first day of classes

So... I made it!  I survived my first day of optometry school!

* I learned that images through a lens can move with or against the movement of the lens depending upon whether the lens is diverging or converging.  (And how to create no movement by adding opposite powered lenses)
* I learned that my one-word definition for accommodation from undergraduate physiology is certainly insufficient - I guess I just underestimated how much work our eyes do to accommodate for changing focal points.
* I learned that I can pop an eye out of socket while in clinic... and if (when) I do, I must put it back in any way I can!  Yeah, we got to see a picture of that too.
* I've learned that about 25% of the adult population has eyes that will focus parallel light directly on the retina (emmetropes)... which was much higher than I thought it would be... and I'm very jealous of those people!
* Trial lens kits are the coolest things to play with - yes I'm a nerd!
* I have a schematic eye to practice with until I can play doctor using real eyes!  Can't wait!  Bring it on!!!

If you understood more than half of this, consider yourself a fellow nerd!

Now it's back to the books!  :)

orientation day 2- EQUIPMENT!

After another day of listening to professors and administrators, we finally got to get our equipment.  It's really exciting to have all these toys that I have no idea what they do!  It will certainly be a fun journey finding out!

We also got our books and course packs.  There are so many books and they were so heavy!  At least they gave us a nifty bag to carry them in and it came with a matching water bottle!

I start tomorrow, and I'm really nervous!  I can't believe my dream to become an optometrist has actually started, and in just under four years from tomorrow, I will have my O.D.!!

stereotypical doctor

Yes... those are all of my books for just the first semester!!  Check out the size of that clinical refraction book on the bottom!  I'm certainly going to be busy!

I have no idea what like 90% of this stuff does!  But it looks like fun!

My OWN trial lens kit!  Yes, I tried my prescription, and looked at some of the crazy lenses!  

Sweet "suitcase" with the Southern College of Optometry logo for me to carry my new toys!

Enjoy the pictures of my toys... and be jealous ;)  I know I'm an opto-nerd as our friend Joey (one of my classmate's fiance) calls us!

orientation day 1

Orientation!  I can't believe it's already here and summer is officially over.  It's time to hit the books and become a serious [professional] student.  The day started off slightly awkward, but still fun with free breakfast and time to meet and mingle with other students and faculty.

We then moved into our classroom and listened to the president's rather intimidating welcome speech.  It's going to be a rough 4 years, but I know it will be worth it.

We had to listen to a few more representatives (Student Services, Library Services, Security, etc.) before moving on to getting fitted for our white coats, getting pictures made for our ID badges, getting our mailboxes and locker numbers, and sitting in a few more tutorials about resources available to students.

We then had a specially made lunch before a few more talk sessions from other services.  It ended with a nice ice cream social.  I have such a mixture of emotions running through me, which creates an overwhelming feeling overall.  I'm nervous for the amount of stress that's about to poor on... I'm not quite sure I'm ready for all of the responsibility... I'm excited to learn new things in the profession that has fascinated me for years... I'm anxious to see what my professors are like... I'm hoping I will believe in myself... I'm worried I might fall behind... I'm scared I won't have time for the things I love... but most of all I think I feel ready!

From this day forward, posting will become much more rare and facebook will probably be non-existant.  Please just keep my success as a future O.D. in your thoughts and prayers.  I'm here in Memphis, working hard for my future patients!  God bless!

DMV

So it was a nightmare, but I finally have a license with my new name on it.  Unfortunately, we moved right after the wedding, so I had to get a TN license in order to change my name at a DMV.  Well, Memphis is quite a big city and I didn't want to drive too far in case I was missing something I needed.  So I decided to go to one in the city- that was a mistake.  It took 5 hours of my day!

The line was out the door when I went to park, and I stood in this line for a good 40 minutes or so before I finally made it inside the building where I waited for about another 25 to actually talk with someone who could get me an application.  I knew I had to have "2 proofs of residency," but apparently mine were not "valid."  Installation slips and photocopies were not valid.  Bills were, but Tyler and I pay our bills online.  One of the valid proofs that blew my mind was a work badge... because, well one can live in Mississippi and work in Tennessee.  Go figure- the DMV is ridiculous!

