Beginning 2008

Point #1: Again, I turn to make an entry here. As January began, I set several personal goals. It's been a month now, and I guess I have a bit of work to do yet. Is this common to forget new resolutions this quickly. I think so. Check out this link for some of the statistics:

http://www.proactivechange.com/habits/resolutions/research.htm

Optimistically, I was among the 40-50% of the population that at least turned introspectively and made resolutions. Disappointingly, I'm among the 30-35% of goal-setters to forget or abandon their goals by now.

Point #2: Although it is point #2, it may as well be #1, because it was really what prompted me to get online and update my blog. I want to give a shout out to the NY Mets management for working diligently for the best off season pitching available to them. This week's trade for Johan Santana and subsequent contract negotiation has made me and all NY Mets fans proud. We love seeing quality pitching on the mound, and I believe that Santana is going to be solid. I'd tag Santana and Pedro as the best 1-2 punch in MLB pitching. And then you look at el Duque, Perez, and Maine to follow. Wow! I think we'll see the Mets rebound to a tremendous year.

Point #3: Living 2 minutes from Pasadena, I decided to see my first Rose Parade up close. I send out my thanks to Coach T. for saving me a spot in her drive-way. We then walked a couple of blocks and saw the world famous parade. I'm posting a few pictures of my favorite floats.

(Remember, all floats in the Rose Parade must be made of organic material.)

Let's here it for my city of Alhambra for putting together a fun float for the year of the rat.

This was the years most controversial float, heralding the upcoming summer olympics in Beijing. It was controversial because it shows support of China's government and their labor laws. There were very few protestors, and the rest of us enjoyed it.

This was a favorite by the state of New Mexico. I like that they highlight the state's pre-eminence at drawing aliens to Roswell. But when it's done it flowers, it doesn't seem to weird....just more artistic.

Doesn't this look relaxing and fun. The frog learning to hula at the bottom of a erupting volcano.

Point #4: Finally, my sister Kim and her family visited me. Kim had promised to take her daughter to Disneyland in discussions with her daughter during potty training. So, true to her word, Kim brought her and the rest of her family to visit. Besides a great time at Disneyland, we also managed to play some games, see the beach, and hear a little false doctrine. Trip complete! I am going to squeeze in a picture of us at Disneyland on a "special" trolley.

Happy holidays!

It has been another year, and I want to send a short greeting to share a few highlights of my year. Each year, I like to do it with a theme. This year, the writer’s guild strike is a big news story in Los Angeles. As most TV dramas are in re-runs, producers have embraced the no-writers-necessary game show with its impromptu responses. In lieu of the current game-shows craze, I’m electing to share my year in review by gameshow-style.

1. The Price is Right: In February, I found an apartment where the price was right. So, I took it. The move was only about 3-4 miles away, but I had a lot of help. I really enjoy the new place. I have great neighbors and a small plot to garden. I never thought I had a green thumb, but I think my family genes move me to garden.

2. Who wants to be a Millionaire? Everyone knows I love to ski. I didn’t think I’d be able to get any time in for skiing this past year, but I did. In which state, did I ski for the first time this year?
A) Colorado
B) Wyoming
C) California
D) Utah

Answer: C. California. I never thought that snow could last in warm southern California, but it does in the Big Bear area near San Bernardino. In February, four of us rented some skis and tore it up on the rails, box tops, and massive jumps of a local ski resort. This getaway trip was truly worth a million bucks.

3. The Amazing Race: In May, I made a business trip to Philadelphia with about 10 colleagues. We had a great time in the meetings, but even better, we had a great time touring the city and its unique history. On the way home, we had a road-block in Las Vegas where we had to spend the night. The next day, I got home in time to welcome my sisters Michelle and Marianne to a SoCal vacation.

4. Survivor: Competition amongst my family was peaking in late June this past summer. For the first time in more than 2 years, all my siblings and their families gathered to my parents’ home. This was truly a survivor experience as 24 people crowded in one house at one time can always stir up “a few differences of opinion.” We had fun feats of strength including board and card games. Our pride was on the line during the reward challenge which paired my brother Dave, my pregnant sister Camille, and myself in a golf match. I won’t specifically mention who won, but common sense says my poor handicap still prevails against a pregnant woman swinging clubs and a brother who hadn’t played in a year. In the elimination vote, I lost and returned to work first.

5. 1 vs 100: I am excited to have three new nephews. Which of the following is not a name of one of my new nephews? A) Jett, B) Dane, C) Issac, or D) Ronald McDonald.

