Estoy recibiendo correo.

Living on the hospital campus, my mail comes through the hospital mail room. It's not efficient by any means, but it is what it is. I would take a random guess that maybe about 50% of my mail actually makes it to me within 2 weeks. Extend that out to 2 months and may be reaching about 75% has reached me. For example a week or so ago I finally received the last handful of Christmas Cards, and today I finally got my W-2 in the mail. On the bright side, I do not receive any junk mail!

Post call today I had an appointment with the eye doctor. Had to reorder contacts. I asked them if the shipment could be tracked, to which I received a couple of ummms and hmmms. So I gave up on tracking the shipment and said, if I haven't received it in a week I'll give you a call. Usually packages are much more reliable because I can check the shipment progress and then take a detour to the mail room when I know something has been marked as delivered.

 Not the quickest detour, as it is out of the way of everywhere else in the hospital. 

 In other words, very easy to forget to make said detour before the mail room has already locked up for the day. 

Hiding the mailroom in the basement tunnels of the hospital, no wonder things go missing. #LifeAtWestchester

Much Love.

Estoy haciendo endoscopias.

Life swings, ups and downs, side to side, in and out. At times you have to grab the vine tight and let out a Tarzan yalp as you crash through the jungle. Others, you pray for the breeze to blow you across the ocean, willing the thick air to stir against your skin. Maybe a slight exaggeration to the swings of a surgical residency; realistically it’s more of a flat out sprint through the hospital barreling down the hallway versus a brisk walk stopping every now and again to greet the people you meet as you go. 

I’ve transitioned to Endoscopy, and though it’s more of a brisk walk through the hospital, waiting in between scopes feels like I’m stagnant on the ocean, waiting for that breeze. I’ve tried to make use of the extra time I knew I would have. I signed up for and took my Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery exam earlier this week. I got through what I could on my unending “To Do” list. But quite frankly, I’m starting to run out of easy things to fill my time in between scopes. I guess I’ll have to dig out my “To Do” Wish list. That list of things that I would like to do, but seemingly never actually rise to the top of my priorities so never actually get done.

Waiting aside, performing scopes is enjoyable. Getting past tight turns or pushing through spastic areas; I can appreciate the challenge and the time to develop my own skills. If I could just not feel like I’m spending the majority of my time twiddling my thumbs, would be fabulous!

Much Love.

Estoy devuelto.

I unpacked my bag when I got home this evening. Took my unused camera and shook my head as I placed it back on the shelf to gather dust again. I hadn't even taken it out of my bag the entire week. It wasn't for lack of activity. Just my own lack of desire to interrupt said activity. Catching up with friends, playing with nephews, even a little Star Wars sprinkled in there.... can you blame me?

There are a handful from my phone, of the nephews of course! I was able to stay with them for a few days in the middle of the week and book end it with friends who could see me on short notice. Whether full out slumber party or simply sitting on the floor during a daughter's gymnastics class, I took what I could get, and honestly, really enjoyed being able to see a glimpse into my friends' crazy busy lives and growing families.

It's amazing how much they change in between my visits. Peter Bear and Little Lincoln have really adjusted to being school boys. I wonder how much longer I'll still be able to breathe with all three piled on top?

 Story time before bedtime!

 Miles and Me time when the older boys were off at school.

Much Love.

Estoy viajando.

I thought about going to Florida. The warm weather very enticing, and I would do nothing more than sit in the sun and read by the water.  I thought about going to Portugal. The coffee shops lining the streets of Lisbon equally enticing, and I would pick a different one each day to sit, drink coffee and read. I did not have a strong desire one way or the other, I just did not want to sit in my apartment thinking about the no longer existent Philippines surgery clinic.

In the end, I got in my car and started driving West, thankful for friends who will open doors to last minute texts.

On my first day driving, I had intended to take pictures of the sunrise, of the snow-covered Poconos, at my quick stop at the Stoller’s in Ohio, and finally with the Beers in Indiana.

I failed on all attempts.  It was not for a lack of opportunity, there were many picturesque shots as I passed through the American countryside. It was more I was rushing. I quickly learned that it has been years since my last road trip and I’ve gotten older in the meantime. (A.k.a. My butt was hurting from sitting so long.) So I was focusing on moving quickly, and how to alter my seat every so often.

I got a couple today to make up for it. Regg and Bev Beer and their boys Tucker, Cooper, Colton and Trace all welcomed me overnight. Really good to catch up, good conversations, good memories. We realized on this day 8 years ago we had found ourselves watching the Super Bowl, in an Italian restaurant, in Mexico and quite amused by the clash of cultures we were in the midst of.

Aren't they soooo cute? Definitely, rhetorical question! Tucker, Cooper, Colton and Trace 

Colton and Trace, they give the best squeezes! 

In typical boy fashion, we had to do a silly one!

Much Love.