Japan

Since the massive earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan on March 11th, hundreds of thousands have become homeless, millions on the northeastern coast are suffering from shortages of water, food, and heating, and the reactors of the nuclear power plant, Fukushima, are undergoing partial meltdowns. As of now, the death toll lingers around 10,000 while an estimated 17,500 people are still missing. Several Japanese shops are rationing water, milk, and other products; the government is trying to assist those most in need. The US, along with multiple countries and organizations around the world, have rallied together to send money, food, supplies, and personnel to help in the relief effort. 

One of the groups helping the Japanese in this time of need is Save The Children, an independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Well, their aide was just given a little boost: Gwen Stefani donated $1,000,000 to their relief efforts in Japan. In addition to that generous donation, she is auctioning off various items to raise even more money. And finally, she also designed a limited edition Harajuku Lovers T-shirt; 100% of net proceeds from the T-shirt sales will benefit the American Red Cross' Japan recovery efforts. Regarding these philanthropic acts, Gwen stated: "I've been inspired by Japan for many years and have a true love, appreciation, and respect for the Japanese people and their culture. The disaster in Japan is beyond heartbreaking and I want to do anything I can to help. I would never be able to make a gesture like this without the love and support of all the fans over all these years.”

Basically, Gwen Stefani is awesome. She was a bad ass when No Doubt made it big in 1995, continued to rock everyone's socks off as a solo artist, and dominated the fashion industry with her L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers clothing and accessory lines. And, to boot, she is a loving wife and mother of two! Now, I love Gavin Rossdale too; I was obsessed with Bush's Sixteen Stone when I was younger. However, I have no problem saying, he definitely married up! Anyway, I will stop professing my love for Gwen Stefani and get back to my point. After such a catastrophic event occurs, I am reminded of how lucky I am: I have a roof over my head and food on my table, plus all that intangible stuff like love and support from family and friends. Still, I may not have a million dollars to donate to Japan, but I can buy a T-shirt. You should think about it too!

100% of net proceeds from the Harajuku Lovers limited edition T-shirt sales will benefit the American Red Cross' Japan relief efforts. They are on sale now! http://gwenstefanijapanfundraiser.shop.bravadousa.com/Default.aspx

Taken from No Doubt's website: Gwen Stefani has been inspired by Japan since she first toured there with No Doubt in 1996. She found a special connection to a district in Tokyo, Harajuku. It is an area that thrives on creativity, music, art, and fashion. The youth culture of this district has been a constant muse for Gwen, inspiring both her clothing line called Harajuku Lovers and the song "Harajuku Girls." In addition, her entourage of four Harajuku Girls were featured in her music videos, press coverage, and on the album cover of Love. Angel. Music. Baby. 

This has little to do with the above post, but I thought it was funny. I saw this photo on a gossip website last week; the caption read: "Kingston Rossdale is a pimp." Apparently, he got this little girl's phone number ha! (I love how Gavin Rossdale is just smiling, completely aware and proud of his 4-year-old son's skills with the ladies.)

4+3=1

I leave for Europe in just five days and I could not be more excited! I have been itching to go back ever since my junior year of college, when I studied abroad in the Basque Country of Spain and traveled Europe with my best friend, (and current roommate,) Tina. Unfortunately, this trip’s itinerary does not include Bilbao or any city in el País Vasco, so I am reminiscing about that extraordinary nation in this post.

The above title, 4+3=1, is an old form of Basque nationalist graffiti that refers to the seven provinces that make up the Basqueland; four are located in Spain, three are found in France. The nation—never having been its own country—is only 8,218 square miles, which makes it slightly smaller than New Hampshire. However, even with its small size, it has enough national pride and culture to rival any European country. It is as Miguel de Unamuno, a Basque writer and philosopher, stated: “The Basques share with the Celts the privilege of indulging in unrivaled extravagance on the subject of themselves.”

The first written accounts of the early Basques date two centuries after the Romans arrived in 218 B.C.; however, these accounts give the impression that they were already an ancient civilization. Likewise, multiple sources allude to the Basques possibly being the original Europeans! In any case, since their beginning, they have been invaded, conquered, and settled by every country and their mother, yet—somehow—they have been able to hold onto their roots throughout it all.

