Thursday, May 26, 2011
Last post from Zanzibar
I am logging onto the internet for the last time here. I doubt I will be posting until after I return. Today was our last day at the hospital. It was a good last day. Our doctor who oversaw us was so sad to see us go. Even sadder though was as I was gathering my bag I realized the baby on the cot next to it was dead. It was a week old infant that likely died from sepsis. Death here is so common. We saw two infants in the NICU yesterday that both died. I am so thankful for all I have and the medical care I can offer to my patients back home Anyhow, life goes on. On a happier note, we are going up north tomorrow to Nungwi and will snorkel the beautiful Mnemba Atoll. Then return early on Saturday morning to head to the airport. I fly from Zanzibar to Dar then Dubai then JFK then Dulles. Excited to sleep in my own bed and take a hot shower at the end of the trip! Still hoping I don't develop malaria from all the mosquito bites I have gotten. That is all for now!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Safari
This is the start of my last week here in Zanzibar.
We just returned from at three day safari in Northern Tanzania (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tangeire). It was beyond amazing. The lions and their cubs were awesome and so up close that there were about to come through our jeep window! The zebras and elephants were everywhere and more than you could even attempt to take pictures of. The giraffes were so tall and graceful. The flamingos where endless and created a blur of pink on all the lakes.We saw two black rhinos. We saw many, many more but I won't bore you with that. It didn't even seem real to see everything up close. I kept thinking I was on the scene of the Lion King. Of course, I took a ton of pictures which I can't wait to get back and upload.
Things have been going really well otherwise. I will be sad to leave. I also am proud to report that we have consistent water and power! We are finishing our last week at the hospital. Today we saw the older kids with some very interesting diseases. I must say being here as sure made me realize a lot of thing but especially how lucky I am for the excellent education I have gotten during residency. We had another child die last week and one over the weekend while we were gone. Still sad but the norm here.
Just before I fly back this weekend, we are going to go up north to another beach called Nungwi. There is another volunteer who lives up there we will get to visit and have show us around. Anyhow, I will try to write more about the safari and other things later as the internet speed and access aren't great.
We just returned from at three day safari in Northern Tanzania (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tangeire). It was beyond amazing. The lions and their cubs were awesome and so up close that there were about to come through our jeep window! The zebras and elephants were everywhere and more than you could even attempt to take pictures of. The giraffes were so tall and graceful. The flamingos where endless and created a blur of pink on all the lakes.We saw two black rhinos. We saw many, many more but I won't bore you with that. It didn't even seem real to see everything up close. I kept thinking I was on the scene of the Lion King. Of course, I took a ton of pictures which I can't wait to get back and upload.
Things have been going really well otherwise. I will be sad to leave. I also am proud to report that we have consistent water and power! We are finishing our last week at the hospital. Today we saw the older kids with some very interesting diseases. I must say being here as sure made me realize a lot of thing but especially how lucky I am for the excellent education I have gotten during residency. We had another child die last week and one over the weekend while we were gone. Still sad but the norm here.
Just before I fly back this weekend, we are going to go up north to another beach called Nungwi. There is another volunteer who lives up there we will get to visit and have show us around. Anyhow, I will try to write more about the safari and other things later as the internet speed and access aren't great.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Picture Perfect Beaches
On Friday, we went to Prison Island. It had been built as a quarantine station back in the 1800s. This island is famous for tortoises. We got to feed them and they are massive. The beach was gorgeous but sadly I couldn't go swimming. On our way to meet our friends to get on the boat, I cut my toes open. I hit my foot on a metal roof and thought I just stubbed it. I looked down and my flip flop was filled with a puddle of blood. I managed to cut my two little toes. I think it definitely could have used a suture or two. Needless to say I was glad to have the hemostat gauze my mother suggested I bring. I wrapped up my toes after cleaning with some "local water" and went off to the beach. Thankfully now it is healing and I have avoided infection. First thought was thank god my Tetanus shot is up to date.
