the beast that is pathophysiology

Well hello endless powerpoint slides….

One of the pre-requisites for my second-degree express nursing program at Villanova is Pathophysiology. Since this is a pretty specific class – Villanova’s nursing faculty offer it to all of the accepted students online the semester before we begin the program. Since I was in the boat of not having taken it yet – I’m taking it now.

Whew…if there is one major thing I’m learning in this class – it’s that there is SO MUCH to learn. That and when things go wrong in the body….they sure can go really wrong.

With the help of a course pack (bought at the Villanova bookstore) along with an online dashboard complete with lectures, HW assignments and study materials we are working our way through the different body systems learning what happens when things go wrong.

So far we’ve worked through:

• Cell dynamics
• Cell Injury and Damage
• Effects of Physiologic Aging, Stress and Exercise
• Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
• Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease
• Ischemic Heart Disease/Myocardial Infarctions
• Heart Failure
• Pulmonary Dysfunctions
• Respiratory Failure, Asthma and COPD
• Hematology and Blood Disorders
• Immunology
• Immunodeficiency, HIV and AIDS

…and I’m currently taking a break from listening to a lecture on Renal and Urologic Disorders. The homework assignments (about one every week) have been challenging and definitely make you think about the information. I’ve been taking this class the entire spring semester and with our final only about 2 weeks away – the end is in sight. Its been a long semester balancing 4 prerequisite classes (Developmental Psychology, Nutrition, a theology class and Patho) with working full-time. I’m definitely excited to begin life as a full-time student!

Adventure: Chicago!

They don’t call it the w i n d y  c i t y for nothing!

This past weekend I went on the most wonderful get-away to Chicago. My brother and his fiancée Whitney have both lived in Chicago for the past 3+ years which means I’ve had the opportunity to visit a couple of times.

I visited in January 2008 with my good college friend Elliot when temps (with wind chill) reached something like -20. We visited the Aquarium, the Field Museum and Second City, but what I most remember about that trip was freezing my butt off! Here I am all decked out in my 5+ layers at the bean.

I was back again last May to see my brother and Whitney graduate from Law School. Here they are – future current lawyers in Chicago! Scary I know…

Both trips were fun in their own ways and I couldn’t wait for this getaway.

I flew in on Thursday to have an extra evening to see a good friend living in Chicago. Sarah and I have been friends since our freshman year in high school in CT and we’ve been on a bunch of fun adventures. Shes always traveling and has spent a bunch of time abroad so it was great to catch her in Chicago! We had a few drinks outside at a cute bar in Old Town.

Friday (after my mom arrived) we drove out to see some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park, IL (just outside of Chicago). The neighborhood is jam-packed with them and it was a fun morning. That evening we ate at one of my favorite Chicago restaurants: Piece located in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Its right by the old Real World: Chicago house (now converted to a gym according to Whitney). Dinner was great but what I received at dinner was even better. (photographs taken back in Philly)

Right after we ordered Whitney handed me an envelop:

The front of the card:

And the inside said…

my response? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait for their wedding in Chicago a year from this May!

Saturday was filled with visiting the wedding venue (located right on the river!)…

…attempting to get up in the Sears (Willis) tower, deciding not to because of the hour-long(!) wait and another great meal at another Chicago favorite: Flat Top Grill.

Of course I couldn’t leave Chicago on Sunday without getting my fill of Whitney’s favorite coffee: Intelligentsia! They make some beautiful designs in their lattes.

It was an awesome weekend. I’m sure I’ll be back soon!

Check back here later this week for a really simple weeknight dinner recipe!

And so it begins…

Welcome to my blog!

After being a “lurker” of types in the blog world for about a year – I’ve decided to take the plunge and start one of my own. In the coming months I will be going through some major life changes including moving, leaving the job I’ve been at for the past two years, and beginning a second degree program at Villanova to get my BSN! I’m very excited for all of these changes and can’t wait to document them here!

A little bit about myself….
Upon graduating from Haverford College in 2008 with a degree in Biology I was pretty sick of school. I wanted to get into the “real world” and work for a while to recuperate from all that studying. I chose to apply for jobs as a reserach technician and landed a job at a cancer research institute in Philadelphia – score!

I’ve been working in a melanoma research lab (on a project aimed at understanding melanoma stem cells for the science nerds out there) over the past two years. I’ve learned a lot working in the lab (wear your sunscreen, people!) and definitely think I got my fill of the 9-5 lifestyle for now.

While it has been an amazing experience – I am now itching to get a degree in what I feel will be an amazing field to have a career in – nursing! In May I will begin an express program to get a (second) bachelors in nursing preparing me to take the licensing exam and become an R.N. I can’t wait!

Outside of my school/work life I really enjoy cooking and exploring Philadelphia. Look out for some fun recipe posts as well as links to some of my favorite Philadelphia attractions!

Oh, and a little shout out to the lady who introduced me to the blog world…who i wont hold responsible for my google reader addiction…

Thanks, Whitney!!