The Powers That Be

2011-01-17T20:21:00.002-05:00

Did great last week. Went to a small group at night and to Sunday School--my husband went, too!!!!!

Down 2.5 more pounds. GO GO GO GO!

6: SXSW 2010 Accepted Film

2011-01-17T20:21:00.000-05:00

I love 6 man football. My dad grew up in Follett, TX, and that is where my grandparents live. YEA! Go Panthers!

2011-01-09T13:35:00.002-05:00

Well, I was on call this week so I didn't have the energy to work out everyday this week.
But it was still a great week. I took my lunch to work (saving me money and more healthy).
I did work out on the Wii with Jillian and also with a Golds gym Dance game. Really fun!

Down 2 pounds!

Here's hoping to a great week.

2010-12-30T12:38:00.002-05:00

I did it. Day #3 with Wii fit and Day #2 with Jillian--I know it's just a game, but I was sore from yesterday so staying motivated and exercising today was a real moment for me. I did it!

I have read online a lot of negative comments on this 2010 Jillian DVD but maybe the people with positive comments are too busy working out and feeling great to stop and complain!

2010-12-29T22:53:00.002-05:00

Santa brought a Wii and Wii Fit for Christmas this year--and so far on Day 1 I did some of the Wii Fit Plus and today I did my first of my "6 month resolutions" with Jillian's 2010 Wii game.

They say to set reasonable goals. My goals for 2011 are these:
1. Continue loving my job and doing the best I can to accurately and efficiently diagnose cancers at my hospitals (reasonable, I think)
2. Lose 70 pounds (maybe a little lofty, but I have a dream)
3. Have a baby (maybe hard to do this plus #2, but there is some flexibility)
4. Make new friends and get involved in my community in OKC. (do-able, right?)

Best of luck to everybody else who is looking to make New Years Resolutions, too.

Let's do this!

Iraq's Government Orders Iranian Troops to Withdraw From Iraqi Oilfield - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

2009-12-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

Iraq's Government Orders Iranian Troops to Withdraw From Iraqi Oilfield - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

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Glenn Beck - Current Events & Politics - Glenn Beck: Rush and Fox News

2009-10-13T23:14:00.001-04:00

Glenn Beck - Current Events & Politics - Glenn Beck: Rush and Fox News

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2009-09-06T13:06:00.000-04:00

Notes from the Underwire: Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life by Quinn Cummings

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book reinforces why I don't generally read short stories--and this is not even fictional short stories, but more of an autobiographical set of short stories. Although there were moments when I did laugh out loud, the majority of the book, I spent waiting for it all to be over with. I had trouble identifying with the troubles of a "former child star."

View all my reviews >>

BTW--this has nothing to do with my 30 by 30 plan. :)

School Districts in Six States to Refrain from Showing Presidential Address Next Week - Political Punch

2009-09-03T21:10:00.001-04:00

School Districts in Six States to Refrain from Showing Presidential Address Next Week - Political Punch

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2009-08-31T09:46:00.001-04:00

I did it!!! I woke up at 6:30 this morning and walked for 40 mins. I am off on a good start--and I ate breakfast at home without stopping at QT for donuts. QT will have to make their moolah elsewhere! AHAHA!

2009-08-30T17:10:00.002-04:00

Tuesday, Sept 1, 2009 starts a new weightloss plan with a friend of work--Lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday, February 20, 2010. I'm going to exercise in the morning before work, and stop eating at restaurants! Here we go, here we go!!!

Source: Michael Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment - FOXNews.com

2009-08-24T19:01:00.001-04:00

Source: Michael Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment - FOXNews.com

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2009-08-12T20:01:00.001-04:00

Aug. 12, 2009

Here's your regular update on efforts by the American Medical Association (AMA) to work with lawmakers in reforming the nation's health care system in a way that provides quality, affordable health care for all.

AMA clarifies facts on recent examples highlighting amputation and tonsillectomies
The AMA contacted White House staff last night to again express strong concerns with some recent medical treatment examples used by President Obama. We've made it clear that physicians are extremely dedicated and focused—first, foremost and always—on providing care that best serves their patients.