Then on Saturday we left for a little town on the east coast called Paje. It was very relaxing. It was on the Indian Ocean. The water was warm and crystal clear and sand as white as in FWB. There were hardly any people out there just locals who make their living off of collecting seaweed. The tides are very dramatic. Normally when the tide varies by about 1 kilometer. When we where there it was much less as it is a full moon I think but it was shallow as far as we could see at low tide. Locals were walking out and it was only about knee deep as far as you could see. The cabanas we stayed in only had two beds with mosquito nets a fan and sand floors. It was perfect. The place is run by Germans and only has 8 cabanas. The ride there was quite the experience as are most things here. It took about 2 hours (51 kilometers) and we rode in what is called the dahladalaha. These are basically a truck bed with a metal roof on top with rows of wooden seats inside. It gets jam packed with people and just when you think it is full they throw someone else in. I counted 32 at one point. I am thankful that I am not claustrophobic. Luckily, we got a ride back into town in a friend of our roommates.
The hospital continues to be very interesting and frustrating at the same time. We came in for rounds on Friday morning and the room we store our bags in while working is supposed to be the ICU but it isn't really used as this since they have no resources for it. We saw this little kid about 2 years old lying on the bed. He was grunting and appeared to be very ill. I assessed him and then we went to ask our attending what was going on with him and if anyone had seen him. Nope. He was admitted about midnight for "asthma" and treated with oxygen and bronchodilator. He was never given more or reassessed. We (me, Kiron and the med student) started to attempt to put an IV in this kid but had nothing to do it. Apparently they have to buy the materials from the pharmacy and then use them and the pharm was closed overnight. Long, long story short. He died later that afternoon. He is the second one of our patients to pass during rounds. The other was a 21 day old with severe dehydration who wasn't even on IVF when we saw him on rounds. We have initiated taking vitals on rounds starting today. They don't do them at all here. Sad that that is something you can easily do with few resources and they don't even make use of it. Makes me so thankful for what we have. God help me if I get sick here....
We just booked a Safari trip for the weekend. We will be going to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. I am super excited and can't wait! Things at the apartment are good. Our water situation seems to have stabilized the last few days as well as the power. Just thankful for the little things. I am writing this from the hospital library which does have internet.
Then on Saturday we left for a little town on the east coast called Paje. It was very relaxing. It was on the Indian Ocean. The water was warm and crystal clear and sand as white as in FWB. There were hardly any people out there just locals who make their living off of collecting seaweed. The tides are very dramatic. Normally when the tide varies by about 1 kilometer. When we where there it was much less as it is a full moon I think but it was shallow as far as we could see at low tide. Locals were walking out and it was only about knee deep as far as you could see. The cabanas we stayed in only had two beds with mosquito nets a fan and sand floors. It was perfect. The place is run by Germans and only has 8 cabanas. The ride there was quite the experience as are most things here. It took about 2 hours (51 kilometers) and we rode in what is called the dahladalaha. These are basically a truck bed with a metal roof on top with rows of wooden seats inside. It gets jam packed with people and just when you think it is full they throw someone else in. I counted 32 at one point. I am thankful that I am not claustrophobic. Luckily, we got a ride back into town in a friend of our roommates.
The hospital continues to be very interesting and frustrating at the same time. We came in for rounds on Friday morning and the room we store our bags in while working is supposed to be the ICU but it isn't really used as this since they have no resources for it. We saw this little kid about 2 years old lying on the bed. He was grunting and appeared to be very ill. I assessed him and then we went to ask our attending what was going on with him and if anyone had seen him. Nope. He was admitted about midnight for "asthma" and treated with oxygen and bronchodilator. He was never given more or reassessed. We (me, Kiron and the med student) started to attempt to put an IV in this kid but had nothing to do it. Apparently they have to buy the materials from the pharmacy and then use them and the pharm was closed overnight. Long, long story short. He died later that afternoon. He is the second one of our patients to pass during rounds. The other was a 21 day old with severe dehydration who wasn't even on IVF when we saw him on rounds. We have initiated taking vitals on rounds starting today. They don't do them at all here. Sad that that is something you can easily do with few resources and they don't even make use of it. Makes me so thankful for what we have. God help me if I get sick here....
We just booked a Safari trip for the weekend. We will be going to Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. I am super excited and can't wait! Things at the apartment are good. Our water situation seems to have stabilized the last few days as well as the power. Just thankful for the little things. I am writing this from the hospital library which does have internet.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Oh the adventures!
Got water but then the power went out...
We got running water today! This is great. I took a real shower a few minutes ago. Before that we cleaned and washed almost everything as it had actually been more like 3.5 weeks that there hadn't been water. It will be nice to actually cook our own food, flush toilets and wash hands! We found a market yesterday to buy some things and have so far been eating PB&J sandwiches for lunch and dinner out. Well now that I think about it, we have no power since this afternoon so guess we have to wait for that to cook.
