Hello Blogosphere:
Spring Break, where did you go?! I spent all year looking forward to this one week and within a few blinks it came to a speedy end. I've spent three weeks trying to wrap up this blog post, but as you can imagine, there's been no break from optometry school. In fact, since returning back from SECO I've already had four exams and a practical...and I've got three more exams next week.
As you all know from my last post, I was SECO bound. So, what is this thing called SECO? SECO is the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry. For Docs, SECO is the premiere continuing education, exhibits, and events program for the southern U.S. For students though, there's a lot to take advantage of between networking, informative classroom-to-practice lectures, social soirees, and of course, A-T-L-A-N-T-A!
Here were some of my favorite SECO 2012 highlights:
- The "Bling Your Eyez" Student Party: Students from neighboring schools in Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Florida joined together for a night of dancing, mingling, flashing glow-in-the-dark cups (which my first years compadres will understand when I say we shoud have done a Critical Flicker Frequency test with those cups, ha), and taking full advantage of the on-site photo booth.
- The SCO Alumni and Friends Reception: I mean, hello, Atlanta Falcons Drum Line Processional to unveil the new video about SCO's "Envision Our Progress" construction project?! Now that's the way you kick off the celebration.
- The SECO Tradeshow: Hundreds of vendors from the top optometric companies were set up in the World Congress Center to show-off some of the latest technologies in optometric care. While I didn't have the gusto as some of my classmates to sweep around each booth for freebies, I did get to enjoy complimentary mango smoothies and contact lens solution...that was a pretty good deal enough for me. Besides there is always next year, right ;)
- The Saturday Night Party: This "Denim-and-Diamonds" themed party was held at the Georgia Aquarium and included the country sounds of Laura Bell Bundy (of Broadway's Legally Blonde fame). It was a mix-and-mingle event for all SECO attendees set against the backdrop of sharks, dolphins, and stingrays, oh my!
So after a not so good start to my trip, things went pretty smooth from there on out. During one of my ATL escapades, I was even able to take in a NEEDTOBREATHE concert. Not familiar with the band? Neither was I initially, but fortunately some of my classmates introduced me to the band. You must check this group out...they are too good. If you're a fan of Mumford & Sons or Kings of Leon, you'll definitely fall in love with this band. Lucky for me, NEEDTOBREATHE will also be performing at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival...can-not-wait.
I'm already looking forward to next year's SECO...but first, these three exams!
Carpe Diem,
Amy
P.S. Check out my next blog post as I report from this year's Congressional Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. and fulfill one of my first official duties as AOSA Trustee-elect lobbying on behalf of organized optometry.