Presidency 2008

I must preface this by saying, first, that I am a conservative, both morally and politically. However, the main issue for me in this upcoming election is not one of moral concern or even one that is politically involved, but it is health care. Going into the medical field, I have a great fear of the Democratic party's outlook on a socialized medicine-like restructuring of our health care system. This would, in essence, make us like Canada or other nations, in that, yes, basic medical care would be paid for by the government. However, let's say that you get sick and need an MRI. These tests and advanced treatments, even in life threatening conditions, maybe require waits of weeks to even months and may not be paid for except by you. Even more than this, under their way of thinking, we say that "Oh, everyone will have their health care for free and the government is paying for it." But aren't we just taking the money we pay now in health care and now giving it to the government to supposedly pay for the health care. And for me, as a future doctor, in a socialized system, incomes for doctors are seriously diminished..... With that being said, I am not in the medical profession for the money, but I must, at some point, pay off my loans and build a life.

So that is my most important issue in the upcoming debate. I know some will say....I can't vote for Romney because he is Mormon. Are we really to that point in our country where we, as religious people that get mad for people not saying the pledge because "God" is in it, will persecute a man in words and ultimately judge him on the shear fact of his religion. Will the church he attends on the Sunday affect how he guards our borders....probably not. However, the fact that he indeed does have faith in God, despite our theological differences on the basis for that faith, will definitely influence his voting in instances requiring the aforementioned faith. I do not say this because I intend to vote for Romney. I am not sure who will earn my vote, but it will be with much thought and consideration that I give it out. I just wanted to make the point that if we want to complain about one thing, can we really judge another?

I welcome your differing opinions or additions to this post, even if you want to do so anonymously.

On a lighter note, I will add that JT and I went running in New York's Central Park at the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. So now, to put it like a normal person.....we ran around this big lake in the park with really awesome city views on all sides! It was a lot of fun and just wanted to share it.
Have a great weak and I look forward to hearing from you.
~nat

I really wanted to use today, the day of the New Hampshire primary, to do the discussion on the Presidency 2008. However, I forgot my glasses in my white coat at work and can barely see right now....so I will do it tomorrow. I changed the polls...so please vote, at least for fun. It is anonymous.
love ya
~nat

Moving to New York has brought about two interesting changes in my dear husband. First, I have gotten to eat sushi, and he LOVES it! He first tried sushi in Dallas at Sushi Samba, but it was not the best sushi I have ever had.....however, he thought it was pretty good. Since being in New York I have been pushing him to try different sushi restaurants with me but he as persistently denied me until this weekend. We planned to head to the city to a small restaurant called Yama in Union Square, but decided to stay in Astoria for the day. We took a walk around the area and found a small Asian fusion and sushi restaurant on 31st Ave and 38th St here in Astoria called JJ's. I had JT try seaweed salad, which I love, and edamame (steamed soybeans that are yummy and healthy). After that, he picked two rolls and loved them both. I had him get one tempura roll, which is fried, and one regular or "raw" roll. And surprisingly he liked the regular roll better. It was called the Astoria roll. It was a typical roll filled with crab meat and avocado and topped with seared salmon and a tasty sauce.

Though JT has always loved to read, since being here, he has been broadening his horizons.......from all history and sports non-fiction to literature and plays and novels..... He just finished "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway and is starting a "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams. He also recently finished "The Kiterunner" by Khalid Hosseini, and we saw the movie recently thereafter. These readings are all juxtaposed to his past favorites such Phil Jackson coaching books, Michael Jordan biographies, and The Lone Survivor about war and politics. I like this change, the former English major in me coming out. I, too, have been reading my spare time. I just finished "What Remains" by Carole Radziwill. She was the wife of Anthony Radziwill, the nephew of JFK and Jackie O, thus John Kennedy Jr's cousin. She became best friends with John Kennedy's wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Sadly, after the Kennedy's died in the plane crash, her husband died three weeks later of cancer. The book is a memoir of her marriage and friendship, of happiness and tragedy. Though sad, the book instills an appreciation for the here and now. It also reveals the side of the Kennedy's and her family that one would not anticipate. A good read.... I am going to read "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams.....it is a short play. But mainly I am reading it because the play is going to be on Broadway in February and we want to go see it. I am also going to read "The Other Boleyn Girl" mostly, again, because I want to see the movie by the same title coming out this spring starring Scarlett Johannsen and Natalie Portman. With all this being said, I should also clarify that I do read school books as well but do not think you would enjoy titles and descriptions of books like "The Washington Manual of Medicine and Therapeutics."

