1 month 1 day...

til Step 1 of the COMLEX, and 26 days until Step 1 of the USMLE.  I can't believe this has come about so quickly, its almost like I hardly had a chance to breath.  And what is still in between now and then?  a full weeks worth of 6 finals followed by a cumulative pharmacology exam the following Monday.  I'm so torn between what I need to be studying for.  And to make it worse, it's Friday evening, the sun is out, the weather is beautiful.  It finally seems to be the start of spring in Chicagoland.  I'm not going to lie or sugarcoat it or talk my way around it:  I'm cranky, really cranky.  To up my spirits I stopped for a diet coke.  I know I know... supposedly I quit a couple days after Thanksgiving.  But sometimes we all need something to perk up our mood, though a walk with Kate and her pups and seeing Kendra and her research poster were lovely occurrences as well.  There haven't been many times in my life when I question what I'm doing with my life.  But currently as I look around at all my peers in the real world I can't help but feel some envy for the seeming freedom of their lives.  Yes, sure, I suppose I have the same freedom.  I could sit here and decide I'm not going to study for a thing the next 3 weeks and that would basically be the end of my medical school career.  Easy as that.  Except the nearing 6 figure debt I'm carrying.  I just signed a new lease on Tuesday for a wonderful apartment in an amazing location.  I couldn't ask for more regarding my housing for next year.  I can't quite understand why I can't enjoy the thought of my upcoming move.  One of the few things keeping me going is knowing there are about 200 people in my area going through the exact same thing right now.  I'm forever grateful for how supportive and helpful everyone in my class is, it wasn't at all what I expected to find in medical school.

So instead of continuing to complain I'm going to attempt to shift my mind to something / one I'm very thankful for... that individual being my mother.  Cliche maybe with Mothers Day right around the corner.  I couldn't have asked for a mother with better influence in my life.  I know moms always say their kids are such a blessing in their life, well in my case I think it is very possible that my mother is more of a blessing in my life than I am in hers (partly because she has two other "blessings" other than myself.  I wish I could have the opportunity to celebrate mothers day with her this weekend but unfortunately I have more hours of work to accomplish than I have hours with which to accomplish it.  I'm also thankful she understand and is supportive of this.  She did marry a doctor who she met while he was in school, I think she knows the work and commitment that goes along with the education and occupation, I'm also thankful for this understanding.  I bought her a gift yesterday and I do hope that when I see her and get a chance to celebrate with her over a fondue dinner at Geja's she likes it.  Its a scarf I've been eyeing for some time out of the Art Institute of Chicago.  But it's a spring/summer scarf so let's hope that this weather sticks around and winter doesn't come knocking again in a couple weeks.

In the mean time I was inspired by Nicholas Kristof's op-ed column in the Times this morning titled "Beyond Flowers for Mom"

here's the link http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/opinion/05kristof.html?src=recg



He writes about an organization that has worked to create safe birthing means for soon-to-be mothers in Somaliland.  This is a country where according to his statistics women have a 1/10 chance of dying from pregnancy/labor.  The hospital that has been built has allowed women to have a safe clean well cared for establishment for women to have their babies without such risk of mortality.  As I read this I found myself reminded of why I'm going through the education I've chosen and worked for and all the blessing that can come from it.  While I don't think I will personally ever experience the "joy" of motherhood I do understand that this is a dream for many if not most women throughout the world.  And I like that, it's kind of a uniting feature that can bring all people together for one happy natural cause.  The fact that this joy might be hindered do to poor medical conditions is not acceptable.  I do believe in miracles and despite being science-minded I believe babies are a form of a miracle and are gift.  I am happy that this group is working to keep the miracle of life continuing throughout all areas in the world.

Happy Mother's Day :)

an aside: The child in the photo is me so for all you haters... I was in fact born a blonde 

This made my day.  Considering getting a new Pathology Board Review book in the mail  (ie the extent of my spring shopping) was the other highlight of my day...its not saying too much.  Buts still, maybe Ron Paul will get a few more votes this year than in the past.  This is the first presidential election bumper sticker I've seen so far, so that has to mean something good!

Recent Additions to my Play List

The past few months on my Shakira Pandora station British artist Kate Nash has been popping up pretty regularly and I've really taken a liking to her.  Here is one of my favorites -- Foundations.

