End of March: Convocation 2017, Sweater and Teaching Dr. K to knit!

March ended so quickly, and it was a much better finish than the start. I learned that I passed my COMLEX 3 boards (medical boards step 3), which meant that I was pretty much done with standardized tests until my licensure examinations in 4th year of residency. I am so relieved to finally be done, as I had visions of failing. And yet, I actually did better in my step 3 than I did in my Step 1, finalizing that my experience is always more than I imagined.

I had such a great time in March, more than I had initially expected for my orthopedics rotation. I learned to read Xrays, and how to vocalize the reads, I learned how to do knee injections quickly and efficiently, and I learned how to be faster in doing clinic encounters. I did not enjoy the 6am start times, but I learned that getting for cases was much better than trying to get up just for clinic. I liked having that little jumpstart to the day, learning about the different cases that orthopedics managed. I peeked into a few OR cases, and renewed my love for the OR, but was happy that I didn't have to scrub in for too many cases. My suturing skills were quite rusty.

I was also happy with the generosity of the orthopedics residents, in allowing me to go to Convocation, the premier and ultimate annual conference for the American Academy of Osteopathy. I had a blast, getting to see my OMM friends and colleagues again.

Now the Knitting content:
I am almost done with my sweater!

I worked on it quite a bit when attending the lectures, and it actually made me pay attention more. I was alert and listening instead of getting bored or frustrated that I could not take down the information fast enough. I listened to what was being presented, and only took notes on the pertinent topics. 

I brought yarn and needles, and accomplished the impossible: I taught my advisor how to knit! She picked it up pretty quickly, in fact, and it was so fun to do that. On the other hand, I also tried to teach my senior resident to knit, and that turned out hilariously bad, as he slipped all the stitches in an attempt to "knit more quickly", however I suspect he was trying to do it badly so that he would get out of further knitting lessons. I took the hint rather quickly, and settled for making him things in the future instead of making him create his own.

 In addition, I spotted some knitters and crocheters in the wild! A spouse of one of the physicians had a baby blanket she was working on, and she stated that she always brought along a blanket to work on "at these types of events".

 In addition, I spotted another physician working on a hat on the first day, so I quickly snapped a picture during lecture. I should have known, as osteopaths are fairly tactile people, but it was good to have proof nevertheless.

 All in all, March was a wonderful month.