Something happened today. Something amazing. And that, my friends, is what makes it sooooo sad at the same time. June 3, 2013 was my first day at the hospital as a research fellow. June 4, 2013 I submitted my first application for computer access. Today is February 27, 2014. And today, my friends, I finally got my computer access. Sooooo amazing that it's even sad!
Things are gonna be a little changed up for the next 5 days. I applied for and was awarded a scholarship to take a course on Hyperbaric Oxygen that is being given at the hospital from Friday to next Tuesday. Granted the "awarded" part was by default.....no one else had applied for it. But hey! I'll take it anyways! We can never stop learning. To learn is to grow. And without growth well....that's just stagnation. And who likes stagnancy? Mosquitos?! My point exactly!
Hasta!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Estoy comiendo mas manzanas.
I didn't take too many pictures during Maggie's stay, but I wanted to post a few! You may notice that the vast majority of these have to do with food. Let's just say we ate extremely well!! We'd search out the holes-in-the-wall most unique to NYC, and they were all so worth it!
Maggie at The Gray Dog
Creme Brulee Doughseed from the Doughnut Plant!
The Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasbord. Moved to an indoor location for the winter months.
Outside the Brooklyn flea.
We walked across the Williamsburg Bridge.
Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge.
Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge.
Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge.
Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge.
Walking across the Williamsburg Bridge. Looking North up the East River.
Babycakes. Vegan bakery. Who knew vegan could taste so amazing?!
The New Museum. Not that we visited, but just walking by I enjoyed the aesthetics of a boat suspended above the streets of Lower Manhattan.
Dominique Ansel Bakery. Yes, we succumbed to the craze of the Cronut. I hadn't heard about the Cronut prior to Maggie's visit. But up for the adventure, I willingly got up before dawn so we could catch an early train. All so we could stand in line for an hour before the bakery even opened.
Here's a collage that Maggie created. Clockwise from bottom Left: The line waiting for us when we arrived to the bakery. Maggie and I enjoying our Cronut and DKA (we got one of each and split them). A baker hard at work filling/decorating Cronuts. Last but not least, the Cronut (combination Croissant and Donut)
Brunch at Brinkley's Station.
My love of the city grows!
Hasta!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Estoy plantandome.
I got an email yesterday from the NRMP not so politely reminding me in bolded and highlighted letters that I have not yet entered and/or certified my rank order list for the Match.
Then followed their reminder with an even bigger red and emboldened warning that...The deadline to certify a rank order list is Wednesday, February 26, 2014 9:00 PM eastern time.
I know what you're thinking. And you're fine, even justified, to think so. To tell you the truth, I'm thinking the same thing myself. So why then? Why do I stand here my head perpetually swiveling back and forth....back and forth. From one direction to the other. Back and forth. But my feet don't move.
One of my friends, Maggie Schrenk, one of those friends that you have decades of history with, is here visiting for a few days. She's come at a great time as I get to verbalize to someone just what keeps my thoughts perpetually occupied these days. There is no answer she can provide. I know there's no answer. But at least it keeps me from feeling the need to hash it all out in writing to the universe.
I will say one thing though. One thing from among the million that is seemingly inhibiting me from this rank list....
I look to the right and Jesus is there with love and service to devote my life to for Him. I look to the left and Jesus is there once again with love and service to fill my life. There is no wrong direction at this juncture. But is there a right direction?
Hasta!
Then followed their reminder with an even bigger red and emboldened warning that...The deadline to certify a rank order list is Wednesday, February 26, 2014 9:00 PM eastern time.
I know what you're thinking. And you're fine, even justified, to think so. To tell you the truth, I'm thinking the same thing myself. So why then? Why do I stand here my head perpetually swiveling back and forth....back and forth. From one direction to the other. Back and forth. But my feet don't move.
One of my friends, Maggie Schrenk, one of those friends that you have decades of history with, is here visiting for a few days. She's come at a great time as I get to verbalize to someone just what keeps my thoughts perpetually occupied these days. There is no answer she can provide. I know there's no answer. But at least it keeps me from feeling the need to hash it all out in writing to the universe.
I will say one thing though. One thing from among the million that is seemingly inhibiting me from this rank list....
I look to the right and Jesus is there with love and service to devote my life to for Him. I look to the left and Jesus is there once again with love and service to fill my life. There is no wrong direction at this juncture. But is there a right direction?
Hasta!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Estoy perdida.
SNOW!
This past weekend Bekah and I drove up Fox Hill. To give you an idea of how high the snow was...to see over it I was standing in the car, on my tiptoes, holding my phone as high as I could reach. All to get a picture just for you! ;)
The watchtower on top of Fox Hill.
Today I should have been researching the correlation between Lactate Pyruvate Ratio and burst suppression, but as no one else was going to be at the office I figured, meh....the correlation's not going to change between today and tomorrow. So I went outside instead!
Sitting at my door after shoveling what had fallen this past weekend.
Footprints! Someone else must have had the same idea as me!
Those footprints very quickly ended!
Getting up the hill and then down to the river was a mighty bit more difficult than last Fall. Each footstep sunk in 2/3 the way up my shin.
