NaBloPoMo Day 4--Alaska

With so many things to write about today (election results--yay Obama! worried about prop 8... or the sad sad news of the sad sad death of the Tuba Man), I'm going to stick with my original plan--pictures from Alaska.

University of Washington is a unique medical school, in that it is considered the state school for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (aka WWAMI). As such, they encourage students to do their required 3rd year clerkships (where you learn psychiatry, ob/gyn, pediatrics, etc. by following doctors and occasionally seeing patients yourself) in community based settings. I think the idea is to encourage us all to go into primary care in rural settings. For me however, I knew the last think I wanted to do with my medical career was primary care in a rural setting. I also knew there was no real reason for me to stay in Seattle for the entire year. Thus, I took advantage of this and spent almost all of my 3rd year of medical school living in various parts of the west. Most of you know this, so this isn't new. But hey, it gives me something to write about for a few days at least!

The first away rotation I had was in Anchorage, Alaska. I actually had back to back Anchorage rotations, so I lived there for 3 months in October-November 2003. It was a lot of fun, I lived with two classmates who I got to know well. One became my enabler, always happy to go in search of Philly cheesesteaks or Cold Stone. The other, probably would have to be considered my conscious, as she would always be eating salads and going to the gym while I was downing greasy meat covered in cheese. But we had fun. When we weren't working, which was often since they aren't really known for working long hours in the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, we explored.

Hiking at Eklutna Lake:
Visiting Exit Glacier out on the Kenai Penninsula:
Talkeetna with views of Mt. McKinley (aka Denali):
We even spent a weekend up in Kotzebue (where is Kotzebue? google maps will show you):
And moose! There were moose everywhere:It really is a beautiful state, and these pictures do not do it justice. And I had such a wonderful time there, enjoying the Anchorage night life, and I think this is where I first developed my love of road trips. I hope to make it back one of these days, but preferably not in November. Tomorrow: road trip to South Dakota and through a snow storm in the mountains of Wyoming. In May. Unless something more interesting comes up between now and then.

NaBloPoMo Day 3--Not What I Promised

Ok, so I know you were all excited to hear about Alaska and my adventures there (don't get too excited though, it was 5 years ago. I don't remember all the details, and many that I do remember--I'm not sharing them with the general public).

But instead I will tell you two things I learned tonight:

1. If you are going to go running after dark, you are stupid if you wear all black. Seriously. I'm a good driver, and I still almost hit the guy. I CAN'T SEE YOU IF YOU ARE WEARING ALL BLACK.

2. Rowing was one of the most important things I've ever done with my life. I was at a dinner tonight, and started chatting with the woman next to me. She was probably in her late 50's, early 60's. Somehow the topic of rowing came up. When she was 14, she started rowing with ZLAC. Since then, she has been involved with rowing through supporting various teams, organizing regattas, etc. As we talked about rowing, I got more and more excited. I only get this excited about three topics: rowing, obesity and margaritas. They are the three things that I am truly passionate about. Yes, I'm a blast at cocktail parties. Anyway, I realized that rowing had a huge impact on the person I am today. Two incidents in particular stick out.

One, in high school when I didn't make the varsity boat, despite the superiority of my erg scores compared to the skinny girl who beat me out for the seat. I asked my coach about it (perhaps the first time I ever confronted what I thought to be unfair treatment!) and was told I just wasn't aggressive enough. How I needed to fight for what I wanted. How even if I were just walking down the street, I should race the person ahead of me. That moment changed my approach from the "whatever happens happens" way of life to the "I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen, but will accept the consequences, knowing I did my best" approach. That's what got me into medical school.

Two, my freshman year in college on a spring break trip my coach pointed out that she could tell when I got frustrated. If things aren't going well in a boat with seven other rowers, it sucks. And I would give up and just let it suck. And she could tell. She told me that I needed to focus on what I could do to make the situation better, rather than just giving in to the suckiness (I don't think she used the word suckiness, but I think it is appropriate for the situation). So I made a change. If the boat wasn't set, I didn't throw my hands around in frustration, I focused on what I could do to make it better. If there was horrendous check, I didn't start shooting up and down the slide, I focused on my control. And still today, if I'm in a miserable situation, I focus on the part of that situation that I can control, and make that part better. It makes for a much happier, more successful life.

I would like to thank those people, I wonder if I can track them down? I wonder if they would even remember me?

Regardless, I think I might take up rowing again when I'm back in Seattle. I liked who I was when I was a rower... and I really like that I had well defined muscles. I miss having well defined muscles.

