One of the many cultural differences between the Midwest and New England/NY area is coffee. And for the first time I'm living in a place where Dunkin' Donuts actually poses a threat to Starbucks. A year ago I had no opinion. Sure I would pick Starbucks but only because it was what I was used to. Now I've had both and today I would pick Starbucks over DD with reason! There are multiple reasons such as I like their coffee better but to summarize, DD is pink/orange and Starbucks is green. The argument could really be ended right there with a clear definitive winner. Plus, estarbooks and I have got a history. How could I turn my back on that?
Today I set up at a Starbucks in a nearby town and settled in for some good productive hours of work. I was interrupted once. By my new best friend. Or so that's what he said.
He had come running from across the entire store to end with a crash landing in the armchair next to my table. "Hi, I'm Ian!" He said. "What's your name?" "Christy. Nice to meet you Ian." "Nice to meet you. You're his best friend," he informed me. "Oh really? Who's best friend?" "Mine"
He stared a while longer and then informed me that, "You have a big nose!" "Why thank you!" I guess I usually get 'red nose' so I'll take big for a change. He grinned and followed up with, "can we touch it?" Based on his misuse of 3rd person earlier I figured the same was happening with the use of 1st person plural here and quickly responded with, "Why don't we touch your nose instead!" He eagerly used his whole hand to reach up and grab his nose. And I got another grin.
Starbucks - where you meet your best friends! :)
Hasta!
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Yo estoy diciendolo.
Personal statements. Oh how they make me squirm with disgust. I think I would much rather have needles shoved under my fingernails than to be writing a personal statement.
If you think about writing a personal statement for an application, what is it you are really doing? Are you actually making a statement that is about you, who you are and why you are? Psssh! Rubbish I dare say. It's a game. How to intricately weave words into a glamorous painting of an idea. An idea that will then be either found acceptable or unacceptable based on the mood the reader happens to be in that day. That is the game.
I hate playing this game.
A few weeks ago a moment of inspiration hit me, so I went with it. I ended up getting out three whole paragraphs before the moment moved on. I then packed up and drove to CT, and in those two hours of driving was able to convince myself every word of those three paragraphs was worthless. It was over a week before I could bring myself to attempt again.
I've since been able to finally get one finished. Which I immediately sent off for editing to friends that I know will take it up, chew it up and then vomit it back out laced with red ink. One such friend was a doctor that I've gotten to know here at the hospital who has served on his fair share of residency committees in the past. When we met to go over it, his first comment to me was, "Well.....it's kind of overly dramatic in a few areas."
"Me?!" she gasped. "Overly-dramatic? I never....," unable to finish, her hand went up to her forehead in a sudden faint. Thunk!! (Note to future-self-in-prose: if you faint, write in somebody to catch you!)
:)
Back to some semblance of seriousness. A personal statement is a perpetual work in progress. How to stay true and honest fulfilling the unspoken requirements of such a statement without losing yourself in what you think will grab the most ears and turn the most eyes.
It's never really finished, and yet deadlines force an end to all dramas eventually.
Hasta!
If you think about writing a personal statement for an application, what is it you are really doing? Are you actually making a statement that is about you, who you are and why you are? Psssh! Rubbish I dare say. It's a game. How to intricately weave words into a glamorous painting of an idea. An idea that will then be either found acceptable or unacceptable based on the mood the reader happens to be in that day. That is the game.
I hate playing this game.
A few weeks ago a moment of inspiration hit me, so I went with it. I ended up getting out three whole paragraphs before the moment moved on. I then packed up and drove to CT, and in those two hours of driving was able to convince myself every word of those three paragraphs was worthless. It was over a week before I could bring myself to attempt again.
I've since been able to finally get one finished. Which I immediately sent off for editing to friends that I know will take it up, chew it up and then vomit it back out laced with red ink. One such friend was a doctor that I've gotten to know here at the hospital who has served on his fair share of residency committees in the past. When we met to go over it, his first comment to me was, "Well.....it's kind of overly dramatic in a few areas."
