Flight of Ideas

I saw the first image below as my friend's phone backdrop. I was intrigued and asked. Then I started exploring... and just found it all so interesting.

So, now I'll ask you all, how are they all related?

It takes 3 cups to become family

I finished another book! Aren't you all impressed?! How, you ask, did I have time to read another book in the craziness of 3rd year?

Well.... I started "reading" it a month ago. And I haven't as much been reading it as I have been listening to it. But it still counts, right?

So, what book?

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

"The inspiring account of one man's campaign to build schools in the most dangerous, remote, and anti-American reaches of Asia."

I thought the book did a wonderful job firstly of describing the difference one person can make in the lives of so many, even when the effort seems like one small thing to begin with (although, I wouldn't necessarily say building a school is a small thing). However, I also thought it did a wonderful job talking about that unique experience of interacting and becoming part of a foreign culture.

It took me awhile to get through the book since I listened to it in 15 minute segments on the way to and from work, so my experience wasn't as cohesive as it could have been, but overall I enjoyed the book. It did a great job of walking through the path Mortenson took to fight terrorism in a very tangible way and implemented a very effective model of change (turning the project over to the local community, allowing them to take control of where and what happens, with continued guidance).

Even if you don't agree with everything Mortenson did or how he approached different situations, I would recommend the book, as it gives hope at the difference we all can make in such a changing and volatile world.

Had to share this... cause it's funny.

I'd like to dedicate it to all my sad little friends in basic science years. You'll be in clinical year in no time. Promise. And then you can all look back on the 1st and 2nd years in self-righteous pity. ;)



found on MedSchoolHell.com

I love "switch weekend"

Switch weekend is the glorious weekend that would be almost the equivalent of the "golden weekend" of residency. The Golden weekend is that weekend that residents get about once a month... a weekend that is 2 days, instead of the usual 1 day off per week.

Now I've been lucky through my year thus far (but I have a feeling that luck will be spent come November) and have only had to work 1 weekend per month (gasp! I know! how does that happen?!)... Last month I got even to go to Texas for a wedding. But the difference is that even though we may have the weekend off, we're still required to catch up on all the studying we didn't have time to do during the week (meaning studying in airports/on planes/in the random down moments).

But we have this great thing called "switch weekend." Switch weekend is the weekend at occurs at the end of each rotation, which means that it comes once every 1 to 2 months. It is a guilt-free, no study, do whatever you want weekend, and if it's the right rotation, it can actually be a 3 day weekend. Glorious right?!

Well, I just finished my second rotation, neurology, and took my test on Friday. After turning in my exam and running around the school trying to accomplish a very random errand, it started: Switch Weekend.

I went home and did those things that I don't do during the rest of the month (because it means feeling guilty for not studying): projects for Aesculapians, putting away the laundry that's been sitting in a basket for the last 3 weeks, doing the laundry that's accumulated over the past month. And then I left... and went home-home to spend time with my family.

Going home means a few things: 1) hanging out on my mom's bed watching TV and playing with my dog, 2) getting my hair done , 3) going to see some theatre with my mom (who judges and directs local theatre... and is AMAZING!), 4) catching up on sleep, etc.

This weekend I did a few other things as well... I read a book (Match Day) and mom, a family friend, and I went to a fall festival.

The Book:

Match Day is a quick and informative read about 3 women going through the process of getting into residency. Most people outside medicine might not realize it but applying for residency is not as straight forward as just applying for a job. Matching involves submitting an application and then getting interviews (pretty straight forward)... but after that the 4th year student makes a list of their favorite programs, places they want to go. At the same time the programs make a list of which people they want to work with them. Both parties submit their lists to the NRMP and then on the 3rd Thursday in March everyone finds out where they'll be for the next 3-7 years.

The whole thing is fraught with tension and anxiety... what happens if your first choice doesn't want you? What if you match at a place isn't ideal for whatever reason? What happens if you don't match?

Match Day did a great job of explaining the anxiety that all 4th year students experience, as well as following the 3 individuals through their intern year... reflecting on how the match had served them.

All in all, I thought it was a good book, and definitely spoke to some of the anxiety that is starting to build in 3rd year students as we watch our 4th year friends start the process. I recommend that any one thinking about going to medical school pick it up and give it a read... it explains a little more about what to expect.

