30 hours

It’s been a while since I updated! Surprise surprise. I’m currently on a dreadful 30-hr overnight shift. This is my first time being on call on a Sunday and I hate it for many reasons. One, I have to miss church. Two, there are no scheduled OR cases which means I am dying of boredom. Because of my ADD personality, I’d rather be scrubbing into surgeries and doing work on the wards than just sit around and wait for my trauma pager to go off. Ahhh this is so painful. Doing nothing is painful. I don’t understand how people do nothing. Lol. Well, at least I have time to write in this abandoned blog!

Anyway, so in my last post I left off at the end of peds. Since then I’ve finished ob-gyn (which I hated) and outpatient surgery (which I loved). I could write a whole post simply about how much I hated Obgyn. But long story short, there are way too many power-tripping chicks in it for my my liking. On the bright side, it’s becoming more and more clear what field I want to do. I still wanna do something in peds. But I’m also realizing that I’m more of a surgery person. I would never do general surgery bc I want to have too many babies (haha), but I like working with my hands, doing procedures, and fixing problems immediately. This is where I’m torn. Do I want to do general peds and have long term relationships with my patients? Or do I want to do acute/critical care like emergency or anesthesia? I don’t want to give up either procedures/acute care or the continuity of care that I get as a general practitioner. Maybe I’ll do a combined residency in pediatrics AND anesthesia? (UCI has a program). Hahaha.

I’m on inpatient surgery right now which is supposed to be the hardest rotation of the year. It’s been manageable and very pleasant so far. Sure, I have to wake up at 4am everyday and work 100+ hours a week, but you get used to it. My team is super nice and great to work with. The attendings are good teachers for the most part. I have 2 more weeks here then I’ll be at the VA to finish off my surgery rotation. I’ve just been counting down the days til winter break. Not only is break gonna be awesome, but my schedule is gonna rock after winter break. Bring on the super chill life of neuro and psych! Weekends off? Yes please! 8 to 5?? Yes please!!! It’s gonna be glorious. After the last 4 months of Obgyn and surgery, psych/neuro is gonna feel like I’m on vacation.

Otherwise, life has been good. Steve is an amazing husband and I thank the Lord for him. Last week he made dinner for me for no special reason, then packed the leftovers for me to eat the next day. I nearly melted. I don’t know how he can be so loving and gracious to me everyday. Im not saying he’s perfect and we definitely have our moments (we probably have the funniest newlywed fighting stories). But I’m grateful to have a God-fearing husband who genuinely strives to obey God in all aspect of his life, whether big or small. He truly lives out the lordship of Jesus in his life and leads our family in that direction. Its not always easy because I tend to be very fleshly and love the world too much. But that’s probably the reason God had me fall in love with a pastor! Hahaha.

Wow my fingers are hurting from typing on my iPhone. Until next time, happy thanksgiving everyone!!

Lovin’ it

Hello everyone!

Sorry for being MIA. Since my last post, I took my USMLE Step  1, went to Hawaii, celebrated my 2nd year wedding anniversary to my amazing husband, found out I did much better on Step 1 than I thought (PTL!), and started my clerkships (3rd year). Steve has been encouraging me to update during 3rd year, so that I’ll be able to look back and see how I felt about each rotation. Good idea!

I started my Pediatrics rotation at Cedars-Sinai 3 weeks ago. The 1st week, I was in nursery (my favorite part so far). 2nd week, I did outpatient peds at a community clinic in the valley for low-income/uninsured patients (the patient population I want to serve). 3rd week, I rotated through the pediatric subspecialty clinics (Genetics, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Neurology).

So far, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PEDIATRICS. I know this is only my 1st rotation, but I really feel like I have found my calling in medicine. To be honest, I was never all that interested in peds coming into med school. I mean, I love kids and all…but I’ve always thought I wasn’t good with them. So I was so surprised at how much I absolutely LOVED it. Now I see why pediatricians are the happiest physicians, despite being one of the lowest paying specialties. It’s such a joy working with children from newborns, toddlers, tweens, to adolescents. Each age group presents its unique set of happy moments. I have literally left each day feeling fulfilled and happy. So far, my favorite part was nursery, because I went to high-risk deliveries & c-sections and did newborn resuscitations as soon as they were out of the womb. So precious!! Not to mention, my interns and residents are all absolutely amazing. They’re so nice and helpful.

I know it’s too early to tell, so we’ll see how I feel after I finish up my rotation.  The next 3 weeks I’ll be doing inpatient peds, so my schedule’s gonna be a lot busier. 6am-6pm and night call every 4 days. But I’m excited to see what else is in store. So grateful for the opportunity to be learning so much and doing what I love. Thank you, Lord!

