Wednesday, November 26, 2008

the annual christmas gift guide

I was perusing through my latest issue of Elle yesterday when I came across the Holiday Gift Guide section.  Economic times are tough, explained the editor's introduction.  So we've included an under-$100 gift section for those of you strapped for cash.  How kind of them.  I turned the page, eager with anticipation.  And here is what I found.  

1. Tiffany & Co. playing cards.  For the mere price of $30, you get not only one, but TWO decks of playing cards printed
 with the 
jeweler's logo.  For that woman in your life who's always lusted after something from Tiffany but can't afford jewelry...

2.  Needlepoint coin purse.  $28.  This one's a steal, folks.  I don't really know if there's anything else I can say about it. 

3. This one is perhaps my favorite of all: a silver ChapStick lid for $75.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  I know every time I use my ChapStick, I look at the white plastic lid with disdain.  I wish you were more valuable, I secretly think to myself.  Well never fear, fashionable lip balm addicts, Jack Spade has come to the rescue.  (I think it can also be engraved, in case you were wondering.)


In conclusion: I know that stocks have plummeted and many of my faithful readers are finding themselves in dire financial situations.  However, you will now be able to rest easily knowing that your gift-hunting days are over now that you can purchase these economical and PRACTICAL options for everyone you know.   Happy shopping.

P.S.  I have posted my review of the Iron & Wine concert, complete with photos, HERE.  yay!

Monday, November 17, 2008

IT'S HOT.

This morning, excited about the presence of winter, I donned my wool hiking socks, closed-toed shoes, a thermal undershirt, a T-shirt, and my new Marmot jacket.  An excellent outfit.  Or so I thought until I walked into the classroom.  At the beginning of class at 8:30, it wasn't so bad.  However, by 11 am, the temperature in the first-year auditorium was sweltering.  After a refreshing CMDA lunch (free pizza in the much cooler conference room), I returned to the classroom and it had gotten even worse.  It was at LEAST 90 degrees.  So I removed my hiking socks and shoes, but even barefoot, I am seriously regretting the thermal shirt right now.  Although apparently they are working on fixing the air conditioner.  A large crowd of people seem to have congregated around the sketchy closet door down at the front of the room.  

Well, I'm off to take my FOD test.  Wish me luck!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

There's a little Meg Ryan in everyone.

Anyone who knows me well knows that three little words can change the course of my entire afternoon.  You've Got Mail.   I am convinced that this is the one movie I will never, ever get tired of watching.  I can practically quote the entire thing.  Right now it's playing on ABC Family, and as much as I hated to tear myself away from studying for Fundamentals of Doctoring, I had to do it.  And I would like to share with you, my faithful reader, some thoughts from this cinematic masterpiece that never fail to make me smile.  

"Joe? Just call me Joe? As though you were one of those stupid 22 year old girls with no last name? Hi, I'm Kimberly, hi I'm Janice. Don't they know you're supposed to have a last name? It's like they're an entire generation of cocktail waitresses."

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self. Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino."

"Sometimes I wonder... if i hadn't been Fox Books, and you hadn't been The Shop Around the Corner, and you and I had just met...  I would've asked for your number. And I wouldn't have been able to wait 24 hours before calling you up and saying, hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee, or drinks, or dinner, or a movie... 

for as long as we both shall live?" 


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I was thinking about something yesterday.  How many people in the world actually love what they do every day?  When someone asks me if I like medical school, I usually respond with a yes, but when it's time to break out the books and study, I'd rather be doing anything else.  No secret: I hate studying.  It's not that I hate learning the information; on the contrary, I really enjoy learning.  On the rare occasion that I do feel prepared for a test and I do well, it's a great feeling.  And I think when we get into the hospital and start actually applying the information, I'll like it a lot more.  

But it never fails: when I sit down with my PowerPoint slides, I start thinking of all the things I'd rather be doing.  For example - it would be really fun to be a host on The Today Show.  I'd probably have to wake up early, but who cares when you get to wear expensive shoes and coats and travel to fun places and interview politicians and celebrities?  Do they love what they do every morning?  Are they more excited than I am to get out of bed?  (I sincerely hope so.)  Or what if I was a movie reviewer?  Do they get tired of going to see movies day in and day out?  What about people with (slightly more boring) desk jobs?  I'd be curious to see a national poll of how many people actually love what they do all day long.  Because right now, it's not so much fun for me.  But hopefully it will get better...


EMERGENCY NEWS FLASH: if you eat a dozen raw egg whites a day for several years, you WILL develop a condition known as avidin-associated biotin malabsorption.  It is a scary disease.  Symptoms are alopecia, scaly dermatitis, and a waxy, grayish pallor.  Dr. Lane is currently entertaining us with an anecdote of a "wild Irishman who lived on the south side of Boston" who apparently drank 12-15 beers a night during the times when they cracked a raw egg into the glass before they served you a beer.  He contracted this disease.  And you, my friend, could be next.

QUESTION FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION:
How often is too often to wear my purple shoes?  Lately they seem to match everything I own and I'm worried that people are going to think of me as "that girl who wears purple shoes."  Which wouldn't be so bad, actually.  There are definitely worse nicknames I could think of...

Sunday, November 9, 2008

"there ain't nothing like that rock 'n roll..." [ grace potter and the nocturnals concert review ]


This is LONG overdue.

In short: Grace Potter ROCKS.  I want to be her.  If medical school doesn't work out, rock stardom is calling my name.    It was a weird night - it was pouring down AWFUL rain, we got there an hour early, and to top it all off we spent 30 minutes beforehand chatting it up with one of our biochemistry professors and his wife, who apparently are also GP+TN fans (!).  Who knew.  Randomness aside, they are one of the most energetic live bands I have ever experienced.  






All photographs are (c) Kacie Jackson, whose camera is more conveniently-sized for concertgoing than my own.  


Thursday, November 6, 2008

I BELIEVE...

that we will have achieved true racial equality in this country when the day comes where we can elect an African-American president without obsessing over it. Without patting ourselves on the back about how far we've come. Without interviewing people on the news 24/7 about how happy they are to have a President that "looks like me." When we can truly see PAST the color of someone's skin and focus on the person inside, the issues he supports, and the values he holds.
I voted on Tuesday.

It was my first presidential election in which to participate, and I felt incredibly honored and privileged to be able to take part in this ritual that defines America.

The Presidential candidate I voted for did not win the election. In fact, he was defeated by a wide margin by someone who I do not necessarily agree with, but who has inspired a generation of Americans to stand up for their country and enthusiastically take part in the political process. While I admit I do feel disappointed, it's become increasingly clear to me over the last two days that the attitude of this country has taken a 180 degree turn. The phrase "proud to be an American" has been uttered countless times since the election, and while I don't think national pride should be contingent on which political party has control of the government, it's refreshing to see everyone so positive.

I'm not a Democrat, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a nervous about the policies Obama has promised to enact. But after this historic November 4th, I'm refusing to be negative about the future of our country. To see my generation inspired to stand up for what they believe is right is a beautiful thing. And if in four years our President has not lived up to his reputation, I'll truly be sorry. If he is capable of uniting this many people in his campaign, who knows what great things he has the potential to achieve while in office. All we can do is pray that God's will be done.