Just some fun facts-
Many of you know that my gift to myself for my 23rd birthday was a year to get healthy. We're officially 2 months from that promise, and in those 2 months I have:
-gone to the clinic 5 times
-had my blood drawn 3 times
-started a regimen of ten supplements
-modified my diet so that it not longer contains grain of any sort nor any refined sugar
-cut back to three (alcoholic) drinks a week (if that)
-started drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, trying to drink 72 oz.
-started doing at least 30 minutes of yoga a day
-started meditating at least 10 minutes a day
-grown 4.5 inches
-lost 6.5 pounds
-lost 5 inches off my waist
-lost 3 inches off my hips.
And I feel pretty fabulous. More work to do, but hurrah for me!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
chinese astrology
Let's face it, I'm a sucker for anything that tells me about me. I like hearing about myself.
and Everyone likes categories, though categories are not always useful for actually describing a unique thing (as proven by "Women, Fire and Dangerous Things: What categories reveal about the mind" by George Lakoff)
So in the interest of hearing (reading?) about myself, I've been looking at Chinese Astrology and thought I would share my categories with the world. (ahh, internet.)
I was born in 1987, which is part of the Fire cycle, in the Rabbit month. My secret animal, corresponding to birth hour, is the Horse.
Now, the internet doesn't have a lot of consensus about specific traits, but it does have a pretty common general picture of what this looks like. I'm pretty much cherry picking the parts I like and resonate with. In general, as a mix, I rather agree with my horoscopes. Add in the Libra trait of needing everything to be balanced to the eastern philosophy and I feel pretty described.
First of all, Fire.
Fire rules the heart and introduces the qualities of stubborness, strength, restlessness, dynamics, and a sense of peacefulness to the person. "A fire person will be passionate and powerful, with a flair for adventure." The planet mars, summer, and the direction of south are associated with fire, as is the color red.
Tying this to Indian philosophy and chakras, red is represented by the muladhara, or the root chakra. Centered on the perineum, the key physical governance is sexuality. The key mental point is stability, the key emotional point is sensuality, and the key spiritual point is a sense of security
Horses.... expect a lot of liberty, as well as give it. Horse people are independent, confident, quickwitted, inquinsitive, and stubborn (oh no, a double dose of stubborn!) We're good at recognizing patterns, generally gifted, and excellent at working the system. Horse people love to be the center of attention, are easily flattered, and are full of honesty and genuine warmth. (like a social butterfly )
People confide in horses, though we're terrible secret keepers as a point of personality function. We're easily excited and inspired, too impulsive for our own good, and bad at finishing projects. We're riddled with doubt beneath our confidence and persuasion.
Rabbit traits, on the other hand, are what lend me my depth and balance as a person.
Rabbits are pretty reserved, too sensitive for the world around them, and anxious when taking risks. (we're prey, after all) We're cultured, well mannered, graceful, and intellectual. We tend to den up, saving peace for home. Rabbit people are incredibly detail oriented in everything from decoration, presentation, work, play, and...otherwise. When we believe in something, we're "serious, persevering, and capable." It's hard to provoke us, and we're genuinely interested and moved with empathy when we hear your personal problems. We love to be hospitable and attentive, and to take care of those around us.
Libras are good at impartial judgment, but bad at handling criticism. We find the truth and then have a hard time seeing the world any other way. Generally, we're even tempered and balanced. We're usually optimistic, good at seeing the emotional needs of others, and are incredibly social beings (double social butterfly!) We hate cruelty, viciousness, and conflict because we see the world and everything in it whole and in unity. We're artistic, but not avant garde. We're full of integrity and good perceptions and observations. We may be promiscuously minded, but Libra marriages tend to last and be solid. We're insatiably curious, in love with elegance, and in need of depth.