"Me?!" she gasped. "Overly-dramatic? I never....," unable to finish, her hand went up to her forehead in a sudden faint. Thunk!! (Note to future-self-in-prose: if you faint, write in somebody to catch you!)
:)
Back to some semblance of seriousness. A personal statement is a perpetual work in progress. How to stay true and honest fulfilling the unspoken requirements of such a statement without losing yourself in what you think will grab the most ears and turn the most eyes.
It's never really finished, and yet deadlines force an end to all dramas eventually.
Hasta!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Yo estoy fracasando.
It happens to everyone. You wake up and something's off. Indescribable, but wrong. All week I've felt it building. And then this morning what little focus I was holding onto slipped right through my fingers. I start my studying each morning with a block of questions. 48 questions. 60 minutes. Never fails that the block goes down to the last second. This morning was no different. I had 2 questions left and 2 minutes. Not exactly comfortable but easily doable, no problem. The next thing I knew I was still staring at question 47 and a box was blinking 'time expired'. My mind was.....who knows where anymore. But it wasn't on the question. Not even the threat of a clicking clock could keep my focus.
Am I getting bored? Maybe. I could switch it up. Study cases or read in the morning and do a block of questions in the afternoon before reading more. Ooooh! now that would be living on the edge. I'm such a rebel!
Am I tired? What? No couldn't be that! (As I take yet another cup of coffee.) No to be honest, of course I'm tired. But I haven't picked up any of my usual signs of exhaustion lately. However, I can't just ignore my lack of focus. I'm not going to set my alarm tomorrow morning!
Whatever the reason, I've got to do something different. The last couple of weeks, I've felt like I would even resort to drugs. Very common in the medical field. Grab any random medical student and guaranteed they've got some sort of access to amphetamines. I couldn't give you percentages, but to say I've never popped a Ritalin, or the like, puts me in the minority.
Well, I've still got options before I resort to that, but Carrie....you may just be getting a phone call from me some day soon! kidding!! kidding!! oh my I'm such a bad example! I'd never call up my sister....I'd just get my own prescription. haha. definitely still kidding.
Stay away from drugs kids!
Hasta!
Am I getting bored? Maybe. I could switch it up. Study cases or read in the morning and do a block of questions in the afternoon before reading more. Ooooh! now that would be living on the edge. I'm such a rebel!
Am I tired? What? No couldn't be that! (As I take yet another cup of coffee.) No to be honest, of course I'm tired. But I haven't picked up any of my usual signs of exhaustion lately. However, I can't just ignore my lack of focus. I'm not going to set my alarm tomorrow morning!
Whatever the reason, I've got to do something different. The last couple of weeks, I've felt like I would even resort to drugs. Very common in the medical field. Grab any random medical student and guaranteed they've got some sort of access to amphetamines. I couldn't give you percentages, but to say I've never popped a Ritalin, or the like, puts me in the minority.
Well, I've still got options before I resort to that, but Carrie....you may just be getting a phone call from me some day soon! kidding!! kidding!! oh my I'm such a bad example! I'd never call up my sister....I'd just get my own prescription. haha. definitely still kidding.
Stay away from drugs kids!
Hasta!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Yo soy Starologist!
The Perseid Meteor Shower is Peaking! Go out tonight sometime after midnight and pre-dawn. Lay down on your back and stare up at the vastness of the firmament. And let yourself be Wowed by God.
Saturday night a few of us chicas went out from about 12 - 1:30 am, not sure what we'd get to see but hopes were high. We were not disappointed. It was worth every lost minute of sleep.
The Four Starologists, L to R: Marcy, Becca, Amanda, Me (In Becca's defense the flash on my phone is super bright!)
After one particularly brilliant meteor shot across nearly the whole sky: (paraphrasing)
Lots of screaming/cheering/laughing
MB: Wow! That one went all the way from here to Europe!
AV: Yeah! And there they were yelling in other languages at it!
