I have spent the last month working the night shift, or "Owl Team" as we call it. Which is why you haven't heard from me in a while (at least, I'd like to blame it on the schedule, and not me being a crappy friend). Despite the fact that all I did when I got home was sleep until my next shift, and the fact that I spend my weekends trying to switch back to a normal schedule only to switch back to nights again, I think it was one of my favorite months.
We had the best team. It's a lot of time to spend with 6 other people, and I couldn't have asked for a better group. We not only had fun, but I felt like I learned a lot from my seniors, trusted my fellow interns, and felt like a part of the team. Between the movies, board games, potluck dinners, and coffee martinis...oh wait, we were supposed to be working? In all honesty, it was a slow month in terms of overnight admissions (not sure it was the same during the day), and even on the days when it seemed like the pager would never stop beeping, we had it pretty good.
It was really surreal to be the ones in charge of the teams at night. There are ICU and ER docs in house overnight, but basically, we're covering most of the hospital. I was the one getting paged about patients, putting in orders on new patients, following up on lab results, and deciding whether to wake up the attending for those middle-of-the-night-could-be-an-emergency issues. All of a sudden, I feel like a real doctor--when did this happen?!?! Of course, my wonderful seniors were also there every step of the way, for those kids we had to send to the ICU, or the ones who routinely had CO2 levels over 100 (okay, that was just one patient), or the ones going home on hospice. I learned a ton from them and am starting to feel more comfortable making decisions on my own. Trust me though, when I get to the PICU next year, all of this comfort will turn to utter terror. We'll jump off that bridge when we get there. For now, Owl Team, I will miss you.
Next up: Red Team
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
This is Gold
I'm at work tonight...3 more nights left after tonight. Woohoo! Although, let's be honest...am I really looking forward to Red Team? NO. Capital both letters. Tonight started off rough and I screamed at my pager one too many times (not my proudest moment). But at least I manage to leave it all in Housestaff and not take it out on anyone. Case in point: I answered a page, just like the 50 before it...
Her: 6 Henson, this is Erin
Me: Hey Erin, it's Laura with the Gold Team
Her: Do they make you work all the time?
Me: Why? Does it seem like I'm always here?
Her: Yeah, well you're always calling. But you're always so nice about it, so thanks.
Me and Her: unrelated medical things about why she paged me...
Okay, so at least she thinks I'm handling the work load well. Cause most days I want to throw the pager (note: dropping it on the floor and knocking the battery out is NOT enough to break it, even though it may temporarily disable the screen).
Can't wait for Friday morning Happy Hour!
Her: 6 Henson, this is Erin
Me: Hey Erin, it's Laura with the Gold Team
Her: Do they make you work all the time?
Me: Why? Does it seem like I'm always here?
Her: Yeah, well you're always calling. But you're always so nice about it, so thanks.
Me and Her: unrelated medical things about why she paged me...
Okay, so at least she thinks I'm handling the work load well. Cause most days I want to throw the pager (note: dropping it on the floor and knocking the battery out is NOT enough to break it, even though it may temporarily disable the screen).
Can't wait for Friday morning Happy Hour!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Very merry
Still reveling in the Resident Holiday Party glow. What a fun night! Great turnout, kids included. Delicious food (mini cheesecakes = YUM!). Laughter, Christmas carols (plus some Journey for good measure). And a few uncensored moments for the memory books.
I feel very blessed to be able to work in an environment with so many wonderful people and where I can be myself (there may have been an interpretive dance involved).
Here's to 2 1/2 more years!
I feel very blessed to be able to work in an environment with so many wonderful people and where I can be myself (there may have been an interpretive dance involved).
Here's to 2 1/2 more years!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Residency 1.5: Teen Clinic
I finished up my month of Adolescent Medicine. Rather than try to think back and summarize the whole month in one post, I thought I would share some of what we learned at a training seminar that the department got to do while I was there, because I think it's an intriguing idea for anyone who tries to motivate change in others.
They brought in a consultant to talk about risky behavior in teenagers and how to talk to them about it. One activity had us come up with scenarios of risky behavior we would like to change in our patients (drug use, unprotected sex, unhealthy eating, etc), but then to think about what we were asking the teenager to risk by giving it up. For example, one patient that we used as an example was a heavy marijuana user, who also happened to have suffered a fair amount of loss in her life. We typically say, "Smoking pot is a risky behavior; you could end up doing a lot of stupid and dangerous things when you're high, plus it's a gateway drug, so just stop." But asking her to stop is risky too. If she stops smoking pot, she risks not only the loss of her current social support, but also part of her identity, and maybe most importantly, her mechanism for coping with grief. When you look at it from her standpoint, it's not so easy to say "Just stop smoking pot; it's dangerous" because for her, it may feel more dangerous to quit. It doesn't justify risky behavior, but if we look at what we're asking our patients to risk by following our advice, we may be able to help them find alternatives that are acceptable.
If only we had the time to go through this with all of our patients. That's one thing that I continue to find frustrating about being in the clinic, whether it's Teen Clinic or my regular continuity clinic: the lack of time to cover everything I want to with my patients and their families. How do you find the time to talk about diet, exercise, school, safety, discipline, sleep, drugs, depression; not to mention things like stomach pain, headaches, back pain, and other vague chronic symptoms that could be anything. There's not enough time in the day, let alone in one appointment slot. I always leave feeling like I've let my patients down. It's super frustrating, and the alternative is to just not care and stop mentioning all those things. If anyone has the magic answer, let me know.
So now I'm off to Owl Team (aka Night Shift). It will be hard on my psyche and my social life to be working nights, but it's supposed to be a fun month. I'll let you know how it goes.
They brought in a consultant to talk about risky behavior in teenagers and how to talk to them about it. One activity had us come up with scenarios of risky behavior we would like to change in our patients (drug use, unprotected sex, unhealthy eating, etc), but then to think about what we were asking the teenager to risk by giving it up. For example, one patient that we used as an example was a heavy marijuana user, who also happened to have suffered a fair amount of loss in her life. We typically say, "Smoking pot is a risky behavior; you could end up doing a lot of stupid and dangerous things when you're high, plus it's a gateway drug, so just stop." But asking her to stop is risky too. If she stops smoking pot, she risks not only the loss of her current social support, but also part of her identity, and maybe most importantly, her mechanism for coping with grief. When you look at it from her standpoint, it's not so easy to say "Just stop smoking pot; it's dangerous" because for her, it may feel more dangerous to quit. It doesn't justify risky behavior, but if we look at what we're asking our patients to risk by following our advice, we may be able to help them find alternatives that are acceptable.
If only we had the time to go through this with all of our patients. That's one thing that I continue to find frustrating about being in the clinic, whether it's Teen Clinic or my regular continuity clinic: the lack of time to cover everything I want to with my patients and their families. How do you find the time to talk about diet, exercise, school, safety, discipline, sleep, drugs, depression; not to mention things like stomach pain, headaches, back pain, and other vague chronic symptoms that could be anything. There's not enough time in the day, let alone in one appointment slot. I always leave feeling like I've let my patients down. It's super frustrating, and the alternative is to just not care and stop mentioning all those things. If anyone has the magic answer, let me know.
So now I'm off to Owl Team (aka Night Shift). It will be hard on my psyche and my social life to be working nights, but it's supposed to be a fun month. I'll let you know how it goes.
E-S-A-R-I-N...
It's 4 in the morning..."the phone on the wall is ringing so loudly, I'm sick of it all" never mind all you non-Will Hoge fans...
Anyways, sidetracked. It's 4 in the morning. I'm starting nights tonight, so this is my attempt to stay up and then sleep the day away. A nap and a latte and so far so good. I'm trying to motivate myself to brave the 29 degrees to run over to the gym and work out. So not working. Instead, I'm watching "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," a book I read not too long ago and wondered how they would turn it into a full-length film. It's amazing how with such a simple story, and no true dialogue with the main character, they can still make you feel the despair of locked-in syndrome. I started thinking about what it would be like to communicate one letter at a time. To be completely paralyzed except the ability to blink, and only one eye at that (his other was stitched shut because he was unable to keep it moist enough after the stroke). How painfully slow it would be to get out a complete thought; how horribly impatient I would be. What would I want to say? What would you want to say? Makes blogging seem a bit superfluous, doesn't it?
Anyways, sidetracked. It's 4 in the morning. I'm starting nights tonight, so this is my attempt to stay up and then sleep the day away. A nap and a latte and so far so good. I'm trying to motivate myself to brave the 29 degrees to run over to the gym and work out. So not working. Instead, I'm watching "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," a book I read not too long ago and wondered how they would turn it into a full-length film. It's amazing how with such a simple story, and no true dialogue with the main character, they can still make you feel the despair of locked-in syndrome. I started thinking about what it would be like to communicate one letter at a time. To be completely paralyzed except the ability to blink, and only one eye at that (his other was stitched shut because he was unable to keep it moist enough after the stroke). How painfully slow it would be to get out a complete thought; how horribly impatient I would be. What would I want to say? What would you want to say? Makes blogging seem a bit superfluous, doesn't it?
Monday, November 15, 2010
A big girl bed
Last night as I was getting into bed, I decided I was done. Finito. I'd had it. My back hurt too much to keep sleeping on this stupid mattress. I'm getting a new one. And there just so happens to be a Mattress Firm across the street having a big sale. Well, I'm feeling all consumer savvy because I am in the Bargain section and being very firm about not wanting to try the floor models or buy a new boxspring cause I don't need it. So the salesman is being very nice and obliging my comparing Mattress A and Mattress B while I roll from back to side to other side. And with one question, my sails deflate: "Who is this bed for? You? Or...a child?" Ugh. I am SO not a grown-up. I have my own car, my own apartment, a medical degree, and my very own Bananagrams, but I am STILL sleeping in a CHILD'S BED! I felt about 12 years old (does NOT help that said salesman is young and attractive). Upshot? I got a new mattress. Hopefully goodbye, back pain and hello, REM sleep. But leave the night light on.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Down for the count
Are you looking for a way to tell 100% if it's time for you to throw in the towel and just go home sick from work? You're in luck. I have it. If you find yourself gripping the wall in the hallway while the world turns black, then checking out a patient to the attending while lying on the workroom floor with your feet elevated to keep enough blood flow to your brain to keep from passing out...it's time to go home. (Though, admittedly, not as bad as: If you find yourself being the patient in a Code Blue while seeing a consult...true story, not me, my fellow 'tern.) Not sure what I was thinking even going in to work, since the hour before work had me dry-heaving into my trash can and lying on the floor curled up in a ball with my hands spasming and my body wracked with chills, but sure, I can make it through a full day of work seeing sick patients, no problem. Yeah, just give up. Admit defeat. Go home, sleep on the couch for 5 hours, eat a whole bag of Goldfish Saltine crackers, go back to sleep. And maybe by the weekend, you'll be up for playing in the football tourney, even though you haven't worked out all week and only today made it through work without feeling nauseated. We'll see how that works out.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Really need it, gotta have it, to survive...
