This is what we do in medical school......

This is why UCD SOM rocks.

First day of Med School!

Just like I am in Kindergarden again! hehehehe

My Veggie Garden

I have officially planted my little veggie garden in the back.  I have tomatoes, basil, oregano, rosemary, eggplant, lemongrass, hot peppers and bell peppers.  I hope they stay alive! I have been enjoying eating them!

A Photo That Makes Me Happy

Today for the 30 Day Challenge, I am sharing a photo that makes me happy

I chose this picture because it reminds me of how happy I felt at graduation.  It was an incredible experience that I will remember forever.  My sister and dad were sitting pretty close to the front of the bleachers, so it was really easy to find them, and all I could do was just keep smiling and waving at them (hence, this picture).  It was also awesome to see how happy they were for me.  :)

I will be taking a short break from the 30 Day Challenge since I am going to be in LA this weekend, but don't worry! I will pick back up when I get back!

Nightmare

I just woke up to a vivid version of the nightmare that I often have (yes, at 7am O_O ).  I'm not gonna go into detail, but basically it's my insecurities that I try to ignore coming out full force in my dreams.  This one was particularly realistic, and I woke up very angry and shaken.  I only have this dream every now and then, so I suppose it's better for me to be aware of my insecurities via a sporadic nightmare than if they manifested themselves in my daily life.  *deep breath* I just hate when they seem so real!  Gotta shake it off, it was just a nightmare!

I guess this counts as "whatever tickles your fancy", right? ;)

Birth Control

While reading an article on my favorite feminist blog - www.jezebel.com - about whether oral contraceptives should be included as what will be free in the new health care bill (I think it should be), I came upon this wonderful little quote from the Conference of Catholic Bishops:

"I don't want to overstate or understate our level of concern," said McQuade, the Catholic bishops' spokesperson. "We consider [birth control] an elective drug. Married women can practice periodic abstinence. Other women can abstain altogether. Not having sex doesn't make you sick." 


I'm not even going to go into the issue of reproductive rights, but notice that "women can practice periodic abstinence" and "women can abstain altogether"...  I can't stand how birth control is always considered the responsibility of the woman.  Last time I checked, (reproductive) sex takes at least two people, and so I think it is every bit as much of the man's responsibility as the woman's.  Not every form of contraception works for every couple, but that's why you should talk about it (imagine that! communication! *gasp*) and figure out together what works for you.  I'm sick of hearing how so-and-so "got herself pregnant" and now it's somehow her issue to deal with.  Unless so-and-so went and got AI - good for her if that's what she wanted - then she didn't "get herself pregnant".  Guys: it is your responsibility to find out if your partner is on any form of birth control method, because any potential pregnancy is 50% your fault, so don't just assume she is going to "take care of it".  


And on that note, I would love to see more research and development of birth control methods for men.  Thank you and that is all for now.

My First Glance At Sacramento County Hospital

Today I went with a friend (I won't say who just to protect her privacy) to her doctor appointment at the County hospital in Sacramento - coincidently right down the street from my house in Oak Park.  It was really interesting to people watch, as you see a much different crowd here than you do at Kaiser, but all in all there was a general vibe of friendliness from the patrons of this hospital.  While the triage nurse and other nurses we met were pretty stand-offish and cold, the doctors were surprisingly warm, compassionate and easy to relate to (which in my experience, is the opposite of what you see sometimes).  I was very impressed with the doctors my friend saw.  My friend, who is very supportive of my journey to becoming a physician, allowed me to sit in on her entire appointment, so I was able to see an IUD being removed and a new one inserted.  It was very cool to watch, and I can definitely see myself ending up in the field of Women's Health.

So, I have been failing at keeping up with my 30 Day Challenge of blogging, but that is only because I feel that the topics are lame.  In case you are dying to know the info that I missed in the last few days, my favorite TV show is LOST, my favorite book is The Hot Zone by Richard Preston (I know, I am a nerd).  My favorite authors are probably Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. My favorite quote is the Serenity Prayer, even though I consider myself more spiritual vs. religious.

"God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference"   - Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr

I like this particular "prayer" because I feel that it is a way of thinking that can be applied to almost everything in life.  Like I said, I'm not particularly religious, but I like the message behind it.  


On another note, I tried two new places in Sac.  Louie's, which is on the corner of Stockon and Broadway, is your typical Chinese restaurant.  It wasn't anything fabulous, but if you are looking for mediocre Chinese food, it's good.  Babycakes on J street is an AWESOME cupcake chop, and is a more "small-town" version of Sprinkles.  I got the triple chocolate cupcake = YUM.

I'm on a quest to find cool spots in Sac

Since I am going to be living in Sac again, I am on a quest to "rediscover" it.  Yes, I grew up here, but I grew up in Roseville, which is pretty lame as far as things to do.  The one thing I will give Roseville is that they have every store and commercial chain restaurant imaginable in one area.  Dowtown/midtown Sac, however, has potential.  Today I went to brunch with my aunt and family friend at Capitol Garage.  OMG it was AMAZING.  Yes, we had to wait an hour to be seated and then another hour fifteen for our food, but if you aren't in a hurry, it is soooo worth it!  Accompanied by bottomless mimosas, I had the crab cakes eggs benedict, and it was one of the best things I have ever tasted.  I forgot to take a picture, but I will not make that mistake on my next journey to find a new spot.  This place was on 15th and K.  I can't wait to see what else Sac has to offer!

