Ah yes. The smell of the hospital hallways… The obligatory “Sorry Richie, the employee badge maker is down” comment. I’m in a new hospital, lost and in my little white coat without an ID badge. But you know what? I don’t care because today…I walk the hospital floors as a bona fide 4th year medical student! Oh yes my friends. Something happens when you walk into your 4th year. You gain confidence. You transform from a shy and meek 3rd year medical student who’s worried about every little look the chief gives you…to…a Dr. Huggie Bear straight from Starsky and Hutch (complete with the pimp cane and all) I have acquired a photo of this elusive creature.

Vacation was nice and much needed. I made it home to Wilmington to see my parents for a few days. It was nice to get home and see the beach town. Unfortunately, I was sick for part of the trip but I still did alright. Patty did her best to try to nurse me back to health before I went. She begged me to stay until I got better but I’m stubborn and made the drive anyway. I spent the rest of my vacation with Patty. She’s directing a high school summer theatrical production (Little Women) for Wise County during the day so I’ve been studying for the USMLE and COMLEX Step 2 board exams while she is gone.

I’ve got alot of old nintendo and SNES games to sell on ebay. It’s going to be rough parting with my Final Fantasy collection but I am going to need to downsize what I have if I am going to be moving in the next year. Residency choices you say? Oh Lord, I haven’t gotten it nailed down yet. I’ll keep you all posted. I just know that I will never ever ever do OBGYN or Pediatrics as a specialty.

My google adsense/HyperVRE project has gone nicely for my new startup sites. Richiesbridal.com had over 1000 visitors last month, which is not bad for a 2 hour project. My dad hasn’t done much of anything with the golf site so I may just take it over when I get past taking boards. My goal is to have to increase my supplemental income so Patty and I don’t have to live off of Ramen noodles when I am in Residency hahaha

I am also a “SDN Mentor” now for studentdoctor.net. So come get your cheap (read: free) advice from me on the forums over there if you are looking to get into medical school. It’s a wild ride but I still say it’s worth it. And now I bid thee adieu. Till next time my friends! (Probably after I finish this next USMLEWorld test…nothing crushes your little medical ego like a practice USMLE!)