Today, I took my car in for a checkup. It's making funny noises, like a helicopter prop, especially when it hits 50+ mph and up. I thought it was the tires. I take it to the dealer and the mechanic figures that my tires need rotating..."simple, cheap fix" is what he says.
An hour later, he tells me, my right-sided tires (front and back) have nails in them, the back right tire is losing pressure because of an old tire patch that was placed there is no longer holding up, and that both tires are thinning on tread. He suggests new tires. Suddenly, my $24 fix has jumped up to $290. What am I gonna do? I came in to get my baby fixed and so, I must pay the price. Another hour and $290 later, the mechanic hands me my keys. So I go home. Not 5 minutes after I got on the highway, the damn noise starts again. Same noise. So now, I'm almost $300 poorer and nowhere near fixing my poor car. And I have to be on the road to Massachusetts by Saturday. Needless to say, I called the dealer back and complained. They said to bring the car in early in the morning tomorrow for a full checkup. I have a feeling that this time, the fix is gonna cost me more than $300. Lovely.
To make things worse, my Financial Aid Office just sent an email about a new tuition increase. Now, I have to pay $1161.50 more by the end of August. Where am I to get that scratch, you ask? No choice but to increase my loan. Again. What's a few thousand more in the grand scheme of things? I'm already 150K+ in the hole. FML.
Song of the day: "Numbers Don't Lie" - The Mynabirds
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Interview
For the curious...in reference to my last post.
1. Author: Paulo Coelho - "The Alchemist." Musician: Jeff Buckley - "Lover, You Should've Come Over."
2. Lock Picking. I think that would be a really cool skill to own ::sly grin::
3. Two sugars. I used to take it black, but I needed to cut the bitter with a little sweet. Kinda like life.
4. The Heimlich, proper CPR, how to use chopsticks, knitting, how to skip stones, changing a tire, opening a beer bottle with a lighter...
5. Marlon Brando, the younger version of him. Just check out his delivery of this Shakespeare monologue and you'll know why he's in my head.
6. Yes, I do believe in destiny, but more importantly, I believe that the path we take and not our destination is what makes our life in this earth, special.
7. I think I was a grizzly bear, hunting wild salmon in the rivers of the great northwest United States in a former life.
8. Formaldehyde, more specifically, the smell of our anatomy lab. No matter how many layers of gloves you wear, it still gets to your fingernails, hair, scrubs...just gross. On the flip side, firewood burning during a crisp winter evening...there's nothing like it.
9. Ploosh (n.) - state of confusion or disorientation specifically caused by an overload of information, followed by difficult questioning. Ex. Medical students rarely raise their hands after nephrology lecture because they are in ploosh.
10. 12:34am...I'm either super tired or extremely energetic.
11. CYRANO DE BERGERAC - technically, he did exist in real life, but the character in Rostand's play is much more interesting. Poet, musician, philosopher, soldier, duelist, physicist, comedian, and true blue romantic. He certainly tried to accomplish what he set out to do: excel in everything.
12. My inability to rein in my geekish sensibilities.
13. Never really had one. I suppose I should start. I would like to cross out this one in particular: travel ALL the States in the Union by eating my way through them or at least visiting all their famous national parks.
14. I'm currently writing my personal statement for my residency application. EPIC FAIL.
15. Me, flying/hovering over white sand dunes. Pretty much that's all there is to it. It's fun tho, getting the sensation that I'm flying, especially if I'm having a vivid dream.
16. I answered this one before, but I do have others in mind: A Zebra F-301 pen is also a very good choice. I like the weight of the pen and the thinness of the stroke.
17. Midnight picnic @ the beach a week before Memorial Day, when there were few people around. A new moon was out, a bottle of red was at hand and bag full of fresh, sweet cherries was the main course. We sat on the sand, dug in and buried our feet, and proceeded to have a cherry pit-spitting contest. I fell in love that night.
18. See the answer to question 11. Either him or Yoda. I'd like to think that in some ways, I'm slowly figuring out how to be more like them...except for the using-the-force thingy. That part, I can't seem to ever get the hang of.
19. "He loved and was loved in return."
20. My last meal...I really don't want a last meal but the whole course from breakfast to dinner and dessert.
Breakfast: 2 eggs over medium, kalo kalo (garlic fried rice), longanisa +/- daing (dried, salted fish) and strong coffee.
Lunch: White rice, Fried Tilapia with soy sauce (or almost any fish for this matter) and Apan-Apan. Semi-ripe indian mangoes with sauteed shrimp paste as an appetizer.