Oh and today is day 2 of the 30 Day Challenge.  Today is supposed to be about my favorite movie.  I freaking love movies so there is no way I can pick just one.  Some of my favorites are WALLE, Memoirs of a Geisha, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and The Descent.  And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE SCARY MOVIES!

My Favorite Song

Day 1 of the 30 Day Challenge: What is my favorite song?

Well, I actually love many genres of music, my favorites being funk/disco, motown and jazz.  I have many songs that I love and could hear over and over again until the day I die.  However, there is one song that I can truly, easily say is my favorite of all time.  It is a classical song composed by John Williams (shout out to UCLA) and performed by Yo-Yo Ma, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).  I heard it for the first time on So You Think You Can Dance, and the dance just took my breath away.  Then, later I realized it was on the soundtrack from one of my favorite movies, Memoirs of a Geisha.

While I enjoy classical music from time to time, it seems a little odd that my favorite song of all time would be from this genre, but this song just moves something inside me.  It's hard to describe.  I just love it.  Okay, enough sap!  Here it is!

"The Chairman's Waltz" - John Williams

30 Day Challenge

Since I have nothing better to do with my life, I have decided to take the 30 Day Blog Challenge to spice things up a bit.  Thanks to Amanda for the idea!  I will begin the festivities tomorrow!

Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

Summer Time and the Livin's Easy

Yet another lazy day in good ol' Roseville.  Spent the day watching a Monk marathon with Tiana, which is one of my fave shows.  What a life I live! Hahaha.

At the moment, Tiana (my sister) is making me a smoothie.  After all, what are sisters for?!  She is getting her belly button pierced later today.  At least she has a life....

So since I have been such a recluse this week, I decided to get out and at least be a loser with someone else.  I am going to go hang out with Audrey for a bit, and who knows.... maybe we will even go for a bike ride!

I am getting really excited to start school, even if it is going to be hell.  I just want something to do! I am going stir crazy!  I hate having absolutely nothing to do like this, because then I don't feel like doing ANYTHING.  I like it better when I am at least slightly busy, because it forces me to get out and do stuff.  After next week, things should start getting more exciting though.  Next week, Tiana and I are having lunch with Nan, getting some plants for my new garden, and visiting Omar in LA next weekend! I am so excited!  Then, when I get back from LA, I am moving in officially to my new place and getting all situated.  I can't believe my time off is almost over.  I haven't really done much, but at least I can say I am well-rested!  Then, orientation is the last week of July, followed by our White Coat Ceremony (induction into medical school).  I am really excited about that.  And I am glad that Davis decided to go to a more traditional white coat ceremony rather than their usual "stethoscope ceremony".  I wish my mom could go, but she definitely won't be back by then.  (If you want to go, just let me know!)

Well, sorry that this post is so boring... but it is a very accurate reflection of my life at the moment.  That is all.

Another Cat Post

Warning: inner crazy cat lady coming out in 5....4.....3....2....1!

Pretty cute, right? Don't say you weren't warned.

Three More Weeks Left Of My Pre-med Life

A few things have happened since my last post, but I've been a little too busy to post about them so I will just summarize.  J and I had our first night "out on the town" in downtown Sac.  We went to the Park, which (to my understanding) is one of the few hip places to go.  I had already been there during UCD SOM revisit weekend, but this time it was a little more crowded.  All in all, a pretty fun night.  The people in Sac are much more friendly and approachable, but can be on the weird/downright ghetto side... but hey, J and I love meeting characters, so its all good.

The very next day, I woke up and could not stop vomiting, even though I felt fine the night before.  I couldn't even keep water down, and after puking 25 times in about five hours, I decided I should try to see a doctor for some anti-nausea meds or something.  Luckily, Juliette was able to drive me to the ER (because I was too sick to even drive) where they hydrated me with two liters of IV fluid and gave me the wonderful anti-nausea meds.  That definitely did the trick.  My labs all came back normal, so it must have either been food poisoning or just plain too much booze, but either way, it was NOT fun.  That was my first trip to the ER, and it was sort of entertaining since the room across from mine had a prisoner from Folsom Prison in it, but I definitely hope I never have to go back to the ER.  

This past weekend, E drove O (UCLA BF) up to Sac and we spent the weekend together.  It was really fun! He helped me build some of my furniture for my room, so I am about halfway done!  It was really nice to spend time together.  I am flying down to LA to visit him in two weeks, so that should be fun too.  4th of July was super chill.  O and I stopped by a high school friend's Downtown apartment and I got to see all my old high school buddies, which was awesome because its been a long time.  I really like Midtown from what I have seen.  It's just a really laid-back atmosphere and busy, which I like.