Really? YEAR END EDITION

New Years Parties...

- Every year there is such a big hype around what people are doing for New Years. People spend ridiculous amounts of money to go to these big new years parties and things at clubs and lounges all over. They pay even more than the usually inflated club prices for the same liquor they can get at the corner store for like $25 a bottle. Girls go crazy looking for that perfect skimpy little dress to wear in the freezing cold just to look good for some drunk dudes who could really give a damn ["as long as you breathing baby"]. Its kinda ridiculous. And the countdown... People are too drunk to even know what the hell is goin on. Last year the countdown was so unorganized  flicted that i was actuallly mad [ like I came out for THIS?!]. I didnt wanna post a "Really?" post about Christmas because in my Blackberry group i was damn near crucified for saying the the hype around Christmas day was not warranted, dont get me wrong I LOVE the christmas season and the break because of all the family and friends, I just think people put too much focus on the day itself. Looking for christmas miracles and stuff, aint nothin particularly magical about the day, i think its all in the season. The jews had it right with the whole 8 days of hanukkah.  I guess Im just not a fan for the hype of any one day lol.

But back to New Years... So my question is Really? Are New Years parties really worth it? Is all the hype and money and effort really worth it, when going out on new years is just like anyother night? If thats the case I should make a club called club new year, where everynight you party like its a new year, count downs and all lol. There are much better things that you can do to bring in the new year. Like go to a more personal get together with friends or family. Those are always more fun and you have less chance of starting the new year waking up next to a big regret lol.

what ever you do be safe and have fun
Julian

FIVE HOT THINGS YEAR END EDITION

I can barely believe that this year is almost over. 2010 is right around the corner, and I am pretty excited to see all that is going to happen in the new year. I'm usually pretty reserved about being excited for the new year but this year has a lot of promise. Personal issues, professional, recreational and music. All aspects of my life are on the up and up and so Im super hyped about this new year and stuff, but before we start the new year I have 5 hot things on my mind and here they are, the last for 2009

-Music-
Panama! volume 3- Calypso Panameno, Guajira Jazz & Cumbia Tipica On the isthmus. Its a great CD, the classic tunes are all pretty sweet. I played it on Christmas and had the whole house dancing. The music is such a great mix of everything I love Spanish music, Soul music, Carribean music and funk. I pretty much thought it was off the radar but the hipster magazine The Fader, a site I visit for new cool stuff, actually did a piece on the project with the compiler. I love mi panama and this CD takes me there. Here is a link to the interview with RobertoGyemant the guy who compiled the CD for the british label Sound Way records, who by the way have a pretty nice catalog.
http://www.soundwayrecords.com/articles/interview-with-roberto-gyemant-panama-series-compiler.html

- Locale-
Atlanta. People always sing the praises of their home city but I genuinely love Atlanta on a different level. Maybe its all of the fond feelings and the fact that I dont spend enough time out here anymore to actually get sick of it, but I really love it in Atlanta. The people are great, I LOVE my family and all their goodness and even the bad, the weather, the night life [if i can actually get out]. Everything is great down in GA. I just gotta figure out if it will help me grow if i came back for residency...





-Magazine-

The new GQ with Rihanna on the cover. People hate and I have done it too but damn, some things are undeniable. She is a sexy beast lol















-Music Video-
Im not that big a Jay Z fan [to be honest, im not that big a rap fan anymore] But I like that JayZ  Forever Young song, but only for the hook. So i guess Its natural that I'd like the original that he sampled for the hook. So here are both, the original and the Jay ft Hudson version






-Quote-
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."
Thucydides

I love this quote because it applies to my life right about now. I want to forward into this new year bravely and boldly. Not holding anything back. I know that I have a  lot of challenges and rough times ahead that I havent yet faced, but I know that I can conquer these trials AND my fears and become stronger and smarter and that much better as a result.

So true

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/humor/201001/scary-facebook-friends-profiles#slide=1

GQ put up a funny piece about facebook friends. And I laughed the whole time because Its so true and i could name my version of these people easily lol

enjoy

Chevere Que Chevere

I love being home. Its one of the best feelings in the world. Its late and I don't want to start  a big long post about how much I enjoy being home. Its CHRISTMAS and though it doesnt have the same feeling it had as a little kid, i still love it because of the time I get to spend with family. Being at home, eating all the goodies, watching movies and kidding around in my element is the best. I love my fam and I love Christmas. I get to think a lot and get more grounded in myself when Im here. The lord has been good to me and my family and as I really think about it, this may be the last christmas I have with my family for a while. So who ever reads this Enjoy the time you do have with the ones you love and be sure to let them know also have a  have a safe and wonderful holiday.

