musings from a couch potato

I’m officially in my semi-late 20’s. I have to be careful not to turn into that comic strip persona, Cathy (ACK!) As a birthday gift for myself, I took a break from reading Crush the Boards (“you should not only pass USMLE Step 2, you must crush it!”) and read Charmed Thirds on my birthday. It’s the latest installment of the Jessica Darling series by author Megan McCafferty. I’ve then realized that you can be a happy malcontent. You just have to accept that living is not easy and searching for that great, sweeping feeling of happiness in life will only lead to much pain. Ergo, I’ve learned to just be joyful in the moment. I’ve lead a semi-charmed life and I’m thankful for the countless charmed moments I’ve experienced. As a 27-year old with no prospects (how Lizzie Bennett of me!) and with a net worth of negative three thousand dollars, I will take pleasure in the little marvels of my existence.

     Lately I’ve been thinking of the best way to die. In my sleep in my 90’s? But if I get to live that long every little pain might give me a sense of impending doom. I’m studying for my Step 2 CK exam (and slowly realizing that there’s still sooo much I’ve to learn). All these disease presentations are kinda messing with my head. Now, in the ripe old age of 26, every little pain gives me a sense of semi-impending doom. Anyway, enough of this insanity and onto my shameless plug of the month: please vote for AGHAM partylist, for the advancement of science and technology in our country (www.agham-partylist.org.ph). Hope you’re having fun basking in the summer sun!

     2006 was the year I ended my 5-yr. stint in med school & came out of PGH’s cocoon.

     I started seeing patients in my capacity as a GP, much to my stomach’s increased acid production.

     And now, people, ask me if I’m single (or already a mom). Can I reply, “I predict I’ll be single ‘til the events in Revelations unfold?”

2006 was the year when I was jolted from my return to adolescence to instant adulthood, in semi-mid life crisis fashion.

     But ‘twas one of the most fun years thus far, what with the post-boards partying and the chance to broaden my horizon.

     Now it’s time to develop nerves of steel for 2007…

We may not have the exact formula on how to live our best life but I believe that as long as you have a steep learning curve, you’ll do just fine. Resist evil temptation. Heed good advice. Why then do we keep sabotaging ourselves? Laziness? As they say, nothing good comes easy. Masochism? Pain is good! As Meredith Grey said, "Why do we keep hitting our heads against the wall- because it feels so good when we stop." As I mull over these things, I realize I’ve got to hit the gym, eat my veggies, review for my MLEs, do my good deed for the day, and get a decent night’s sleep…makes me just want to reach for my mp3 player, curl up in bed and stare at the blank walls.

ps my new top 10 favorite things: 1. Grey’s Anatomy (more Mcsteamy!); 2. House; 3. Great Taste Mocha Java in TetraPak; 4. M Cafe (yummy food and good sounds); 5. bodyjam!; 6. praying on my way to work (very calming indeed); 7. the Martha Stewart website; 8. Ari Gold (sharks are lovable too); 9. Richard Quest; 10. Yoga

It’s been a long time since I last placed an entry in my blog. I’ve since finsihed med school, gone through the horror of reviewing for and taking the boards, and acquired my MD! So now that I have some time to kill before holding an 8-5 (or 24-hr) job and taking my MLE’s, I’ve decided to enrich myself and broaden my horizons. I’ve read several books (including How to Find Your One True Love by Bo Sanchez; lesson learned:God helps those who help themselves),watched DVDs of movies I missed during internship and boards season, learned some new exercise routines, and took up yoga. If only I started yoga while in med, I think I would’ve coped better. For at least 20 minutes, I forget all worries as I concentrate on doing the poses. Why, why can;t I be more flexible? But part of it is accepting one’s limitations and being patient. Maybe in time, I will be able to fully contort myself.
Oh, the sweet joy of being a bum! Alas, yoga sessions end and one’s life resumes. My days of bliss will soon be over and I’d have to review like crazy again and find a source of moolah. Good thing I’ll still have my 20 minutes of calm…

NoOne

If I had to do it over

If I had to do it again

I would’ve known to

This would’ve never begun

If I made you claustrophobic

Imagine if I gave you an inch

You’ll never notice

But there’s no one quite like you

I try to forget ya

You’re in all I wanna do

I could do better

But there’s no one quite like

No one quite like you

p.s. which is why nonchalance is my self-preservation method of choice…