Estoy esperando.

To speak or Not to speak...


Yesterday evening found myself in the grocery check-out line behind a man.  Stench of alcohol radiating.  Arms laden with 24oz cans.  Yelling at those in front of him to hurry up as he had to catch the bus.  When he turned to me....I somehow managed an entire conversation with him without saying a single word.
- one for Not to speak

Yesterday in the morning Trauma meeting we went over a patient whom we had just attempted to enroll in the Pilot study I'm organizing.  Marini gets all excited and goes on a tangent of what our data is currently showing us.  Then suddenly turns to me asking, "Christy would you like to add anything." My immediate reaction, of course is No. No, nothing at all.  Nothing to add.  Don't look at me.  Where can I hide?!  But I open my mouth and speak.  It's my responsibility as all of the data which he was referring to is coming to me for compilation and analyzing.  So I added something. (the actual value of this 'something' ....unknown)
- one for To speak

Following the morning Trauma meeting I joined a table of Attendings and Critical Care Fellows in the cafeteria for breakfast.  The topic strays from medicine to social conversation, and I keep my thoughts to myself.  But once again, Marini suddenly turns attention to me asking for my input.  I politely decline to input.  He challenges me, 'you don't have an opinion?'  I stand by my previous response saying, 'I definitely do have an opinion, but prefer not to share.' And in return I get a quick lecture on assertiveness and how it is necessary in a surgeon.  so...To speak?  The quick lecture was well meaning and I actually completely agree with Marini's argument.  But the particular subject in which they had been inviting me was a topic with no resolution which leads to a cyclical direction of conversation.  Had I expressed my opinion, it would have succeeded in nothing but the propagation of this cyclical movement. No one would have been any closer to understanding anything.  In my opinion, all a waste of energy and effort.  so...Not to speak?

To speak or Not to speak.....that is the question!

Hasta!

Estoy presentando a Amy Hohulin.

       You've seen her picture in the last two blog posts, and if you look further back you'd find her face pop up more than once.  Her name is Amy Hohulin.  She was one of my roommates for my last two years of undergrad at Illinois State University, but more than that she is my friend and Sister-in-Faith.

        During those two years of being roommates I myself was involved in International Talk Time (ITT), an outreach group at ISU with a purpose to provide a source of American connections to the International students at ISU and on a more specific level, a weekly time of conversational English.
        Since that time Amy has continued her own involvement with ITT, and is currently an active part-time staff member with International Students Inc. I will let her describe ISI, and her involvement with ISI...
"ISI is a mission agency, which strives to "share Christ's love with international students." Since 1953, ISI has been training and equipping Americans to meet the needs of thousands of the more than 876,000 international students who study in the United States each year.  Specifically I am working with ISI's chapters at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community College.  Illinois State University alone has 382 international students from 66 different countries and even more international visiting scholars and professors! Pretty amazing for a town named Normal, Illinois, right? Thankfully I am not alone in this undertaking.  In addition to the love and support of family, friends, and local churches, I am blessed to work alongside John and Linda Berger.  The Bergers have been serving international students for 10 years, and I am learning a lot from their wisdom and experience."


Before I go further I must say that Amy did not ask me to make this post.  It was my own idea, and once I asked her permission, it was my own decision to follow through and do so.


Starting at the end of the current school year Amy will be making the transition from part-time to full-time.  I will let her describe this transition and what that involves...
"I am currently an active part-time staff member with ISI. I have been attending birthday parties, giving rides for grocery shopping, teaching how to set up checking accounts, attending prayer meetings, and much more. My goal is to do this ministry full-time; however, ISI requires that I raise all of my financial support before I can give my undivided attention to reaching international students. In this area I still have some work to do, so I am continuing my teaching job throughout this school year as I work on raising my support. My goal is to have a solid financial base in place to start full-time ministry at the end of this school year in June of 2014. Essentially I plan to do things slow and steady in order to do them well." 

I have known of Amy's desire to be full-time in the ministry for quite some time now as she has kept me apprised of the prayerful process of research, and discernment in this area.  I support both the work ISI is doing through ITT at ISU, as well as Amy's dedication to and love for the students.  And though I am not currently able to support her financially, I would still like to do what I can to support her.

Amy maintains a website containing information about her role in the ministry (hence where I got her quotes from ;), her testimony, a blog about her involvement, and status on her current financial support raised.  However, to protect both herself and those students whom may appear in her photos, the website is password protected.

http://amyhohulin.weebly.com/

If you would like the password to simply do your own research and reading about Amy's work please feel free to contact either me or Amy herself.  You can email Amy at amyhohulin(at)gmail.com.

