tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59390950687811605282024-03-13T07:48:46.876-07:00White Coat TalesMS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-25589798674714101582014-06-17T18:12:00.000-07:002014-06-17T18:12:14.091-07:00Doctor<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xwjqveBW1u4/U5ocqR7JH-I/AAAAAAAAC2o/W6FFPiNDhVY/s640/blogger-image-1796351680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xwjqveBW1u4/U5ocqR7JH-I/AAAAAAAAC2o/W6FFPiNDhVY/s400/blogger-image-1796351680.jpg" width="400" /></a> May 29th, 2014. The day I have inadvertently been waiting for since before I can even remember. It still feels surreal. I have worked SO hard to get where I am now. I have sacrificed so much: mentally, emotionally, personally. I had to introduce myself as Dr. D for the first time the other day, and it felt so wrong. As long as I've been waiting for this moment, and it can't possibly be here yet, right?! </div>
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Graduation week was a blur. Got to spend a lot of time with family and friends, which was lovely. Said goodbye to a lot of amazing friends that I've made over the past four years, which was bittersweet. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, they played a Beyonce video at my graduation (I was here). It was fantastic.</td></tr>
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MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-45592420895519335632014-06-14T16:25:00.000-07:002014-06-14T16:25:22.248-07:00So long, Volvo<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TV3gpaSMsEo/U5ob4SkR5YI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/4oqGmUOHBTM/s1600/blogger-image-210895272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TV3gpaSMsEo/U5ob4SkR5YI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/4oqGmUOHBTM/s640/blogger-image-210895272.jpg" /></a> In preparation for our move across the country, a few weeks ago I sold my Volvo. It would have cost more to ship it than the car was even worth, and I'm honestly not sure if it would have survived the trip if I drove it. So we just drove B's car across the country, and for now I'm carless. Luckily, it's easy enough to get around Philly without a car. When I started orientation a few days ago (yes, there are many posts I am behind on) I wasn't sure whether I'd prefer to walk, bike, subway, bus or drive to work. Driving is pretty much out because I don't have a car yet, and it's $200/month to park. Subway is sorta out since it doesn't operate early enough for me some days. Biking is doable, but somewhat dangerous on the city streets. Walking is a great option, but takes 40 min each way and I get all sweaty. Soooo... I tried taking the bus, and I think I found a winner! Not only does it pretty much go straight from my house to the hospital, it takes half the time of walking. </div>
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Also, B got a tattoo to commemorate achieving our milestone in our journey in medicine. I think it's pretty cool. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think he enjoyed it a little too much</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend A came with us and got one too!</td></tr>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-30891160305348987552014-05-15T11:10:00.000-07:002014-05-15T11:10:12.221-07:00Sh*t Just Got Real, Y'all Now that I've had some time to let all of the crazy events in my life these days simmer a bit, I'm starting to feel more relaxed about some things, and more stressed by others. I'm feeling more relaxed about buying a house and moving across the country now that everything is all lined up and ready to go. I'm feeling completely relaxed about finishing medical school and graduating. I've been getting my research project all set up to run in my absence, and have recruited another medical student to help. My bridesmaid duties are officially over now that their wedding is finished. Side note - it was the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen... I even finished the yearbooks up a few weeks ago, and they are supposed to be delivered to me today (can't wait to see how they turned out!). <br />
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But now that those stressors are dying out, it's time for me to start dealing with the next wave of madness. I'm beginning to feel scared about starting intern year. I even had a nightmare about it last night. I dreamed that I forgot where and when I was supposed to show up the first day, and that I was running 30 min late, had no idea where I was going, and it was terrible. I guess it's pretty natural to be having anxiety about starting a new job and new challenges.<br />
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Also, while I am absolutely thrilled about being engaged, and <b>very</b> excited to get married to B, the realities of the situation have set in. How the hell do people logistically get married during residency?! Having time off at the same time as one another is one hurdle, and having more than one week off at a time is another hurdle, which means that we'll have to wait until <i>at least</i> our PGY2 year. The other hurdle is, how the hell are we supposed to save up for something so expensive on a resident salary?! My parents have graciously offered some money for the wedding, and while we are ecstatic about that, we are realistically going to need to save a substantial amount of money on top of that. The other huge challenge is who the going to plan this wedding. I mean, I love planning this stuff, <u>but</u> I'm going to have minuscule time off during intern year. Not to mention, how am I supposed to plan a wedding on the West Coast when I'm living on the East Coast? AAGGGGHH *$%#@$!!!<br />
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Anyone have any tips for planning for and saving for a wedding during residency?MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-61013170356904348832014-05-13T21:24:00.000-07:002014-05-13T21:24:48.933-07:00Home Sweet Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UgbqFEBpqaE/U3Ll5t_KB3I/AAAAAAAACs8/Ga7QPK7Eh6k/s640/blogger-image-1758412295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a> A few weekends ago, B* and I made a quick trip to Philadelphia to go house hunting. Thanks to B's hard work and preparation before the trip, when we got there everything was all lined up and ready to go. Our real estate agent showed us 12 houses in one day, with plans to see more if necessary. Luckily, we found one on the first day we really liked. We made an offer, and are currently under contract. Everything has been going smoothly so far: the inspection, the appraisal, etc. So if all goes according to plan, we officially close and <b>get our keys</b> on June 6th! Holy crap, we're gonna be home owners!<br />
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I can't believe I'm gonna co-own a home so early in my life. I would have never thought it'd be possible, but the amount we're gonna pay in mortgage is actually less than what we would be paying in rent. Granted, we're not living in Center City, where all the action is. However, we're still living in a super cute up-and-coming neighborhood that is still plenty close to everything. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished basement - aka my new lady cave<br /></td></tr>
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I'm so happy with the house we got. It's a recently renovated 3 bed/1.5 bath, with a good sized patio and a finished basement. I can't WAIT to decorate. Also, I somehow convinced B to let me have the entire basement as my office/craft room/lady cave... HAHAHA!!! (insert evil laugh here)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Master bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room</td></tr>
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Since when did I become a grown-ass adult?!<br />
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* Now that BF and I are engaged, I'm going to just refer to him as "B"<br />
