Bolivia

One of the peds rheum attendings that I worked with briefly, just got back from a 2-week vacation. When I asked her where she went, she replied that she had visited three countries in South America.

#1 on my List of Things That Automatically Make You Cool:
taking a vacation to South America.

My parents took my sister and me to Peru in the summer of 1999. It was the first time my sister, my mom, and I had ever been to South America... it was the wonder of Machu Picchu that attracted my mom who planned the whole trip. It is, to this day, the most breathtaking place I have ever been to in my entire life. And I've been to a lot of different places. You can see the meaning of "developing country" in every corner of Peru from the second you land at the airport and most of the time, you are overwhelmed with unimaginable poverty. It was such a powerful moving experience that my sister wrote about it in her essay for college and got accepted to every school she applied.

Unfortunately, I don't have any digitized pictures of that trip but I do have some from the time I went to Ecuador in 2003.
We all piled into the back of an open truck that usually carries animals, to hitch a ride to the top of Los Banos, where the beautiful waterfalls are.

I know it's hard to appreciate but it was beautiful and the sound of all that water falling, magical.

So this Saturday, I'm going to Bolivia. Cochabamba, Bolivia. I am really excited to see a new country and to refresh my spanish. I'm going to be working at a clinic and taking medical spanish lessons. I only wish I was staying longer than 3.5 weeks. Did you know that Bolivia has more than 1,200 types of potatoes?!? Not to mention one of the largest archeological sites in the world... with genuine dinosaur bones! I've been reading up on the ancient ruins, jungle tours, and sightseeing possibilities. I'll bring back lots of pictures!!

Playing

The life of a fourth year med student sure is nice...

I had a great weekend. Friday night, Joy hosted a lovely dinner party to celebrate the Chinese New Year. My contributions went completely against the theme and included the Australian rose that I brought back all the way from the Kalyra winery near Santa Barbara, CA, bruschetta, and classic caponata. I drank a little too much wine and felt sick the next morning but hey, it was worth every drop. I'm sad that this is one of the few non-blurry pictures from this night.

On Saturday, we went to see "Valentine Victorious"- the last in a trilogy put on at the Viaduct. It's hard to describe this but it's half rock concert and half story about a corrupt Chicago in the 1930s. IT WAS AWESOME. This last part was the best of the trilogy. Great style, with good ol rock 'n roll, and a whole lot of amazing talent.

Today, I checked off one more thing on my long list of Things To Do In Chicago Before I Might Have To Leave. We went to Lou Mitchell's. It is hailed as one of Chicago's most popular breakfast spots and I had heard so much about their doughnut holes that I knew I really needed to go... It was not a disappointment. It's a great diner, the line moved quickly, and I had THE fluffiest omelette I have ever had in my entire life. mmm.

Afterward, we stayed downtown to see "Practical Anatomy" at The Storefront Theatre on Randolph. It's about the Irish body snatchers who murdered drinking buddies and sold their bodies to an anatomy professor at the local medical school. Fascinating story... (thank God we don't live in those times!) but really awful songs and generally awful singing... It was a big let-down but at least we got student rates! And honestly, I don't regret going to see it because a) the story is intriguing (and true!) and b) I like supporting The Arts. Oh, plus I owe it to Lisa for hosting her Robbie Burns Night last week so I could understand the reference at the play.

If we leave Chicago, I am really going to miss this place:

Match Point

So this is much belated but I wanted to say that I really enjoyed "Match Point" - the new Woody Allen movie.
I am a big fan of Emily Mortimer, who plays Chloe. She's also in "Lovely and Amazing" which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Scarlett Johansson is also very beautiful and voluptuous in this film which makes her great for the part. Anyway, the story is fantastic and Woody Allen has this way of being funny and quirky and fucking depressing all at the same time. For the critics who say that he made the theme too obvious, well I think that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I'm sure he did that intentionally and that's what makes it FUNNY. People need to get a sense of humor. I love that the film takes place in Great Britain; it works better that way.

alarming

It snowed a boatload yesterday... then it warmed up so it was raining for a while and then the temperatures dropped overnight so by morning, everything was a frozen dangerous mess. This picture is from November when my sister was in town. Caution Falling Ice? Where am I? I can actually be impaled and killed by a large chunk of falling ice. I prefer the earthquakes in California, thanks.

attraction

What is it with old lonely men striking up conversations with me? I took the BART from Oakland Children's Hospital to the airport and in the shuttle from the BART station to the terminals, this old guy sitting next to me was like "So are you a student?" Randomly. Totally unsolicited. That's how we started talking and he has this crazy life story. I found out that he's from southern CA and was up in Oakland for court. Apparently, he's an immigration lawyer. Blah Blah. I heard about his wife who used to be a nurse but is now on disability because she has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and she keeps getting these weird rashes on her hands and no one knows what's going on, Blah Blah. His daugher tried to committ suicide. All this from a stranger.

