Sunday, October 31, 2004

2 more days

I don't think that I can handle it. Really. I don't think that America can handle it, regardless of the result. We've become so divided and fragmented as a nation that I have no idea if there is a cohesive American identity (other than "ignorant").

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!!

Family Medicine

So, after a grueling week of exams, I decided to spend the entire weekend at a conference. Some may think this is crazy of me, but come on, is anything that I do not crazy?

It was a family medicine conference in upstate New York, and I have to say that I love family medicine. Well, I don't know if I love the field, but the people in it and its philosophy is definitely appealing. Even if I don't go into family medicine, I still have a great deal fo admiration and respect for those in it.

All, in all, it was a good experience just to inspire me, especially after a disillusioning several weeks of exams.

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

They did it

So, the Boston Red Sox have really won. It's quite amazing. I'm not even a Red Sox, or Cardinals, fan but it's been a good series to watch - if for nothing else but to watch sports history.

But the question is, will any Red Sox questions show up on my exams on Friday?

Monday, October 25, 2004

Medical school and terrorism

Never would I have imagined that in medical school, I would have to deal with terrorism. However, that day has come and I listened to a Microbiology pathophysiology lecture on biological warfare (titled benignly as "Emerging Infectious Diseases").

So, I listened to a professor tell me how health professionals (am I one yet?) are the first line responders if there was a bioterrorism attack and it was necessary to learn how to recognize symptoms of smallpox and anthrax. She then proceeded to go over what makes an "ideal bioterrorism weapon."

I just don't know how to respond to it. Yes, it's necessary as this is the world that we live in now. However, did it really have to be this way? Do we, from now on, have to worry about biological terrorism and the possibility that sometime in the future, I will have to quarantine a whole hospital because someone walks in with smallpox?

I guess that is just the world that we live in. Especially if our military keeps on losing weapons and explosives.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Red Sox

I have to admit it, I've been caught up in the hoopla surrounding the Boston Red Sox. I mean, I do live in Boston and and they did manage to come back from 0-3 in the ALCS to beat the Yankees. And, even if I didn't watch the games or keep up with what was going on, I would hear a play-by-play recap of the game through classmates the next morning.

So, yes, I spent the last three nights sitting in front of my TV to catch at least the last hour of every game. And yes, I had my doubts up until the last swing of the bat. But who did I cheer for? Ah, who knows - and who cares. I was just happy that I was watching a good sporting event.

And my apologies to Eric, as when he gets out of trekking on glaciers/icebergs, he will find out that the Red Sox won Game 7 and might actually have a chance at winning the World Series.

Sunday, October 17, 2004

No Republicans allowed

So, I just found out that my youngest brother is not a Bush supporter. This makes me happy. Well, I'd be happy if he just saw a minute of one of the debates. But it's even better if he's not a Bush-liker.

Maybe our future has some hope after all. Too bad he's not even old enough to vote yet. If only the election was held on June 30.

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Karaoke, part II

Ok, the karaoke is out of control. They started this morning and they haven't stopped. And it's so loud that I can make out the songs, and probably sing along - even to the Chinese songs.

Someone, kick my butt out of this apartment and tell me to study. I need to motivate myself.

Spinster-ing

So, after being single for extended periods of time in my early twenties, and not so distraught about it, I've started to see myself in ten years as a spinster. Now, whatever you may think about spinsters, I don't imagine myself to be a chain-smoking, three martini kind of spinster. Nor do I intend on working so hard that I forget that I'm single (though I may not have much choice in that matter).

Rather, I imagine myself as a rather cool spinster. Someone who every once in awhile dates a cool guy for a few months. It doesn't work out for one reason or another, and I'm single for a few months, "playing the game" and find another to occupy my time.

Am I delusional? Maybe so. But it's hard not to imagine yourself as a spinster when one of your younger brothers is living with his girlfriend and the other seems more committed in his relationships than you have ever been. Not that that's bad or anything. Just not me. My longest relationship has been 6-7 months, and tell you the truth, I can't imagine it being any longer. I don't know what to do past then.