<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-71112799743083430462014-05-07T22:05:00.001-07:002014-05-07T22:05:10.972-07:00The Vacation of a Lifetime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just one week after Match Day, I finished medical school! Holy crap, it still hasn't hit me that I'm done. And after moving all of our worldly possessions into storage and my parents house in the course of one weekend, we immediately took off halfway around the world. We went to the north island of New Zealand and to the kingdom of Tonga, and both were AMAZING. Luckily, I have a lot of family in New Zealand, so BF and I just went from city to city visiting everyone and exploring. Oh yeah, and something pretty big happened.... Here are some pictures capturing the adventures:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandma when she was young eating a chicken wing. I see where I get it...</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GAAGRvba31w/U2nY_IQ_TlI/AAAAAAAACiU/SeKVWMXlPM8/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GAAGRvba31w/U2nY_IQ_TlI/AAAAAAAACiU/SeKVWMXlPM8/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsMPPN5oZ28/U2nZAeoDL8I/AAAAAAAACio/4ZvjMQnp__8/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsMPPN5oZ28/U2nZAeoDL8I/AAAAAAAACio/4ZvjMQnp__8/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBxWKZ7qhZY/U2nZA4EfG-I/AAAAAAAACi0/csp18DpVoOo/s1600/IMG_0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBxWKZ7qhZY/U2nZA4EfG-I/AAAAAAAACi0/csp18DpVoOo/s1600/IMG_0338.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCQZKR0CZ0U/U2nZBEbbH0I/AAAAAAAACi4/Wdduk-mi5JA/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCQZKR0CZ0U/U2nZBEbbH0I/AAAAAAAACi4/Wdduk-mi5JA/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei, NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqAZUpfJI7I/U2nZB2EBYLI/AAAAAAAACjI/mMuUOMAQZ10/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqAZUpfJI7I/U2nZB2EBYLI/AAAAAAAACjI/mMuUOMAQZ10/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Cove, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3KBNI19joro/U2nZB4qUKTI/AAAAAAAACjE/RaQt79bcwLM/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3KBNI19joro/U2nZB4qUKTI/AAAAAAAACjE/RaQt79bcwLM/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Cove, NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qoy79OVlj3k/U2nZCBBd9QI/AAAAAAAACjM/UrMbDJBxBvo/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qoy79OVlj3k/U2nZCBBd9QI/AAAAAAAACjM/UrMbDJBxBvo/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Cove, NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kLSmmOr2f0/U2nZC1gYCsI/AAAAAAAACjc/kawUqs6jsg0/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kLSmmOr2f0/U2nZC1gYCsI/AAAAAAAACjc/kawUqs6jsg0/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Cove, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iq-mCPlFE-A/U2nZDatp8UI/AAAAAAAACjo/SDD5G8lOMmI/s1600/IMG_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iq-mCPlFE-A/U2nZDatp8UI/AAAAAAAACjo/SDD5G8lOMmI/s1600/IMG_0400.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Cove, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purangi Winery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purangi Winery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDG5A2zmaIE/U2nZHgmHDLI/AAAAAAAACk8/re_hLHD6Tyo/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDG5A2zmaIE/U2nZHgmHDLI/AAAAAAAACk8/re_hLHD6Tyo/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDIGuZ_OFtc/U2nZIYXKUuI/AAAAAAAAClI/JCGhkPrcXpk/s1600/IMG_0502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDIGuZ_OFtc/U2nZIYXKUuI/AAAAAAAAClI/JCGhkPrcXpk/s1600/IMG_0502.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WriCYMEuBr8/U2nZIiR4gKI/AAAAAAAAClM/y8U1Sr3xBh8/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WriCYMEuBr8/U2nZIiR4gKI/AAAAAAAAClM/y8U1Sr3xBh8/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OyaeIBqk4Lc/U2nZI65OjfI/AAAAAAAAClQ/0qTrd5CmS_c/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OyaeIBqk4Lc/U2nZI65OjfI/AAAAAAAAClQ/0qTrd5CmS_c/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrWSSJR42XA/U2nZJlllTQI/AAAAAAAAClc/p1JN4p6qFEE/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrWSSJR42XA/U2nZJlllTQI/AAAAAAAAClc/p1JN4p6qFEE/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4WFIhvAAoE/U2nZMqDI1AI/AAAAAAAACmc/bFUR8g4BWDM/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4WFIhvAAoE/U2nZMqDI1AI/AAAAAAAACmc/bFUR8g4BWDM/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdwxpcB6A_o/U2nZNCC-f7I/AAAAAAAACmo/oHhKuFmDuvM/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdwxpcB6A_o/U2nZNCC-f7I/AAAAAAAACmo/oHhKuFmDuvM/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPRjn0DkAOw/U2nZNWtPjoI/AAAAAAAACms/gmLPrC_9_qM/s1600/IMG_0582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPRjn0DkAOw/U2nZNWtPjoI/AAAAAAAACms/gmLPrC_9_qM/s1600/IMG_0582.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crescent moon - I can't help myself!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uouvFNRFKi8/U2nZNtpAI4I/AAAAAAAACmw/m94E0Wntm0g/s1600/IMG_0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uouvFNRFKi8/U2nZNtpAI4I/AAAAAAAACmw/m94E0Wntm0g/s1600/IMG_0584.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hahei Beach, NZ</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family in Gisborne, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27tuC5-DL4I/U2nZOx4ulmI/AAAAAAAACnM/ZStBkPlm28c/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27tuC5-DL4I/U2nZOx4ulmI/AAAAAAAACnM/ZStBkPlm28c/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family in Gisborne, NZ</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QodRJudWPo8/U2nZPHks66I/AAAAAAAACnU/KdzPOINAPsc/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QodRJudWPo8/U2nZPHks66I/AAAAAAAACnU/KdzPOINAPsc/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4FFp20fjgM/U2nZQFVNLVI/AAAAAAAACng/aYM9NqiOBZ0/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4FFp20fjgM/U2nZQFVNLVI/AAAAAAAACng/aYM9NqiOBZ0/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome winery that does everything based on the lunar calendar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4orHBH231U/U2nZRHCiUjI/AAAAAAAACns/4xY7BtIKKdQ/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4orHBH231U/U2nZRHCiUjI/AAAAAAAACns/4xY7BtIKKdQ/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cute little hut in Tonga</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFG320cmrDQ/U2nZROLYCZI/AAAAAAAACnw/RP-mAax4HWo/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFG320cmrDQ/U2nZROLYCZI/AAAAAAAACnw/RP-mAax4HWo/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View when you walked out of our hut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFlqt95cmbg/U2nZRfFZKZI/AAAAAAAACn0/kr2pSL5TeZE/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFlqt95cmbg/U2nZRfFZKZI/AAAAAAAACn0/kr2pSL5TeZE/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha'atafu Beach, Tonga</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kioehBcZOtk/U2nZSf-AC5I/AAAAAAAACoE/LCE93gPpZDo/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kioehBcZOtk/U2nZSf-AC5I/AAAAAAAACoE/LCE93gPpZDo/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qn2xX5QWJE/U2nZSmfW0mI/AAAAAAAACoI/dS1FzdFT3Lo/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qn2xX5QWJE/U2nZSmfW0mI/AAAAAAAACoI/dS1FzdFT3Lo/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HE PROPOSED! WE'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!!!! :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcsKKd_0qcU/U2nZTZ7Hy6I/AAAAAAAACoY/7mg1gXlA_jI/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcsKKd_0qcU/U2nZTZ7Hy6I/AAAAAAAACoY/7mg1gXlA_jI/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha'atafu Beach, Tonga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXc46dBWB9k/U2nZUKVI03I/AAAAAAAACog/y5zdYlh5fDk/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXc46dBWB9k/U2nZUKVI03I/AAAAAAAACog/y5zdYlh5fDk/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangaimotu, Tonga</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ah5JCu7q9Y/U2nZU_iez3I/AAAAAAAACos/COIlLAtCvZE/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ah5JCu7q9Y/U2nZU_iez3I/AAAAAAAACos/COIlLAtCvZE/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangaimotu, Tonga</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ia63C6nqUeE/U2nZUzxIh0I/AAAAAAAACow/irLAFDkET3c/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ia63C6nqUeE/U2nZUzxIh0I/AAAAAAAACow/irLAFDkET3c/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangaimotu, Tonga</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z5wUB4gNSg/U2nZVoeoWuI/AAAAAAAACo4/bdo89psFrag/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z5wUB4gNSg/U2nZVoeoWuI/AAAAAAAACo4/bdo89psFrag/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangaimotu, Tonga</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qE4MJJbwkMM/U2nZV_xozlI/AAAAAAAACpE/SRJy3w9GN4c/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qE4MJJbwkMM/U2nZV_xozlI/AAAAAAAACpE/SRJy3w9GN4c/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly