Giving Thanks

I have just had a wonderful 6 day holiday! On Tuesday I got my car serviced and spent the waiting time getting a massage, eating lunch out, and wandering around Borders buying books. Went up to Chesley's for a quick yarn and needle buying frenzy (needed #11 DPN's to finish Will's penguin). Then headed home for the rest of the weekend. I saw five moose on my way up!

We had a lovely if quiet Thanksgiving dinner. Me, my parents, my sister, and my two grandmothers. We had a bit of an ice storm Wednesday night and then it rained on top of the glare ice in the driveway on Thursday . . . needless to say none of us left the house except to feed the goats! Luckily Mom had all of the turkey trimmings available in the house (despite the fact that we were supposed to go to Aunt Sherry's for the feast) and we will had an awesome dinner!

I have SO many things to be Thankful for this year. Loving family and friends, reasonably good health, a warm place to sleep, good food to eat, safe water to drink, access to health care, an excellent if expensive education, a career I love, pets, knitting, reading, smart and caring colleagues . . . my recent trip to Peru and the boss that made it all possible (pictured with me below in the "traditional 'We Did It!'" pose) . . . .

What are some of the things that you gave thanks for this year?

Love,

Turtlewoman

Congratulations Megan and Paul!

Congratulations Megan and Paul on your wedding this weekend! I'm sorry I missed the festivities, but hear that they went well! I am looking forward to hearing all of the stories and seeing all of the pictures.

Also, Happy Birthday Debbie! Hope you had a magnificent day . . . and wasn't it nice of Megan to have such a nice big party on your birthday? =-)

I am back in Maine safe and sound. Spent the night at my parents' house last night and now back in Portland and getting ready to return to work first thing in the morning. I am dreading it a little, just because readjusting to the American Culture of Medicine is sure to be a challenge. I have a feeling I may spend most of the day crying. No worries, I'm sure I will get over it soon enough.

Next big task in life will be to find a job. Yes, Chesley, it is okay to secretly be glad that I am staying. I think I am a little bit secretly glad about it too. Despite feeling disappointed when I didn't match, I also felt a little relieved. And today I was thinking about all of the fun things I can start doing when residency is done and I can actually start living my life. I see a lot more knit nights in my future!

Good night!

Love,
Turtlewoman

Good News, Bad News, Happy News, Sad News

Apologies for the Dr. Seuss title, but it is Homecoming Weekend at Dartmouth after all . . .

The bad news? I did not match into a fellowship. The good news? At least for now, I feel okay about this. Sure I am sad, and my pride is definitely hurt, but I think it may be a sign. And Hector says that I should have a job waiting for me at home. Happy news? I have made so many good friends here (like Arnaldo above) and this has been one of the single greatest things I have done with my life. Maybe not getting into a fellowship is a sign that I need to stay in a more primary care type position so that I can continue to carry out good works like this in the world. Sad news? Okay, well, not so much sad as bittersweet . . . while I am very much looking forward to seeing family and friends and having some of the comforts and luxuries of home, I am extremely sad to be leaving Peru. Spending these two weeks here with these people, doing these surgeries . . . I feel like I could stay here for at least another few months! I'm sure if I had another month or two I could even learn spanish (I have picked some up already). You all know how much I love my family, my friends, my career, and my life. Even so, I don't remember my life ever feeling so fulfilled as it has during this trip. It is incredible.

This is the mission team for Oct 2007. There were a total of 40 of us. This has been my family for the past 2 weeks. They will be my friends for life. All of them are remarkable people. Thank you to everyone who has enabled me to make this journey of self-exploration!

I have many more pictures and stories to tell, but not today! Today I need to finish packing for the long trip home. We have to leave Chulu at 4 am tomorrow to catch our flight to Lima. I won't be home until sometime on Saturday afternoon. It is gonna be a LONG trip. Looking forward to talking to you all when I get back!

Love,

Turtlewoman