Summing it all up, I'm a delicate, detail oriented, powerful prey animal with a double dose of stubborn and stubborn. I don't always finish my projects, but when I really believe in something- I can't be stopped. I believe in social and economic freedom strongly, am quick witted, intelligent, and incredible at working the system to get what I want. I love taking care of people, because I really love people and understand most of them pretty well. I'm honest, my spirit is broken easily, and I doubt myself a lot. I'm confident, independent, creative and overwhelmed by the world. I hate cruelty, I'm not a killer, and I don't wander in love. I'm not a risk taker, but I am an adventurer. I enjoy being the center of attention. I crave balance in all things. I'm sensual, grounded, and see patterns easily. I love elegant things and artistic endeavors I'm a summer child, full of strength and peace, and I follow my heart in all things.
Sounds pretty much like how I see myself. Do you see me the same way?
(not so scholarly) references
http://www.colours-of-the-rainbow.com/chinese-zodiac-signs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra#Muladhara:_The_Base_Chakra
http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm
and Everyone likes categories, though categories are not always useful for actually describing a unique thing (as proven by "Women, Fire and Dangerous Things: What categories reveal about the mind" by George Lakoff)
So in the interest of hearing (reading?) about myself, I've been looking at Chinese Astrology and thought I would share my categories with the world. (ahh, internet.)
I was born in 1987, which is part of the Fire cycle, in the Rabbit month. My secret animal, corresponding to birth hour, is the Horse.
Now, the internet doesn't have a lot of consensus about specific traits, but it does have a pretty common general picture of what this looks like. I'm pretty much cherry picking the parts I like and resonate with. In general, as a mix, I rather agree with my horoscopes. Add in the Libra trait of needing everything to be balanced to the eastern philosophy and I feel pretty described.
First of all, Fire.
Fire rules the heart and introduces the qualities of stubborness, strength, restlessness, dynamics, and a sense of peacefulness to the person. "A fire person will be passionate and powerful, with a flair for adventure." The planet mars, summer, and the direction of south are associated with fire, as is the color red.
Tying this to Indian philosophy and chakras, red is represented by the muladhara, or the root chakra. Centered on the perineum, the key physical governance is sexuality. The key mental point is stability, the key emotional point is sensuality, and the key spiritual point is a sense of security
Horses.... expect a lot of liberty, as well as give it. Horse people are independent, confident, quickwitted, inquinsitive, and stubborn (oh no, a double dose of stubborn!) We're good at recognizing patterns, generally gifted, and excellent at working the system. Horse people love to be the center of attention, are easily flattered, and are full of honesty and genuine warmth. (like a social butterfly )
People confide in horses, though we're terrible secret keepers as a point of personality function. We're easily excited and inspired, too impulsive for our own good, and bad at finishing projects. We're riddled with doubt beneath our confidence and persuasion.
Rabbit traits, on the other hand, are what lend me my depth and balance as a person.
Rabbits are pretty reserved, too sensitive for the world around them, and anxious when taking risks. (we're prey, after all) We're cultured, well mannered, graceful, and intellectual. We tend to den up, saving peace for home. Rabbit people are incredibly detail oriented in everything from decoration, presentation, work, play, and...otherwise. When we believe in something, we're "serious, persevering, and capable." It's hard to provoke us, and we're genuinely interested and moved with empathy when we hear your personal problems. We love to be hospitable and attentive, and to take care of those around us.
Libras are good at impartial judgment, but bad at handling criticism. We find the truth and then have a hard time seeing the world any other way. Generally, we're even tempered and balanced. We're usually optimistic, good at seeing the emotional needs of others, and are incredibly social beings (double social butterfly!) We hate cruelty, viciousness, and conflict because we see the world and everything in it whole and in unity. We're artistic, but not avant garde. We're full of integrity and good perceptions and observations. We may be promiscuously minded, but Libra marriages tend to last and be solid. We're insatiably curious, in love with elegance, and in need of depth.
