Watch this one too

For you, the day after Christmas

Success in Suchitoto

Traditional Ensemble

What remains of the original OR, bombed during the civil war

My roommate Grace, a local medical student, and I

My exam room

Lessons in Identifying Pre-Cancerous Lesions

Pink

We had some time for leisure on Monday

With the mayor of Suchitoto

After several meetings with the mayor, our delegation was made able to open on Tuesday, only one day after originally planned. Unfortunately many roads were still blocked and we were inaccessible for many. Still, over the course of those four days, we examined nearly 500 women for pre cancerous lesions, and treated those who presented with suspect cell differentiation.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in the modestly sized clinic room as a translator for an Italian doctor (who currently resides in New York City) and an El Salvadoran practitioner. Dr. D was nothing short of brilliant- his knowledge and patience showed no bounds as he obligingly indulged my intellectual curiosity. On Thursday however, he returned to New York, leaving me alone with the local health provider who surprisingly relied heavily on my insight when making diagnostic and treatment decisions. I had had a brief lecture-style training in identifying lesions, but it was my experience with Dr. D that best prepared me to take on this responsibility. I was humbled by everything I witnessed this week.

Devastation in El Salvador

I am writing from Suchitoto, a small town in the north east region of El Salvador. I am here as part of Basic Health International's clinical delegation; our mission is to screen and treat El Salvdoran women for pre-cancerous lesions and educate local health care professionals about identifying these lesions using VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid). Previous delegations have screened and treated up to 900 women in five days.

Unfortunately, our mission has been put to an indefinite halt as the country has just been declared to be in a national state of emergency. Residual effects of Hurricane Ida have devastated many regions of El Salvador causing massive flooding, mudslides, and deaths. Although Suchitoto has not been affected, the devastation was evident as we drove from San Salvador to our present location yesterday afternoon.

Last night we had dinner with the mayor who shed further light on the current situation. Currently, our delegation leaders are meeting with the minister of health and hospital officials to determine if we will be able to continue our mission, and if so, to what capacity. The two primary concerns are first, that women will not be able to reach our clinic as many roads have been blocked by debris, and second, that health care professionals across the country have been summoned to area hospitals and thus can not receive the training in VIA and cryotherapy. Although education is a major component of this mission, screening and treating women is of utmost priority which means we will still carry out our commitment to these women, providing we are not requested to help out with the current situation. Our group has offered to government officials that we suspend our mission in effort to help with the effects of the flood in any way that we can- this will be decided within the next few hours.

I have been moved by the little time I have spent here. The clinicians I have interacted with are incredible. El Salvadorans are lovely, and the children here are remarkably confident with their cheek to cheek grins when acknowledging our presence.

As I learn more about Basic Health, I am increasingly humbled to be affiliated with such an accomplished non profit organization. Basic Health is the first and only to successfully enter a country and 1. implement its lobbied suggestions for methods of standard practice (as it pertains to women's health) , 2. see that said changes become standards of medical school education, and 3. provide follow-up healthcare to our patients of which includes research to determine the effectiveness of these methods.

I recognize the safety concerns that comprise many central american countries. El Salvador is meant to be particularly marked by crimes which reflect that stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor- kidnappings are particularly prevalent. Extra precautions to protect the group have been made and we have two armed body guards with us at all times.

I'm just sayin...

Not that I'm particularly keen on admitting a lack of self control, but organic broccoli florets taste WAY better dipped in barbeque sauce, as do most things.

Vegan Cleanse Starts Today!

In effort to give myself an uber dose of cancer fighting antioxidants, HDL improving fats, low density lipoprotein blasting fiber, and tons of vitamins, I am starting a two week vegan cleanse today. Plenty of research has pointed to the benefits of mono and polyunsaturated fats (found in such foods as nuts, avocado, and olive oil) in increasing the amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is the good kind that helps scavenge for the heart disease causing low density lipoproteins- important in a society where heart disease is the number 1 killer of men and women. Fiber, found in vegetables, legumes, and whole grains also helps lower LDL cholesterol, as does it flush the body of waste that builds up in the colon. Studies have also shown that humans and animals who eat low calorie diets (on average 1700 calories/day as opposed to 2000 calories per day) live longer, healthier lives.

This meal plan is aimed at preventing insulin resistance (no added sugars or artificial sugars are allowed), as well as lowering ldl cholesterol while improving hdl cholesterol, and lowering inflammation in the body, and improving the effectiveness of immune system cells by minimizing the work done by the digestive system.