Afternoon snack: Fruit (Lansones, Santol, Serguilas, mainly asian fruits).
Dinner: Grilled pork or a very large aged kobe beef steak, A1 steak sauce, sweet potato fries (or potato pancakes from the Nevada Diner) and a Sam Adams.
Dessert: rocky road ice cream over pecan pie (I can settle for vanilla).
What can I say? I'm a glutton.
Song of the day: "I Don't Know" - Lisa Hannigan
BTW, check the link I placed in Lisa Hannigan's name. It's the official video of this song and it is very cool.
1. Author: Paulo Coelho - "The Alchemist." Musician: Jeff Buckley - "Lover, You Should've Come Over."
2. Lock Picking. I think that would be a really cool skill to own ::sly grin::
3. Two sugars. I used to take it black, but I needed to cut the bitter with a little sweet. Kinda like life.
4. The Heimlich, proper CPR, how to use chopsticks, knitting, how to skip stones, changing a tire, opening a beer bottle with a lighter...
5. Marlon Brando, the younger version of him. Just check out his delivery of this Shakespeare monologue and you'll know why he's in my head.
6. Yes, I do believe in destiny, but more importantly, I believe that the path we take and not our destination is what makes our life in this earth, special.
7. I think I was a grizzly bear, hunting wild salmon in the rivers of the great northwest United States in a former life.
8. Formaldehyde, more specifically, the smell of our anatomy lab. No matter how many layers of gloves you wear, it still gets to your fingernails, hair, scrubs...just gross. On the flip side, firewood burning during a crisp winter evening...there's nothing like it.
9. Ploosh (n.) - state of confusion or disorientation specifically caused by an overload of information, followed by difficult questioning. Ex. Medical students rarely raise their hands after nephrology lecture because they are in ploosh.
10. 12:34am...I'm either super tired or extremely energetic.
11. CYRANO DE BERGERAC - technically, he did exist in real life, but the character in Rostand's play is much more interesting. Poet, musician, philosopher, soldier, duelist, physicist, comedian, and true blue romantic. He certainly tried to accomplish what he set out to do: excel in everything.
12. My inability to rein in my geekish sensibilities.
13. Never really had one. I suppose I should start. I would like to cross out this one in particular: travel ALL the States in the Union by eating my way through them or at least visiting all their famous national parks.
14. I'm currently writing my personal statement for my residency application. EPIC FAIL.
15. Me, flying/hovering over white sand dunes. Pretty much that's all there is to it. It's fun tho, getting the sensation that I'm flying, especially if I'm having a vivid dream.
16. I answered this one before, but I do have others in mind: A Zebra F-301 pen is also a very good choice. I like the weight of the pen and the thinness of the stroke.
17. Midnight picnic @ the beach a week before Memorial Day, when there were few people around. A new moon was out, a bottle of red was at hand and bag full of fresh, sweet cherries was the main course. We sat on the sand, dug in and buried our feet, and proceeded to have a cherry pit-spitting contest. I fell in love that night.
18. See the answer to question 11. Either him or Yoda. I'd like to think that in some ways, I'm slowly figuring out how to be more like them...except for the using-the-force thingy. That part, I can't seem to ever get the hang of.
19. "He loved and was loved in return."
20. My last meal...I really don't want a last meal but the whole course from breakfast to dinner and dessert.
Breakfast: 2 eggs over medium, kalo kalo (garlic fried rice), longanisa +/- daing (dried, salted fish) and strong coffee.
Lunch: White rice, Fried Tilapia with soy sauce (or almost any fish for this matter) and Apan-Apan. Semi-ripe indian mangoes with sauteed shrimp paste as an appetizer.
Afternoon snack: Fruit (Lansones, Santol, Serguilas, mainly asian fruits).
Dinner: Grilled pork or a very large aged kobe beef steak, A1 steak sauce, sweet potato fries (or potato pancakes from the Nevada Diner) and a Sam Adams.
Dessert: rocky road ice cream over pecan pie (I can settle for vanilla).
What can I say? I'm a glutton.
Song of the day: "I Don't Know" - Lisa Hannigan
BTW, check the link I placed in Lisa Hannigan's name. It's the official video of this song and it is very cool.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thinkin' of U
Here's a little glimpse into my mind.
I've grouped a few questions together for you to answer (should you choose to accept the task). Your answer can be as detailed or abbreviated as you wish. Of course, the more detailed, the more fun we'll have.
