Random non-MCAT and only peripherally related to the MCAT thread - Part XXIII

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jochi1543 said:
But hey, it's FAT-FREE, must be good for you, right!!??:laugh:🙄 I love it when I come to the grocery store and they got all these candies with "FAT-FREE" written in giant letters on the wrapper.:laugh:

I also like all those "Healthy choice!" type of products, where you look at the ingredients and sugar is like the first one of the list and there's 5 grams of saturated fat per 10-gram serving.:laugh:
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Ugh. Don't even get me started on misleading labels. :laugh:

I was sitting in my new used car yesterday (or was it as the restaurant?) with my sister who brought up through some random conversation that "all natural" must logically lead to the conclusion that it is good for you. Yeah. And I suppose eating the caster bean is good for you, then, too, since it's "all natural." Forget that it has ricin. There must be something we can do stop the insidious psychological marketing going on through labelling. Then again, maybe not. :meanie:

There will definitely be some educating going on in my physician's office.
 
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I just got a new used car, a 2004 Kia Optima LX; it only had about 29.5K miles on it. It's not exactly glamorous, but it is very practical, fulfills my needs, and was in our budget. I'm pretty happy with it so far. I'm not that familiar with Kia's. Does it stand the test of time well?

Here's an example:

04kiaoptima400.jpg
 
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spicedmanna said:
I'm not that familiar with Kia's. Does it stand the test of time well?
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Ummmm....how do I break this to you...Kia's are complete ****. There's a reason why they are so cheap!

My parents' Kia Sephia started having major mechanical problems after 30,000 miles and they had to sell it after 40,000, because the maintenance became a waste of money. Nothing ever worked - the engine wouldn't start, the windows wouldn't roll down, the steering wheel would lock, the heater and AC broke down constantly, the windshield wipers would get stuck, the paint kept coming off....Even an older GM car would be a much better choice. I got my Buick Park Avenue at 110,000 miles for $3200 and things didn't start to get funny until 150,000 miles, at which point I sold it for 2 grand. So basically I got 40,000 miles' worth of a car for $1200.:hardy: But yeah, everyone I know says to stay away from Kia's.
 
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jochi1543 said:
Ummmm....how do I break this to you...Kia's are complete ****. There's a reason why they are so cheap!

My parents' Kia Sephia started having major mechanical problems after 30,000 miles and they had to sell it after 40,000, because the maintenance became a waste of money. Nothing ever worked - the engine wouldn't start, the windows wouldn't roll down, the steering wheel would lock, the heater and AC broke down constantly, the windshield wipers would get stuck, the paint kept coming off....Even an older GM car would be a much better choice. I got my Buick Park Avenue at 110,000 miles for $3200 and things didn't start to get funny until 150,000 miles, at which point I sold it for 2 grand. So basically I got 40,000 miles' worth of a car for $1200.:hardy: But yeah, everyone I know says to stay away from Kia's.
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😱 Wow, perhaps I should have done some research on Kia's. Oh well, thanks for the info. It drives pretty well so far, so here's hoping for the best. :scared:
 
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jochi1543 said:
How much did you pay for it? Did you buy it from a private owner or a dealer?
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We haggled the base price down to $8700 and we bought it from a dealer. It still has the remaining 5 yr/60K mile warranty and roadside assistance. With what you said, I might be needing that.
 
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spicedmanna said:
We haggled the base price down to $8700 and we bought it from a dealer. It still has the remaining 5 yr/60K mile warranty and roadside assistance. With what you said, I might be needing that.
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OK. Because you can buy a brand new Toyota Yaris for like $12 K. I got a 2007 Yaris myself...I don't like small cars, I'm really the Buick Park Avenue/Lexus type - I really like enormous sedans with leather seats, huge engines, etc. But my father was the one paying, so he put his foot down and said "nothing but a Toyota!" He used to have 2 BMWs, one 300 and another 700 series, and now he's driving 2 Toyotas and a Pajero...considering money is not an issue, the fact that he'd trade in a luxury German vehicle for a Toyota gives you an idea about Toyota's quality. I don't like their design, I think they are too plain, and for someone who likes big cars and drove a big car for a while, they are kind of small. But you can't argue with the quality! Every single person I spoke to told me to go buy either a Honda or a Toyota.

