Pouring over tremendously engaging outlines on infectious esophagitis and fat textbooks explaining the ins and outs of antipsychotic drugs & their possible side effects, I can just feel myself being so incredibly uplifted by all this wonderful new information that I'm cramming into my head in hopes of passing my boards the first time around. Nearly $500 isn't something you want to pay twice (or three or four times) just 'cause your not smart enough yet.

In between the amazingly engaging dates with my textbooks & flash cards, I fit in the bread and butter of my life: washing week-old dishes, taking out my trash, taking a plunge in the pool, hammering out the first page of Rachmaninaff's piano Prelude yet again, a 40-minute nap on the carpet with my alarm clock at my ear, Sugar Creek park for my 3 mile run, check my email, take a shower. I've given up the shopping approach to breaks; it inevitably gets me way too distracted & poorer than I was the day before. And if I don't pass my boards the first time ('cause I spent all my time clothes grazing at Kohls) I wouldn't have the money to take the exams again anyway - a real double edged sword.

Today I had the fine opportunity to take a social break (I saw people) and complete my first interview for employment. Bariatric surgery here in Dayton - the talk was more for the experience than actual seriousness, honest.

I missed surgery grand rounds this am 'cause I couldn't imagine two big stressors all in one day. I got my day 2 two-mile run in for my half-marathon training instead.

Life's been just beautiful lately. Even so, it's always good to remember that burdens are lifted at Calvary.