First Bball game

I just got back from my first basketball game ever, and it sure was exciting!  Thanks, CK, for inviting me!  Totally got my blood pressure up.  Go CAVS!!!  I need to head to bed soon so that my voice can heal in time for my shift in the Peds ED tomorrow, but some random observations in no particular order:

1.  I'm glad I'm not a basketball player.  They sure have a lot of pressure they face.  Law and Med seem like a total piece of cake in comparison to being booed by thousands of people on a regular basis.

2.  Cleveland sure has a potty mouth.  I had some good touchy feely bonding moments at the game, but I was not proud of the names my fellow fans were chanting at particular hated individuals on the opposite team. 

3.  All that glitters is not gold.  I wish people here in Cleveland were as excited about Jesus.  The sheer numbers in the Q tonight.  And boy, the passion and fire they displayed... it was absolutely amazing.  I enjoyed wearing my free humongous yellow t-shirt, jumping up onto my feet and waving my free little white towel while cheering my heart out....  and we were all doing this together.  Supporting our home team together especially when they needed us the most.  I need to pray more for Cleveland.  There is so much potential here, and I know God loves Cleveland even more than I do.   

On the Other Side

The absolute hilight of my periop rotation so far. 

Epiglottis

Vocal cords

"Ooooh!!  I see the cords!"

Tube slips in oh so smoothly - like buttah....    I suddenly felt this surge of joy and had to literally restrain myself from dancing around the OR like a maniac.  I haven't felt this happy in a very long time.  My mom was like - "poking a tube in a hole makes you that happy?"  Yes, it does.  Pathetic, but true.  Simple pleasures. 

I'm so awed that God allows us to faciliate the sleep-like state and that the patient wakes up.  Miracles abound in the OR.  Every day.

Definitely worth the 10 + hours on my feet today.  At the same time, I can't wait until I'm back on the side that I belong.

I don't know how to embed YouTube videos.  But this one was sent to me in an email and touched my heart.  Rotating in my dad's residency department has made me think about him a lot.  Through the past 5 years in C-town, I've often wished for respite from so many painful reminders/triggers.  But now I can honestly say I'm thankful for the opportunity to "walk in his shoes." 

"Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Via Dolorosa

Thinking of His way of suffering....

For you and for me

I bow my head in Thanksgiving.

My way of suffering

Cannot compare

I cannot fathom the depths of

TRUST

All for His glory,

OBEY

He is RISEN.

HOPE

Sounds of a Violin

This is my last weekend here in the other C-town.  Time has definitely flown by.  I feel kind of like I've been gone to camp, and I'll soon be coming back down to face the music.  Not that this has been a fun camp.  But it's definitely not "real life."      

Everyday on the way to and from class, I see people who have chosen a different sort of vocation.  Some are very talented and choose to entertain the crowds of people in the subway station - hoping to receive donations.  Others make good use of Dunkin Donuts' cups and stand there shaking a few coins, maybe even venturing to call out to people passing by.  I've often thought of stopping and asking how much money they make and why they choose to make money this way.  They are regulars, and I have come to expect them.  Usually they are of one specific ethnicity.  The other day, I was surprised to hear the sounds of a violin playing, and I went closer to see who it was.  An elderly Asian grandpa was playing violin to an accompanying soundtrack.  He had his violin case open, and he was playing with stiff and cold fingers.  He looked tired, but made eye contact and gave me a sad smile when I came up to give him some money.  After my initial surprise, I began to feel so sad.  Why was he playing here?  What desperate situation does he face that he ventured out to play on such a cold day?  I'm not exactly the most "Korean" person I know, but one thing my family did keep and emphasize was the respect and veneration of our elders.  A lot of family effort has gone into caring for our aging grandparents and keeping them as an integral part of our family.  And especially since my father passed away, I've thought long and hard about how to care for my mother through the remaining seasons of her life.

I also thought about how I would feel if the only option in my life would be to play a violin in the subway.  I'm not sure I would get much money.  I pick up my violin very rarely now, and the sounds that are produced can scarcely be called musical.  I think about how much time and money were invested into my music - choirs, piano, violin, flute, viola, organ.  And I have so little to show for it now.  I actually run away from people asking me to perform.  Partly it's because of bad memories associated with always performing at command for my mom and partly because I feel so stressed about having to recall skills that are diminishing by the minute.  Pretty sad, huh?  However, I do have the utmost respect for musicians as a result, and one of the most exciting things for me is to have time for a concert at Severance or to watch one of my musician friends perform in their recitals.  Two areas in my life I've always wished to have more time for - music and writing.  To make something beautiful.  I'm reminded in my daily devotions that God has plans for us individually.  I really wonder what He'll end up doing with my life.  I look around at my family, friends, and acquaintances - we're all so blessed.  It's so exciting to see and celebrate all the talent, opportunities, and happiness that God has given.  New babies, growing children, marriages that are weathering challenges and staying strong, wonderful career opportunities, an exciting presidential race this year, hopes for peace in war-torn countries, increasing awareness about our environment, etc....  We have so much to be thankful for!  Blessed be the name of the Lord!  For He is worthy of our praise!     

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" Lamentations 3:22-24

If your tea is hot...

Do you blow on it?  Wait?  Take it slow with a spoon?  Pour cold water in it?  Reject the tea and go for something else?  Or just go for it and burn your tongue?

Today in church, our pastor was sick.  So, he had us watch Lou Giglio on his "Incredible" tour.  I was quite enthralled with the pictures Louie presented of our Universe.  He emphasized how small we are, how inconsequential.  How the whole Universe exists to praise and glorify our Amazing God.  His conclusion was that God's love, grace, and mercy are everywhere.  Truly.

I had an interesting day yesterday... actually it was a horrible day.  It started with me slipping and falling in the train station while running to help a guy who was struggling with his luggage.  So, instead of helping him, I'm there sprawled on the floor moaning and not able to get up.  It was embarrassing, and the lady worker was clearly annoyed that I had dared to fall on her floor.  It truly was an accident, and I managed to collect myself together and apologize to the man for not being able to help him.  Later on in class, I started feeling increasingly more sore and nauseated.  On my way home, I called my mom to let her know what happened.  She told me to stop helping people.  So, moral of the story:  don't help people.  Just kidding.  I think a better moral of the story:  make sure NOT to slip and then help the person.  I'm still recovering today, but it's a weekend for celebration.  And I'm thankful.   

We're celebrating my littlest sis's birthday this weekend.  The whole family is together in one city except my mom.  She's got the flu and is feeling under the weather.  It's good to be together even for such a short time.  Definitely a rarity nowadayz.

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.  I'm still trucking along with my studies.  Can't wait to be done!