Of course, since I've only been driving this car for 6 months, it's hard to talk about maintenance at this point, as it is very new and I'm a pretty tame driver, but everybody else's experience with Toyota tells me that this car will last me 10 years without an issue.

I'm bringing it up mostly because it's such a good deal financially and in terms of quality...you would only have spent another 4 grand, but the car would've been completely new, the warranty longer, and you'd have a brand with a good history. If I were you, I'd consider the Yaris while you still have a window of time to return your Kia, unless you are absolutely in love with it - but it sounds like it was more of a money issue.


Also, the $12K is a 2007 Yaris, and I think they started making them in 2005-2006, so you might even be able to find a cheaper one on the dealer's lot.
 
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jochi1543 said:
OK. Because you can buy a brand new Toyota Yaris for like $12 K. I got a 2007 Yaris myself...
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Thanks, Jochi, for your suggestion; I'll take it under consideration and look into it. I'll feel it out. Money is definitely an issue right now. I didn't want to finance and insure a new car, and what I paid was pretty much my upper limit. I don't have any money to my name and, actually, I'm now really deep in debt, given the large students loans I'm going to take out from the Federal Government. My parents were rather kind and lent me the money for a car, which I'm grateful to have. I can't imagine not having a car out there in KC, MO, or for my rotations later on. I'm praying that my car will last me through medical school, so that when I enter residency, I can then buy a new car. I plan only driving it out of necessity, for the most part. It would have been nice to have had some more cash to work with, but it is not to be right now. Hopefully, everything will work out.

My next car will probably be a Toyota. I'll check into the Yaris; it sounds like a great deal and it has that Toyota reliability that should last me through residency and beyond.
 
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Goodness!!!! I have 6 foot of tube down that stupid toilet, and it's still clogged!😡 I feel that if I go any further, it will come out of my neighbor's crapper.:laugh: When I turn that thing, the whole house vibrates.:laugh:
 
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Honestly, I've learned more about plumbing in the last 2 hours than I ever wanted to! And I'm sure that so have you.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I have to say though, it IS getting better even though it's not completely gone. It's a battle - man versus toilet....😡 :laugh:
 
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jochi1543 said:
Honestly, I've learned more about plumbing in the last 2 hours than I ever wanted to! And I'm sure that so have you.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I have to say though, it IS getting better even though it's not completely gone. It's a battle - man versus toilet....😡 :laugh:
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whats this, whats this? you backed up the toilet? 😱:laugh:
 
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evil_commode.jpg



VICTORY SHALL BE MINE!!!!! :meanie: :meanie: :meanie:



I finally got it to work....it did one good run, so now I'm just laying low before I try flushing again...please god, let it be unclogged for good.:scared:
 
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Arsenic said:
hey fools, just took my end of year 3 hour clinical skills compentency exam at the medical school. 13 stations on all the rotations from 3rd year. apparently... im competent, sweet. 😎 :laugh:
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So, what are the possible outcomes? Competent or incompetent?:laugh:
 
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Phew, tried it again and it worked fine this time, too. Great, now I can eat and drink again.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:



Thanks to everyone who has been nervously squirming in their seat waiting for the finale of this exciting story.:laugh:
 
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jochi1543 said:
Phew, tried it again and it worked fine this time, too. Great, now I can eat and drink again.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:



Thanks to everyone who has been nervously squirming in their seat waiting for the finale of this exciting story.:laugh:
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im sure oxeye will be thrilled to read about it later, lol. hey... she wanted random.
 