We agree with President Obama on the importance of prevention. However, a recent example used to illustrate his important point was misleading. Surgeons are not paid $30,000 to $50,000 to amputate a diabetic's foot. Medicare pays a surgeon, on average, from $541.72 to $708.71 for one of two procedures involving a foot amputation. It is possible that the total bill, hospital stay, rehabilitation, prosthesis, etc. may approach the larger amount mentioned.

In the case of tonsillectomies, a patient is referred to a surgeon after medication therapy has proven to be ineffective. Actually, the medical profession itself recognized questions about utilization and appropriateness of tonsillectomies and took action by developing clinical guidelines, which has resulted in a sharp decline in the rate of tonsillectomies.

These types of examples create the impression that physicians are motivated by payment levels rather than what is best for patients. The AMA will continue to stress to our elected leaders that physicians are dedicated to putting patients first and optimizing health care quality.

AMA President to appear on Larry King Live tonight
AMA President J. James Rohack, MD, will appear on CNN's Larry King Live at 9 p.m. ET tonight to discuss "Myths vs. Facts" in the current health system reform debate. Other panelists will include former Sen. Bill Frist, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic.

2009-08-12T15:35:00.001-04:00

2009-07-24T21:46:00.002-04:00

Stephen and I are working on our Dave Ramsey Financial Plan--It has 7 main baby steps. It is taking us a while to get finished with baby step 1 which is our emergency fund--because we keep dipping into the emergency fund for emergencies!

I am looking forward to finishing though so we can move on to Baby Step 2--paying off our debts! Even with Baylor College of Medicine being a publically funded medical school, I have a ton of student loans from medical school plus credit cards (blech!). I cannot wait to scream I'M DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-19T12:32:00.003-04:00

How vain am I? I recorded a video segment for the Missouri State Medical Association back in 2008 and the video feed is now featured on the MSMA homepage! The problem is that my hair looks TERRIBLE. WHY did I think it was a good idea to where a ponytail that day? ACK! And since then I've lost 25 pounds...WHY WHY WHY couldn't that have been before I was on the video!

Anyway, it's still important--Residents and Fellows SHOULD join the MSMA!

:)

www.msma.org

Handmade Daily: Saturday July 18

2009-07-18T20:37:00.001-04:00

Handmade Daily: Saturday July 18

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2009-07-18T20:27:00.001-04:00

Unlike Predecessors, Clinton Left Behind on Presidential Foreign Travel - Political News - FOXNews.com

2009-07-09T19:36:00.001-04:00

Unlike Predecessors, Clinton Left Behind on Presidential Foreign Travel - Political News - FOXNews.com

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Iranian Clerics Declare Ahmadinejed Re-Election Illegitimate - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

2009-07-05T18:36:00.001-04:00

Iranian Clerics Declare Ahmadinejed Re-Election Illegitimate - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

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Russia Calls for Compromise on U.S. Missile Defense Plans - Political News - FOXNews.com

2009-07-05T12:54:00.001-04:00

Russia Calls for Compromise on U.S. Missile Defense Plans - Political News - FOXNews.com

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Critics Bemoan Prospect of Obama Detaining Terror Suspects Indefinitely - Political News - FOXNews.com

2009-06-27T15:47:00.001-04:00

Critics Bemoan Prospect of Obama Detaining Terror Suspects Indefinitely - Political News - FOXNews.com

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Fact Check: Decoding Obama's Prescription for Health Care - ABC News

2009-06-25T12:47:00.001-04:00

Fact Check: Decoding Obama's Prescription for Health Care - ABC News

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Obama Addresses Doctors' Malpractice Concerns, But Won't Support Payout Caps - Political News - FOXNews.com

2009-06-16T17:42:00.001-04:00

Obama Addresses Doctors' Malpractice Concerns, But Won't Support Payout Caps - Political News - FOXNews.com

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2009-06-08T10:39:00.002-04:00

I know why Chrysler is going bankrupt. We have a 2006 Chrysler 300 with 50,100 miles on it. There is a squeaky noise in the front passenger side going slow over bumps.

So I took it in to the dealer, and they said that the suspension is "loose, but not broken." So when we bought the car we bought the extended warranty--those losers say they won't pay to have this fixed because we have more than 50,000 miles on it and it's not "broken" it's only loose--even though not replacing it is a safety issue.

