2 weeks

January 14, 2010

but first: perspective
i heard about the earthquake that struck haiti on tuesday, but didn’t realize the magnitude of the disaster until i heard more about it on NPR. on the way to work, i felt bad for having spent my post focusing on orla dresses when there were so many people in desperate need of medical care.


later that evening, caitlin‘s post reminded me to make a donation to this important cause. while my readership is a tiny fraction of hers, i am mentioning it today in the hopes that maybe it will remind/insire others as well.

while i will go on with my day (and this post), i will be thinking about those in haiti and what they must be going through — i can’t even imagine, really. just another reason to maintain perspective and remember to appreciate every moment.

2010 is already 3.8% over!
but who’s counting, right? i figured that 2 weeks into the year would be a nice time to revisit the resolutions i made . . . and see whether i’ve done a good job actually getting started! after all, the freshness of 2010 is still lingering in the (very cold) air, and motivation is still at a high level.

or, at least higher than it will probably be by mid-march.

so, here’s the rundown:
1. improve skincare regimen: YES! i dove right into this one, thanks to your suggestions. i am currently using the clinique 3-step system for combination skin at night and neutrogena spf 15 in the morning. while i experienced some irritation initially, i feel like i have noticed a positive difference in my skin — fewer breakouts, and a more even skintone overall (although to be fair i’ve also started using bare minerals makeup. . . )


2. ¡quiero hablar español! hey, figuring out how to add that upside-down-explanation point counts for something, right? i’ve actually been looking into spanish classes and found out that there ARE real life classes available in chapel hill!

after reading all of your feedback on rosetta stone, i’ve decided to hold off on that investment for now and instead try to find real people to work with. while i love the idea of online resources to supplement, i feel like i need:

a) some beginner instruction before i jump in (i’m starting from scratch!)

b) a CLASS that i feel like i have to attend so that i’ll actually stick to some sort of schedule.

i think that i may end up waiting until later in the year to enroll just because of scheduling issues, but even having this plan in place is a much bigger step than i’ve taken before.

3. improve AM routine. i’ve done fairly well well with this — in fact, i don’t think i’ve been late to anything yet in 2010! YEAH! i have been getting up quite early (4:45-ish), but it has been worth it, and i’ve still gotten to have a decent amount of relaxation time in after work before 9 pm rolls around and i feel like passing out.

one new trick i have learned is to make the day’s lunch while i’m making breakfast — that way, i just have to grab it on my way out the door. no more last-second-panic to throw things into my bag!

4. work on improving teaching. i haven’t had all that much interaction with students this month to put this resolution to use . . . but the few time i have, i feel like i at least did SOME teaching. i still think i need to work on this, though. i’ll truly be put to the test next month when i’m back on the wards.

5. workout reform. marathon training (and marathon recovery) is over, and i’ve been better about getting weights workouts in. i also finally worked up the guts to attend my first yoga class (with cara!), and now i want to go to more! i think this has definitely been a success thus far.


6. learn to take better pictures. progress made thus far: zero. i guess i’m sort of waiting to get a new camera first. i am actually wavering as to whether or not i actually want to get a DSLR — part of me feels like i would be better off with a souped-up point-and-shoot such as the canon S90.


it still has many of the flexible settings options found in DSLRs, but in a less cumbersone, less $$$ package, and it is supposed to take amazing pictures! anyone have any experience/thoughts?

7. sustainable eating. i’ve done okay with this in terms of making good use of my bella bean local foods subscription. i have NOT been better about eating slower and more mindfully, and i’d really like to get on that.

8. take daily vitamin + calcium. YES! 100% success, thus far. my trick has been putting the vitamin case on top of our coffee container so that i see it when i go to grind the beans (something i do daily). i’d never remember otherwise, but this trick has worked like a charm. and i’m even getting better at swallowing the big calcium + vit D pill.


9. read for work 5x/week: other than when cara visited (oops), i’ve been really good about this one. every night after dinner (or before, depending on whether i have something that needs to simmer/bake for a while) i’ve hit the books for at least 20 minutes (usually 30). hopefully i can keep this up! signing up for boards (the $2030 investment) has definitely been a motivating factor.

10. work on practicing more mindfulness in everyday life. this is always the hardest when i need it the most. yesterday i got a little testy in clinic after a patient showed up 25 minutes late (at 11:55 . . . when the clinic session is technically over at noon) and then apparently threw a fit at the front desk begging to be seen anyway. we offered to have them scheduled in our afternoon same day clinic, but apparently that wasn’t good enough, and when the receptionist came back to tell me this, i sort of took out my frustrations on him (even though he was just the messenger!). i wasn’t inappropriate, just MEANER than necessary and i think the agitation in my voice was very clear.

and immediately i regretted it.

so . . . i guess this goal continues to elude me, but i’m still working on it! every time i have an experience like this i like to think there IS some learning that happens that may help in a future situation.

—————————————————————————-

1.13.10

workout: 50 minutes of a dave farmar yoga podcast on itunes. i did get a little lost towards the end, but overall it was a great workout. i think i still prefer live class, though.

reading: 30 minutes about old-school rashes (measles! i am not sure i’d recognize it if i saw it, but it’s always important to think about and remember, especially with so many kids going unvaccinated these days . . .) and a few PREP questions.

9 Comments

  • Reply Jenny March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Does the fact that you didn&#39t add flossing to your resolutions list this year mean that you managed to make that routine last year? Congratulations in that case! I still have it on my list this year and I hope to last longer than January… 🙂

  • Reply Chelsea March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Good work on the resolutions. +1 to what Jenny said about flossing if you&#39ve made it a habit. I&#39ve started doing it again, but only because I have a dentist appointment on Monday. They can probably spot those "week before" flossers from a mile away.

  • Reply pen March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I totally had the same camera debate this winter, and after much discussion with my sister (who&#39s actually a photographer in Chapel hill!) I went for a pimped out point and shoot. I LOVE it. I won&#39t rule out a dslr in my future, but for right now, what i have is fabulous!

    Also–do you really love bare minerals? I&#39m so tired of feeling like I&#39m wearing makeup, I want something more natural!

  • Reply Lu March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I love that you checked back in on your resolutions. I think I should probably be doing that. As far as Spanish goes: Lo harás todo, a su debido tiempo. Buena suerte! Love the new format by the way.

  • Reply Denise March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Please consider donating to Partners in Health. This is the organization of Dr. Paul Farmer (the subject of the book "Mountains Beyond Mountains" and an amazing person). My best friend works with him through the Clinton Global Initiative and donations will directly help the victims in Haiti. Here is a link:

    http://www.pih.org/home.html

  • Reply Meg March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    You are making great progress on your resolutions! While DSLR&#39s take amazing photos, nothing beats the convenience of a great point and shoot!

  • Reply Jess March 10, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    I had to stop watching the Haiti news coverage. So sad.

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  • Reply atilla March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    we have so many personal connections because of the number of haitian americans working here that it is heart rendering just trying to find out whose loved ones are missing. Thanks for the shout out I guess the red cross is the best way to go…also doctors without borders who i am sure will have a presence

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