Often times, our depression or sense of well being has much to do with the food we are putting in our bodies. Feed yourself right! I will keep you updated as to how I'm feeling over the next two weeks. For now, here is my meal plan.

Breakfast

Option 1: PB/Banana Shake

1c. organic light organic vanilla soymilk

2 tbsp. organic peanut butter

1 banana

2 tbsp flax seed

ice cubes

Throw all into blender and enjoy!

Option 2: Oatmeal with Nuts and Fruit

1/2c. oatmeal

14 walnut halves

1/4 blueberries

1/2 banana

Lunch: Mixed Green and Bean Salad

3 c. mixed greens

1/2 cup soybeans

1/2 cup cuban style black beans (in olive oil)

12 grape tomatoes

1/2 avocado

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Dinner: Tofu Stir Fry

In a pan, fry 1 block Trader Joes Extra Firm Tofu in 1.5 tbsp olive oil

In a wok, stir fry Trader Joes Fresh Stir Fry Vegetables in 1.5 tbsp olive oil

Season to taste with salt, pepper, curry powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, turmeric

Dessert/Snacks

Organic blueberries and strawberries

Organic grapes

1 Sweet Potato

Hummus with Broccoli

Red wine (1-2 glasses max)

Unlimited green tea and black tea (with soymilk)

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 1500-1750

Fat: 58 grams

Protein: 63 grams

Carbohydrates: 175 grams

Boston, here we come

http://parts.mit.edu/igem07/images/1/1b/BU_charles_river.jpg

We have recently been notified that one of our bids to compete at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston has been accepted! With twenty ZLAC Masters interested in a spot for the traveling squad, the competition will be healthy and fierce as only four oarswomen will be selected to compete in the accepted bid for the Senior Masters 4 (50+). This will be my first time traveling to Boston with ZLAC, and I am thrilled to put forward an entry as the team overall has made impressive strides in technique and fitness. We'll be leaving on Thursday, October 15th, returning on Sunday, October 18th, and competing that Saturday morning at 9:45am.

Liv_'ing in the shadow

The birthday was successful in turning me 25.

I received many lovely facebook messages, a few emails, some text messages, and a handful of phone calls. In considering those who took the few minutes to give me a jingle, I realized (not for the first time) what an incredible network surrounds me.

Sean

We went to high school together, met his freshman year and my sophomore year after he almost killed himself by taking his parent's car for a late night joyride. We continued our friendship throughout college, and when he called me from South Africa, I agreed to meet him Costa Rica for the last leg of his world surfing tour (funded by his bro Adam Brody). When he picked me up at the airport, he had a stick for a cane and stitches in his foot after suffering a bad surfing accident that day. His twin brother, Matt is a mad scientist, completing his PhD in toxicology at Madison. Sean has created his own successful photography company and writes for several big surfing companies.

Laine

We met in South Korea while teaching for the Princeton Review. She had just completed her Masters at Columbia University. She wooed me with her endless supply of knowledge (particularly as it pertained to foreign affairs), and today she continues to impart both hard facts and practical wisdom upon me. Laine just returned from Tunisia where she studied French for the summer. She is now back in New York City where she is completing a PhD in International Relations at NYU. Her boyfriend Wissam has been working for the United Nations and is the executive director of the New York office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Marah

Rang me from her home state of Montana where she is taking a well-deserved summer hiatus from her double Masters degree program in Nutrition and Psychology. She is becoming a rapid expert in alternative medicine and writes for her own health blog. Marah and I met in 2002 while rowing for the University of Washington. Aside from her incredible cooking, flyfishing, snowshoeing, skiing, running, pole vaulting, and rowing skills, Marah is perhaps the kindest, most selfless human being I have ever known. She was (not surprisingly) voted by her teammates at UW as Most Inspirational. Her boyfriend Max is also a rower- a Canadian who has won several national championships, a world championship, and has been training with the Canadian Olympic Team.

Milla

We met in high school through my best friend Elyse. I was immediately attracted to her vivacity, her rapid tempo, and her quick wits. Getting to know her better, I realized the parallels between us. Her multi-national background and exposure to people and places continues to fuel her curiosity the way it does mine. She is impeccably bright. She speaks French, Spanish, Hebrew, Finnish, and English. She studied exercise biology at UC Davis, and is embarking upon a Masters in Public Health in the Netherlands this Sunday. She and her twin sister are applying to medical school. Milla is a salsa dancing queen. Whether we are philosophizing or playing piano duets, our combined energy is explosive.