This is the SECOND time that Chrysler has done this BS with me with the warranty stuff. It's such a scam to buy their extended warranty. They convinced us to get it and now they don't cover anything at all.

I'm never buying American again.

The future of health-care reform: The moment of truth | The Economist

2009-06-07T21:25:00.001-04:00

The future of health-care reform: The moment of truth | The Economist

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American Tourist Survived Wild Ride Clinging to Side of Train in Australian Outback - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

2009-06-07T10:45:00.001-04:00

American Tourist Survived Wild Ride Clinging to Side of Train in Australian Outback - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com

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2009-06-06T20:56:00.001-04:00

2009-06-06T20:27:00.000-04:00

2009-06-06T11:52:00.002-04:00

WHOA...it's been forever since I got online on my blog. Part of it was because a work-friend of mine was making fun of how arrogant you have to be to think that people would want to read about your life online--she wasn't talking about me, but I let her get to me. Ouch.

So...HAPPY D-DAY! Today we celebrate all the men who sacrificed to bring freedom to the European continent from an evil Nazi regime.

And do the French appreciate that they are not speaking German? Uh...No! (and that is French!)

Just in case somebody happens on my site like I happened onto somebody else's the NRA is now offering a free trial membership for 1 year...I just signed Stephen and me up.

https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp

2008-07-02T20:10:00.002-04:00

Okay, okay...so it's JULY already and Stephen and I are way behind in posting. Since the last post, I finished my hemepath fellowship, and went back to residency, and my sister got married...YEA!! Tomorrow I fly to Wichita to visit her and then we drive to Texas for July 4. More later when I have some pics...I promise!

2008-04-30T20:49:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted in a long time...it's May already, and still cold outside. If I believed in global warming, I might be concerned...haha!

I am now getting ready to campaign to be Delegate from the Resident and Fellow Section of the American Medical Association to the AMA House of Delegates. Although I really want to make a difference, I have a lot of anxiety about the election process again...you really put yourself out there and hope that people "get you." I don't really know how the politicians do it...they either really feel altruism and a desire to make a difference...or they are totally narcissistic and believe they cannot be defeated...

2008-02-21T17:31:00.000-05:00

2008-02-03T19:48:00.000-05:00

Like the incredible 12-year trained dancer I am, I fell down the steps on my front porch yesterday--No ice, just me being clumsy. Now I have an egg-shaped bruise (lovely really) on my ankle and a limp. Good thing I have Stephen to take care of me.

2008-01-04T20:42:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everybody! My New Years' resolution is to work out more (easy to accomplish as I never work out now) and to have a daily teaching session with the first years (so far, I actually am doing that like I'm supposed to do.) Over the holiday I got to do a bunch of reading, and I really had an amazing time with my family. Stephen and I spent Christmas together and I got to spend New Years' with my grandparents on both sides, my parents, and my sister and her fiance.

Today is the day after the Iowa Caucus--Go Huckabee! I am going to get me a I heart Huckabee shirt, I think...Stephen isn't impressed with him, but I think he has been hearing too much left-wing crazy propaganda...

2007-12-23T20:28:00.001-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas Eve and all through the house, the cats were all sleeping, thinking of a crazy mouse. The children were snuggled all snug in their beds--except they exist now, only in my head...

2007-12-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

Today, we had a spa-day with the girls from work. Four of us went to get manicures, pedicures, massages, etc. It was fun--I have purple toenails now. :)

This morning we had snow on the ground and it really started coming down later this evening. Stephen likes the snow--but I think that sliding around on the ice in my car and not being able to easily get the stinking car up the driveway is a big pain in the AXX.

2007-12-13T18:14:00.000-05:00

I agree with Reagan Silva...it is okay to cry when you watch movies on Lifetime. Is it also okay, though, to watch "Holiday in Handcuffs," which features Mario Lopez from Saved By the Bell and Melissa Joan Hart from Sabrina, the Teenage Witch? I have an addiction to corny movies.

I watched H in H not once, but TWICE and I kept it on my DVR just in case I got tempted to watch it again...I am sick! (and just typing about it makes me think I should watch it tonight!)