Our running started today.....the preparation for the Derby half marathon. We did a total of about three miles today but only ran a little over a mile or so. There is a park about a mile away called Astoria Park. It is along the East River with a Manhattan skyline view. There is also a track there. It was nice today, around 45 degrees or so. Tomorrow is supposed to be close to sixty but JT works late and I work early so we have to run on our own. It is much more fun this year running together as opposed to last year running alone in Dominica, but I must confess that the Dominica heat was better to run in than the New York cold.

Well, I am going to go finish watching the Chargers and Titans game with JT. Thanks for voting in the polls....I like the honesty of someone telling me I should lose weight. I was just wanting to see if anyone would say as much....it took a set to do so. I will write on the topic that wins the poll in a few days! Have a great week! Love you, everyone.
~nat

Happy New Year everyone! Today is January 2, 2008. Isn't it strangle writing 2008? Though isn't it weird changing the year every January 1st? I guess so. It is very cold today in New York City. It is thirty one degrees and the wind is blowing fiercely. Snow flurried about this morning but nothing to really speak of as it did not stick and the sun is deceptively shining right now. Tomorrow is supposed to be even worse topping out at only 23 degrees.

I am at work right now. We finished our rounds at eleven this morning and that was followed by a lecture from the program director. I have the rest of the day to "learn" so I plan to make use of my time. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day for us. I have rounds in the morning followed by an hour and a half lecture after which I am attending phlebotomy certification. Not that any of this is important.

Jt and I went to see The Kiterunner last night. I must say it as good as every says it is. I must add, though, that the book, for those who have not read it, fills in the gaps and details nicely that movie must omit for time's sake. Anyways, read the book and then watch the movie. I highly recommend it. You will truthfully be a better person for doing so.

Have a great day!
~nat
People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy New Year!

A new blog for a new year. I thought it was an appropriate change with the start of a new year.....I hope you can appreciate the change. It has been a busy and eventful holiday season for us. I have tried something new today by documenting our last week in pictures and captions....Just something new to switch it up. Speaking of something new.....After the New Year, I am going to be mixing up my blogs. I will continue with updates of what is going on with us. However, I am going to be writing on real topics...for example, I will take quotes and analyze them, as well as political topics, current events or random things. This may throw some of you off and as well, you may not agree with all of it. But in any event, I will go from discussing minimal life events to things much bigger than ourselves. If you all have any ideas, please feel free to email me or post a comment.




1. Here is the beginning of our holiday season....We went to the Knicks vs. Lakers game on Dec 23 at Madison Square Garden. It was much better than the last NBA game we saw (the Hawks vs the Knicks two years ago....for those of you that know, that was an awful game.) Every seat in MSG is a good seat so we could see very well.




2. This is one of the main reasons we went to see the game....the watch Kobe Bryant play. It goes without saying that we do not agree with who Kobe is as a person. However, his game is as smooth as it comes. His jumpshot is fluid and he plays at a level above the rest.....needless to say JT really enjoyed it.

3. This is my neighbor's daughter, Jenny, and her friend Arianna on Monday when I was babysitting them. As you can see, they are playing in my makeup....playing "make-over."

4. This is me after they played "make-over" on me....can't you see the eyeliner going vertical rather on my lid.


5. This is the opening of our presents.....We opened our presents on Christmas Eve so we could sleep, like I said before. I am showing off one of the paintings JT got me for Christmas. He got me two pieces of art to hang above our couch in the living. I really like them and he did such a good job with all of my Christmas gifts.


6. This is JT with an Old Navy sweater I got for him. It is pink, grey, and black....He will look so cute once he wears it.


7. This is JT's big gift....the series of King of Queens. We love this show and ironically think it is very similar to our marriage sometimes. If you can't tell, the box looks like Doug's delivery truck. I hope he liked the gift as much as I liked mine.

8. My mom sent us money for Christmas but she did pose as Santa by sending me a real Santa bag filled with clothes. I had to show this because it was so "Christmas." You can see my manger scene in the background if you look hard enough...


9. Like I promised, here is JT putting together a Barbie house. He is getting practice for our future daughters.....though I pray everyday for boys because I think JT would be too overprotective with girls!


10. The dressing, turkey, green bean casserole, and mac & cheese.....YUM

11. The sweet potatoes and my new mashed potato recipe....Even better!



12. JT and Jenny washing the dishes. Again, what a great daddy he is going to be someday....maybe 2 or 3 years....at least that is the plan for now....He can wait that long. And if not, there is always Asia.



13. A shot from our typical day. JT giving me 'bunny ears' and me not noticing....

14. I don't know why it is underlining now....who really knows. I can't figure out my computer. This is my mom and Kayla as we took a horse drawn carriage ride through central park.


15. See now, no underlining, who knows. This is the view from Battery Park looking at Ellis Island. We did not get to go because we waited too late in the day to get ferry tickets. However, the view is still impeccable.



