Last Interview

In four days I am headed off to Philadelphia to participate in my last interview for podiatry school.  The reason I am headed to interview at Temple University is because Temple accepts the DAT and GRE, as well as the MCAT, as acceptable standardized tests.  I took the DAT last summer and got a good score on it.  I recently took the MCAT, but I do not know how I did, so I thought it would be a good idea to interview at Temple Univ. just in case I didn't do as well on the MCAT as I would like.  This is basically a backup plan, covering me just in case my MCAT test didn't go very well.  Temple isn't my first option.  From what I know, Philadelphia can be a dangerous city.  That is a bit scary because I don't want to move my family to a city where something could happen to them.  In my opinion, every city has its good and bad things, maybe Philly has just a few more.  I guess I'll see for myself on Friday!  Wish me luck.

The week that passed.

This past week has been a hectic one.  At the end of the week before last, I spent time taking a bunch of tests, then capped it all off by taking the MCAT.  This week, not to be outdone, I had to take a test and turn in over 30 pages of written reports (two research papers, a reaction paper, and a rough draft research paper).  General Conference couldn't have come at a better time.  It is/was nice to just relax and enjoy the show.  For two whole days I got to listen to the messages from apostles and prophets, and not worry too much about school, or anything else.  Some talks that stood out: both Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf spoke about not being envious and gossiping, and there seemed to be a number of talks centered on the family.  Those were the two topics that got the most airtime in my opinion.  It has been a crazy week, followed by a great conference.  Now back at it tomorrow.  Gotta love it!

LOTR

In my sophomore year of high school I came across the movie The Lord of the Rings.  Ever since I saw it for the first time, it has stayed my favorite movie.  Even as I am writing this, I am watching it with my wife and friends.  Back in high school, when I saw the previews I thought it was going to be so dumb, but once I saw the movie for the first time I totally loved it.  I went on the read the books, and the Hobbit book, and I have watched the movies countless times.  If only the attention to detail could have been put into the recent movies The Hunger Games, then they would have been something.  I totally can't wait for The Hobbit movie to come out.  So excited!!!  On another note, I took the MCAT this Saturday, and I don't know how I did because you do not get access to your score for at least 30 days.  I will report back in 30 days.  Wish me luck!

March Madness

It's too bad that the Cougars couldn't be a part of the madness of march.  I guess we were part of it for the play-in game, but that just isn't the same.  One of the best times of the year for a basketball fan is March, because of the wonderful tournament that comes to College Basketball every March.  The college basketball tournament is the best playoff sporting event.  On any given night the small town, no name team can beat the Goliath's of basketball.  How cool is that?  And I get to be a part of it from my living room.  I have been to two different March Madness tournaments a couple of years ago, and I saw Karl Malone there (which was cool).  Anyways, with the upsets of Duke and Missouri in the first round, this has potential to be one of the greatest March Madness tournaments that I have been a part of yet.  I love this time of year!!!

...

I realized something in church today.  The Elder's Quorum President got up and talked about how one of his hobbies is flipping motor cycles.  He buys them cheap, fixes them up, drives them for a while, then sells them for usually twice as much as he bought them for.  This past week he had wanted to buy two different motor cycles and flip them, but his wife didn't feel good about it.  He said that at the time he was really emotionally driven, and that he was set on buying the motor cycles.  When he heard his wife tell him that she didn't feel good about it he had a strong feeling that she was right.  I learned what a blessing it is to have the gospel in a good marriage relationship.  The experience the Elder's Quorum President shared made me think of my marriage.  I pondered whether or not I embrace the Spirit in my marriage.  What a wonderful blessing it is to have the gospel in our lives.

DMU better and better

Remember how I said that I won't get accepted anywhere until I take the MCAT? Yeah, I was wrong. I got accepted to Des Moines University already. Woohoo! We are so so excited. Also, they told me I don't have to take the last two physics labs, which means that I will be done with school in June instead of August. And that's awesome because my wife and I will get a summer vacation now. They are also giving me a scholarship. It is so so wonderful. So for now, we will be moving to Iowa in July. We are waiting to hear from Arizona still, so we will see what happens with that. Lastly, I postponed my interviews to Ohio and Temple because I would rather go to Des Moines over those two schools. So unless something crazy happens with Des Moines, I probably won't even bother interviewing at the other schools. It. Is. Awesome.  Hooray for graduate school (and quite possible no life for the next 4 years)...

Accepted

Des Moines University got back to me.  I am officially accepted!  It is a conditional acceptance, but hey that's still good right?  I leave this week to go to Ohio for another interview.  It is crazy to think that a few short weeks ago my life was so much different.  I didn't have a clear direction I was headed, and now things just seem to be falling into place.  I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to go to graduate school.  Kels and I are hoping to get another acceptance from Arizona, but at least we got into Des Moines.  It is a very good school.  The residency matching is high.  The board pass rates are high.  I even read online that Des Moines is nicknamed the Harvard of podiatry schools.  I had very positive feelings about it when I went there.  I think it would be a great place to go to school

Candy Bar

I had an interview at Des Moines University for podiatry school this Friday.  I contemplated giving one of the interviewers the candy bar (as a token of gratitude and friendship), but I eventually decided against this because I felt it would seem unprofessional.  My brother-in-law assured me that I made the correct decision.  Anyways, on the drive back to Denver from Des Moines we were stopped at a gas station.  I went in to buy some sunflower seeds.  I saw the guy behind me grab a snickers bar, so I quickly bought one too and left it there with the cashier with the instructions of how to give it to the guy.  I didn't really stop to look back, and he didn't come say thank you, so I assume he thought it was nice but weird.  He probably was wondering why a complete stranger bought him a candy bar.  Anyways, interesting, and somewhat rewarding (I guess) experience.