As any existing trail was long buried by all the snow I got to make my own trail. Came upon this fantastic fireplace in the middle of the woods!
After taking this picture I turned around and ran the rest of the way down the hill. Secretly hoping, perhaps more than just a little bit, that my carefree sprint would result in my tripping and myself face-planting in the fresh whiteness. But, to my own surprise, for once in my life...no such thing happened.
After returning from my jaunt through the woods I meet up with two friends from GDL. We drove into the city and went running in Central Park! :)
Vero, Lety and Myself
Hasta!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Estoy apresurando.
I found out Thursday evening that WMC has a policy requiring volunteers to stay 24 hours when the hospital is going through a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or....the winter storm that continued on into the night on Thursday. I found out because I was in the volunteers office with my volunteer supervisor taking care of some paperwork, and instead of calling a volunteer to come in through the storm I volunteered to just stay. Due to the storm there were many parents, as well as aides that were unable to make it, and therefore for the vast majority of Thursday evening I found myself over in the pediatrics hospital feeding and holding babies. One particular little guy stole my heart. If I put my finger in his little hand he'd grip it tightly, and more than just the common finger grip reaction. He wouldn't loosen his grip, almost as if he was scared, and didn't want you to leave. So I stayed dancing around his room with him to the playful sounds of Dora the Explorer, at least I did until the next baby needed feeding. After holding him for so long my jacket held his smell and so all day Friday I was getting olfactory induced memories. :)
Among the hallway of offices at the hospital more than a few will refer to us research fellows as 'the kids'. I totally abused the title yesterday. I bought a box of Iron Man Valentines and handed them out to everyone. Iron Man because I couldn't bring myself to go with the fairies or Barbie options. Something silly like those little valentines they received back in grade school totally played on the nostalgia of their own childhood. You should have seen their faces!! Valentine's Day Win!
For my own Valentine's I requested some of my daily manna in the form of cupcakes! Sweetness! First however, I gave half of them to my neighbor. There's one shovel for the whole deerhaunt, and he's typically the resident shoveler. I had started shoveling a place for me to park when I got home yesterday (I'd stayed at the hospital the past two nights due to the storm). He got home shortly after and took over, finishing my spot and then continuing on down the row. Even as the snow keeps falling this winter, he keeps on shoveling...not just for himself, but for everyone. And for once I could do more than just say thank you! As for the last two cupcakes....one for me, and one for Jesus. But then because He loves me so much He said I could have His as well. The feeling's mutual....but, I still ate the cupcake. ;)
Hasta!
Among the hallway of offices at the hospital more than a few will refer to us research fellows as 'the kids'. I totally abused the title yesterday. I bought a box of Iron Man Valentines and handed them out to everyone. Iron Man because I couldn't bring myself to go with the fairies or Barbie options. Something silly like those little valentines they received back in grade school totally played on the nostalgia of their own childhood. You should have seen their faces!! Valentine's Day Win!
For my own Valentine's I requested some of my daily manna in the form of cupcakes! Sweetness! First however, I gave half of them to my neighbor. There's one shovel for the whole deerhaunt, and he's typically the resident shoveler. I had started shoveling a place for me to park when I got home yesterday (I'd stayed at the hospital the past two nights due to the storm). He got home shortly after and took over, finishing my spot and then continuing on down the row. Even as the snow keeps falling this winter, he keeps on shoveling...not just for himself, but for everyone. And for once I could do more than just say thank you! As for the last two cupcakes....one for me, and one for Jesus. But then because He loves me so much He said I could have His as well. The feeling's mutual....but, I still ate the cupcake. ;)
Hasta!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Estoy calculando.
As tomorrow ticks closer, the hands of the clock get ever closer to the 2nd anniversary of the 2nd best day of my life...so far. WooHoo! I do love Valentine's Day! I'll admit it, I've been listening to various Valentine's playlists for over a week now. :) It makes me smile and feel oh so amused! Amused and thankful! So many scramble to find their Valentine, but there's really no need to scramble. They are already loved, each and everyone.
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the day is to be overshadowed by our weekly research meeting which was rescheduled for tomorrow due to the winter storm today. I had set out this week to develop a list of references/ build my knowledge for a pilot study I'm developing and I got caught up in a tangent instead. The tangent led me into the world of electrical and electronic engineering and I was quickly in way over my head. I have to give a shout out to one, David Prevo, who has spent more than a couple of hours over this past week on the phone with me and answering my emails etc. helping me make sense of things like Gaussian random walks, Markovian assumptions, and Weibull hazard functions.
I love you all!
Hasta!
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the day is to be overshadowed by our weekly research meeting which was rescheduled for tomorrow due to the winter storm today. I had set out this week to develop a list of references/ build my knowledge for a pilot study I'm developing and I got caught up in a tangent instead. The tangent led me into the world of electrical and electronic engineering and I was quickly in way over my head. I have to give a shout out to one, David Prevo, who has spent more than a couple of hours over this past week on the phone with me and answering my emails etc. helping me make sense of things like Gaussian random walks, Markovian assumptions, and Weibull hazard functions.