When we got off the shuttle, we were both flying Southwest so we walked over to the terminal together. After getting through security, I was like "Okay, have a safe flight!" and tried to walk away but we both had late flights and were trying to do standby, so he kept chatting. I finished with the customer service person before he did so I was like "have a safe flight" AGAIN and tried to walk away but he caught up to me AGAIN and was chatting a mile a minute. He had a flight in like half an hour so I thought he was going to his gate and would finally leave me alone but he actually followed me to my gate and literally talked my ear off until 5 minutes before his flight was about to leave.

I mean, I guess he's an interesting guy but maybe a little weird, right?

So that's my story from my Oakland trip. The Children's Hospital program there is every bit as wonderful as people say. But we'll have to see what happens. Last night, I had a dream that I was in Boston...

Here's a funny picture I took at Jessica and Connor's wedding in the summer (it doesn't come out too clearly in the smaller version but it says Bud Light on the handle):

umbrellas are stupid

It's raining here in the Windy City and I have to say that umbrellas are really stupid. They don't do any good! I still get wet and maybe my hair and face aren't soaking but with the wind and all, I think we need a new invention. I have been wanting someone to build clear plastic bubbles for humans to walk around in when it rains or snows. It doesn't have to be an enclosed bubble; it can be more like an upside down tube. Ideally, it would have a contraption that would allow the whole thing to rest on your shoulders, freeing up your hands to sip your coffee or sneak a quick breakfast, while you're walking to class or to the hospital or wherever.

Sociology would have been interesting to study. I went to the gym early Sunday morning and I saw at least two anorexic girls working out like crazy people. I went to the gym today (weekday) and it was packed. I'm sure that the gym is more crowded now because it's a BRAND NEW YEAR! Everybody's made new years resolutions. I know this is true because last quarter when I was being a huge slacker and didn't have any major hospital rotations, I went to the gym every morning at around the same time and I roughly know the ebb and flow. Today was different. People are so transparent.

I can't believe that Desperate Housewives won best comedy last night? and that Brokeback got a bunch of awards? What is going on?!?

I love this picture... it was taken by Gaurav who was killing us with his "photography skillz." :)

kindness of strangers

Yesterday, I found myself at the bus stop to go downtown when I realized I only had $1.35 in all the change I could muster from my wallet and pockets, along with a couple $20 bills. Frantic, I asked the lady who was also waiting at the bus stop what the fare was... She said $2.00. She didn't have any change for a $20. Then she proceeded to dig out more change from her own wallet so that I could make the bus fare and not have to run to the nearest store to beg for change. I felt so incredibly guilty that I was taking money from this stranger... and yet, so incredibly grateful, I couldn't believe it.

I have discovered a new addiction that may replace Flamin Hot Cheetos.
Garrett's popcorn!!
For anyone who has ever been on Michigan Ave, it's the "famous" popcorn place that everyone goes to. I swear, there are lines that go out the door, every single time I pass this place. I am in love with the caramel popcorn, I've already had it twice this past weekend!

Joy and I waited almost an hour in the popcorn line yesterday and was late to our movie. That's how good it is.

Speaking of movie, there will be a review of Match Point coming soon...

Dog's Life

There is a park across from my apartment complex which attracts lots of kids and dogs. It almost becomes a Dog Park in the evenings. This morning, however, after my trip to the gym (go new years resolutions!!) I had to laugh as I saw these three cute dogs running around the park, playing, growling, and having the time of their lives.
I miss our puppy Britten:
He is actually quite old, around 9 or 10 years old but isn't he the cutest puppy you've ever seen? We got him from the shelter so we don't know for sure but he's likely to be a Brittany Spaniel mix. His name Britten, comes from Benjamin Britten, the famous British composer, whom I am a big fan of.

