And so it begins again

With the change in season also come the start of a new academic year and a new apartment :D. I arrived back to Milan on September 18th. I ate some food and went to bed the next day was the day to go sign the official contract for my new apartment :D. So exciting. Along with my new apartment came two new great roommates and also new challenges. Anyone who ever said Ikea furniture was easy to assemble is lying. 38 minutes, 13 seconds and the brains of two medicals students later I had a desk... only a chair and dresser left to build :(. But we managed and a few weeks in everything was settled for the most part. The apartment is nice three bedrooms, living room, bathroom and kitchen. :D

After we signed for the new apartment and kinda half moved in I started my General Surgery Ward attendee where I shadow a resident in General Surgery at San Raffeal Hospital. This was great fun. I had one over night as well as the weekend shift. The surgeries were interesting but it was not my first time in the OR. To be honest the weekend shifts seeing patents was the most interesting to me. We had about 10-15 patients we saw that were staying on the ward. One I had seen a few nights before during my ER overnight shift. So that was really neat to follow some patients for a few days. It was also nice to see one of the patients a week later doing much better around the hospital grounds. I don't think he remembered me but it was nice to see him doing so much better.

Lessons began on October 1st. This semester I am taking Basic Pathology and Immunology, Microbiology and Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Laboratory Medicine. So far Micro is the most interesting to be but Pathology is a close second. My schedule this semester is good because expect for wednesday we rarely have more then 1 or 2 lectures in a day which leaves a lot more time to study this semester.
Another exciting thing this past month was having my parents and our family friends come visit me in Milan. They got to go see some great sites of Italy as well while I studied but it was great while they were here. We spent a few days touring Milan and showing them where I go to University as well as introducing them to my friends here. My mom was very excited to get her hair cut and styled here in Milan and it turned out so wonderful.

On the Saturday they were here we went to the city Bellagio on Lake Como for the day. OMG totally going back. Although the weather was only ok it was still a great place, just beautiful. This spring I think I will need to take a weekend trip back. Then we hurried back to Milan to go grocery shopping because the next day my parents cooked dinner for my friends at the new apartment. We had a great dinner with veal piacatta and polenta. There was enough food to last me for like a whole week :D An additional benefit to having them around.

They then went on the rest of their trip around Italy while I studied. The day after they left my university put on an exam that was a moke NBME (national board of medical examiner) they returned a week later for just one night. We had a calm evening with dinner at a pizzeria near my apartment. The next day they left to go back to Minnesota. I was sad to see them go but I knew there was no way I could focus on my studies enough if they had stayed.

Next up study study study until it is Thanksgiving time.

Till We Meet Again,

~M~

The inbetween time

Although most of the time I am studying (by most I mean all) We do fine time occasionally to let off steam and see the world. Last week I went to cheer on my friends who are on the women's soccer (football) team take on Politecnico University. Even tho they didn't win it was still great fun to get out of the apartment and see them play.

The week before the soccer match my friend Jen came over and made hot pot in our apartment. If you have ever had hot pot you are in for a treat. It is a type of asian soup. You basically make stock with different spices then once all hot and ready you start adding all types of good things like, tofu or meatballs or veg. Due to the fact that it is all hot and tasty it is ready in a few minutes. You eat it with rice noodles or white rice. I am not sure what is better the hot pot or the process of making it :D.

The other small bit of entertainment we have is at the supermarket. Yes that's right the supermarket.  There are always different programs at the market to win stuff depending on how much you spend. In these months it is pixar and disney themed. Basically this is how it works:

* You get 1 small sticker for every 10 euros you spend.
* For every 5 little stickers you get 1 big sticker of either Mike or Sullivan and a small plastic toy.
* Once you get 6 Mikes or 12 Sullivan you can trade them in for a plush version on Mike or Sullivan.
Now this may seem like a pretty easy system but the big sticker is either a Mike or Sullivan (from monsters University) and you don't know which one you will get.  You would be surprise how much fun these type of things can bring. We have so far have 1 mike and enough stickers for an other mike and a Sullivan :D




Ok now the fun is over and it back to the books... at least we have Mike to keep us company.

Till We Meet Again,
-M-

Where does the time go

Last time I check I swear it was still July, but somehow time came and went and it was late September again. So much has happened this summer it is hard to know where to start so I guess the best place is the beginning.

After a short 13 hour journey I was home. ahhh to breath again. I was home only a few days when my brother, Anthony, and his wife, Molly, arrived from New York. Everyone was in the same time zone for the first time in about a year. It felt so great and weird at the same time. We had a great week and a half with them ending with a family photo shoot and our annual family feast. The photo shoot would have normally would have been boring but the people we used were great and it was a lot of fun. As per normal the feast was a great success and a lot of the fun. The rain managed to hold of too which was perfect.


Within the first week of being back I was introduced to the newest member of our family.... Mr. Eugene. Vinnie and Julia's Giant Hungarian Rabbit.