dog on the beach</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae5NwCLHFVk/U2nZWrQpK2I/AAAAAAAACpU/bLUvxEm54mc/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae5NwCLHFVk/U2nZWrQpK2I/AAAAAAAACpU/bLUvxEm54mc/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangaimotu, Tonga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVj7BZbRSEY/U2nZXcaTIpI/AAAAAAAACpg/u7O53T-XTNs/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVj7BZbRSEY/U2nZXcaTIpI/AAAAAAAACpg/u7O53T-XTNs/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmo4XVTR6go/U2nZXntKXzI/AAAAAAAACps/CI5Eq3UKDTU/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmo4XVTR6go/U2nZXntKXzI/AAAAAAAACps/CI5Eq3UKDTU/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, NZ</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iICC4XjQBoE/U2nZYWOmBsI/AAAAAAAACp4/xd901qtBVwg/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iICC4XjQBoE/U2nZYWOmBsI/AAAAAAAACp4/xd901qtBVwg/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, NZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrtXQdFaoKU/U2nZY6GJw7I/AAAAAAAACp8/4Shha91hDb0/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JrtXQdFaoKU/U2nZY6GJw7I/AAAAAAAACp8/4Shha91hDb0/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario and Princess Peach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olNxKOebjXY/U2nZZQJKg7I/AAAAAAAACqA/Qt3W-oG_3KY/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olNxKOebjXY/U2nZZQJKg7I/AAAAAAAACqA/Qt3W-oG_3KY/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg8B1qE6H4s/U2nZZl7nZqI/AAAAAAAACqQ/CZea2_GWx54/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg8B1qE6H4s/U2nZZl7nZqI/AAAAAAAACqQ/CZea2_GWx54/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRP9zThYdk/U2nZaHeJKcI/AAAAAAAACqY/Dn4i2oCGgVc/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRP9zThYdk/U2nZaHeJKcI/AAAAAAAACqY/Dn4i2oCGgVc/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiheke Island, NZ</td></tr>
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So in case you didn't catch it in the photos above... BF PROPOSED!!!!! We're engaged, y'all!!!! I am beyond excited, and sooo happy! I mean, I knew it would happen eventually, but I thought it wouldn't be until intern year or so. We're engaged!!! EEEEEeeeee!!!!!! :D</div>
<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-37232334914944896302014-04-24T22:34:00.000-07:002014-04-24T22:34:02.913-07:00Back To Where It All Started Before I talk about our moving adventures, I think I'm just gonna go ahead and spill the beans about where we ended up matching. I'm always hesitant to disclose any information that is too identifying on this blog, for fear that it may be held against me professionally. However, I think there are enough programs in our city that you wouldn't even be able to guess <i>which</i> program we're at. <br />
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Here goes: We're going to Philadelphia, y'all!!! Okay, now I'm going to carry on.<br />
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<br /> So just a measly 7 days after Match Day, BF and I packed up our lives and moved everything over the span of two days. Luckily, we had friends and family to help us. We put most of our possessions into a storage unit for the time being, and we are living with my parents nearby for the next fews months before we officially move across the country. As you can imagine, scrambling to find a place to live 3,000 miles away in two months is less than ideal. Unfortunately, that's the name of the game with the Match. There is absolutely no way to prepare ahead of time and look at places, because you have no idea where you're gonna end up. <br />
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On the bright side, it has actually been pretty nice living with my parents. No bills, no buying food, good company. It's pretty sweet. It's also nice to be spending time with my parents before we move so far away :(<br />
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Though I'm very anxious to find a place to live in time, I'm actually getting really excited because we are going to <b>buy</b> a house! Holy crap - I'm going to <i>own </i>(co-own) a house! I never would have thought I could afford to own a house at this stage in my life, but BF showed me the numbers, <u>and</u> the housing market in Philadelphia is very buyer friendly. So this weekend, we're heading to Philly to go house hunting, and I can't wait! Wish us luck! We're gonna need some if we want to find a home in one weekend, and to close in time before we start working. <br />
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-13267013450620188302014-04-22T23:23:00.000-07:002014-04-22T23:23:19.467-07:00Match<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nx_TInEFmJ0/U1dU8QILdiI/AAAAAAAACgo/0UII-rPW-qY/s640/blogger-image-452848875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nx_TInEFmJ0/U1dU8QILdiI/AAAAAAAACgo/0UII-rPW-qY/s640/blogger-image-452848875.jpg" /></a> I know this post is <b>very</b> late, and I didnt mean to leave y'all hanging, but a LOT has happened in the past month. Match day finally came, and as promised, it brought surprise, excitement, and tears. </div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L-jYtBEER5s/U1dVBpQXG8I/AAAAAAAACg4/N8Ga7mSmQe8/s640/blogger-image--1368062815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L-jYtBEER5s/U1dVBpQXG8I/AAAAAAAACg4/N8Ga7mSmQe8/s640/blogger-image--1368062815.jpg" /></a> BF and I barely even started opening our envelopes when we heard commotion and screams all over the room. But we weren't paying much attention to that. Going into the match, I wasn't that nervous about not matching together, but about 20 minutes before we got our envelopes, the fear hit me all at once. What if we ended up on opposite coasts?! We finally got our envelopes open, looked at them, and breathed a sigh of relief that we ended up together in the same city. Then we breathed another sigh of relief that we both ended up at programs we really liked. But HOLY CRAP WE'RE MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY! Then every single person in that crowded room proceeded to bombard us with questions. It was absolutely overwhelming.</div>
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It's only after the fact that I truly appreciate how absurd the entire tradition of match day is. We put our lives on hold for months, having <u>no</u> idea where we will end up for the next chapter of our lives, so we're not able to plan ANYTHING (which is completely terrifying for a typical type-A med student). Then in the span of 30 seconds, our entire life changes right before our eyes, and we don't have a single second to process what just happened before we have to celebrate with everyone. </div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4qMpY8CQMOQ/U1dU--e3BQI/AAAAAAAACgw/EGl-PQQGe7A/s640/blogger-image-468639457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4qMpY8CQMOQ/U1dU--e3BQI/AAAAAAAACgw/EGl-PQQGe7A/s640/blogger-image-468639457.jpg" /></a> The reality really didn't sink in until a few days later. But once we had a few moments to really let it sink in, we became very excited. We're going to a whole new city that neither of us has ever lived in before, so it's gonna be an adventure. And we're really excited to explore and try something new. I've lived in California my whole life, and now I'm moving to the East Coast. I'm gonna have to buy some <i>real</i> winter clothes! Haha. Most importantly, we ended up at hospitals in the same city (a few blocks from each other even). And we are both at programs we loved. So here's to new adventures! Yippeeeeeeee!!!!!</div>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-58884978846336981232014-04-18T00:42:00.000-07:002014-04-18T00:42:11.698-07:00Radio Silence<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aj71zZz8Ksc/U1DWY1JVOZI/AAAAAAAACgU/eSHBPXPZEnM/s640/blogger-image--364690387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aj71zZz8Ksc/U1DWY1JVOZI/AAAAAAAACgU/eSHBPXPZEnM/s640/blogger-image--364690387.jpg" /></a> It's always during the most busy, action-packed times that I don't find time to blog. I haven't blogged for over a month, and let me tell you, this last month has been the biggest whirlwind I've ever experienced. So many life-changing things have happened in the past month (don't worry - all good things), and I haven't blogged about a single one of them. Unfortunately, the whirlwind continues... and I won't really have time to sit down and give the next few posts the proper time they deserve until next week. But, for now I will update anyone who cares that: Yes! BF and I matched together! :D YAY! And we're really excited about where we matched. And things are amazing right now... just extremely busy!<br />