Today was Birthday Cake Day at Housestaff--first Housestaff of every month means a giant half-white, half-chocolate cake celebrating all birthdays that month, and since I can never decide which to get, I get...both. Turns out I'm not the only one using someone else's momentous day for my sugar high. I caught a fellow resident "edging" the cake after Housestaff--you know exactly what that is, you've all done it, using the knife to just "even out" the end of a row, just to clean it up a little--and it just looked so tempting that I had to have a second piece (except since I'd already had one of each, I guess it was a third piece, except I still wanted both flavors, so it was really third AND fourth. But small pieces). Then I went off to do something else and come back and now the chiefs are using the spatula and a fork to scrape all the scraps and crumbs (and some more edges) together onto a plate. They called it "cleaning up." Like I'm fooled. Oh, missed a dab of icing--get it! So, of course, I joined them. Was the fact that we were nauseated from sugar going to stop us? NO! Eat through it! Well, now I'm coming down from the sugar high and definitely feel sick. Maybe not the best exercise in self-control.
Oh well!
Oh well!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Baby, Baby, Baby, Oooh
I don't even know any Justin Bieber songs. I had to look up the lyrics to "Baby" (turns out, they're not that creative, I probably could have guessed). Nevertheless, it's a pretty great pumpkin we did, don't you think? Also, I ate my weight in pumpkin desserts last night. Bad. Idea. Happy Halloween!Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Residency 1.4: Gold Team
Well, this is a few days late, sorry. You would think that now that I'm not on inpatient anymore, I'd have plenty of time for updating, but the fact that I don't have to be at the hospital for 13 hours a day means that I have a life: Gold Team dinner at Spin, Sisterhood, pumpkin carving contest (um, yes we did carve a Justin Bieber pumpkin), etc.
Gold Team was so many things, and I'm almost re-exhausted thinking about trying to write about it all. It's Endocrine (mostly new diabetics=easy) and GI (mostly a pain in the butt). There was some cool pathology that we saw (Wilson's disease, protein-losing enteropathies, autoimmune hepatitis) but mostly it was chronic abdominal pain kids and their crazy parents. There was one room I had to stop going into on rounds; I would wait outside, because otherwise I might have become very hateful. I think two things were about equally frustrating. 1) There was nothing medical we could offer these kids; the things that would help make them better (psych therapy, family therapy, etc), we couldn't really offer in the acute inpatient setting so they didn't get any better, and 2) They wouldn't accept that so we kept having to run expensive, meaningless tests to satisfy their neuroses. It's not the kind of medicine I want to practice. And yet it's so entrenched that there's not much changing it, which is also frustrating, because I don't want to bow to the system in defeat.
Apparently Gold Team is like this for everyone and you just laugh it off. And laugh we did. We made up all sorts of jokes to get us through, and I really did enjoy the day to day interactions with the team, in a I-am-so-ready-to-be-done-with-this kind of way.
This month is Teen Clinic (pray for me!)
Gold Team was so many things, and I'm almost re-exhausted thinking about trying to write about it all. It's Endocrine (mostly new diabetics=easy) and GI (mostly a pain in the butt). There was some cool pathology that we saw (Wilson's disease, protein-losing enteropathies, autoimmune hepatitis) but mostly it was chronic abdominal pain kids and their crazy parents. There was one room I had to stop going into on rounds; I would wait outside, because otherwise I might have become very hateful. I think two things were about equally frustrating. 1) There was nothing medical we could offer these kids; the things that would help make them better (psych therapy, family therapy, etc), we couldn't really offer in the acute inpatient setting so they didn't get any better, and 2) They wouldn't accept that so we kept having to run expensive, meaningless tests to satisfy their neuroses. It's not the kind of medicine I want to practice. And yet it's so entrenched that there's not much changing it, which is also frustrating, because I don't want to bow to the system in defeat.
Apparently Gold Team is like this for everyone and you just laugh it off. And laugh we did. We made up all sorts of jokes to get us through, and I really did enjoy the day to day interactions with the team, in a I-am-so-ready-to-be-done-with-this kind of way.
This month is Teen Clinic (pray for me!)
Friday, October 22, 2010
Week's end
Two days off this week = AWESOME!
Lots of fun things this week: haircut (some might not think so fun, but it was for me), Mass, a night out on the Plaza (new Gap jeans!), trip to the Ethnic Foods and Pastry Sale! (um, YUM!), some walks in the beautiful fall air, sleeping in, a great Castle episode as usual, another good night of Sisterhood (complete with my re-enactment of the entire Handel's Messiah scene from "It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown"), and
Theology on Tap.
<--Kataifi (shredded filo dough and honey and walnuts and delicious!)
Trying to cram in as much as I can while still working 80 hours a week is pretty exhausting, but we're THIS CLOSE to being done with Gold Team, and I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT. This has been a loooooooonnnnnngggg month. More on that soon. For now, off to the Cashew!
Lots of fun things this week: haircut (some might not think so fun, but it was for me), Mass, a night out on the Plaza (new Gap jeans!), trip to the Ethnic Foods and Pastry Sale! (um, YUM!), some walks in the beautiful fall air, sleeping in, a great Castle episode as usual, another good night of Sisterhood (complete with my re-enactment of the entire Handel's Messiah scene from "It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown"), and
Theology on Tap.<--Kataifi (shredded filo dough and honey and walnuts and delicious!)
Trying to cram in as much as I can while still working 80 hours a week is pretty exhausting, but we're THIS CLOSE to being done with Gold Team, and I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT. This has been a loooooooonnnnnngggg month. More on that soon. For now, off to the Cashew!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Doing it for the kids
We had our Intern Retreat this weekend. It was a nice break, to have some social time and some protected non-work time to learn more about our class and ourselves. Friday night we hit up the Power and Light district (my first time truly down there) for some Pizza Bar/Howl at the Moon action. It was loud and fun and lots of laughing. At the piano bar, we sang along poorly and dramatically, and even got a message up on the mirror (you just had to beat the previous bid to get your statement up there--unfortunately, I left JUST before they put it up, darn!).
Saturday morning was Myers-Briggs time. I've done it enough that it's fun for me to just sit back and enjoy figuring out what other people are. They even made the program directors participate. The Introverts and Extroverts split up to plan an ideal evening, and I was so relieved that there are other people out there who love slippers and RedBox and pizza instead of going out all night. Some of us said we wouldn't mind one or two friends, but Andie said, "I find myself very fascinating." Also, I am slowly moving across the T/F scale towards the Feeling side, which at first I was surprised at, until I compared the ISFJ (what I am now) with the ISTJ (what I used to be) description and discovered I really am more F than T.
Here's me: desire to be of service and to minister to individual needs...the least hedonistic of all types (sweet tooth notwithstanding)...adhering to an established way of doing things...irritation is turned inward and may be experienced as fatigue and muscle tension (Dr. Hoffman said she needs a monkey on her back to give her a massage when she's on service; she's an ISFJ too)...practical and down-to-earth, and embarrassed when people do not behave as they are supposed to...frequently overworked...etc.
Not quite sure about the "displays a flair for making the interior of the home attractive in a time-honored style" HA!
Saturday morning was Myers-Briggs time. I've done it enough that it's fun for me to just sit back and enjoy figuring out what other people are. They even made the program directors participate. The Introverts and Extroverts split up to plan an ideal evening, and I was so relieved that there are other people out there who love slippers and RedBox and pizza instead of going out all night. Some of us said we wouldn't mind one or two friends, but Andie said, "I find myself very fascinating." Also, I am slowly moving across the T/F scale towards the Feeling side, which at first I was surprised at, until I compared the ISFJ (what I am now) with the ISTJ (what I used to be) description and discovered I really am more F than T.
Here's me: desire to be of service and to minister to individual needs...the least hedonistic of all types (sweet tooth notwithstanding)...adhering to an established way of doing things...irritation is turned inward and may be experienced as fatigue and muscle tension (Dr. Hoffman said she needs a monkey on her back to give her a massage when she's on service; she's an ISFJ too)...practical and down-to-earth, and embarrassed when people do not behave as they are supposed to...frequently overworked...etc.
Not quite sure about the "displays a flair for making the interior of the home attractive in a time-honored style" HA!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Silver lining
One night last month, I was in the ED and one of my patients had this huge gaping forehead wound, open down to the skull, and he had even damaged his facial nerve and couldn't raise his eyebrow. He didn't seem bothered by it...until we tried to numb him up. Holy cow. I don't think I've ever seen a kid this upset. Intranasal Versed didn't touch him. It took the magic of the Child Life Representative (aka My Hero) and an hour and 40 minutes to stitch him back up without putting him under. It was my first layered closure (with the first two done by the attending) and my first running subcuticular (a more technical stitch than your typical simple interrupted, for better cosmetic result). It was EXHAUSTING. And when I got done, I felt like a total failure for how difficult the whole thing had become. I felt like I should have been able to somehow keep it from escalating into a screaming meltdown, and I should have sewn more quickly.
Well, fast forward to today, when I got a lovely email from the attending I worked with that night. She had gotten a call from the plastic surgeon who was following him up in clinic, who said that the wound had closed beautifully and he had even regained some nerve function. He was calling to say well done. Totally made my day. Like I'm not totally a failure at this doctor stuff after all.
Well, fast forward to today, when I got a lovely email from the attending I worked with that night. She had gotten a call from the plastic surgeon who was following him up in clinic, who said that the wound had closed beautifully and he had even regained some nerve function. He was calling to say well done. Totally made my day. Like I'm not totally a failure at this doctor stuff after all.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
See you next...