2007-12-11T19:47:00.000-05:00

New count down...now its for Christmas. I am really into cheesy Christmas movies. This weekend I watched, "The Christmas Shoes" on Lifetime...I know, Lifetime? But seriously, it was a great show--even despite Rob Lowe's suboptimal performance. Didn't he do something scandalous a few years ago? Why is he so popular in shows? Anyway, the show was really good if you like sentimental shows. I cried like a baby. :) My husband came downstairs and asked, "What's wrong with you?" but the show was so sad!

Now I'm watching "Nestor, the long-eared Christmas donkey." Somebody clever thought of it. It's a story of the donkey who carried Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem. It's a cute story that is new to me this Christmas. It's about a sweet show about how God can use even the least of us. Good message--but did they really need to use the talking, long-eared donkey?

2007-11-18T18:01:00.000-05:00

Countdown until Thanksgiving...Day:-4. Does this mean that I have big plans? Uh...no. Since my last post, Stephen and I went to Honolulu, Hawaii for the fall national meeting of the American Medical Association--It sounds like all it was was vacation, but I was working hard--walking in heels in the Hawaii heat is a big deal! We passed resolutions that really make a difference in the lives of residents--one about studying the effects of at-home call from a resident and patient-safety perspective, one about funding of graduate medical education for outside rotations required for residency boardability, and one about reinstating funding for loan deferments. Preach on, Preacha! I have my 150,000+ federal loans and my 20,000 private loans accruing interest as I speak, so I understand the plights of other residents and fellows! It is awesome that the AMA cares about this and is doing something about it. I feel so blessed to be part of a great organization...Here are some pics that Stephen and I took while we were vacationing--ahem, I mean, working...

2007-10-26T22:53:00.000-04:00

My baby sister is getting married on May 17, 2008 in Perryton. Tomorrow I am going to be trying to find the bridesmaid dress that I will be wearing. I get to be the maid of honor. :) We are going to be wearing 'cobalt' from Alfred Angelo, but get to pick our own dresses. Since I let my bridesmaids do this at my wedding, I am really looking forward to getting to do it for this one.

2007-10-19T01:20:00.000-04:00

I'm in New Orleans, LA now...can't be afraid to fly, right? That's what Stephen says, but I'm really happy that we landed...YEA for Stephen for keeping me sane and for making me do things when I feel like chickening out. I'm here at the American Society of Clinical pathology meeting to present a poster on Saturday--I'm published now as a first author. :) YEA! More on how it goes later...Here is a pic that I took at the College of American Pathologists meeting in Chicago with Dr. Emily Perman-Bantle-Warrior-Princess-deJesus(if you want to know the story, ask me...if not...LAUGH NOW.) :)

2007-10-16T21:46:00.000-04:00

I am a little disheartened by how few people read my blog...is it vain to think that my family and friends would be interested in what I am doing? I put the link in my stinking emails....maybe I just don't email people often enouh. Blah, blah, blah.

Today is just one of those days where I couldn't wait to get home...to do nothing...and now I wish I had somethin to do...

2007-10-01T13:51:00.000-04:00

On Friday, September 28, I was in a an American Airlines plane (flight 1400) which had to do an emergency
landing. We took off in the air and within 5 minutes I felt us stop accelerating upwards. We flattened out, much closer to the ground than usual and turned around. At this time the electricity went off on the plane. Surprisingly, people on the plane were relatively quiet given that the plane was tottering to and fro and we were clearly not flying as usual. After our rocky landing, the pilot said there was an engine fire on the left side of the plane--of course, I was sitting on the left wing, right by the engine. We were doused by fire fighters with fire retardant foam and got off the plane on the runway--the plane could not reach the terminal as when we were in the air we lost hydraulic fluid and had no abilities to break or steer.

I feel so lucky to be alive. I feel like everybody I love is a blessing in my life--and I feel that everybody that I hate has taught me something and shaped me in some way for the better too...

2007-09-23T20:21:00.001-04:00

I found this picture from Emily B's birthday party of me and my friend Gustavo. It made me think about how easy it is to lose touch with people that you care about. If you are a person that I've lost touch with--I am sorry! I will try to contact you soon.

My sister moved to Atlanta for her training with AT&T wireless. We are all spread out now--me in Missouri, her in Georgia, and the folks in Texas and Oklahoma. If you consider Stephen's family, too, then we span to Puerto Rico, too. Distance is not a reason to lose touch with people, though, if you think about it--the internet makes communication so easy these days.