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Look out for some posts next week. I'm gonna cover a LOT, because a lot has happened. Hold on to your panties, y'all!<br />
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-5446167685265020622014-03-17T16:06:00.000-07:002014-03-17T16:06:26.212-07:00Match Monday It's official y'all - I have a job!!! Today MS4s across the country found out whether or not they matched. I matched!!! And so did BF! Now we just have to wait till Friday to find out if we matched together, and to see where we're gonna end up. Luckily only 2 out of about 96 people in our class had to SOAP (formerly known as the "scramble"), which is less than previous years, so people generally did OK. Whoever those two people are, and for all those who had to SOAP, I wish them luck, and I hope it all works out. <br />
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MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-23549893672958192342014-03-15T22:36:00.000-07:002014-03-15T22:36:26.138-07:00Mirth Control If you've been reading my blog for some time, you'll probably remember me mentioning <a href="http://whitecoatails.blogspot.com/search/label/Mirth%20Control">Mirth Control</a> before, but if you're new to my blog, I'll explain. Mirth Control is an annual event at my med school where each class puts on a comedic video or skit roasting the medical school experience. Its a wonderful tradition which allows medical students to take a step back from studying or working, and just laugh about how ridiculous this whole process is. For all four years, I have co-directed our class' skits. While at times it was a stressful, frustrating job, there were so many other times it was so much fun to do. This year, as MS4s, we were in charge of hosting the whole event, which was quite a task, but I think we threw a pretty good show. :) I'm really proud of everything we did over the four years, and especially what we did this year. I'm really glad the show went well, but I have to say I'm even more glad its over, so I can start working on moving out. Even though all of the work I put into co-directing this each year had absolutely no bearing on my resume, I'm still really glad I did it. <br />
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Well, if you are in need for some laughs, or if you'd just like to see what the heck "Mirth Control" is all about, one of my class mates was kind enough to put together a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd7KPimRXdwRVmGh4QZEg44ZoK6Alf7Rf">Youtube playlist</a> of a lot of the clips from this year's show. Our class skit was a spin-off of the Hunger Games, but instead it was the "Match Games." Enjoy!<br />
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Here is one of my favorite clips - its the different "districts" </div>
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of the medical school training for the "Match Games"</div>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-32100555505635974442014-03-13T21:11:00.001-07:002014-03-15T22:36:59.328-07:00One week<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It so close I can taste it. Everything I've been working for has lead me to this point. One week left! It also helps that this week is super busy. Tomorrow is Mirth Control, the annual school roast event that I've been working on for months. I'll be sure to post some of the videos on YouTube afterwards.</div>
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I'm really glad I'm ending the year on Family Planning. Though I actually do have to do some work, it has been so fun actually doing things I care about, learning a lot, and hanging out with people I love and respect. </div>
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I actually started getting all sentimental today. After tomorrow, no more Mirths. In one week, I'm gonna know exactly where I'm going, and I'm gonna have to deal with it, for better or worse. No more mystery or intrigue. On the flip side, I can at least move forward after that. Start planning my next step. So here's to all the other MS4s out there. Enjoy these last moments of medical school. And my the match be ever in your favor! </div>
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-29232189152849078772014-03-10T20:53:00.001-07:002014-03-10T20:53:57.690-07:00I couldn't have made this story up if I tried<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I am about to tell a story I already know some people won't believe. It's okay, if I wasn't there myself, I probably wouldn't have believed it either. It was one of the most unexpected, serendipitous things that have ever happened to me in my life thus far, and I will never EVER forget it.</div>
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It all happened so quickly. I was walking to the hospital for a meeting, and in my path, about 50 feet from the hospital entrance, a man shouted for help. He was supporting his wife, who was standing, obviously pregnant, and grabbing onto a nearby trashcan for support. </div>
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I ran over, and asked, "What's going on?"</div>
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The man replied, "I can feel a head!" </div>
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At this point I'm thinking to myself "Oh $@*&..." My first thought was that we had to get this lady to Labor and Delivery. Bystanders are starting to walk up now, asking if I need help, and each time I say, "YES! Go inside and have the front desk CALL L&D! Tell them to get down here NOW!" I must have sent about 4 different people in to do this.</div>
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So I asked her "Do you think you can sit down on this bench?"</div>
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"NO!"</div>
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"Okay, how many weeks are you, Ma'am?"</div>
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"THIRTY EIGHT!!!!!!" </div>
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So far, all of this has happened in a span of about 30 seconds. I proceed to put my bag down and roll up the sleeves of my white sweatshirt. Next, I crouch down near her legs (she is still standing) to see what is going on. And as soon as I'm in the crouching position - <i style="font-weight: bold;">PHOOMP!</i> The baby is <u>out</u>. It just <i>falls out!</i></div>
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The dad and I both reached out and caught that slippery little sucker together. He lets go, and here I am: holding this little baby with my bare ass hands, bodily fluids every where. Baby was a bit blue, and wasn't really breathing yet, so I rubbed its belly to imitate the "vigorous stimulation" that I always see the L&D nurses do. It started crying, and the next thing I thought was "WHY ISN'T ANYONE HERE YET?!" More people were passing by, asking if we needed help, and I asked them if they had anything to wrap the baby in to keep it warm. These wonderful passersby didn't hesitate a single second, ripped off their coats, and handed them over for us to swaddle the baby in. </div>
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<u>Finally</u>, some volunteers came out with a wheelchair. This poor lady still had her placenta in, cord attached to baby, so we wheeled her in, getting her to the right people and setting to get the care she needed.</div>
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I was only 15 minutes late to my meeting, but for the rest of the day, I couldn't stop worrying about this woman and her baby. Had I done everything right? What if mom or baby had a bad outcome? What could I have done better? I suppose I didn't really actually do anything except help her get to where she was trying to go. </div>
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The next day, I went to her room, just to check if everyone turned out OK. </div>