I also was fortunate because Vinnie happen to have an open gallery show while I was home. So, I took a whole day to go down to Mankato, Minnesota to spend the day with just Vinnie and I looking at the work he was doing currently and get a private tour of his show. So amazing, the work turned out fantastic. If only I could bring it back with me... oh wait I did. Vinnie was nice enough to give me two new prints to put up in my new apartment. I now have three prints from Vinnie decorating my walls. One of which he actually let me help him pull. What an experience. I am so happy I was able to spend some quality time with my little bro:D


Next on the docket was starting work at Soverign Estate Winnery in Waconia Minnesota. And yes to all of my Italian friends they do make wine in Minnesota. It was a win all around as I had something to do so I didn't go crazy at home, The Savaryn's needed extra help and it was actually really fun. I basically bartended, but I also helped set up and tare down events. In the process I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the wine industry. My personal favorite was bartending the weddings. Most of the weddings had a rustic style but it was great to see how each couple made it their own. Just as I was getting ready to leave is when their season really is just getting started. So I just missed the grape harvest it was literally the weekend after I left, oh well there is always next year.

Somewhere in between I helped my parents cater a grooms dinner, got some quality nicole and pat time, made meatballs, check on the honey bees and taught four cooking classes with my mom. The first two were on my Milan favorites and the second two a few weeks later were different pizzas from around Italy. What a blast these classes were to teach. We had a good amount of returning students and also some new ones. I shared with them my personal all time favorite pizza the Diavolo. Yummy spicy salami and onions ohhhh so tasty.

I was also able to fit some time in for the OR at Ridgeview Medical Center. Words do not describe how cool a robotic surgery is. I was literally speechless, which if you know me you would know that is hard to do.

Oh I almost forgot one of the best things to happen. My good friends Lena and Robb had their perfect little Liam just about a week before I had to leave. Allowing me to meet and hold the perfect little guy. Don't get me wrong the boy is just perfect but oh he going to cause his parents problems in a few years, which is why just had to buy him this outfit.

Well with a few months of rest and recuperation it was time for as per normal all good things must come to an end eventually but lucky for me with the summer ending a new adventure was about to begin. Look out 3rd year here I come.


Till We Meet Again,
-M-

In bocca al lupo.... Crepi!!

As I sit at the airport waiting for my flight to leave for home I am in utter amazement that 10 months ago I was doing the same thing yet with little idea of how the next months would unfold. I moved across half a country and an ocean. I have started to learn Italian, although I did have a little base going into it. I made friends from all over the world from Australia to Italy to Yemen to Japan to Taiwan, just to name a few. I can say I successfully passed my first year of medical school, only 4 more to go hahaha.

 I learned alot about not only the Italian culture but also of many different Asian and European ones. I saw a Picasso exhibit. I was given the opportunity to go to Parma for a cadaver lab. I fell in love with sushi. I got in to running. I learned how to function on less then 4 hours of sleep. I did pick up a few fashion tips, twin day is not just a girl thing. I found out you can get cotton candy as big as your  body. I learned that a banana is a good replacement for human skin (for sutures). I learned that the best sunday dinner is a kabob picnic. Most of all I learned greatly the value of friendship.

In Minnesota before an exam we say good luck. The italians add a bit more flair.. "in bocca al lupo" by the mouth of the wolf. You respond with "Crepi" : may it die.

On the flight home I received an email with the results of my last exam for July, Neuroanatomy, It was not as high as I wished but it was pass and for now that is good enough for me. This meant that I officially passed the year with just pharmacology left to take in september. You may advance to the next year with a max of 20 credits left to pass, pharm is only 9 credits. This exam session I passed physiology with B, Intro to surgery (my favorite class) A, Then Human morphology was worth 30 credits it had 4 exams 2 I had already taken and 2 I took in July. The sheer number of hours studying I put in during the last month and a half was I would say about the total amount I put in all of my senior year at St. Catherine University.

Once home I was surprised how tired I was. The first night I was definitely jet lagged because I was up at 3 am after that it was just sheer exhaustion. I would wake up, eat, walk around my house, do a few things then have to take a nap or lay down. This went on for about a week where I couldn't even move I was so tired all the time. I managed to not get sick which was a win for me as that is my usual MO after exams. I feel like I can finally breath again which is nice hahaha. I was surprised how much quieter it is in Minnesota. I didn't realize it before.

