An Ending

My last day of work (again). Feeling a little differently this time compared to last year as I realize that I won't be back for a while - at least not in the foreseeable future. I recall the gentle sadness and affection I was feeling when I left the lab last year. I was thinking my life would never again be the same. This time around, while I am a little apprehensive when I think about the dreaded second year, I'm also hopeful for all that it holds: pathologies, diseases, the bread and butter of medicine. While I'm not quite ready for it per say, I am determined and prepared to be unwavering in its onslaught.

Regardless, some things have stayed the exact same. Forever grateful for my time working with some amazing researchers, doing significant work on a few projects. Despite the (not so subtle) longing for complete relaxation during my last summer vacation ever, I can safely say that I made the right decision coming back. Definitely quite satisfying.


(photo via kittenskittenskittens)

Sunday Seven

When the times are tough, I really should be the most diligent about finding the good in my days. Though the weather was gorgeous, these past few days have been a little turbulent, for reasons here and there.

Something Blue

Feeling a little blue tonight after all of this weekend's excitement. Where I thought I'd be coasting on a high from all the fun and laughs I had, I'm mostly just nostalgic for when 515 and high school friends were all together. In true Dramatic Dorothy form, I was even moved to tears during a moment of ennui this afternoon... It really hit me then how rare and difficult it is for us to all get together now, and how it will only get more difficult. But of course, I know that these fleeting moments of longing are but a small price to pay for such funny, moving, beautiful, and true friendships. After all, we are but only a few key strokes away...


(photo of dusk from my neighborhood)

Sunday Seven

Of course I'm already late on my second Sunday Seven post... but better late than never, right?

Sunday Seven

I attended a seminar recently where we watched an episode of This Emotional Life exploring the concept of happiness. I eat this stuff up. In college, I was an English Literature and Biopsychology double major and I've always been drawn to the intersection of science and the human experience. Not only has the link between proof-seeking science and intangible emotional experience always been fascinating to me, in many ways I've often felt reassured because my own questions about such ideas, even ones as basic and fundamental as happiness, are shared by many. Things aren't always as simple as they appear... How many secrets of life I have yet to discover.

In this particular episode, they describe a technique used in Positive Psychology in which an individual focuses on positive aspects from their normal day. They are then asked to describe these moments and why these experiences inspired positive feelings or thoughts. From there, one (or his or her positive psychologist) is able to see patterns in his or her own experience of happiness.

Jenny and I always wanted to keep a record (public or private) of 3 things we were grateful for that happened to us in a day. It's always easy (and quite satisfying) to wallow in self-pity or seek pity in others for all the hardships that we experience, but I'd argue that it's just as easy to find the good too. Because of this, I want to challenge myself to find the good in each day, be it an overall good or bad one. I'd ideally like to do it daily, but let's be honest, I don't even shower that often (TMI?). So I think I plan on recording 7 positive things every Sunday that hopefully will cover the past week. The Sunday Seven. Here we go:

1. Seeing all of the pictures from Debbie's wedding (a real post about this soon!) popping up all over Facebook because they let me relive such a happy day.
2. Dessert with Jenny on Tuesday, having fun with Albert yesterday, phone calls with JJB Friday, Debbie today. Getting to talk about anything and everything makes me refreshed and grateful for these friendships.
3. The cherry tree blooming outside my room window, pictured above, because though it flowers only fleetingly, the pink flowers and even the withering, fallen petals are just beautiful.
4. Picture texts from my sister from Shanghai! iMessage is so awesome and I'm so glad she's getting to enjoy her vacation with our dad.
   
   
5. A chance to really learn through something unpleasant. The power of communication and having a little hope can do wonders.
6. The first of countless salads for this summer: http://instagr.am/p/JvfKuyoLxs/. Tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, purple cabbage with the dressing from my favorite salad. So simple, so delicious.
7. A day off today because I can play catch-up while semi-relaxed. I intentionally skipped orchestra rehearsal for this...

Whew, there are a lot in here! I hope you have an inspired week!

Heart of Life

Recent facetime conversations with my sister while she was on a business trip in Canada.

My life has been so much better since you've been home (not just from Canada...)! To the only one who gets consistent blogposts (see 1, 2) around here, Happy Birthday. From the midlevel team.

"The Mystery I'm Thankful For"

"I was simply pointing to that fundamental weirdness, that "stranger-in-a-strange land" quality of being human. I was pointing to that mystery because I think its best part of the whole trip.... We just find ourselves here. With our individual birth we just "wake-up" and discover ourselves in the midst of an extraordinary world of beauty and sorrow....I will feel the mystery and be thankful to it, to them and to the world entire."
Adam Frank

The perfect find for today. Happy Thanksgiving.