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"I'm not sure if you remember me, but..."</div>
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"OH WE REMEMBER YOU. Thank you so much for your help. Would you like to hold the baby?"</div>
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Everyone was fine. They were laughing about the story they have to tell. And I got to hold that sweet little baby.</div>
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* Patient details have been changed or omitted to protect patient privacy</div>
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-62619330989617345092014-02-28T10:52:00.002-08:002014-02-28T10:52:40.601-08:00Scratch That In my last post I talked about how I was going to be stepping back from my research for a bit after some set-backs occurred. Well, I was wrong. My research mentor actually wants to move to the next step of re-submitting for IRB approval with modifications <b>like right now</b>. So, I <i>thought</i> I was only going to have to worry about planning Mirth for the next two weeks (which is plenty to handle itself), butttttt I was wrong.<br />
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Man, at least I can say I really ended 4th year with a bang! I have been SO BUSY!MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-43229569327227928972014-02-27T08:15:00.002-08:002014-02-27T08:15:57.238-08:00The Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ZXbHtLu-ao/Uw2a_qw57yI/AAAAAAAACaM/lwR4BoC8uSE/s640/blogger-image-51508057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ZXbHtLu-ao/Uw2a_qw57yI/AAAAAAAACaM/lwR4BoC8uSE/s640/blogger-image-51508057.jpg" /></a></div>
Last month, when I was playing with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Zombie-Tarot-Oracle-Instructions/dp/1594745692/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393516232&sr=8-1&keywords=zombie+tarot">zombie tarot cards</a> for some insight into February, I got a card that didn't make much sense to me at the time - the tower. The tower represents "a sudden change, questioning conventions, destruction". Naturally, a card like this would worry any normal control-freak. But there's no point in worrying over things that haven't happened yet, especially things we don't even know about yet.<br />
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A few days ago it came crashing down on me. Though my research project had been going slower than I originally anticipated, it had at least been moving forward. I had collected my first month of data. I sat down to enter all of the data and perform some rudimentary preliminary analysis on it (to have something to turn in for my fourth year med school research project). What I found was worrying.<br />
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My research project involves a survey, and unfortunately, over half of the respondents weren't answering the most important question appropriately. Based on their responses, they most likely didn't understand what I was asking for. At this point, I was disappointed, but I kept moving on.<br />
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I met with my research mentor to go over the preliminary findings (for the purposes of my medical school project due), and as soon as we got to the part about over half of the respondents not answering that question appropriately, he threw me off that tower. "Oh, you're gonna have to stop your study then," he said bluntly. "Basically, we're gonna have to go back to the drawing board, rewrite that question and start over." He was very reassuring that this stuff just <i>happens</i> in research, and that we'll get the study done in due time, but it will likely have to be my residency research project.<br />
<br />
While I completely understand the reasoning behind it, I was still a little surprised. I wasn't quite expecting something this drastic in response to the lack of appropriate responses. And what was even more of a surprise, was how this all made me feel. I would have expected to feel angry or frustrated, especially considering the amount of time and effort I have put into this over the past YEAR, however, I felt <i>relieved. </i> I definitely want to finish, and someday publish, this study, but now there is no way to finish the project before I graduate, so it essentially has to be put on hold while I figure out how to reword that part of the survey - and where I'm going to be next year. So that means I actually get a bit of a break from it while all this other crazy Match and graduation stuff is going on. *phew*<br />
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Oh yeah, and 22 days till Match...MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-1481832603867274412014-02-18T19:18:00.000-08:002014-02-18T19:18:01.482-08:00In the grand scheme of things, 30 days is the blink of an eye<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pzIoPJ6K6Lg/UwQiByhgFrI/AAAAAAAACZg/23gaBfnMUhM/s640/blogger-image--1796481753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pzIoPJ6K6Lg/UwQiByhgFrI/AAAAAAAACZg/23gaBfnMUhM/s400/blogger-image--1796481753.jpg" width="225" /></a> Yep, shit is getting real now, y'all. 30 days until Match Day - the day that our fate is decided. <br />
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What I've been doing to keep my mind off of it:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Co-hosted a bridal shower</li>
<li>Performed "My Angry Vagina" in the Vagina Monologues</li>
<li>Spending 9 - 5 in a dissection anatomy didactic</li>
<li>Working on the class yearbook</li>
<li>Planning and filming stuff for Mirth Control</li>
<li>Scrambling to work on and finish my research project that is due next Friday (to get credit for 4th year). Unfortunately, I only have preliminary data to turn in for the school project deadline, but I plan to submit a more complete project later for actual publication. </li>
<li>Zumba, running, Hip-hop, and dieting</li>
<li>Crafting when time permits (not often lately)</li>
</ul>
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I'm getting more excited, and trying not to be worried, because there is <b>absolutely nothing</b> I can do at this point to change the outcome of the match. I just wanna get it over with, rip the bandaid off, and find out where we're going to spend the next 5-7 years of our lives! </div>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-41521559426547957172014-02-05T19:43:00.001-08:002014-02-05T19:43:46.897-08:00Exercise Endorphins Last week, I finally started to get serious about trying to lose weight. I mean, I have a bridesmaid dress sitting in my closet that I need to fit into by May! It <i>almost</i> zips all the way, it's just a teensy bit too tight (due to a bit of extra weight from interview feasts + holiday feasts). I have plenty of time, and I know I can do it, so I'm not too worried. I just need to do it.<br />
<br />
So anyway, last week, in addition to my usual running the puppy every other day (BF and I trade off), I <b>finally</b> joined this dance studio I've been stalking online for years. I ended up going 4 times in the week, and I loved it! I forgot how happy it makes me to dance. And I love how concentrating on technique and the routine <u>completely</u> clears my mind, which is hard to do to a medical student. So I can't wait to keep going for the next two months while I still live here. <br />
