Happy 2013... belated

A long delay in posting for this new year... The end of 2012 was really good with my trip to Nicaragua. I have plenty to update on that, hopefully soon. At least I'll have a link to the school blog I was working on while I was down there. But when I got back home, I fell sick and remained so while in NYC between Christmas and New Years... and then stayed sick for about 2 weeks into 2013. I think that definitely was a factor in how difficult I found the Cardio unit - I was playing catch-up the whole time but I've just managed to scrape by.

Anyway, more to come soon! In the meantime, it's likely that you a saw this already. But it is just so cute, I can't help myself...

"We got work to do. We can cry about it or we can dance about it.... Everybody's good to give the world a reason to dance."

Quotability

"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit."

Bern Williams

 

 

(Photo of the Lake Michigan Sunset at J and P's wedding)

 

The Opposite of Loneliness

Have you all heard of Marina Keegan? 

"What we have to remember is that we can still do anything. We can change our minds. We can start over... we MUST not lose this sense of possibility because in the end, it’s all we have."

Gorgeous, haunting, and so inspiring: The Opposite of Loneliness

Quotability

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Nelson Henderson

(photo by Jose Villa via Oncewed)

"Got Heart" Ring

This is my first piece of "everyday wear" jewelery that I actually wear all the time. I bought this Got Heart ring on sale from a little East Village jewelery boutique, on kind of a whim during my winter break. Of course, only Helen could bring me to a place as quintessentially New York as Verameat. She, along with my sister, were integral in my decision. Having worn this ring daily for a few months now, I feel like it was a worthy purchase. This buying nice jewelery for oneself - perhaps a physically small item, but significant in a young woman's life. At least for me, it is a daily reminder of what I'm capable of, my independence to find my own happiness, and the recognition of my own self-worth.

Happy Monday to all.

Amazing Paths

Back from Spring Break (more on this later!) and I'm feeling wanderlusty already. These pictures are from an email my sister sent me. Gorgeousness.

(we drove through roads like this when we were driving to Yellowstone!)

Being Elmo

Being Elmo opens in Detroit on Thursday! I've heard such good things about this documentary and I can't wait to go! I hope you all have been able to watch it too.

Chills

Getting to ZERO - World AIDS Day Detroit 2011 from WORLD AIDS DAY DETROIT on Vimeo.

I get chills (the good kind) when I watch this. The video is made by a classmate of mine and it's featuring many other classmates. Even more impressive is the fact that this event was founded and organized singlehandedly up until recently by a 2nd year student. Such inspiring, impassioned, and motivated people! Here they are in the news: Detroit Worlds Aids Day.

Quotability

"I just love individuals who never stay still. With all the potential that everyone has and our limited time in this world, we owe ourselves nothing less."

C. Sy

On the home stretch of the completion of my first block of medical school. I already passed my first class. Anatomy ends Friday. See you on the other side.

(space view of night and day - photo source unknown)

You, the girl who reads

"She insists that her narratives are rich, her supporting cast colorful, and her typeface bold.... You will accept nothing less than passion, and perfection, and a life worthy of being storied."

from You should date an illiterate girl

Sent to me from my (beloved) Yunbear. She said this made her think of me and there are few compliments higher than that.

Thanks Yunbear!

PS. Throwbacks to my English Literature past-life: Syntax? Rich vocabulary? Plot? Yes, please.
PPS. The rebuttal (also from Y): You should date an illiterate boy

Quotability

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'"

Mary Ann Radmacher

PS. I took this photo of the London Eye back in 2008 and used this Polaroid software on it!

Quotability

"Optimism is always a risk worth taking."

Cynthia B. Padnos, in the 2011 Michigan Engineering Commencement speech

(Photo by Jenny Phebe)

Yellow Wedding Details

In (early) celebration of the Royal Wedding, here are some photos of a really sweet wedding I came across.

I am so charmed by the happy yellow details. Juxtaposed against the blue sky, doesn't everything look so vibrant and joyful? And, oh goodness, that dress! I think I'm also secretly in love with the fact that the bride and groom are Broadway performers.

Happy Royal Wedding Eve!

(Photos by Our Labor of Love via Snippet and Ink)

Quotability

Happy thoughts, happy life to you today!

"The thoughts you sow become the life you reap."

my yoga instructor

(Photo via weheartit)

Quotability

"...But, in the long run, in the great battle of life, no brilliancy of intellect, no perfection of bodily development, will count when weighed in the balance against that assemblage of virtues, active and passive, of moral qualities, which we group together under the name of character; and if between any two contestants, even in college sport or in college work, the difference in character on the right side is as great as the difference of intellect or strength the other way, it is the character side that will win."

Theodore Roosevelt

Happy Birthday to Jenny, one who overflows with intellect, strength, and character.

(photo of Natalie Wood in NYC by William Claxton, 1961)

Golden Globes Top 5

So many to choose from. Here are my top 5 dresses (and their actresses) from last night: classic, understated (okay, maybe not January's), and feminine. Runner-ups: Mandy Moore, Piper Perabo, and Mila Kunis. In other news, I almost died after the 25 crunches I did while I was watching the actual award show...

Also, Happy MLK Day!

(Photos from InStyle)

Kate and Andy at Home

I don't have much knowledge or appreciation for interior design, but Andy and Kate Spade's apartment featured by the art, illustration, and design powerhouse, The Selby, makes me wish I had an eye for it. Not surprisingly, Andy and Kate Spade (an extra 25% off all sales! You're welcome.) look so comfortable and effortless amid all of their lavish home styling. I love that they look like they actually use and live in their apartment. Certainly, the abundance of framed artwork also doesn't hurt...

(Photos from The Selby)

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)

Quotability

Have an inspired week!

(from weheartit)

Letters of Note

Author: Barack Obama

Letters of Note is a fabulous blog by Shaun Usher that only posts letters. It has fascinating original correspondences of faith, love, and loathing that are touching, hilarious, and incredibly interesting. With emails, texting, facebook, and twitter, I hope the art of letter-writing is not lost. Receiving snail mail is such a treat! Furthermore, as seen here, a well-written letter provides such unique insights about one's character, facets of personality usually lost in instantaneous communication. Also, isn't it so encouraging to see how kind humans can be to one another?

My favorite one so far: Hang on, my love