Peace & Love
Julian

yessir

Audi E Tron concept... Nice

All the Kings Men

saw All the King's Men, With Sean Penn, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins and Kate Winslet (too name a few) on sunday for free on Hulu, none-the-less. Its been around since 2006 and the movie was pretty good. Penn's performance was good if not a little affected, at times his Willie Stark seemed Drunk when he clearly wasn't supposed to be. Jude law was good also [ but then again i even like Alfie lol]. But anyways I dont think you could go wrong with the movie because its based on the 1936 novel by the same name and penned by Robert Penn Warren. The original movie that came out won an academy award for best picture in 1949. [so basically the pedigree is all there]. I can only imagine how the book must be. But yeah, one very memorable scene was in the saloon with the lady on skates. The song is one that you've heard a few times but never no the name...well this time I looked and its a pretty amazing song. So here ya go

enjoy

Love this

grizzly bear and Dead Prez... who knew?

lol

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow. 


-Langston Hughes-

soldado = soldier

OMG 

Sade Soldier of Love is near perfection.

Much ado about the xx?

For this new aspect of the blog, i'll just go over things that I hear or trends that are on the radar. I'll evaluate them and give my opinion, because some of this stuff out there will have you instantly hooked, or scratching your head like, "Reallly? This is ish is popular?"


Claim: Up and coming South London band The xx is the next "it" group
http://www.myspace.com/thexx






Verdict: Maybe not the second coming, but much promise... They have a pretty distinct sound, which is always a plus. Their music could technically be placed in a genre, but it crosses some boundaries [another plus].  I get the hints of sca and the obvious new wave vibe too.  They a few songs from their myspace sound like it would totally be a late 00's version of John Hughes movie fodder [gotta love their aaliyah cover]. I basically just really hate bands that sound like everyone else. I also like the male female leads. I like the interplay they have on crystalised. Their sleepy sound is kind of refreshing when everyone else is screaming they stay at a steady rumble. Which has worked thus far to get them noticed. 


nite

Medicina por dolor = pain medicine

So I was on call yesterday, long call, meaning I was in the hospital for 24+ hours. I can officially say that during that entire time I did not sleep one bit. I found myself in the midst of being a rough translator for three hispanic patients. I can say that I am quickly getting over my reservations of speaking spanish with native speakers. I guess when a woman is trying to push a baby out, the last thing they are worrying about is grammar lol. But real talk, I dont know exactly why, but I sometimes get the feeling that non english speaking patients dont get quite as good care as anglophones. So last night I got attached to a patient who was working on delivering her 5th pregnancy. She was having a pretty difficult time considering that with each successive child, the birthing process is supposed to ease up. I was drafted because of my rudimentary knowledge of espanol. I found that I didnt really have the time to be shy so I jumped right in as best i could. I basically was trying to be a birthing coach for this poor lady, whos significant other was not around. Not to sound like a bleeding heart, but I really felt for her, because in this very tender and personal moment she was in a room filled with people who could barely say hello in her language, much less tell her how to deliver a baby.

So i tried my best and after hours [and hours] of pushing she told me she couldnt do it anymore. I know it broke her heart to get the C-section, cause it broke mine. After all that labor and pushing, she still had to go under the knife. I just hope a lot of things, i hope that the team i worked with picked up a little more spanish so that they can help their patients that much more. In the most pure and non self serving  sense, i  honestly dont know how they birth people without someone in the room with some grasp of spanish [those translation phones only go so far], I also hope that this feeling never stops; the connection that comes when you are in a patients room, by their bedside encouraging and doing all you can to help. Its such a genuine and raw feeling that it pulls you in everytime. I found myself rooting for my patient, I felt invested in her. So much so that I stayed for the C-section at the end of my call [and almost passed out, but thats another story... lets just say that over 24 hours on your feet and no food dont work well in hot ass sterile garments lol]. I could never do OB, but this rotation is teaching me a lot, about this thing called medicine.

I love what I do. I am unbelievably lucky to be a part of this.

ok good night, didactics en la manana

Julian

Otra vida, Otra vez

What a day. I had one day that will go into history books. I was at PG hospital and though it started like any other day in a new service; by lunch time it took a predicted yet beautifully unexpected turn for best. [I'll save that for later]... I have my 5 hot things for early December and they are pretty caliente [if i do say so myself]


-Music-

I am loving Amazon's mp3 store. I've gotten some gems from them for dirt cheap. I got the swingingest Christmas CD out there, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. Anyone who reads this or knows me, should know that I love me some Ella. And this CD is classic Ella and her spin on Christmas.