NaBloPoMo Day 2--SeaWorld

Today was an odd day, weather-wise. It was sunny, but cool this morning when I went for a run. Cloudy and cool when we went out to breakfast. Sunny again by the time we arrived at SeaWorld, but shortly after arriving, the clouds rolled in and it began to rain! Not real rain of course, just a heavy mist. But those wimpy So. Californians abandoned the dog and cat show we were watching at the time (they have trained cats at SeaWorld! Who knew you could train a cat!), to head for cover. We soon joined them, but the rain was short-lived, and we were able to enjoy the remainder of our day in the lovely fall sun. The best part about visiting theme parks in the off season... no crowds! We were able to go on all the rides, with just a 5 minute wait, including what turned out to be our favorite part of the day, the river rapids ride. You know the one, where you and 6 other people since in an innertube/boat and float down the river? You get wet sure, but when people along the sides are allowed to point water canons at you? You get DRENCHED. After some complete strangers drenched us, we decided to exact our revenge. It was far more fun than I imagined it would be.

Here I am plotting my attack (notice the devious smile):My finger on the button, awaiting my victims: Nice people, unsuspecting as they wave at me as they float by: Evil laugh as I hit the button launching a stream of water at them:It was great. The best 25 cents I ever spent.
Oh yeah, we saw Shamu too. He was ok, but not nearly as much fun as the water canon.
All the pics from the day (including a few from the sunset at La Jolla Cove) here:

Tomorrow I think I will tell you all about my adventures in Alaska, circa 2003.

NaBloPoMo!

It's that time of year again. Daily blog posting in the hopes of winning a prize! This year I was trying to think of something interesting that I could write about every day for 30 days. It's hard, because my day to day life is not that interesting. I'm not that funny. And I don't take good pictures. So I thought some more... and came up with what I shall call "Oh, the Places I've Been!"

I have quite a collection of pictures on my computer from the trips and adventures I've had over the years, many of which pre-date my blogging life. And so, I will be entertaining you all with my past adventures for the next 30 days. Well, 29 days now, since this counts as day one. I may even sneak in a current adventure if I get out of town at all in the next month.

Tomorrow's adventure? Rumors of SeaWorld have been floating around...

Ballard Is Famous!

I love Ballard. The Tractor Tavern is one of my favorite music venues in Seattle (second only to the now defunct Crocodile Cafe). My favorite restaurant, and home of the best margaritas in Seattle, is in Ballard. And Adam's house is there. His house is far enough from downtown Ballard that he doesn't have the parking issues that you have when trying to visit Ballard Ave, yet is close enough that you can walk to bars, restaurants and movie theatres. It's great.
And now, Ballard has been written up in the New York Times.
I wonder if the neighborhood's growing popularity will help maintain property values?

On A Roll!

Three posts in three days!?! Madness, I know. But I wanted to share with you two recent successes I've had. First, I conquered the little green worms (aka Cabage Loopers) that were eating my basil. After I noticed all the leaves were being eaten away during the night, I did a little internet research about how to get rid of them. I read about a number of pesticides and thought, now why would I put chemicals on something I'm going to eat (don't ask how I justify eat food that *other* people have put chemicals on, I haven't figured that out yet). Instead, I followed one person's advice. I went outside every night after sunset and first thing every moring. I looked on every leaf, and pulled the little suckers off, throwing them unceremoniously to the ground. And now I have a beautiful full basil plant and ready access to fresh basil. As long as I remember to water it.
And finally... pizza. I successfully made pizza. The dough--from Joy of Cooking. How to keep it from sticking to the counter? First, flour. Second, don't try to make it too thin. And third, when you put it on the pan to cook, make sure you sprinkle the pan liberally with flour and cornmeal. It was delicious.
Maybe I'll post again tomorrow. I have some interesting thoughts on the current candidates' health care plans (they both kind of suck, but at least they are trying). And thoughts on this whole "food allergies are making me fat" phenomenon (it may be true, but body weight is a complicated issue, which is why I plan on studying it during fellowship). Then again, maybe I'll save these goodies for NaBloPoMo. Only 4 more days...

Ninety Degree Halloween

I remember trick-or-treating in Idaho, where you would have to get so bundled up in order to brave the frigid weather on Halloween, that it didn't really matter what your costume was--no one could see it. But here in southern California, I attended a pumpkin carving party in 80 degree weather. Something very non-fall-like about it, but a good time nonetheless.

It's great living a short drive from the O.C. Two of my very good friends from college live up there, and it is so much fun getting to see them every once in awhile. Now that we are older, and all living our own lives in various parts of the country, married, starting families, it is hard to find the time to get together anymore. My wedding was the last of the bunch, so we don't even have weddings as an excuse to get together anymore. Chrissy and I decided we need to start planning group vacations. If anyone wants to get on that, I should be free sometime in 2010. :)

I had a lovely time today. Running in San Diego. Brunch in Fullerton. Pumpkin carving in Huntington Beach. A very nice end to a weekend that started off with a very bad hangover. Hopefully it will cool off by Friday so those California kids get a taste of fall. And hopefully not many of them come trick-or-treating at our house, so I can eat the Snickers and Twix I bought to hand out.