Graduation!

So, I have finally finished med school!

Oh, more pictures are available on my flickr page, and for my family out there - sign up for flickr and you get to see more through the family photo page!

Massachusetts

I'm in Boston for graduation and it's actually fun. Yeah, I'm not the biggest fan of Boston, but it's nice to go when I have (almost) no work to do and just get to go out to eat and explore the city.

However, I have been tying up some loose ends, including getting my knee checked out. The orthopedist decided that I should get another MRI, just in case, so this morning, I had my fourth MRI ever. And this time, I'm becoming an expert because I slept through the entire procedure - which is a feat given that being in an MRI machine sounds like being at a construction site. All I can say is my ability to sleep anytime, anywhere will come in handy during residency (and my next MRI).

Back to Boston

It feels good.

Whiners

Why is it that people from cold climates (i.e. New England) complain so much about the cold. I mean, it's barely below 50 and everyone's complaining about how "freezing" it is outside. Do people forget that we still haven't reached mid-autumn yet? Do they have a collective amnesia every year about zero degree weather and blizzards?

I'm done!

I just can't believe it. I'm actually done with the boards. I came back to my apartment yesterday after the exam and eating a basketful of fried seafood with a friend who took it with me and was just completely exhausted. Physically drained. So now, I'm awake at 6:30 am because that's what time i woke up yesterday and now I can't get back to bed. I guess I should pack. California, here I come!

Bad drivers? Oh yeah, we've got them

Turns out that my rant about drivers in Massachusetts is not only a rant, it may actually be true that they are among the worst in the country. Add to that the fact that they honk at every possible opportunity and you have a set of drivers that just drives me insane. Well, I'm sure that mechanics and auto repair shops do well here in the great Northeast.

Race in Boston

After moving to Boston, I realized just how segregated this city is and how the communities, geographically and socially, fall sharply on racial lines. Add to the decades of historical discrimination two events in the past few weeks that have put race back on the list of hot issues in Boston.

First, there was a report that concluded discrimination against racial minorities was still widely prevalent. Secondly, a ceremony to mark the 60 year anniversary of the end of the Holocaust is protested by white supremacy groups.

What makes Boston so different than other big cities (I'm thinking of San Francisco)? Is it the people? The history? The weather?

Crazy stuff

I feel like I'm going crazy. Or maybe the city of Boston has gone crazy.

* I saw a man, about 4 feet tall, wearing a three piece suit and a baseball hat tonight.
* Last night, playing 9-ball, I managed to hit the 3 in, then try and hit the 5... apparently not realizing that 4 is in between 3 and 5.
* I went to a club last night and upon walking in, realized that ALL the men were dancing like freaks. Really. I know generally, men can't dance, but they were beyond the "bad dancing but I'll take it" limit.

Can't think of anything else. Maybe it is just me.

There's a fire hydrant somewhere under there.

This is an alleyway behind my apartment at night. It's kind of spooky and beautiful at the same time. It's hard to tell, but the wind was really blowing and the snow was everywhere.

A newspaper bin and parking meter, totally useless because the bin is empty and parking is not allowed on the streets. Oh, and they're covered in snow.

I love the snow!

I love how the snow makes everything wonderful, such as school. Well, that's inaccurate. It's the lack of school because of the snow that makes things wonderful. And really, it's what every kid hopes for because I had two tests today.

And hilarity still abounds because people still insist on driving around and taking shortcuts - hence getting stuck in alleyways that still have several inches of snow and ice on it. Really, you'd think Bostonians would know better.

Hilarity abounds!

I love the snow. I think that it's hilarious. I just checked live cameras at major highways in Boston and one of them was just grayish. I didn't know whether it's because there is no visibility due to the blizzard or if the camera wasn't working.

Last night, I could hear countless tires spinning fruitlessly outside of my apartment building. It was hilarious, only because I wasn't the driver. Just a few minutes ago, there was a car that was trying to turn, but the snowdrifts are so high, it's useless. Luckily, some people were willing to help push. It was just funny, watching from my warm room.

But the snow is absolutely beautiful. Maybe it's because I can stay in the whole day (though I was planning on going to the library to get some work done). Maybe it's because I have a warm apartment. But either way, it's really quite amazing out there.

Boston sucks

So, I think Boston sucks for many reasons.

First, it has managed to go from 10 degrees this afternoon to 26 degrees at midnight. How does this happen? Who ever knew that a blizzard can RAISE temperatures?

Second, giving a tour of Boston in 10 degree weather is no fun. My cousin from China was here and let's just say that I wanted to finish the tour much sooner than she was willing to walk.

Third, medical school sucks. Granted, I do like it for the most part, but when I have two exams on Monday and I feel desperately behind, it sucks.

That's it for now. 6 inches of snow on my windowsill so far,. We'll see how much I'll get by the morning.

It's been awhile

So, I've been a bit of a slacker in my posting, but I've also been very busy. But the truth is, that there's not a lot to write about. My life during finals was just that... finals. I did not go out. I did not sleep. I did not cook. I did not eat. It was loads of fun.

But I went back to California and then up to Seattle for some down time, which was very nice. I'm back in Boston now... and I think it's making me sick. Literally. My neighbor smokes up a storm, especially when entertaining guests (at 4 am on a Sunday night/Monday morning). So, for the second time since moving into my apartment 4 months ago, I have had to sleep on my couch. Now, this is a bit tougher than one would think, as I just bought a giant down comforter and my couch is rather small. It was a battle between me being on the couch and my blanket. In addition to that, my room smells like someone has been smoking a pack of cigarettes in it. Now, you may ask why my neighbor's smoke and noise gets to me. It's because my wall does not reach all the way up to my ceiling - there is a itty bitty little gap, but just enough to make it seem as though my neighbor is my roommate.

So, now I'm sick in my own apartment.

Seriously bitter cold

So, the weather in Boston just took a turn for the worse. I wondered last year why all Bostonians kept on complaining about the cold, I mean, they live through it every year and you must get used to it. Well, it got cold today and I found myself complaining and wondering how I got through it last year with all my fingers and toes intact.

My only hope is that it snows soon, as that makes it worth it. Well, at least the first snow.

Election Day: Kerry Rally

So, I just came home from my first big election day. Of course, in prior elections, I have faithfully voted (even in primaries!). This time, I decided to be an especially proactive citizen and go to the Kerry rally in Boston. I did this for several reasons. First, I'm a Kerry supporter. However many flaws he has, I can confidently say that he is my choice for President. Secondly, I live in Boston. I don't if there will be any other time in my life where I will be living in the same city as a presidential candidate (let alone one that I support) and have nothing extremely urgent that needs to be done. Thirdly, I felt as though it was something to be a part of. It's a historic election and I feel like it would be an experience that I could really remember forever, regardless of how the experience turned out.

On all of these parts, I have succeeded. I waited dutily for 45 minutes to vote this afternoon then rushed over to Copley Square to stand in the cold and sometimes rainy air to support Kerry. Yes, I chanted "Kerry" at times and yes, I was proud to be a supporter. Ultimately, I think my knees and my feet will hate me the most tomorrow morning.

But in the end, nothing happened. I did not see Kerry, nor did anyone else. I got to see Edwards up close, though (I eventually made it, after nearly 8 hours outside, to ten feet away from the stage). And, of course, the election is not decided. I am glad that the Kerry campaign has put the statement out there that they seek only to make sure votes are counted and not to file lawsuits against states. On the other hand, I don't know how much they can be held to this statement. I guess we'll see what happens by the time I wake up tomorrow morning.

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?

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.

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.