Hello everyone, I've been quiet on the blog for a while, but I'm done with my US Medical Licensing Examination Step 3! It's a wonderful feeling to be done, as Step studying has been one of those tasks on my to-do list that's always there in the background, whispering "you should be studying instead of Pinteresting and baking..."
Supposedly Step 3 matters the least out of the USMLEs, but the premed / med student habits ingrained me in me decided it was time to buckle down for studying. It's amazing how much ob-gyn, pediatrics, and surgery you forget when you don't use it. Fortunately the bulk of the exam is Internal Medicine (we are the most important field in my humble opinion!)
The test is 16 hrs over two days - the first day is only multiple choice, and the second has some multiple choice then a section on "clinical simulation cases". The multiple choice wasn't too bad, but the cases are definitely the most nerve-wracking part of the test. On a computer interface, you evaluate a patient, order labs, triage, diagnose, treat, follow up and counsel ... all under a ticking clock. The cases will respond based on your orders, so if the patient isn't getting better, you need to figure out what you're doing wrong fast!
A few updates from the last post, in which a series of frustrating events recently happened. I found a lovely new apartment that's a bit further but reasonably priced; in fact I'm upgrading to a 1 bedroom and it has a giant kitchen with an island! I'll be moving next month and look forward to more baking and cooking in this new space.

Also, B and I had our vacation block (yay!) and we went to the Caribbean, which I'll be sharing more later. While I spent the first half of vacation time studying and taking my Step 3 exams, and had to come back early from vacation to cover for a medical ICU shift, it was wonderful to have a week of rest. Time (and sleep) heals everything.
Here's a green smoothie bowl, made with creamy avocados and sweet strawberries plus a coconut and cacao nib crunch. This is a great and quick power breakfast, whether you're taking a 16 hour exam or about to lounge on the beach.

Green Smoothie Bowl with Strawberry and Coconut

Ingredients
1/2 avocado
1 cup spinach
1 1/2 cups almond milk
1/2 cup ice, additional for thickening
white sugar, to taste
Toppings: cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut, fresh strawberries

Instructions
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Add ice or avocado (to thicken) or almond milk (to thin) to desired consistency. Pour your green smoothie into a bowl. Top with cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut, and sliced fresh strawberries. Enjoy!