Hey there,
Well first semester was quite good (mainly because I was new to the whole thing). Second semester is better in terms of the course work because it's more interesting (as we're doing systemic/gross anatomy and particular histology as opposed to the general histology and topographic anatomy we did the 1st sem.) but it's definitely much harder....and i'm really feeling burned out already. I really want a vaccation....a looong vaccation.....it's quite surprising that you mentioned Dan Kameny's blog. I read it too and indeed it's quite depressing. A lot of it is quite true to be honest but eventually you get through the 6 yr. program and trust me, if you can get through the 6 yr. program here, you can get through anything (coz the standards of passing and doing well are quite high). So don't get discouraged in anyway because once you get into med school, the course work load may itself seem too overwhelming (and it's completely normal to feel frustrated, depressed, burned out etc.), but at the end, you should just learn to conquer that problem and get back on track (which i need to do).

The thought that I have 5 more years is a bit frustrating and scary but I guess it'll pass. Once summer vaccation approaches (in 3 months!!! hopefully), I should be fine...and I guess I'll be repeating another episode of the first year in the 2nd year too (ie. if I can keep up with the work load). But in general, most of the people I've spoken to say that the first 3 yrs. are quite hard, the 4th yr. is quite easy and then the 5th and the 6th years are again quite hard (mainly due to the state examinations at the end of the courses which one MUST pass to get the MD/MUDr. degree)