Megan

Megan and I also met in college while rowing for UW. Though of an apparent opposite likeness, we lived together for three years before she relocated to Princeton to train with the national team. Yesterday she rang me from Poland where she is competing in the Rowing World Championships this week. Most recently, Megan won the Henley Royal Regatta in England, and then the World Cup in Lucerne, becoming the first United States female rower to ever medal, let alone win a sculling event at a world competition. Last year she placed 5th at the Olympic Games in Beijing, and in 2005 she won the U23 World Championship in the Women's 4+. She studied Latin and English at UW and is a blogger for Row Coach Media, a tutor for Princeton University, a baker, and full time athlete.

Elyse

Elyse has evolved from best friend status to "sister" status. She and I became close in the eighth grade while watching Teletubbies after rowing practice. We did preposterous things together like camp out on the beach, and drag eachother up and down the sand on a blanket. When I proposed we dye her long blonde hair black, she conceded without hesitation. Some of my favorite memories together are of her driving her old skool pale yellow Mercedes around town. The bouncy seats and aeroplane propeller vents where only part of its charm. Elyse drove that car like a bat out of hell. The sound of her peeling out around corners, combined with the chug chug chug of the diesel engine, appropriately dubbed her Cruella before the Benz's dying days. In its final months she would crawl under the wagon and beat the undercarriage with a hammer in effort to coax it to start. She was a riot, and always handled these endeavors with such grace. Elyse has since settled down and become an organized and sensible young woman with a reliable vehicle. She currently works in the Research Department at Rady Children's Hospital, though will be relocating to Los Angles this month to begin her MPH program at UCLA. She is a fabulous cook and fabulous hostess. Vince, her boyfriend of five years, recently proposed marriage in Italy. They make a wonderful pair.

Mom

Hungarian born, mom immigrated to the US after completing her training in Chemical Engineering in Budapest. She was the only member of her family to leave the country. Mom completed her PhD in Gene Therapy where she was able to stimulate muscle cells to make insulin in type I diabetic mice. She is a pilates fanatic and in the kind of physical shape that makes any twentysomething envious. She is an avid hiker and outdoorswoman and most recently hiked the Inca Trail. She was also the regional ping pong champion of Hungary and possesses an incredible internal language translation system in her brains.

Dad

Born in Egypt and raised in England by Irish parents, Dad was also the only of his family to emigrate. With his PhD in immunology (ask him anything about the dogfish), Dad has written several books and published over 100 peer reviewed academic journals. He is a samurai in training and will be competing for his Iaido Black Belt in Japan on his 60th birthday this year. Dad has also been competing in the Monte Carlo Historic Rally for the past several years, and does not plan retire this hobby until he wins his class (which he certainly will). People like him are destined for success all around.

Joanna

Joanna was my first friend when I moved from San Francisco to San Diego at age 5. She, also of a multi-cultural upbringing, enjoys dancing in Greece until twilight- some day she and I will return to Corfu together as professionals or as partygoers as I can enjoy her company in any capacity. After Jo graduated from UCSD, she began pharmacy school at UCSF- the number one program in the country. Though she is insanely modest (particularly given her level of intellect and beauty) she can be viciously and hilariously opinionated when in the right company (me). She is full of surprises.

Now, old enough to be your mother.

My first order of business in turning another year older was to follow suit with last year's extraordinary desserts. Last night Jason took me out for drinks and food at North Park's Linkery. Yes, they do lots of meat, but they also had incredible vegetarian and vegan options, and are very proud of their part in the sustainable food movement. We ate chilled zucchini soup, fire gingered green beans, and a link of their famous chicken tarragon sausage with beer bread and hot mustard. Everything was fresh and delicious. For dessert, we had no choice but to indulge in the most unhealthy and outrageous item on the menu - three scoops of homemade "lardo" ice cream in between two homemade chocolate hazelnut cookies, topped with a strip of candied bacon, and decorated with some swirly caramel and a nectarine for good measure. That was me, doing my part in the ObeseAmericaMovevement, but still, an insane combo of flavors and textures. I'll have the masseuse rub all that junk out of me today. Doesn't it work like that?

Today, now officially a quarter century old, I have plans to indulge in a few girly activities in effort to preserve my fleeting youth. A mani/pedi, facial, and deep tissue massage are in order. I will also do my usual volunteering at the clinic and coaching at ZLAC, then off for a little salsa dancing at Cafe Sevilla downtown! Tomorrow Adrianne is taking me out for more secret birthday shenanigans, and on Sunday night it's 39 steps at the La Jolla Playhouse with mom. Good week!

