Farewell

Dear Blog Readers,

There's a time and a place for everything under the sun. Almost two years ago I started this blog as a means to keep a small thread of connection to that part of my existence that had absolutely nothing to do with medicine. We've seen my struggles as I tried to get used to the routine of such demanding careers, my joyful moments, and my late-night stream-of-consciousness ramblings. However, all good things must come to an end, my blog being one of them, so I've decided that the time has come to say farewell to the blogging world.

When considering this decision, I thought about all the reasons I should continue it but couldn't come up with any of significance. I thought that maybe I could glorify God by showing random people who read my blog what an amazing life changing experience it is to follow Christ, but I realized that's not the purpose of my blog.
To all of you who might be reading this who aren't Christians,
I urge you to open up your mind for a few days, discard the ideas of institutionalized religion as meaning "follower of Christ," read through the Bible (or at least the first 5 books of the New Testament) and tell me what you think. You might just find the same amazing guy that I did, Jesus.
I thought it would be a good way to keep up with my thoughts and experiences in med school, but personal journaling with pen and paper is a superior method. It's difficult to write all your thoughts and feelings, knowing that you are posting to the entire world.
And I've already discovered many times over, that blogging is a terrible way to maintain a friendship. Nothin beats face-to-face contact although phone calls and AIM are reasonable substitutions.

So there you have it. Don't worry. As many of you know I still appreciate random visits (even when I have the flu), phone calls, and emails (in that order) so you won't be forced to lose total contact with your dear friend who likes to spell her first name with one "L" and still hasn't decided on the correct pronunciation of her last name. Maybe every now and then, I might even decide to post something useful. Just don't expect the regular weekly postings. Likewise, don't expect me to keep up with your blogging entries, so forgive me if I miss out on some important event of your life. It's been a fun two years and I look forward to keeping in touch with you (just not through blogging)!!!

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” -T.S. Eliot

Thank Your Doctor

While most of you spent the day enjoying another warm summer, urban Asian landscape, the endless post-it notes encircling your cubicle walls, or perhaps the local town fireworks, myself and my colleagues sat inside the air-conditioned walls of Stanton-Gerber Hall. Yes, third year has officially started. Some might wonder why a person would spend thousands of dollars and years of their lives in pursuit of this career of medicine. We each have our different reasons:

Some do it for the money and power which in my humble opinion is the worst business venture one could pursue. If your desire is to become a wealthy, powerful person, earn your MBA, invest in the stock market, start your own business, but don't pursue a career in medicine.

Some do it because they want to help people. Yet that shouldn't be the only reason. One can help people in any career field from firefighting to football. It's all depends on how one's talents are used.

For others, medicine provides that special opportunity to touch people's lives in a way not possible in any other career. There's something special about being able to provide hope and assistance to a person when facing their moment of greatest suffering.

I'm sure the next few weeks will be filled with a "deer-in-the-headlights" look, much like the one I had my first week of medical school. I'm sure the phrases "good night's sleep," "rest and relaxation," and "know-it-all" will become non-existent in my vocabulary and words like "not on call," "caffeine," and "lunch provided" will be the most welcomed words to my ears. It should be an interesting year as I learn what it exactly means to be a student doctor.

And as far as the title of this post goes? Thank your doctor. For all those long hours and years of study, they deserve it.