Introduction, Part 2

I'm sure you're all wondering why I chose the title "The Life of an Egg" and 1eggplant as my blogspot space. Dying of curiosity, aren't you? It's okay to admit it. Really.

I'll be generous and put you out of your misery. (Mainly because I need a break from reading medical school applications).
It goes all the way back to the summer before 10th grade. I was barely 15 and taking chemistry in summer school with a few of my closest most hilarious friends. We would blow things up, talk about how cute our teacher was, and plot evil ways to poison the annoying junior in our class. (We decided that pouring sulfuric acid in her drink would be too mean, so instead we stole her chemistry textbook two days before the final exam). I'm sorry, Kristina. (but you were kinda bitchy!)

That summer, my nickname became Eggplant because I like purple, Susan became Indigo Blu for who knows what random non sequiter reason, Susie became Tape Recorder because she was the only one in the group who actually took the class half-seriously. It sort of stuck, for a long while anyway. Then I became Eggy for short and only a select group of friends were allowed to call me that and it was especially cute because "eggy" in Korean happens to mean "baby" and everyone knows that I'm the biggest baby (who happens to be about to graduate medical school and become a gasp, pediatrician!) you'll ever meet.

That, my friends, is why this is about the life of an egg.

Scrolling back, I find that this site is seriously lacking in some pictures. My original intent was to share my love of photography and look I've only rambled on about stupid stuff!

So here is one from Millenium Park:

Long awaited

Ahh, so FINALLY we were able to have a night out at Carnivale! This place just opened last fall and has been all the rage in Chicago. One time Joy and I tried to go at 9pm on a Friday night and the wait was TWO HOURS. So this time we were ready with reservations and everything. So you walk in and it's a dark area where the bar and some lounge seats are... I think this place opens up to be a dance floor on the weekends. Then you walk into the main dining room and it's HUGE. I'm talking mega high ceilings with gigantic light fixtures and enormous wine display cabinets:
It was in a word, spectacular. I think we all loved it. I had the snapper special with the most savory sweet potato puree ever, on a bed of spinach. Yasmin had a chicken dish, Joy has a dish which was essentially seafood paella, and Heather had ceviche. Oh and we all had great drinks, most notably the raspberry mojitos which were mmm, so dangerous!

I'm sure you're all wondering... does Carnivale really have the best guacamole in town or what? And I have to say, yes! Some people say Frontera Grill is the best but to me, Frontera's was more plain avocado which tasted wonderfully fresh and good, but Carnivale really spices theirs up with just the right amount of lime and salt and whatever else they put in to make it absolutely delicious. You have to try it. I will definitely be going back. An extra plus is you can't beat the $5 valet!!

Resolutions

I've been thinking about my New Years Resolutions and I know it's already the 12th of January but here they are, in no particular order:

cook more often
save money
be happy
go to the gym
learn about Bolivia
email friends more often
take more pictures
embrace my future

so speaking of being happy...
today the weather is ridiculous! we have a high of 52 degrees!!! IN THE DEAD OF WINTER IN CHICAGO.
What the heck is going on?!? I fear that we're going to have to pay for this later when it decides to drop like 40 degrees and stay that way for the next 4 months but this is UNREAL. Just in time for my Texan friend who is visiting this week/weekend! (She has an interview at uchicago)

Quote of the day

"I'm not really up on my Indian tribes..."

This old man we met at the Prudential shopping mall started talking to me... I was trying to be nice and friendly and I think I managed to egg him on because he started going off about some small Indian tribe (casino Indians, not convenience store Indians, clarification courtesy of Gaurav)... I wasn't that interested but my friend and I were taking a break from all that shopping and had found these really comfy lounge chairs, which happened to be right next to this crazy guy. Anyway, he was telling us about how this Indian tribe makes really elaborate pottery and puts the pottery on top of heads of those who have died with a hole in it so the spirits can be released blah blah.

Then he brings up some other Indian tribe, which I wasn't familiar with... and this is when he started attacking me for being stupid. He was like "Have you heard of them?" I answered "no... I'm not really up on my Indian tribes..." My friend started laughing and then he goes "Oh, you haven't travelled that much? You haven't been to Arizona or New Mexico?" and right when I was about to get defensive because ahem, I have actually done a fair amount of travelling, he goes "Or is it just that you don't pay attention?"

