Awash in Memories

Grenada.
The walk at sunset....

Medical school friends that became friends for life. An Island Away. Quiet spots. An early morning kayak.

Life is good. It is. I like being a resident and I like going to work (most days). I'm back on wards and I started on nights so it I have some free daytime to enjoy life while also getting back in the swing of things. Inpatient medicine is fast paced, stressful, full of admissions, notes and sometimes not the fun stuff. Sick patients, stressed parents, tired staff BUT there is also the nightly rounding, patient and parent interactions that happen and don't feel quite so rushed, autonomy, fun with other tired residents and a quietness that is just not possible during the day. So that is good.

But I've been nostalgic lately. Missing Grenanda. Missing San Diego. Missing the past. Not in an heartbreaking awful way just happy memories and reflections on the joy and simplicity that some of the past held.

That is all I have on this Thursday morning. Headed out to pamper myself with a mani/pedi and haircut. Much needed. And then nap. And then work.

Heart Full

Happy belated Valentine's Day! I know it is just a cheesy Hallmark day and that everyone day should be a day of love... but I still enjoy the day. I always enjoyed exchanging Valentines, and I still do.

Also I'm on an amazing month of ambulatory medicine. All clinics. No weekends. No wards. Days off to work on scholarly projects and study for Step 3. Days off to take step 3. Vacation. A good month. Did I mention weekends, off? I've have a ton of free time and Dr. Boyfriend and I have been making good use of it. We went to NOLA for a long weekend, we've gone to brunch and had late nights and lunch dates. A good month.

Also the medicine is good too. I got to go to Pedi Neuro clinic yesterday morning, swoon.... Loved the attending, interesting patients. And then my continuity clinic in the afternoon, which is always good. So all in all a good day.  A good month.

My heart is full. I like where I am. I love my colleagues and Texas is good for us. I am happy to live with Dr. Boyfriend (finally!) and we love Sancho. I have much to be thankful for. And I am.

I hope you had a good day of love dear reader. Happy February and happy Wednesday!

Why I like working nights.... and shameless plug for the MS 150!

1. It is quiet.
2. I get to work on my own schedule.
3. Minimal BS. Skeleton crew and tired staff meaning people work more efficiently in hopes of getting a chance to nap/rest. But there is plenty of time to hang out too!
4. There is time to hold a baby, or 3 babies like I did last night.
5. There is time to talk to a patient's parents for as long as they want and answer as many questions as they want.
6. It is quiet and calm and you have an autonomy that doesn't exist during the day...
7. You get to backwards commute and parking is never an issue.
8. Breakfast with the hubby.
9. Daytime dog walks and trips to the dog park.
10. You get time off during the day to normal people things like shop or go to the post-office.

That's my short list. I'm just finishing a month of wards and then I go to clinic for the month. Life is good. Intern year in more than half way over and all is well over here.

Donate now and sponsor me to ride one or two of the 166 miles from here to Austin on April 12th and 13th.

Only 72 days until the MS 150! And sponsors that donate by the end of the month will have a chance to win a $25 Starbucks card, so what are you waiting on?!?

Merry Belated Christmas Wishes!

So, I've been sucked into the vortex of residency. But that doesn't mean I'm done with this blog. Life has been busy, but it has also been very good. I worked both the 24th and 25th but it was okay, because someone has to work and because I volunteered my co-interns got the days off to enjoy the holiday. And I enjoyed being at work, I did. Lots of Christmas cheer, Santa sightings and tons of holiday spirit in spite if it all. Being a kid in the hospital is never fun but especially not at Christmas and so yesterday we tried to make the most if it. Silly hats that sing and lighted scarves were just part of the fun.

In other news, I cannot believe that intern year is half over! Hooray! (Gulp.) Wow, how time flies...
I'm actually enjoying nephrology. And next month I'm back on inpatient wards but at our community/county hospital so that will be good. And then I get to take Step 3 in February. And then vacation!!! So very exciting.  So that's what's up with me.

I've decked out our pedi lounge for the holidays and that makes me happy. Belated Merry Christmas wishes to you. And a very happy new New Year too!

P.S. Anyone wear a tacky Christmas sweater on the 24th? I did and it was awesome, not quite as bright as the one pictures above, which I am ordering it now for next year, yay!

Christmas countdown, life and reflections of an intern year almost half over!

Hi all,

I am still here. Sorry if you have been looking for me and I've been MIA. You know, this thing called residency is happening. Doesn't leave too much time for other stuff.

Although my parents did visit Houston for 10 days in October, poor Dr Boyfriend had to do most of the entertaining as I was pulled to MDA (oncology) at the last minute. MDA is suppose to be our hardest month and it was not fun but I survived so I do have that going for me.

Also, Christmas is in 6 days and I am unbelievably excited this year. I have decorated the resident lounge and bought mini stockings for each of us to hang. It makes me very happy. Also (a word I'm using way too much this blog post, sorry about that) I have decided it is okay to wear corny holiday themed antlers and headbands and scarves and hats and all things tacky since I am a pediatrican after all. And I want others to as well so I have declared December 24th, the official wear your tacky Christmas sweater (to work) day! You can participate too, I'd love pictures if you do. If you have to work the holiday you may as well have fun while doing it, that it my motto anyhow.


I'm up early this morning. Presents are wrapped. Cookies are baked. I do have some clinic notes to complete though..... but blogging is more fun.

Oh and random links, just because:

1. interesting, my future research is going to do with this i think:
EverythingHealth: The Microbiome

2. fun gift ideas for the last minute hard to shop for person on your list: http://gifts.rescue.org

3. just because: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/72057662761780782/

Merry Christmas!!!!

P.S. Don't forget- tacky sweater on 12/24. And the best way to spread Christmas cheer? Singing loud for all to hear!

C is for...

team C!

I'm back on wards and starting on nights. I figure I kind of know what I'm doing this time around and instead of endure it, I'm embracing.

team C as in Cat!

I found our mascot.  And have plenty of Candy including Candy Corn. It may also be reason to Celebrate the month of Colorful Costumes and pumpkins with Candles!! And yes, I might be Crazy,

C is for Crazy, lets go Team C!

I need costume ideas... C is for Countdown and just 30 days until Colorful Crazy Costume Day!

What are you going to be dear reader?

mimosa, samosa... life after wards

Wards is over, I made it! There were many times in the past month that I doubted my desire to do this. To be a doctor. To complete residency. Multiple days/nights when I just did not want to go to work.... But yesterday at 10am when I walked out of the hospital I felt accomplished. And my spirits climbed as I brunched and shared multiple pitchers of mimosas and good company.

My collapse into bed followed by wonderful sleep before meeting my awesome wards team for outdoor theatre fun in the form of Bollywood dance made yesterday the perfect ending. I had a good day, a good month. I am now that much more confident that I can do this job. And more importantly that I still want to.

Nights were difficult for me. I feel into a semi depression and despite the actual free time I only slept and worked. It is only now as the nights and memories of them recede that I feel myself again. The reading, the to do list, that didn't happen... but it is okay, because I survived and came out the other side and I'm still here. And now I have energy and optimism once again.

A sampling of what I saw last night, I just LOVE Indian culture/dance/food!