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Last week I did <i>really</i> well. I stuck to my diet, I worked out 6/7 days, and actually worked out twice in one day a few times. I felt like a million bucks. Then, I took a break from dieting for a day so that I could <strike>pig out</strike> enjoy Superbowl snacks, which was fine because I planned for it. But then Monday, I think a combo of not getting enough sleep, transitional exhaustion from actually having to be on a rotation again, and the temptation of leftover Superbowl snacks in the fridge was the perfect recipe for an unplanned <strike>binge</strike> TERRIBLE diet/exercise day. I ended up feeling like crap all Monday, Tuesday, and first half of today. It was so hard to get back into the zone I was in last week - until I went on my puppy run. I felt <b>so much better</b> afterward! It was like an instant mood boost! I think I may have crossed over to that point I've always heard people talk about, where you become "addicted" to exercise and feel crappy when you don't do it. I've never been like that before! Anyway, now that I know how much better I feel if I just get out there and DO something, it won't be as hard to drag myself to do it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last month has started off a little rocky...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't believe how good I was last month. I ran almost 30 miles! </td></tr>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-47318206009737253492014-02-03T23:22:00.001-08:002014-02-03T23:22:44.314-08:00Stuck In A Weird Spot Every now and then, I find myself stuck in a weird spot. Now is one of those times. On one hand, I feel anxious for time to pass, and to get these next few months over with. It's excruciating worrying about where we're gonna match, and it's completely out of our control at this point. I also have so many things I need to get done in the next month or two that are nagging at me constantly. I can't wait for these things to be accomplished so I can stop fretting about them. <div><br></div><div> On the other hand, I also want time to slow down, so that I can stay in this moment forever. The end of fourth year is so bittersweet, knowing this is gonna be the last time you spend with a lot of your classmates. And lately I've been so spoiled with fun, easy rotations that residency is gonna hurt for the first few months. I've had time to relax, exercise, re-exploring my love for dance, read books that make me happy but not smarter, and craft to my heart's content. </div><div><br></div><div> I'm confused about what I want. Regardless, time is gonna keep on passing by, and my perception of that is gonna be what it's gonna be. </div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-24JDEYOZhWw/UvCVQmaRCJI/AAAAAAAACYU/YbdMys0k6Y0/s640/blogger-image--1510794761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-24JDEYOZhWw/UvCVQmaRCJI/AAAAAAAACYU/YbdMys0k6Y0/s640/blogger-image--1510794761.jpg"></a></div></div>MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-38949381985475503792014-02-01T13:55:00.001-08:002014-02-01T13:55:54.255-08:00Mission Bridal Shower - Accomplished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And it turned out pretty well! Congrats F & C! :)</div>
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-44673310767577222922014-01-29T22:49:00.000-08:002014-01-29T22:49:27.792-08:00Happy 70th Birthday, Grandma! My mom and I went down to San Diego to visit my grandma for her very first birthday party ever - her 70th! She was thrilled to have us, and though it can be frustrating being so different from parts of my family, overall it was a good time.<br />
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<br />MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-16401411705787648622014-01-29T22:34:00.000-08:002014-01-29T22:34:25.439-08:0050 Days Get your tiny violin out, folks, because my lovely 10 weeks of vacation is almost over. It has been absolutely amazing. And surprisingly, I actually haven't gotten bored because I've been keeping busy with all of my various projects. <br />
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<u>"What has been occupying her time?" you might wonder:</u><br />
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<ul>
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<li>Bridal shower planning: This was a few days ago, and it turned out lovely, but I'm glad it's over so I don't have to think about it anymore. And speaking of being a good bridesmaid, I've been trying to lose weight to fit into my bridesmaid dress. </li>
<li>Research: Still slow-going. The hardest part is waiting.</li>
<li>Class yearbook: We chose a <a href="http://yearbooks.picaboo.com/">fantastic company</a>, and everything is underway and going well so far. I'm really excited about this!</li>
<li><a href="http://whitecoatails.blogspot.com/search/label/Mirth%20Control">MIRTH Control</a>: This is probably stressing me out the most. Time to come up with videos/skits is dwindling, getting people to commit to participate is like pulling teeth, and I have so many other things I'm working on too.</li>
<li>Vagina Monologues: This is the first time I've ever really acted. I need to practice more, because the other people performing are <u>really good.</u> Gotta step my game up.</li>
<li>Planning our New Zealand vacation: Luckily this isn't until April, so there's still time, but I don't wanna procrastinate too much.</li>
<li>MATCH Rank Order List: DONE, thank goodness. Certified and everything. We've got about 23 ranks together, and the rest of our 144-long list are us matching in different cities. The good news is that there is absolutely <b>nothing else </b>we need to do before match day. The bad news is that it makes me soooo anxious thinking about us not matching together. </li>
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Well, it seems like even more to me after I listed it all out. It's been fun! Next week I start a rotation where we observe and perform surgical procedures on human cadavers. Should be pretty interesting, but I'm not looking forward to actually having to be somewhere every day. I know, I know... This is why I told you to get out your tiny violin earlier.MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-19608365601711902402014-01-02T15:31:00.001-08:002014-01-02T15:31:28.108-08:00Hello 2014, I've Been Expecting You<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCErC757fbQ/UsX2PmUxEfI/AAAAAAAACQw/vEyzQAL0Myw/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCErC757fbQ/UsX2PmUxEfI/AAAAAAAACQw/vEyzQAL0Myw/s200/IMG_2454.JPG" width="200" /></a> Ever since I started med school almost 4 whole years ago, I have been looking forward to the year 2014 - the year I <b>finally</b> reach my life-long goal of becoming a doctor. This year, even more so than last year, will be full of milestones, changes, progress and challenges. This year is going to be a wild ride.<br />
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Here are <a href="http://whitecoatails.blogspot.com/2013/01/hello-2013-ive-been-expecting-you.html">last year's resolutions</a> revisited:<br />
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<ol>
<li>"Re-find my happy place": I think I made great progress on this goal. Third year got the best of me mentally, and I am thankful that 2013/fourth year were so much better. Yeah, there were times during fourth year where I've had a lot more free time, so that definitely contributed, but I've also been a lot better about <i>using </i>my free time to recharge. I've also been so much better about just <b>doing whatever I want in the moment</b> - whether that's crafting, blogging, binge-watching tv, painting my nails, etc - and not feeling <u>guilty</u> that I should be doing something more productive. I'd say I was pretty successful in re-visiting old hobbies and exploring new ones. I also made a lot more effort than usual this year to spend time with family, med school friends, and non-med school friends, which I think has enriched my life as well. Overall, mission accomplished, but it shouldn't end there.</li>
<li>"Become an OB/Gyn rockstar": I nailed this one, I think. I accomplished all but one of the goals I set out for myself, though they seemed daunting at the time. Though my research isn't at the stage where I'd thought it would be at this time, I'm still really proud of myself for what I've been able to achieve so far. I worked my butt off during my sub-internships, studied hard for Step 2 CK, and put WAY more hours into my personal statement than I ever anticipated. Interview season started off a little slower than I would have hoped for, however, it picked up towards the middle, and now I can say I am comfortable with the number and quality of programs that I've interviewed at. </li>
<li>"Train Melvie": This was definitely just as hard as I anticipated it would be, and there were times when BF and I were both incredibly frustrated, but we did it! Don't get me wrong, Melvie still has moments of bad behavior (like when he <a href="http://whitecoatails.blogspot.com/2013/08/happy-medical-monday.html">decides to destroy something</a> while we're gone), but he is <i>such</i> a good dog now, extremely well-behaved 90% of the time. I'm soooo glad we got him. I mean, I love this stupid dog to death. My favorite part about him is how every morning he wakes us up by jumping into bed, laying between us, and "cuddling" us awake. </li>
<li>"Keep a cleaner house": Well, this last year I was cleaner than the year before, but this is very much a work in progress... Not much else to say about that haha.</li>