Our roommates are both from Germany. They have been very sweet and invited us to go with them this weekend to a beach on the east coast. Most things are closed for the season because it is the low season (aka the rainy season). We will stay at Teddy's Place. The pictures look amazing. I can't wait!
So far I haven't gotten but one mosquito bite. We are sleeping under mosquito nets though. Definitely don't need any covers as we only have a ceiling fan. It is quite comfortable though. Our room is really spacious and we have even set up a little sitting area. We are trying to do board studying for at least an hour a day. See how long that lasts!
The hospital has been interesting. We have been two days so far. The first day we rounded on the "cot ward" for children under three. Mostly they had been admitted for respiratory issues (pneumonia, bronchiolitis) and others with UTIs, neonatal sepsis, diarrhea and seizures. One kid today was likely infected with TB. I definitely didn't have my N-95 mask. Sure there are likely others with TB. Everyone gets a blood smear for malaria and treated for malaria if they have a fever. We also walk on rounds with a open container with paracetamol (Tylenol) and hand them out to the mothers to crush and feed to their child. There is also an isolated ward for those with measles. We didn't see them but I think there are about three patients in there currently. I would like to see them before I leave as we are likely to never see this in the US. This morning when we arrived, we saw a kitten sleeping on the shelf right next to the injectable antibiotics that they leave sitting out on an open shelf in the hallway. All the families are required to go and buy the medication the doctor orders so it can be given.
After rounds today, we were told to go to cardiac clinic. This took place on a porch outside. The doctor we were told to work with we come to find out is a GP who is doing his intern year and has only been in pediatrics for two weeks. We listened to a ton of murmurs and thrills too. I am weak in cards stuff and thought this was pretty neat. A lot of the children haven't had surgery and those that have, went to Israel. The doctors we worked with didn't even listen to or examine the patients. As a matter of fact, he didn't even have a stethoscope.
That is all for now!
We got running water today! This is great. I took a real shower a few minutes ago. Before that we cleaned and washed almost everything as it had actually been more like 3.5 weeks that there hadn't been water. It will be nice to actually cook our own food, flush toilets and wash hands! We found a market yesterday to buy some things and have so far been eating PB&J sandwiches for lunch and dinner out. Well now that I think about it, we have no power since this afternoon so guess we have to wait for that to cook.
Our roommates are both from Germany. They have been very sweet and invited us to go with them this weekend to a beach on the east coast. Most things are closed for the season because it is the low season (aka the rainy season). We will stay at Teddy's Place. The pictures look amazing. I can't wait!
So far I haven't gotten but one mosquito bite. We are sleeping under mosquito nets though. Definitely don't need any covers as we only have a ceiling fan. It is quite comfortable though. Our room is really spacious and we have even set up a little sitting area. We are trying to do board studying for at least an hour a day. See how long that lasts!
The hospital has been interesting. We have been two days so far. The first day we rounded on the "cot ward" for children under three. Mostly they had been admitted for respiratory issues (pneumonia, bronchiolitis) and others with UTIs, neonatal sepsis, diarrhea and seizures. One kid today was likely infected with TB. I definitely didn't have my N-95 mask. Sure there are likely others with TB. Everyone gets a blood smear for malaria and treated for malaria if they have a fever. We also walk on rounds with a open container with paracetamol (Tylenol) and hand them out to the mothers to crush and feed to their child. There is also an isolated ward for those with measles. We didn't see them but I think there are about three patients in there currently. I would like to see them before I leave as we are likely to never see this in the US. This morning when we arrived, we saw a kitten sleeping on the shelf right next to the injectable antibiotics that they leave sitting out on an open shelf in the hallway. All the families are required to go and buy the medication the doctor orders so it can be given.
After rounds today, we were told to go to cardiac clinic. This took place on a porch outside. The doctor we were told to work with we come to find out is a GP who is doing his intern year and has only been in pediatrics for two weeks. We listened to a ton of murmurs and thrills too. I am weak in cards stuff and thought this was pretty neat. A lot of the children haven't had surgery and those that have, went to Israel. The doctors we worked with didn't even listen to or examine the patients. As a matter of fact, he didn't even have a stethoscope.
That is all for now!
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Buckets
It only took 15 minutes to fly from Dar to Zanzibar. The water around the island was a gorgeous turquoise and you could see the reefs and other tiny islands on the outskirts. We saw the hospital from the air and actually looked like one of the nicest places on the island.