This time last year I was celebrating the day in Seoul, making a promise that from every birthday forward I would do at least one thing I had never done before. I'm not sure what that will be today, though if I find myself desperate, I will return to the Linkery and eat chicken feet.

-Year 24 at a glance-

• Celebrated at the Suwon Garden in Seoul after completing a summer of teaching biology, reading, and writing
• Experienced a challenging breakup, felt feeling, embraced emotion
• Took over the Head Coach and BH Manager position at ZLAC
• Completed postbac coursework in chemistry and biology
• Ran three marathons
• Had my bicycle stolen
• Wiped the dust of my guitar, practiced a few times
• Began writing my book
• Took the MCAT (and received scores- might have the pleasure of taking it again in year 25)
• Applied to medical school(s)
• Published a paper in Hepatology
• Visited New Orleans and Bayou, saw alligator, ran my first coaching clinic
• Raced the Monte Shelton Northwest Rally with dad and drove the car my father once said he'd be buried in
• Raised roughly $1000 for cervical cancer research

-Year 25 Plans and Goals-

• Rock Physics and Organic Chemistry
• Take team to Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, win SW Regionals
• Learn French
• Make time for yoga or meditation once/week
• Travel to El Salvador in November as part of BHI clinical team
• Spend winter holiday with family in Hungary
• Visit Milla in Netherlands, snowboard in Alps
• Finish a book (reading one, that is)
• Run an international marathon

Vive la liv, vive la vida...

Big Hats & Beignet's & Times I Go "weeeeeeee!"

Life has settled for a fleeting beat, providing me opportunity and inspiration to reflect upon recent adventures.

On July 17 I took the MCAT. The profound ebullience that followed revealed just how unbalanced and unglued I had become in the preceding months. I have since been in a much healthier and happier place, realizing I am not the permanently coarsened, cynical, and judgmental person I thought I had become! And although San Diego is still not my favorite of all places, I have learned to concentrate my attention on those simplicities I do enjoy, especially late morning swims in the ocean after a long run up the coast.

So here's the 411 on my most recent goings-ons

• Opening Day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds followed by 12th Night at the Old Globe's Shakespeare Festival

5 minutes shy of winning the hat contest

• ZLAC Masters Team Sleepover

evidence it was a good night: seven seat returns with a new piercing, coxswain acquires a pair of fresh skivvies, and coach ends up backseat in a police car

Our 1892 counterpart frowing down on such debauchery

• One week coaching clinic on the Bayou

"don't mind the alligators nor seasnakes, rather, the humidity"

Catholic Mass with my host family

Bourbon Street, New Orleans

:"closed":

:"move":

• One week in Seattle/Oregon racing in the Monte Shelton Northwest Rally with dad

Never thought I'd live the day I'd be pedalmetal and he'd be passenger side shouting "go faster"

With the rally sponsorship of our friends and family, Dad and I were able to raise about $1000 to support Basic Health International , a non profit organization that collaborates with in-country partners to increase training, research and education in neglected areas of womens’ public health in Central and South America. So cool that we were able to combine our hobby with a charitable cause.

I recently returned to San Diego and am savoring my last week of playtime before school resumes on the 24th. No new updates on medical school other than that my MCAT scores will be released next week, at which point my completed secondary applications will begin review by admissions committees.

I suppose I'll be 25 on Thursday, though I'm skeptical it will actually happen.

The Desire For Substitutes

"The burning conviction that we have a holy duty toward others is often a way of attaching our drowning selves to a passing raft. What looks like giving a hand is often a holding on for dear life. Take away our holy duties and you leave our lives puny and meaningless. There is no doubt that in exchanging a self-centered for a selfless life we gain enormously in self-esteem. The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless."

-Eric Hoffer

My Book Will Kill Me

I have returned to the blogosphere after entering a more forgiving academic schedule and experiencing a sequence of notably inspiring events.

I am pleased to officially present my embarkation of a project I have long considered- the authorship of my first book! As it stands, this work of non-fiction will include twenty six chapters of over-the-line and sardonic analysis of personal, social, environmental, and political issues. I have yet to set a time goal for prospective publication.

A few things are certain: cynics and aficionados of dark humor will laugh, moderates will wince, overly sensitive creatures will cry, and I will fall victim to retaliation and social alienation.

