Time, Time, Time

One of the downsides of spring break is that it is for such a short period of time. Every year I find myself trying to fit in as much as possible into that short week (okay, this year it was 10 days). But honestly, running from New York to Mammoth to Palo Alto and back to LA in ten days was a little exhausting. I felt like I needed a vacation from my vacation when I got back to LA.

Unfortunately, a vacation is not what I got when I returned. First of all I returned to LA with the family birds. I love them to death but the royalty treatment they are used to is very time consuming. I won't go into details but I feel like if I give them any less than one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening I am not treating them right. Plus if I do happen to put them away early in the morning I feel like I owe them even extra time at night. Gordon, the lovebird, has realized that if he sits on my shoulder he can hide between my hair and my neck, as pictured below. That way I can't get him, he can stay warm and therefore stay out longer. I'm such a sucker.


Gordon Begging to Come Out


Gordon Hiding in the Curly Mess That Is My Hair


Who Me?

Add to that the fact that I have decided to do something for the environment by taking the bus to my rotation. I must admit, it's really nice to let someone else do the driving and I get an extra mile and a half of exercise everyday. The cost: two hours of my time. From the moment I leave my apartment door to walking into the research office - one hour. If I drove, it would probably be half that.

So now we've got the birds and the rotation, but then there's the responsibility involved in my part time job, being the student nutrition association president, organizing the thank-you luncheon for my coordinated dietetics program, applying for jobs, thinking about moving out of LA or is it CA and volunteering.

And my friends and family wonder why they haven't heard from me recently. Not that I'm complaining, but I guess when I said "I like to be busy" I just didn't think it would be this busy. I promise I'll get around to getting back to you, just as soon as I get things under control.

Nutrition Research

Yesterday was my first day at my new rotation . . . and it was wonderful! For the next five weeks I am going to be working on a research study that is tracking the effects of nutrition and exercise interventions on overweight latino adolescents. The experimental groups either come in for nutrition classes once a week or they come in for nutrition class once a week combined with weight training/strengthening twice a week. It's a really cool program and the lab that they hold all the classes in is state of the art. They have a full gym (which staff can use in the mornings) connected to a demo kitchen so the kids can partake in the cooking portion and actually have hands on learning. The study also requires the family to come in for classes, which are held in Spanish, so that they can support their children in healthy lifestyle changes.

 

Usually first few days of a new rotation are orientation days; meeting the staff, seeing the facilities and learning a little bit about what is expected of you as an intern. However, yesterday, I jumped right in. One of the intervention classes was being held in the afternoon and not only was I asked to help with the prep work but I also got to participate/observe the intervention. This means that while I am busy spending my days entering data and doing diet recalls I actually understand who the participants are and what they are going through. The best part was that yesterday's class was on aguas de sabor, something I wrote about back when I was in Mexico ( http://easierthanscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2006/07/bebidas.html) I found myself being suddenly transported back to last summer and realized just how much I miss Mexico. I actually made, taught and watched the making of agua de pepino and agua de sandia. Plus I got to practice my spanish by takling with the parents and listening in on the parent class. I think this is the best first day I have ever had anywhere.

 

So yeah, I guess you can say I am excited about this new rotation. Today was a little bit slow, but I learned how to use NDS which is nationally recognized nutrition analysis software, definitely something to add to the resume. And even though it was a slow day I found it was time to leave before I knew it. I hope to get involved in some of the other studies they have going on and finding out as much as I can about research possibilities. Heck, maybe this will inspire me to get my PhD! I hear it's a great way of avoiding joining the working world . . . .

The Today Show

In case you missed it . . . last monday my friends and I appeared on the Today Show. We stayed up late making signs and arrived at Rockefeller Center really early to secure our place on TV. I am happy to report, it worked! Below is a picture of me (on the right) with my three friends, holding our sign, on the Today Show. It was quite the experience! I have yet to see the whole clip but this is enough for now.



