Last week we had Family Day for the first years. Of those who had guests on campus, some had spouses, but I think the majority had parents. My parents came out for the day. My parents and I arrived on campus just before 7:30 AM. We got out of the car and started walking towards the designated registration area.

I had my backpack on and walked slightly in front of both of my parents. It felt a bit awkward. I asked my mom when was the last time she went to school with me. “Kindergarten,” she replied.

The provided us a small breakfast. After breakfast they had 3 hours of lecture scheduled for us.

The first class began at 8:30 AM and was on micturition (urination).

Lecture two, at 9:30 AM, was an hour about eye exam. My dad actually fell asleep in this lecture. Me? I was doing my best to stay alert. After all, can’t be falling asleep during a lecture with mom nearby. Third lecture was an embryology lecture on the endocrine system.

After lectures we were scheduled to have lunch at 11:45. The large crowd headed towards the conference center below the School of Medicine administration offices. There they served some pretty good food. I don’t think any of the parents believed that the meal was any example of normal treatment for students.

That afternoon, we got a chance to show our parents/guests some of the labs. I took my parents to the Physical Diagnosis “lab.” They listened to heart sounds with a stethophone, palpated a simulated prostate, and checked out some ear models. We then went to the Simulation Center in the physiology building. That was pretty cool. They showed off all the high-tech dummies.

I thought the whole thing was fun. It was a good chance for the parents to come and see what everything was all about. The students got a chance to show off our campus and facilities.

When I started this post I thought I was going to come up with a pretty brilliant way to close the post.

Right now I’m kind of drawing a blank.

End of post.