In Case You're Wondering....

yes, I'm still alive. I have been a bad daughter/friend/blogger/consumer since having created for myself a (free-time black hole) continual state of solitary confinement in preparation for the imminent MCAT. I consider it moderately daunting that the fate of my career will be determined on June 18, though take solace knowing that every day in the present was at one time the fate of my life. It will always be a non-finite process (that is until I die of global warming related injuries).

Anyhow, marathon training, pleasure reading, love, friendships, relaxing, cooking, sanity, hygiene, etc have taken a back seat to lipids and tangential velocities and gauche conformations. Exasperation coupled with exhilaration and a touch of desperation are the sweet spices of my life. What are yours?

Last Weekend

Pre-race Spiel


"On three"


Launching


Rocky Mountain edged us out by a length


Thanks

Go Time

This weekend marks the 36th annual Crew Classic Regatta . Thousands of competitors from high school, collegiate, and master ages come out to compete in what is considered the largest spring regatta in the country.

In December I took over the Master Women's program at ZLAC Rowing Club. Their progress over the past four months is of honorable mention, and has reaped impressive race results thus far. It is this regatta however, that really counts.

These women will be competing in the "Masters E" and "Masters D" categories at 12:40pm Saturday and 1:40pm Sunday, respectively. Other races worth watching:

Women's Collegiate Varsity - Jessop Whittier Cup Invite (go Huskies!)

Men's Collegiate Varsity - Copley Cub Invite (go Huskies!)

Men's Collegiate Varsity - American Specialty Health Cup (go UCSD!)

Here is the complete schedule of events.

Su Casa No es Mi Casa

I have little to complain about when it comes to my home. It gets supreme morning and afternoon light. Its orientation draws in a perfect air flow that cools me down after yoga. It is impeccably clean and well maintained. Stone tiles in my kitchen are heated from the ventilation of my refrigerator, allowing for glorious mornings wrapped in my robe, sprawled across my kitchen floor with a mug of coffee and the latest edition of Cooks magazine.

My neighborhood is bustling. It is only a few miles bike ride Downtown (whereby en route I catch stunning views of the city, ocean, and Coronado bridge). I can walk to the grocery store, frozen yogurt shops, vegan restaurants, thai restaurants, cafes, bars, and the local hardware store. Its eclectic and dynamic vibe brings a flavor much more appealing to a twenty-something liberal than the nefarious pink cookie cutter stucco homes, baby strollers, and SUV’s of suburban Hades. I’m quite happy here.

North Park certainly has its share of quirks. For one, I cannot be outside at any time of day (5am, 10 am, noon, and especially 10pm) without seeing at least one prostitute. There was even a recent occasion when I was mistaken for one. I was walking home from VONS, dressed in my huge fleece sweats and Harvard sweatshirt, carrying a twelve-pack of diet Pepsi over my shoulder. An ominous looking, window tinted ride crept up on me, stopped, then slowly powered down its windows. Inside, a scruffy male peered at me from the drivers side, gave me a head nod and the look. I can't imagine the image projected from my face at that moment, but it was surely one so disdainful that he abashedly rolled up his window without adieu, pulled a screeching U-turn, and ran a red light across the main intersection. Idiot. Though, in his defense, that’s how notorious my corner is for women of the night, so much that a soda fiend and Harvard boasting female could easily be assumed part of the short skirt long jacket party on the adjacent corner.

Perhaps of most notable mention are the neighbors to the south side of my building. Looking down into their property from my second story apartment is exhilarating, exhausting, laughable, and anxiety inducing (particularly for a self diagnosed perfectionist with OCD and an inherently zen philosophy on living spaces.) In this yard, one might uncover such treasures as reindeer Christmas light structures, children’s shoes (on the rooftop), broken umbrellas, shoeboxes, candy wrappers, broken coal barbeques, broken swing sets, broken plastic kiddie slides, balls, strollers, busted electronics, life-size illuminate-able nativity scene figures, and all kinds of other goodies. Their washer and dryer machine seems to be running 24/7. Every morning I hear a woman hack and cough as if it were her final dying gasp for oxygen. At least 14 people live in that home- one for each pet dog that occupies the same space. I suppose it is also worth mentioning the uncanny behavior of these pups whenever inspired by a nearby emergency vehicle. The sirens provoke the dogs to chime in with their own melody, resulting in a cacophonous duet of howls, sirens, howls, followed by the vigorous clapping of their dictatorial owner... at which point they predictably silence themselves. This has encouraged my own Pavlovian response- now I too can quiet these beasts from the comfort of my cozy kitchen floor.