Signs

If you’ve been deeply troubled because things haven’t been going your way – that may be a sign that you’ve been living for your own Kingdom and not the Kingdom of the immortal God.

If you’ve discovered your knowledge of God growing but not your love for God and others – that may be a sign that you’re becoming puffed up with knowledge which hasn’t penetrated the heart, a theology without doxology.

If you’ve said lately “This isn’t how my life is supposed to be” – that may be a sign your heart is praying “My will be done” and not “Your will be done.”

If you’ve been reading your Bible and praying but “feeling nothing” – that may be a sign that you’re hurrying through obligatory chores rather than warming yourself by the fireside of deep meditation and heartbroken intercession.

If you’ve found yourself being self righteous and judgmental towards others – that may be a sign that you haven’t been repenting of your own sins, humbling yourself before Yahweh.

If you’ve found yourself lusting after things/people – that may be a sign that you’ve allowed yourself to be far too easily satisfied picking at rotting garbage spoils rather than feasting at the King’s table of fellowship in the presence of divine royalty.

If you’ve found yourself unfairly/selfishly discontent and unhappy with your life situation – that may be a sign that you’ve forgotten your lot before election: a sinner and enemy of God who deserves death/hell/and eternal torment to the justice and glory of God and nothing more.

If you’ve found yourself not valuing God/His Word/His passions – that may be a sign you’ve been valuing other gods, pouring in your affections, energies, resources into other lesser objects of worship.

If you’ve found yourself worried over a certain circumstance – that may be a sign that you haven’t appropriated your theology that God is completely, totally, overwhelmingly sovereign, powerful, and omniscient, leading to the conclusion that you think your worrying is a better option than trusting in that God…which is kinda silly!

If you’ve been experiencing prolonged bitterness and hatefulness towards another – that may be a sign that you have lost track of/forgotten/neglected to apply the gospel of our salvation.

If you’ll take a moment from your busy day and take a good, long, hard stare at the cross of Jesus – you’ll see a sign that speaks of how much He was hated and afflicted, yet how loved and treasured you are. You will surely see a sign that speaks of how utterly depraved and sinful you are, yet how utterly holy and righteous He is. At the cross, we see the culmination of man’s rebellion, yet the mountain peak of God’s undeserved favor and unthinkable kindness to humanity – to you.

Sometimes, we need to stop and look for the signs, both little and ultimate.

- S

Madness

Angie is taking her board exam right now!

Yikes!

 

Aidan Caleb Lee baby!!!!!!

Choke.

I thought Pau’s breakdown in the postseason would be the worst I witnessed during this year’s playoffs. I was wrong. LEBRON JAMES, YOU SUCK!!

On another note, I have a love/hate relationship with Bill Simmons. It infuriates me that he leaves Kobe out of the equation when he talks about the greats. I’m convinced his glaring Kobe omissions are just to piss off Laker fans….not because he’s actually deluded enough to believe all the stuff he writes. Well, it works! If only he wasn’t so funny, then I’d stop reading all his articles. Darn you, Bill Simmons!!!

Going nuts

Wow!! First all nighter in a long time. I don’t even think I pulled any all nighters during my first two yrs of med school. I can’t believe it’s almost 5 am and I’m wide awake.

My sleeping schedule has become all whack so I’m falling asleep unintentionally around 11 and waking up 2 hours later only to find myself wide awake. Yikes!! I gotta break this cycle somehow. Hmm I’m tempted to just move my test date sooner so I can be done with this madness already. My productivity has gone WAY down since the weather’s gotten warmer. I’m such a summer girl so once it got sunny I started spending a lot time going from place to place basking in the sun and trying to study while daydreaming about Hawaii. Uh oh. What to do, what to do…

T-minus 12 days (I think) until a semblance of normalcy returns!!!

O lord please strengthen me for this last stretch…

iPhone post

My very first WordPress for iPhone blog post!

Currently reading “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” by John Bunyan and being so blessed by it. Got it for free from my iBooks. Wahoo! I’m really taken aback by his humility and view of himself in light of God’s undeserved grace and mercy. I also love how his testimony is saturated with scripture.

Regarding studying for boards, I’ve officially reached a wall. I’m at about 30% of usual performance when it comes to concentration and efficacy. Considering my usual concentration is not very impressive to begin with, this is disastrous! I knew pushing my test back wasn’t a good idea. Well gotta keep on going.

A quick photo from a friend’s wedding this weekend. I’m really digging Instagram!

That’s all folks. Thanks for reading!

Parenting

Dear Angie,

Let’s have a baby!!!

- Hub tubs

Greens.

Just a quick post to cheer myself up from the brutal Laker loss.

My latest food obsession: Greens!!

