Motivational speaker...not quite

So we had our standardized patient lab for the first time today. What it entails is we get to play doctor with patient actors in a staged doctor's office. Normally we get videotaped so that we can assess our performance, but since we're newbies, they let us off the hook this time. Needless to say, it was still a little nerve-racking once you get into the thick of things...it's not so much as approaching the patient, it's the "knowing your lines" part that got to me. I studied, I read the articles, I memorized the steps...to no avail. Under the militant resolve of a 17-year-old girl, my approach to getting a person to quit smoking folded like a cheap suit. I mean, this girl just won't budge! I don't know if she knew I was nervous or if she was just playing hardball, or maybe both, but I was at a loss for words when she told me that she enjoyed smoking...I had no comeback for it. I told her all the good things that come with quitting and all the bad things that can happen with continued smoking...with no effect. I tried to justify it to myself, "she's an adult, almost...she has a mind of her own...," but somehow it's not good enough. I didn't convince her. And it's pissing me off that I couldn't even do that...

Down to business

OK, Anatomy Memorial and Cultural fair are done. I did the choir thing and the Filipino dance thing as well and now it's down to business...dirty, dirty business. God help me if I should survive this week of Micro, Neuro, and Anatomy...oh don't forget Prevention for 3 more weeks...1st year is almost over, and yet it's not. So close...