I am homesick--I miss my mommy! The funny thing is, as much as I love my mom, I think it is not really the person that I miss as much as it is the ideas behind being with my mom. I miss being a kid and knowing that somebody else was ultimately responsible for making sure that everything turns out all right. Being an adult means that I have to be responsible, pay bills, buy groceries, make a budget, clean the kitty litter box and all that stuff.

2007-09-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

s
One of my friends calls Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck." I went there this evening for a salad--and spent $30.00! I needed some salad...and some fruit...and maybe some chicken curry...I had never been to Whole Foods until a few months ago. I wonder if it really is a good thing to know about all this "healthy" hippie, organic food. It tastes so good, even to my Republican tastebuds.
What does this happen to do with my label for this post--"The bug?" Not a dang thing, really. It's a workplace nickname for a friend--and it's my look for this photo with Stephen. I love these Target glasses--unfortunately, they have been a recent casualty in my long line of destructive behavior--they died in the bottom of my purse. Alas, I know it is sad...but s*** happens, so they say...

2007-09-09T21:15:00.001-04:00

Today I am on call again. I love hemepath and the excitement of feeling like I'm making a difference in patients' lives--but today...I wish I was a stay-at-home mom. I guess that would be a stay-at-home wife, really, not a mom since my cats don't count as kids.

I went to a pasta-making class this morning at Williams-Sonoma instead of going to church--yes, my friends, I am a sinner. It was neat to see how easy it is to make pasta. I think that Stephen would like home-made noodles...I just have to clean my kitchen up and maybe I can make some today...okay, maybe not today, but maybe this week sometime. Or this month sometime. You might think that a person on South Beach couldn't eat noodles, but if I make whole wheat noodles then I can actually have them in my diet, too.

After I complete the pasta-making extravaganza, I want to learn to sew--I just finished this book on quilting, and I'm all inspired. I think I'll start with pillowcases...maybe not today, though...

The thing that make me think that stay-at-home would not work for me is knowing that if I was here I would have to keep my house neater and cleaner...let's face it, I am not so much into keeping my stuff organized at home. It is so much easier to have my stuff all over the living room floor...

2007-08-27T21:51:00.001-04:00

2007-08-26T22:07:00.000-04:00

Does anybody else watch stupid teeny bopper shows like Digrassi on the N? I love those shows! Stephen thinks I am ridiculous because here I am a physician...and I like stupid shows like this. :)

I don't have any big news...so...feel free to email me if you have some. :) --Michelle

2007-07-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

Cana Gorda near Guanica, PR

Michelle and Stephen swimming

Holy smokes, so much has happened in the past 3 weeks...Emily had to have surgery again on Friday last week...she is so amazing it is hard for me to believe. I am so sorry she is going through this but so thankful to be in the US of A. It just reaffirms to me why I think that being a member of the American Medical Association and organized medicine as a whole is so important--I cannot imagine what it would be like if she hadn't be able to get the treatment she needed when she needed it...besides all of that craziness, there have been other fun things that have happened to me this month--I started my fellowship in hematopathology on July 1 at Barnes-Jewish. I love heme! :)

Stephen and I also took a trip to Puerto Rico to visit his grandmother and other family members--it was a mixture of vacation and a family reunion. It was so nice to get to meet more of his family. Family is clearly so very important to me, and to the both of us.

Stephen and I really enjoyed having so much time with each other--sometimes you have to get away from the "real world" to feel connected to one another.

2007-07-08T20:14:00.000-04:00

Here is an email that my sister sent to me...she is so amazing! I am so proud of her...

Hey everyone,

As you are all aware, I had to have yet another surgery... but Eric, Mom, my friends, and I have decided I'm done with this stuff. I wanted to send y'all a picture of one of my closest friends weddings that I was in three days after the surgery... I thought it would help ease some fears and let people know that I am doing very well. I start back to class Tuesday and my professor is great. I have already spoken with him and he assures me that he will do everything to help me if something comes up.

Sincerely,

Emily Ehrlich

2007-05-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day!! I hope everybody took a moment to remember that today is not all about just taking a day off from work. Instead it is a day to remember those we have loved and lost in the past years, especially our troops--not just those in Iraq but those from Vietnam, Korea, both World Wars and beyond...