-Author-
Junot Diaz, Because of what happened to me earlier today and my whole OB experience, I was reminded of Diaz and some of his writings. I find some loose parallels between him and his characters and myself.  Just the whole walking the line between americaness and a foreign identity. I've always liked Diaz's writing style and narration, it somehow feels like he's speaking on the same wavelength as me or something [idk, its weird] . And So i found some short stories from the New Yorker and listened to a few of his interviews.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2007/12/24/071224fi_fiction_diaz?currentPage=all
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/06/14/040614fa_fact1?currentPage=all

- Clothing-
Gap had a buy one get one free shirt sale so I got the yellow plaid shirt I've been wanting for a while. 


- Experience-
Today on the Labor and Delivery service I was lucky enough to witness and help in a delivery. The Mom was a Hispanic woman and this was her second baby. I met her this morning with my resident and when the resident was asking her questions I noticed that she didn't seem to understand the questions well. So I put just jumped in and helped translate. I was comfortable enough to get through the basics and since her nurse [the usual translator] was busy we got through it pretty well. So this was in the morining and after lunch I went down to the floor to see what was going on and everything just sped up. She was going to deliver and it was coming fast.
So the resident called me over and had me gown up to assist.  So I got right in and was there to help. I tried to help her and I was translating the usual commands (empuje = push, fuerte = strong, respira= breathe, bueno bueno mami = good job mom!)  I wasnt anybodies hero or anything. It just felt good to help. So the whole delivery went pretty smoothly, but i have to just say that it was better than i ever thought it was. The whole room was on one page, supporting the mom and rooting for everything to be ok. And when the little girl was finally out, you could feel the energy overwhelm you. It almost like an electricity that everyone could feel. The mom was just thanking god and so happy.  As happy as we all were. It was just one of those moments that i'll EVER forget.


-The Future-
Getting ready for my future and seeing that its rapidly approaching almost has me like a deer in headlights. I find myself feeling like I dont know what to do. I dont know to go left or right, all i know is that I have to move. I think that the key to taking charge of your future and realizing it is to walk forward with faith. Just to know that the right thing is going to come my way and to do what I must day to day with the finish line always in the back of my mind. 
2010 is going to be a year when dreams start to materialize.


aight, i have a health fair to work with in the morning... I pray it goes well


hasta luego
Julian 

take care

a tiempo = on time

When I become an attending physician Im going to do things differently. Im going to take a true interest in my students. I am going to teach them clinical skill, get to know them and treat them like adults by holding them accountable for things. I dont think its too much to ask for people to be places on time. Its not a big deal for people to be professional, look professional and act professional. I mean damn, what are we really here for? When are people gonna cut the crap and stop the bull. When are people gonna grow up?

I've had some trouble in my rotation, because when it comes down to it, a lot of people lack professionalism and couth. There are people who, though i really dont want to judge, arent in this for the right reasons. I say that because if they were, it wouldnt be like pulling teeth for them to be where they are supposed to be and to put in the duty hours that are expected of them. When I become an attending, i will keep my service efficient  and i will stay on top of things. No one will ever be able to say that I didnt let them know what was expected, its enough that we have to learn beaucoup info about these medical specialties in a short time, while working more than 8 hour days and q4 calls in the clinics or on the wards.

As an attending I will have the responsibilites of the students clearly delineated and I will let them know where they have to be. People will know when and where they have to be all the time. That way if someone is absent, it willful. I will not tolerate blatant disrespect, in the form of lateness. I just dont get it, It REALLY doesnt take that much to get to where you gotta go in the morning. Because, real talk, if you can be other places on time [clubs, parties, movies or where ever the hell you slither off to...] you can bring your ass to the hospital on time.

Its just not that hard. Do what you have to. bottom line and  I know as an attending I will be the rebel. I will lay things out, make their responsibilities clear, and i will do my best to see everyone in action to give a real thorough and thoughtful evaluation. I will keep my same amiable personality and encourage students while at the same time not caudal them or even raise my voice when something goes awry.

I dont know, I guess its just the frustrations that I am dealing with. But I am really going to turn things around for this OB rotation. I know its not gonna be one of my favorites [material wise and time wise] but I really want to pass this one with honors, so If it takes less sleep and earlier mornings, So be it. I can do this and I will do this...

Ok time to go to bed, i got a long day ahead of me

buenas noches

Julian