Who does that?? Thank god Jamie saved me and we pretended to rush over to Sephora!

By the way. When we were in Palm Springs over Christmas, we went on a guided hike with a real life Cahuilla Indian ranger! So there, old man.

Please don't act like this

So every medical student encounters "difficult patients." Well, in pediatrics, it's mostly difficult parents. Sometimes there are parents who don't know any of the doses of their child's medications; sometimes there are parents who don't even know the history of their child's diagnoses; sometimes there are parents who are just completely negligent and irresponsible whether it be because of financial problems or mental deficiencies or whatever.

Yesterday, it was 6:15pm and there was still one last patient to see in clinic. Luckily, my attending suggested that we see the patient together to speed things along. We walked into the Other Type of difficult parent... stereotypically well-off and from the suburbs. The kid had PFAPA. I can't provide a link because it's so rare that there aren't even many sites on the entire internet that talk about it. It stands for Periodic Fevers Apthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis. What the heck?!?

Anyway, obviously this is a frustrating diagnosis for the family but OMG. The mom had this hugeass binder of every single time the kid had ever had a fever and it was all elaborately color-coded. She had the binder split up into about 5 sections. Everything was neatly typed up and had detailed descriptions of the fevers, what time of day, what accompanying symptoms, what the vomit looked like, etc.

She had no less than a million questions, especially regarding whether or not she should take her kid to see an ENT, neurologist, sleep disorder doctor, blah blah blah. We were literally in the room for almost an hour. I almost died. and then I started getting these pages from Armand "Are you okay? Where are you? I'm really worried" and "Please call 773-xxx-xxx" etc. It was terrible. and then as I was finally leaving, I forgot to take my nalgene from the clinic and I only go there once a week so it's probably going to be lost for good AND I lost my parking ticket and had to pay the full amount. I have the option of going to that hospital again later this week and I think I will have to decline... I'd rather stay at our own hospital.

Public service announcement: The Chicago Ave exit off Lake Shore Drive North is apparently closed every morning during peak traffic hours. I didn't know this and when I went to drop Armand off for his Northwestern interview today, we had to go all the way to North. Annoying.

no mile high club

My bad luck has it that my last three flying experiences have been horrible.

Monday, Jan 2nd 2006: My American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Chicago was three hours delayed. That doesn't sound that horrific but it had me arriving in Chicago at 1am! Then I had to wait like 40 minutes for my bag and finally I decided to look around the baggage claim and found my bag OFF the belt, on the floor, like two claims away! Also I have to mention that the AA terminal at LAX is the most stupidly designed setup I have ever seen, such that I had to run around like a crazy ADHD person, sweating bullets, and almost having my poor arms fall off because my bags were so heavy.

Wednesday, Jan 4th 2006: My United Airlines flight from Chicago to Boston was one hour delayed but this was after we were all packed into the plane like sardines. For anyone who has any bit of claustrophobia, this is torture. If I get sick from all that incubation time, I'm suing.

Sunday, Jan 8th 2006: My United Airlines flight from Boston to Chicago was severely overbooked. Of course I didn't realize this when I checked in and saw that my seat wasn't assigned... I just thought (naively) that my seat wasn't assigned... not that my worst nightmare could come true and I would be bumped off the flight I paid hard-earned cash for. (Well, maybe not that hard-earned but it certainly will be hard-earned as I try to pay back my loans!) So I'm waiting at the gate, patiently... and they start asking for volunteers... and then the next thing I know they start boarding the plane and I still don't have a seat assignment. I almost cried when they actually closed the door and I was still at the gate. :( It was a very sad moment; I could feel my blood boil. I yelled at them that all I wanted was for my checked-in bags to be taken off the plane... but of course that was met with "Sorry, can't do that." I was eventually re-routed on U.S. Airways to Pittsburgh and then to Chicago. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate flying. Having to fly on a non-nonstop flight to Chicago is a way to kill me very very slowly and painfully. And that wasn't the end of it... after I finally landed in Chicago, four hours behind schedule, I had to go to the baggage office at United and of course because United went bankrupt, they only had one person working there, at a snail's pace, with a line out the door...

I'm so glad to be home in Chicago. I really don't want to fly to Oakland next week for my final interview. Really. Don't. Want. To. Go.