Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Lotto

So, one of the other fellows and I have taken up to playing the Lottery each week. We put in $1-2 and pick which Lottery we want to play. I'm waiting for that late night phone call to come in, telling me we're winners.

What would I do if I won? Well, of course it depends on how much. But, if we're talking a prize of at least $100k...

Well, I'd like to pay off my med school loans. Those are totaling about $200k last I checked. I'd pay off a big chunk of that, for sure.

I'd stop moonlighting if I had any left over. I am tired of working so much extra. That's probably the first change I'd make.

I'd like a new car - nothing fancy, just a Jeep Wrangler. Not even the Special Edition.

I'd probably hit the outlet mall for a new wardrobe. I'd say >50% of my clothes are hand-me-downs from my well-dressed aunt. I'm super thankful, because they are awesome and new to me! But, it'd be nice to actually choose some different outfits.

I'd give a bunch away. I've got some great charities I'd like to support more. I like Project Angel Food. Doctors without Borders. International Justice Mission. To name a few.

I'd like to open my own clinic. This would only be if I hit it big. Like $10 million big. I'd model it after the CORE Center in Chicago. Create a truly comprehensive place for people with HIV and Hepatitis to come for treatment, social services, dental work, massage therapy, etc. People would pay on a sliding scale. It would be awesome.

So, keep your fingers crossed. The next drawing is tomorrow night. I hope to be writing a new post on Thursday, detailing my trip out to pick up my oversized check. :)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Dairy Queen and Popcorn

There are a few things that were staples growing up. Baseball. Summer days at the local (man-made) lake. Sleepovers at the Neighbors. Nighttime snacks.

Nighttime snacks were either ice cream or popcorn. Dad makes the best popcorn - on the stove with oil and everything. We always eat it with cheese. I don't know why, we just do. Bite of cheese, few kernels of popcorn...yum.

Or we'd have ice cream. Sometimes plain vanilla or Neapolitan. Sometimes we'd crush up Oreos or candy canes. Sometimes we'd get the ice cream with fudge swirls or put our own Hershey syrup on top.

I was home this past weekend with all the sibs, and it was awesome. We had a blast together. It's nice to see them and hang out as adults. I really appreciate their unique personalities. I see how my life has been -- and continues to be -- enriched by each of them. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful siblings. We played hours and hours of beanbags. We played games at the kitchen table. We laughed with my niece and nephew. We visited Grandma together. We made fun of each other, exercised together, and made dinner together.

And, of course, we ate ice cream and popcorn.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Movin' Up

So, I'm officially a second year fellow now. As of July 1. Nothing much changes, really. I have more clinic months this year, less in-patient consult months. But, overall, it's more of the same. I know a whole lot more than I did a year ago, which is nice. At least I can give advice without asking the attending every freaking time. Well, usually. There's still a very long way to go.

The new fellows start up on Tuesday - they work with us on the consult service for half a day and then all day Wednesday. We show them how things run, answer questions, etc. Then they are on their own on Thursday! Oh, and if you didn't know already, never get sick in July. Ever.

On a personal note, I'm going home next weekend, which I'm super excited about. I'll get to see all of my siblings (which is a rare event, since we live in the far corners of the country -- literally). I'll also get to see my "new" nephew Noah. He's almost 6 months old, but I'll meet him for the first time in a week. It's going to be a blast!