Blogs

Blog #26: Volunteer Services

3/29-4/2

This past week was pretty busy. While I still continued working on my Final Product, I was able to also have two job interviews and went through the process of Volunteer Services for Methodist Dallas Hospital. This way, I will be able to start following Dr. Truitt in the OR with the hospital’s permission. I am extremely excited to do that and I cannot wait until I get the opportunity to grow in my learning. In the application, it asked for reasons why I was volunteering, and I explained my mentorship and how I wanted to follow my mentor. I think this and my immunizations will really put me ahead in getting to see the OR. I should hear a response within 1-2 weeks of submitting this application. The application also asked me for times that I am available, so I am worried that they will want me to volunteer even when I don’t see Dr. Truitt, and it would be a long drive down there for that. I am sure that we will be able to work something out, however. On my Final Product, I was able to complete and finalize the music aspect. Doing this, I am finally able to start the surgery aspect, which should be coming this next week. I am still trying to find a job and do other things for my other classes, but I am excited for these steps forward in ISM.

Blog #25: Final Product Grind

3/19-3/29
This past week was so incredibly busy. I started working very hard on my Final Product and started to log the hours that I needed. I have been reading Outliers, and it has really opened my eyes to the topic of success. I have been able to find some very important quotes that I will be able to use in both my Music part and Surgery part. I really am enjoying this book. And has really helped me in implementing important things into my work. As well as finding another source with a new perspective, which is definitely a cause of this enhancement. While I have been stressed to log these hours, I managed to do it in time. I think that if I didn't procrastinate, I would have been so much farther ahead and been done with more parts of my product. I think that this would have been really beneficial, but I am enjoying what I have been doing so far today. This week, I am planning to not only continue the work on my Final Product, but I would love to schedule another visit with Dr. Truitt. I still need to go through volunteer services at Methodist Dallas so that I am able to follow Dr. Truitt in the OR. I have a lot of plans for this week, and I am excited to keep working!

Blog #24: Spring Break

3/13-3/19

This past week was great. Over spring break, I did not do much work on my final product, unfortunately. I have been getting behind, so this next week is my catch-up week, and I am excited to get back on track. I had a mentor visit today! I loved seeing Dr. Truitt again. We talked about getting me in the OR, and we will have to jump through some hoops with the new rules that the hospital is implementing. I will have to go through volunteer services, which I am also planning to do this week. This week is going to be crazy busy with my catching up and doing stuff for the hospital. I think I can manage it, it is just overwhelming at the moment. After speaking with Dr. Truitt today, I have such good insight on colleges. We talked about the two choices that I am deciding between, Texas Tech and Baylor. My conflict of choosing between colleges was lightened a little, but he also showed me the importance of staying on campus the first year. I never knew how important it was, but being able to find that group to be with the first year is crucial to the success. I am so pleased with how the visit went.

Blog #23: Reflections

2/27- 3/5

It has been a pretty slow week. I signed up for my Final Speech in ISM for the class. It was hard to find a day that worked to be on a day that I did not have AP tests or other test days. This really made me think about how far I have come since the beginning of the year. My speeches started off TERRIBLE, but they have gotten better each one. Reflecting on this class, I am so glad that I have been allowed the freedom to pace myself, and I wish all of my classes were like this. I would struggle less in other classes if they were set up like ISM, so I am grateful that I have been able to see what works for me learning wise. This past Friday, I completed a Research Assessment over the History of Women in Surgery. This was incredibly interesting, and I think it has been one of my most favorite Assessments to this day. I really enjoyed learning about the different women who made a difference and paved the way for young ladies, like me, who are pursuing this career of surgery. I learned about one woman who faked being a man to become a surgeon in the army, who only then was discovered to be a woman after her death, with the discovery of a previous pregnancy. Coming up this week, I have to create my Final Presentation Night invitation and list of guests to invite to see my presentation. I will be inviting the same people that came to the Research Showcase, as well as a few more of my really close friends that I know will want to support me. Also, coming up this week I have another Research Assessment to complete, and I would really like to do it over Mohs surgery, for my mom had that procedure a while ago.

Blog #22: Craziness!

