Yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life, and I dare say it is going to be very different from what preceded it. Even with as much time as I have spent in and around hospitals, nursing homes, medical day care centers, and labs, I have already been learning so many new concepts, so much new terminology, I am in information overload.

When I arrived a half-hour early on the first day, there were quite a few other overachievers there already. Our class of 72 students seems like a really good group. We were introduced to the faculty yesterday. They congratulated us on our acceptance into the program. Apparently there were 200 applicants who were not accepted.

Today we had 5 hours of class and ditto for tomorrow. There is so much reading and studying to prepare for class, I don't know how the young women who have children will manage. I've already met one woman with a 3-year-old, one with a 1-year old, and one with a 7- and a 4-year old. I am in awe of them. I can be pretty organized when I put my mind to it, but this will really put my organizational skills to the test.

It promises to be an interesting and challenging 2 years. Stay tuned!