 

What Kate Nash and Shakira have in common I'm not entirely sure about other than writing some sassy songs about boys and society in general.  

Recently I've also been listening to A Fine Frenzy so I thought I'd include a link to the video Almost Lover

Enjoy!

Expanding through partnership, Opening doors to care

Through the generosity of Drs Boyle and Nichols the  5 members of MS2 Community Health Clinic board... and Dr. Sanders... were afforded the opportunity to attend CHC's annual fundraising gala (Jane we missed you!).  A few weeks ago I learned that each ticket went for the small price of $250, to say the least, I am very thankful to have had this opportunity.  

The event was held at the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library atrium on the 9th floor.  A beautiful space!  If only it had been sunny with all those skylights and big windows.  While getting ready all of us girls were of course worried about our hair, but no worries none of us lost our fluffs til late in the night on the dance floor after several rounds of open bar drinks and a wonderful waiter who kept our wine glasses full all though dinner.  Loved him :)

 Not only do CCOM students volunteer at the clinic once a week but so do many of the other medical schools in the city.  Coincidence, or not.... My sister, Coco was there. Coco is actually on the board at Rush.  One of their physician volunteers bought a group of tickets and she was lucky enough to get one.   Lots of fun having her there and getting her to come out and dance with us after dinner.  The rest of the Rush students made it to the floor too but they left early (lame) I'm assuming to go study.  Please, Rush, who studies after 10PM on a Saturday when you're at a swanky gala with an open bar.  Needless to say, CCOM stayed until the last song.  The music the band was playing really made me miss Memphis bands/bars/formals  Such a great time :)

Some superficial highlights of my night:  1. Dr. Farley came and talked to me.  I have lofty goals to be like her as far as her best shoes and style.  However, I did learn on Saturday that she is actually divorced from her ex husband in China.  She moved back to the States with her son who I even saw a iPhone video of.  Needless to say, she looked fabulous in  purple one shoulder silk dress and nude pumps.  Her date for the night, I'll call him turban man, was quite friendly too.  2. The silent auction and everyone there able to bid.  This reminded me that at some point in my life I will be getting a pay check and will be able to afford to go do all sorts of fun things.  I cant wait for that day.  Actually the whole event was  a reminder of this.  3. Playing the "heads or tails" fundraiser.  We made Mike stand up and choose "heads" or "tails" for a chance to win half the money the was put in for the little game.  Below there is a picture of him choosing tails.  Also below is a picture of Mike and Liz modeling the CCOM ad.  4. Making Mike dance with all us girls, he loved it, don't let him tell you otherwise.

Now for a little less fluff and more substance.  The biggest highlight of the night (as much as I wish I could say Dr. Farley was it, she wasn't) was a speech made by one of the award winners.  He discussed a lot about the vision of the clinic and how he can hardly believe how far its come.  I can no longer remember any direct quotes from him but I very much appreciated a comment he made about the health care reform.  It went something along the line of "I know there are many different opinions in this room on the healthcare reform, but there is one uniting feature.  We are all committed to doing something for those without insurance."  This was certainly true.  The majority of individuals in the room were working in the healthcare field or for healthcare operations.  It was nice to see such a united front on on one of the largest problems currently facing this country

We missed Jane :(
And, yes, I know her last name is Gelfand not Gelfland

yummm double dessert :)

Correct answer: F Definitely F

Thanks, Henna, for sending out a good laugh yesterday.  Thankfully, I can with certainty say this does not describe me as I am 24, not 23, and I don't like to go to class... as for the rest of it, I mean, that's "totally normal" right?

I know Kate posted it too but no harm in sharing it worth more of the cyperspace world :)

And for another good chuckle I realized the Washington Post has their annual PEEP contest out.  These make me laugh each year.  I'm always amazed how creative some people can be with this.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/peeps-show-v/2011/04/11/AF3NYHSD_gallery.html

 I'd chime in on my favorite displays but there are just too many good ones this year to choose from, though I'm not sure the Chilean minors deserved first place

I headed up to the Prairie Path for a bike ride yesterday into Wheaton with by study materials in tow; so nice to be back on a running trail from last season.  Even better, I was greeted by a fellow regular runner / biker's car.  This individual was often parked at the same trailhead as me all last summer and fall.  Without knowing him (I have only actually seen him twice), this individual always gives me a pleasant reminder.   Combined with the sunshine and near 70 degree weather (also a delightful walk with my biffle and her pups / Jamba Smoothies... loooove green tea matcha) I couldn't have had a better afternoon :)

Its been a long time coming...