So she gave me this list of all the things that were valid and a ticket saying that when I came back the same day I didn't have to wait in line.  I went back to the apartment (scarfed down lunch) and found the one electricity bill that was sent to us (after that first bill, we signed up to pay online).  I tried to find anything else that matched the list the DMV employee gave me... but nothing!  So I took a couple of post-marked envelopes addressed to us at our new address and the photocopied lease, praying that she would take these as proof to let me apply.

It worked!  I'm sure it only worked because I looked trustworthy... at least I hope that's why.  I mean honestly, why would anyone go through that much agony to have a license for a state they don't live in??!!

After this, I waited for another 2 and a half hours before they called my number.  Then all I had to do was the vision test, wait for the next employee to type in a bunch of information, and take my picture.  Tennessee DMV is a PAIN to say the least!  Glad that's over...

Weather in Memphis

Rain, Rain, Rain!  That's summer for ya.  But at least there's something beautiful that can come from that!

this picture was taken from our apartment complex on the way to get sushi to celebrate our first month-iversary!

So as you can tell, we have a TON of summer rain and storms out here, but they're very enjoyable to watch!  In addition, it's HOT HOT HOT and humid!  I hope it cools down (or the humidity dies down) a little bit before I start school next Monday!

The Weather in Memphis

It's been raining like CRAZY here in Memphis.  Typical summer storms about every other night.  Last night in particular was an epic storm.  We decided to sit in a church parking lot by our apartment to watch the lightning!  I took a video!!

The video is about 2 minutes long and there's a lot of lag time between bolts.  However the few that I captures on video are totally worth waiting for!

After the video it started to downpour and we had to drive very slow on the way home just to see a few feet in front of us!  When we got home, we sat on the futon in our sunroom, looked out the window and watched some awesome cloud-to-cloud lightning.  Some of the bolts had some many branches coming off of them it was ridiculous.  I wish I had gotten a video of those bolts, but I didn't.

Pink Palace Museum in Memphis

So as already known by many of you... the Mitchells are nerds.  So we took last Tuesday to go to the Pink Palace Museum.  They have free admission from 1:00-5:00pm on Tuesdays, so our low-budget selves decided to make that a good cheap date :)

The museum was very different from the museums in Raleigh.  It had a small science section, a history section, and a BIG rock/crystal section!  We really enjoyed it, but their science section has NOTHING on the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.  We're hoping to go back when we have a little more money to spend because they have an IMAX theater and a planetarium- however, those both cost money.

Enjoy the pictures of our adventure together to the museum :-D

one of the MANY cases displaying rocks

Check out the cube-like figures growing from this rock!  Awesome!

This jaw bone was found in someone's back yard in Memphis recently and is part of the same family as elephants , but no longer walks the earth.



They had an awesome Piggly Wiggly exhibit.  It was this large room that looked exactly like an old grocery store.  You could walk up and down the aisles to see how food would have appeared on the shelves grocery shopping years ago.  It was very interesting to see how many brands are still around... and how many labels haven't changed after so many years.   Even better, check out the prices!

And Candy at the counter never changes :)

We can't wait to re-visit the museum!  I hope you enjoyed the pictures! 

Updates

So we have gotten so much done while we've been here.  We visited the Pink Palace Museum, framed some pictures, arranged our entertainment center, bought an xbox, and began deciding on some real decorating for the apartment.  I've purchased some school supplies for my upcoming classes and I'm really excited.  I'm possibly the biggest nerd ever, because I'm probably the most excited about my new backpack that I got for only $17!  Below are some pictures of our first place and our adventures  :)

tyler's eagle and the basketball picture we are in hanging in our office :)

our living room entertainment center (40" tv, super nintendo, dvds galore, and xbox!)

our kitchen... red, black, and white... GO PACK!

  

the picture our friend Kevin painted for us as a wedding pressent

our bedroom.  it will look better soon- next project- get posters and refinish the furniture so it stands out against the white walls!

    

My First Blog as Mrs. Mitchell

So it's been quite hectic getting everything together.  All of our furniture is neutral hand me downs and I can't wait to start decorating.  We're waiting until Tyler finds a job before we start spending unnecessary amounts of money on decorations, but we can at least get some things started :)

I've met some great people here in Memphis so far.  My orientation starts August 26th (next Thursday) and I cannot wait to meet more people.

I decided to start this blog to allow friends and family to keep up with me, especially if they don't have facebook.  I'm trying to figure out how to make the blog very personal!

<3 Kim