Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
This week has been one of the busiest of the semester: three major exams and several assignments all due around the same time. Yesterday I took exam #2 — our closed-book Medical Nutrition Therapy test. Thursday brings an open-book exam that will ask us to perform detailed calculations to determine nutrition needs for tube or IV feedings for hypothetical patients. It’s challenging material, but genuinely fascinating. I’m learning a tremendous amount.
Yesterday was also supposed to be “track Tuesday” for my half-marathon training, but plans changed and I ended up somewhere less glamorous:
Dun dun dunnnn… the treadmill, my arch nemesis.
My usual track partner couldn’t meet in the morning, and with a 9:30 exam looming and only limited study time after Monday’s Biochemistry test, I chose to use the morning to review. After class I went to the gym instead of running outside — the humidity was oppressive and the weather kept alternating between blazing sun and ominous clouds. I haven’t used a treadmill much in the past year, but with the help of some decent TV in the background I managed to go 3.3 miles. I walked periodically but ran most of it, alternating speeds between 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 mph.
I was actually proud that I didn’t skip the workout. I have trouble motivating myself to exercise, especially when I don’t get out early. For me, running is enjoyable because I’m outdoors — fresh air, scenery, and often a friend to chat with. The treadmill usually feels like torture: the seconds seem to crawl, and every time I look down convinced I’ve reached another mile, it’s only 0.1. Still, yesterday the treadmill got the job done.
When I got home I enjoyed a satisfying lunch.
This was the last serving of my “cheesy” vegan mushroom quinoa, paired with a big salad of spinach, chopped romaine, goat cheese, and roasted beets. It was hearty and nourishing — the kind of lunch that restores both energy and focus. I finished the meal with an orange for dessert.
After lunch the day turned incredibly productive. I met two grad school friends at a local café for a couple of hours of focused homework time — studying with others makes tasks feel less tedious and keeps me accountable. Between that session and a group project meeting later in the day, I completed one assignment and made solid progress on another. Back at home, I ate a quick dinner and wrapped up the remaining work I had started earlier. That’s pretty much my weekday routine: intense productivity during the week so I can relax on the weekend.
Doesn’t that look fascinating? I know you’re jealous.
One of the assignments I completed was for our Introduction to the U.S. Health Services System class, which is an online course. The material can be dry, but it’s been eye-opening to learn more about how the U.S. healthcare system functions. Before this class I knew very little; now I can confirm that the system is complicated and often dysfunctional. There’s a lot to unpack, and it’s been valuable to get a clearer perspective.
With that, I’m off to prepare for another full day. Happy Wednesday — here’s to making progress, one productive hour at a time.