The Sardonic Grin and Other Tales of Veterinary Terror...

Well today on neurology we had a very interesting case! A dog with tetanus...unfortunately the patient may not do well. As you may know from humans and tetanus, animals end up very stiff, have very painful muscle spasms, have a "locked jaw", and have the "Sardonic grin" which refers to the facial expression dogs can get with their facial muscles pulled and contorted. Unfortunately, they can die of respiratory paralysis...it can be very, very serious. The other day a friend of mine on ER took in a Dachshund that had back surgery, and then chewed its own back leg off---yes, in its entirety. As in when we saw it, it literally was missing its back leg and all you saw was bone, blood, and muscle. It was likely due to tingling sensations or lack of sensation to the leg that caused the dog to do so. The worst part was that the owner couldn't find the leg in question so we had to take an x-ray of the dog and we found that the dog had actually eaten its own leg...talk about the power of endorphin release...

A Wedding Day

Today Marcus and I attended the wedding of one of my closest friends, Anthony. It was at the New York Botanical Gardens and it was really a good time. Between the setting and the great food, I'd highly recommend having a wedding there. Other than Anthony, I did not know anyone at the wedding, and Marcus has only met Anthony a couple of times...and I'm not the most extroverted type in these situations...which is kinda interesting because I can be incredibly, if not inappropriately outgoing in other social situations. But I was so happy for Anthony, and I finally met his new wife today, but only briefly. The people sitting at our table were a fun crowd, so that was a bonus. I remember during the reception it hit me that I really value time spent with friends and family, and how important they are compared to a job...even if that job helps others, still having time to appreciate those closest to you is the most important thing. Which really makes me look forward to "getting on with my life" next year, AKA NOT pursuing residency so I can actually have some free time. Marcus and I just finished watching the film "The Savages", which was pretty good. It's about a brother and sister who end up taking care of their elderly father in spite of the fact that he was a pretty bad father when they were growing up. One of the people sitting at our table at the wedding mentioned their favorite film was the Aussie flick called "Flirting"... so maybe I'll try to Netflix that. I really hope that the bride and groom will make some wedding shots available, because we didn't take any photos in the hopes that we'd have access to good ones. But I am kind of bummed that Marcus and I didn't take a photo of us together, because we rarely get to go out together...

Free Time!

Today I was for the most part, free. I slept a little, went to Loehmann's, did some housework, and then worked a little bit. These days I'm really enjoying that new song by Lil' Wayne featuring Bobby Valentino called "Mrs. Officer". It's pretty hysterical if you listen to the lyrics. I tried to locate the official video on youtube.com, but I couldn't! Strange...but great song. I'm in search of a grey leather bag for the fall. I must say that my favorite color is probably grey...I love all shades of grey! Well I guess I should be heading to bed soon. TV isn't too exciting right now anyway!

Wednesday Almost

So in the past few days I've got to visit my family, celebrate my 33rd birthday, spay and neuter some kittens, and almost reach my most proximal goal: have a day off! So this past weekend I went to Westchester and my family went to a great tea house in Tarrytown. The following day I started on neurology...so far, so good. Then on my birthday I was unfortunately at work for an extended period of time, but then it gives me an excuse to try to celebrate it with Marcus at another time, right? I did have chocolate cake---of course! Marcus knows me well...and a birthday without chocolate cake, well then...why live?! I did a little surgery today; although Cornell is not great in giving its vet students much surgical hands-on experience, I was so excited to be doing surgery. Tomorrow I have to work my double shift on ER, but then at least the day after I'm off! I just want to chill, catch up on some housework, all that good stuff. The weather is so strange right now...it's a mix of very cool like you want to wear a jacket, but then it warms up and it's almost summer like...hmm...This weekend it may or may not rain. We are going to a wedding, so hopefully the weather will be good, but no matter what I'd like to think that rain or shine, a wedding's a beautiful thing. Speaking of beautiful things, I recently went to Sephora to purchase one of my favorite shampoos of all time: Terax Miele Moisturizing Shampoo. Their conditioner is a winner, too: Original Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner. But they didn't have it! What's up with that? I'll have to get them on drugstore.com...