(photo of Iceland via Krisatomic)

10 Years Ago

As we continue to move forward from the devastation that changed each and every one of our lives, I can feel only be gratitude to those who have been fighting for us, attempting to make a difference, and to those who gave their lives in doing so. I've lived a very full decade since. In a hundred years from now, I don't think I'll ever feel any differently. Always remembering.

Photographic Images with Contrast

Mostly I'm staring at views like this all day. Colored writing utensils askew, Anatomy Atlas within an easy reach, and my notes perpetually open with more information that I have yet to learn. Sadly, the Amaretti Almond Crunch Haagen Daaz is not a frequent (nor long-lasting) participant in my study sessions, but seriously should be.

But on a good day, I get to look at this on my drive to school and back home. And I've been lucky to enjoy many good days lately.

(Photo taken with Instagram on my iPhone)

Today

Today is my last day of work and as with all things that come to an end, I'm feeling sentimental. In looking back, I'm thinking of everything with hazy affection, warmth, and tenderness. In life, I hope I'll always remember only good things and let everything else go like a whispery breath of air.


(Photo via weheartit)

Short White Coat Bound...

"There’s nothing wishy-washy about white. White is the color of yes."
Lois Smith Brady

Acceptance to medical school: one of the largest leaps of faith that I've ever attempted. Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way; I am forever indebted to you. It was your faith in me, encouragement, and love, that have brought me so, so far. And it's the stuff that will lead me to become everything that I've ever hoped for.

(Quote from the New York Times, top photo by Tabsinth, bottom via weheartit)

In The Past Two Weeks, I...

...presented some work and hung out with my sister and cousin at a posh hotel in Phoenix.

...saw snow, geysers, and baby bears in Yellowstone National Park.

...reconsidered my opinion of Montana: it is gorgeous and I wouldn't be the only Michigan fan in the state.

...witnessed the beauty of the Grand Tetons. Everything looks better with a background of mountains.

...toured Salt Lake City and now am kind of in love with the city in the spring.

...hiked in the almost unimaginably structured but strikingly beautiful canyons and mountains of Zion National Park.

...admired the maze of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands National Park.

...attested to the perfection of nature at Arches National Park.

Six states later, I'm back to being busy but I'm grateful for the opportunity to take this trip with my family. My dad especially has always wanted to make this tour and we are all glad we finally did. Also, twelve hours upon our return, I played violin as a friend married a goofy man who I remember meeting the night of their relationship's inception. Surely, a fulfilling past couple weeks.

(Photos all unedited and taken with my iPhone!)

Sometimes

This past weekend has left me humbled and awestruck at the power of a casual weekend away, the generosity of others, and the true and endless depth of friendship. I actually sent this in an email, but I want everyone to know: since that weekend, I've reacquainted myself with convictions that there is more out there for me than the monotony of my current life, that my friends are fucking hilarious, gorgeous, and just such inspiring women, and that hopefully one day soon, I'll be able to be as cool as the rest of them.

Life is sometimes just so filled with joy, no?


(photo source unknown)

It's certainly easy for me to forget how good, comfortable my life is. Recently, I have been grumbling about still having to scrape the frost from my windshield in the morning, acting shamelessly moody with my family, and feeling stressed about sleeping too little and eating too much.  However, it was the moment I turned on the radio to hear about the news from Japan that I knew things with me really weren't so bad at all.

Last Friday's unimaginable events have left the world in shock and sadness. I hope that our empathy can somehow help even in the slightest of ways.

Perspective

After I sent my sister an angry text about how the blueberry muffin I had been saving for myself was eaten by our clueless father, she, in true fashion, replies:

"Dun be sad... You'll be skinnier for it. And that will be better in the end. :-)"


(photo via Allrecipes)

Quotability

"Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold."

Zelda Fitzgerald

Grateful for this recent stretch of days in which I got to see some close friends, play like it was 2008 in 2 major cities, and rock the vote. I'm also on the precipice of some big things... As Michael Scott says on the Office (Olympics episode) with tears in his eyes, "My heart is very full."

(quote via the Neotraditionalist, photo by Carrie Patterson via Oncewed)

Grateful Monday

In efforts to make this week better than last week, here's a list of things that I'm grateful for on this dreary Monday morning. In no particular order:

• All the students are on Fall Break, meaning more free parking and my sister is home
• Halloween plans in Boston and my booked plane ticket
• The song "Animal" by the Neon Trees and commercial free pop radio during my drive today
• Around 31 hours of sleep this weekend
• My forgiving family... and my mom's birthday today!
• I made an apple-butter spice cake and I have plenty for sharing. Any takers?
• My Yankees are playing at home tonight. For a win.
• My chartreuse corduroy skirt that I'm wearing at work today with tall brown boots

Hope your Monday is as full as mine.

(photo by Leo Patrone)