Rangers to World Series

In celebration of a various things (end of blacktober.. 14-month anniversary.. just to share some quality time together), my boyfriend bought tickets to the Rangers vs. Yankees game as soon as the Rangers lost to the Yankees and thus would be coming back to Dallas.

I usually don't really enjoy the game of baseball - have to admit, I'm not quite sure I know the rules... So, whenever I go to games, I don't follow it really, just order my Budlight limes and peanuts and enjoy the atmosphere and the company of good friends.

This time, though, was the first time I actually enjoyed the game itself. BF had bought great tickets right behind home base on the 3rd floor. We were high up, but I had a good view of everything going on. I also got a hang of the rules of the game - enough so that I could wait in anticipation after a throw and cheer in excitement with the rest of the crowd.

My BF doesn't like how the crowd here in the US boos at the opposite team. I don't really mind, but I really love how invested the fans are. And I love how after an exciting play, the fans around us would raise their hands for a high five. Live sports entertainment - love it.


See, med school students have fun, too.

After Neftali Feliz strikes out A-Rod with a "dragon of a curveball," securing the Ranger's entry into the World Series

zombie walk??

Deep Ellum Zombie Walk



Weird stuff going on here...


but I'm intrigued.


I bet if I go with my medical school friends, people will start commenting on the impossibility of some of the zombie wounds. I mean, it's getting close to October, and I've already heard comments about people going into Halloween stores, looking at a skull, and disapproving of its inaccuracy.

"The mandible is fused to the temporal bone!!"

"This skull doesn't even have a stylomastoid foramen"

"Obviously, this individual could not have survived due to the lack of the pterygopalatine fossa."

Stuff like that.

Tuna (BF's kitten) with anatomy textbook

Tuna interested in anatomy textbook

End of Blacktober!

End of the so-called Blacktober (Where we have our last Biochem exam, the anatomy practical, and anatomy lecture exam all in one Mon-Mon week).

To be honest, college finals period was much more stressful... but it's sometimes fun to get stressed and anxious about something just so that the after-celebrations are more satisfying. :D

Soy Beans Pastes

This post is a dedication to the Japanese versions of three types of lesser known(?) soy bean pastes beyond the widely used japanese "miso" or fermented soybean paste. These sauces/condiments originally are from Chinese and Korean cuisine, but Japanese have to take the idea and create their own version, as always. I'm also more familiar with these products than actual Chinese or Korean ones.

1. To Ban Jan/Dou Ban Jiang （豆板醤）
wiki English
wiki Japan

This is a spicy soybean paste often sold in the Japanese product lane like this :

Shisen ToBanJan, Youki (asianfoodgrocer.com)

My grandmother used this in a variety of chinese-inspired dishes to add a spicy kick, especially Mao Bo Dofu　(麻婆豆腐、マーボー豆腐）
I have several Japanese recipes of this that I can translate and post later, but there are tons of recipes out there.

My Chinese/Taiwanese friends always eat this noodle dish, za jiang mien (炸醤麺), which I think of as the Chinese version of spaghetti with meat marinara sauce. Found a recipe for that from recipetin here.


Other classic dishes using To Ban Jan include:

Hui Guo Rou, 回鍋肉（ホイコーロー）: Often called twice-cooked pork at Chinese restaurants.
Ban Ban Ji, 棒棒鶏（バンバンジー) : Szechuan style beaten chicken
Dan Dan Mien, 担担麺（タンタンメン）: Spicy noodle soup


2. Ten Men Jan/Tien Mien Jiang（甜面醤）
wiki English
wiki Japan

This is a sweet soy bean paste (very distinct flavor in my opinion... I often think it tastes like what people call XO jiang) that is sold in the Japanese food aisle like this:

Ten Men Jan, Youki (marukaistore.com)

Mao Bo Dofu and Ten Mien Jiang often use this ingredient.
I often mix it into hot pot dipping sauces as well.


3. Ko Chu Jan（고추장、苦椒醤）
wiki English
wiki Japan:

And finally we have the traditional Korean spicy chili paste, sold Japanified as a chili pepper miso paste:

Ko Chu (chi) Jan, Youki (asianfoodgrocer.com)

 I unfortunately don't know much about this ingredient and don't use it that often since I don't make spicy dishes too often。Wanted to include it for thoroughness purposes.



 

first anatomy practical

We had our first anatomy practical today.
The general style is like this: The professors and TAs set up stations within the two laboratories, displaying good bodies as well as bones, skulls, and radiographs. Each station had maybe 2-3 things to identify. We have 50 seconds per station. Structures can be pinned, wrapped with string, or anything really to identify it well. We may be asked to identify the actual structure or describe what innervates or supplies blood to it. Some questions included: What ganglion does parasympathetic nerves pass through to supply special sensory to THIS organ. Things like that. The entire test took about 2 hours.