Summing it all up, I'm a delicate, detail oriented, powerful prey animal with a double dose of stubborn and stubborn. I don't always finish my projects, but when I really believe in something- I can't be stopped. I believe in social and economic freedom strongly, am quick witted, intelligent, and incredible at working the system to get what I want. I love taking care of people, because I really love people and understand most of them pretty well. I'm honest, my spirit is broken easily, and I doubt myself a lot. I'm confident, independent, creative and overwhelmed by the world. I hate cruelty, I'm not a killer, and I don't wander in love. I'm not a risk taker, but I am an adventurer. I enjoy being the center of attention. I crave balance in all things. I'm sensual, grounded, and see patterns easily. I love elegant things and artistic endeavors I'm a summer child, full of strength and peace, and I follow my heart in all things.
Sounds pretty much like how I see myself. Do you see me the same way?
(not so scholarly) references
http://www.colours-of-the-rainbow.com/chinese-zodiac-signs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra#Muladhara:_The_Base_Chakra
http://www.astrology-online.com/libra.htm
Monday, November 15, 2010
Take Care of Yourself
Cuz you're the only person who will.
It is officially Self-Care month, with special Self-Care week going on at school right now. I know Self-Care sounds incredibly jargon-y. It's full of buzzword connotations, visions of Divas and weird sensations. Yet, somewhere in there, beneath all of the psychology and the pressure, is an incredibly important concept.
I think that we as a culture are stuck on a disposable phenomena. Allopathic medicine supports this fully- with little thought to preventative care, we are all about disposing of pathology displaying organs. Don't believe me? Do you have your tonsils? Do you know someone missing an appendix? a gallbladder?
We use, use, use until pieces of ourselves can't cope anymore. Then we cut them out and throw them away. Sometimes we pretend we're really complicated machines, and we replace those parts with replaceable parts, like pacemakers and colostomy bags.
Recycling is great, don't get me wrong. I'm just rather attached to my bits. I'd like them to work, and function well. I'd like to take pressure off my body by de-stressing my mind. All the physician, heal thyself jazz...
So without further ado- my top ten ways that help me feel good about living the life I do.
10. I go to the clinic and to the counseling center on a regular basis for advice, which I follow pretty well, even when I have to do uncomfortable and hard lifestyle changes.
9. I make healthy choices in food, even when I would pretty much kill someone for a chocolate bar and some pie.
8. I make a point to give myself at least an hour every day to do something I want to do, like reading a book or watching TV.
7. I try to fit in at least 20 minutes of yoga a day.
6. I meditate every day.
5. I dream big dreams, and I don't ever shoot them down for being implausible.
4. I do my best to feel beautiful every day, whether that's in exfoliating my knees, taking a bath, or spending an hour on my hair. It's the little things that count.
3. I spend ten minutes a day making sure some part of my house is clean
2. I spend time with my husband, even if all we have is a few shared moments of looking for a name tag, or the only moments I get are watching him sleep and cooking him a lunch packed with love.
1. I love myself. Purposefully and intentionally, even when I feel like a jerk or when I fail midterms. I sit down before I sleep, and I find something about myself that I'm proud of, some line in my face that I think is adorable, some thought pattern that I think is good. I used to have to work really hard at this practice. These days it's a little easier (usually) and I find it spills over into just about every other thing on this list. When you love yourself, it's easier to feel beautiful, to decide that you're worth a clean bedroom, to take the time to make sure that you're doing ok physically and mentally.
It is officially Self-Care month, with special Self-Care week going on at school right now. I know Self-Care sounds incredibly jargon-y. It's full of buzzword connotations, visions of Divas and weird sensations. Yet, somewhere in there, beneath all of the psychology and the pressure, is an incredibly important concept.
I think that we as a culture are stuck on a disposable phenomena. Allopathic medicine supports this fully- with little thought to preventative care, we are all about disposing of pathology displaying organs. Don't believe me? Do you have your tonsils? Do you know someone missing an appendix? a gallbladder?
We use, use, use until pieces of ourselves can't cope anymore. Then we cut them out and throw them away. Sometimes we pretend we're really complicated machines, and we replace those parts with replaceable parts, like pacemakers and colostomy bags.
