Times two

"24 months down, 24 months to go!"


As depressing as that might sound (24 more months of "jail?!?!"), it's actually quite reassuring.
It is so hard to believe that I'm halfway done w/ residency! I really think that year 2, which was quite fun at times for me, went by very quickly.

As of TODAY, I am no longer a 2nd year but rather a big third year (or 2.5 year or something screwy like that). We did a grand rounds last week where we had role playing for our "huddles" that start every clinic half-day, and somehow, while Phi got to be called a "senior resident," I was titled "mid-level resident." Hmm. Not sure how that works :). However, I can really say I'm a PGY-3, which will bring its own challenges and responsibilities!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with lots of more social events. As of Thursday, I was DONE with stinky ER shifts and actually had about a four-day weekend to enjoy some of these!


First, here are some pics of the OB graduation last weekend. I thought it was so funny when Aline (soon out of here to CO... sniff, sniff) told me that her little 3 year old daughter asked her this past weekend (after 2 back to back weekends of FP, then OB graduations), "Mommy, are you graduating again this weekend?". I can claim credit for none of these pics. Hoping Kyla (ahem!) can send or facebook more my way.

Numas, Kenia, Aline (we will miss you so much!!)



Graduating OB chiefs (Noel, Jelriza, Sara, Dr. C [res director], Hao, See, Andi)
Really hard to believe I will, in two years, be standing in their place.





Interns no more! (and don't they look thrilled!!... Congrats to Siobhan, Helen, Sarah, Cara)





Cara, me, Sarah (love these now-OB-twos!!)




Dr. N, Helen, Sarah, me

New interns (Jessica, Anna, Mike, Allison, Stephanie-- don't they look optimistic??)

The OB roast party was this past weekend. It was a fun-filled night of laughs, including "roasting" the outgoing chiefs (all pictured on big headboards below), and fellowship with both current and former residents and faculty. This was followed by some more hanging out, dog-letting out, lounging, and dancing (which I don't even enjoy! Kyla is very persuasive!) with bedtime far later than I have done in a long long, while. Kyla, I need some pics, por favor.

Erin also came into town from Palo Alto to spend some time with me this weekend!

Friday, we did (on Joe's suggestion) a little hike to some waterfalls, University or Pilot Creek Falls, near Auburn. After only a few wrong turns in the woods, we made it to these pools. Unfortunately, we didn't bring our bathing suits but you can slide down the granite into the water below.

Erin, looking pensive

Fun pic w/ my camera on timer

Love this girl!! Hiking buddies forever!


Saturday, we did a long hike at Mt. Diablo State Park, which is just over an hour from here (between here and Palo Alto) by Walnut Creek. OOF DA! It was about 100 degrees at the base, we ended up taking a wrong turn and then decided to go for the summit (approx 15 miles round-trip!), I fell down several times on my behind on the way down due to sandy and dry trails, and I got toasted worse than I have in a long while, despite thinking I had applied sunblock in a reasonable distribution!! The good things were that we had brought plenty of water, the great views on the hike, and the exhilaration at having finished.

At the top

Monday night, I joined the now-R2s (with whom I will graduate) on a mini camping trip around Folsom. Fun times! After dipping in the icy cold water near Folsom Lake, we (on the 100 + day [it hit 114 on Sunday!!]) set up camp, then played some rousing Mexican dominoes and Times Up (love those games!), barbequed, played Mafia, and ate smores before dark. It was a good bonding experience!

Potentially more pics to come, but here are a few that I did actually take (I think I'm going to have to steal these from Brenden).

Kelvin letting us know, just outside Ashby's tent, where the restroom is :)

The "round table" of chairs around the fire we were hesitant to use because it was like 110 degrees out

Group: (Brenden, Kelvin, Rachel, Kristin, Serena, Ashby, Hanh, Wai Kiu)

I need to motivate w/ the camera! Will try to be better!

More pics may be added-- stay tuned :)