I love fall. I love the changing leaves and jeans weather and football (especially football)! I love the pumpkins and the corn and the apple cider. I love the first sweatshirt day of each new fall, snuggling into it and feeling so cozy. I especially love when sweatshirt day and Birkenstock day overlap, like they did this week. I love the briskness and the smells and the anticipation. Welcome back, old friend. I've missed you.
I miss this
I miss thisThursday, September 23, 2010
Residency 1.3: GOMER, Jr.
The Emergency Department. What can I say? A haphazard blend of the sickest of the sick, the accident prone, the unlucky, and the stupid. Yup, the stupid. I am not trying to be mean, but how else do you explain the mom who brings her kid in at one in the morning with a chief complaint of "crying for two hours" and then sits in the room watching "Wizards of Waverly Place" while I try to examine her (sleeping) child? Or the parents whose kids are running around in the dark at ten o'clock at night who just happen to run face first into a pole and bite through their lip? Put your children to bed!
I don't mean to be (that) cynical. In fact, though we complain a lot about people bringing in their kids for the most random and bizarre of reasons, the truth is that many (I don't know if I would go so far as to say a majority, though) of the kids do need to be there. And it's a little terrifying and a little thrilling to be able to be their doctor while we figure out what is wrong and, hopefully, fix them.
The ED is an interesting place, at the same time one of the highest stress and most laid back places (probably because they LIKE being high stress). On the high stress end, yesterday we had a cardiac kid come in with fast breathing and suddenly they're doing chest compressions and intubating and bed-side chest tube and central line. But on the other hand, there's always plenty of chocolate (think giant donut-shaped cakes and huge bags of assorted miniatures) and teasing to go around ("I just called you another bad name in my head"), and the camaraderie there is unmatched. The nurses and pharmacists are way on top of their game, which is super helpful to fledgling doctors like myself. And they let nearly-completely-untrained people stitch up kids' faces and stick needles in people. It's great! (Okay, don't be too worried, I am trained...ish)
I had a lot of firsts this month--first LP, first sickle cell crisis, first rule out child abuse, first homicidal ideation, first I&D, first (second third fourth fifth etc) doing stitches on an awake patient. And I have a lot still left to see (no codes, no major traumas, no deaths), but overall a very good month.
Next up...Gold Team!
I don't mean to be (that) cynical. In fact, though we complain a lot about people bringing in their kids for the most random and bizarre of reasons, the truth is that many (I don't know if I would go so far as to say a majority, though) of the kids do need to be there. And it's a little terrifying and a little thrilling to be able to be their doctor while we figure out what is wrong and, hopefully, fix them.
The ED is an interesting place, at the same time one of the highest stress and most laid back places (probably because they LIKE being high stress). On the high stress end, yesterday we had a cardiac kid come in with fast breathing and suddenly they're doing chest compressions and intubating and bed-side chest tube and central line. But on the other hand, there's always plenty of chocolate (think giant donut-shaped cakes and huge bags of assorted miniatures) and teasing to go around ("I just called you another bad name in my head"), and the camaraderie there is unmatched. The nurses and pharmacists are way on top of their game, which is super helpful to fledgling doctors like myself. And they let nearly-completely-untrained people stitch up kids' faces and stick needles in people. It's great! (Okay, don't be too worried, I am trained...ish)
I had a lot of firsts this month--first LP, first sickle cell crisis, first rule out child abuse, first homicidal ideation, first I&D, first (second third fourth fifth etc) doing stitches on an awake patient. And I have a lot still left to see (no codes, no major traumas, no deaths), but overall a very good month.
Next up...Gold Team!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Around the world in 12 1/2 hours
I know you were all on the edge of your seat for part two of our Orlando Adventure. Wait. No. Longer!
So...Epcot. It's kinda like 2 parks in one. Future World--rides and activities involving space, technology, environment, etc.--and World Showcase--11 "countries" to sight-see, eat, be entertained, shop, etc. Once again, I made my family get up early and get to the park before it opened, because I had heard that if you didn't get in a ride Spaceship: Earth like 10 minutes ago, you were going to have to stand in line for 3 hours and then you would never get to eat at the French bakery EVER. So, naturally, we had to be first in line. Well...we must have gone to Epcot at the intersection of a full moon and the summer equinox and I'm sure pigs were flying somewhere because, I kid you not, there were no lines ANYWHERE! I mean, there were lots of people, yeah, whatever. But we waited longer in said French bakery than we did anywhere for rides. We walked straight onto Test Track TWICE. So, I felt kinda dumb for doing all this research and making a big deal about how we have to get fast passes and do this and then do this. But in the end it all worked out. We did just about everything (I mean, not EVERYTHING...seriously the place is massive), but I have very few regrets about what we missed (a little more time in England, Italy, and Germany would have been nice).
I won't bore those of you who have been to Epcot by explaining what each of the activities and rides are. Well, maybe a bit. We got to lead our own space mission to Mars (kinda made me sick, but kinda cool that it was like space training, we got assignments and things), got to design and ride our own rollercoaster (I think ours was like the Frozen Ostrich or something), rode through the Epcot Greenhouse with some freaky looking plants, like dragon fruit and a huge tomato tree, and saw dolphins play in the Nemo Aquarium
.
But the real fun, of course, was the countries, and the real fun there, of course, was THE FOOD! French quiche and eclairs, German brats and beer, Moroccan couscous and falafal, Italian cannoli--Yum! And yes, Mary had a cheeseburger in America. Awesome. The Voices of Liberty Choir was really good, as was The British Invasion. And one of my favorite things was playing the "What do they call that in Britain?" game with another set of twins from Florida and after we ran through the whole list (including me shouting out "Torch" for "flashlight" in a VERY British accent by accident--I got excited, ok?), we all got celebratory Epcot buttons. Thank goodness for watching too much Harry Potter and James Bond.
Wish I had more pictures to show you. I just have a few that are on Facebook, nothing really exciting as we were literally too excited to get around and do everything to bother stopping for pictures.
So, there you go. Until next time...
So...Epcot. It's kinda like 2 parks in one. Future World--rides and activities involving space, technology, environment, etc.--and World Showcase--11 "countries" to sight-see, eat, be entertained, shop, etc. Once again, I made my family get up early and get to the park before it opened, because I had heard that if you didn't get in a ride Spaceship: Earth like 10 minutes ago, you were going to have to stand in line for 3 hours and then you would never get to eat at the French bakery EVER. So, naturally, we had to be first in line. Well...we must have gone to Epcot at the intersection of a full moon and the summer equinox and I'm sure pigs were flying somewhere because, I kid you not, there were no lines ANYWHERE! I mean, there were lots of people, yeah, whatever. But we waited longer in said French bakery than we did anywhere for rides. We walked straight onto Test Track TWICE. So, I felt kinda dumb for doing all this research and making a big deal about how we have to get fast passes and do this and then do this. But in the end it all worked out. We did just about everything (I mean, not EVERYTHING...seriously the place is massive), but I have very few regrets about what we missed (a little more time in England, Italy, and Germany would have been nice).
I won't bore those of you who have been to Epcot by explaining what each of the activities and rides are. Well, maybe a bit. We got to lead our own space mission to Mars (kinda made me sick, but kinda cool that it was like space training, we got assignments and things), got to design and ride our own rollercoaster (I think ours was like the Frozen Ostrich or something), rode through the Epcot Greenhouse with some freaky looking plants, like dragon fruit and a huge tomato tree, and saw dolphins play in the Nemo Aquarium
.
But the real fun, of course, was the countries, and the real fun there, of course, was THE FOOD! French quiche and eclairs, German brats and beer, Moroccan couscous and falafal, Italian cannoli--Yum! And yes, Mary had a cheeseburger in America. Awesome. The Voices of Liberty Choir was really good, as was The British Invasion. And one of my favorite things was playing the "What do they call that in Britain?" game with another set of twins from Florida and after we ran through the whole list (including me shouting out "Torch" for "flashlight" in a VERY British accent by accident--I got excited, ok?), we all got celebratory Epcot buttons. Thank goodness for watching too much Harry Potter and James Bond.
Wish I had more pictures to show you. I just have a few that are on Facebook, nothing really exciting as we were literally too excited to get around and do everything to bother stopping for pictures.
So, there you go. Until next time...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Up to no good
Oh, how to put into words the experience that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I mean, I can show you all the pictures and tell you about all the details down to Moaning Myrtle in the bathrooms and moving photos in The Daily Prophet. Pretty much it was like we were in Hogwarts. Just picture yourself there. And that's what it was like. And the Butterbeer! Oh, the Butterbeer! Creamy, foamy, bubbly, delicious, perfect Butterbeer. If I were the chemist who perfected that one, I would retire, because, seriously, what career move is going to top that one?
Heaven in a glass!
Okay, so I really could blog every detail and love it, but that would bore you (or maybe not, if you're a true Potter fan), but I'll settle for some highlights, and then I can get some real work done.
1. Hogwarts. If you're like me and have already read up all there is to read about the park, you know that the whole line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Ride #1) is an experience in itself. You walk through all the areas of Hogwarts, from the Herbology greenhouse to the Gryffindor Common Room, from the Great Hall to Dumbledore's office, and the details are just fantastic. The moving portraits are by far one of the greatest achievements of the designers, because they look like portraits, not screens, until they start moving. Because there was no line (not complaining) since we went first thing in the morning, we moved a little fast through everything, and probably could have gone through a second time and still not seen everything, but overall, awesomeness.
Welcome to Hogwarts
2. The storefronts. Again, the attention to detail was amazing. While waiting to go into Ollivander's, you walk past rumbling bludgers trying to get out of the Quidditch crate, stacks of Gilderoy Lockhart's books with him waving from the cover, screaming mandrakes, storefront dress robes on floating mannikins, etc.
3. The Dragon Challenge. A ride VERY well done. Again, the details while you go through line, through the Champion's Tent, past the crates with the dragons in them--awesome. Then you pick your dragon--Hungarian Horntail or Chinese Fireball (we went with the latter). You are suspended from the top with the track above you, which allows for a very unique ride, and then the dragons depart at the same time--released to fight each other--and spend the ride twisting, flipping, and flying straight at each other before veering upwards in a loop. I think I screamed the whole way. And maybe drooled on myself a little. At any rate, I couldn't even walk straight when we got off, had to grip the wall for several steps.