The object is for me to evoke strong (mostly positive) emotions from you. In return, I can gauge how well we vibe together, regardless of the similarity of our sensibilities.
Feel free to come up with your own questions and send them my way or towards your other readers. You can also use my questions too, just make sure you give me credit ;-)
This is just an exercise in connection, nothing more. You don't have to read into this. This is supposed to be fun. I repeat...FUN!
Here goes:
1. What artist/musician/author, etc. helped to define you as the person you are now? Any particular work of art/song/written work, etc?
2. If somebody offered to tutor you in 1 skill of your choosing (towards mastery), what would it be and why?
3. How do you take your coffee/tea? Or if neither, substitute appropriate eye-opener.
4. What can you teach somebody in 5 minutes that could help enrich their life?
5. Who does your inner monologue voice? Why him/her?
6. Do you believe in destiny?
7. Where did you think your previous reincarnated self came from (place/time/any other specifics you can add would also be very helpful)?
8. What is the one smell you hate the most in this world? It's antithesis?
9. Make up a novel word and define it, please?
10. Favorite time of the day/night?
11. If you could bring a literary character to life, who would it be?
12. What do you think makes you weird in the eyes of others?
13. What's the most recent item you've crossed out from your bucket list?
14. Tell me about your most recent artistic exploit/project if any?
15. What's your recurring dream about?
16. Which writing implement are you most fond of (e.g. my personal choice = Pilot Precise V5RT black ink)?
17. What was your most perfect day?
18. If you could emulate one person, who would it be? Are you actively trying to emulate them now?
19. What would you like your epitaph to say about you?
20. You've lived a full and for the most part, a wonderful life. You've written your will, said your goodbyes, made your peace with your enemies, and made love with the love of your life. Now all that's left is for you to have your last meal. What would it be?
I hope you had fun answering these questions. Let me know how it turns out.
Song of the day: "Never Tear Us Apart" - Beck and Friends (INXS Cover)
Thanks, Mike!
I've grouped a few questions together for you to answer (should you choose to accept the task). Your answer can be as detailed or abbreviated as you wish. Of course, the more detailed, the more fun we'll have.
The object is for me to evoke strong (mostly positive) emotions from you. In return, I can gauge how well we vibe together, regardless of the similarity of our sensibilities.
Feel free to come up with your own questions and send them my way or towards your other readers. You can also use my questions too, just make sure you give me credit ;-)
This is just an exercise in connection, nothing more. You don't have to read into this. This is supposed to be fun. I repeat...FUN!
Here goes:
1. What artist/musician/author, etc. helped to define you as the person you are now? Any particular work of art/song/written work, etc?
2. If somebody offered to tutor you in 1 skill of your choosing (towards mastery), what would it be and why?
3. How do you take your coffee/tea? Or if neither, substitute appropriate eye-opener.
4. What can you teach somebody in 5 minutes that could help enrich their life?
5. Who does your inner monologue voice? Why him/her?
6. Do you believe in destiny?
7. Where did you think your previous reincarnated self came from (place/time/any other specifics you can add would also be very helpful)?
8. What is the one smell you hate the most in this world? It's antithesis?
9. Make up a novel word and define it, please?
10. Favorite time of the day/night?
11. If you could bring a literary character to life, who would it be?
12. What do you think makes you weird in the eyes of others?
13. What's the most recent item you've crossed out from your bucket list?
14. Tell me about your most recent artistic exploit/project if any?
15. What's your recurring dream about?
16. Which writing implement are you most fond of (e.g. my personal choice = Pilot Precise V5RT black ink)?
17. What was your most perfect day?
18. If you could emulate one person, who would it be? Are you actively trying to emulate them now?
19. What would you like your epitaph to say about you?
20. You've lived a full and for the most part, a wonderful life. You've written your will, said your goodbyes, made your peace with your enemies, and made love with the love of your life. Now all that's left is for you to have your last meal. What would it be?
I hope you had fun answering these questions. Let me know how it turns out.