Not only have they maintained their roots, but they have also attempted to establish their independence from Spain throughout the nation’s history. Whatever progress they made in those endeavors was lost when Francisco Franco officially became Spain’s dictator in 1939. His government suppressed Basque nationalism while it also oppressed its own Spanish people. Nowadays, some of the Basque society is still attempting higher degrees of self-empowerment, sometimes even by acts of violence. The Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. In 2006, right before I left for Bilbao, the ETA declared a "permanent ceasefire" after almost 40 years of fighting for the annexation and independence of the Basqueland from Spain and France. It was very eerie, yet interesting, to see most of the underground walkways, side street alleyways, and stop signs spray painted with “ETA” or "¡Independentzia!” The only run-in I had with this Basque vs. Spanish mentality was when I, naively, called a local girl Spanish. She quickly corrected me and adamantly explained she was Basque. (She soon found out I was from the US, forgot about my insult, and wanted to talk nothing but American culture ha! A European who loves America… rare, I know.)

In addition to the Basqueland’s rich history, they—especially the city of Bilbao—still have their place in the world of today. As of 2010, the port of Bilbao is a first-class commercial port and is among the top five of Spain. Also, the province of Biscay is rich in raw materials, with both Spanish and European capitals importing nearly 90% of the Biscayan iron. Finally, Bilbao also attracts tourists, like me! It first established itself as a touristic city when the railway between Bilbao and the coastal neighborhood of Las Arenas was created in 1872. Through this, the city became a modest beach destination. Now, nearly every stop along the Metro Bilbao has a nearby beach. Las Arenas is actually the neighborhood where I lived with my host family; it is just a few stops away from the Universidad de Deusto where I studied. A typical day that summer consisted of class in the morning, a homemade meal at noon (gotta love “la siesta!”) and beach time throughout the rest of the afternoon. ¡Qué la vida!

Finally, the most unique aspect of the Basque Country is its language, Euskara. Though numerous attempts have been made, no one has ever found a linguistic relative of Euskara. It seems to predate the Bronze Age as well as the Indo-European invasion. If this is all true, it could actually be the oldest living European language!

So, as you can see, el País Vasco’s history and culture make it a very unique nation. If you ever find yourself in northern Spain, I suggest you go there and experience it for yourself. I am sad that I will not get to see it this time around in Europe, but I guess that just means I will have to go back again soon! Below are some photos from my previous trip to Spain. Unfortunately, most of the pictures from that trip are on my old computer, so I borrowed some from the internet and they are mixed in below too.

Bilbao is the capital of Biscay, one of the provinces of the Basque Country. Getxo, slightly north of Bilbao, is the third largest municipality of Biscay and part of the greater metropolitan area of Bilbao. Las Arenas, or Areeta in Euskara, is the neighborhood in Getxo where I lived with an awesome host family: Maria Victoria and her son, Borja.

A view of the city, Bilbao, and the mountainous terrain that surrounds it.

The Nervión and Ibaizabal rivers run through Bilbao and join to create the estuary of Bilbao. It continues to run north until it drains into the Bay of Biscay.

The mountains and hills outside the city.

One of the many beaches in the greater Bilbao area.

We traveled to the city of Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. Here, we are waiting for the bulls (and the crazy runners) to arrive.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a small island off the coast of Biscay; a man made bridge connects it to the mainland. On top of the island stands a small church, dedicated to San Juan, which dates back to the 10th century. There used to be a castle in its place, which explains the name, Gaztelugatxe; it comes from the Euskara words for "rock" and "castle." After climbing the 237 stone steps to the top, you are supposed to ring the church's bell three times and make a wish!

Little Lion Man

Tremble for yourself, my man
You know that you have seen this all before
Tremble Little Lion Man
You'll never settle any of your scores
Your grace is wasted in your face
Your boldness stands alone among the wreck
Learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck

"Little Lion Man" by Mumford & Sons, great song! Once again, it has nothing to do with this post, but it popped into my head when I made the post's title. Anyway, last night I drove down to my hometown to visit some of the best friends a girl could ask for; we went out to dinner and drinks and had an all-around blast. However, I realized that what I now love most about coming home is not the drunken messes we all become at night--which is still awesome, don't get me wrong--it is the next morning at Gully's house, with her little Leonardo. The above title, Little Lion Man, is actually referring to my best friend's firstborn, Leo. This post is an ode to the little guy!