The photo above is the sign hanging from their side yard. I’m still trying to figure out who that prominent bust is occupying the center “O”.

ow

Why have your cake when you can eat it?

Happy Birthday, Ma.

We're Invited!

Hooray! Last night I received the official invite from the Seattle Yacht Club to bring an 8 to compete at the prestigious Windermere Cup Regatta. It's a high honor and an incredible opportunity to experience my most esteemed race as a collegiate athlete, now from the eyes of a coach. I'm thrilled to be able to share such a profound part of my rowing experience with my top 9 team members.

Platitudinous

Whilst I'm suffering from a bit of writers block, I've decided to post an update on life's happenings.

1. I've decided to invest $2000 and commence an MCAT prep course that will run from March 30-June 5. This is in spite of me not having taken any organic chemistry, and only 1 semester of physics. I will have to teach myself o-chem.

2. I've set a tentative date to take the MCAT on June 18, providing my scores on the practice tests are not shameful.

3. I am considering medical school in Hungary, though I'd prefer to attend an American University. School in Hungary would put me closer to more family, allow me to become fluent in the language, travel, receive a high quality education, and not render me broke for the rest of my life. Though, it would make practicing in the US in the future a more difficult option.

4. The women I coach had their first race of the spring season in Arizona last weekend, and then another in Long Beach. They are fast. They like to win and I enjoy helping them get there. We are waiting to hear back from the Seattle Yacht Club to find out if we will receive an invitation to compete in the Windermere Cup/Opening Day races in Seattle. This would mean a lot.

5. Kalmoe and some of the other olympians and olympic hopefuls have arrived in San Diego! Furthermore, Marah and cousin Caitlin will be arriving on Saturday and staying for a week. I do not recall the last time Marah, Kalmoe, and I were together. Vegas?

6. I have had a sore throat for the past week.

7. Marathon training is going well. My favorite part of the training is jumping into the ocean to ice bath my legs after a long run. I'm also enjoying my high tech garmin which uses GPS to give me live splits when I'm running outside.

8. I'm too lazy to vacuum, but I really need to.

NPPO Hates Me

Yet another reason to loathe the nppo. This afternoon I cruised there on my bicycle just to mail a 39 cent letter. To my horror, (literally) out of pocket came my twentydollabill, rendering me $20.39 more poor.

Hopefully the octomom finds it.

Dear Teacher,

Flippancy with teachers is never appropriate, however, there are a few things I would like to make clear with you.

1. I am not taking your course because my parents will let me live at home for free so long as I am enrolled in school.

2. I am not taking your course so I can someday make effective missiles because "that's the practical application of physics".

3. I am not taking your course so you can humiliate me in front of my peers when I confuse acceleration due to gravity with that which is related to the sum of the forces.

4. I am not taking your course so I can get practice neatly hand drawing remedial graphs because "someday when I gain experience in the real world someone will ask me to produce something and if it's not neat I won't get promoted".

5. I am not taking your course so you can belittle me by publicly making a point of how you are more knowledgeable than I.

6. I am not taking your course because I like that red flannel shirt you wear everyday. 

7. I am definitely not taking your course so you can patronize me about how I should consider myself a "real student" even though "I'm only at junior college".

Sincerely,

Liv

The Joys of Local News

Who says that news is always negative? I particularly enjoy local news as it makes me feel safe and snuggly in my microcosm.

elmo is stuck

(photo:www.balloonanimal.com)

'Twas 630 pm and I had just finished a most excellent yoga session. I stepped into a crowded elevator which included a young mother, her (presumably) husband, and a small child carrying a red balloon animal miraculously twisted and tied into a perfect rendition of Elmo.

It's seldom an occasion when I am amused by children. I'm much better with sinister adults, but once in a while I will be completely taken by a precocious youngster.

The elevator doors shut. For a moment it was completely silent, until the two year old announced in a calm, and almost patronizingly adult tone "elmo is stuck." For a moment, she was brushed off (as childspeak often is), but as my eyes shifted their gaze to the bright-eyed red mess, behold! elmo was stuck! His arm had been savagely sucked into the elevator door, though, by the crux of his left appendage, leaving his fragile body perfectly in tact. This was a true medical miracle I was witnessing. I couldn't help but cackle unabashedly as the child valiantly struggled to set her friend free; the elevator did not relent.

POP! child screams, cries. i exit, amused.

you, that consumes me, will at last be in my hands

finally, my love is on the way 

baby, may

                 

                     i

 

                   take 

 

                                 your picture?