“I counsel you not to cumber yourself with words…”

“I counsel you not to cumber yourself with words unless you are speaking to the blind…How in words can you describe this heart without filling a whole book? Yet the more you write concerning it the more you will confuse the mind of the hearer.”

-Leonardo da Vinci

It’s crunch time folks.  The first anatomy exam is on Wednesday, and everyone is making each second productive.  With that in mind, I have been I’ve taken this above quote to heart…no pun intended.  With lengthy names like “extensor carpi radialis brevis” for one muscle or “the anterior interosseous nerve of the deep median nerve of the median nerve” for one nerve, it’s almost easier just to draw than to explain.

I feel like I have learned so much from this one course already.  Not solely material, but an appreciation for the opportunity to learn it…as well as enjoying the fact that I know so much more information, instead of worrying about my letter grade.  I think grad school has been amazing for this.  It is a specialized field. I’m so intrigued with what I’m learning. I actually am picking and taking my classes because, “I want to learn this skill” or “I would love to have this knowledge base” instead of “I need this to get into program X”.  It is a different mindset, and one that I am thoroughly enjoying.

This week we submitted our infographic in our graphic design class.  I decided to look up some data on CDC about infant mortality rates, knowing that the US surprisingly doesn’t have the lowest rate.  It’s actually not even close to the lowest.  Interesting results below…and hopefully a just as interesting graphic creation.  Yes…for all you statisticians, mathematicians, or overall individual who takes pride in presented proportions…the fetus size is scaled mathematically to represent the actual data number to which it corresponds. Yay for Excel and the scale tool!

I’m also currently working on a narrative for a deep water retrieval of a spinal injury victim.  Taking it back to the life guarding days! This will be digital when all is said and done…just some crude rough sketching below.

Last pic of the week is the beautiful arterial supply to the upper limb. As you can tell, I didn’t have enough colors to represent each of the branches individually in a different color.  Again, drawing it helps to keep it in my brain.

I’m thankful for how my brain is maturing.  I know that sounds dorky and weird.  But, I actually really like how I’m learning these days.  I’m spending time everyday learning big concepts and the details are coming with ease.  They make sense.  Even if I don’t get to all these details before Wednesday, I know my conceptual brain will let me make some killer educated guesses.  I love this program.

With that, I’m going to get back to studying! Thoughts and prayers at noon on Wednesday through about 5pm would be greatly appreciated.  Everyone in our program has been working so hard…so, don’t leave them out either!

Tips for myself and my fellow comrades:

BREATHE. RELAX. THINK LOGICALLY. THE ANSWER IS THERE.

Love.

Busy girl. Happy girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel like the weeks are getting shorter the closer we get to our first Anatomy exam.  We had critiques this past week on our shoulder girdle.  I loved hearing feedback and can’t wait to hear a bit more when I receive my assessment from the professors.  I’m going to miss having 20 knowledgable sets of eyes giving me constructive criticism when I leave here. Evidently its a tradition to bring in a treat for critiques and since I was one of the last ones to present I got a donut AND a cupcake. Happy day.

Here’s a little view of our BVIS student lounge. Yes, those are red blood cell and white blood cell pillows. It’s the little things here. Everyone is impeccable at combining science and design.  I’ve spent a lot of hours in here this week now that our access cards are working and I think will be our spot for Sunday evening weekly Anatomy study parties.

Speaking of Anatomy…we are studying the upper body currently. Yes, for all you anatomy nerds that includes all the muscles, their proximal and distal attachments, all the innervations, all the blood vessels. Having Dr. Boyce’s class at CN has been my life-saver thus far. Things are coming back to me easier than I thought and now its just getting all those little details and being able to get past the differentiation on each of the cadavers to identify the structures in REAL LIFE.

Here is a simplified version of JUST the arterial supply to the arm. Shew!

 

Thursday was great this week as the 3 anaplastology kids got to volunteer again with Rosie.  We did a lot of dirty work of boxing up molds and materials, but it was very informative on learning “the system” of the maxillofacial clinic. If I learned anything its that I’m going to want an assistant one day! I love being at the clinic. I’m so grateful I’m here.

If any of you forgot what I’ll be doing one day and what we help with over at the clinic.  Aren’t they beautiful???

I’ve been doing my best to try to stay consistent with my running/workout regimen.  Our anatomy lectures are recorded and I’ve actually been able to listen to a few literally “on the run”.  I usually switch up between listening to lectures or podcasts from The Village Church. I’m totally hooked on the work that God is doing through Matt Chandler…Even if the recording is from 2007…hehe.

I came across this photo ad the other day. It combines my favorites! Mizuno, Anatomy, AND Design!  Even anyone could see there are WAY too many tendonous connections in that Wave Prorunner 15.

Some of you might’ve seen my “green spot” post on Facebook, but here it is for those that haven’t. It may not look like much, but having this patch of green means a lot while I’m so far away from my running trails and mountains in Tennessee. But, I’ve got to say…the views here are pretty fantastic in their own way.

Last thing before I work on submitting an assignment, AND sketching for a narrative, AND doing some research for a group project, AND reading for my computer class, AND studying for Anatomy, AND folding laundry, and hopefully making it to the grocery store before dark… I’ve told myself that I’m going to allow myself “one treat per week”.  This was Friday night after a great day in the lab.  The adorable Grace Hsu and I enjoyed a hilarious night of all you can eat sushi, followed by some good bonding time with some other awesome girls in our program.

Can you feel the happy?

Here are a few “older pics” I forgot to upload on my last posts.

 

These were taken at the Vitruvian Art Studio where we started on our écorché sculptures.

Hope you guys have had a week as great as mine and are enjoying this fall weather.

LOVE.

Anterior Shoulder Girdle

First assignment complete. Check it out!

Posterior Shoulder Girdle

Check out the backside!