Regarding us girls and the time we spend together, things are as they have always been: lounging around, talking (may be gossiping too), eating puppy chow, and having some delicious coffee (or glasses of wine--depending on the time of day.) And yet, at the same time, it is also very different because of one small change: we take turns holding and canoodling this little tyke. It is such a great feeling. You just look at him and wonder what he will be like in six months, a year, 18 years, or even (gasp) 26 years like us! I get so excited about the infinite possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead of him, and I am only a pseudo-aunt; I cannot imagine what goes through Gully's and Tommy's minds when they wander into Leo's future!

So, my little lion man, you are one of the cutest and most laid back babies I have ever met. You also have some pretty sweet parents--as well as grandparents, aunts/uncles, pseudo-aunts/uncles, and cousins--that love you like crazy. I have no doubt that you will be a little rascal as a toddler, a good kid as a teenager, and--inevitably--a great man as an adult. I wish you all the success, love, and happiness in the years to come!

 On October 9, 2010, at Gully's baby shower, Leo is still just a bun in the oven.

On November 21, 2010, Kaylee and I officially met the 2-day-old (and jaundiced ha) little Leo. He was born November 19th, a measly three days after my guess in the baby pool, so Kaylee won. I was robbed!

And finally, the little guy now, at four-months-old. He really looks like half Gully and half Tommy. And all smiles!

ObamaCare

Approximately one year ago, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare.) As much as I want every American to have insurance and, in effect, have access to affordable health care, ObamaCare brings to mind the classic quote: "great in theory, bad in practice." I do not think the answer to our current health care system--which is flawed!--is completely gutting the existing structure and replacing it with an equally fallible one. I believe the solution involves addressing the shortcomings of the system in place. I also believe that, throughout the deliberation and creation of said solutions, lawmakers should remain conscientious of the federal deficit and prevent establishing programs that threaten to bankrupt the country once and for all.

By 2014, it is estimated that ObamaCare will result in an additional 16 million people on Medicaid. The (already indebted) federal government plans to "foot the bill" for this surge for three years, however, the states will start picking up their portion of the cost after that. To illustrate the effect this will have on states, here are two examples: First, Virginia currently allocates 21% of its entire budget to Medicaid; ObamaCare will cause that figure to increase to 28% within a few years. Likewise, ObamaCare will push Texas into spending approximately 46% of its budget on Medicaid; call me crazy, but designating almost half of a state's budget to just one program is ludicrous. Increases like these will occur across the nation and they translate into one of two things (or both:) States will have to cut spending on other programs, such as education, and/or they will have to raise taxes.

The Independent Women's Voice held an "IWV ObamaCare Video Contest" which asked for a 1-minute video portraying why ObamaCare is bad for the country. So, I made a video. After getting a decent number of votes, the IWV (and I) realized I had violated one of the fine print rules by putting a licensed song in it, so they took it down. Even though it was removed from the contest, I still want to share it with others because I strongly believe in its message. So, here it is!

The End

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end

"The End" by The Doors, great song! Depressing, but great. It really has nothing to do with this post, but it popped into my head when I made the post's title. Anyway, the end of medical school has finally arrived. I am officially done! The past four years have been spent pulling all-nighters before exams, drinking pots of coffee before 6am rounds, and using every (rare) free moment to sneak off for a nap. As lovely as that all sounds, it has also been the best four years of my life. I had the pleasure of meeting incredible people from all walks of life, learning from intelligent physicians from various fields of medicine, and experiencing the presentation/diagnosis/progression/treatment of some of the most interesting medical cases. (That last part sounds nerdy, but trust me, it was exciting.)

I have also made some of the best friends during the past four years. Let me tell ya, getting through hell and back is always a little easier with friends by your side! And through the roller coaster ride of school, rotations, and life, they made the teetering highs a little sweeter and the devastating lows a little easier to bear. So, to you all: THANK YOU. You have been nothing but wonderful classmates and great friends... and soon-to-be outstanding colleagues! I cannot thank you enough.

Finally, to wrap this up, I want to comment that this is not really the end. Being in the field of surgery, there will always be more protocols to study and more exams to take. In general, in the medical profession--like in most things--the end of one chapter only brings you to the beginning of the next. I guess that is why graduation is so aptly named commencement! So, here's to the end of school and the beginning of everything else!

My official "half page" in the yearbook is a collage representing my family and friends.

This photo of my fellow gen surg classmates and me looks very Grey's Anatomy-esque ha!