16. This is a picture of Kayle, my mom, me and Gaelle (her exchange student) with the Statue of Liberty in the background.




17. And finally, the true evidence of my aunt and mom's trip.....Shop or Die....This is my normally vibrant cousin McKensie passed out at eight o'clock surrounded by her purses, evidence of shopping. She did wake up and go to dinner with us....but it was quite a cute picture.



Well that is it. I hope you enjoy the blog changes and todays pictures and post. I wish everyone a safe and happy new year. in case you are wondering what we are doing, the answer is the same as last year....NOTHING. We both have to be at work at seven in the morning. However, after work ,we are going to see the movie KiteRunner, based on the book we both love. Again, I hope everyone has a great night!
~nat

Hi everybody! Today is the day after Christmas....always a bit deflating after I have worked myself up for Christmas. It was a good holiday for me despite being away from home for the very first time. JT worked most of the weekend because every New Yorker and tourist found it extremely necessary to buy $5 shirts and $20 jeans until 2:30 a.m. Just a thought, pre-planning goes a long way, so at least I could have my husband for the holiday. To make up for JT's absence, I babysat my neighbor's daughter, Jenny, three days in a row. We played makeover and tickle monster and we watched Elf and Nick Jr. It was very eventful. And to continue to the spirit of Christmas, I cooked Christmas dinner for Jenny and her mom, as well as me and JT. I know you don't believe that I can cook, however I put together quite a meal. I fixed turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce (canned), and candied carrots. Plus I had pita and french onion appetizer. I even took pictures to prove it...I will post them later tonight at home. The most amusing part of dinner was watching JT put together a Barbie house complete with a toilet who's seat raises, washer and dryer, bedroom, doggie door, laptop, and so much more....man has barbie made strides since my days of the large plastic and not easily moved Barbie house. By the way, I have a picture of JT doing this.....;-)

As for our Christmas together (as if playing with Jenny was not rewarding enough), Jt and I went to dinner together on Christmas eve and we actually took cabs, which is a treat for us train lovers (I say with hint of sarcasm). Gradisca is the name of the quaint Italian restaurant in Chelsea where we ate. (It was on 13th between 6th and 7th avenues.) The food was delectable. We had the seasonal Italian Cheese appetizer, followed by the carmelized pear and italian cheese topped salad (which was the tastiest salad I have ever eaten). I had a the angus filet topped with balsalmic reduction and sea salt while JT had Mama's Lasagna. They disappointingly were out of their famous creme brulee, however JT and I shared the chocolate souffle and chionetti wine. The entrees alone are not that pricey, but everything in combination added up, especialy in Manhattan. However, it was a holiday treat and was much enjoyed.

After dinner, we got to open presents!!!! We made that decision so that we could sleep in on Christmas day, something we had not done together in awhile, at least with no work commitments. Anyways, my dad gave us much appreciated money, as did my mom. Mom also got JT new running shoes and I got some cute clothes and bras and a toiletry travel case. JT's parents got us American Airlines gift cards to fly home for the Kentucky Derby half marathon....yes we are running again despite my better judgement. They also got me a pajamas and a bathrobe that I needed more than anything....it is light pink and cotton material, exactly what I wanted. Sharon and Jimmy got JT some running socks, a coffee table book and some other odds and ends. As for what I got JT, besides the normal under clothes and toilettries, I got him a set of Bose headphones, which I wanted for myself (so I do not have to hear the stange people on the train) and the King of Queens DVD series, which we both love.....But enough of that, he got me an amazing gift. In August, we are celebrating our fifth anniversary, YAY, so he made plans for us to take the amtrak to Boston where we will stay one night. We will then travel to the town of New Beford, Massachusetts and stay at the Briar Rose Bed and Breakfast for four days. During that time we are going to take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard....I have always wanted to go to Martha's Vineyard once I started reading Mary Higgins Clark novels in middle school. It is the neatest and most thoughtful gift that I could never think to ask for. It goes without saying that we will be saving much of our Christmas money for our first real vacation together since our honeymoon....which was funded by dad.

Needless to say, I feel very lucky for the wonderful husband I was given, as well as my family who continues to love me. Speaking of family, my mother is coming to visit again, not really to see me, but she bringing her exchange student Gaelle (everyone in the south says it as Gayle, but it is really pronounced guy-elle) and Kayla, a girl from Stanford that has been around us for a number of years now. And I must be honest, three people sleeping in my small living room is going to be a tough feat since I will be getting ready for work at 5:45am on Friday and our apartment is small in general. We will just make do....They just will need to keep their things picked up, unlike my sister.....(I am kidding Gretchen). At the same time my mom is coming, my Aunt Pam, Uncle Joey, and cousin McKensie are coming to visit the city from Charlotte. They are actually staying at the Barclay in the city, but I am looking forward to seeing them as it is a rarity to see them. Plus, my uncle Joey is a laugh a minute. It is just a shame Bob won't be here to antagonize my mom and Pam along with Joey.

