Friday, January 28, 2011

Day 983: The grind

You know, this is a poorly titled post. The word grind (in my mind) conjures up the image of someone working diligently and somewhat frazzled-ly because of how much work there is to do. My situation is actually the opposite of grind. It's very routine, but the last thing it is is a grind.

I wake up. I do yoga (I've been lagging lately). I eat breakfast (Cheerios!). I bike to the lab. I plug in my laptop and chat with people/read stroke papers/listen to NPR/check my email 8-billion times/sit around. I eat lunch. I continue chatting with people/reading stroke papers/listening to whatever NPR/Morning Edition I haven't finished listening to/checking my email/sitting around. If the lab PC is availble, I switch over to do some work. I leave at 4pm for my bike ride home. Depending on the day, I go to the gym with my friend around 5 or I go for a run around my 'hood. I come home. I shower. I work. I watch TV with my Mom. I go to bed around midnight.

Rinse. Repeat on weekdays, if desired. (It's not a desire so much as, well, a routine. And besides, no one's home and I just become the biggest lollygagger on the face of the Earth if I stay at home so at least I get a 20-minute-each-way bike ride in.)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Day 976: Germs, be gone!


(From zee 'net) 

This picture is showing a scientist looking at germs. When, in reality, what this image is really demonstrating is how many germs surround scientists. I think (really, my mother thought this up and it made complete sense to me) these germs are the bane of my good health!

I, Jess, used to be the perfect image of health. No need to knock on wood because... since November 2010, I have been sick every. Single. Month. Runny noses. Coughs. All the symptoms I never have when I get sick. I think science/research/progress is making me ill. Literally.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Day 973: Why NoLa is not on my life map.

Last night, I told my friend at the New Orleans med school I got into that I would not be attending his med school. He seemed somewhat surprised, but was altogether understanding. I was surprised to learn that the issues I had with that school were issues he shared as well. The biggest issue being it's location.



Look. The best way to describe New Orleans is as a beautiful handful. The history in it's buildings and the city itself are both intriguing. However, the beauty of the place doesn't change the fact that Katrina happened and there is still a lot to be done. I have no problem being a part of the solution, I just feel like...I don't know. NoLa isn't for me and we don't mesh well. It's not big enough of a city and not small enough of a town. It's all a vibe and gut feeling and it all comes down to this: how could I live somewhere where I didn't want to be for four years?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Day 966: 1/11/11 1:11 PM

Okay, I'm not going to lie. This post has zero relevance to anything important. I just like all the continuity of the ones. 11111111. It's like bit-code. OR. As my friend just helped me realize, super singles day. I think he meant it in the sense that if you are single, revel in it.

Meh. Pass. I take today to mean it is single dollar bills day. I love singles. Send 'em my way if you've got 'em!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Day 964: The end of the second beginning.

I received a rejection (my second!) from UCLA yesterday. When I saw the letter in the pile of mail, I thought, well, finally. Took you long enough. Good thing I wasn't holding my breath for an interview/good news. I have become much more zen and what-will-be-will-be about this year. It certainly helps I have already been accepted to medical school, so a lot of the pressure is off. And honestly, I have grown into the idea of becoming a midwesterner. I have two friends from the area--both of whom have been more than willing to introduce me to their friends still in the area, give me tips on where to live and where to hang out and where to explore, and have both just been real superstars about getting me settled into the town before I move out there.

So, to the remaining rejections I have yet to receive, bring them on. I'm ready for this application cycle to be over and for the next phase of my medical career to begin.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Day 961: Here's to 2011!

Bonne année! Feliz año nuevo! 新年快樂! Happy new year! ...and that is all the languages I know.

I want to tell you a story. I went out and had a big fun night for New Year's Eve. Friends from out of town came in to town and we went to a soiree in San Francisco and had a jolly good time. ...except when I lost my purse. Which held my ID and my camera. I became a madwoman, leaving my friends randomly to search for my purse on the crowded dance floor. I talked to three different security guards and they all told me the same thing, come back tomorrow morning to see if we found it.

I did as they told me and guess what? They found it! I spoke with an employee in the hotel lobby and when I told her I lost my purse but they found it, she said, "this is your year! It's a good start!" And it really was. I don't want to say this is my year, so much as well, it is my year.


I was born in the year of the rabbit and 2011 is the year of the rabbit. I have been so, so lucky to get into more than one medical school and I have family and friends who love and support me and I just feel so grateful. I don't know if this is my year, but I'm going to make it a memorable one.