Christmas 2007

I signed up to work through Christmas again this year because I love being with my family on New Years Day for the traditional korean celebration. I lucked out and was able to get Christmas Day off so we went to Homewood early to hang out with Armand's parents and their family friends.
We had several wonderful meals, lots of fancy wine and champagne, and desserts that were addictive. Here is the cookie platter... this year, Erin only had time to make 8 different varieties of cookies, compared to her usual 12. So we were all disappointed. *sarcasm* My favorite were the pecan tarts and the home-made turtle chocolates.

I got some really nice presents! My favorites so far are the Hive game and a pearl necklace that Armand's mom gave me. Can't wait to wear it!

Today was our last day in the NICU. I can't believe how fast this month has gone by... it's been painful, but not nearly as painful as I imagined. I should be more excited but I'm starting at the "outside hospital" on Wednesday, which makes me sad.

The good news is that I have the next 4 days off so I'm flying home tonight. Hopefully this snow won't get in the way! Happy new year everyone!

the f word three times?!?

The holiday parties this year were a lot more tame, compared to last year. The peds one was at the same place, Grand Lux. The food was not as great as I remember it being and I somehow made myself designated driver and only had two glasses of wine. I think it involved either refraining from drinking or standing outside in the cold waiting for a bus. I hate public transportation.

The medicine party was at Fulton's on the River, which I thought was the same place as last year because it started with an F and involved the River but actually, last year we had the party at Flatwater. I definitely had more than two drinks at the medicine party since I wasn't driving and the food was AMAZING. Filet mignon! Chocolate souffle! omg.

Last night, I was post-call and totally exhausted but we made it up to Hopleaf for a "Chadventicus" event. Channakah/Advent/Festivus. It was fun to see the whole NICU team out and about, enjoying good Belgian food and beer! I had this raspberry beer that starts with an F. I'm suddenly blanking on the name, but it was awesome.

But the real inspiration for the title of this post is a text-page that I was woken up to, at 5am from my intern:
"fucking fuck faces... i'm here with a new admit... fuckers."

I figured I should get up and see what this new admit was about. She makes me laugh. The intern, not the patient. :)

We had a busy night... Any time it's busy in the NICU, I think "like old times"! There have been some changes to Indiana Medicaid and the way that our OB department takes patients so business in the NICU has been relatively slow... but it's starting to pick up again, much to my chagrin.

I have my first day off today in 2 weeks. Sigh. I think I'm going to finish up my Christmas shopping and I'm going to search for Orange Flower Water, for these special cookies I'm bringing in tomorrow.

Tree decorating party

Last night, Dan and company had friends over to decorate his tree. He got it from Home Depot for like $30. How do tree lots stay in business, I wonder... charging >$100!

We had wonderful chili, black bean enchiladas, lots of wine and warm cider. I think there was a lot of Guitar Club toward the end, but I fell asleep on the couch by that point. :) Today, I want to go shopping for some Christmas presents.

Our NICU month is flying by... I only have 4 more calls because this Friday I'm supposed to be on call but it's our department's holiday party, where ALL the residents get coverage by attendings! It's awesome. So that means I can sign-out at 6pm and come back on Saturday morning! Woohoo. One less call for me.

cold cold december

December's here already. How did it creep up on us? Do I say this every year?

It snowed for real today for the first time this winter. As I was chipping away at the ice that had formed all over my car today after work, I just kept thinking... what the hell. It's so friggin cold! I need to be back in California!

I started as NICU senior last week. It's been 4 days and I've already worked 52 hrs. I'm on call tomorrow. My first day there, I didn't pee for over 12 hours. And not because I had to and just didn't have time, but because I was just that dehydrated!! Scary.

NICU senior is waaay better than being an intern. Except it's much worse in some ways... Yes, I know how to change vent settings based on blood gases. Yes, I know how to do procedures (doesn't necessarily mean I can get them done, 100% of the time, but I know HOW). Yes, I know how to write admit orders and fluid orders and blah blah. But all of a sudden, I'm supervising 40 sick babies. I'm pulled in 5 million different directions at the same time. It's crazy. I can't imagine ever being an intensivist, of any kind. It's just TOO intense! Ack.

Tonight, we managed to have dinner with Phil in Chinatown. Yummy. We braved the snow. Plus I now have moon cakes to bring for the call team tomorrow! Yay. Maybe it will make the 30-hour shift that much better. *fingers crossed*