It's an overcast day here, but we are still going to have brats and sauerkraut (maybe that's my own little variation on America, but there you go...

I am not in full agreement with the President about the War in Iraq but today is a day to remember them and be thankful for the courage that they show. Today we are praying for so many people here and abroad--God Bless America!!

2007-05-26T19:05:00.000-04:00

Today is Saturday--I went secret shopping...I cannot tell you who for because it's a "secret." I just need extra money and this is helping a little bit...Now, Stephen is still at work and I am watching "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet and Cameran Diaz--I'm usually not a Cameran Diaz fan, but this is a pretty good chick flick if you are into chick flicks. :) Do you know that this is the first chick flick I've seen in like...okay, so I watch them a lot...Anyway...I hope everybody has a good Memorial Day weekend and remembers to be thankful for the troops and stay safe and all that! And if you have Netflix or pay per view and you are a chick flick person, watch "The Holiday." :) --Misha

2007-05-23T22:02:00.000-04:00

I worked out today. I think I'll reward myself with a cookie. :{) I have had a pretty good week...finished writing a book chapter, drafted a case report, cured cancer, well, maybe not that. But sometimes, I just want somebody besides my husband and mother to think I'm doing a good job.

Thus, I will be happy and reward myself with...no, not food...alcohol is bad too...what is fun in life? I'm on a quest...if somebody figures out all this stuff, let me know. It's a conundrum.

2007-05-20T15:31:00.000-04:00

I realized I don't have any family photos on my blog, so I thought I should add a few of them. Even though we don't live in Texas anymore, I have remained pretty close to my family and friends there.

2007-05-13T21:33:00.000-04:00

I've been to DC again for another lobbying extravanganza...this time with the College of American Pathologists...it's tough trying to make a difference, but somebody's gotta do it.

But on a much more fun level, I am finally feeling that I fit in at work. I am laughing much more and enjoying the people that I work with, even if the work environment itself really sucks.

Here are some pics from the latest birthday party for some coworkers--the theme was "Las Vegas." Almost all of the people in these pictures are doctors...which is hilarious and probably scary for all my family and friends who are not in medicine to see us all making fools of ourselves...but sometimes you have to be a fool! Now that I've said that I just realized that the pics for that party are on Stephen's computer! Oops. You'll have to wait for them, I guess.

Let's see what other fun pics I have...AHA! I've found some from a trip to San Diego (also for a pathology conference...pathologists...other doctors think that we like to be alone in dark rooms--like radiologists! But no, we are a super crazy, fun bunch...of very serious doctors dedicated to patient care.

2007-04-08T16:06:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of us with Jennifer Chu and John Reuter at their wedding here in Saint Louis, MO. It is funny that even here in Missouri we are able to keep in touch with people we grew up with. Jenny and I graduated high school together in Texas in 1998 (holy smokes, we are getting old!), and now we live in the same city...I'm ashamed to say that their wedding was the first time we'd gotten to see them since we moved here...lots of TAMSters at Wash U, it seems. Go TAMS! Nerds unite! :)

2007-04-08T15:14:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter!!

I was so happy when spring came...one week everything was brown and dead, and the next week the grass was green, my tulips were up, blooming and beautiful. I made Stephen take a bunch of pictures of them. He did it, begrudgingly at first, but when he realized that the tulips only bloom for 7-10 days, he took a bunch for me. It was pretty funny because he asked, "Why bother planting them if they bloom for so little time?" I thought about that, and decided that the 7-10 days when they are up are so wonderfully blessed by that beauty that that is what makes planting them worthwhile. I planted some other plants last fall, 3 peonies which have come up, and two lilac bushes, so I'll keep you posted on that. I've put pictures of the tulips here, taken by Stephen. If you are a flower person, let me know and you can get some of these pictures printed for your walls. He's a very good photographer!

Just as soon as I had gotten ready to pack up all of our winter clothes we had a huge week of cold weather, with temps in the teens...I hope my peonies make it. I just love those flowers and I wasn't able to grow them in Houston because the winter is not cold enough.

