expected. I remember being so nervous to start (I'm always anxiety ridden when I start something new) and on Friday I was crying because it had all come to an end.

I'm excited to start school, but I am so sad to leave all those I've become so close with in the past year behind. I really felt so important and appreciated at my job, and I will cherish that time forever.

And so, I am almost done with getting everything in line for school; just my terrible, horrible bloodwork awaits me (needles, needles, needles... hate, hate hate) and then I'll have everything set; other than my parking pass.

I also applied for unemployment and I'm hoping to be able to keep renewing it throughout my schooling; but we'll see if I can keep re-opening my claim or not. Right now my initial claim is being processed, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that I can get a couple hundred dollars every 2 weeks to help with the cost of gas and whatnot.

So, I am both anxiety-filled and excitement-filled as the last 6 weeks of freedom are closing in on me and school will be starting sooner, rather than later.

Needles and doctors, oh my!

So a lot of my classmates and I are lamenting on our facebook group about all of the health requirements we have to fulfill. Ugh. I mean, I guess it's your sort of normal run of the mill stuff, but I don't do well with big long to-do lists that involve pointy needles.

So, just as a warning to all who may apply, you have the potential of looking forward to all of the following (makes me feel like I'm a teacher again, yuck):

1. FBI fingerprint check
2. Criminal Background check
3. Child Abuse check
4. Current CPR training
5. TB test
6. Blood titers for a slew of things (hepatitis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc)
7. Physical

Yay. On top of that I also have to go my heart check-up in July and my "lady" doctor. July is a crappy month.

I got my two-week notice letter in the mail and it made me really sad. I really do love my job and I'm going to miss everyone when I'm gone. It's really hard for me to focus in on getting everything organized so that they will be able to find things when I'm gone. Really sad. I'm a creature of habit, so this is hard for me. I just keep thinking, "I had an entire year before school" and now I'm staring July 1st in the face... It just seems like yesterday I was applying. And although I am sad about my job ending, I am very excited about school... I think. (Ok, I'm more nervous!)

Oh hey, I forgot to tell you... I got a house!

So... I realized I haven't written on this blog forever and then I realized it's because I've been really busy... busy working on "the house"!

J* and I got a house and closed on May 3rd. Since then it's been a whirlwind of weekend work dates paired with J*'s constant attention in the evenings to try to whip this place into shape.

In fact, here I am a few weeks ago sanding the floors... I know, I know... I make sanding look real good. ;)

Although our original plan was to "take our relationship to the next step" and move-in together, we hadn't considered that would involve buying a house. But, given rental rates vs mortgage rates, we couldn't pass it up. This house has great potential and we are impatiently awaiting the day when we can sit on our couch and admire all the hardwork we've done... Or, in my case, sit on the couch buried in school books up to my ears... But hey, it will be somewhere to sit! Which is more than I can say about our current situation.

Anyway, none of this would be possible without the love and support of J*, and although I give him a hard time, he really is a good guy at heart and I wouldn't want to be sanding floors, ripping down wallpaper, or finding weird electrical things with anyone else. :)

Am I really *that* old?

Are all of my classmates younger than me? Please tell me I'm not going to the only "over 25" person!

My school started a DPT group for those who are going to be in my class, so as people are added we can meet each other virtually. It's sort of nice to get a sneak peak, but so far it looks like I'm the only one not coming straight from my undergrad. I hope that there is at least one other "oldie" so I feel more comfortable.

I know age is just a number, but I would really appreciate it if someone else was a nontraditional student/career changer so that I have someone to relate to. I was so happy when I found my couple "older" friends when I did my prerequisites and they have honestly become lifelong friends. We really bonded over the fact that we weren't 18 and freshman... it was really nice.

Regardless, I know that I'll find someone (or a group!) that I'll get along with and everything will be ok... I'm a chronic worrier, fyi. In case you didn't pick up on that. ;)