2/20-2/26
Ahh! What a crazy week. I finally got myself all caught up this week in ISM. With a concussion and All-State, I let myself get very behind. I brought my grade up from a 70% to a 95%. While I am shocked that I could do this, I still feel bad for allowing myself to get so behind. I received an email back from Dr. Truitt today as well, so I would say my day has not been all too bad. He is available the week of March 12th. Hopefully, I can finalize my HIPAA training and possibly get to see some OR cases. I am truly very excited for what is coming. I am fully aware that I need to start digging down into the realm of my Final Product. It has been incredibly hard for me to start working on it, but once I do, I know I will be flying through it. However hesitant I am to get it started, there is a huge part of me that is looking forward to creating something so great. I have all of my resources to begin it, and I am looking forward to start reading Outliers. I am surrounded by literature in school that I am not at all interested in, so I am excited for a change in my interest.

Blog #21: TMEA!

2/13-2/19

This past week had its up and downs. I had some legal issues come up, so I have been struggling to catch up in school. I left for state on Wednesday morning. At the hotel, there was access to wifi, but I did not know that I would have had to pay for it, so I texted Coach Goff and asked for a little bit of leeway in turning in my assessment. Of course, she was kind enough to give me some. I have a concussion as of now, and getting my school work done has been seemingly impossible. My teachers are all very understanding as of now, so taking some incompletes for the end of this six weeks will be okay with me. My procrastination is catching up to me in ISM, and I am doing my best to try to get my head above the water again. I am also waiting for Dr. Truitt’s email responses to set up another visit. I got my flu shot and TB test this past Monday, so I should have clearance to go watch OR surgeries after I get HIPAA training. I am overwhelmed as of right now, but I am positive that I am taking steps in the right direction.

Blog #20: Stress!

2/5-2/12

This week was overall kind of stressful. I found out how much stuff I was missing that I hadn’t turned in so it was bringing my grade down to a 71%. I managed to turn it all in, however, but it will be a late grade in the grade book. I am sad to get so behind in class and it was not my intention to do so, I just honestly did not realize how many things were not being turned in. I have caught up now, and I do feel better. This week will be kind of hard as well. I will be in San Antonio for the rest of this week for All-State. I will still have to turn things in, and I communicated with Dr. Truitt that I will be out of town. I will be working early to finish my assessments and other things so that I am not so overwhelmed when Friday comes. I have a picture with Dr. Truitt and I do next week as well, but I am not sure if we will be able to meet before then. Coach Goff is letting me turn it in by the end of the 6 weeks, so that will be a little easier to turn in under the time restraints. I have to be honest, I am pretty stressed. I am, however, excited to keep working and trucking through all of this work. Until next week!

Blog #19: Starting Surgery Process

1/29- 2/3

This week was so eventful. For starters, I got an email from Dr. Truitt about starting to watch surgeries in the OR. While this excited me, I became suddenly overwhelmed. I still need to get my flu shot and my TB test injection and test reading. I have been trying to find places that will be cheap to do so, but it has been hard. I also had a little bit of a roadblock with my mom, who is a nurse, not wanting me to get a flu shot because of the injection medicine that they use. She is letting me now, understanding that I need to have one to be in the OR. I communicated with Dr. Truitt this week that I will not be able to meet next week, for I will be in San Antonio for the All-State convention. I am honestly scared for these next few weeks. I have so many things due this next Monday, a concert on Tuesday, and I will be in San Antonio for the rest of the week, still obligated to have an assessment due, returning on Sunday where I have 3 more things due the next day. While I have so much stuff to do for this one class, I know so far that it has helped me to stay on track with what I need to accomplish for these next few months in ISM. I aim to keep pushing and getting done as much as I can with the best effort and grit that I strive to show through my work.

Blog #18: So it begins…

1/22-1/29

This week was a pretty slow week until today. I am awaiting a response from Dr. Truitt on when we can schedule another mentor visit, and I am very excited. Today, I wrote my Product Proposal. While I did turn it in within two minutes of it being late, I did it to the best of my ability, even though I will still be editing it over the next two days. I really went in depth with the whole effect on society and the people that I will be touching through the creation of my work. I was very happy to create a calendar that I can stick to throughout the entire process. It will make it very easy for me to stay on track and I will be able to use my class time better. Doing my proposal really made me excited for creating and finalizing my work. On Wednesday, I have a speech coming up. It will be 12-15 mins long, and I am excited to show what Monique showed me. She showed me a website where you can copy a professional, sleek template into google slides instead of using their customary ones. I thought this was so wonderful, so I am excited to show off my presentation. I am nervous about talking too fast and using a lot of filler words, so I will be hyper aware in that case.

