Random Thoughts

Oh, Columbia...

2008-09-12T21:10:52Z

Yesterday I went to hear Obama/McCain speak about 9/11 on Columbia's campus. For once, the sense of self-importance that New Yorkers (especially Columbia students) generally exude was actually warranted.

quetzaldeepa @ 2008-08-14T18:23:00

2008-08-15T01:28:41Z

So here's an expose on one of the many unsavory characters that "work" for my dad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Ug0nzN81

So yes,

2008-08-03T19:27:01Z

I have joined a kickball team called the Pirates...only in Brooklyn.

Time to celebrate!

2008-07-12T00:43:32Z

So, the incredible happened and I actually passed my boards.
Things are good.

The nature (number) of the beast...

2008-06-18T22:49:55Z

So, it's me vs. my boards in about a few weeks. I really need to buckle down and tackle the beast. Instead (as usual), I've been finding all kinds of ways of procrastinating, including finding good deals off craigslist. I'm actually thinking about buying a real dresser...I haven't had a non-plastic dresser since I was in highschool...this is serious business. I've also been exploring the new area I live in which is a lot nicer than Spanish Harlem. I'm definitely a fan of the West side. I'm also very excited to have a window in my room, as it does make all the difference. I really like my new roommates (though I do miss having at least one crazy person around)...they're probably the most normal people I've ever lived with.

It was definitely nice to go home to Bakersfield...my sister had an awesome Harry Potter graduation party, as Erin can attest to. Also, it was a good time going to see Iron Maiden in the hills of the Irvine amphitheater, especially when they sang "Run to the Hills". This past weekend I went to Boston for the Gay Pride parade...which was a good drunken time like always (except for the fact that my friend left me and this other girl at the bar).

Now, sadly the celebrations need to come to an end until I've passed the N-CLEX (my boards). Wish me luck! I'm sure I'll need it. But as my brother says "Even people who don't know how to speak English, pass the N-CLEX". So, if I don't pass it, I'm not sure what that says about me...ha!

Spring is on its way!

2008-03-11T04:02:59Z

March tends to be a good month, since it generally includes spring break, birthdays, St. Patrick's day and the inevitable onset of warmer weather.

And this March (thus far) is no exception. Two of the girls in my clinical group had a joint birthday party, which was a lot of fun, since we don't get a whole lot of time to hang out outside school/hospital. We've had more "grown-up" sort of get-togethers, such as potlucks, etc. However, I'm not sure what the reason is, but getting drunk with people, seems to be a sure-fire way to cement a bond with people. It may have something to do with the fact that people tend to stop stressing about the future and analyzing the past and are in the moment after they've had a few. Or maybe because it's just a good time for all. Regardless, I'm glad I've become such good friends with my clinical group, especially since in the beginning, I couldn't really handle them.

In other news, next week is spring break...which is awesome! That means that I should be doing school stuff since this is the last week before break. So the procrastination will stop, at least for now.

How things are looking

2008-02-19T16:26:23Z

Well, I thought I never would stay here come May, but now it's looking as though that could happen. School has been a lot better this semester, since it was a fresh start, and I don't feel like I'm trying to catch up (like last semester). I just finished my pediatrics rotation (which I loved) and I'm doing my community rotation (which I love as well). For my community rotation, I'm working in a clinic which basically gives care to homeless people. My preceptor is sooo awesome...he's this elderly gay gentlemen who's a little sassy, but not too over the top. Other than that, school has been ok, besides one dramatic event that's worthy of a teen soap opera. At times, I do feel like I go to a private, Catholic all-girls school, but the kooky students in my clinical group definitely have grown on me.

So, overall life's been good. I went to Boston two weekends ago to cheer up one of my friends going through a break up, which of course included a good amount of alcohol. This past 3-day weekend was good...my mom and my sister came to visit and we did all kinds of NY tourist things. Yay for 3-day weekends!

As requested by Emily...

