still alive
Hi to any remaining people who still read livejournal! I've been inspired in a fit of snowed-in laziness to post about my life. This vacation has been filled with family, friends, hanging out with Justin, doing a little bit of medical reviewing, and lying in bed playing with my new tablet, so overall it's been good.
I'm a little intimidated by the upcoming semester- the sheer amount of material on the boards is the main issue- but I'm excited to get to work with patients. I'm also really hoping that this relationship works out... which could be putting too much pressure on it. I'll have to wait and see.
A) year-end meme from Taf.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Travel to Peru, find and live in an apartment with friends, apply to a PhD program, play in the Ig Nobels, run a 5k race, finish a self-monitored exercise regimen, arrange a song for a cappella, play (not so) competitive frisbee, be in a radical reading group, be student council president, buy a bike
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. Making some below!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My mom's cousin Ida died over the summer, who helped take me in while I was in New York; her husband is now only eating diner food and is clearly at a loss. Their kids and the family have really come together to help him out though.
5. What countries did you visit?
Peru with Leah, Lucy and Yike
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
A driver's license (still!!!), clinical skills, a place to live in Cambridge/Somerville...
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 26th- I rescued a pig from cardiac arrest and met Justin. (The cardiac arrest was administered by our professor, and the pig died a few minutes later. I met Justin at a dinner that night.)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Joining a PhD lab, performing a bunch of times this fall (Second Year Show, Forces of Nature, Klezmedics, Heartbeats), continuing to do ok/well in med school
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my position as an Adams Non-Residential Premed tutor because I didn't finish writing the letter of recommendation on time. Also getting scooped on one paper and not getting cited on another.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some colds and minor infections, and altitude sickness and traveler's diarrhea in Peru, but nothing too crazy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I like my tablet so far! I'm also excited about the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and other medical equipment. Also my apartment and furniture.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My brother for making it through some tough times and charting a path for himself that really fits him. My mom for dealing with a scary diagnosis with courage and knowing who to ask for help.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Often (especially when I go home) I find problems in my family that really upset me, but family is family.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Besides rent and food, I would say a bunch of it went to plays, going out to dinner, and getting presents.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Justin, mainly. Finishing PhD applications, joining the Kwon lab in general, roommates...
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"Pompeii" by Bastille
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
could go either way. I think on this date I was probably happier because I was traveling and doing things with friends, but today I got to sleep in and my friend (and college roommate) Brittney is coming this evening, so that's exciting. Overall: my life is more stable and is looking up, but I've been having some mood/sleep related problems and am possibly more stressed out.
ii. thinner or fatter?
About the same by weight. I'm more in shape as of before break, though.
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise (although this past year was better than any time since high school), sleep, cook, be productive, spend time with friends
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Waste time on the Internet (especially when time is tight), procrastinate, avoid things
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it driving from Washington DC to Boston with my mom and brother. Family car trip!
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I was at First Night Boston, and saw Justin perform an incredible mime show twice and tell a contest-winning story at MassMouth. The parade, ice skating, and fireworks were also highlights. Then Justin and I went back to his place.
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Yes. The word "love" hasn't been used yet though.
23. How many one-night stands?
none
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Definitely Sherlock. Doctor Who is still good but has been disappointing me.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I may have thought I was involved in a feud with a classmate on behalf of a friend, but I think it's over now.
26. What was the best book you read?
Really enjoyed I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, and Sexual Chemistry by Lara Marks. (Unfortunately, I didn't have much time for reading this year...)
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
.... I need to listen to more good music! Suggestions are welcome.
28. What did you want and get?
Into grad school, into a lab, into a relationship, the continued health of my mother
29.What did you want and not get?
a bigger part in the musical (ended up being fine), scientific credit for stuff I've done
30. What was your favourite film that you saw for the first time this year?
Enjoyed Catching Fire, Iron Man 3, and Gravity. That may be it... I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a bunch of HST and other friends come to a potluck at Vanderbilt Hall, and got to eat Luccie's delicious cake!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It was pretty good. I guess not dating Raphael would have been more satisfying?
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Being in lab- hair in a ponytail, long pants/no skirts, close-toed shoes
34. What kept you sane?
Hanging out with anyone who wasn't in HST. HST people definitely didn't help.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Um... David Tennant?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Single-payer health care, participation in torture by US physicians in Guantanamo, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, general issues around access to care and misconceptions of Obamacare.
37. Who did you miss?
My far-away and nearer friends who I didn't get to see much.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Justin clearly. Otherwise- I had fun getting closer with David Gootenberg and hanging out with Bjorn and the lab over the summer.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
You have to make time for the things you want to do, but leave enough time for studying that you don't get freaked out. Taking breaks in study sessions is crucial. Also- grades aren't everything.
B) New Year's Resolutions.
1. Exercise! Keep biking places, and find a way to get to the gym more frequently. Start running again when it gets nicer out. Set up a routine.
2. Stay on task with boards studying. This includes finishing Pathoma, doing Qbank, doing more Firecracker, etc. Don't burn yourself out too quickly.
3. No screens after midnight (i.e. don't tool around on the internet or play games on the phone). If work needs to be done, get up early.