6. Are you smarter than a 5th grader: Which college has my deepest sports devotion?
Hint #1: I thoroughly enjoyed cheering them on with my friends Landon and Shadley in a game at the Rose Bowl versus UCLA.
Hint #2: I had a ticket to their game versus San Diego State, where I had hoped to see the Petersen’s, the Burnham’s, and the Rasmussen’s. Unfortunately, it was postponed due the fires this year, and I was scheduled at the hospital the day it was rescheduled.
Hint #3: I wanted to attend their bowl game in Las Vegas thanks to my sister Camille’s generosity.
Answer: BYU! (Go Cougars!)

7. Jeopardy! With the dismal fall of my New York Mets in September, I needed to rebound by playing a daily double in some unconventional sports. I attended my two events of unconventional sports for the first time this year:
A) Wrestling and Skateboarding,
B) Surfing and Volleyball,
C) Golf and Wrestling, or
D) Volleyball and Soccer.

Answer: C. Golf and Wrestling. My friend Morgan’s company got us box seats at the Staples Center to see the WWE Smackdown with an appearance by Stone-Cold Steve Austin. We all know its fake, but they make it fun. Morgan and I also went this month to see Tiger Woods beat some excellent golfers in the Target Invitational in Thousand Oaks, California. These sports may be polar opposites, but they were both very entertaining.

8. Deal or No Deal: I’m still working hard in my residency training in Internal Medicine. Recently, I was offered the chief resident position for the 2009-2010 academic year. I felt honored to have the confidence of the residency directors, but I asked to have some time to consider the offer. After discussion with my family and a few friends, I made the deal. It will give me an opportunity to give back to a great residency program, which has given me many fulfilling opportunities.

9. Wheel of Fortune: Location where I’ll celebrate Christmas this year:
“AT _HE HOSP_T_L”
Yes, as surely as people are sick, many of us physicians must work Christmas day. I am trying to spread a little cheer amongst the patients. Although I will celebrate Christmas day at the hospital, I have found time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. I am grateful for the gift of God in sending his Son to redeem mankind.

I hope that you are well, and I want to wish you the happiest of holiday seasons!


P.S. The Bachelor: (Does it require any further clarification? This saga is the story of my life and has been renewed going into the new year.)

Halloween

My sister has been encouraging me to add something to this blog. She tells me that she checks it more often than I do. So in order to appease her...

Perhaps, I can recap a bit of halloween. I moved into a new neighborhood this year, and it's always difficult planning for how many kids (and their parents) will be soliciting candy from you. Based on previous years and adding a little for safety, I bought 3 bags of candy.

My first visitor was my 3-year-old neighbor, Gabriel. He came about a week before halloween to practice. He did very well with a bit of coaching that first night. Halloween came, and he didn't disappoint; he rolled up as Thomas the train, and asked boldly for a treat. I then got several other Gabriel-type kids streaming to my door for candy, candy, candy!

As the night rolled on, I gave candy to a few tricksters, and many treaters. However, I regret that the candy was gone by 8pm. Luckily, there was a break in the flow of kids, and I closed the door, turned out the light. I apologize to all the kids who came by after 8pm; I've learned my lesson and will need more candy next year.

Here's a Halloween poem that I liked by Teresa J. Shuck (unknown to the author):
'Twas the Night of Halloween

Twas the night of Halloween and all through the streets,
children were smiling about all of the yummy treats.
The pumpkins were carved and lit up with great care,
in hopes to give each passerby a great scare.

The grown ups were nestled all snug on the couch,
waiting to fill each child's little pouch.
And Pa watching football and I by the door,
waiting for screams of more, more, more.

When out in the yard their rose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the door I flew like a flash,
I did it so fast I got whip lash.

The moon on the kids and their costumes galore,
shined bright on the street of ghosts, goblins and more.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a devil, a witch and a princess with real tears.

As I bent down to ask what was causing her to cry,
I saw an empty bag and I didn't know why.
So I emptied my bowl and loaded her bag just right,
and proclaimed HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL AND TO ALL A FRIGHTFUL NIGHT!


In lieu of halloween, I'm going to recommend a website that can magically transform anyone into a Simpson character. I believe many people know about the website, but in case you have not.....try the following links to see how this author looks...simpsonized.

http://simpsonizeme.com/ecard.php?lang=en_us&code=wcbdoabewhaiodsukfcbwfoxxegoolwb

and

http://simpsonizeme.com/ecard.php?lang=en_us&code=mbxxbigvnpgnojeuhaosaiuumkbqrqca

Which do you like better? Send me an email and tell me at mikejolley@hotmail.com. Don't forget to forward the link to your simpsonized picture.