Sunless tanning lotion...

Stinks. As in, it doesn't smell very good.

Yes, random, I know.

But at least I'm not pasty any more. I'm not an avid tanner (I have a strong dislike for being sunburned - which is what happens to my fair Irish skin if I'm outside for more than 30 seconds without sunblock...Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much) but it is nice to have a little color. Even if it is fake.

Granted, if I stand next to someone who's been outside all summer in shorts it is VERY obvious that I am 1. a homebody who doesn't go outside 2. a person who wears pants (yes, thank you uniform) almost year round and 3. very pale even with a "tan".

At least by staying out of the sun, my freckles aren't readily apparent. And I'm (hopefully) minimizing the risk of skin cancer in a few  years.

Ok, enough distractions. Back to studying pharmacology. Though, it annoys me when my textbook tells me "other types of agonists exist although it is not critical paramedics know specifics about these". Maybe it is or is not critical for me to know them but...I'm going to look them up anyway. If you're going to mention them, then tell me about them. If you don't think I should know about them, don't say anything at all. However, I'm a firm believer in knowing things - even if my own knowledge is woefully lacking.

Goal of the Day: Work on that. Stop accepting things because someone says "it is so"...ok, that's maybe more of a Goal of the Lifetime. I'll work on it.

*~*edit*~*
I found another phrase that irritates me. "You should be familiar with the various receptor types, however it is not important to memorize the physiology involved in each of the receptors and their binding process." What I get from phrases like this is: "Just know the medicine you give when x=y and don't worry about what you're actually doing to your patient." I don't really want to be a protocol dependent medic - I got sucked into that when I started EMT. I'd much rather (and yes, I know it'll take time and a lot of work, but hey, I'm young) know -why- I'm giving a medication, what it's going to do and what are the potential side effects.

I'm glad we're not using this textbook for Core (our teachers have decided it's out of date - but still a good reference).

And since I'm quoting it, I should cite it. *dutifully cites in accordance with English class expectations*
Chapleau, W., Burba, A. C., Pons, P. T., & Page, D. (2012). The Paramedic. (Updated ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

And the world sleeps...

For a couple weeks anyway.

Summer classes are over (as of the 2nd of August) and the days find me waiting on my final grade for my internship class (I got an A in the Literature class I specifically took to get an A so...). Since I was allowed to attend the orientation and register for fall classes, I'm confindent that I did pass...but I want to know my grade!

Ok, I'm a bit obsessed with grades. I'm a nerd.

Anyway, I arranged my fall classes - well, tenchincally I was told which once I could sign up for and did so. After all of last year of hearing how hard and difficult and sleep depriving the Medic Core could be I was slightly worried. We all were, actually. It's one of the better conversation topics in the hallway at school. Then I looked at my schedule.

Yes, it is a lot of courses. Yes, there is a lot of knowledge and procedure I have to cram into my brain. Yes, it is probably going to be stressful.

Except I have 1,5 days off...not counting the weekend. Granted, that day and a half is supposed to go to my clinicals - both in hospital and on the rig, but still! That's a whole 3,5 days off a week...I'll be able sleep, do my homework (which we traditionally don't have much of anyway), study and practice my skills.

I don't see what they were fussing about. I mean, sure, there is going to be a lot to do, but with proper planning and a solid schedule it's not -that- bad. It's no worse than the 10hr days I put in studying a language for two years, plus fulfilling other duties. Granted, I was younger...but I'm not old yet. Even if I complain that I am sometimes.

So, therefore...come August 27th, I'll be starting Core. My days will revolve around Shock and Trauma + Practicum, Medical Emergencies Pharmacological Interventions I + Practicum, Field Skills Lab I, Introduction to Pre-hospital Pharmacology and my field and hospital clinicals (150 hrs per semester minimum). Now all I need to do is finish sorting out finacial aid so I can get my textbooks and start pre-studying.

I can't wait to get the green light to hook back up with my medic. It's crazy how much I've enjoyed working on the ambulance. I miss it.

No shit, really?

Prehospital Emergency Care, 9th Edition

Chapter 41, Page 1347

"The ambulance is the vehicle that brings care to the patient in times of emergency and transports the patient to a medical receiving facility for follow-up care. It is a crucial part of the EMS system."





Really? REALLY??? 1347 pages in and you're just telling me what an ambulance is?

Oh, and EMS system is redundant.

Textbooks!

I GOT MY TEXTBOOKS TODAY!!!!

Pre-hospital Emergency Care and Workbook (holy huge!!!!)
Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology (OK, I already had a copy, thanks to my bestest best atheist, but it was still on my list)
and
Last Dance (Psychology of Death and Dying)

plus the assorted class, lecture and lab note books

I'm so excited.

*dives into Pre-Hospital Care*