Blog #17: Research Showcase

1/9-1/21

This week was wonderful! I experienced my first Research Showcase for ISM. I was completely surprised with how many people came to the event, let alone my board. The amount of questions I received was incredible. I was so proud to share my work and research for a whole semester. One thing that I noticed was that my poster board was nearly bland comparing it to the others around mine and the field. I saw some cool title ideas to maximize space on the board, which I think will be one of my biggest improvements for the next time around. Another thing that I need to improve is the amount of detail and work presented on my board. I can definitely add things like some of my Research Assessments or Interview Assessments to show how much work I have put in to being a student of ISM. One of my proudest moments was being able to talk about Dr. Truitt. I loved to talk about him and what he has done to help me. I am so blessed to have been working under him for this long, and I cannot wait for the next few weeks. I am finalizing some of the documents that I will use to go through the volunteer services so that I am able to start shadowing surgeries. I am so excited!!

Blog #16: Band and ISM

1/8 - 1/15

This week was a stressful week in ISM. While I was preparing for my audition to make State, which I pulled through and did, I was also having to prepare for the showcase. I had actually waited to turn my board in because I was practicing so much. I turned my both my digital and research portfolio in to get checked, and I believe that my research portfolio was up to date, while my digital portfolio was about a week behind. It affected my grade, so I am going to fix it and stay on top of it for the next check and until the year ends. I have been pretty stressed about next week, for it is the showcase week. I also am aware that I will be very occupied with preparing for another audition when I get down to San Antonio. I am worried that I will not have enough time or focus to complete my work, but I am willing to still try until I can’t anymore. While I am stuck between band and ISM, I will not allow my workload to spread me thin and force me to focus on only one thing. However worried I am, I am excited to keep pushing forward in my learning.

Blog #15: Original Work

11/21-1/8

My winter ‘break’ was not so much of a break, but for good reasons. Dr. Truitt helped me finalize my Original Work, and it really made me excited for what was to come. Working over 15 hours, I finally created something that I was proud of. I formulated the 9 most important aspects of being a musician and detailed them out until there was nothing else to talk about. After this was complete, Dr. Truitt agreed to help me connect these aspects to those of a medical professional, mainly a surgeon. While I feel as if only half of my work has been done, I am still proud of what I created. It is really quite mind blowing to see the different aspects of music conforming with other parts in our lives, and I cannot wait to detail those. This upcoming week, however, is quite busy. I have both portfolios due tonight, and my poster board for the research showcase due on Wednesday. While I feel like I can get all of this done, the one thing that I am worried about is being able to fill up my poster board to show my extensive knowledge and research. That is a work in progress, and I am excited to showcase what I have created.

Blog #14: First Mentor Visit

12/4-12/11

This week was awesome! I had my first mentor visit with Dr. Truitt. The drive down to south dallas was pretty challenging, for there was so much construction around the hospital. I saw him again, and we talked a lot about my upcoming original work submission. Dr. Truitt amazed me with how fast he was spitting out ideas and information about what could possibly be my original work. Brainstorming these ideas, I was completely hooked on switching my topic of my original work. Dr. Truitt then took me down to the sim lab, where we saw a lot of the surgery simulations through screens, and I watched him do a simulation of a colonoscopy, which was very cool. We went back to his office and talked a little more about the original work, some logistics for dress, and we set up our next visit for this coming Friday at 12:00pm. Dr. Truitt also explained to me how he will be in London in January, but I have no worries about anything that is coming up for my time in ISM. This week was an incredible week with many huge steps towards what I have wanted to accomplish. Until next week!