We were met at the airport by Amed who works for the travel company that World Unite uses. He told us things were not ready at the house that we had been told we were gonna be staying at. He said one of us would stay at that house about 7km from town and the other in Stone Town. I said I don't think so.
Lots of phone calls were made and the person who was in charge and supposed to have picked us up was notified. After about three hours, we finally solidified things and we are both sharing an apartment in Stone Town with 2 or 3 other girls. It is a decent set up.
Our apartment is nestled in the labyrinth of the town. Might have to leave bread crumbs to figure our way in and out! The catch is that there has been no running water for two and half weeks due to someone sabotaging the water well. So for us, it is buckets to flush and shower. This isn't a new thing for me as I had to do this after Hurricane Ivan and in St. Vincent during the dry season.
The upside to all the initial chaos was we got a wonderful tour from Amed. He took us to the water front area where all the food vendors set up. They had shish kabobs of every fish and seafood imaginable. We opted for a pizza. This isn't pizza as we know it. It is really a dough base filled with meat, veggies, cheese, mayo and egg all stirred up together. It is then cooked up on both sides like a pancake.
So today, Sunday we are getting acquainted with the rest of the town and then tomorrow will be our first day at the hospital.
Happy Mothers Day Mom. It was great to chat with you yesterday and I will try to talk with you on FaceTime. We have no internet in our place and I an typing this all off line to upload when we find an Internet cafe.
Thats all for now.....
We were met at the airport by Amed who works for the travel company that World Unite uses. He told us things were not ready at the house that we had been told we were gonna be staying at. He said one of us would stay at that house about 7km from town and the other in Stone Town. I said I don't think so.
Lots of phone calls were made and the person who was in charge and supposed to have picked us up was notified. After about three hours, we finally solidified things and we are both sharing an apartment in Stone Town with 2 or 3 other girls. It is a decent set up.
Our apartment is nestled in the labyrinth of the town. Might have to leave bread crumbs to figure our way in and out! The catch is that there has been no running water for two and half weeks due to someone sabotaging the water well. So for us, it is buckets to flush and shower. This isn't a new thing for me as I had to do this after Hurricane Ivan and in St. Vincent during the dry season.
The upside to all the initial chaos was we got a wonderful tour from Amed. He took us to the water front area where all the food vendors set up. They had shish kabobs of every fish and seafood imaginable. We opted for a pizza. This isn't pizza as we know it. It is really a dough base filled with meat, veggies, cheese, mayo and egg all stirred up together. It is then cooked up on both sides like a pancake.
So today, Sunday we are getting acquainted with the rest of the town and then tomorrow will be our first day at the hospital.
Happy Mothers Day Mom. It was great to chat with you yesterday and I will try to talk with you on FaceTime. We have no internet in our place and I an typing this all off line to upload when we find an Internet cafe.
Thats all for now.....
Sand Surfing
It was a great time in Dubai! First, we hit up the shopping after arriving early in the morning. We went to the Mall of Dubai that has the world tallest building, the Burj Khalif. Didn't go up to the top since it was so hazy and you wouldn't see much plus it was sold out. Saw the very tall indoor ski resort in the Emirates Mall. Getting there was an adventure. We rode on the metro. There are separate men and women/children sections. We of course didn't realize this for a little while till we wondered why there were so many men. It worked out well though once we figured this out as there was more room in our section!
Later our first night, we attempted to venture out for dinner but that was a bust. We wanted to go down to the market to eat near the water. Well, we couldn't find any place. When we attempted to get out of the area but about 15 taxis went by and refused to pick us up. Finally, one was kind enough to and we went back and ate some awesome Italian food in our hotel over looking the water.
The second day we met up with Kiron's cousin Radha. She was so sweet to give us the insiders tour of the city. We went out to the famous Palm island. It is manmade islands in the shape of palm trees. People have houses on the fronds. We got to see them. Wow, that is quite the life!
That night we took the much anticipated Desert Safari. It was awesome. By far the best part of the trip. We were in a convoy of about 20 Toyota Land Cruisers. Each one held about 6 passengers. After a long drive out to the middle of nowhere, we finally got to the dunes. It was a wild ride. It was like surfing in car! I have no idea how our driver did it. We were sitting in the back which gets flung around the most. I did start to feel a little sick towards the end. I took some video that I will post at some point. If this was the US there would have been a massive waiver to sign. We then went to ride camels before the traditional Arabic dinner where we sat on pillows and watched dancers. I got henna on my arm. I think it looks really nice. Does surprise me every now and then when I look down and forget I did it. Then afterwards we hit up the Madinat Jumeriah for some dancing. We hads a great time and thankfully no problem waking felt our flight.