Tara Prevo (Hohulin), myself and David. Driving to Fort Lauderdale non-stop from Bloomington surviving on left-over dry raw broccoli does things to a person! :)
I now must go back over my presentation another million times or so. But I want to leave you with a Valentine for tomorrow just in case I don't get back to tell you on the 14th.
I wish you a wonderful
Valentine's Day
filled with love,
all things nice,
and a red heart.
Hasta!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Estoy cerrando mis ojos.
Organization is slowly returning to the research team. Marini has stepped up to fill Dr. A's position. I've mentioned Marini before; hands down the most brilliant human being I've ever met. He could quote for you the text book he read his first semester of medical school over in Italy way back when. As a result, the bar he sets is above and beyond anything I could hope to reach. Needless to say, it's going to be a few weeks before I even come close to performing at the level he is asking.
It's pretty amazing the opportunities that this year is bringing. Learning to become part of a team under Dr. A, and now to turn literally 180 degrees and continue with the same purpose, just refocused. Building the flexibility to work under two completely different kinds of stress. Learning about people in two different work environments, and which approach to discussion is expected among team members in each environment. One thing is consistent in both situations though; I feel like the ugly cousin trying to disappear into the corner. I said 'feel.' Sometimes, by the Grace of God, simply overcoming the feeling of inadequacy is enough of an adrenaline rush to off-set the meager offerings I am currently able to bring. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever really know anything. But then again, if I ever felt truly 'adequate'....my life would become more about me and less of the strength of God through me.
Hasta!
It's pretty amazing the opportunities that this year is bringing. Learning to become part of a team under Dr. A, and now to turn literally 180 degrees and continue with the same purpose, just refocused. Building the flexibility to work under two completely different kinds of stress. Learning about people in two different work environments, and which approach to discussion is expected among team members in each environment. One thing is consistent in both situations though; I feel like the ugly cousin trying to disappear into the corner. I said 'feel.' Sometimes, by the Grace of God, simply overcoming the feeling of inadequacy is enough of an adrenaline rush to off-set the meager offerings I am currently able to bring. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever really know anything. But then again, if I ever felt truly 'adequate'....my life would become more about me and less of the strength of God through me.
Hasta!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Estoy agradecida.
At the Detroit airport. My flights have been cancelled and changed. And then delayed and changed. So fingers crossed that this one's a keeper. Had my last interview in Detroit today so had made a weekend of it. Soooo thankful for each one of my interviews. And soooo very thankful to be done.
Ranking is next in the process. Last year the day the NRMP was open to submit a rank list I had done so. Granted wasn't much thought process needed in my rank list last year. This year is another story. The NRMP was open for ranking weeks ago and I just realized it a few days ago. Whoops! Well, just as long as I submit something before the deadline!!!! Ranking could be easy and stress free. God is in control. He knows he can do what he wills with my life, put me where he wants etc. Key word, "could" be. For one very specific reason it is not easy for me. I can't just toss these programs to the wind and let them fall. When I entered the Match this year I honestly only had direction through the point of the application. God's taken me past that point as of today. Now what's next dear Lord?
Psalm 119:105-112
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
While in Detroit I was very blessed to have the opportunity to see and catch up with someone super special. Alexis Gasser-Stoller was at ISU with me all four years and the last time I had gotten to see her was at her wedding in 2008 before I moved to Mexico. Her thank-you had been the first piece of mail that I received in Mexico. Friendship with Alexis is one excellent example of why I appreciate the benefits of Facebook so very much. Though I haven't actually been able to see her over the years, keeping relatively up-dated with one another is easily facilitated through such social media avenues. And we did our best filling in the details in what little time we had today. I am so bummed that I forgot to get a picture with her. But here is a very old one that I found on Facebook. (Another reason to appreciate Facebook.) She is sitting on my right.
Hasta!
Ranking is next in the process. Last year the day the NRMP was open to submit a rank list I had done so. Granted wasn't much thought process needed in my rank list last year. This year is another story. The NRMP was open for ranking weeks ago and I just realized it a few days ago. Whoops! Well, just as long as I submit something before the deadline!!!! Ranking could be easy and stress free. God is in control. He knows he can do what he wills with my life, put me where he wants etc. Key word, "could" be. For one very specific reason it is not easy for me. I can't just toss these programs to the wind and let them fall. When I entered the Match this year I honestly only had direction through the point of the application. God's taken me past that point as of today. Now what's next dear Lord?
Psalm 119:105-112
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
While in Detroit I was very blessed to have the opportunity to see and catch up with someone super special. Alexis Gasser-Stoller was at ISU with me all four years and the last time I had gotten to see her was at her wedding in 2008 before I moved to Mexico. Her thank-you had been the first piece of mail that I received in Mexico. Friendship with Alexis is one excellent example of why I appreciate the benefits of Facebook so very much. Though I haven't actually been able to see her over the years, keeping relatively up-dated with one another is easily facilitated through such social media avenues. And we did our best filling in the details in what little time we had today. I am so bummed that I forgot to get a picture with her. But here is a very old one that I found on Facebook. (Another reason to appreciate Facebook.) She is sitting on my right.
Hasta!
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