4. The FOOD. Okay, really the highlight of everything. I mean, see above for the Butterbeer description. But also, all the sweets at Honeydukes--treacle fudge (really unique taste), cauldron cakes (Mary said it was awesome), chocolate frogs, ton tongue toffee, pumpkin juice. Plus the Three Broomsticks fare of turkey legs, cornish pasties, roasted corn, Hog's Head Brew, chocolate trifle--holy cow, I'm full again just thinking about it. Yum.
All aboard!
So yeah, that was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'll try to find time soon to fill you in on Day 2: Epcot (warning, more raving about delicious food).
Heaven in a glass!Okay, so I really could blog every detail and love it, but that would bore you (or maybe not, if you're a true Potter fan), but I'll settle for some highlights, and then I can get some real work done.
1. Hogwarts. If you're like me and have already read up all there is to read about the park, you know that the whole line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Ride #1) is an experience in itself. You walk through all the areas of Hogwarts, from the Herbology greenhouse to the Gryffindor Common Room, from the Great Hall to Dumbledore's office, and the details are just fantastic. The moving portraits are by far one of the greatest achievements of the designers, because they look like portraits, not screens, until they start moving. Because there was no line (not complaining) since we went first thing in the morning, we moved a little fast through everything, and probably could have gone through a second time and still not seen everything, but overall, awesomeness.
Welcome to Hogwarts2. The storefronts. Again, the attention to detail was amazing. While waiting to go into Ollivander's, you walk past rumbling bludgers trying to get out of the Quidditch crate, stacks of Gilderoy Lockhart's books with him waving from the cover, screaming mandrakes, storefront dress robes on floating mannikins, etc.
3. The Dragon Challenge. A ride VERY well done. Again, the details while you go through line, through the Champion's Tent, past the crates with the dragons in them--awesome. Then you pick your dragon--Hungarian Horntail or Chinese Fireball (we went with the latter). You are suspended from the top with the track above you, which allows for a very unique ride, and then the dragons depart at the same time--released to fight each other--and spend the ride twisting, flipping, and flying straight at each other before veering upwards in a loop. I think I screamed the whole way. And maybe drooled on myself a little. At any rate, I couldn't even walk straight when we got off, had to grip the wall for several steps.
4. The FOOD. Okay, really the highlight of everything. I mean, see above for the Butterbeer description. But also, all the sweets at Honeydukes--treacle fudge (really unique taste), cauldron cakes (Mary said it was awesome), chocolate frogs, ton tongue toffee, pumpkin juice. Plus the Three Broomsticks fare of turkey legs, cornish pasties, roasted corn, Hog's Head Brew, chocolate trifle--holy cow, I'm full again just thinking about it. Yum.
All aboard! So yeah, that was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'll try to find time soon to fill you in on Day 2: Epcot (warning, more raving about delicious food).
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Are You Gonna Drink That?
KC Irish Fest on Friday. I was out to celebrate my other cool ethnic 1/8. They dyed the fountain green (awesome!) and had the traditional fish'n'chips, shepherd's pie, corned beef sandwiches (wish I could have just eaten there all day), and some really awesome musicians that made you just have to jig a little. I found the Ryan family crest in the heritage area; and it matches the one in my grandparents' bedroom, wouldn't ya know. And got to play a little DDR too. Slainte!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Residency 1.2: Blue Team
Oh man, what a crazy month. My first inpatient month was on Blue Team = Cardiology kids and Cystic Fibrosis. It's so not as fun telling all the crazy stories when I have to explain all the medical jargon, so I apologize in advance that you may not understand everything.
And were there EVER crazy stories!
My first night was a 30 hour call, and despite not having a freaking CLUE about what I was doing or how to deal with a critically low potassium, I managed to get about 4 hours of sleep, and I thought, well this isn't so bad. Apparently, it was just an illusion. I think we did set some sort of record for number of transfers TO the PICU (supposed to be the other way around)--something like 12 or 15 for the month, including, get this, the same patient THREE TIMES! We literally just laughed the last time she came out to us, because the previous two times, she was on the floor less than 2 hours before she was back in SVT and back in the Unit. Our rounds were frequently interrupted by someone going into SVT (adenosine pushes can be fun!), someone developing a hemothorax from 3, count them THREE broken sternotomy wires (and the intensivists wondered why her breathing didn't improve with Lasix...cause you can't pee blood off), or someone whose heart just happens to pause for 6 seconds at a time on a regular basis. THAT was a fun EKG. And that's not counting the kid who came to the Pulm service from clinic on 15 L non-rebreather with sats in the 60s. Oh yeah, sounds like floor status to me!
Okay, enough medical jargon. I hope someone out there is reading this who understands all that and understands how ridiculous it all is.
Some more stories:
I had this really funny cystic fibrosis teenager who kept hiding her pancakes from us every time we came in cause she thought we were going to steal them. And another 8 year old post-heart-surgery girl who I told that she had to be eating and stooling normally before she left, so the next day when we walked in, she started singing "Eat and poop! Eat and poop!" It was hilarious. There were some frustrating cases, like the 23 year old end-stage cystic fibrosis girl that was too depressed to want to get better, and the kid whose mom disagreed with everything we said and thought we were intentionally hurting her daughter, like giving her Decadron that made her cross-eyed. Most days I laughed more than not, sometimes in disbelief at what was happening, but overall it was good.
In non-medical terms, I had 2 amazing senior residents watching my back and occasionally kicking my butt into gear; I eventually became comfortable making fairly minor decisions on my own; and I got really good at eating 2 breakfasts every day so that I wouldn't pass out on rounds.
And now, on to the Emergency Room, which terrifies me, but they say the kids on Blue are sicker than the kids in the ED, so I should be okay. See you in another month!
And were there EVER crazy stories!
My first night was a 30 hour call, and despite not having a freaking CLUE about what I was doing or how to deal with a critically low potassium, I managed to get about 4 hours of sleep, and I thought, well this isn't so bad. Apparently, it was just an illusion. I think we did set some sort of record for number of transfers TO the PICU (supposed to be the other way around)--something like 12 or 15 for the month, including, get this, the same patient THREE TIMES! We literally just laughed the last time she came out to us, because the previous two times, she was on the floor less than 2 hours before she was back in SVT and back in the Unit. Our rounds were frequently interrupted by someone going into SVT (adenosine pushes can be fun!), someone developing a hemothorax from 3, count them THREE broken sternotomy wires (and the intensivists wondered why her breathing didn't improve with Lasix...cause you can't pee blood off), or someone whose heart just happens to pause for 6 seconds at a time on a regular basis. THAT was a fun EKG. And that's not counting the kid who came to the Pulm service from clinic on 15 L non-rebreather with sats in the 60s. Oh yeah, sounds like floor status to me!
Okay, enough medical jargon. I hope someone out there is reading this who understands all that and understands how ridiculous it all is.
Some more stories:
I had this really funny cystic fibrosis teenager who kept hiding her pancakes from us every time we came in cause she thought we were going to steal them. And another 8 year old post-heart-surgery girl who I told that she had to be eating and stooling normally before she left, so the next day when we walked in, she started singing "Eat and poop! Eat and poop!" It was hilarious. There were some frustrating cases, like the 23 year old end-stage cystic fibrosis girl that was too depressed to want to get better, and the kid whose mom disagreed with everything we said and thought we were intentionally hurting her daughter, like giving her Decadron that made her cross-eyed. Most days I laughed more than not, sometimes in disbelief at what was happening, but overall it was good.
In non-medical terms, I had 2 amazing senior residents watching my back and occasionally kicking my butt into gear; I eventually became comfortable making fairly minor decisions on my own; and I got really good at eating 2 breakfasts every day so that I wouldn't pass out on rounds.
And now, on to the Emergency Room, which terrifies me, but they say the kids on Blue are sicker than the kids in the ED, so I should be okay. See you in another month!
Monday, August 23, 2010
The doctor will see you now
Today reminded me why I want to be a doctor (wait, I already am, that's weird). I had 3 of the cutest patients in clinic today, including a well child check/sports physical for a 10 year old boy that are just at that phase between childlike bluntness and openness and teenage awkwardness and coming into their own personality. I love it. I love the chance to shape a life. And the four year old who told me right off the bat "I don't need no shots today" and wondered "Is this a place that gives cookies?" And despite the chaos of clinic, I really like being in a room with my colleagues and mentors, where we can just chat and get support and learn from each other.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dear Patient...
When you are a patient in the hospital, your world is pretty small. All you know (especially if you're on isolation precautions and can't leave the room) is one tiny room, the TV channels that get streamed in (Nintendo Wii if you're lucky), the room service menu that's available, and the people that wander in and out throughout the day. If you're like most, you'll see your resident (and possibly a medical student) in the morning, then the whole team will come by on rounds, crowd your room, talk about you like you're not there, and gawk at you in general.
When they leave, that's it. You'll wonder what the heck goes on the rest of the day and where that doctor is and why they always seem so rushed. You're just focused on getting better and don't understand why tests take so long to run, why you have to stay another day when you're feeling so well, or why you can't stay an extra day to play Bingo (this happened today).
I know that for you, it may be your first time being sick, taking medicine, having surgery, getting an MRI, etc. So please be patient with us when we forget. Because for us, you are one of 18 patients we have to take care of. We spend the rest of the day writing notes, admitting new patients, discharging people who are ready to go home, calling consulting services, ordering new labs and medicines and tests, going to lectures, reading about your disease, and following that one patient who seems intent on a one-way ticket back to the ICU.
I say that not as an excuse, but so that you understand that I wish it were different. I wish I could spend all day with you and not in front of a computer. But know that even though we don't see you, we're thinking about you all day long, talking about you, learning about you, problem-solving for you. So go easy on us, and remind us when we forget, what it's like to be you.
When they leave, that's it. You'll wonder what the heck goes on the rest of the day and where that doctor is and why they always seem so rushed. You're just focused on getting better and don't understand why tests take so long to run, why you have to stay another day when you're feeling so well, or why you can't stay an extra day to play Bingo (this happened today).