Recycling is great, don't get me wrong. I'm just rather attached to my bits. I'd like them to work, and function well. I'd like to take pressure off my body by de-stressing my mind. All the physician, heal thyself jazz...
So without further ado- my top ten ways that help me feel good about living the life I do.
10. I go to the clinic and to the counseling center on a regular basis for advice, which I follow pretty well, even when I have to do uncomfortable and hard lifestyle changes.
9. I make healthy choices in food, even when I would pretty much kill someone for a chocolate bar and some pie.
8. I make a point to give myself at least an hour every day to do something I want to do, like reading a book or watching TV.
7. I try to fit in at least 20 minutes of yoga a day.
6. I meditate every day.
5. I dream big dreams, and I don't ever shoot them down for being implausible.
4. I do my best to feel beautiful every day, whether that's in exfoliating my knees, taking a bath, or spending an hour on my hair. It's the little things that count.
3. I spend ten minutes a day making sure some part of my house is clean
2. I spend time with my husband, even if all we have is a few shared moments of looking for a name tag, or the only moments I get are watching him sleep and cooking him a lunch packed with love.
1. I love myself. Purposefully and intentionally, even when I feel like a jerk or when I fail midterms. I sit down before I sleep, and I find something about myself that I'm proud of, some line in my face that I think is adorable, some thought pattern that I think is good. I used to have to work really hard at this practice. These days it's a little easier (usually) and I find it spills over into just about every other thing on this list. When you love yourself, it's easier to feel beautiful, to decide that you're worth a clean bedroom, to take the time to make sure that you're doing ok physically and mentally.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
"Good morning, murderers!"
More than 300 unique visitors! What an exciting number- I feel like maybe I'm helping someone. Somewhere. With...?
Anyways- Let me move on to more pressing issues.
Firstly, I am ready for thanksgiving break.
I've completed the final marathon of tests and preparation before the finals kick in, and I'm honestly ready to crash for a while. I'm blessed to be able to attend the Naturopathic Gathering to kick off the break. After three blissful days of concentrated philosophy, I will be able to stay with friends who I rarely get to see, and then I intend to swing back by my alma mater and practice with whomever I can talk into filling out patient sheets. One of the major disadvantages of attending a school of 80% women is that I rarely get male patient practice. I'm really looking forward to some solid and excellent practice time, as well as just the joy of seeing old friends.
And a week off. Did I mention, a week off?
A week where I'm not memorizing 30 some odd pages of medical facts...lovely! I can hardly wait!
Secondly, I'm going to learn how to snowboard. Soon.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I really have no excuse for not already knowing how to do this. This year I'm going to bite the bullet, put my adventurous pants on, and go explore new frontiers in the snow covered world! I was surprised at how affordable it is to get a lesson and a lift ticket, and rent equipment. I suppose the expensive part of the hobby is getting your own equipment. And snow clothes suitable for physical activity. I have nothing really useful for falling at high velocity down a hill.
I'm so excited!
Thirdly, have I mentioned I'm (still!) growing?
It's a little ludicrous, but I kinda like it. It gives me all sorts of excuses- like, "I'm tired, I'm going to go sleep for 14 hours. It's ok, I'm growing." Granted, it's a little hard to pull this off and go to med school at the same time. I'm managing so far, though midterms were a bit killer for me.
On an unrelated note- I've noticed a gradient of how much worse it can get. The second years look at us first years and say "oh, just you wait" while I look at undergrad complaining and think "Wow, I wish I had that little to do." Everything is so much more of a crisis when you're actually in the situation. I'm glad that at some point, I'll be able to look at this whole experience and say that it was so much easier back in my first/second/ ect. years. I hear it's easier when you're not prepping for a test every day, but I think that having someone's actual life and well being as my responsibility may make it harder yet. On yet another unrelated note- Scrubs is so close to real life it's scary. <3 wonderful sitcoms.
The moral of the story today is: take a break. Try something new. Realize that right now is the easiest it's going to get, and be inspired by that. And then go watch some scrubs.