Hasta!

Estoy tarareando.

The silver Honda has successfully managed its first road trip!  There are now multiple skittles lost among the crevices in the carpeted floor to prove it.  Thursday evening Amy H. and I packed up and headed South on 95. New York. New Jersey. Then Delaware and on into Maryland.  We were very blessed to be able to stay with Barry and Doreen Steffen for our weekend trip to Washington DC, arriving at their house late Thursday night.

Friday Amy and I met up with Katja and Matt, both whom are in DC from Germany for the 30th International Congress of Actuaries.  They had come a few days before the Congress to enjoy the city. 

 

View looking West from outside the Library of Congress.

 Library of Congress

 Library of Congress

Amy H. looking out of the Library of Congress West towards the Capitol, Washington Monument and The Mall

 In a few weeks the Capitol Rotunda is going to be closed for a period of about 2 years to complete a restoration project on the dome.

Side note about the Capitol.  The four of us, Matt, Katja, Amy and I, were consistently at the right place, at the right time, talking to the right person. All four of us were able to join a tour at the last minute AND obtain passes for the House Gallery. 

 It only took us three attempts to successfully get the Washington Monument in the background!

 Looking East down the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument.

 Lincoln Memorial.  Airplane compliments of the close proximity to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Looking North from the Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin towards the Washington Monument and the White House.

 New Executive Office Building.  The Japanese Cherry Trees are supposed to be blooming at this time.  The Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing.  Only thing missing....the actual cherry blossoms.  The trees are protesting the harsh winter we've just emerged from and are not quite ready to grace the Spring with their millions of delicate pink blooms. The tree in the above picture is a Magnolia tree with a few blooms opening up

 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  L to R: Me, Amy, Katja, Matt

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

On Saturday the skies had opened their rain clouds with a steady provision of wet precipitation, but we were not to be stopped.  Amy and I met Katja and Matt downtown once again, and then we were joined by Abhijeet in the afternoon.

 We went up the Tower of the Old Post Office.  A unique view of our Nation's capital enveloped in wet fog.

 Arlington National Cemetery

 Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 

Thankful for our umbrellas. L to R: Amy, Abhijeet, Matt, Katja

 

On Saturday evening, our most gracious hosts, Barry and Doreen, offered to have everyone for dinner.  Even when we numbered 5 in total.  Incredibly gracious.  And so thankful for them, as we sat around the table and allowed the conversation to take us well into the night.  First row L to R: Abhijeet, Barry  Second row L to R: Matt, Katja, Amy, Doreen, me

 L to R: Amy, Katja, me, Matt, Abhijeet

 L to R: Me, Amy, Doreen, Barry

On Sunday, Amy flew home to Illinois from DC.  I attended church in DC and then found myself on 95 North headed home to NY.  Although...I did allow myself a quick stop over in Baltimore.  Why not?  Just a meander through the streets, and a short stop at Federal Hill for a photo overlooking the Inner Harbor.

 Samuel Smith standing guard at Federal Hill Park.  Notice anything about the flag? 

Federal Hill Park. Baltimore.  Overlooking a part of the Inner Harbor.

And just in case you were wondering....I did take many more pictures than are here posted! ;)

Hasta!

Estoy una hospedadora.

It's Spring Break time for schools in the US!!  And that means visitor season for me!! Woohoo!  I get to be doubly blessed this week!
First, Amy Hohulin is visiting from Bloomington.  She's with me in NY for a few days then we'll head down to DC.

 

 Amy Burrito.

 
Second, some of my Maier cousins are out for a family vacation!  They are staying in Queens, but we met up and had a great time enjoying each other and the city on Tuesday!

 

The Maiers in Central Park, L to R: Me, Marcus, Heidi, Gretchen, Ben, Patty

 

The Maiers + Amy in Central Park looking over Wollman Skating Rink, L to R: Patty, Amy, Gretchen, Heidi, Ben, Marcus

 Mid-Manhattan Library, the Rose Main Reading Room.  

"A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life." - John Milton

Photos/video were taken at The Big Piano in F.A.O. Schwartz.  You can use your imagination for that though!! :)

Hasta!

Estoy en mis rodillas.

It's official now. I matched in General Surgery - Preliminary at NYMC/WMC.  The most common question that I am receiving from people is, "so, how do you feel?"

 Honestly, perhaps a bit stunned.  That it's real. 