Just before I left I signed for a new apartment in milan with two great roommates :) it should be fun I can't wait to move in :D I am missing Milan a bit. Do not get me wrong it is wonderful being home I love my family and friends here and would not change it for the world, but I did make a life for myself in Milan. I miss the simple things like walking to the store for lunch and getting 50 grams of spicy salami and a panini roll all for like 2 euros max. I miss the people although sometimes they drive me crazy I love all of my friends back in Milan like family. This is going to sound crazy but I miss riding the metro and the ease of getting downtown where there is always something todo. All that being said I am glad to be home. It has been a hard long 10 months in every aspect socially, physically and academically with its ups and downs. I've learned many things but the most important I think is that no one can do life successfully all by them selves. We need each other to help and support us in all aspects of our lives. I would like to thank both my Minnesota friends and family who have supported me thus far in my life who I took for granted before I left them as well as my Milan family who where there for the good times and bad the past year. I can not wait to see what is in store for us over the next four year.  This will be my last post until next academic year so have a great summer and see you in the autumn.
xoxo

Till We Meet Again,
-M-

We pass the exam... We go to the seaside

With Nicole and Pat safely back in Minnesota it was time to get in to study mode as my, hopefully, final physiology exam was in 9 days on June 14th. I studied hard both alone and in my study group. Here we decided the day of the exam we would use the following mantra to will our way through it. "We pass the exam ... we go to the seaside" and it worked :D We all three passed the exam so off to the seaside we went, but first I had to run a 5K at the castle on the 15th with Allee (a friend from a previous study abroad trip who came to visit) and Daniela.

It was so crazy hot the day of the 5K so I was a little concerned but we were not running till 9ish because it was a night run. It was a big success so much fun I can't wait todo it again next year. After the night run we treated our selves at the pop-up magnium ice-cream store where you make your own magnium bar :P yummy.

Then off to the seaside the next day.

Deiva Marina is one of the smallest towns I have ever been too but it was the perfect place for our trip. Cristina was nice enough to host us at her sea home. It took us about 2 hours to drive there from Milano. Once we arrived we set up and went straight to the beach. At least the first day we didn't do any work just sun and food. On monday it was back to work. Allee took the train in to Genoa the main city over and did some sight seeing while we studied.

Our basic MO for the week: Get up around 8:30 I make coffee & Cristina goes down to the store and gets breakfast, focaccia which the area is known for. Then at around 9:30 we study and Allee goes to have some fun. We study till about 12 or 1 and head to the beach we bath and swim till about 2. We then make focaccia sandwiches for lunch. I make more coffee. We study from 3-6 upon which time Allee returns and we get a gelato. Then we get a little more work in and at 8 we decide on dinner either eat in or go out. Some nights we would go out after dinner to the local bar or try and get a little more work in, typically as the week went on it was the former. Finally the time came to come home. So, Thursday morning we packed up the house and returned to Milan to continue preparing for the our next exam , Splanchno.

I had completed and passed 1 of my 4 exams I needed to take before coming home. Just three weeks and three exams and I was Minnesota bound. Stay tuned for the final post with wrap up of the year to come.

Till we meet again,
-M-

Sutures, Friends and Gelato what more can a Med student ask for :D

Sorry for the delay nothing too exciting happened in May... well it did just at the very end, so I am behind on my May post.

         

The past two weeks have been filled with excitement. In my lectures I have learned many intersting things but by far doing sutures (stitches) for the first time was one of the best. We learned three different ways to suture: simple knot, continues, and vertical mattress. The last week in May we took a tour of the operating room (OR) in small groups. There is always a bit of excitement when entering the OR even if there is no surgery going on that day. While in the OR we learned the correct way to put on and take off gloves as well as how to scrub in. Yes there is a wrong way and it is not really that easy todo the first time hehehe.


On May 26th I spent the majority of the day trying to focus and study but it was hard as at 4pm I was to leave to pick up Nicole and Pat (my friends from Minnesota) from Central Station in Milan. :D Words can not explain my level of excitement to share with them all the reasons I have fallen in love with Italy. They were only in Milan that time for a day as they went to Venice for two nights while I stayed here and studied for my physiology exam, which was two weeks later. Once they got back we went left early on thursday morning for Cinqua Terra. Two and a half hours later and we were there. Due to the land slides from a few years ago we could only hike from the first to the second city. It took us about and hour and a half.  It was significantly harder then I was expecting, but what fun it was. I am so glad Nicole wanted to go. We then visited the other cities having gelato, coffee and lunch.

I was so disappointed we did not make it to Florence because the weekend they came was the amazing Gelato festival I went to when I was studying abroad the first time. However, luck had it that this year they brought the festival to Milan. :D So after getting Nicole and Pat Italian leather shoes. A couple new outfits for Pat's new job we spent that day on sunday at the GELATO FESTIVAL. In Milan it is held at the castle. So you pay like 12 euros and get 5 gelato "samples" and a gelato cocktail. The gelato was the best by far I have ever eaten. I mean ever. My Favorite gelato was the salted caramel one. yummmmmmmmy.
We also sat in on a gelato cooking class where they made a shrimp risotto with a vanilla gelato. OMG AMAZING. For those in Minnesota mom and I are thinking about doing a cooking class in August and this may or may not be on the menu.

:D

Sutures, friends from home and a Gelato festival all in one week. I am not sure what else a medical student could want. I am just starting my second semester exam period so in a few weeks I will update you'll about how they are going. The count down to the end of my first year has started just under 5 weeks till I come home to Minnesota on July 17th :D

Till we meet again,
-M-