I know that for you, it may be your first time being sick, taking medicine, having surgery, getting an MRI, etc. So please be patient with us when we forget. Because for us, you are one of 18 patients we have to take care of. We spend the rest of the day writing notes, admitting new patients, discharging people who are ready to go home, calling consulting services, ordering new labs and medicines and tests, going to lectures, reading about your disease, and following that one patient who seems intent on a one-way ticket back to the ICU.
I say that not as an excuse, but so that you understand that I wish it were different. I wish I could spend all day with you and not in front of a computer. But know that even though we don't see you, we're thinking about you all day long, talking about you, learning about you, problem-solving for you. So go easy on us, and remind us when we forget, what it's like to be you.
Monday, August 16, 2010
More than fine
Yesterday I treated myself to one of my few indulgences...a double-tall half-caff, non-fat, 2 pump sugar-free extra hot vanilla latte. Mmmm. It makes me warm and fuzzy just saying it. But really, that's not the point of the story. As I walked up to the counter, the barista asked how I was. I answered my typical, "Pretty good, how are you?" without even giving it much thought. Her answer? "Better than blessed." It made me stop and think. And as I headed to the other side of the counter to grab my morning pick-me-up, I said, "Hope you continue to have a blessed day." She said, "Thank you, I needed to hear that." And the truth was that I probably needed to hear her answer in the first place. A reminder that even though we ask "How are you?" as a substitute for "Hi" and that we rarely listen for the answer, that doesn't mean that even this small interaction can't be a place to share God's grace, to touch a life. A reminder that every encounter with someone is a chance to brighten their day. My dad is so good at this, at taking the little moments and using it to really be present to someone, and it's something I strive to be better at. So thanks, Blessed Barista Lady, for being my real morning pick-me-up. And may you all have a better than blessed day!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Residency 1.1
One month down. And since I start bright and EARLY tomorrow, this will be a quick post as to my first month as a doctor. My goal is to do this for every rotation, so I remember what it was like, and so you can share the journey with me. Forgive my tired brain.
I spent my first four weeks as a doctor in the Rheumatology Department, the land of gray (as in, nothing is black and white). Despite often not finding a definitive diagnosis, I became more confident in my ability to say it wasn't anything serious and got really good at recommending supportive shoes for flat feet (does this really work???). I worked with some amazing doctors who really LOVE their patients and love teaching and, yes, who love complaining about some of the stupid things parents do and say.
For example, the mom who was absolutely convinced that her son "caught" his rheumatoid arthritis from a girl with chicken pox at church camp. Hey, whatever works.
And I had those dreaded ER shifts. I'm told that after my full month down there, it will be a lot better, because I'll be much more comfortable, but for now, it is NOT my favorite place in the hospital. My first night was a disaster, for multiple reasons, but thankfully, it has gotten slightly better, and I now know how to order prescriptions correctly (though still can't get the right printer every time) and how to answer an overhead page (THAT was a funny experience the first time). And I know that even if I eat a snack RIGHT beforehand, watching the ortho resident reduce an ulnar/radial fracture will still make me want to pass out. Guess I will sit down next time.
Tomorrow starts a crazy month of 80 hour weeks, early mornings, very sick patients, and probably the start of me feeling like a real doctor, for real.
I spent my first four weeks as a doctor in the Rheumatology Department, the land of gray (as in, nothing is black and white). Despite often not finding a definitive diagnosis, I became more confident in my ability to say it wasn't anything serious and got really good at recommending supportive shoes for flat feet (does this really work???). I worked with some amazing doctors who really LOVE their patients and love teaching and, yes, who love complaining about some of the stupid things parents do and say.
For example, the mom who was absolutely convinced that her son "caught" his rheumatoid arthritis from a girl with chicken pox at church camp. Hey, whatever works.
And I had those dreaded ER shifts. I'm told that after my full month down there, it will be a lot better, because I'll be much more comfortable, but for now, it is NOT my favorite place in the hospital. My first night was a disaster, for multiple reasons, but thankfully, it has gotten slightly better, and I now know how to order prescriptions correctly (though still can't get the right printer every time) and how to answer an overhead page (THAT was a funny experience the first time). And I know that even if I eat a snack RIGHT beforehand, watching the ortho resident reduce an ulnar/radial fracture will still make me want to pass out. Guess I will sit down next time.
Tomorrow starts a crazy month of 80 hour weeks, early mornings, very sick patients, and probably the start of me feeling like a real doctor, for real.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Making our speaking English good
I love walking to the library.
Reminds me of when I was a kid and would hunt the shelves each week for the new Cam Jansen or Encyclopedia Brown, and then spend the week closing my eyes and saying "Click" or studying handwriting to see if someone is left- or right-handed. I remember the double automatic doors and the round checkout counter, and the carpeted tables in the kids' section. I remember the hollow sound of returned books thumping the bottom of the bin, and signing my first library card in my newly-perfected cursive. We used to walk out of there with stacks and stacks of books, and they would never last until the next trip.
I know that I don't have time to finish stacks and stacks anymore, unless of course I break out the Hardy Boys again. But walking home with a few books tells me that it's summer, and that my free time, however limited, will be well-spent. Happy reading.
Reminds me of when I was a kid and would hunt the shelves each week for the new Cam Jansen or Encyclopedia Brown, and then spend the week closing my eyes and saying "Click" or studying handwriting to see if someone is left- or right-handed. I remember the double automatic doors and the round checkout counter, and the carpeted tables in the kids' section. I remember the hollow sound of returned books thumping the bottom of the bin, and signing my first library card in my newly-perfected cursive. We used to walk out of there with stacks and stacks of books, and they would never last until the next trip.
I know that I don't have time to finish stacks and stacks anymore, unless of course I break out the Hardy Boys again. But walking home with a few books tells me that it's summer, and that my free time, however limited, will be well-spent. Happy reading.
How can I miss you if you won't go away?
Things I miss about home (that I got to miss a little less this weekend):
Big Bill's garlic knots
Lunch on the deck
Big Bill's sausage and green pepper pizza
Daily Mass at STM
Friends who will go with me to the new (delicious) fro-yo place...and Big Bill's
Attic fan on with the windows open
Seeing Mary and Kelly stumble into the kitchen around noon when they finally wake up
Alas, I am back in KC. A wonderful trip, and now I am going into panic mode before I start Blue Team on Friday. Just to clarify...whose idea was it to put me on a 30 hour call my first day on inpatient, followed by a short call on Sunday? You're just asking to run behind. I'm just saying.
Big Bill's garlic knots
Lunch on the deck
Big Bill's sausage and green pepper pizza
Daily Mass at STM
Friends who will go with me to the new (delicious) fro-yo place...and Big Bill's
Attic fan on with the windows open
Seeing Mary and Kelly stumble into the kitchen around noon when they finally wake up
Alas, I am back in KC. A wonderful trip, and now I am going into panic mode before I start Blue Team on Friday. Just to clarify...whose idea was it to put me on a 30 hour call my first day on inpatient, followed by a short call on Sunday? You're just asking to run behind. I'm just saying.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hint: It's not dancing
My attending asked me this week what I was passionate about (over a beer at Grinders, which I highly recommend), saying that it's something he asks all those he interviews. If they can't answer, they either aren't passionate about anything, or they're not self-aware enough to know (or they're embarrassed to say). Frankly, I'd rather work with someone passionate about something totally weird than someone who has no passion at all, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about your bird's trip to the vet and how many words he can say.
So I started thinking about what I was passionate about. Not just things I like. Cause I like tubing, but I'm not going to take every free weekend and find a lake. I like a good beer, but not enough to join the tour at Old Chicago or apparently enough to get my butt on one of those brewery tours. I like music, but am too lazy to really even find songs I like on iTunes. It's like, meh, whatever.
And I'm like that about a lot of things. But you gotta really love something. I think it's important to have something that will get you riled up, something you look forward to, something that you do with your free time and spare change. Besides my pillow, and loving to hate my pager (which I don't yet, but will soon), I came up with this brief list:
USWNT soccer
Bragging/telling stories about my family
14ers (and Colorado in general as the best place on earth)
Jane Austen
Burn Notice, Castle, Firefly
coffee (mostly Starbucks, don't judge)
Italian food
Removing olives from the world
the Catholic Church
kids getting their vaccines
Nothing surprising really, but that's okay. At least it's enough for an interview. (Maybe they don't wanna hear about olives) What about you?
So I started thinking about what I was passionate about. Not just things I like. Cause I like tubing, but I'm not going to take every free weekend and find a lake. I like a good beer, but not enough to join the tour at Old Chicago or apparently enough to get my butt on one of those brewery tours. I like music, but am too lazy to really even find songs I like on iTunes. It's like, meh, whatever.
And I'm like that about a lot of things. But you gotta really love something. I think it's important to have something that will get you riled up, something you look forward to, something that you do with your free time and spare change. Besides my pillow, and loving to hate my pager (which I don't yet, but will soon), I came up with this brief list:
USWNT soccer
Bragging/telling stories about my family
14ers (and Colorado in general as the best place on earth)
Jane Austen
Burn Notice, Castle, Firefly
coffee (mostly Starbucks, don't judge)
Italian food
Removing olives from the world
the Catholic Church
kids getting their vaccines
Nothing surprising really, but that's okay. At least it's enough for an interview. (Maybe they don't wanna hear about olives) What about you?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Maimed
I want to issue you a challenge. The following is taken from "My Utmost For His Highest", a devotional by Oswald Chambers.
"And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Matthew 5:30
Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off the right hand, but - If your right hand offends you in your walk with Me, cut it off. There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them. Your right hand is one of the best things you have, but, says Jesus, if it hinders you in following His precepts, cut it off. This line of discipline is the sternest one that ever struck mankind.
...The unspiritual person says - Whatever is wrong in that? How absurd you are! ... But it is better to enter into life maimed and lovely in God's sight than to be lovely in man's sight and lame in God's.