4. Work on sleep hygiene: wake up at a consistent time, go to bed before midnight, get enough sleep.
5. Be organized about planning things in advance, including leaving enough time to study.
6. Be better about communication: respond to emails quickly.
7. Don't put off important tasks.
8. Eat healthier and cook more food, especially lunches.
9. Be forgiving of yourself.
10. Relax!
I'm a little intimidated by the upcoming semester- the sheer amount of material on the boards is the main issue- but I'm excited to get to work with patients. I'm also really hoping that this relationship works out... which could be putting too much pressure on it. I'll have to wait and see.
A) year-end meme from Taf.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Travel to Peru, find and live in an apartment with friends, apply to a PhD program, play in the Ig Nobels, run a 5k race, finish a self-monitored exercise regimen, arrange a song for a cappella, play (not so) competitive frisbee, be in a radical reading group, be student council president, buy a bike
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. Making some below!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My mom's cousin Ida died over the summer, who helped take me in while I was in New York; her husband is now only eating diner food and is clearly at a loss. Their kids and the family have really come together to help him out though.
5. What countries did you visit?
Peru with Leah, Lucy and Yike
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
A driver's license (still!!!), clinical skills, a place to live in Cambridge/Somerville...
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 26th- I rescued a pig from cardiac arrest and met Justin. (The cardiac arrest was administered by our professor, and the pig died a few minutes later. I met Justin at a dinner that night.)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Joining a PhD lab, performing a bunch of times this fall (Second Year Show, Forces of Nature, Klezmedics, Heartbeats), continuing to do ok/well in med school
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my position as an Adams Non-Residential Premed tutor because I didn't finish writing the letter of recommendation on time. Also getting scooped on one paper and not getting cited on another.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some colds and minor infections, and altitude sickness and traveler's diarrhea in Peru, but nothing too crazy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I like my tablet so far! I'm also excited about the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and other medical equipment. Also my apartment and furniture.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My brother for making it through some tough times and charting a path for himself that really fits him. My mom for dealing with a scary diagnosis with courage and knowing who to ask for help.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Often (especially when I go home) I find problems in my family that really upset me, but family is family.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Besides rent and food, I would say a bunch of it went to plays, going out to dinner, and getting presents.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Justin, mainly. Finishing PhD applications, joining the Kwon lab in general, roommates...
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"Pompeii" by Bastille
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
could go either way. I think on this date I was probably happier because I was traveling and doing things with friends, but today I got to sleep in and my friend (and college roommate) Brittney is coming this evening, so that's exciting. Overall: my life is more stable and is looking up, but I've been having some mood/sleep related problems and am possibly more stressed out.
ii. thinner or fatter?
About the same by weight. I'm more in shape as of before break, though.
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise (although this past year was better than any time since high school), sleep, cook, be productive, spend time with friends
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Waste time on the Internet (especially when time is tight), procrastinate, avoid things
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it driving from Washington DC to Boston with my mom and brother. Family car trip!
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I was at First Night Boston, and saw Justin perform an incredible mime show twice and tell a contest-winning story at MassMouth. The parade, ice skating, and fireworks were also highlights. Then Justin and I went back to his place.
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Yes. The word "love" hasn't been used yet though.
23. How many one-night stands?
none
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Definitely Sherlock. Doctor Who is still good but has been disappointing me.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I may have thought I was involved in a feud with a classmate on behalf of a friend, but I think it's over now.
26. What was the best book you read?
Really enjoyed I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, and Sexual Chemistry by Lara Marks. (Unfortunately, I didn't have much time for reading this year...)
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
.... I need to listen to more good music! Suggestions are welcome.
28. What did you want and get?
Into grad school, into a lab, into a relationship, the continued health of my mother
29.What did you want and not get?
a bigger part in the musical (ended up being fine), scientific credit for stuff I've done
30. What was your favourite film that you saw for the first time this year?
Enjoyed Catching Fire, Iron Man 3, and Gravity. That may be it... I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a bunch of HST and other friends come to a potluck at Vanderbilt Hall, and got to eat Luccie's delicious cake!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It was pretty good. I guess not dating Raphael would have been more satisfying?
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Being in lab- hair in a ponytail, long pants/no skirts, close-toed shoes
34. What kept you sane?
Hanging out with anyone who wasn't in HST. HST people definitely didn't help.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Um... David Tennant?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Single-payer health care, participation in torture by US physicians in Guantanamo, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, general issues around access to care and misconceptions of Obamacare.
37. Who did you miss?
My far-away and nearer friends who I didn't get to see much.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Justin clearly. Otherwise- I had fun getting closer with David Gootenberg and hanging out with Bjorn and the lab over the summer.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
You have to make time for the things you want to do, but leave enough time for studying that you don't get freaked out. Taking breaks in study sessions is crucial. Also- grades aren't everything.
B) New Year's Resolutions.
1. Exercise! Keep biking places, and find a way to get to the gym more frequently. Start running again when it gets nicer out. Set up a routine.
2. Stay on task with boards studying. This includes finishing Pathoma, doing Qbank, doing more Firecracker, etc. Don't burn yourself out too quickly.
3. No screens after midnight (i.e. don't tool around on the internet or play games on the phone). If work needs to be done, get up early.
4. Work on sleep hygiene: wake up at a consistent time, go to bed before midnight, get enough sleep.
5. Be organized about planning things in advance, including leaving enough time to study.
6. Be better about communication: respond to emails quickly.
7. Don't put off important tasks.
8. Eat healthier and cook more food, especially lunches.
9. Be forgiving of yourself.
10. Relax!