Yucky week. To quote my freind 'Stine, wah.
Boards are done, for now. Two "parts" down, two to go. I did as well as I could. I will find out my scores Apr 25th. Hopefully, moving onward and upward....
Today was my Soft Tissue Pathology slide exam. Purportedly the most difficult of my schooling here. The instructor projected chest xrays with various developing diseases on the screen, and we had to figure out what it came from. Fun. I only needed 1 point out of 11 to pass the class (or 3, if he is in a bad mood), so I am in OK shape - tho of course I tried to kick butt, and we'll see how that went :) Dang that drive to achieve.
Next week, mon thru thurs, is finals. We'll deal with that next week.
Today is the first day of Spring: a Pagan holiday. Last year this day found me on my bike. This year I have been a bit sick (since, oh, january?), so equinox is quieter. Rest assured, that's temporary ;)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Simple acts of kindness
So I've worked at REI for a while now. Amazingly, 3.5 years. How did that happen?
When I started work for REI up in Boston, I had just abandoned my career in biotech and was in the process of figuring out what the hell an unemployed and disillusioned biochemistry PhD was supposed to do to pay the rent. At Tom's suggestion, and with Dan Blodgett's help, I started at REI right in the middle of the xmas rush in 2004. I soon re-discovered what I had been missing in grad school, thru my semi-prestigious Harvard postdoc, and in my fast-track biotech job as a young staff scientist / enzymologist: i was lacking joy and value in work.
Working at REI, I remembered what it was like to actually enjoy a job, and to derive some sort of satisfaction from it. When I realized this, it was uber-clear to me that I had made the right decision to bail on science and biotech - I was not happy in that career, and was unlikely to be. I don't belong in a lab. Working at REI was also integral in my decision to go back to school to become a chiropractor. I know that as as chiropractor, I can actually help people. I know that I will deeply enjoy seeing my patients grow healthier, and go out and play and live a fuller life. REI has helped me to clarify my purpose: to help people be healthy, active, and happy.
This is why I have stayed with REI here at the Perimeter store in Atlanta - and every now and again, to my joy, I see the results of some influence I've had. Sometimes, someone comes in to the store grinning ear to ear about their new bike. I've also had several wonderful customers who have come in to thank me for advice on places to visit throughout the US (hell knows I've explored it, modern hippie style, to the chagrin of my parental units and my aunt) or to tell me how much they enjoy their new toys (Because, really, it's all about toys!!!). But the one described in the blog below really hit me.
http://autisticdad.blog.com/2777014/
Yes, I knew the kiddo that Tanner and I were helping was ASD, on the better-functioning end of the spectrum. He seemed like a sweet kid with a good heart and a lotta energy. So, ya take that into account and work with it. Bottom line, he's a kid looking for a bike, and Tanner and I were just helping to make that happen. The response to this has definitely made me blink, though. We helped Demetrius and his dad Jerry on Saturday. Jerry posted his blog about us on Sunday. News traveled pretty fast - by early in the workweek, the story of how Tanner and I had helped an autistic boy to find the perfect bike had been repeated at the morning huddle of every REI store in the southeast, and someone had sent the "story" to REI corporate.
Yesterday at work I found a letter in my box (HANDWRITTEN!!!!!) from Sally Jewell, the president and CEO of REI, thanking me for what we'd done. I'm not sure I've ever had more admiration for REI. I mean, we as a company do lots of good stuff - from our internal recycling programs (paper, plastic, batteries, light bulbs, cardboard), to the drive to make REI stores carbon-neutral, to the $10K grant given by every store last year to an environmental organization of its choice (anyone want to plant a tree?), or our PEAK and Leave No Trace programs designed to educate on no-impact camping and hiking - But a handwritten note to a mere peon from the CEO? That takes the cake. And disseminating the anecdote of Tanner and I helping Demetrius to find a bike? Who knows what that simple act of kindness inspired?
Holy cow, you really never know how far-reaching simple actions can be. I think Tanner and I put a lot of smiles on a lot of people's faces :)
So now, it's your turn. I challenge you: sometime in the next few days, commit a random act of kindness. Open a door for someone whose arms are full; stash a few flowers on someone's desk; bring in cookies for your co-workers (and send me some while you're at it). Make someone smile. You never know how far the ripple will spread in the pond.