The flight to Dar Es Salaam in Emirate airlines was nice but not as nice as the one coming from the US. We arrived and got ourVisas without too much hassle. But boy I now understand the term "Africa hot" as there was no air flow and sweat dripping off of me. I know this is just the beginning. We are now sitting waiting for our hopper flight to Zanzibar.
Later our first night, we attempted to venture out for dinner but that was a bust. We wanted to go down to the market to eat near the water. Well, we couldn't find any place. When we attempted to get out of the area but about 15 taxis went by and refused to pick us up. Finally, one was kind enough to and we went back and ate some awesome Italian food in our hotel over looking the water.
The second day we met up with Kiron's cousin Radha. She was so sweet to give us the insiders tour of the city. We went out to the famous Palm island. It is manmade islands in the shape of palm trees. People have houses on the fronds. We got to see them. Wow, that is quite the life!
That night we took the much anticipated Desert Safari. It was awesome. By far the best part of the trip. We were in a convoy of about 20 Toyota Land Cruisers. Each one held about 6 passengers. After a long drive out to the middle of nowhere, we finally got to the dunes. It was a wild ride. It was like surfing in car! I have no idea how our driver did it. We were sitting in the back which gets flung around the most. I did start to feel a little sick towards the end. I took some video that I will post at some point. If this was the US there would have been a massive waiver to sign. We then went to ride camels before the traditional Arabic dinner where we sat on pillows and watched dancers. I got henna on my arm. I think it looks really nice. Does surprise me every now and then when I look down and forget I did it. Then afterwards we hit up the Madinat Jumeriah for some dancing. We hads a great time and thankfully no problem waking felt our flight.
The flight to Dar Es Salaam in Emirate airlines was nice but not as nice as the one coming from the US. We arrived and got ourVisas without too much hassle. But boy I now understand the term "Africa hot" as there was no air flow and sweat dripping off of me. I know this is just the beginning. We are now sitting waiting for our hopper flight to Zanzibar.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Half way around the world
I have arrived in Dubai. Our hotel let us check in early (9am)! Emirate airlines was awesome! Definitely would fly them again. Hardly got any sleep because I was watching a bunch of movies during the 12.5 hr flight. Our hotel window faces the creek and has incredible views of all the boats. We are off to explore Dubai now.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Leaving on a jet plane!
I am about to embark on my away month to Zanzibar. I am thrilled that my residency program allows me a month to get away and practice medicine in another country. I am going with a company called World Unite . I will be traveling with my friend Kiron from medical school. She and I met when we both did an elective in England fourth year of medical school. I am excited to travel with her again. The first stop will be Dubai for three days before heading to Zanzibar. As you can see in the picture below, I am all packed and ready to go. I will try to keep my blog up to date as I travel around.
Friday, January 07, 2011
These boots were made for walking...
I am beyond thrilled to have finally found a pair of riding boots that I love! I might have to sleep in them cause I don't wanna take them off.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
If my day job doesn't work out...
For the longest time, I have been looking at this chair in my bedroom. This was my grandmother's sitting chair in her living room. When she passed away it was something I was happy to have. It is super comfortable. She had the original 1970's orange color covered up with this floral slipcover.
I have been wishing I could get it recovered. I looked into getting one of those pre-made slipcovered. Sadly, they were always too big and they didn't ever fit right. I bought some fabric years ago and even some in Cambodia to do it myself and then that failed for various reasons. I was saving the redo for when I have a real job and a real income to fund the project. Well, instead I got creative. Yesterday, I was trying to find something in my linen bins and came across the fabric I bought. I decided I should just go ahead and do it myself. I went to walmart and purchased some permanent double sided fabric tape and some upholstery pins. And viola here is the resulting product...
I ended up having to hand sew the end parts of the arm rest.
I am so impressed with my own work. I just keep looking at it when I walk by. I think this will be the end of my craftiness for a long time but gives me hope that I do have some other talent should I need it.
I am so impressed with my own work. I just keep looking at it when I walk by. I think this will be the end of my craftiness for a long time but gives me hope that I do have some other talent should I need it.
Monday, November 29, 2010
For those of you who are not on facebook and might feel neglected on not seeing my photos.