Psalm 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard
Truth is that God doesn't need any of us. He can speak for Himself just fine. All you have to do is look up at the night sky to see that there is something bigger, something omnipotent out there. And you just feel it, you feel there is a purpose, a reason to life. In all your littleness, you are part of something. This is the heavens speaking, transcending culture norms, slipping right past language barriers declaring their Maker.
Should life ever find me in a place where the sky cannot be seen, I pray I can remember the minute details of a shooting star. And I will share its story with those around me.
Hasta!
Saturday night a few of us chicas went out from about 12 - 1:30 am, not sure what we'd get to see but hopes were high. We were not disappointed. It was worth every lost minute of sleep.
The Four Starologists, L to R: Marcy, Becca, Amanda, Me (In Becca's defense the flash on my phone is super bright!)
After one particularly brilliant meteor shot across nearly the whole sky: (paraphrasing)
Lots of screaming/cheering/laughing
MB: Wow! That one went all the way from here to Europe!
AV: Yeah! And there they were yelling in other languages at it!
Psalm 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard
Truth is that God doesn't need any of us. He can speak for Himself just fine. All you have to do is look up at the night sky to see that there is something bigger, something omnipotent out there. And you just feel it, you feel there is a purpose, a reason to life. In all your littleness, you are part of something. This is the heavens speaking, transcending culture norms, slipping right past language barriers declaring their Maker.
Should life ever find me in a place where the sky cannot be seen, I pray I can remember the minute details of a shooting star. And I will share its story with those around me.
Hasta!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Yo estoy bromeando.
Q: What did sushi A say to sushi B?
A: Wasabi
Over the past couple of days I've repeatedly told myself that joke. I laugh every time!
Hasta!
A: Wasabi
Over the past couple of days I've repeatedly told myself that joke. I laugh every time!
Hasta!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Yo estoy viviendo dia por dia.
You know when you make plans and then wake up the next morning realizing you forgot to consult the weather when you made said plans.....
That was my Saturday morning. Well, not the whole morning! I had planned to eat a muffin for breakfast, and that I could do. Baby steps!
Reminds me of a time in undergrad...
CS: Name me one time when you wanted something and you actually got it!
AH: I wanted pizza and I got it!
Good times! :)
I'm not sure how much to tell of the current situation with Dr. Blood. It is his story to tell after all, not really mine. But, over the past couple of months I've come to expect his absence from the hospital due to seizures anywhere from a few days to a whole week following his week as attending in the SICU. This past week was not his post-attending week, and yet it was rough. A couple of episodes of break-through seizures which culminated in a message that I received Thursday morning that he was being urgently admitted by his neurologist. And then I heard nothing. Today, I finally did receive a quick message that he is still in the hospital and progress is slow. Dr. Blood is now 99% positive and ready to go forward with brain surgery. What this means for me. What this means for my future at WMC, for continuing in research. All unknown. All that can be done is to pray for Dr. Blood, his wife, and his two boys (ages 20 months, and 2 months), and continue trusting one day at a time.
Hasta!
That was my Saturday morning. Well, not the whole morning! I had planned to eat a muffin for breakfast, and that I could do. Baby steps!
Reminds me of a time in undergrad...
CS: Name me one time when you wanted something and you actually got it!
AH: I wanted pizza and I got it!
Good times! :)
I'm not sure how much to tell of the current situation with Dr. Blood. It is his story to tell after all, not really mine. But, over the past couple of months I've come to expect his absence from the hospital due to seizures anywhere from a few days to a whole week following his week as attending in the SICU. This past week was not his post-attending week, and yet it was rough. A couple of episodes of break-through seizures which culminated in a message that I received Thursday morning that he was being urgently admitted by his neurologist. And then I heard nothing. Today, I finally did receive a quick message that he is still in the hospital and progress is slow. Dr. Blood is now 99% positive and ready to go forward with brain surgery. What this means for me. What this means for my future at WMC, for continuing in research. All unknown. All that can be done is to pray for Dr. Blood, his wife, and his two boys (ages 20 months, and 2 months), and continue trusting one day at a time.
Hasta!
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