ow...that burns!

I'd have to say that in all of my (limited) experience of doing tequila shots, rarely has it caused me any pain. Sometimes there is a short-lived warm sensation in my throat, but that's about it. Last night, I had some tequila shots with friends. The first round was problem free. Somehow, in midst of my second shot, somebody made me laugh and the tequila managed to come out my nose. My nose and throat began to burn something awful and my eyes were tearing uncontrollably. The burning didn't dissipate right away either. I contemplated snorting some water through my nose in an attempt to get rid of the pain but then decided against it. (I opted instead for the more socially acceptable option of drinking the water.) Eventually, the burning lessened and by the end of the night it was gone completely. But I will certainly be more careful in the future to avoid any such incidents.

Sleepy Lids Beware!

I wrote an exam this morning and finished a few minutes before the end of the allotted time. Noticing that very few of my classmates had left the room, I decided to stay put and just take a brief nap until the exams were collected. I pulled the hood of my shirt over my head, got comfortable in my chair, closed my eyes, and drifted. 10 minutes later I awoke to find the professor standing smack in front of me, loudly announcing, "Okay, Rachel, time for you to leave.. oh, and everyone else, you can go too." I later found out that while I had been napping the professor had come into the room and made faces at me while I slept, clearly for the entertainment of those sitting around me.
I guess a little bit of public humiliation isn't such a bad thing...

Market Value

While eating lunch with some classmates today, people were discussing what kind of candy they like best. Noticing a convenience store nearby, I wandered over and returned with a package of lollipops, which I distributed to those present. I then continued to distribute lollipops to other classmates as they walked by. Some people asked me why I was giving out lollipops and I simply wished them an "early happy Halloween". Everyone said thank you and continued along their way, most smiling. So as it turns out, the cost of (at least temporary) happiness for myself and my classmates is a mere $2.29 which, incidentally, is the same price as buying 25 friends. Who knew?

Eerie

While standing in my kitchen today, I noticed shadows seemingly walking across my next door neighbour's deck.. at the same height I was standing (second floor).. . yet I was standing still and there was no one in the room with me! Perplexed for a moment, I then remembered that my roof was to be reshingled today and the shadows must belong to the workmen up on the roof.No longer confused, I thought that it was unfortunate that the reshingling was occurring on a cold autumn day rather than a warm summer one... depriving me of the opportunity of more fully admiring the workmen. Oh well.

Life Lesson

Today I took a big step and went from interviewing actor-patients to interviewing REAL patients in the hospital. My task was simple - find out why the patient is in the hospital and a bit about the experience in the hospital thus far. Within the first 2 minutes I had established that this patient had broken his back and ankle and been in the hospital for a week. Over the next 15 minutes, my questions were put on the back burner as the patient decided it was more pertinent to share with me something he felt was very important- that regardless of all else, a doctor must "have love" for his or her patient. The patient then went on to describe some encounters he had with doctors and nurses who didn't "have love" and treated him as if it were just part of "the routine". While eventually my questions were all answered, I walked away from the room feeling as if I had learned something much more important, and that the encounter with my first "real" patient would stick with me for a long time.

Can't Get Away

Trying to de-stress after my first ever anatomy exam Friday morning, I decided to hit the gym (unlike my classmate who had a flask in his locker ready to go post-exam..but I digress). After some cardio, I switched to the weight machines where I was suddenly bombarded with the very answers to many of my exam questions from that morning! In my infinite wisdom I had forgotten that most weight machines have pictures and names of the muscle groups being used. I guess I can't really hide from it after all.

I like squirrels

I have an unusual tendency of greeting animals on my way to and from classes. I was most surprised when one particular squirrel stopped and stared at me when I said hello. I kindly asked if I could take his (her?) picture, and since there was no complaint, I snapped the picture, thanked the squirrel and continued along my way.

(NB- I should mention that my liking of squirrels does NOT extend to the squirrel who feels a need to surprise me by jumping out of my garbage can every time I approach my apartment!)

Musical Coincidence

A strange coincidence occurred to me this morning. I had slept through my alarm and suddenly woke up to the combination of someone knocking on my door and the radio playing a Green Day song. I couldn't help but smile when I realized it was October 1st and the song playing was "Wake Me Up When September Ends." How appropriate.