2007-12-02T19:30:04Z

I haven't been posting much lately due to the fact there is so much going on I'm not sure where to begin.
It can be pretty much summed up by the popular Clash song: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" (which can be played on a very fun game called Rock Band).
So I can peace out of here in May or stick around for another year and a half.

Here is my list of pros and cons as follows.

Pros of staying:
-get to see snow falling (as it is today)
-have more time to explore the craziness that is New York
-get to work at the most interesting clinical placements
-meeting new and interesting people
-getting to fly on a plane every time I go home (I do like getting on airplanes)
-I don't have to apply to another school to transfer

Cons of staying:
-have to deal with one more winter
-have to deal with the daily chaos that it is New York
-having difficult clinical placements with teachers who don't cut anyone any slack
-dealing with intense, neurotic, high strung people (and hope not to become one of them)
-Being a 6-hour plane ride from California
-I don't get to go to another school

The problem is that I can see the good and the bad for most things...it has always made my decisions not easy.
My gut says it's time to cut the cord and get out of here, but my head tells me that I should stay.

We'll see which wins out.

My move to California...this time it's for real

2007-10-10T04:36:09Z

So, I'm planning ahead this time because I'm actually going to do this.
Even though coming to Columbia was the best decision I ever made, I need to get out of here ASAP.
So it's like this: When I finish out the year (May), I can graduate with a Bachelor's in Nursing.
I'm going to move to California, not sure where yet. I'm thinking either L.A., Bay Area or Fresno (since I know at least one person in all of these places). I'm going to get a job and go to school part time to do the masters portion of my degree. So, let me know what you guys think of all of this.

Now since I've figured out my life, it's time for bed.

Life in a nutshell

2007-10-01T18:38:03Z

So, a lot has happened since I last wrote.

1. I was in the hospital due to a medication reaction
2. I missed a week of school, which sucked, and now I'm trying my best to catch up. Missing a week in this program is like missing a month of normal school.
3. This clinical rotation is almost done...thank god. My preceptor sort of lets us run amok in the hospital, which is a little dangerous to say the least.
4. I've decided I hate Columbia and their bureaucracy...which I guess is at every school.
5. I've stopped drinking for a whole month (which is a long time for me) and I've feel so much better
6. Last but not least...I'm excited to go to Boston this weekend...it'll be good to get out of the city (it's sad that I think of Boston as not city).

Now, back to school.

back at school

2007-09-06T21:49:06Z

I was in India, Cali for a few days, and now back in NYC...I feel out of sorts still as my time zones have been changing constantly. Additionally, I'm doing my Ob-Gyn rotation for nursing which is intense. I have no idea about this stuff so it's interesting to learn and I feel like I'm learning a whole wealth of knowledge I wasn't really interested in. This was the only rotation I was concerned about since I'm so out of my element. Learning about midwives and how the medicalization of birth in this country is crazy. I definitely not at that stage in my life, but people are I have advice to give: seriously go to a birthing center (trust me I thought I would never say that)but being in the hospital which is a really good one....or be really really choosy about your OB-GYN. There's a movie produced by Ricki Lake who's a dula and it's called The business of Being Born...I think I might have to see it to educate myself (Caution: there are live births in the movie). If and when I'm in that stage in my life (which I'm not even close to)...I have learned a lot. Seriously, research your options. Other than that, post-partum is happiest floor in the hospital I've ever been in. Everyone's so excited about the newborns. A lot pregnant nurses work there and I can see why. Down sides...crazy mother and crazy babies (too much estrogen) for me. I could never work in this specialty because I was never interested in it, but I see why people would (specifically post partum). I'll let you know especially after I go see labor and delivery, how that goes and doing neonatal. Babies/mothers are crazy!!

Countdowns...

2007-07-18T17:38:12Z

6 days until 80s guitar hero comes out.

12 days until the first of six finals in a week.

It'll be a challenge balancing priorities in the coming weeks.

We'll see what wins out. School or guitar?
Sleep's not even in the running.