The Festival:


Fall is one of my favorite seasons... so I was super excited when my mom said we'd be able to go to the Fallasburg Fall Festival. It was a quaint little fall craft festival complete with live folk music. Mom and I both walked away with some fun new jewelry (which I might be wearing right now). We all had a great time... but then again, how could we not.

Anyways, it's time for me to get to my 2nd orientation of the day... Hope you all are enjoying the wonderful fall weather!

Please Pray for Grace

Below is an urgent update from the school that I worked at in Thailand... Please read... and Please pray!

Grace International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, offers affordable, high quality education to the children of Christian workers in Southeast Asia. One-third of the world’s population, more than two billion people, live within a three hour plane flight from Chiang Mai, making it a strategic location. Grace has been in existence for 10 years and has served more than 1,500 students from more than 20 countries. The ministry of GIS enables hundreds of missionaries to minister in SE Asia.

A recent lawsuit brought against Grace International School has jeopardized the future use of the current school facilities. This suit was filed by the Nittibukon, a neighborhood association legally recognized by the government, charging that GIS had purchased the current property and facilities illegally.

When Grace purchased the property, all papers were properly filed in government offices and the title deeds were legally transferred to the school. All proper due diligence was taken to ensure the legality of the purchase. Due to the enactment of a recent law regarding consumer protection, the Nittibukon claimed what they believe is their right to have the property given to them.

In August, 2009, the court ruled against Grace International School, requiring the school to:

• Abandon the facility and turn the land deeds over to them
• Restore the facilities to their original condition
• Pay a fine in excess of $140,000

Grace will appeal this decision and is working to pursue a just resolution in this case. Should the appeals courts not rule in our favor, GIS will be forced to vacate the facilities in the next year. It is therefore vitally urgent that the school acquire/obtain a new facility. However, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, it is clear that GIS needs to relocate in order to continue to grow in the coming years. The current facility is bursting at the seams and admittance of new students has been limited/restricted.

We ask for your prayers! Please pray for God’s provision for GIS, as well as wisdom for school administrators as they guide the school during this challenging time. GIS must raise $10 million dollars to purchase property and build a new campus. But we serve a GREAT GOD who goes before us! We are thankful for God’s provision these last ten years, and we look forward to seeing how God will provide for the coming years.

And here's a little video for you all to check out:

Maybe...

Just bought some new music from some of my favorite artists... Thought I'd share this from the new Ingrid Michaelson CD...

Social Commentary

I have had many stories over the past few months that have left me shocked, sad or laughing but I thought I'd take time to at least share 2 that have really stuck with me... one because it was completely awkward... and the other because of the sadness of it all. I'll start with the sad one... cause the awkward one will at least have you leaving laughing in disbelief. ;)

Story #1
The other day we had a little old lady (LOL) admitted for stroke (which is the most common neurology admission by far). It quickly became apparent that she would need a good family support upon leaving, besides the fact that we needed to notify her family of her admission. When we asked who to contact she basically told us the only person in her life was her grown son, who she supported. We asked her how we could contact him, she said that we wouldn't be able to, since he never answered the phone at their house.

Eventually we told her we needed to admit her for a little while, at which point she said she had to leave to give her son money for food. She said he wouldn't be able to get food if she didn't give him his $2.52. We all quickly looked at each other. She went on saying that he's daily meal cost $2.52 from Taco Bell and described some sort of burrito. She then added that her daily meal cost $2.42 and was a salad and hamburger.We all left the room and looked at each other and comment on how sad it is that this lady was living on one small meal a day from a fast food restaurant.

Story #2 (warning, somewhat graphic in nature)
About 1/2 way through my Ob rotation I was helping out with triage and admissions histories. My resident sent me down to one of the rooms to take an admission history of a lady that presented to triage in active labor. I went down and started taking the history. About half way through taking the history and trying to calm the lady down something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I looked over to where the lady's finance was sitting and was a little shocked to say the least. The guy was laying down on the window bench with a blanket over his head. That's not what caught my attention... what caught my attention was the way he was moving... and the fact that his hand was down his pants. When I realized what was going on I quickly turned my back on the guy and finished the history as fast as I could.

When I told the nurses what had happened one of the nurses said if it happened again she'd be sure to "set the boy straight." Needless to say, we had a laugh at my completely awkward situation.