Stephen and I have been doing other stuff besides gardening, of course. He's still working at the hobby shop and I'm busy in residency...this month I'm on the fine needle aspiration service which is a little bit slower and I've actually had some time to read and learn about what I'm doing--a rarity at Wash Univ in St. Louis. This coming weekend, I'm going to Kansas City to the Missouri State Medical Association and will be presenting a resolution from the Resident and Fellows Section challenging the validity of providing residents and fellows discrepant benefits from other hospital employees. I never thought much about this until I was the one who was being left out by this and I think that somebody has to let the hospitals know that what they are doing is wrong. I'm also leading the RFS morning session as the vice-chair of the section, so I'm a little nervous about that. I'll keep you posted!

Love,

Michelle

2007-02-17T12:43:00.001-05:00

This past week I went to Washington, D.C. for the American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference. I went to several leadership training sessions and got to meet in person with Senators McCaskill and Bond to discuss Medicare reform, providing health insurance for the uninsured, and reducing medical student debt. I got a resident award called the "Excellence in Medicine AMA Foundation Leadership Award" at a fancy-schmancy banquet. Stephen took pictures and supported me through the week.

THEN...the winter weather hit and we got stuck in friggin DC for an extra day...which would have been fine, but the people in DC are SO RUDE, and unhelpful. We are back at home now (thank goodness) and my sister Emily is here. :) AND...we are snowed in here too...I hate winter...love the sister...hate the winter.

2007-02-03T22:02:00.000-05:00

It's already February, so I figured I would post pics of my friends from the "holiday" party. Friends are so important for survival in this crazy world! Stephen and I are so blessed to have each other and our friends...this first pic is of Emily Bantle, Florencia Anatelli, Julia Diacovo and me. Em and Flor are second year residents with me, and Julia is a third year resident at Wash U with me. :)

2006-12-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

It has been a bit since I have posted. The whole month of December has gone by essentially. Here is a picture of my husband Stephen and I at my department's "holiday" party, and here is a picture of our house with our "Christmas" lights. We have a very small tree on a table in the house. Our two cats knocked over our tree a few years ago, breaking most of the ornaments that I cared about...so now, we have non-breakable ornaments on a much smaller, harder to topple tree.

The Christmas spirit is definitely alive here. We are so blessed to have each other and our great families. Tomorrow I'll be helping out with the 4pm Christmas Eve service at church, and then in the evening we will be having dinner and opening gifts after reading the Christmas Story from the Bible. We are not able to be with our families this holiday, but we are definitely celebrating by creating our own traditions.

I hope everybody has a very Merry Christmas and remembers to say, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Love,
Michelle

2006-11-22T22:15:00.000-05:00

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I'm pausing to think about all the good things that I have in my life instead of beating myself up so much. I am thankful for my cats, Justice (the big-boned black cat) and Independence (the neurotic one). ..for my mom, my dad, my amazing sister and my grandparents...for the larger family I have, in general...thankful for my loving husband who thinks that I hung the moon--I didn't but please don't tell him...for my friends who I have known since I was a kid...for those I have recently made, too...for the prayers that are given for me on my behalf and for the ability to talk directly to God...for the ability to sing, work, talk, and express myself ...for tears, laughter, and love...

I hope everybody reading this takes time on Thanksgiving to really give thanks and remember Who gave us all these amazing things. Life ain't so bad after all...

2006-11-19T10:27:00.000-05:00

It's the weekend. Thank goodness. I noticed some bad things about myself this past week--I have am so impatient sometimes and for some reason I am just filled with anger. Everybody at work says that this is the "Wash U/Barnes-Jewish" way...if this is the way, I am definitely outta here in 2009 for fellowship...I don't know where, but somewhere else. I cannot stand that I am becoming so angry...it's so unhealthy! I need help with this.

I turn to Christ as my help to keep me afloat. I guess I still havent given Him all the feelings and problems that I have because so far, I still feel so angry...if anybody is reading this, please add my anger to your prayer lists.

I used to be referred to as a "nice" person. Now i feel more like the local "bitch." AAAACK!