My friend inspired me to go Green, and now I can’t stop! Luckily I live down the street from a Whole Foods where I can take my pick from a wide variety. Kale, collard greens, cabbage, chard…love love love! Everyone should give ‘em a try! Be kind to your heart and colon now. You won’t regret it when you’re 50.

I just go really simple with them: A quick sautee with water/garlic/dash of soy sauce. Or add it to my salads.

Yummmmm!!

Good eats

I used to have the simplest taste buds in college. I could eat anything and everything, and probably wouldn’t have been able to distinguish a filet mignon from a Denny’s T-bone steak in a line-up.

This all changed when I got married and moved out to West LA. At first, I wasn’t a big fan of this area because I found it too “yuppy,” but I have started to fall madly, deeply in love with the westside. We are so spoiled when it comes to good food. For fine dining, we have Brentwood and Beverly Hills only 10 minutes away. For eclectic, ethnic dining, we have Venice 5 minutes away. For healthy, organic dining, we have Santa Monica & Culver City only 10 minutes away. For hipster & ambience, we have West Hollywood & Downtown LA only 20 minutes away. And of course…for the most delicious Korean food on the planet, we have my hood K-town (where I was born & raised) only 15 minutes away.

So yes, my taste buds have become a lot more refined, and I really enjoy good food now. My palate has also changed significantly since college. I used to love big, bold flavors. The spicier, the saltier, the more MSG the better. Now, I love my food simple. I prefer to actually taste the food I’m eating, not simply a bunch of sauces that have been poured over it. A little dash of salt & pepper, a bit of olive oil…mmm…perfection.

Here is a list of some of the most recent restaurants I’ve visited:

1. Katsuya  – Brentwood

A dear friend of mine took me out for lunch here this week, and can you say delicious? It’s very very pricey, but so worth it. They definitely go for quality over quantity here, so if you’re looking to get really full, this is not the place to go. Their sushi is so tender and melts in your mouth. The restaurant design is modern and chic.

2. Tender Greens – Culver City

I am sooooo in love with this place. I would eat here every single day if I could. My husband made reservations to Mastro’s (the best steakhouse in Beverly Hills) for my end-of-2nd-year celebratory dinner, but I told him to cancel because I was craving Tender Greens instead. That’s how much I love this place. My 1st time was at the one in Hollywood with some college friends, and I was immediately hooked. When I found out there was one in Culver City (only 5 min from our house), I was in heaven. All the ingredients they use are from local farms and 100% organic. Their tuna is wild (not farmed), beef is grain-fed, no antibiotics. How they get their chicken so juicy and succulent is beyond me. I appreciate their attention to detail when it comes to mixing particular ingredients. I almost always get the Tuna Nicoise salad. Steve usually goes with the chicken or steak hot plate. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you order here.

3. LA Market – Downtown LA

I’ve never seen Hell’s Kitchen, but apparently the chef at LA Market was on Hell’s Kitchen and won something. *shrug*. LA market is at the JW Marriot at LA Live right next to the home of my beloved Lakers (Staples Center). I had the sea bass (my favorite fish) which was a bit disappointing. The food was ok, but it was really nice just lounging around with some girlfriends admiring the design of the hotel and pretending to be rich socialites. Haha. I love loitering at hotel lobbies.

4. Keun Ga Ma – K-town

This place is relatively tame for a 24hr joint (as opposed to the hellish Hodori).  This is a 24hr restaurant in the heart of Ktown with all the comfort foods to satisfy cold-day, late-night cravings. Sullung tang, Gom tang, Gamja tang, Galbi tang…they have it all. And it’s CHEAP. I came here with some college friends and I was surprised that the gamja tang was pretty decent. Oh, and just a fun fyi: it’s right next door to the noraebang (karaoke place) that I used to frequent with my friends in junior high when we would ditch school. Hah! It’s so humorous when I think about it.

5. Bouchon – Beverly Hills

It’s no secret that I love all things French. I’m a hopeless Francophile, who still has silly dreams of living in Paris and raising my children to be fluent in French. Bouchon is Thomas Keller’s (umm..French Laundry, anyone?) French bistro that he opened up, because he wanted to own a restaurant where he would want to eat after a long day of cooking.  Steve and I came here after we canceled our trip to Vegas in December (due to bad weather) so we felt less guilty about spending $$$ since we were saving $$$ by not going to Vegas. The food was exactly what I imagined a French bistro to be. Steak & frites, fresh oysters, pate, creme brulee. Honestly, I give the food about a B+, but the service and ambience made it worth it for me.

 

It’s interesting how eating has transformed from a necessity to one of the most enjoyable activities. I’m so grateful that even though we’re poor grad students, Steve and I have been able to enjoy some good grub!

OK, back to studying. I’ve way exceeded my 10-minute study break by watching the Laker game and writing this post.

A bientot!