When I started work for REI up in Boston, I had just abandoned my career in biotech and was in the process of figuring out what the hell an unemployed and disillusioned biochemistry PhD was supposed to do to pay the rent. At Tom's suggestion, and with Dan Blodgett's help, I started at REI right in the middle of the xmas rush in 2004. I soon re-discovered what I had been missing in grad school, thru my semi-prestigious Harvard postdoc, and in my fast-track biotech job as a young staff scientist / enzymologist: i was lacking joy and value in work.
Working at REI, I remembered what it was like to actually enjoy a job, and to derive some sort of satisfaction from it. When I realized this, it was uber-clear to me that I had made the right decision to bail on science and biotech - I was not happy in that career, and was unlikely to be. I don't belong in a lab. Working at REI was also integral in my decision to go back to school to become a chiropractor. I know that as as chiropractor, I can actually help people. I know that I will deeply enjoy seeing my patients grow healthier, and go out and play and live a fuller life. REI has helped me to clarify my purpose: to help people be healthy, active, and happy.
This is why I have stayed with REI here at the Perimeter store in Atlanta - and every now and again, to my joy, I see the results of some influence I've had. Sometimes, someone comes in to the store grinning ear to ear about their new bike. I've also had several wonderful customers who have come in to thank me for advice on places to visit throughout the US (hell knows I've explored it, modern hippie style, to the chagrin of my parental units and my aunt) or to tell me how much they enjoy their new toys (Because, really, it's all about toys!!!). But the one described in the blog below really hit me.
http://autisticdad.blog.com/2777014/
Yes, I knew the kiddo that Tanner and I were helping was ASD, on the better-functioning end of the spectrum. He seemed like a sweet kid with a good heart and a lotta energy. So, ya take that into account and work with it. Bottom line, he's a kid looking for a bike, and Tanner and I were just helping to make that happen. The response to this has definitely made me blink, though. We helped Demetrius and his dad Jerry on Saturday. Jerry posted his blog about us on Sunday. News traveled pretty fast - by early in the workweek, the story of how Tanner and I had helped an autistic boy to find the perfect bike had been repeated at the morning huddle of every REI store in the southeast, and someone had sent the "story" to REI corporate.
Yesterday at work I found a letter in my box (HANDWRITTEN!!!!!) from Sally Jewell, the president and CEO of REI, thanking me for what we'd done. I'm not sure I've ever had more admiration for REI. I mean, we as a company do lots of good stuff - from our internal recycling programs (paper, plastic, batteries, light bulbs, cardboard), to the drive to make REI stores carbon-neutral, to the $10K grant given by every store last year to an environmental organization of its choice (anyone want to plant a tree?), or our PEAK and Leave No Trace programs designed to educate on no-impact camping and hiking - But a handwritten note to a mere peon from the CEO? That takes the cake. And disseminating the anecdote of Tanner and I helping Demetrius to find a bike? Who knows what that simple act of kindness inspired?
Holy cow, you really never know how far-reaching simple actions can be. I think Tanner and I put a lot of smiles on a lot of people's faces :)
So now, it's your turn. I challenge you: sometime in the next few days, commit a random act of kindness. Open a door for someone whose arms are full; stash a few flowers on someone's desk; bring in cookies for your co-workers (and send me some while you're at it). Make someone smile. You never know how far the ripple will spread in the pond.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Kennesaw hike
Yesterday I got a few messages from Darcy and Chris, who were at the Moat and sent me pix of snowdrifts (12') and beer (mmmmmm!!!). Made me kinda homesick.
Today, I couldn't resist the irony and the temptation to make use of the 72 degrees and sunny here in Atlanta... so I went for a hike with friends up Kennesaw Mountain, a short hike less than 15 min north of my house.
Moose did so well!!! She was tired, and we went slow, but she made it all the way to the top and back down. The hike is about 3 miles total, with an elevation gain of a bit less than 700 feet. She is no longer the young pup who hiked Moosilauke and Chocura with me, but she got it done and by the look on her face, had a fantabulous time. She is currently crashed out downstairs. I don't expect I'll be able to get her to climb the stairs for a few days!
Yeah, I should'a spent my day studying for boards. Oh well. I still have six good hours this evening.
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