Good Karma

Here's a few signs of good karma in my life:

1. My last place of residence was rented to me more inexpensively than anything else I could find. It required no paperwork, no security and allowed my dog without question. I paid my rent late several times with apologies but no penalties and moving out was simply a matter of mutual respect between myself and my landlord.

2. I got a new car for nothing. That said, out of the four cars I've owned, I've only purchased one. My first car was a gift from my dad, the second a gift from a girlfriend and this fourth car is a three-year loan with option to buy from a friend of A's. Getting a "free ride" is definitely something of a gift from the universe.

3. A and I were invited to a cruise wedding and weren't sure we would be able to go for various reasons - when things seemed to fall into place for our attendance, I requested time off only be told that I would be risking my job to go due to holiday black out dates (no time off granted). My immediate supervisor said she'd try to work something out, so we hoped for the best and booked our tickets. A couple weeks later, my boss pulled me aside and asked me the dates for the trip. After I told him, he smiled and showed me the modified black out dates that start the day I return home.

4. My finances seem to be straightening themselves out. Far from attributing this to karma, I recognize that my hard work, planning and frugal habits have much to do with it. I do recognize, however, that I have much to be grateful for not happening in my life too - it's so easy for this or that negative event to rack up the bills and bring on financial ruin. I say good karma has kept me from those events that could have pushed me over the brink I've been walking so close to.

Oh Lucky Day

Seems like my lucky streak continues...knock on wood!

I found out yesterday that one of the requirements that I might have had to complete after graduation is actually completed. I was misinformed by my harried registrar that certain 'credits' could not be transferred from one area (where I have more than enough) to another area (where I am lacking almost that exact number), and when I went over her head to the dean of the program with my innocent query, the story immediately reversed. Of course I can transfer those over! That eases not only my mind, but also my schedule, since I no longer have to attend my Thursday morning clinic. I enjoyed watching paint dry, I mean watching a chiropractor do body work, but I could really use those mornings to catch up on my sleep and get work done at home.

My school also just approved a decrease in the number of acupuncture patients we are required to see before graduation. If you haven't been through medical school, you may not be aware that there are very exacting requirements about the number of hours spent in clinic, the number of patients one sees in certain capacities and different exams and treatments (called check-offs) one must do before being approved to graduate. For my acupuncture program, we are required to spend 624 hours in the clinic and did have to see 400 patients within that time frame. Doesn't seem like a lot? Try it - keep in mind that this all happens within 1 year after 3 years of academic training and almost 300 hours observing an acupuncturist at work. We're now required to see only 350 patients which is a requirement I have already met. In other words, another load of stress off my mind.

I finished my case paper the other day and will perform several check-offs today, getting that much closer to meeting my complete graduation requirements. I actually think I might finish everything on time.

Requirements remaining: (besides showing up for the rest of my class and clinic shifts)
1. Finish check offs (11 total)
2. Case Presentation: Prostate Cancer
3. 3-4 Page Paper on Chinese Classical Literature
4. Thesis - Finish Writing
5. Thesis - Defend (currently being rescheduled)