*Photo courtesy of Marion. Thanks!

Spring Break - Mammoth

Sadly, my last trip to Mammoth has come and gone.

 

J, C, I and I all arrived in Mammoth late on Tuesday night, after being out of town for the weekend. The next day, the four of us headed out to the mountain. Luckily it had snowed a little bit the night before so we had fresh fluffy snow as we sped down the slopes. It was the first time the four of us had skiied/snowboarded together but it felt as though we had always been hitting the slopes together. The first day was overcast but excellent snow, the second day was gorgeously sunny but the snow was a little icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon. Regardless both days were fabulous.  

 

Today, as I was making my six hour drive to my parent's house, it hit me that not only will I not be able to visit J and C in Mammoth anymore but for the next two years they will be living in another country taking part in the Peace Corps. I guess the next time we hang out will be very different from this past trip.

Spring Break - New York

What a weekend! Four days, three nights and 16 hours of sleep.

It snowed three inches, I saw a live band play, enjoyed the St. Patrick's day parade, experienced the broadway hit "The Color Purple", had Mariah Carey cut in front of me to use the bathroom, dug and pushed a car out of the snow, saw the Statue of Liberty, appeared on the Today show, ate a lot, drank a lot, and hung out with my awesome friends.

Next up: three days in Mammoth!

Picture this . . .

It's Saturday night, St. Patrick's Day, and there I am standing in line for the unisex bathroom at an Irish Pub in New York. The pub is not packed but definitely full of all sorts of New Yorkers celebrating the day. Luckily, the one guy in line, a stand up comic, allowed me to go ahead of him. So as soon as the door opens, it's my turn. After a few minutes, the door opens and what happens? A staff member from the pub runs in front of me and informs me that the bathroom is now closed. What?!

As I'm standing there, doing my bathroom dance, up walks two security guards, Mariah Carey and a few of her friends. Mariah Carey! Apparently, when the VIP guest needs to go to the bathroom, she gets front of the line privileges. At some point we all have people cut in front of us to use the bathroom, but it's never been Mariah Carey before. I guess I can live with this one.

Afterwards we were able to get a shot of her as she posed with the pub's leprechaun. Enjoy!

Spring Break!!

Today was my one and only final and that means it is now officially my spring break! I cannot even begin tell you how happy I am that it's finally here. Here's a rundown of what I have planned so far:

• Tomorrow the Canadian from our study abroad group will be arriving and staying with my roommate and I.


• Thursday, I'll be leaving town to spend the weekend with four of my friends in New York.


• When I return on Monday, I'll be heading directly up to Mammoth, for my last trip of the season. I'm really looking forward to hitting the slopes one more time with my gal pal and her brother.


• The last weekend of my break will be spent with my parents.

I guess you can say I'll be here, there, and everywhere! And I'm sure I'll have some adventures along the way!

When Words Escape Flowers Speak

Below is a seamed picture of these two closeup shots using
autostitch.

Guess Who I Am?

I am the 2007 College of Health and Human Services Certificate of Honor Recipient!!!

 

I received the letter in the mail today not even knowing this award existed. Apparently I was recommended by the faculty in my department based on my outstanding academic and professional achievements. Only one undergraduate and one graduate student receives the award each year, and this year I am it! The only sad part is that the award ceremony occurs the weekend I am out of town for the Annual California Dietetic Association Conference. Bummer.

 

And yes, T, this will be going on my resume in place of the other information-that-shall-not-be-mentioned.

On This Day

Three years ago . . .
I went to Disneyland's California Adventure for the very first time. It was a day trip with my study abroad friends.

Two years ago . . .
I had brunch with my high school friends before picking out a new car with my Dad.

One year ago . . .
I was planning a bridal shower for one of my best gal pals.

Today . . .
I began my final week of my administrative rotation at the local hospital; Posting invoices, educating staff on the upcoming patient room service program, testing compliance on CBORD and checking the downtime menus.