Anyways- Let me move on to more pressing issues.
Firstly, I am ready for thanksgiving break.
I've completed the final marathon of tests and preparation before the finals kick in, and I'm honestly ready to crash for a while. I'm blessed to be able to attend the Naturopathic Gathering to kick off the break. After three blissful days of concentrated philosophy, I will be able to stay with friends who I rarely get to see, and then I intend to swing back by my alma mater and practice with whomever I can talk into filling out patient sheets. One of the major disadvantages of attending a school of 80% women is that I rarely get male patient practice. I'm really looking forward to some solid and excellent practice time, as well as just the joy of seeing old friends.
And a week off. Did I mention, a week off?
A week where I'm not memorizing 30 some odd pages of medical facts...lovely! I can hardly wait!
Secondly, I'm going to learn how to snowboard. Soon.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I really have no excuse for not already knowing how to do this. This year I'm going to bite the bullet, put my adventurous pants on, and go explore new frontiers in the snow covered world! I was surprised at how affordable it is to get a lesson and a lift ticket, and rent equipment. I suppose the expensive part of the hobby is getting your own equipment. And snow clothes suitable for physical activity. I have nothing really useful for falling at high velocity down a hill.
I'm so excited!
Thirdly, have I mentioned I'm (still!) growing?
It's a little ludicrous, but I kinda like it. It gives me all sorts of excuses- like, "I'm tired, I'm going to go sleep for 14 hours. It's ok, I'm growing." Granted, it's a little hard to pull this off and go to med school at the same time. I'm managing so far, though midterms were a bit killer for me.
On an unrelated note- I've noticed a gradient of how much worse it can get. The second years look at us first years and say "oh, just you wait" while I look at undergrad complaining and think "Wow, I wish I had that little to do." Everything is so much more of a crisis when you're actually in the situation. I'm glad that at some point, I'll be able to look at this whole experience and say that it was so much easier back in my first/second/ ect. years. I hear it's easier when you're not prepping for a test every day, but I think that having someone's actual life and well being as my responsibility may make it harder yet. On yet another unrelated note- Scrubs is so close to real life it's scary. <3 wonderful sitcoms.
The moral of the story today is: take a break. Try something new. Realize that right now is the easiest it's going to get, and be inspired by that. And then go watch some scrubs.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Just Keep Swimming!
I've always been that kid. You know the one, with the mostly straight A's and the glasses that never really tries very hard? Whizzing through genetics and Latin American history with the complaint of being bored...Partying on Wednesdays for lack of something better to do...capable of cleaning the house, working three jobs, and going to class on the same day.
Well, midterms are over here at med school.
For the first time in my life, I failed something.
Two somethings, really.
And what gets me is that when I went back in to talk to the professors, I really knew what was going on- I just didn't test well for it.
How do you solve that? I've never been in that situation ever before in my life. I lost my weekends to homework, my social life to studying, and now I have to figure out testing.
I'm at a near-pass, and I've got three more chances to bring it up to pass or I'll have to remediate.
I guess the moral of the story is that not only do you never stop learning- you never stop being tested either, and that there will always be more challenges on the path.
Just because you're chosen for something doesn't mean the path will be easy. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, studying for, losing sleep over, and testing well on.
And on that note, I have some extra studying to do.
Well, midterms are over here at med school.
For the first time in my life, I failed something.
Two somethings, really.
And what gets me is that when I went back in to talk to the professors, I really knew what was going on- I just didn't test well for it.
How do you solve that? I've never been in that situation ever before in my life. I lost my weekends to homework, my social life to studying, and now I have to figure out testing.
I'm at a near-pass, and I've got three more chances to bring it up to pass or I'll have to remediate.
I guess the moral of the story is that not only do you never stop learning- you never stop being tested either, and that there will always be more challenges on the path.
Just because you're chosen for something doesn't mean the path will be easy. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, studying for, losing sleep over, and testing well on.
And on that note, I have some extra studying to do.
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