Sleeping In

Last night I worked my double shift on ER, which means that I work my regular day (now I'm on ophthalmology) from 7:30AM until 6PM, then I work as an ER doctor from 6PM until midnight. Well, things were slow and I was allowed to leave early! So I actually got home at 11:30PM! Then I could actually sleep in today, since I start late today. I woke up next to my fellow sleeping master, Gustaf. I just found out my sister Jennifer got a job as associate director of interior design at a hospital in Queens! She's going to be implementing eco-friendly, yet functional design to the hospital. Very exciting. Today I'm going to enlighten the ophthalmology crew on the delectable ways of Nutella...I'm bringing in Nutella and some bread and spreading the joy in between appointments. Other good news: my father just had surgery to correct 2 hernias he had, and it went well...PHEW. He's resting comfortably at home.

A Blogging Mom Is Proud

Terry-a, Steve, and baby Seren are in Northern Italia. I decided to check on their blog to see if Terry-a had updated it, and what a nice surprise! She did! Young Grasshopper, blog on...blog on! Today I decided to capture Gustaf on film. He seems to like to jump on the bathroom counter, so I snapped a photo. Today I was very productive: I did laundry, hand washed some clothes, cleaned the bathroom, emptied the dishwasher, uploaded some photos, and watched some good ol' shameless TV. I can't say I'm happy about going back to work tomorrow. I'm not. But oh well, right? Today I discovered that Top Shop now has a US friendly website that you can shop on. What else...there's an Anthropologie bag I covet...Oh and my in-laws are moving to Trinidad and Tobago for the next few years, so when I'm done with this @#$@#$ing internship, guess where we're going for some serious detox!

At This Moment

At this very moment life is great: as I shove my face with rainbow cookies, I reflect on the great day I had today. Marcus and I went to visit my family. We had an early birthday celebration for me. We ate a wonderful meal: lobster, black beans and rice, poached eggs in a homemade tomato sauce, and a delicious mocha frosted birthday cake that Jennifer baked. I also got a facial by my favorite facialist, too. Then I came back home and actually exercised for the first time in over a month! Jennifer told me that she passed her LEED exam, which is great news. So now Jennifer is ready to conquer the eco-friendly world of interior design, while Caroline is holding down their interior design firm.

Yellow Cake, But Seriously: NO FROSTING???

Well, yesterday's brunching with Terry-a and Saifra was great fun. We then hit up Loehman's. Then I hung out at Terry-a's for a while. They're going to Italia in a few days and Terry has decided to chronicle their gallivants italiano style on her new blog, La Dolce Vita Fowler. I also got word from Saifra that a fellow Virgo, her sister Romaana, has a blog called Yellow Cake No Frosting. Great name, but seriously, no frosting??? Really, no FROSTING??? I respect that, but as a die hard chocolate lover (chocolate butter cream frosting---hubba hubba), it is mind boggling! No but I respect the personal preference. I also wanted to make a public apology to Romaana, who has been a dedicated reader of my blog, that I didn't post her comments. I need to be better about that! So today I'm going to try to catch up on some X-Files and maybe a Netflix movie. I may also go to Century 21. I have a wedding to go to soon, and I'd like a new clutch bag to match my dress. Marcus has joined a soccer league and had a good time. He plays on Sunday nights in the city. I must say I'm sorta diggin' that new Ne-yo song "Miss Independent"...but really bad video! Speaking of diggin' something, Marcus just got a buzzcut and I'm lovin' it! Love the short hair. But I must redirect your attention to a personal guilty pleasure, the "Outrageous" video by Britney Spears featuring and Snoop Dogg. The part I personally enjoy being of course the basketball court scene. C'mon, it's great, isn't it???

Thursday is Here, I Should Be Happy...

The week is almost done; but I dread my last work day this week---Saturday. Because I'll be on ER...and I'm so over it right now. But Sunday I will be brunching in Tribeca with Terry-a at Estancia 460. And Tribeca is one of my favorite places in Manhattan. But my absolute favorite is the East Village. I mean after all, I did go to NYU and lived in the wonderful village for 4 rockin' years. I should be positive though...because I'll have two days off and I can chill out, watch a movie, buy a new alarm clock (my 20 year old one is makin' funny noises), and shop for a potential handbag. Be positive, Michelle, be positive...