<li>"Be more of a morning person": Yeahhhh.... not so much. Fail.</li>
</ol>
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New resolutions for 2014:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>(Couples) Match into OB/Gyn residency: I'm well on my way to this one. Two more interviews to go, then the rank list is due in February. After we finish all of our interviews, BF and I will sit down and pow-wow about all our favorites. Then, on the ever-so-fateful March 21, 2014, we will get that powerful little envelope which reveals where we'll spend the next 5-7 years (thanks to BF and his pediatric surgery aspirations lol). I am so excited!</li>
<li>Graduate from medical school with my M.D.</li>
<li>Find a new place to live the next chapter of our lives.</li>
<li>Finish my research project: I'm hoping to have written my manuscript at least by the time I start intern year. We'll see if that actually happens...</li>
<li>Be a good bridesmaid: I'll be helping throw a bridal shower in a few weeks, so I hope that turns out well. I hope I fulfill all of my bridesmaid duties well. Also, another goal is to fit into my bridesmaid dress that I bought on the small side as motivation to lose weight. I tried it on yesterday and it didn't zip all the way up... so I have work to do haha.</li>
<li>Make the yearbook for my class.</li>
<li>Revamp my blog: I've had this stupid, irrelevant layout for almost all of med school. Unfortunately, I know nothing about design or HTML-ing, so this will be a challenge. But I'd really like to start residency with a prettier blog.</li>
<li>365 days of gratitude: I saw this <a href="http://www.upworthy.com/you-take-zillions-of-photos-with-your-cellphone-why-not-try-something-new-with-them">video</a> of a woman who took a picture each day for a year, reflecting on the positive things in her life she was thankful for. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, as reflection and gratitude are huge parts of living a happy, fulfilling life, however I haven't found a format I can stick to yet. In the past, I tried a paper journal, but I just always ended up not doing it. This year, I'm gonna try this type of "photo a day" format electronically via Tumblr, so that I can hopefully even do it during residency. I've decided to keep it completely anonymous, so I can be 100% honest and not hold anything back. </li>
<li>Live it up before intern year starts: Veg out. Travel. Drink a lot. Spend time with friends and family. Keep doing arts & crafts. DO IT ALL NOW WHILE I STILL HAVE SOME SORT OF A LIFE!</li>
<li>Survive the first half of intern year: Hopefully I'll do more than survive. I really hope I thrive.</li>
</ol>
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Happy new year! I'm excited for the next chapter, but a little sad that this one is ending. </div>
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-60890899271419468362013-12-31T13:06:00.000-08:002014-01-02T13:07:23.577-08:00Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot And Never Brought To Mind Another year has come and gone. It seems like each year of my life keeps going by faster and faster. 2013 was the year I turned 25 - a quarter century of life - and I can't believe how far I've come so far. This last year was a year of self-realization, hard work, tangible progress, and self-rediscovery. But most of all, 2013, especially towards the end, was a year of recharge, which was much needed after my <a href="http://whitecoatails.blogspot.com/2012/12/should-auld-acquaintance-be-forgot-and.html">2012</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year BF and I raised our puppy, Melvin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year of many puppy dates with our friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year J visited me several times :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLOUWcUzu40/UsUWsx7oAjI/AAAAAAAACNs/kaCa1_sjSOI/s1600/IMG_8567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLOUWcUzu40/UsUWsx7oAjI/AAAAAAAACNs/kaCa1_sjSOI/s320/IMG_8567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year we went camping in Oregon - for the 3rd time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-Hq3v04Njw/UsUXCNR6tlI/AAAAAAAACOE/ia2QhJ2ndH8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-21+at+7.04.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-Hq3v04Njw/UsUXCNR6tlI/AAAAAAAACOE/ia2QhJ2ndH8/s320/Screen+shot+2012-10-21+at+7.04.32+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year of "google hang-outs" with old UCLA dorm friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDgJMbrBkcw/UsUYGN3lkMI/AAAAAAAACOU/gwxkBfsoX-E/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDgJMbrBkcw/UsUYGN3lkMI/AAAAAAAACOU/gwxkBfsoX-E/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I attended a special MSFC conference</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I visited H in Atlanta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I visited E in LA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Mr0aFO3hbE/UsUYRTRkjVI/AAAAAAAACO8/XZNYbufm6ZQ/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Mr0aFO3hbE/UsUYRTRkjVI/AAAAAAAACO8/XZNYbufm6ZQ/s320/IMG_2003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I saw all my Gphi girls in LA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I re-discovered my creative side</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I hosted an MSFC potluck at my house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year BF and I rocked our sub-i's :P</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I took and passed Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_4LJlDuJRA/UsUYZblWtpI/AAAAAAAACPU/-AWr3ZoPPog/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_4LJlDuJRA/UsUYZblWtpI/AAAAAAAACPU/-AWr3ZoPPog/s320/IMG_2398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I traveled <b>all over</b> for interviews... including the Bay Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VLATcCu-NM/UsUYcKyKiCI/AAAAAAAACPk/MS72804YgcA/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VLATcCu-NM/UsUYcKyKiCI/AAAAAAAACPk/MS72804YgcA/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and Chicago</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOP9pn7hnhA/UsUYaQKiwxI/AAAAAAAACPY/KpXk-Z4zSPA/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOP9pn7hnhA/UsUYaQKiwxI/AAAAAAAACPY/KpXk-Z4zSPA/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... And Philly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CeVzGr_nkI/UsUYgX4yvwI/AAAAAAAACPw/yIm4G-GqDRM/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CeVzGr_nkI/UsUYgX4yvwI/AAAAAAAACPw/yIm4G-GqDRM/s320/IMG_2606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and Boston</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I worked my butt off creating an original research project, while simultaneously also working on someone else's project</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tCFhFZ0bkX8/UsXRFjISidI/AAAAAAAACQM/zgwRfcXBY3c/s640/blogger-image-98704422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tCFhFZ0bkX8/UsXRFjISidI/AAAAAAAACQM/zgwRfcXBY3c/s320/blogger-image-98704422.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The year I visited my sister in SF</td></tr>
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What a great year 2013 was! I can't wait to see what's in store for 2014. </div>