So yeah, my thoughts on spinster-hood. Check back on me in ten years. I hope by then, everyone will claim that your 30's are the new century's 20's - where you can party and dance all night with strangers and not feel guilty that you're not looking for "the one."

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Jeopardy!

I tried out for Jeopardy! today. To tell the truth, I have been looking forward to this since I found out that Jeopardy! was coming to Boston. I was so very very very excited. However, after trying out, and failing the written exam, I feel like I should wear a t-shirt that says, "I tried out for Jeopardy! and all I got was a lousy pen." Yes, I got a pen. And yes, it does say Jeopardy! on it. And yes, I'm a total dork.

So, after feeling totally rejected, I went to get some shopping therapy. Then, as I'm walking home, tired and grumpy, a homeless man says to me, "you're beautiful." That made my day. Why don't people say things like this anymore? Say and do things with no expectations of anything in return. It's just such a rarity these days that when it does happen, it almost catches me off guard. Is this what our world has come to?

Sunday, October 10, 2004

Nothing

So, nothing's been going on. Well, there's always stuff to do, things to see, places to go - but in general, no stories. I've been taking an extraordinary number of naps lately. I've been going out, but really not into it. I think that after all the partying, I'm finally settling down into the rhythm of school, studying, and sleeping whenever I can (which includes during class).

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

War and terrorism

In regards to my earlier comment on justifications of the war on Iraq and supposed links to the war on terror, look at this.

It will be an interesting debate tonight, hopefully.

Sunday, October 3, 2004

Inspiration

I went to an award ceremony for Partners In Health on Saturday afternoon and listened to Paul Farmer (who is a public health powerhouse in my view) and Ophelia Dahl speak about public health and social responsibility. Listening to them speak, especially Ms. Dahl, was amazing. It was inspirational beyond belief and it reminded me why I'm doing what I'm doing. It's easy to lose focus in the middle of three exams and two papers (like I had this last week), and so to see that people really are making a difference and I can be one of those people was very therapeutic.

I truly believe that everyone can make a difference in this world, and the decision is up to them as to whether they want to do it and in what capacity they will. Not to say that everyone will find a cure to cancer or establish world peace. Rather, that we are capable of doing great things - whether big or small. It's just nice to see that people are doing great things in this world. In a wonderfully strange way, it gives me a glimpse of the light at the end of this tunnel of medical/public health school.

Ahh!

I think that my upstairs neighbors are operating a karaoke bar out of their apartment. I swear. They are currently butchering the Eagles' Hotel California (and before that, they sang Vanessa Williams and Toni Braxton). God, it's absolutely horrendous. Can I tell them to stop singing horribly and go outside to sing karaoke? I don't know how much longer I can take it. Ahh!!!

Harvard Finals Clubs

I had never heard of them before, but my friend gave me a short intro: Harvard does not have fraternities so they have "Finals Clubs" instead. Or so I think. It was loud when the guy was trying to explain it to me, but hey, we were basically at an undergraduate frat party.

Now, you may ask, how did a graduate student end up at an undergraduate frat party at Harvard? Well, the evening started out calm enough - we were simply having a dinner party at my apartment and then we decided to go out to a bar in Harvard Square. Then, we meet a guy (who was ambiguously gay) at the bar (6 girls, by themselves, will attract a lot of attention, let me tell you) who offered us champagne. Then, next thing we knew, we were following him to a Finals Club party going on.

It was pretty much like any other party, except with Harvard undergraduates in suits. And really, I was not planning on drinking tonight, but after the champagne, it all went downhill. Next thing I knew, I was claiming that I was an undergraduate student, named Christine, who was roommates with a medical student. I really come up with wonderful stories when I go out.

But that's the posting for now. All in all, it was a calm night.