Blog #13: Updating

11/26-12/3

This past week was a really good week in ISM. I scheduled my first mentor visit for Thursday of this week, and I updated my digital portfolio in full; including Blogs and Interview Assessments. In preparation for my first mentor visit this week, I bought really comfortable scrubs to wear just in case I need them instead of my suit. When I tried them on, it was hard to believe how comfortable they were. This week, I need to make sure to print out the mentor papers before my first visit, including the mentor important dates, and the things to cover so I know for future reference - like what to wear and what to bring. I am fairly nervous for my first visit, but I know it will help me so much going forward into my understanding and acquisition of new information. I have no idea what Dr. Truitt will have me do, but I am sure even spending time with one of his students would be so beneficial. This week, unfortunately, I was supposed to have my ISM Research Showcase invitations printed and mailed, but I had to completely remake them, for they were not the right size. I am still having trouble finding a print online software that does not charge me over sixty dollars for twenty cards, so hopefully my dad will be able to help me. However so, I am excited for what this week has in store for me!

Blog #12: First Research Speech

11/14-11/20

This was a pretty eventful week in ISM. I gave my first long speech, detailing over my research up to this date. I talked about three minutes over the allotted time, but I just felt like there were some important things to touch on, such as some of the details in some of my interviews. I also proceeded to say the word “um” a lot, when I was needing to keep talking but could not think of words to think on the spot. I feel like if I would have taken out the filler words, I would have made a much cleaner and smooth speech. It was by far the longest speech that I have ever made, though. This week, I received confirmation that Dr. Truitt’s background check was confirmed, so I am free to start having mentor visits. This is so exciting to me. I cannot wait to begin learning from him and maybe even some of his students. That atmosphere for learning is incredible and I cannot wait to be a part of it. I should be able to start mentor visits in the next few weeks. This past Friday hit me like a truck. I had so much stuff to turn in by the deadline, and I was afraid that I would not be able to finish it. I am glad that I worked some in class and glad that I was able to finish it on time. This week was a great week!

Blog #11: Mentorship Confirmed!

11/6-11/13

This week was incredible. A new chapter of ISM has started for me; the mentorship part. I asked Dr. Truitt this past week to be my mentor. Within 30 minutes, he responded with a yes, and my heart just melted. He was my third interview, and after that, I already knew I wanted to work under him. His compassion, kindness, and willingness to teach is incredible. He was very quick to my request of a background check for FISD, and I truly think he is the best that I could have asked for. I am so excited to learn from him and his students. My mentor visits will start probably in the next two weeks. I am worried that my parents will want to drive me to Dallas and not leave me on my own, but I guess it could be a good thing. In the end, I still get to learn from Dr. Truitt, so I really do not think that anything could have the potential of destroying my experience. I wish there was a better way to express my gratitude towards him and his time. I am truly so grateful for what he has done for me so far, and I cannot wait to see where I will be in a few weeks.

Blog #10: Original Work Beginning

9/30-10/5

This week went pretty smoothly for me in ISM. I did not get around to asking one of the people that I interviewed to be my mentor, but I am capable to do so because I have finished my last interview. I completed my Original Work Proposal earlier today, and I have to say that I am fairly nervous to create something of such large quantity and time. I feel like it will take me more time than just a minimum of twelve hours, but it will significantly benefit my future research.It is over the cleanliness of hospitals, which could mainly be applied anywhere, to any medical building. I have planned to create an article detailing how to keep a medical facility clean, and how important it is to do so, maybe further even detailing the dangers of some of the bacteria that is found and transmitted throughout the hospital. Today, November 6th, I asked a very successful surgeon to be my mentor. I am awaiting his response, and I cannot believe how anxious I am to see if he will agree to being my mentor. That will be exciting news for me this week, and if he says no, I will know that it is just one door closing to open up another. Although that would be unfavorable, I have to know how to take no for an answer. I am so excited.

Blog #9: Ready to Ask

10/23-10/29

This week was a very successful week in ISM. I finished my last interview this afternoon with a very kind bariatric surgeon, and gained insight into college and becoming a surgeon after high school. We did not really talk about much of her profession, but we talked about my near future and how it is going to change. I really rethought becoming a surgeon for a moment because she had told me about the large time commitments that I would need to give to a job, spending almost no time with a significant other. It kind of bothered me, but it does not mean that I am not going to try. The good news though, now that I have finished all of my interviews, I get to ask one of the people that I met to be my mentor. I am terrified of being shut down, but I am so excited for the opportunities to come through a mentorship. This week, I plan to ask one of the doctors that I met to be my mentor - we will see how that goes. This past week, I was also able to update my research portfolio binder, but I didn’t turn it in, which breaks my heart. Just like the ISM 2 students, I am starting to have an attachment to that binder. It has all of my hard work and effort in it for this whole year, and it is something that I can be proud of. I am excited for this week!