I felt prepared, but I definitely still missed quite a few.
Next time, I plan on going down to the anatomy lab more often before the exam to really look at every single structure that may be tested - that kind of dedication and persistence is probably necessary. But also, it's really helpful to just study with a partner. Not only does it keep your motivated, you really help each other. And, if you can identify and explain to someone else, that means you really know it. This probably really applies to most subjects in medical school. We have our lecture exam on Monday, and I plan to spend most of my time at the carrels to ask questions to my colleagues (who i've gotten quite close too... :) )

Tutoring sessions with the TAs are definitely useful. A lot of the TAs are part of the OMFS (oral and maxillofacial surgery) program, which is pretty elite. At our school, you enter the competitive program after 4 years of dental school, and it involved a 6 year mixed program of medical school (years 2, 3,4) with residency. So these TAs are both students and residents as well.

They also make quite a few dollars being TAs. I heard one tutor earned $11,000 during the anatomy course (september-november). The TA that our group uses earns $40 an hour on private tutoring sessions alone. And the thing is, the TAs actually benefit from this because they will really know their anatomy. My TA was saying how he performed a surgery in the occipital region of the head, and what he teaches us really comes in handy. One word: Baller.

I can't wait until I work with a real body (or a fresher cadaver...)

Ratatat Concert - Palladium Ballroom. 28Sept2010

Done with Biochemistry

We just had our last Biochemistry exam, ending the biochemistry section of MS1. Of course, the topics we learned about in this course will keeping coming at us over and over again. Especially the biochemistry behind cancer and cardiovascular disease (obesity-related, atherosclerosis...) will become particular relevant to future physicians especially in the United States. I hope I can retain as much as possible.

This week is still part of "Blacktober," though, so no celebrating yet. At my school, October is a busy month for MS1s. We had our last biochemistry exam yesterday, followed by our anatomy practical on Friday and then our anatomy lecture exam (which should be a killer) the next Monday.
But, especially for me, anatomy is something I want to learn and get down pat, especially if I'm remotely interested in going into surgery.

I am, however, looking forward to post-blacktober celebrations starting Monday... I'm guessing my college will be having a few celebrations. That's one thing I really love about the college system (the University divides the medical school students into "colleges" to ensure a proper social support network). Our study carrels are actually pretty lively, and while other colleges don't really use it, ours does. Some boys even set up a halo gaming system using the big projector screens -- on both sides of the room!! I'll probably write more about the college system later.

For now, must.. study.
Definitely did not pass the mock practical held yesterday. Whoops.

Okayama roll-cake (岡山ロールケーキ）with mochi (キビ団子), peaches (白桃), honey

first in-patient visit

53 year old man who came to the ER one day ago complaining of a sharp pain on his right side which radiated to his back, worsened when lying down, and was exacerbated by deep respiration. He had clear stomach distention. He expressed a history of alcoholic consumption and has also suffered from bilateral lower extremity edema.
Upon removal of 5L of fluid from his abdomen, he showed clear signs of improvement and the pain has been alleviated.

This was essentially how I presented my first in-patient to my mentor (as practice.. after she and other repeated it a few times). We had to have a Spanish interpreter with us, which was quite a new experience, but I think I had some pretty good practice. I'll be having to do a lot of presenting like this once I start rotations at the hospital.

Later, we went and looked up his chart and found that this gentleman most like has hepatitis C. The doctors are repeating the test to confirm before telling him the news. My mentor says that most likely, looking at his past and current state of health as well as SES, he only has a few months to hit. That reality hit me pretty hard.

I am really glad that medical school weaves in real patient interactions like these. I think it really reminds us what we are in medical school for. Not to make good grades. Not to learn how to pass a pass/fail course with good efficiency. Not to aim for top x% to make it into a certain residency program. We are here to learn how to treat, cure, and save lives. We are here to learn how to heal.
I have to admit that I forget this little detail all the time and get focused on other aspects of medical school. But that's why I really appreciate this 2 hour session with our mentors every week - brings the larger picture back into perspective.

Eric Morton Wang. ~in memory~

XO Jiang

XO Jiang（XO醤）

This Chinese sauce has been called the "Caviar of the Orient." I'm not quite sure the actual history of this sauce - maybe legends and myths about who invented it using what ingredients... But I feel it's one of those sauces that any cook who enjoys experimenting with Asian flavors should have in her pantry. It can be quite expensive if bought at the store - a little bottle can cost $10-$15 when other sauces are in the $2 range. You can, of course, try to make your own using various online recipes. But I believe XO sauce is one of those vague sauces where core ingredients may be the same, but it varies depending on who's the chef, who are the eaters, where you're from, etc. etc.

