Category: Living life

Today was not one of my regular days. Instead of going to the hospital, I participated in an off-campus event for the morning.

Once I was free, I decided to walk home, as it was a bright, unseasonably sunny day. I almost pulled out my sunglasses, kept in my purse in perpetual optimism, in case I can actually get outside during daylight.

This is the first Christmas I haven’t worked in quite a few years. I plan to enjoy myself. My plans are pretty decadent: sleep in, putter around the house, finish off my charitable giving for the year (my check book will be getting a work out).

I hope your day is as much fun as mine should be, whether it’s a slow day to catch up on things, or a busy day seeing family, or celebrating the day religiously.

Here is some art to brighten your day, in case you need it.

This is a question I have been asking a lot lately.

For the holidays, I ask my loved ones (or their parents): what do you want? Toys? Shirts? Books? A DVD? (For the record, a scarf or two and some lovely Smartwool socks–Margarita, knee-high–would be great for me.)

I have also been asking that question of myself during this season.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I plan to enjoy myself with my family, eating (too) well and likely failing to keep up with the younger generation.

I feel very fortunate to be able to spend time with my parents, siblings, niblings. We are all healthy, and out of the hospital. We have plenty to eat, can take time off for the holiday, and are able to travel to see each other. As I wrote about last year, I feel quite rich, even if numbers in the bank might tell me I am “comfortable.”

I hope you enjoy your day tomorrow, and feel that you have much to be thankful for as well.

This weekend I finished several weeks of durance vile hospital wards, supervising residents and students, teaching, and taking care of clinic work. This is a hard stretch of service, with long hours and little time off; many things (exercise, tidying, socializing, reading) get left by the wayside. However, it is this time that allows me lighter hours when I am only working in the office.

Though I still had work to do, I woke up my first free day feeling the need to Do.All.The.Things. Or at least work on my goals.

Sometimes I feel like I’m writing about things that aren’t going as well as I might hope. Or I am wrestling with problems I haven’t figured out yet.

Today (I’m writing on a Saturday), I had a surprisingly lovely morning. I didn’t have to travel far, and it didn’t cost much. As I reflected further, I realized I had a pretty good week, and maybe it’s worth remembering that and figuring out how to enjoy more of what I already have.