Pod School contd.

So I recently got invited for a fourth interview to podiatry school.  This interview invite is from Samuel Merritt in Oakland CA.  I am feeling very lucky and blessed because of all of the interviews that have been coming my way.  Just a few short weeks ago Kelsie and I were feeling the burn from dental schools (which we still haven't heard anything from) and now we have four interviews to podiatry school.  It is amazing how life can change so quickly.  So anyway, Kelsie and I are planning to go to Des Moines.  We will be leaving on Wednesday, making a stop in Denver, then continuing on and interviewing with them on Friday.  President's Day weekend is allowing us to take a little more time than we otherwise would take.  I am glad that Kels gets to come with me.  I want to make sure that she is going to be happy with wherever we decide to go.  Anyway, that is what is new in my life this week.

Podiatry School pt. 2

A few things have happened since my last post.  i now have THREE interviews to podiatry school!  They are scheduled for President's Day weekend (Des Moines Podiatry School), and the first weekend in March (Ohio and Temple Podiatry School's).  I only applied to six podiatry schools in all and within a day of my application being available to all the schools I got the three interviews.  This is in contrast to dental schools, where my applications have been in for eight months now and I still have not heard anything.  I feel lucky to have heard back from so many, and so fast.  The other three schools I applied to are on the west coast.  I am hoping to hear back from them soon.  If I had a choice I would like to go to school in Arizona, but hey, wherever I get in is where I want to go to school.  Anyways, hopefully I have some more good news next week.

Podiatry School

So my plan as of the last 2 years has been to go to dental school.  Those plans have changed just a little bit during the last two weeks.  I have recently learned about the podiatry profession.  I have been to the podiatrist before but I had not even thought about what it took to be a podiatrist.  So now six more applications are in for podiatry school.  This is on top of the 19 applications I have submitted for dental school.  That is a lot of applications.  I have shadowed a podiatrist and I totally loved it.  I watched some videos of podiatric surgeries on youtube and was freaked out at first.  After the initial shock of the blood and stuff it wasn't too bad, then it became very interesting.  This is turning out to be an exciting time.  Dental school still may or may not work out, but I think if I got into both dental school and podiatric school I would choose podiatry school.  This came as quite a shock to me but I think I like podiatry way more than dentistry.  In the end both careers will allow me to provide for my family well, and will allow me to be a big part of my kids’ lives. 

49ers

So I just got done watching the Giants and 49ers game.  It was a tough loss for the Niners.  I want to feel bad for the punt returner, but he should learn how to hold on to the football.  If this is what he has chosen as his method of making money then he needs to learn the value of keeping the football.  It was frustrating because the 49ers were in a position to win the game and they blew it.  It was a tough loss for the 49ers, but it is a great first year for their coach.  It was a great step in the right direction.  On a different note, Sundays are awesome.  They are a breath of fresh air from very demanding weeks.  Good thing we have a day of rest.  If you cannot tell I am totally at a loss for words when it comes to blogging.  I totally am not good at this...

Blog post #2

This is my second blog post.  Professor (or TA), if you see this post I lost my syllabus and was hoping you could email me another one.  I know that it is tacky to ask via blog post but I didn't have an email or anything to use.  I tried to reply to the email you sent earlier in the week but for some reason I have not heard back.  Anyway, seeing as how there will be a syllabus quiz coming up soon I hope I can get my hands on a syllabus before then. 
So the plan for the last couple of years has been to go to dental school.  I have worked hard in school so that I could have a competitive application.  In the recent months I have learned that getting into dental school is very hard.  All applicants have good credentials.  This has led me to still keep dental school as my number one option, but I have started to look into other similar fields.  Podiatry school seems like it would be a good fit for me.  All the pre-req's are the same, so I have them all done.  My GPA is spot on (maybe even a little higher than all the averages!!!).  I have a good shot at getting in.  I think I will apply to one podiatry school and see where it takes me.
PS: I got some new fish this week.  I know it is a little childish but it is actually a fun and relaxing hobby.  I also went fishing two days in a row (and didn't catch a single fish) and both days were a blast!!

My first blog post. Ever.

My wife is an avid blogger.  She blogs about pretty much everything.  Despite her encouragement I have never tried my hand at blogging.  I guess I have always felt blogging is a girl thing, and maybe that I am too "manly" to participate.  I love to write, but I like to have a purpose in my writing.  This is going to be my trial this semester of blogging: to blog with a purpose in mind.  Hopefully this little experiment goes well, but not too well because then my wife will expect me to contribute more on our blog.
In my Sociology 323 (Race and Class in America) class we are discussing the effects that slavery has had on white people in America.  While black Americans were obviously adversely affected by slavery and racism my teacher contends that whites were effected as well.  I am interested to read and learn what the impact of slavery has been to the white people of America.