Blog #8: What’s an Assessment?

10/15-10/22

This week was fairly busy in ISM. The most stressful thing this past month was definitely having a research assessment and an interview assessment all due on the same day. Granted, I could have worked ahead but I guess I just fall to procrastination all the time. This week will be the same way, I will have two assessments due on Friday. Unlike last week, I am planning to work ahead on Wednesday to relieve some stress for Friday. I am still waiting and looking forward to my last interview so that I can get a mentor and further my study. One thing that I wish I would have done better these past few weeks is definitely getting ahead on my interview assessments, but I have struggled very much with that because of all of my AP courses. This week has definitely been rough for my emotional status, but I am pushing through and hauling loads to get on top of my work. I am glad that I have my head above the water in ISM, and I hope to keep it like that this next week. The next time I post, I will have completed my five total interviews and I am so grateful to at least be on top of that. Until next week!

Blog #8: What’s an Assessment?

10/15-10/22

Blog #7: Getting the Hang of It

10/9-10/15

This week was pretty slow. In ISM, I completed two major grade assessments; one interview assessment and one research assessment. It took me a lot less time than I thought I would need, which worked out to my benefit. I wrote my interview assessment being super cautious that I didn’t just summarize the interview, but I put my personal touch to it while applying it to my life. I have one interview assessment due this Friday, and I am already on top of what I am writing, so I feel ahead. Going forward, I have scheduled my last interview. The young lady works in Frisco, so it will be very convenient to meet her and learn about her profession. I am excited to complete all of my interviews and assessments done. At this point in the year, I truly believe that I am getting the hang of ISM. I do not feel overwhelmed anymore, and I feel as if I am succeeding through the course. I know that will be a different story when my final product comes around, but for now I am going to enjoy it. I cannot wait until I start my mentorship, and I am thrilled, yet worried, to ask. The worst they could say is no, right? Not the end of the world in my perspective.

Blog #6: Ahead of the Game

10/2-10/9

I had another great interview this week! Dr. Hafford was new to the profession, just starting her private practice. I could definitely tell that it was a long stride for her in med school and residency, but I feel like she is happy where she is now. Her smile and laugh were just captivating. She was incredibly welcoming and accepting of my presence and many questions. I also had the Business Symposium this week. I met two incredible professionals. Although they were not in my field of study, they were both very supportive and passionate in what they each talked about. I got two very constructive and helpful feedback cards from them. With the cards, they really reiterated my self-confidence and how I carry myself, so I am grateful for that. I also was able to talk with other students who were studying a wide variety of topics. I realized how ahead I was. I have four interviews under my belt, while some have not gotten around to contacting professionals. I feel blessed to have been pushed to my limits by Coach Goff, and I know that It is truly benefiting me today in this course. I always have felt like I was behind in this class, but I have a new perspective.

Blog #5: Informational Interviews

9/22-9/29

Well, my first three interviews are done. I am so incredibly happy with this week. I met so many amazing, incredible, intelligent people who are so willing to help and who are extremely welcoming. On Tuesday, I met Dr. Gary Schwartz, a thoracic surgeon in dallas, who was so kind and willing to help my research. I saw two of his patients in the Intensive Care Unit, one who was bleeding out of her stomach feeding tube, and the other a patient who was in respiratory failure from influenza. I was amazed at how good of a leader that Dr. Schwartz was in talking to his residents and students. On Wednesday, I met Dr. Steven Schierling, a general surgeon in Irving. Dr. Schierling was very informational about politics and minimally invasive surgery which was very eye opening, considering that I had had no knowledge of politics in the medical perspective. I also got to use The Da Vinci Surgical Machine to try and manage it through games and surgical simulations. It was very hard to use for my coordination skills - I had a much easier time with using my actual hands. On Friday, I met a trauma surgeon named Dr. Michael Truitt. Dr. Truitt was incredibly intelligent, very supportive, and showed great leadership in his position. He took liberty in teaching his resident students and showed me around almost the entire hospital. We also attended to a convention that was only being held once a year. Dr. Truitt was a very passionate person, which was very infectious to me. Overall, this week went amazing and I am so glad to have met such amazing people. This week, I will be working on my research assessments and sending out the rest of my Thank You cards to the very nice doctors that were willing to meet with me.