Here is a link to the pictures from this Fall. Enjoy! Click here: Autumn on the East Coast
Here is a link to the pictures from this Fall. Enjoy! Click here: Autumn on the East Coast
Central Park
On the streets of NYC
On the streets of RIC
Supporting the Richmond Spiders
The amazing new UR stadium
Mom and Sam
Spending time with Mom for her Birthday!
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...
I decided this year to be a little green. I opted to not get a real Christmas tree and instead decorate my palm. I figured I would also save some money and not have to worry about all those pine needles the trees drop. (I found some under my rug a couple weeks ago from last year's tree!) So I pulled out my ornaments and have decorated my sweet palm. This isn't the first time we have done this. This is a link to our tree from a few years back. This years kinda reminded me of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Orchids
My mother gave me a gift that keeps giving. She signed me up a couple years ago for "Orchid of the Month" club. Every month I have been getting a beautiful orchid at my door. They are lovely and bloom so long, some for a few months. I have been so excited to have about 4 or 5 that have bloomed again. I would like to think from all my tender loving care made this happen.
Here are some pics of my orchids. The first one is of the beautiful purple one that just rebloomed!
There are a couple more that look like they are putting out new bloom shoots. Can't wait to see what else will rebloom.
Here are some pics of my orchids. The first one is of the beautiful purple one that just rebloomed!
This is part of the orchid spread.
And here are the rest!
There are a couple more that look like they are putting out new bloom shoots. Can't wait to see what else will rebloom.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Another trip around the sun begins
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
A moment to myself
It has been a hard couple of months working in the hospital non-stop. They definetly don't pay us enough for all the hours we work. At last though, I am thankful to report that I have a few minutes to sit back and breathe. I spent today doing much needed laundry and sorting through piles of stuff that I have neglected for months.
I am excited to get into a couple of new books. I just finished "the piano teacher" and am now onto "the help". So far it is really good. I saw eat, pray, love yesterday night. It made me want to go back to Italy and Bali. Bali was by far one of my places I have ever traveled. Such an amazing place.
I am looking forward to my trip to the Southwest in a few weeks. Liz, my college roommate and I are doing a road trip after I attend my friend Sam's wedding. I can't wait to see some of my SGU friends. I am also thrilled about seeing the grand canyon for the first time. We have a lodge on the rim and have already made dinner reservations at El Tolivar for the night we arrive. I am also ready to see Vegas for the first time too. Then we will spend some time in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
More updates later :)
I am excited to get into a couple of new books. I just finished "the piano teacher" and am now onto "the help". So far it is really good. I saw eat, pray, love yesterday night. It made me want to go back to Italy and Bali. Bali was by far one of my places I have ever traveled. Such an amazing place.
I am looking forward to my trip to the Southwest in a few weeks. Liz, my college roommate and I are doing a road trip after I attend my friend Sam's wedding. I can't wait to see some of my SGU friends. I am also thrilled about seeing the grand canyon for the first time. We have a lodge on the rim and have already made dinner reservations at El Tolivar for the night we arrive. I am also ready to see Vegas for the first time too. Then we will spend some time in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
More updates later :)
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Overdue....
It has been over a year since I updated my blog! Wow, time flies. Last time I wrote I had just returned from a trip on the Fantasy Island Yacht. Since then here are some adventures I have had.
We got massive amounts of snow this winter.
We went to Charleston for New Year's
Chris and I went on a trip to the Turks and Caicos in January. It was beautiful.
A few weeks ago Mac and I went out west. We went to Portland and Seattle. Neither of us have ever been out there. We planned to go somewhere cloudy. He just got LASIK and pre-LASIK you can't wear contacts. This meant he couldn't wear sunglasses. We were so lucky to have incredibly beautiful weather (Def could have used some sunglasses). We packed in as many sites as possible and walked tons. I was so excited that one of my great friends from residency was randomly out there at the same time so we got to meet up with her and her husband.
Flowers in the Seattle Market
Me and Mac at the top of the Space Needle
View on the train ride to Seattle
Awesome tree in the Japanese Garden in Portland
Eating a delicious donut from Voodoo Donuts
As for residency, I am less than a month away from finishing up my second year. This means soon I will be a third year resident and that much closer to being out of school forever! It is scary but exciting. I will need to start the job hunt sometime in the near future. I have realized that I will probably try to stay in Richmond. It really is a great city and I have loved living here. I somehow lucked out and they front loaded my schedule which means I have all my hard rotations first. I start off the year in the PICU. Fun times. This month despite being on outpatient I have to do a bunch of "cross-covers". Something I do not like doing.
