First day...sort of

Remember how your mom used to take those really awful pictures of you on your first day of school?

For some reason, I thought it was a good idea to do it to myself.

Today was the first day of orientation.  I got to campus right on time.  I ended up driving because some parking lots aren't being enforced until Monday.

They gave us a name tag and a canvas tote filled with paperwork and supplies (notebook, pen, highlighter, etc.)

We started by getting introduced to all the important people we will likely never see again until graduation (the Dean of the College of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, etc).  Then the PA program faculty and staff introduced themselves.  Many were people I had met during interviews, but there were some new faces.  Honestly, the faculty is one of the big selling points of UF's program.  They are all incredibly down-to-earth and friendly.  The assistant director is from Utah.  She graduated from the U and was actually in my current ward until she moved a few months ago.  I think that is the only other Mormon associated with the program.

We were then told to turn to the person next to us and learn some things about them so that we could introduce them to the class.  Turns out just about every single person in that room has either a dog, a cat, or both.  I just don't understand the hairy, slobbery, poopy pet thing.  I'd rather not, thanks.

Besides a lunch break, the rest of the day was filled with the administrivia you would expect of an orientation session: introductions of ancillary faculty and staff, paperwork, and getting pictures taken for ID cards and badges.

I brought my camera to at least pepper this boring post with stuff to look at, but in typical Baker fashion, I forgot to actually take any photos.  Sorry, I'll try to do better tomorrow.

I got to meet a few more students that didn't come to the little get-together we had last night, including a couple that were in my interview group.  It was nice to see some familiar faces.  and even though we don't know each other super well, I kind of feel a connection with them via the shared anxiety ridden experience of interviews.  Speaking of interviews, somebody pointed out something insane last night.  In just a few short months, WE will be the know-it-all PA students welcoming interviewees to UF.  CRAZY.

All in all, it was kind of a boring day.  But I wasn't expecting to do anything exciting like insert a chest tube or drop an IV on the first day of orientation.  That stuff will come later.  I'm really just proud of myself for not falling asleep after getting only 2 hours of restless sleep last night.  Don't worry, I think I'll sleep just fine tonight.