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jochi1543 said:
Phew, tried it again and it worked fine this time, too. Great, now I can eat and drink again.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Yes! Victory! The great saga has ended favorably. 🙂

Thanks to everyone who has been nervously squirming in their seat waiting for the finale of this exciting story.:laugh:
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Now I, too, can rest. 😀
 
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Arsenic said:
im sure oxeye will be thrilled to read about it later, lol. hey... she wanted random.
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I'm not sure if this falls under the "random" or the "minute details of y'all's lives" category.:laugh:



OK, I think this is a good time to go watch some Family Guy....😎😴
 
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jochi1543 said:
]OK, I think this is a good time to go watch some Family Guy....😎😴
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Maybe I'll take my new lemon for a spin out to the bookstore. 😉

Wait... that didn't sound too good. I need to use the power of positive thought: I meant, of course, my awesome, maintanence-free, new car. *Pictures how his awesome new car is going to last a long time, at least all through medical school, maintanence-free*
 
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spicedmanna said:
Maybe I'll take my new lemon for a spin out to the bookstore. 😉

Wait... that didn't sound too good. I need to use the power of positive thought: I meant, of course, my awesome, maintanence-free, new car. *Pictures how his awesome new car is going to last a long time, at least all through medical school, maintanence-free*
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So, I just realized I don't know anything about you. I take it you're starting med this year then? What's your backstory?
 
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jochi1543 said:
So, I just realized I don't know anything about you. I take it you're starting med this year then? What's your backstory?
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It's a long story, filled with adventure; my life has been described as somewhat of an odyssey. Basically, I was heavy duty into biomedical research when I was an undergrad, many years ago. I thought about going into biomedical research, but it wasn't what I was looking for, ultimately. I wanted to learn about wellbeing on a more practical level, something that school couldn't give me, so I went out on my own to learn yoga, martial arts, and other modalities. Suffice it to say that I was something of a starving artist for a while. I got tired of that and gave in to social pressure, and I became a computer professional for a time. I ended up working in a couple of dot-coms that never made it.

I left realizing that money wasn't everything, but happiness was perhaps one of the more important aspects of a life, and definitely worth cultivating. I eventually became a yoga/martial arts instructor and spent a lot of time learning somatic psychology from some leading experts in the field. I was an apprentice to them and became, also, a wellness coach. I had a great setup as a mind-body specialist/instructor and wellness coach and had worked with a lot of people, but it wasn't enough. I got really good at facilitating resolution of psychosomatic trauma in my clients, but soon became aware that I had limited ability to help my clients in their pursuit of wellness. I came to the conclusion that I really wanted to help them manage their health as a physician might. The only logical conclusion was to go to medical school.

I gave up pretty much everything I created and went back to school. I graduated undergrad in 1996, so it had been a while since I took a real class. I retook the majority of my premedical courses, about 35 credits worth, and got straight A's. I took the MCAT and got a 28P. It wasn't the best that I could do, because I bombed the PS section with a 7 (but balanced that out with a 12 in BS 😀 ). Fortunately, it was enough to get into a wonderful school. I fell in love with KCUMB when I went to my interview there. I knew deep down in my bones that I would be happy attending there. Fortunately, they liked me, too.

Now, I'll be starting medical school at KCUMB in the fall at age 34! I'm so incredibly fortunate and lucky.
 
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Arsenic said:
i hereby nominate you as sdn's official toilet mentor. i think pediatrics can use you. :meanie:
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This is so appropriate as my three year old is singing a song she made up right now with lyrics that go something like this "Don't change my poopy-butt! I don't want a diaper." (and yes, she is potty-trained, LOL)

And now the song is about noses. :laugh: Kids are weird!

Toilet mentor huh? Should I start a new thread in the mentor forum?
 
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spicedmanna said:
:laugh: I will help you for free, just because I feel like it.

PS: Your kid, in your avatar, is so cute laying there on that piano bench. 😍
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Thanks 😍 It's hard to tell in the pic because it's tiny, but she's sleeping. She decided on her own that it looked like a nice place for a nap - little goof-ball.
 
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oxeye said:
This is so appropriate as my three year old is singing a song she made up right now with lyrics that go something like this "Don't change my poopy-butt! I don't want a diaper." (and yes, she is potty-trained, LOL)

And now the song is about noses. :laugh: Kids are weird!

Toilet mentor huh? Should I start a new thread in the mentor forum?
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too cute :laugh:
 
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