Me with some of my fellow residents.
My cousin Chris is getting married at the end of this month to Donna (we know her as Stevie). The events will take place in New Jersey. I am very excited about this since it will mean I get to see all my family in a mini reunion. I was so thankful I could arrange to switch my schedule around so I can get off time to be up there.
Leah, Liz and Ashleigh are coming next weekend for a 1904 UR reunion. I am looking forward to seeing all of them. It has been a long time. Leah is currently pregnant with her second child so that may mean we are a little tamer than usual.
The terrible oil spill is just now starting to affect the Panhandle of Florida. I am heart broken to think about this and how our "world's most beautiful beaches" will be ruined. I hope the winds turn in our favor and that they find a way to stop the leak soon.
I will try to post more often.
We got massive amounts of snow this winter.
We went to Charleston for New Year's
Chris and I went on a trip to the Turks and Caicos in January. It was beautiful.
A few weeks ago Mac and I went out west. We went to Portland and Seattle. Neither of us have ever been out there. We planned to go somewhere cloudy. He just got LASIK and pre-LASIK you can't wear contacts. This meant he couldn't wear sunglasses. We were so lucky to have incredibly beautiful weather (Def could have used some sunglasses). We packed in as many sites as possible and walked tons. I was so excited that one of my great friends from residency was randomly out there at the same time so we got to meet up with her and her husband.
Flowers in the Seattle Market
Me and Mac at the top of the Space Needle
View on the train ride to Seattle
Awesome tree in the Japanese Garden in Portland
Eating a delicious donut from Voodoo Donuts
As for residency, I am less than a month away from finishing up my second year. This means soon I will be a third year resident and that much closer to being out of school forever! It is scary but exciting. I will need to start the job hunt sometime in the near future. I have realized that I will probably try to stay in Richmond. It really is a great city and I have loved living here. I somehow lucked out and they front loaded my schedule which means I have all my hard rotations first. I start off the year in the PICU. Fun times. This month despite being on outpatient I have to do a bunch of "cross-covers". Something I do not like doing.
Me with some of my fellow residents.
My cousin Chris is getting married at the end of this month to Donna (we know her as Stevie). The events will take place in New Jersey. I am very excited about this since it will mean I get to see all my family in a mini reunion. I was so thankful I could arrange to switch my schedule around so I can get off time to be up there.
Leah, Liz and Ashleigh are coming next weekend for a 1904 UR reunion. I am looking forward to seeing all of them. It has been a long time. Leah is currently pregnant with her second child so that may mean we are a little tamer than usual.
The terrible oil spill is just now starting to affect the Panhandle of Florida. I am heart broken to think about this and how our "world's most beautiful beaches" will be ruined. I hope the winds turn in our favor and that they find a way to stop the leak soon.
I will try to post more often.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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| BVIs 2009 |
A few weeks ago I had the awesome chance to go down to the BVIs. Click on the picture above to see all of the pics.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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| Winter 2009 |
This a very overdue post...I know I apologize. Anyhow. Things are going well. I am currently on nightfloat (hence why I am posting at 2AM). I just went up to NYC last weekend. It was wonderful to see old friends and see Elizabeth, Nana and the kids. I have some pics from the last few months and will attempt to upload some pics from the trip too soon. Click here to see the pics
The last few months of residency have def been exhausting. I finished the NICU a few months ago. It was the most challenging of all. 30 hour calls every 4-5 days and non-stop stress all the time. I was given great feedback and told that I should be a neonatologist. I dont' know that I could handle the ethical issues that it brings to the job. It is rewarding but it is devasating to see how many adverse outcomes occur. I did have the experience of taking care of an ECMO baby and a 410 gram baby.
I have only a few more months of my intern year and will be excited to move on but still fear I dont' know enough to be a senior. It will be nice to sleep in an hour later and not have to write a million progress notes. I look forward to reading more and educating myself. Match day just passed and I found out a lot of my friends from SGU got their top choice. I can't believe that was me last year. Time flies.
In May I am thrilled to have the last week of my vacation. I am going to be going down to Uncle Pete's boat. He has been generous to let me and a few of my friends vacation there. It will be much needed. I am thrilled to be back in the tropics and work on my tan.
Ok, must go back to work now...
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