School update

2007-06-30T15:37:18Z

So, I should be studying since I have a test on Monday...I'm already starting to feel burnt out. I've been having at least one test (most of the time, I have two), since the 2nd week of the program. It's been intense going to school 8 hours a day, and then finding the time to cram. People keep asking me about New York, and I wish I knew, since I haven't had much time to explore/do tourist things. However, I'm happy that I'm back at school and I know (finally) that this is what I should be doing. It's nice to finally know that. I can't believe a month's gone by, and this is actually only my second weekend in New York. I've been already been back to Boston 2 of the weekends for various events. It's always interesting when you move to a new city and are starting over, but it's nice to know that I have friends to hang out with in Boston. People in school are pretty intense (definitely Type A) personalities, and sometimes I ask myself what am I doing here with these crazy people. I have met some cool people, though...it always takes some time to settle in. I'm really looking forward to the month-long vacation. I'm going to India for a few weeks, and I'm thinking about going to CA for a few days, we'll see.

The forever-long orientation...

2007-05-30T17:10:44Z

So, I'm at orientation. It started at 8:30 this morning and won't end until 4pm and sadly we have this same schedule for tomorrow and Friday...and this is just orientation. I was talking to some people and they knew other people in the program who said that this summer was the worst and that they would go home and cry...I hope that's not true. I don't like crying. There are so many people from California...it's kind of weird. Apparently, a lot of people from CA didn't get into state schools for nursing so ended up coming out here. Who knew CA state schools are harder to get into than Columbia? Good thing I didn't even bother applying to those (the so few that there are). Campus is nice, but I feel oriented enough. I wonder if they would notice if I took the rest of the day off. I'd rather explore NYC.

Officially...

2007-05-29T04:04:04Z

I've moved into my new place in NYC...if anyone's ever in the area, let me know. It was an adventure driving down from Boston to NYC and it went pretty well. Hauling stuff up 3 flights of stairs was not very fun, but it's over. Now to unpacking. I already miss California, and I just got back. I heart Californians. Now I think I might go and pass out for the night.

quetzaldeepa @ 2007-05-07T17:39:00

2007-05-07T21:51:32Z

So, it's actually happening. I found a place to live in New York (which is sort of early for me). I'm excited and relieved. I've heard horror stories of looking for places in NYC, so I'm glad that's over with. I'm also glad that I won't have to think about it when I go to CA next week. So, I'll be living near Central Park, which is cool and one of my new roomates was one of my old roomates in Boston, which is nice. It finally has hit me that I'm moving, and it was nice to spend Cinco de mayo there. The weather has been beautiful...summer is finally here and everyone seems so much happier. Yea! I get to quit my job next week and the timing couldn't be better...I'm starting to get bored here, but I will miss the people and kids here(they're awesome). However, I'm definitely looking forward to vacation.

quetzaldeepa @ 2007-04-20T13:28:00

2007-04-20T17:34:04Z

Sadly, My Space has been banned at work. So now I have to find a new activity to keep myself from doing actual work. Any ideas? Maybe I'll start posting more. I kind of want to quit my job sooner than I was planning to, so I can just hang out in Boston. But then there is rent to pay, so that could pose a problem. Ok, I'm going to try and do something that I'm actually paid to do. We'll see how it goes.

Excitement is in the air!

2007-03-13T13:12:52Z

My friend is coming to visit all the way back from China...this weekend will be a combo of celebrating my friend's birthday, St. Patrick's day and a welcome back extravaganza. This is my favorite time of year in Boston...I think I will actually miss it. Then, the next weekend I'm throwing a guitar hero party for my birthday...it should be awesome. I'm so excited...I can't really concentrate at work...I'm going to try, though.

So....crazy news!!

2007-02-10T00:10:35Z

I just found out I got into school (Columbia...nonetheless)...which is really crazy because my app was 3 months late. So, I guess I'm going back to school?? More winters and the loans will pile up..yea!

New Year's Resolutions

2007-01-10T16:33:03Z

I don't usually make these, since I don't ever follow through with them, but these are two resolutions I really should try to keep.

