my surroundings

just an update on how the world is in my vicinity. nothing too new happening school wise. Still words/numbers in words/numbers out. The vietnam trip is on the horizon and with it the end of my second of three terms of my first year of medicine school. Still have to face the Great Regurgitation of final exams in a few weeks. Extracurricular (actually supracurricular) activities have improved. Back to baking and soon to interview for fellowship that will pay me to bake and teach for the local food bank. My room smells like a brewery with 5 gallons of red ale bubbling away by my portable heater. My cooking intensity has picked up a bit. Last night I alchemied up a chipotle infused apricot chutney sweetened with vermont maple syrup, which partied surprisingly well with a smoke italian sausage and lentil stew. The photo is a roast turkey sandwich on fresh ciabatta with caramelized onions, goat cheese, spinach, and dill mustard.

here are some photos of my room for those who haven't had to navigate it in person. Cozily cluttered i think.

Etc.

I've been informed that I have a birthday approaching so I made a book list with a few ideas. It's on Amazon, but I'd prefer the used editions that are probably cheaper through Bookfinder4U.com



Other than that, just hacking away at school again.

bear tracks

saw them in the snow by my car a couple of days ago.


v. busy right now...

Here is a link to the Vietnam program:

http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/rice/

Other news:
Just submitted a proposal to bake 500 loaves of bread this year for the local food bank.

2000 nine.

might just be great. Just got wind that I will be in Hanoi, Vietnam in March for a medical conference of some sort. That's about all I know. Promise. promise I will update this slab sometimes this year.

Live from the Ice World

It is beautiful here; everything is covered in crystal bits and wears frozen droplet beards I haven't written on this or called anyone, or emailed much lately because I've been either running around or sleeping. I finished exams for the first trimester before thanksgiving and have one set of tests on Dec. 19th before flying home to Nashville. Doing pretty well, just not feeling conversant. Time is still passing too quickly. I have some pictures of a pizza making party at my house to post but the site isn't cooperating. o well

where I am

There are not many degrees left in the air here, the sun comes and goes so quickly and un-heat-ily that it reminds me more of an old refrigerator light than anything else. I woke up at 5am the other day for a plastic surgery meeting at the hospital to a sky full of stars, woodsmoke, and a razorblade crescent moon. It is beautiful here, if brisk. Right now I'm behind a mound of papers and books in the library ready to make the push to finish my first set of final exams. yesterday I spent 7 hours in the anatomy lab, and 4 in the histology lab, all consecutively. plenty of sleep and food and hot chocolate though so I'm actually having a good time. I wouldn't say no to a national holiday involving food and napping though.

Where have a I been?

Sorry about the AWOL. The past month has been eventful, though most of the details are lost to the same current of time that's kept me from stepping aside to post. Some highlights:

meeting former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop

shadowing a plastic surgery resident for an afternoon

brewing a batch of beer and winning 2nd in a local homebrew contest with it

beginning work on a project to teach baking at a local Food Shelf

attending a lab meeting at the engineering school for a group working with orthopedic implants

roasting coffee, baking bread, and making stew

a bit of indoor rock climbing

an epic soccer match against the second year class, ending in an overtime shootout. We won and only took sending one person to the hospital for stitches!

Some trips to New Jersey and New York to see Nikki

working in the wood and jewelry workshops

Other than that, nothing but sleeping and studying. Having a pretty good time but time is rocketing by.