2006-11-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

Stephen and I went last week to Las Vegas for four days.
We went for an American Medical Association
meeting. I was a delegate from the Missouri
State Medical Association in the Resident and Fellows Section there. I also ran for a position to further represent residents, but I lost. I was pretty heartbroken about it but now I'm okay. I have so much other stuff to focus on and now I can work to make myself more competitive and maybe run for the same position next year. I'm also applying for an AMA leadership award at the suggestion of the AMA-RFS members-at-large. We'll see how that goes. This is a picture from my room that Stephen took with Jackie Granese from Tennesee. She was the delegate from the College of American Pathologists. She was a great help to me in my campaign even though we were not successful. Stephen of course was my rock of support through everything and he is such a blessing to me. We didn't gamble in Vegas or go to any shows--but we did enjoy some great food and good company (Jackie included!). I'm back in Saint Louis now...back to work as usual!

2006-11-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

I voted today. Yea! They gave me a super cool "I voted" sticker. I guess it's a Saint Charles County thing because the Saint Louis folks haven't been sporting a super-cool sticker, as far as I can tell. But really--Finally all this crazy campaigning can be done with (for the time being). I just hope that whoever is elected does something important for the people instead of just spending the next 2 years campaigning for the 2008 elections.

The polling place that I use was down for the computerized voting machine, so I used a marker and a paper ballot. That is fine, but kind of inefficient, given that eyes all over the country are on Missouri today.

I'm meeting for coffee this morning with a Wash U med student who is applying for pathology programs in Texas (yes, Texas really is the land of milk-and-honey!) I hope I give her good advice. I think the best thing is just to keep your options open.

Did I mention yet that I'm taking a Wednesday night Bible study? It's called Disciple I. It's daily reading, a kind of survey course through the entire Bible. I'm a little behind, so tonight (instead of watching election coverage), I'm going to need to play ketchup (or mustard).

I better get back to work. That's why they pay me the big bucks to be a resident.

2006-11-06T22:44:00.000-05:00

2006-11-06T11:47:00.000-05:00

The presence of interviewees for residency is very rejuvenating for me. It reminds me that I am progressing through residency (slowly but surely) and that I am actually making headway.

We had a "gross" conference today where we look at unknown "gross" specimens. I actually felt like I am doing better there, too. Not to say that I'm happy when the first years are struggling with something, because I'm not! But I am so happy that as a second year resident I actually could figure out what some of the organs and tumors we looked at were (or at least come up with some kind of differential.) That is so satisfying! I guess it is so for any career or field...every once in a while you have enough AHA! moments that you remember why you love your job. Hopefully that happens more often than the moments where you hate your job.

I found out today that my mom will be coming to visit in December before the holidays. I'm really excited about that. This New Years my husband and I will be driving to Houston for that portion of the holidays to spend with his folks, so I was afraid I wouldn't get to see my half of the family for a long, long while. I miss seeing everybody...the new hairdos, growing cousins, aunts and uncles who still think of me as one of the "kids." I like being reminded that I'm "young," because sometimes I feel so incredibly old...and tired...

But not today! Today, I feel good. I'm happy to be where I am and I feel blessed that God has placed me here (along with my husband to keep me sane.)

2006-11-05T20:07:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a good one for reorganization and reprioritizing (is that a word?). I went with my husband and friends from church to a Mercy Me concert with Audio Adrenaline opening. For those of you who don't know, these are two Christian contemporary rock bands. It was extremely inspirational and helpful for getting me "back on track."

Does anybody else have problems staying focused on living the right life? Sometimes I am shocked by the way I phrase things and the hurtful things that come out of my mouth! I just want to hit myself upside the head sometimes!

I'm working on a buzillion projects at work and actually did some work today on one of them instead of procrastinating like I usually do. This is a good step, I think. I have to just keep on plugging...Obviously, right now, I'm jacking around on the computer instead of working, but at least I did SOME work today. :)

This evening is the first get together where the Washinton University in Saint Louis pathology residents schmooze with potential residency applicants at Cafe Balaban in Saint Louis. We told everybody to play nice, so we'll see how it goes. I'm so happy to be a resident and not a medical student anymore!

That's all for now!

2006-11-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

I am really tired of hearing about the Missouri elections. Stem cells, embryos, blastocysts...why do they have to politicize everything? They don't even get at the real issue with Ammendment 2 which is that the biotech industry wants to have free reign to do as they please without any type of local oversight. People are insane. The antiamendment ad people are nuts and so are the proamendment people. I'm voting against it, myself, but come on people, use your brains!