Gunners, I am coming for you...

OK, here is something I've learned lately. I hate questions. I really, really hate them. People that interrupt lecture time to ask questions - I really hate those people. And it's weird, because I'm not really that hateful of a person. But when it comes to questions in lecture, I have zero tolerance. To me, this comes down to the following: lecture (and histopathology lab, et al) is a time for information dispensing in the most efficient manner possible. It's a time for absorption. Not talking. Put your hand down, no one cares. If you have a question, think about it for a little while and either email the professor or put it on the student discussion board later. Later when I'm unwinding and not thinking about vesicles and bullae. Later when I'm reviewing the material and deciding when I want YOUR FUCKING OPINION OH MY GOD WILL YOU PLEASE PUT YOUR FUCKING HAND DOWN PLEASE THANK YOU. The way I see it, so many of the questions in lecture - not all, because sometimes (when USC's campus freezes over, that is) clarification is necessary - are just opportunities for people to think out-loud. And in the most egregious cases, these in-lecture queries are just opportunities for people to effectively offer fellatio to a faculty member.

A few other things:

- Stop clapping after lectures. Seriously.

- Oh really? That's your subspecialty? Funny how you could decide on what you want to do before learning about it ONE BIT.

- You know, maybe, just maybe, the answer to the question is a little more complicated than you think it is. And in that case, maybe you should recognize that your half-assed pre-med explanations are actually stupid. You should read up, or at least acknowledge that you are bullshitting through your hindgut. Stop justifying your own stupidity. At least I am willing to acknowledge I don't know shit.

- I don't curr. Whatever it is, I really don't. So stop asking.

So what's your story?

This picture is most of the MSTP crew after the white coat ceremony on Friday (missing two people and with two non MSTPers).

Having just completed orientation week, my mind is still spinning, filled with a so many new faces and names. Where are you from? and what undergrad did you go to? Most of the people I have met are pretty fun and interesting people. Aside from almost everyone being Californians, the class is pretty diverse, which was not really the case at Wash U. And as expected everybody is a little nerdier than most undergrads. While there are definetly a few hardcore nerds/gunners and some quiet little asian girls (sorry for the stereotype), most of the people are genuinely awesome people who have similar interests and also just want to have a good time. I kind of like that fact that everyone is a little nerdier, it somewhat evens the playing field. We all have our little quirks and seem to get along with each other very well.

Orientation was a pretty incredible week jammed full of various activities, some of which were interesting and some of which were less entertaining than the others (see the previous post by Chuck C). Overall you get a sense that the deans and staff has really put together an awesome program for us. I really look forward to the pass/fail (pass now or pass later) system. I really feel that i will learn a lot and also still have a good amount of free time to go out and do other things with my life instead of being buried in books, which is what most people assume you are doing in med school (and what is unfortunately still true at some schools). I definitly can see myself playing tennis, surfing, snowboarding, and going on trips to San Diego, Las Vegas and Mexico on a fairly regular basis.

The white coat ceremony was like a graduation before you even start, a formal little ceremony mainly intended for the family. While most of the speakers where actually pretty boring some aspects of the ceremony, like the medical oath were actually pretty surreal. Damn... we really are going to be doctors... such responsibility. I guess it kinda takes a while for something so big to sink in. I mean you hear it so many times but this was just a little different. There will be so many people that will really trust you with their lives, and it is know our lifelong duties.

There were also a bunch of orientation social activities at night at various bars and restaurants. It was a lot of fun, but at the same time a little overwhelming. I met a bunch of people and had a good time at most of the events i went to. But combined with the 9-5 orientation classes they really drain you. I look forward to when things settle down in a few weeks where people will hang out more casually. Right now there is a little too much of sense people having to go out to clubs all the time trying to make good impressions and what not. I really enjoyed the few relaxed weeks in July where we were able to bond with a few people that were here early (mostly fellow MSTPs).

Oh boy! Real med school starts 8:00 AM tomorrow with a PBL. I still cant believe Chuck C, John B and I all are at the same anatomy table together, what a mistake that was...