Well I must go. I am at the hospital and should probably do some doctor stuff since that is my chosen profession. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We appreciate all of the Christmas cards and I will post more pictures soon!!!

~nat

Hello Everyone!!!! Merry Christmas. I am writing, though, for not a very merry season. Last Friday, December 14, our neighbor's husband died of a heart attack while taking a nap. His five year old daughter found him. Being here is different from home in that we did not find out about his death until today. They buried him Thursday and now the mother is left to raise their daughter. Even worse, both my neighbor and her late husband were prop masters on movie sets and tv sets, but with the current strike, they have been out of work since late November. I went today and got their daughter, Jenny, a kids SpongeBOB camera and The Grinch dvd. We spent the afternoon and evening playing with her little friend and hanging out at their apartment. My neighbor needed to go out so now Jenny and I are watching the Jim Carey version of The Grinch and playing computer games.....since she, at five, is smarter with computers than I am.

Anyways, having this happen makes me really put into perspective....so I want everyone to hug their family, even if they don't particularly like them because it really could be over. What I find so devastating is that a five year old girl lost her daddy whom she loved very much and had a close relationship with. so this holiday, keep this family in mind and pray for their future and that they have the best Christmas they can. Little Jenny won't be getting much and most of all, she is without her dady and Jane has lost her husband and friend.


I Love everyone and miss everyone....so much!!!! Work is going well and we have Christmas and Christmas Eve off. JT works till one am today (saturday) and Tomorrow. And he works till 830pm on Christmas Eve. He are going to have dinner at a restaurant called Gradisca and watching Christmas movies! Love you guys!
~nat

So, I've (JT) been taking some heat on here for not having a Christmas tree in the apartment. I figure it's time to clear the air. Contrary to popular opinion (or at least Emily's), I am not Scrooge! We all know how crazy Natalie is about Christmas and most of you know that I have a twisted sense of humor, so I kept telling Natalie we could not have a tree this year because we had no place to store it once Christmas is over. Anyone who has been to our apartment would know those reservations are well-based. I had plans all along to get Natalie a tree. However, if it were up to her, we would put out our Christmas decorations in September.

One day while Natalie was at the hospital, I went and bought her a real tree. Lugging it ten blocks down Broadway in Queens was not my finest moment. Buying a real tree solved two problems: 1) Natalie has always wanted a real tree (both of us were burdened to have siblings who are allergic to Christmas trees- how un-American) and 2) I would not have to be stumbling over a boxed-up artificial tree from January to November.

This has been one of the best Christmas' for me personally. Natalie and I are together again, which is awesome. I am living in the greatest city in the world, although I could do without working retail at this time of year in the largest city in the US. If only Asia could be with us!

Know that all of our family and friends will be missed at this special time of year. I hope everyone takes time away from all the busy-ness of the holidays and reflects upon what we are truly celebrating: that God gave up His only son to come to a condemned earth and save you and I.

JT's great picture of the tree.
At Rockefeller Center
Me and Gretchen in horse drawn carriage in the park
The drawing of me and Gretchen from Central Park
Our friend in Central Park drawing Gretchen.



These are pictures from Gretchen's visit to NYC. We had a really great time. I did and at least Gretch said she did. She left yesterday. Today JT and I are doing laundry and hanging out. I start my next rotation tomorrow. It is one of the big ones, Internal Medicine, and it last twelve weeks....till the end of February. It is in Brooklyn at Wykoff Heights Hospital. I will let you know how it goes. The one thing I miss right now is being able to have a Christmas tree. Our place is small and even a small would take a lot of space. I hope that maybe I can talk JT into letting me get one. We shall see.
I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas!

~nat

The Rockefeller Tree
Me and the FAO Swartz guard
We were peeping in on Santa at Macy's
Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window
Rockefeller Center
Kim's picture of the city from the park
Me and Laurel on 5th Ave
Bergdorf Goodman window


These are pictures from Kim's visit this weekend. For those of you that don't remember, Kim was my roommate most of my time in Dominica. She came up late on Friday night. On Saturday, we ran around the city and saw all of the Christmas sights and sounds. Christmas in New York City is quite beautiful. This is just a small bit of the pictures. Today is JT's birthday. We went to church and then went to brunch at a restaurant in Tribeca called Bubby's. It was a great day. It was cold though because we had our first snow. Gretchen is coming to visit me tomorrow and I am really excited about it. She is staying for a 5 days. Well, I am going to go and hang out with JT.
~nat