BYU vs UTAH

Believe it or not, despite being in Iowa and having a ridiculus school schedule, I actually managed to watch a few games of both BYU and Utah. Its no secret that I bleed blue. But I'm actually more of a fan of Utah teams in general. I cheer for Utah, BYU, Utah State, Weber state whenever they are playing out of state schools. But there is a pecking order when in-state play each other. So I've decided to finally put in ink for all to see my pecking order of Utah teams. In most years*, Utah State is who I will cheer for againt any team in any sport since that is where I did my undergrad. BYU is next on the list and I will cheer for them against anybody but USU*. Weber State is next, followed by Utah. I really like to watch Utes and like to see them win against out of state foes. This year was no different and I'm glad they are 11-0.

Now to explain the asteriks. USU has fallen on hard times in the football world which makes it hard to cheer for them against anybody, so I don't care much for there football program anymore. So in the years that BYU football is really good, I will cheer for them to beat USU so they will still have a shot to make it to the BCS. So what does this all mean why am I posting this now? It means that starting tomorrow I will not wear red this week. It's rivalry week and the holy war is on the horizon! It will have the two highest ranked teams the rivalry has ever seen! Only one loss between the two and a combined 21 victories. Lots of storylines, passions, opinions and emotions! Instead of comparing wins and stats and guessing who will win, I will do a simple calculation in the Seanulator...and the outcome is=BYU by 3! :) Actually its a win-win situation for me this year. If BYU wins, then they spoil the Utes perfect season and get a chance to make it to a BCS bowl(if Boise state somehow loses), which would be awesome(but a long shot). But if Utah wins, they go to the BCS bowl which is great for the conference and will also be fun to watch. My only request is if Utah goes to the Sugar bowl and plays Florida or Alabama, that they don't pull a Hawaii. Deal?

No Shave November

Its become the tradition ever since Brad and I were roommates at USU to go the month of November without shaving until Thanksgiving, and even though we aren't roommates anymore this year is no different. It's sort of a contest to see whose beard grows more thick. Perhaps we should add a few more categories like who has the most red hairs, or gray hairs(I found one last year), or whose flavor saver retains more flavor! ;) Anyone is welcome to join in! My roommate Mike along with some other guys from school are participating and Brad has some guys in Wisconsin doing it. Its our way of contributing to the economic crisis by cutting back on our electricity usage, contributing to the environment by not filling up as many garbage bags, and keeping ourselves warm during the transition into the cold weather season! Ok, mostly its an excuse not to shave. Who do you think is winning so far?

In other November news, it has been the busiest month in the history of my medical school experience! The end of october was also very busy and I'm reaching the point of burn out. Only 3 more exams to go until thanksgiving, I think I can make it(although I might be limping mentally when I get home to Utah!) We finished the Cardio block in october and went light speed ahead through the respiratory block. We start the Hematology/Oncology block next week. The highlights of the month have been my healthy cooking elective class (Its hard to believe with 30 credit hours I have time for an extra class, but I get to eat dinner during the class...so it works out:), and the neonatology lab. The lab was at mercy hospital and we actually spent a couple of hours in the newborn nursery learning how to conduct a new baby exam on real newborns! I never realized how durable newborns are. We poked and prodded, checking reflexes, making sure no broken bones, searching for birthmarks or other abnormalities, and these babies hardly gave a yawn. They never cried once! It almost made me want one of my own...but I quickly remembered that most babies don't stay like that for long. If examining newborns were all neonatalogists or OB-GYN Drs. did, it would be a fantastic job...but with the obvious unpredictability of when the babies are coming it doesn't make for a great lifestyle. So I don't think I'll be going into it...but it was a great lab!