Song of the day: "Never Tear Us Apart" - Beck and Friends (INXS Cover)
Thanks, Mike!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A dart in the map
Am I wrong or even insensitive/selfish for even considering the possibility of applying for a residency somewhere other than NJ? I've had many conversations like this before with cousins, relatives, and the most recent one, my brother-in-law and sister. They site the fact that my parents are getting older and in their golden years, might need a little helping hand or so. Hmmm. Great. So they pad the argument by saying that I've been always "independent" and that I have my "own life to lead," but in the end they get their digs by playing the "elderly parents" card, emphasizing the idea that I should remain within a 1+ hour driving range. They even question the idea of me living in neighboring States like New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
A few things bother me about this:
1. My parents aren't that old. They're in their 50s and are very independent. And aside from the usual old people problems (HTN, arthritis, smoking), they still have a number of good years ahead of them, provided they smarten up and quit smoking/eat better. If they need help, they got my number.
2. I've lived in Jersey for most of my adolescent/adult life. I believe I'm entitled to put down roots of my own in other places in this great country of ours. Places where a sales tax is non-existent and property taxes are actually reasonable. Places where nosy neighbors are very few and so is the traffic. Besides, I go where the work takes me.
3. I'll be damned to let others dictate where I go, considering that I'm the one paying for my med school education. If they decide to cover the 180K+ bill, then I'll go wherever they please. Maybe.
4. One of my mentors told me that there are really good job offers out there if I'm willing to expand my horizons and not be limited geography. I'd apply all over the US if it didn't cost so much.
I understand the importance of family and the feeling of confidence you get when blood is close enough to get your back when you're in the ropes, to be close to your family when an emergency hits, or to just be around and be handy for whatever they need. After all, I am where I am now because of what they've done/sacrificed for me and I should return the favor. But in the end, did they really put me through all of the lessons and schooling and broadened my horizons just so they can have a baby-sitter for when they're old? I have no qualms about taking care of them if they're sick, infirm, broke, or lonely. I'll be more than happy to look after them if they need looking after. But I don't think my parents are so cruel to the point of not actually let me live my life the way I see fit. They lived their lives the way they thought them best and in the process, showed me how to be independent. To live any less would be an insult to their teachings.
Funny how everybody is giving me their two cents about where I should go for residency. The only people who haven't really thought of this as an issue are my parents. Go figure! The day will come when I will do the same for my kids, as my parents did for me. The day will also come when I will look after my parents. For now, however, my life is my own and I don't need guilt trips from anybody about how I aught live it.
Song of the day: "Home" - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
A few things bother me about this:
1. My parents aren't that old. They're in their 50s and are very independent. And aside from the usual old people problems (HTN, arthritis, smoking), they still have a number of good years ahead of them, provided they smarten up and quit smoking/eat better. If they need help, they got my number.
2. I've lived in Jersey for most of my adolescent/adult life. I believe I'm entitled to put down roots of my own in other places in this great country of ours. Places where a sales tax is non-existent and property taxes are actually reasonable. Places where nosy neighbors are very few and so is the traffic. Besides, I go where the work takes me.
3. I'll be damned to let others dictate where I go, considering that I'm the one paying for my med school education. If they decide to cover the 180K+ bill, then I'll go wherever they please. Maybe.
4. One of my mentors told me that there are really good job offers out there if I'm willing to expand my horizons and not be limited geography. I'd apply all over the US if it didn't cost so much.
I understand the importance of family and the feeling of confidence you get when blood is close enough to get your back when you're in the ropes, to be close to your family when an emergency hits, or to just be around and be handy for whatever they need. After all, I am where I am now because of what they've done/sacrificed for me and I should return the favor. But in the end, did they really put me through all of the lessons and schooling and broadened my horizons just so they can have a baby-sitter for when they're old? I have no qualms about taking care of them if they're sick, infirm, broke, or lonely. I'll be more than happy to look after them if they need looking after. But I don't think my parents are so cruel to the point of not actually let me live my life the way I see fit. They lived their lives the way they thought them best and in the process, showed me how to be independent. To live any less would be an insult to their teachings.
Funny how everybody is giving me their two cents about where I should go for residency. The only people who haven't really thought of this as an issue are my parents. Go figure! The day will come when I will do the same for my kids, as my parents did for me. The day will also come when I will look after my parents. For now, however, my life is my own and I don't need guilt trips from anybody about how I aught live it.
Song of the day: "Home" - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Hello world!
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Just a regular update. I haven't been very good at blogging lately, mainly because I just feel uninspired to write. But I'll try to remedy that tonight.
So just to get things rolling, let us review some goings on in my life:
1. Finished Step 2 Board review sessions! Now it's just 2 more months until the big day. Again. That being said, I need to get my ass in gear like a month ago and do some more practice questions.