Here is one recipe, on saveur.com via LA chef Sang Yoon:

**********
1 1/4 oz. dried scallops
1/2 oz. dried octopus
1/4 oz. dried shrimp
1/8 oz. dried mackerel
5 cloves garlic cloves
1 stalk lemongrass, stemmed, tough outer leaves discarded, inner core chopped
1 shallot
3 tbsp. Chinese cooking wine
1 1/2 tbsp. dark brown sugar or palm sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. fermented bean paste (dou ban jiang)
1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 cup peanut oil
1/4 cup dark Asian sesame oil

Combine dried seafood in a medium bowl and cover with warm water; let soak until soft, about 1 hour. Drain seafood and transfer to a food processor along with the garlic, lemongrass, and shallot. Process into a coarse paste. Add wine, sugar, bean paste, and soy sauce and pulse to combine.

Heat peanut oil in a 12″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add seafood mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and cook, stirring, until evaporated, about 5 minutes more. Stir in sesame oil and transfer mixture to a clean jar; let cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
*************


It's hard to describe the taste of this...
It definitely has a strong taste of dried fish and shrimp. I was raised with those flavors, so it doesn't gross me out at all. But, I also feel these aren't flavors that are too OUT THERE and really requires an acquired taste. Used with other condiments and flavors, XO sauce really blends well in a lot of stir-fries, stews, meat dishes, etc. My take: just try it. Even just a teaspoon in an Asian stir-fry you're trying will make a big difference. You can even try it - mixed with maybe some stock, vinegar, soy sauce, scallions - as a dipping sauce for hot pot.

How to Date a Med Student

Friday, November 14, 2008
Marissa Kristal

reblogged from foxnews

Dating a med student? Check out these tips for a "healthy" relationship.
1. Don't expect to see them. Ever.
2. Accept the fact they will have many affairs. With their books.
3. Learn to hide your “ew, gross” reactions when they tell you all the stuff you never wanted to know about your bodily functions.
4. Support them when they come home after each test, upset because they failed—and gently remind them after they get their well above passing grade how unnecessary the “I’m going to fail out of medical school and never become an MD” dramatics are.
5. Each week they will have a new illness. Some will be extremely rare, others will be more mundane. Doesn’t matter. They will be certain they have it (no second opinions necessary.) Med school can, and will, turn even the sanest into a hypochondriac. Date them for long enough, and you’ll become one too.

6. There will be weeks you'll forget you even have a boyfriend—friends will ask how he is and you'll say, “What? Who? Oh....right. He's well...I think.”
7. They'll make you hyper-aware that germs are everywhere and on everything. Even though you used to walk into your home with your shoes on, and sit on your bed in the same clothes you just wore while riding the subway, or sat on a public bench in, you'll become far too disgusted to ever do it again. Believe me, it's going to get bad...you'll watch yourself transform into the anal retentive person you swore you'd never become. And when you witness others perform these same acts that, before you began dating your med student, you spent your entire life doing too, you'll wince and wonder, “Ew! How can they do that? Don't they know how many germs and bacteria they're spreading??!”
8. Romantic date = Chinese take-out in front of the TV on their 10 minute study break.
9. A vacation together consists of a trip down the street to Walgreens for new highlighters and printer paper.
10. Their study habits will make you feel like a complete slacker. For them, hitting the books 8-to-10 hours a day is not uncommon, nor difficult. You'll wonder how you ever managed to pass school on your meager one hour of studying per night.
11. They're expected to know everything. Everything! The name of the 8 billion-lettered, German sounding cell that lives in the depths of your inner ear, the technical term for the “no one's ever heard of this disease” disease that exists only on one foot of the Southern tip of the African continent. But ask them if your knee is swollen, or what you should do to tame your mucous-filled cough, or why the heck your head feels like someone's been drilling through it for oil for two weeks straight, and they won't have a clue.
12. “My brain's filled with so much information, I can't be expected to remember THAT!" will be the standard excuse for forgetting anniversaries, birthdays, and, if you get this far, probably the birth of your first-born.
13. You'll need friends with unending patience who pretend never to get sick of listening to your endless venting and complaints. Or, you'll need to pay a therapist who will pretend never to get sick of listening to your endless venting and complaints.

But take this all with a grain of salt. It's not like I'm speaking from experience or anything...


 ------------------------------

Granted, this is Fox News, but maybe this will become true in later years of medschool...  
As of now, I don't know enough to be rattling off about obscure diseases but
Some things I might add are
14. Give him massages while vocally explaining what structures of the body are located in a particular area)
15. Bring home fun toys like stethoscopes and the impossible to pronounce but oh so basic sphygmomanometer. And then play doctor!
16. Come home smelling like formaldehyde


And right now, with this pass/fail system... my boyfriend is my fun escape who keeps me sane and happy. He's still pretty central to my life-beyond-medschool. We cook, drink, go to dinners, watch movies together...  Although I often do come home late during the weekdays, we catch each other up on the day's events when I get back - even if it's 1 or 2 in the morning.
But I'm guessing these blissful times will start changing. My busyness will increase exponentially. BUT, we're all busy, not just students and doctors. Relationships take effort and time. And effort is something to be made, and time is something to be created. That's what this still idealistic and hopeful romantic MS1 student has to say.

Chocolate Turtle Fondue, Melting Pot - Addison, TX. (Celebrating 13 months)