1. Don't get so drunk at the office Holiday Party that people at work start giving you the nickname "Wild Woman". (There are even pictures, which is even worse).

2. Don't get so drunk the night before New Year's Eve that I injure myself and have to hobble around like an old woman on actual New Year's Eve.

It looks like there's a theme arising.

quetzaldeepa @ 2006-11-17T10:14:00

2006-11-17T14:14:07Z

My new-found obssession = Guitar Hero II = lack of sleep (which is well worth the game)

Weird dreams

2006-11-08T00:05:17Z

I have had a lot of weird dreams these past couple of months. A couple of them stand out.

1) I had a dream that I was this Indiana Jones-like character. I went through this whole series of challenges, avoided calamities, etc. Then I had to do it all over again (like a video game) except this time my whole family was there. We had to cross this rickety old bridge (sort of LOTR-Mordor style). My brother went first and he slipped off the side of the bridge, but was holding on for dear life. Then I woke up. It was interesting because the first time I went through the obstacles, it was really easy, but then the second time it was definitely more difficult.

2) In this next dream, I was in some school, waiting to get out and of of course class was running late. Apparently, I was running late to a party, which happened to be outside in the school yard. Finally, my class let out and I went outside and ran into all these kids from high school including Kevin Kuo, who were drinking beer and eating watermelon. At the party, I also talked with Erin, Seema and Liza who were all wearing white cocktail dresses. Then, I remember I was walking down this street and I passed this girl I know from Boston and then I passed Kyle (another kid from highschool). The weird part is that Kyle somehow knew that girl from Boston, but at first didn't recognize me. Then I kept walking and got on this "party bus" with two of my current roomates...and they were all kinds of weird people on the bus. One guys was licking another guy's face and things like that. Apparently, we were on the bus to go to the another party. And that was the end of that dream. It was definitely a weird amalgamation of people I know now and people I used to know.

What does it all mean?

quetzaldeepa @ 2006-11-06T18:57:00

2006-11-06T22:57:56Z

So, I found a job the day my other job ended...I guess it was good timing, depending on how you look at it. Thus, I'm here in Boston, and as winter is coming, I begin to wonder what exactly am I still doing here. My new job is alright for now, but I don't know if it's worth staying for. My plan was to move back to California, but somehow I'm still here. On the upside, I'm going home for Christmas for a few days...maybe I should just stay for good, we'll see. I do have fun in Boston...maybe a little too much. Halloween was a lot of drunken fun...Teenage mutant ninja turtles and Ron Burgundy were some of my favorite costumes. This past weekend I was in Minnesota...the Mall of America is insane.

Other exciting news is that my brother and his friends are coming to visit me during Thanksgiving, so I'm looking forward to having visitors. Holidays are always a good time.

quetzaldeepa @ 2006-10-03T11:18:00

2006-10-03T15:18:05Z

So, I think I'm going back to school (again). I'm also starting to think I'm crazy.

My true induction into Boston

2006-09-28T15:32:10Z

So, finally, I made it to a Red Sox game. I can check it off the list of things that I have to do before I leave here. I've been curious about the whole insanity of it, especially with slogans like "Become a citizen of Red Sox Nation". It's kind of like a cult that everyone should be in, but a drunken, fun sort of cult. My roomate (I'll have describe all my new roomates another time) got free tickets and we were in the 5th row...it was pretty awesome. My main reason for wanting to go was not to watch the game, really, but to watch the fans...I've seen them around, but not in their element, and it was fantastic to watch rabid craziness all around me. Jolly good fun all around!
It was definitely nice to take a break...I've been so busy since I've been back. I had to find a place, move, while working full time and now I'm looking for another job, since the one I'm working at now is only temporary. I'm also thinking about going back to school (because apparently, I haven't had enough). I also just finished my thesis and defended two weeks ago (just in time for the deadline to graduate in Sept). Other than that, going to goodbye parties and welcome back parties has been an ongoing theme. Boston has such a transient population, but I guess that's what makes it interesting.