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-19708700772078898862013-12-30T22:27:00.001-08:002014-01-02T15:42:33.776-08:00Christmas in Connecticut I spent my second Christmas in Connecticut with BF and his family this year, and it was lovely! We had a great time relaxing and vegging out, especially after traveling so much for interviews. Then we came back home, celebrated Christmas (again) and New Year's Eve with my family, and now we are enjoying our free time. I am enjoying this time off so much it's not even funny. I had December off too, but it seemed like I was always traveling for interviews during that time. The last two weeks of having no responsibilities have been heaven. I've actually had time to do fun stuff like see high school friends, see family, arts & crafts time, re-read the Harry Potter series (I'm on book 5) and clean the house up a bit. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant gummy bear my parents got him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_LbeRsxZuHs/UsJk1jgRuMI/AAAAAAAACKI/6--kM07b8Ok/s640/blogger-image--1099926677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_LbeRsxZuHs/UsJk1jgRuMI/AAAAAAAACKI/6--kM07b8Ok/s320/blogger-image--1099926677.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas part II at my parents' house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GMYAev1mx2M/UsJk6kpnVRI/AAAAAAAACKY/6chyqNBlKeo/s640/blogger-image-1550742016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GMYAev1mx2M/UsJk6kpnVRI/AAAAAAAACKY/6chyqNBlKeo/s320/blogger-image-1550742016.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sif modeling while we were away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lcGLrisWJ3g/UsJk4TfXBEI/AAAAAAAACKQ/Kssf5iDV7Uw/s640/blogger-image-252733124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lcGLrisWJ3g/UsJk4TfXBEI/AAAAAAAACKQ/Kssf5iDV7Uw/s320/blogger-image-252733124.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely scrapbook BF's mom made us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qasqoJ0a40Q/UsJk_PLEskI/AAAAAAAACKo/K5XNHCCp3mg/s640/blogger-image--1426794641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qasqoJ0a40Q/UsJk_PLEskI/AAAAAAAACKo/K5XNHCCp3mg/s320/blogger-image--1426794641.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so into the "coven" look right now...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUfRa8dQ8m0/UsNqJYEpnPI/AAAAAAAACLA/u99EnezVQZM/s1600/IMG_9188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUfRa8dQ8m0/UsNqJYEpnPI/AAAAAAAACLA/u99EnezVQZM/s320/IMG_9188.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy wine BF's friend gave him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GIvBhq4nVs/UsNqKlQr2VI/AAAAAAAACLI/xpnHCBoukEU/s1600/IMG_9189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GIvBhq4nVs/UsNqKlQr2VI/AAAAAAAACLI/xpnHCBoukEU/s320/IMG_9189.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with my new lens BF got me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual Christmas Eve lobster dinner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening for the lobster screams</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual Christmas Eve lobster dinner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching for the Christmas tree pickle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching for the Christmas tree pickle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I won again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BF making his famous apple pie</td></tr>
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MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-41523050278976442022013-12-11T09:32:00.000-08:002013-12-11T09:34:37.742-08:00A Dilemma 35,000 Feet High I just got off a connecting flight to my next interview, and unlike all of my other flights so far, this flight was quite eventful. About 20 minutes into the 2-hour flight, a flight attendant called out over the loudspeaker for any "doctors or other health professionals". My adrenaline immediately started pumping. <br />
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I'm thinking, "Should I say something? I mean, I'm only a 4th year medical student. I know some stuff, but I don't know as much as an experienced, licensed physician. Although, I suppose I know a lot more than a flight attendant or lay-person. Are there any other physicians on the plane? There are three other 4th year medical students on the plane too (one classmate, and two others that I met just prior to the flight), so all together, we equal a real doctor, right? Even if one of us <i>does</i> volunteer to help, would they want our help even though we don't officially have our M.D. and don't have licenses yet? In addition, I think that some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law">Good Samaritan Laws</a> protect those that provide assistance, but I think that some don't cover "non-medical professionals". Could we potentially be sued since we are just MS4s?"<br />
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But before I could even decide whether or not to go up, an obese, greasy guy in sweats sitting near me immediately hit his call button, heading up to the front of the plane. I think to myself, "Oh, I suppose he is a doctor! Well, I'll watch from here and see if he needs help."<br />
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A few minutes later, my classmate (who is going into Orthopedic Surgery) walks up, saying that the flight attendant informed him that the guy volunteering was a respiratory therapist. He went up to the front of the plane to provide assistance, and together, him and the RT assessed the patient*, put her on oxygen, and they decided she was stable enough to make it the entire flight.<br />
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I'm glad everything worked out okay, but I felt so guilty afterward. I mean, I wasn't trying to avoid helping, I just figured they didn't need me. I thought that guy who volunteered first was a doctor since he was so gung-ho about it. I suppose I should have just asked him if he needed help, just in case. Oh well, woulda coulda shoulda. I know there are a lot of people out there who like to show off that they have the tiniest bit of medical training, and though well-intentioned, I think these people can be more harmful than helpful at times. I guess I'm trying to avoid being one of these people, though I'm <i>almost</i> a doctor... so I really <b>do</b> sorta know what I'm doing, right?<br />
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Anyone else ever been in a situation like this? What would you have done?<br />
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* She ended up being an elderly woman with CHF who was having severe anxiety</div>
MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939095068781160528.post-18441149946381693622013-12-09T19:25:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:02:55.587-08:00Cooking Up A Storm<div style="text-align: left;">
One of my favorite things to do to relax is to cook. Oh yeah, and I guess it doesn't hurt I love to eat too. I love trying new recipes, returning to old favorites, and best of all - EATING IT ALL YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY! Just kidding, I always share. Here are some of the fab things I've cooked in the last few months. Can't wait to cook (and eat) more! In case you are feeling adventurous, or just hungry, I've included the links to some of the recipes.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade bread bowls, Jalapeno corn chowder</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, I didn't make this one. Apple cider bar by my cousin, pumpkin cupcake by my sister.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving offerings: Apple pie by BF, rosemary bread by me, blackberry thyme goat cheese ice cream by me.</td></tr>
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* <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/romanos-macaroni-grill-rosemary-bread-64446">Rosemary Bread</a><div>
* <a href="http://www.reclaimingprovincial.com/2013/08/12/honey-thyme-blackberry-goat-cheese-swirl-ice-cream/">Blackberry Thyme Goat Cheese Ice Cream</a><br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs benedict for BF's bday</td></tr>
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* <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/eggs-benedict-recipe/index.html">Eggs Benedict </a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MSFC potluck at my house. Gruyere herb scones, rosemary bread, and cucumber sandwiches by me</td></tr>
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* <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2009/10/in-the-kitchen-with-emma-bowen-of-dulcinaea-baking.html">Gruyere Herb Scones</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Habanero mango hot sauce</td></tr>
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<a href="http://bobbyflay.com/recipe.php?id=75">* Habanero Mango Hot Sauce</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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* After posting this, I realized how much cooler it would be if I actually linked you to the recipes! So, I've included the ones that are available online! Unfortunately, some of them aren't online, but if you're DYING to know, I can email you or upload them somehow :)</div>
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MS4http://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com1