Blog #4: New Beginnings

9/18-9/24

This past week, I started on my research portfolio. I have a three inch, white binder labeled “GENERAL SURGERY”. My 100 plus sheet protectors are ready to be filled with my research, interview assessments, and blogs. I have also finalized my résumé, and I am still debating whether to show the professionals to ask for recommendations or suggestions. Everything that has led up to this point in ISM is all becoming a reality. I have my first interview tomorrow with a thoracic surgeon in Dallas, and I am really feeling the anxiety. I also have an interview on Wednesday with a general surgeon and I am getting the opportunity to tour his Operating Room, and I am very excited about that. Despite the worries, I am so excited to finally start doing this, and reaching out into the world. By this time, next Monday, I will have conducted four interviews! I feel like I am somewhat prepared, since I have my Résumé, questions, and suit ready. Coach Goff has been so supportive of the students, and I feel so motivated. Unfortunately, I am missing a lot of school and band this week due to my interview schedule, but I have already communicated with my teachers about the conflicts with their classes.

Blog #3: Contacting Professionals

9/11-9/17

This week, I have to say, was a pretty monumental week for me.After connecting to a multitude of surgeons and doctors in the Dallas area through LinkedIn, I got multiple responses from people who were willing to help me and my project. Not only did I manage to stay on top of my classwork, but also set up two interviews - one next week on Tuesday 9/27, and one Monday October 2nd. I am so thrilled to be branching out into the professional world, but I am so nervous. Everything is starting to become real now, and I cannot fathom where I am going to be in two weeks. This next week, I am planning to do two follow-ups with doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and if all goes well, I will have scheduled two more informational interviews to gain insight and profound knowledge about these amazing people and their jobs. To be completely honest with myself, with the emails and messages sent back and forth to these doctors, they are so kind and accepting of my requests to set up interviews. My goal as far as classwork goes for this next week is to keep my digital portfolio updated with my research assessments and to fix the main tabs for the interview assessments. I believe that this next week will be fantastic!

Blog #2: Research into Informational Interviews

9/4-9/11

Through this week in ISM, I took huge steps. My research is getting deeper and more focused on certain areas in my topic, which will benefit me greatly. I have finalized my contact list, which most of my selected people are doctors from UT Southwestern in Dallas, all of which have very impressive and accomplished portfolios. That was probably the most incredible thing for me. I came across so many talented, accomplished, and skillful people through my research for contacts. I feel intimidated, to an extent, for I know that the interviews, cold calls, and reach-outs are coming up soon - probably in the next week or two. However, despite my anxiousness, I am so excited to see what doors are going to open for me through this program and my pursuit in the professional world. This next week, I am aiming to go even more into depth in my research to further help me in my knowledge of surgery. I want to research a procedure that general surgeons frequently do, like appendectomies. I believe that I can research for only so long though... The next big step is the informational interviews, which I know will truly be helpful. I am sincerely excited for the opportunities to come, and cannot wait for the next step.

Blog #1: The First Weeks

8/21-9/3

My first two weeks in ISM hit me like a truck. Not only did I miss the first class, but I became super overwhelmed with how the class is structured. Contrary to what most classes are structured like, this course turned out to be completely self-guided. My instructor, Miss Goff, spent about fifteen to thirty minutes explaining what was expected of us every class, which was greatly appreciated on my end. After I started doing some of the assignments, my anxiety was relieved: I learned how much work typically came with each week, and I realized how much time in class I had to do it. The second week, I made a speech about my topic that I had chosen: surgery. The students who were in their second year of ISM spoke first, and their speeches were amazing. As soon as I got up to make my presentation, I began to breathe really fast and I could feel the overwhelming anxiety take over. As soon as I got out of my own head, I became glad that I was up there speaking for my peers. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to make a speech, and I feel like it will be beneficial to me going forward. After completing my first Research Assessment, the most time-consuming thing to do was to find an article that could help my knowledge and to annotate it on my computer. I am aware of what to look for now in an article, and I have all the necessary tools to complete my assessment. In this next week, I want to go more in depth with the things that I am researching, including learning more terminology. I truly think that if I am continuing to keep myself accountable, I can be successful in this course.

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