2. Bought my very first fishing rod and reel combo! Yay! Unfortunately nobody cared to inform me about the number 1 bane of fishing: tangled lines. So far, I've taken my gear out twice since I got it this past Saturday. And both times, I've had to untangle what seems like copious amounts of "bird nests." Yeesh. So far, only 3 fish were caught and all of them were quite tiny, the biggest being about a 6-inch smallmouth bass. Better that than nothing I suppose.
3. I dislike mosquitoes very much. Yet one more reason why I prefer the fall/winter.
4. I start my 4th year rotations tomorrow, unofficially. I signed up for 2 weeks of NICU and 2 weeks of Child Protection Program for the month of July so I could get some more experience for the August subinternships in Massachusetts (I hope). Not being graded in these first 2, hence the whole unofficial business. I start promptly at 7am. Woo. Hoo.
5. My back feels better, thank you.
6. Still on the fence about dating websites. Something about them just creeps me out and personally, I'd feel "desperate" if I were to join one of them. This is just my personal view about myself, not a generalization of those out there who are proponents of dating sites, so please save your snide remarks for some other time. Thank you.
7. I need to begin my personal statement and residency applications this week. Yikes. Kinda scary if you think about it. Just when I was just getting used to being a student all over again, now I have less than 12 months to apply for a job, get a job, and actually work...AS A DOCTOR! Growing up sucks balls.
8. Facebook depresses me. There's just too many people in there that I don't talk to or at one time have been my friends in passing and have since fallen out of touch. And then there are those people who just feel compelled to chronicle the minutes of their lives, which just drives me nuts! Perhaps it's time for an "unfriending" session. And a Settings update can't hurt either. If it weren't for the pics, I would have deleted my account a long time ago.
9. I'm going to a themed bachelor party next week. The theme: 80s. I need a costume. Something that is representative of the decade, but at the same time, easy to put together. Suggestions are welcome.
10. Musical ventilation is in order. That and a few glasses of scotch. STAT!
That's all for now. Stay classy, San Diego.
Song of the day: "When The Stars Go Blue" - The Corrs and Bono (Orig. song by Ryan Adams)
Just a regular update. I haven't been very good at blogging lately, mainly because I just feel uninspired to write. But I'll try to remedy that tonight.
So just to get things rolling, let us review some goings on in my life:
1. Finished Step 2 Board review sessions! Now it's just 2 more months until the big day. Again. That being said, I need to get my ass in gear like a month ago and do some more practice questions.
2. Bought my very first fishing rod and reel combo! Yay! Unfortunately nobody cared to inform me about the number 1 bane of fishing: tangled lines. So far, I've taken my gear out twice since I got it this past Saturday. And both times, I've had to untangle what seems like copious amounts of "bird nests." Yeesh. So far, only 3 fish were caught and all of them were quite tiny, the biggest being about a 6-inch smallmouth bass. Better that than nothing I suppose.
3. I dislike mosquitoes very much. Yet one more reason why I prefer the fall/winter.
4. I start my 4th year rotations tomorrow, unofficially. I signed up for 2 weeks of NICU and 2 weeks of Child Protection Program for the month of July so I could get some more experience for the August subinternships in Massachusetts (I hope). Not being graded in these first 2, hence the whole unofficial business. I start promptly at 7am. Woo. Hoo.
5. My back feels better, thank you.
6. Still on the fence about dating websites. Something about them just creeps me out and personally, I'd feel "desperate" if I were to join one of them. This is just my personal view about myself, not a generalization of those out there who are proponents of dating sites, so please save your snide remarks for some other time. Thank you.
7. I need to begin my personal statement and residency applications this week. Yikes. Kinda scary if you think about it. Just when I was just getting used to being a student all over again, now I have less than 12 months to apply for a job, get a job, and actually work...AS A DOCTOR! Growing up sucks balls.
8. Facebook depresses me. There's just too many people in there that I don't talk to or at one time have been my friends in passing and have since fallen out of touch. And then there are those people who just feel compelled to chronicle the minutes of their lives, which just drives me nuts! Perhaps it's time for an "unfriending" session. And a Settings update can't hurt either. If it weren't for the pics, I would have deleted my account a long time ago.
9. I'm going to a themed bachelor party next week. The theme: 80s. I need a costume. Something that is representative of the decade, but at the same time, easy to put together. Suggestions are welcome.
10. Musical ventilation is in order. That and a few glasses of scotch. STAT!
That's all for now. Stay classy, San Diego.
Song of the day: "When The Stars Go Blue" - The Corrs and Bono (Orig. song by Ryan Adams)
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