Pierogi

I love how now that I have all the time in the world (sense the sarcasm), I wish to cook exuberant, gourmet dishes. It's great what changes school brings in me:

• Randomly want to spend hours cooking
• Magically become a huge fan of chocolate
• Drink black tea (more like water, black tea, and LOTS of sugar) almost every day 
• Sleep between 10:30/11:00pm and wake up at 6am (I'm generally an early riser, but not an early sleeper)
• I'm pretty sure my classmates don't realize I have long hair because it's always wrapped in a taut formed bun
• My inbox is a MESS, and I don't have a sudden urge to organize it

Yup school, it's really a lovely thing.  Speaking of which, I'm quite certain my classmates think I don't own clothes because I'm always in track pants + college shirts. Whatever, I'm comfortable. As much I want to, I can't seem to wear sun dresses; Generally though, I don't think I'm a very "dress" person. Like at the airport, there are ladies that wear dresses on the plane. Not a super fancy dress, just a simple, pretty dress. Their whole attire is great, but no matter how hard I try -  I just can't do that. Although, I think a part of me just really enjoys my track pants, you know - from all the running I do. 

Anyways, getting to the title of this post--> Once in college, our amazing chef made Vegetarian Pierogis. It was my first time having them - and it was delicious!!! But after that day, could not remember the name of the dish. But last night, out of nowhere, I was laying in bed and this word popped into my head. It was a mixture of Pierogi and Progeria so I Googled around and finally found the name of the dish! I was so happy. Except now I'm craving it. 

And that's no fun. (Sad face)

One Week Down

Well I definitely survived my first week of medical school, but it's been a challenge. In one short week, SO many things have changed:

• I like to keep my inbox as cleaned as possible with only emails needing immediate attention show up. I have folders for everything! I even a folder for "need replies", which seems pretty obvious what it's used for. In less than one week, my entire inbox is flooded with emails and I have no idea who I need to respond to. I sometimes refuse to open my inbox just so I don't get frightened at how much correspondence I need to get done.
• Google Reader – even longer list of titles I need to read.
• I'm the odd girl who isn't a big fan of chocolate – but all of a sudden, chocolate is my new "must-have".
• I don't really drink tea/coffee too much. But all of a sudden, I need all this caffeine to keep myself awake!

I know as the time progresses, I'll learn how to manage "life" around school. But it's an instant shock for me at the moment. I'm really enjoying my classes and it's extremely refreshing to be learning about things you're actually interested in. Labs start this upcoming week – here's when the real fun begins!

Test Post via Word

I was playing around through MS Word and I saw this option of "New Blog Post." So I registered this blog, and just trying out to see if I can post via Word. Let's see!

A stranger "borrowed" my favorite pen...

and never returned it.

I'm really OCD about my supplies. I will literally spend hours in Office Depot searching for my favorite colored pens, post-it notes, highlighters, etc. My notes are full of color, and for some odd reason, the color helps me study. I was at Starbucks making notes with my color pens laid across the table, when a stranger came to ask if he could borrow my pens. "I will bring it back," he reassured me when I didn't respond right away. I thought he needed the pen for a few minutes to quickly jot something down. Ten minutes had passed, and he was still using the pen. (I guess he didn't realize that despite having 6 pens on the table, each was essential to my note-taking.) I felt bad asking for the pen back so I went to do something different. Two hours had passed and I was ready to leave. When I looked around the room...he was gone! And thus, so was my precious pen! 

Children & Following Through...

This post is in reference to Danielle's post.

Children do not get enough credit for how truly intelligent they are. They speak the truth (mostly) and listen for the truth. Throughout most of my undergraduate education, I spent my time volunteering and interacting with children of all ages (infants - young adults). One of the most important jobs as a parent is to gain your child's respect. Yes, it's important for your children to feel that they can trust your decisions and what you tell them. This trust/respect starts from the very beginning, and it is hard to ever gain that trust once it's lost.

A child looks onto their parents for comfort and security. And it all starts from the very first day. For example, the first time you take your child to a birthday party and they won't socialize with anyone, without having their parents by their side. It's important at this stage of their life to understand their parents are within reach and will always be there for them. Security. It's also important that the parents do not force their child to play with the other children, but encourage it whilst letting them take their time. Comfort. 

In terms of more conflict situations, it's important that parents actually mean what they say. If a child has to get a shot, it is wrong for the parents/doctors/nurses to ever tell the child "this is not going to hurt." Instead, let them know the truth along with encouraging words, "You're a big boy, I know you can handle it" or "[the parent] is going to be right here with you." This will give them your trust and also let them know you sympathize with them.

In response to Danielle's post, it is VERY important to follow up with your kids. "You can't play outside until you clean your room." Yes, it's very important to say strong to your words. They will kick, scream, through a tantrum the first day. But all days following this episode, they will learn that it's the only way out. And it doesn't always refer to punishment. "If you get an A on your next test, we'll go out for ice cream." Follow through with your words. If they get an A - take them out to their favorite ice cream parlor. (In this particular example, encourage them to do better next time without being too upset if they don't make the mark.)

Following up with your kids can be a challenge, but if you form these acts of trust and respect in their early childhood, they will reciprocate (hopefully) as they grow older and into their more difficult teen years.

EDIT: I originally wrote this post in my previous blog, but just copied it over.

First World Problems

For those of you know that know me, know that my favorite color is red. For those that know me well, know I'm obsessed with red! And if either of this is news to you, I give you Exhibit A.

See my point? =)

So when I upgraded to an iPhone last year, it's only natural that I would want to find a similar color case to join my red-collection. And if you notice, it's a specific type of red that I like am obsessed with; it's a deep, chrome-finish red, but not quite as dark as maroon. I was also quite adamant that I wanted a gel-case. So, I went out to search for that perfect, deep, chrome-red gel case. I found one that I liked on Amazon, and it had a neat design on the back. Win-win situation, right? Wrong. When I received the case, it wasn't the deep, chrome-red color that I deeply loved, but a light red, almost orange - tomato color! YUCK! But since it wasn't free, I felt a strong obligation to use it.

But now, more than a year of using that yucky color on my beautiful iPhone, I felt it was time for an upgrade. While complaining about this case-fiasco, Jill ordered a red case for me. And, surprise-surprise, the case turned out to be more of an orange color. Argh.

I searched in the malls and on Amazon for a good week, hoping a case would just catch my eye. I know it sounds really extremely silly, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. I was even compromising the red-color for just a simple case. Finally, I found these gel-cases with circle designs on the back. It came in 9 colors - so no more wining of color preferences!

Also, while I was on Amazon, I decided it was time to go LEGIT. I deleted all my FRIENDS that I had on my computer, got rid of all my CDs, and ordered the official, Complete Series of Friends. It was time. 

P.S. The didya notice FRIENDS cover is red? Good Choice =)