Think seriously today about all those things you do that may be "perfectly legitimate" by the world's standards, but hinder you in following God. Movies that may be funny but not pure, books that may be an "innocent escape", jokes or conversation topics that are okay with everyone around you but don't glorify God, music, artwork, TV, anything that draws our hearts towards earthly things and leaves it there. I'm not saying we cut out everything in our lives that isn't EWTN and KLOVE and "Lives of the Saints", for even Jesus had a job as a carpenter, spent time with His family, and ate and drank and laughed with His friends and with sinners too. But maybe we're too cavalier with how we spend our time and energy. What if the world saw us, and what they saw pointed them to something greater? What if we could look at truly everything we did and say, For the greater glory? It will be crazy to the world. It will be crazy even to a Christian world. Think about it.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday with Nelson, Atkins, and Me
If you know me (and if you don't, why are you reading my blog? Seriously, it's not that good), you know that I love things that make me feel artsy, like going to the symphony or plays or art museums. But I rarely go because I never have anyone to go with. Well, today, that was not excuse enough--I went to the art museum all by my lonesome. And it was won-der-ful. Got to set my own pace, skip what I didn't want to see, and best of all, it was FREE.
I love the emotions that art can evoke, the different styles and ways of representing things, and there were some really great well-known pieces, which were fun for me to see. They had some fantastic old Egyptian and Ancient Greek stuff, a few really cool religious pieces, and a fun contemporary collection, along with a big statue garden. Pictures of some of my favorites are below.
One of the cool contemporary pieces
Rodin's Adam. The Thinker was outside in the sculpture gardens. I used to play a computer game called Thinker, and ever since then I have wanted to see it in person. Check.
One of the giant Shuttlecocks out on the lawn, commissioned especially for the museum
Andy Warhol's Baseball
Caravaggio's Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness. Very cool.
I love the emotions that art can evoke, the different styles and ways of representing things, and there were some really great well-known pieces, which were fun for me to see. They had some fantastic old Egyptian and Ancient Greek stuff, a few really cool religious pieces, and a fun contemporary collection, along with a big statue garden. Pictures of some of my favorites are below.
One of the cool contemporary pieces
Rodin's Adam. The Thinker was outside in the sculpture gardens. I used to play a computer game called Thinker, and ever since then I have wanted to see it in person. Check.
One of the giant Shuttlecocks out on the lawn, commissioned especially for the museum
Andy Warhol's Baseball
Caravaggio's Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness. Very cool.Things that are fun about my new city
1. Fireflies. Yay! Now I have to finish my jelly so I can make a firefly jar and spend all my evenings at the park.2. Fun parks nearby. Here's me at Antioch Park across the street. There's a whole village for the kids to play in, including a jail (complete with a "secret escape tunnel"). I also have discovered Loose Park which is huge and beautiful and will be making future appearances in my life I'm sure.
3. Little Hugs drinks. 'Nuff said.4. My hands are silky smooth and I never need lotion (see, there is an upside to smothering humidity).
5. K-raig's t-shirt. And K-raig (he's K-raig 'cause we also have a C-raig). And all my fun new friends. I've found people to watch soccer with, people who know the "Denver the Last Dinosaur" theme song, people who carry footballs in their car "just in case", and people who make up songs about me while they brush their teeth (kind of endearing, kind of creepy).
Friday, June 25, 2010
Small Successes
I'm stealing Marie's idea (which she stole, so it doesn't count) of documenting my small successes, and come my first 30-hour call shift or Code Blue (that stupid alarm is already giving me heart attacks when it goes off), I will look back and say, "Wait, remember how Kansas City isn't a complete failure?" So here goes:
1. Successfully passed PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) training with flying colors. I now have an inkling of what will transpire during a potential code situation. However, if I show up and it's a real kid instead of a manikin, I may hide in a closet until it's over.
2. Planted fresh basil. It smells so amazing, and I didn't even have to buy potting soil because I found a "soil buddy" in my class who gave me some. I will also throw "bought garlic press and garlic" in this one because I am determined not to eat like crap while in residency. Please disregard the SIX frozen dinners and ice cream in my freezer.
3. Made some new friends. I know you all think I'm a natural friend-maker, but I consider it a not-so-small success to have attended three--count them, three--happy hours with my class, found World Cup watching buddies, organized a class trip to the Royals game on Monday, and even met a handful of new people through Rachelle who I have gotten together with all by myself (the new people, not Rachelle, but her too). I think I just moved one point over on the Meyers-Briggs I/E scale. Watch out, world!
4. Got my Kansas driver's license. Okay, so this is a mixed bag, because with it, my Colorado driver's license was demolished, (and I didn't actually get Kansas plates because my insurance doesn't start until tomorrow, so I still have to go back and sit at the DMV) but it means I'm slowly embracing this new life. Add to that my first paycheck--heck yeah!--and I'm well on my way.
Well, there you have it. I'm looking forward to "my last real free weekend ever" as one of the chiefs so nicely reminded us today. And still a little bit in denial about this whole residency thing starting in full force next Thursday. But I'll be fine. Just look at all I've accomplished already!
1. Successfully passed PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) training with flying colors. I now have an inkling of what will transpire during a potential code situation. However, if I show up and it's a real kid instead of a manikin, I may hide in a closet until it's over.
2. Planted fresh basil. It smells so amazing, and I didn't even have to buy potting soil because I found a "soil buddy" in my class who gave me some. I will also throw "bought garlic press and garlic" in this one because I am determined not to eat like crap while in residency. Please disregard the SIX frozen dinners and ice cream in my freezer.
3. Made some new friends. I know you all think I'm a natural friend-maker, but I consider it a not-so-small success to have attended three--count them, three--happy hours with my class, found World Cup watching buddies, organized a class trip to the Royals game on Monday, and even met a handful of new people through Rachelle who I have gotten together with all by myself (the new people, not Rachelle, but her too). I think I just moved one point over on the Meyers-Briggs I/E scale. Watch out, world!
4. Got my Kansas driver's license. Okay, so this is a mixed bag, because with it, my Colorado driver's license was demolished, (and I didn't actually get Kansas plates because my insurance doesn't start until tomorrow, so I still have to go back and sit at the DMV) but it means I'm slowly embracing this new life. Add to that my first paycheck--heck yeah!--and I'm well on my way.
Well, there you have it. I'm looking forward to "my last real free weekend ever" as one of the chiefs so nicely reminded us today. And still a little bit in denial about this whole residency thing starting in full force next Thursday. But I'll be fine. Just look at all I've accomplished already!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Montana Crimson
That is the color of my brand new couch. I love these names they come up with. Wish I could remember what they call my recliner color. I'll call it...mmm...espresso. That's pretty much what it looks like. I like to think my couch is more of a "high risk red" cause that's what my colorstrology color is. Not that I put a ton of stock in it, but I do love red, all things red, and if I want to say that being around it brings out my best qualities, who are you to argue? It's not your couch.
I'm all moved in, and here's what's been done since I arrived in the Land of Humidity.
Day 1: Sign lease, get a Broncos ATM card from US Bank, let a fly in the apartment (I know, Michelle, it's a pain), move lots of boxes, drip sweat, move really heavy desk and almost kill myself trying to come up the front step, fail at getting desk through bedroom doorway, almost have a meltdown, invite Rachelle over and watch how in 2 seconds she figures out how to get desk into bedroom, dinner at Denny's, sleep.
Day 2: Fill 2 shopping carts at Target yet still decline opening a Target Card, listen to torrential rain on the roof, waltz into Nebraska Furniture Mart (wait, what's it doing in Kansas?) and find clearance couch and killer recliner plus tables/lamp/bookcase and load it all in the U-Haul, watch it stop raining long enough to get furniture in the doorway, screw 12 table legs on with an Allen wrench thereby giving myself carpal tunnel syndrome (tragically, I can no longer hold a flashlight), more rain, Mass at my new potential home parish, finally figure out how to work the DVD player, STEAK'N'SHAKE (can you tell what's important?), sleep.
Day 3: Figure out bookcase is broken and will need 7 days to send replacement, buy one of everything at Hen House Market (except ketchup, dark chocolate, spicy brown mustard, and worchestershire sauce which I had to go back for), trip to the yuppie malls with Rachelle, more torrential rain (apparently my new rain jacket is not so effective at keeping my PANTS dry), watch While You Were Sleeping while unpacking, run in Antioch Park (read: the African jungle) set up NetFlix, make my first meal in the new apartment, fall asleep to MORE rain and a running toilet.
Day 4: Get butt kicked by Jillian Michaels' Yoga Burn, Blueberry pancakes (good nutrition is important), get library card, buy a new bike and accessories, have 3 of 4 maintenance requests checked off the list...waiting for more rain, praying that the money spending stops soon.
Well, there you have it. I've pretty much figured out my little 3 mile radius plus some of the nearby highways. Downtown will provide its own set of challenges. Here's to a new chapter. Stay in touch.
I'm all moved in, and here's what's been done since I arrived in the Land of Humidity.
Day 1: Sign lease, get a Broncos ATM card from US Bank, let a fly in the apartment (I know, Michelle, it's a pain), move lots of boxes, drip sweat, move really heavy desk and almost kill myself trying to come up the front step, fail at getting desk through bedroom doorway, almost have a meltdown, invite Rachelle over and watch how in 2 seconds she figures out how to get desk into bedroom, dinner at Denny's, sleep.
Day 2: Fill 2 shopping carts at Target yet still decline opening a Target Card, listen to torrential rain on the roof, waltz into Nebraska Furniture Mart (wait, what's it doing in Kansas?) and find clearance couch and killer recliner plus tables/lamp/bookcase and load it all in the U-Haul, watch it stop raining long enough to get furniture in the doorway, screw 12 table legs on with an Allen wrench thereby giving myself carpal tunnel syndrome (tragically, I can no longer hold a flashlight), more rain, Mass at my new potential home parish, finally figure out how to work the DVD player, STEAK'N'SHAKE (can you tell what's important?), sleep.
Day 3: Figure out bookcase is broken and will need 7 days to send replacement, buy one of everything at Hen House Market (except ketchup, dark chocolate, spicy brown mustard, and worchestershire sauce which I had to go back for), trip to the yuppie malls with Rachelle, more torrential rain (apparently my new rain jacket is not so effective at keeping my PANTS dry), watch While You Were Sleeping while unpacking, run in Antioch Park (read: the African jungle) set up NetFlix, make my first meal in the new apartment, fall asleep to MORE rain and a running toilet.
Day 4: Get butt kicked by Jillian Michaels' Yoga Burn, Blueberry pancakes (good nutrition is important), get library card, buy a new bike and accessories, have 3 of 4 maintenance requests checked off the list...waiting for more rain, praying that the money spending stops soon.