After quite the hiatus from the blogging world I'm back!  Through out my absence I did have lofty thoughts / plans on some entries

1st.  My spring break (WOOHOO!!!!) week.... in Western Michigan
Despite cold weather and a lot of studying this was actually a nice week away, I had my dog with me and all sorts of good groceries with me.  Unfortunately there was no port wine stocked in the cabinets so my lamb chops were lacking that and I didn't have fresh mint to make a good fresh mint pesto for them.  Still, they turned out and my pup was looking especially sweet that night so he got one too.  Though my white wine sauce oysters were definitely my highlight followed closely by a cilantro lime chicken breast with my favorite mango salsa
Some pics of Lake Michigan (aka Antarctica)

2nd.  My month long exploration into Yoga at CPY studios
Yes, I'm fully aware that a true yogi would probably not consider Core Power to be the height of yoga studies, but that was not what I was looking for.  As  an endurance athlete of sorts I was looking for a challenge versus just standing in positions, stretching, finding my "Chi" and saying namaste.  Certainly this all has a place, its just not for me.  I tried the CP1 class, and CP2, and Vinyasa flow, but true to my roots after a week I found myself really only checking the schedule for the classes that include both weights and 110 degrees temperatures: ie Yoga Sculpt.  Fact of the matter is I'll never be a "yogini" nor do I want to.  But I do appreciate a class when I'm literally dripping sweat while using only 5lb weights. Of course I don't mind when there are males in the room barely getting by with the 3 lb weights.  What have I taken from this month of "practice"?  Some flexibility and great new stretches.  I'll keep working it out with downward dogs, chaturangas, and half pigeon poses.  Perhaps the occasional sun salute if I'm feeling especially "virgo" watching the sunrise over the city from my apartment here and there.

3rd.  Simple daily pleasures and opportunities.  
I love the small things in life that make the day good.  Like the rarity of treating myself to a soy chai latte (mmmmm) or a phone call to catch up with a college friend.  Truth be told I can't say I remember all that many of these things but I can say one thing, life has been good to me and I'm thankful to God every day for the blessing he has graced my life with.

4th.  I've been craving Big Star Taco for weeks, its baaaaaad
If any of you live in Chicago and have not been you NEED TO GO!  Best tacos (americanized fo sho) in the city but cash only.  The line gets long but they conveniently have a to go window and there is a lovely part just a block away to sit and enjoy.  Now that the weather is nice sounds like a perfect afternoon outing.

5th.  I took a trapeze lesson
Yes, like the circus :)
My arms and entire scapular region hurt for days.  I rarely take a painkiller, but my bottle of tylenol travelled with me for those few days.  Entirely worth it.

Finally, my 1/2 marathon two weeks ago never happened.  I probably could have run it but I'm glad I never ended up paying the registraton fee.... it was COOOOOLLLLLLD out that day.  During a spin class that morning instead I learned there was actually a small triathlon in Chicago that same morning, yikes.  You couldn't pay me to jump in that water in March.  Also, tomorrow is the Shamrock Shuffle, five miles of people wearing green storming through the city streets at 9 AM.  But I won't be there.  Thank you CCOM for requiring me to take an ACLS course all weekend (it was 70 and sunny today) that I probably wont even use and what I've actually "learned" from it I already knew.  ie CPR.  Again thank you CCOM and Peg Lech for sucking an extra 45 dollars from me due to lost registration for one of my favorite races of the year.  As for all my fellow green runners, enjoy the morning, my Green spandex will have to wait for next year to make their appearance

Also along the lines of working out... Shout out to the girls from Tone It Up!  I'm loving the spring into bikini plan you've got going down right now.  The workouts are great and so easy to do any and everywhere :)

Back to studying  <3 Medical school!!!!!!!!!!