 

  Imagine you're hiking a mountain.  There's no trail to follow just the trust of the general feeling that you're still headed up.  No view to see or to help get your bearing as overgrowth and wild nature envelopes you against the face of the mountain.  Sense of timing is lost and you don't bother to try to find it again. And then suddenly you step out of the forrest.  Doubled over panting, trying to catch your breath, you begin to look around. Piece by piece the view becomes whole.  And quietly looking out, your heart rate begins to slow.  Your breathing returns to normal. You notice the sun starting to warm you deep within. And the awe at the realization of where you are standing brings you to your knees and tears to your eyes. If you want to look in that direction, in the not so distant future you feel the journey which awaits. The mountains, in their own way, perhaps even more daunting than from where you just emerged. And you will go, but for a moment you just stand there. Bewildered. Amazed. Humbled. You throw your arms wide open and belt out, "How Great Thou Art"

Lisa's office is catty-corner from mine.  She made a celebratory chocolate cake for everyone in the office! De-Lic-Ious!

 Esther, myself and Ana excited for cake!

 Andrea is the secretary for the Neurosurgeon I work with. Both the Neurosurgeon and Marini were excited to hear I matched at Westchester. Their opinions ment a lot to me.  Indirectly, their big smiles told me they were happy to continue working with me.  (Or at least I made that assumption, though...it was just an assumption).  But you hardly see Marini excited unless he's talking about stepwise regression or statistical significance.  The fact that I can continue with my role in all of this research, granted to a much lesser extent, is a definite blessing of staying at Westchester.

These three are the trauma registrars. Val, me, Brian, and Mary.  They do amazing work, are incredibly helpful, and are very, very patient with us.  On multiple studies we've asked them to pull data from the trauma database, and inevitably then go back and ask them to do it a second, third, fourth, etc... time as we figure out the specific variables we need.

Patrizio! Research coordinator and friend!

Dr. Blood couldn't make it for a piece of cake.  He sent flowers.  I think it's been too long since he has made it to a clearing on the mountains he's climbing.  

A year ago, on the evening following Match Week, I was sitting in this very chair trying to look at my future with courage.  Here I am tonight doing the exact same!  So much has changed, and nothing has changed.  This journey, this adventure, of walking with Jesus is so FULL.

The Great Adventure by Stephen Curtis Chapman 

Saddle up your horses

Started out this morning
In the usual way
Chasing thoughts inside my head
Of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle
Try to make it better than the last

I opened up the Bible
And I read about me
Said, I'd been a prisoner
And God's grace had set me free

And somewhere between the pages
It hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me
And I heard somebody say, "Let's go"

Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
Of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our Leader
Into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other
This is the great adventure, yeah

We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all, we'll find that
This is the greatest journey
That the human heart will ever see

The love of God will take us far
Beyond our wildest dreams, yeah

Oh, saddle up your horses
Come on, get ready to ride

Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
Of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our Leader
Into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other
This is the great adventure

Come on, this is the great adventure
Saddle up, saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through God's amazing grace

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 
Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.




Hasta! 

Estoy Matched!

Didn't really want to go to the hospital today, on Match Day, so I went to Jersey instead.
Explored Princeton, NJ.  Palmer Square.  Princeton University.

 Cheryl Ryan and myself. At Princeton.

And it was about now that I stopped being able to feel my feet. So we moved into Small World Coffee to wait for the news.

 

I matched!! News is still sinking in!! It's hard to believe after so long!  I find out on Friday where! Praising Jesus!
Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.

Hasta!

Estoy compartiendo la musica.

I thought I'd take the time this evening to share two songs.  I must first confess however, I do have ulterior motives for doing so.  You see, I like both of these songs very much.  I would say of all songs they probably take the #2 and #3 spots for single songs that I will spontaneously decide I want to listen to.  I will then go to YouTube and listen to whichever song of the two on repeat a couple....or more....times.  And then move on with the day once again.  However, that being said, I can not put my finger on why I like them so much.  I usually connect to music through lyrics, but in these cases don't actually have any personal connection to make with their messages.  So then could it be the musicality, the harmonies... I've really been thinking about it too much lately which is where the 'ulterior motive' enters.  If you have the few minutes to listen....what is the common factor shared by these two songs?   I'm hoping if a common ground is reasoned between the two perhaps it will lend explanation to why they make me smile.

This first song is Care by Hudson Taylor.  I've been listening to these two Irish brothers make music since before they were Hudson Taylor and instead just Harry and Alfie sitting on the couch in their living room.  I really enjoy all of their music, Care, although for some reason I've yet to discover, bubbles to the top as one of my favorites.





This second song is Asi by Il Volo ft. Eros Ramazzotti.  In Spanish, the theme is perhaps the risk of love about the emptiness, the vast expanse that is left when love leaves. 



Even if there is no discernible common factor, well then, perhaps you can just enjoy them too.

Hasta!