Well, there you have it. I've pretty much figured out my little 3 mile radius plus some of the nearby highways. Downtown will provide its own set of challenges. Here's to a new chapter. Stay in touch.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Silver and Gold
Imagine being in a room with 3 people who have over 170 combined years of practicing medicine. Imagine meeting 19 doctors from the class of 1960, a class which included only 5 women. Imagine walking onto the same field that the Broncos do every Sunday. Check. Check. Check.
Alumni banquet and awards ceremony for the University of Colorado School of Medicine--where all your dreams come true.
No, seriously, it was a cool night. A night where, yes, I sat through several presentations of awards whose qualifications no one will ever know and the process for choosing the recipients might remain equally mysterious. But, it was pretty inspiring to see a man who has been a physician for longer than my parents have been alive, telling us that we should never try to be good doctors. "Because good is the enemy of excellence." And it felt pretty posh to see the Invesco club suites and keg rooms (Broncos locker room off limits) and eat dinner with the most amazing view of the Denver skyline that I've ever seen. And it was entirely surreal to think that in 15 hours, we will all be doctors. Holy cow. There's no way to put it all into words, but I know that it's an honor I'm going to be sharing with some amazing people; people I'm very proud to call colleagues and friends.
And in 50 years, maybe we'll all be back in the same place, imparting wisdom to the next generation of physicians.
Alumni banquet and awards ceremony for the University of Colorado School of Medicine--where all your dreams come true.
No, seriously, it was a cool night. A night where, yes, I sat through several presentations of awards whose qualifications no one will ever know and the process for choosing the recipients might remain equally mysterious. But, it was pretty inspiring to see a man who has been a physician for longer than my parents have been alive, telling us that we should never try to be good doctors. "Because good is the enemy of excellence." And it felt pretty posh to see the Invesco club suites and keg rooms (Broncos locker room off limits) and eat dinner with the most amazing view of the Denver skyline that I've ever seen. And it was entirely surreal to think that in 15 hours, we will all be doctors. Holy cow. There's no way to put it all into words, but I know that it's an honor I'm going to be sharing with some amazing people; people I'm very proud to call colleagues and friends.
And in 50 years, maybe we'll all be back in the same place, imparting wisdom to the next generation of physicians.
Up, up, and away
Michelle and I did "The Incline" last weekend. It used to be some sort of railway near the cog railway up Pikes Peak. You can see it driving into Manitou Springs, an 8-foot dirt swath cutting through the mountain. The "No Trespassing" sign doesn't even cause people a second glance. The hike's about a mile, straight up. Huge steps, much more conducive to someone with far longer legs than I, and at an altitude guaranteed to raise your heart rate with every step. But how fantastic to be out enjoying another one of those "Colorado blue sky" days, working hard, enjoying the lack of humidity. I'm really gonna miss these. I highly recommend it if you're up for a morning challenge (it took us 2 hours round trip--the way down is almost 3 miles winding down the side of the hill). Maybe pair it with an ice cream cone in town when you get done.
From the top, looking straight down.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
No stoppin' me now
Well, I have officially completed all requirements of graduation so that the only thing between me and my MD is the passage of the next week. The past few days have been filled with my ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification which involved various simulations, performing CPR, learning drug doses. Important note: if you don't know what to do, the correct answer is 1 mg Epi, Amiodarone, shock 'em, or continue really effective CPR until someone else who knows what they're doing arrives. And that's basically 8 hours worth of class distilled down to essentials. Aren't you glad your doctors went through so much school?
Wish I could wax sentimental on the last four years, but I'm too stinking excited to do any profound reflection. I will say that they were difficult, exhausting, often demoralizing, but also enlightening, challenging (in a good way), and rewarding. And I'm really excited to put it all to good use. Just as soon as we make it through Senior Skits...brought to you by the MSA
*The picture is from nataliedee.com, though it was essentially made for these skits.
Wish I could wax sentimental on the last four years, but I'm too stinking excited to do any profound reflection. I will say that they were difficult, exhausting, often demoralizing, but also enlightening, challenging (in a good way), and rewarding. And I'm really excited to put it all to good use. Just as soon as we make it through Senior Skits...brought to you by the MSA
*The picture is from nataliedee.com, though it was essentially made for these skits.Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The whelping box
Monday, Hilary's dog Blaze gave birth to her puppies (called whelping, thus the box that you put her in so the puppies are safe when they are born; it's like a huge sandbox only without the sand). I was so thrilled to be able to share in the excitement. Unfortunately, there was also sadness to dampen the joy of new life: three of the puppies were stillborn. It was heartbreaking to see Blaze try to get them to start breathing and wondering if they were going to make it, and then to have to take them away so she could focus on the living ones. Still, it was incredible to witness the other puppies, just hours old, crawling around blind, completely reliant on their mother for food and protection. I wish we could have the good without the bad (as so often in life we do), but maybe it helps us appreciate things just a little bit more when we see how they can go wrong.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Mayflowers
So, it's the middle of May...there is snow on the ground. What gives? My flowers are hiding out in my garage (I suppose I should be grateful that they are mobile. Well, not by themselves actually. Michelle carried the pots inside.) and I'm ready to wear sandals. Such is Colorado. Honestly, except for worrying about the curse of my black thumb, I love the unpredictable weather. Because it means that in the middle of December I can be outside in a t-shirt playing basketball. Yup, totally worth moving the plants inside. Also, I was not aware until recently that tulips wind up their petals air-tight at night (probably because this involves having tulips and waking up early before they open for the sun) and there's a beautiful red and yellow one off the 2nd porch step just begging for a more competent photographer than myself (Rashy, get out here, now!) to immortalize it. For now, I'll just enjoy it, along with the cherry blossom tree and grape hyacinths that make our front yard look like a greenhouse.
Off to Omaha this weekend to see Mary GRADUATE! Holy cow, my sister is done with college. Good job, kid. You survived 4 years of soccer, 4 years of accounting, and most importantly, several trips to the Moon for a boot. Here's to you!
Off to Omaha this weekend to see Mary GRADUATE! Holy cow, my sister is done with college. Good job, kid. You survived 4 years of soccer, 4 years of accounting, and most importantly, several trips to the Moon for a boot. Here's to you!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Definition of a conversation piece
A 13-inch cupcake. No joke. This was what greeted us when we got back to the house after a delicious Pizza 51 stop with new friends. So, to have said giant cupcake, you not only need a birthday to celebrate (as one would expect), you need someone with a giant cupcake mold, 2 boxes of cake (I can't even remember the last time I had strawberry cake), about 2 cups of pink frosting, and enough non-pareils to cover the 100-square-inch top. And it was...delicious. Throw in stories about breaking your arm "playing football" (read: tripping in a parking lot while chasing a football) and memories of dodgeball recruitment and you have a recipe for goodness. Kansas City is going to be a fun ride.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Zoo Day!
Today we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for Sue's birthday. Normally, I'm kind of a "seen one zoo, seen 'em all" kind of person, cause animals don't really change that much, but this zoo had some cool stuff, from being able to feed the huge herd of giraffes, to the twin baby golden lion tamarins, to the hippo show, to the grizzly bears, okapi, beavers, spectacled bear, baby orangutan, mountain tapir--so many amazing, wonderful creatures that God has created, some of them apparently just for the laughs. Plus, we had beautiful weather, peach pie, and there were boxing giraffe pens in the gift shop. Wonderful!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Almost...
Today was my last day of rotations as a medical student. Wow. Hard to believe it's over. This was a great month--a lot of learning, a great team, lots of cool cases and fun patients. Like the 4 year old boy today who told us all about the "cilia and mucous and skin and lymphocytes and stomach acid" that are his bodies natural defenses. I'm not kidding, this boy was super cute, and had a very advanced vocabulary for a 4 year old. I mean, I'm pretty sure I didn't know "lymphocyte" until I was at least 6. I do love getting to play doctor full-time. Makes me pretty excited to be a real doctor, even though it terrifies me at least as much as it excites me. Or twice as much.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Game. Set. MATCHED.
Well, kids, it's official. I'm headed off to Kansas City for my pediatrics residency. It was my top choice, so of course I'm excited, but much more than that, I'm relieved that I finally know, and a little overwhelmed with everything that's in store for me. Like up and moving to a brand new city, on top of becoming a doctor and starting residency. And having to live in Chiefs territory. Yikes.
Match Day yesterday was intense. You can read a little about it and watch a decent video HERE. I'm so glad Michelle and my parents were able to join me. It really did feel like quite the historic occasion.
So, THANK YOU for your prayers to this point, but don't stop now. I need them more than ever as I finish out and embark on this new journey. I will probably be moving in early to mid-June. I'll keep you posted.
Here's the program I will be at if you're curious.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dare to Dream: The Story of My Childhood Heroes
So, a couple years ago, I got Michelle this video, "Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team", an HBO documentary chronicling the rise of the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) from the inception before the 1991 World Cup through Gold in Athens in 2004. The story focused on the Fab Five: Mia Hamm (joined the USWNT at 15), Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly (most international games of any soccer player, male or female, EVER), Joy Fawcett (called "Mama Joy" because she had 3--THREE!--kids while playing for the USWNT), and Brandi Chastain. These women, along with a few others, like Michelle Akers and Carla Overbeck, basically carried women's soccer for 17 years, playing together and experiencing triumph and heartache. They took their sport from utter obscurity to the spotlight, when more than 90,000 people watched them win the World Cup in the Rose Bowl in 1999--the most attended women's sporting event in history.
Fab Five win Olympic Gold in AthensSo, yesterday, with some time to kill, I finally sat down and watched it. Best. Decision. Ever. Having followed these women from probably 1994 until their final game together on December 8, 2004, and even since then, I knew most of the story, but was inspired nonetheless by their endless dedication, competitive spirit, groundedness, and friendship. To quote a very famous cucumber, "I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob."
If you ever want to borrow the movie, or have me talk your ear off about my heroes, I'd be happy to oblige. I'm a firm believer that everyone should know the story of those who proved to the world that women athletes were, in fact, just athletes.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Everybody's Irish
Lots of green. Free beer. Exercise. Oh yeah, and snow. Well, not quite your typical Runnin' of the Green, but we made it, and we had fun. Happy St. Patty's Day, everyone.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Real Chicks do Colorado
This past weekend, I went up to Snow Mountain Ranch for some high-quality mountain fun. Real Chicks--a women's outdoor adventure group from Omaha--let me and Michelle tag along for their first out-of-state excursion.
Sunday morning we had our own personal "Winter Survival" course, taught by one of the YMCA guides. We learned how to build snow caves, dig snow trenches, and go sledding on shovels (very important). Said shovels are also useful for snow baseball. Then we were off for the sledding hill, complete with girly screams, wipeouts, and Flat Stanley rock climbing.
After "clean out the fridge" lunch, we were off for the "Intermediate Snowshoe" hike in RMNP. Our 64-year-old guide had blazed the trail for us the day before, and so we galavanted all over the mountain near Grand Lake, also complete with girly screams, wipeouts, and Flat Stanley.
Dinner in Grand Lake was well-earned, and a great end to a great day. We sampled some of the Grand Lake Brewery ales (yes, it was called "Wooly Booger"), the best chili fries I've ever had, and made our own red carpet commentary to the Oscars.
Thanks, Chicks, for letting us crash your party. What a wonderful day to enjoy Colorado! Now I just have to recover in time for the Running of the Green next weekend.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Bucket, part deux
It's now been a year since my first posting of my Bucket List, and I thought it time to add/update the list. I think it's important to keep setting goals and achieving dreams, so if you don't have your own List going, get moving.
Since last year, the only one on the previous list that I've checked off (and really, if it was only gonna be one, it's a good one) was the WPS game. I came close to the hotdog stand by getting a Chicago dog at Wrigley Field, and got to ride the L, which mostly fulfills my While You Were Sleeping dreams. For other things I've done this past year, which weren't necessarily on the list, but were still awesome, see the first part of this post.
Additions to the Bucket List:
Go to Ireland
See Shakespeare performed live (high school theater doesn't count)
Make Greek food
Learn to dance
Fly first class
Hike the Incan Trail
Brewery Tour
Learn more Spanish (working on this one)
A Vesper martini
Should get a few more checked off in the next year...happy listing!
Since last year, the only one on the previous list that I've checked off (and really, if it was only gonna be one, it's a good one) was the WPS game. I came close to the hotdog stand by getting a Chicago dog at Wrigley Field, and got to ride the L, which mostly fulfills my While You Were Sleeping dreams. For other things I've done this past year, which weren't necessarily on the list, but were still awesome, see the first part of this post.
Additions to the Bucket List:
Go to Ireland
See Shakespeare performed live (high school theater doesn't count)
Make Greek food
Learn to dance
Fly first class
Hike the Incan Trail
Brewery Tour
Learn more Spanish (working on this one)
A Vesper martini
Should get a few more checked off in the next year...happy listing!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Going for Gold
Some favorite Olympic moments so far:
Lindsey Vonn's Gold. For me, hands down, probably the most triumphant moment of the games, just barely ahead of
Evan Lysacek's Gold. The gracious way he handled the ridicule from silver medalist Plushenko made it even better.
Kelly Clark singing to her iPod before dropping in to the half-pipe. She's totally tone deaf and doesn't care. I love it.
Adding to what Tess and I have termed our "Olympic Dance Montage"--seeing athletes do funny things as they warm up or celebrate. Among them: Lindsey Vonn's "visualization" of the course, that one freestyle skier that we dubbed "The Pointer", and pumped up dances by Louie Vito, Julia Mancuso, and others
The American snowboard team, men and women: they are so laid-back and goofy--"It was the savvy and saucy thing to do"--and are probably having the most fun of anybody
The triple chocolate bundt cake that came over for the opening ceremonies and stayed until Fat Tuesday. Nothing like diabetes to go with those Olympics.
Mary Carillo's day as a Canadian Mountie. If you can find a clip of this, watch it! It's hilarious.
Commenting on all the cool uniforms. I pretty much want one of everything. Besides the men's figure skating costumes. You can only take so many feathers.
Morgan Freeman's Go World Visa commercials. I'm not kidding, I get choked up talking about them. Ask Mary. They're great.
Amman's interview after his first gold. He was so ecstatic, he would say half a sentence and then go, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I can't believe it!" The poor interviewer couldn't even get a full sentence out of him. It was fun to see that much joy.
And finally...
The fact that we're only halfway done! Keep watching kids!
Lindsey Vonn's Gold. For me, hands down, probably the most triumphant moment of the games, just barely ahead of Evan Lysacek's Gold. The gracious way he handled the ridicule from silver medalist Plushenko made it even better.
Kelly Clark singing to her iPod before dropping in to the half-pipe. She's totally tone deaf and doesn't care. I love it.
Adding to what Tess and I have termed our "Olympic Dance Montage"--seeing athletes do funny things as they warm up or celebrate. Among them: Lindsey Vonn's "visualization" of the course, that one freestyle skier that we dubbed "The Pointer", and pumped up dances by Louie Vito, Julia Mancuso, and others
The American snowboard team, men and women: they are so laid-back and goofy--"It was the savvy and saucy thing to do"--and are probably having the most fun of anybody
The triple chocolate bundt cake that came over for the opening ceremonies and stayed until Fat Tuesday. Nothing like diabetes to go with those Olympics.
Mary Carillo's day as a Canadian Mountie. If you can find a clip of this, watch it! It's hilarious.
Commenting on all the cool uniforms. I pretty much want one of everything. Besides the men's figure skating costumes. You can only take so many feathers.
Morgan Freeman's Go World Visa commercials. I'm not kidding, I get choked up talking about them. Ask Mary. They're great.
Amman's interview after his first gold. He was so ecstatic, he would say half a sentence and then go, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!! I can't believe it!" The poor interviewer couldn't even get a full sentence out of him. It was fun to see that much joy.
And finally...
The fact that we're only halfway done! Keep watching kids!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Summon the Heroes
It's hard to explain the feeling that surrounds the Olympics; I'm sure for most people it's that way. Every 2 years (now that we've split the Winter and Summer Games), the whole world stops, comes together, and celebrates the human spirit. It's about athletes, yes, and I'm certainly one to appreciate the quest for greatness and glory in sports. But it's more than that. It's the joy and fire of the tap-dancing fiddlers and the quiet pride of the aboriginal people in the opening ceremonies. It's seeing countries of millions represented by one, proudly waving their flags for all they're worth. It's story after story of triumph in the face of extreme trial--recovering from injury, competing in memory of lost loved ones, somehow continuing after losing a teammate to a freak accident the day before he takes the world stage. It's tears and awe and fear and relief. It's pure and over-the-top at the same time. There's nothing like it. So, excuse me while I glue myself to the TV for the next 2 weeks to cheer on 216 of our country's greatest.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love, and Fight
While in Indy, I read "Eat, Pray, Love", which I had sort of had on my list for a while, but of which I had no expectations. I enjoyed it. I envied her freedom in Rome to wander in search of the best Neapolitan pizza and gelato, the time she had in India to pray, and the peace she found in Indonesia. And I was impressed by her ability to put words to her spiritual struggles, emotional turmoil, and self-discoveries. While slightly Eastern in its spiritual bent, it wasn't beyond my ability to relate strongly to her experiences in prayer. I laughed out loud multiple times, cried a little bit, and am already planning all the food I'm going to eat next time I'm in Italy. 
Finally saw "Avatar." In 3-D. An incredible experience, a visual treat, a moving story. I really enjoyed every minute of it, but part of it got me to thinking. When the general guy (sorry for being ignorant of his name or rank) is rallying the troops against the "native savages" and convincing them that the only way to survive is to attack, I couldn't help but think of all the times we as a country have invaded other lands, displaced people, and killed innocents. I have to believe that most of these were triggered by something more noble than a capitalist endeavor and corporate greed, but regardless, the soldiers believed that they were completely in the right, that they were justified 100% in their vicious attack. They were led to believe that this was the only option. What about the option of leaving? What about the option of exploring other stores of this valuable metal? I can only pray that when American generals (or any generals for that matter) are rallying the troops, they consider all the options, and consider that ours aren't the only lives affected.
Friday, January 29, 2010
A quick note of gratitude...
I returned last night for the last time...until Spring Break. The latest week-long trek to Indy capped off a 10-city, 2 month tour of the US in an effort to seal my fate for the next 3 years. While I do have some good stories from the latest trip (think miniature donkeys), I mostly wanted to take this chance to thank everyone who housed me, chauffeured me, fed me, picked me up from the airport at 11 o'clock at night, and listened to my ranting throughout the whole process. Considering how traumatic this whole thing could have been, you all made it fairly bearable. So, thanks.
Friday, January 15, 2010
World Traveler
Okay, I haven't traveled the world. Whatever. Here's some highlights from my most recent trip to KC and Des Moines/Omaha:
Getting to eat spaghetti pie (watch Waitress) and some authentic KC BBQ. Seeing Gianna imitate an octopus (funniest thing ever!). Seeing friends. The Plaza--can you say 4-story Barnes and Noble? Seeing my first real live dodgeball game. Ordering pizza and vegging on the couch with an old movie.
Sledding with the Kiels=big wipeout. Chicken Ole. Personal guided driving tour of Des Moines. Tasty Taco. Show choir performance, complete with Lady Gaga. My first Doris Day movie. Chocolate shake poured on my head at Stella's.
Morning visit to Gerda's German restaurant and bakery: you get your homemade donut and coffee for a dollar, then sit at the counter where the regulars read the paper, argue with each other, and refill their own coffee, and yours. Pretty classic, and delicious.
So nice to have a real vacation. Thanks to all my hosts!
Getting to eat spaghetti pie (watch Waitress) and some authentic KC BBQ. Seeing Gianna imitate an octopus (funniest thing ever!). Seeing friends. The Plaza--can you say 4-story Barnes and Noble? Seeing my first real live dodgeball game. Ordering pizza and vegging on the couch with an old movie.
Sledding with the Kiels=big wipeout. Chicken Ole. Personal guided driving tour of Des Moines. Tasty Taco. Show choir performance, complete with Lady Gaga. My first Doris Day movie. Chocolate shake poured on my head at Stella's.
Morning visit to Gerda's German restaurant and bakery: you get your homemade donut and coffee for a dollar, then sit at the counter where the regulars read the paper, argue with each other, and refill their own coffee, and yours. Pretty classic, and delicious.
So nice to have a real vacation. Thanks to all my hosts!
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