Dec30
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Dec24
Tienes Razon
This week I watched two great films. Patricia Riggen’s La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon) and Alejandro Verde’s Bella. Both films are about children, Carlitos and Bella, although the stories are structured around the struggles of parents, the strive to make life better and finding love.
Watching these films, I was reminded of how much I love Latin people and culture, and how much it has influenced me as a human being and as a doctor. I have explored the reasons why, and I think it’s because no matter who you are, what language you speak, or where you are from, you are always made to feel welcome among Latinos. Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up accustomed to freely expressing emotion, but something about kissing, eating, dancing, and drinking make me feel so much better. Oh sure, you can find varieties of this in all cultures, but my Latino friends know how to do with it style, flair, grace and sincerity.
Experiencing recent heartbreak, I owe so much gratitude to my amiga [you know who you are 
] who has only been there as a pillar of support. Even when I felt I was caving in around myself, she allowed me to see my own fortitude.
I named this post after one of the songs in La Misma Luna.
Feliz Navidad.
Dec22
Protected: What’s in a name?
Dec22
Calling all Spain Lovers
Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, The Iron Chef and Claudia Bassols host this wonderful series about an amazing and beautiful country.
I haven’t been to Spain for a while, but watching this documentary reminds me of the scrumptous paella and wonderful wines and just how exhilaterating it felt to be on the Mediterranean.
Watch and see for yourself.
http://www.spainontheroadagain.com/
Dec17
Radha and Krishna
Radha and Krishna
In a gesture of affection, Krishna wraps his cloak around Radha’s shoulders. She gazes back at the young lord with love and devotion. A heart shaped halo frames their young faces.
This was painted by an Indian artist named Nand Kishore who has become one of my favorite artists. Miniature paintings are one of India’s unique and legendary art forms, characterized by their beauty and finesse. Though originally small in size, the term applies to a style of painting that is rich in detail that is meticulously executed with delicate brushwork. Colors were once obtained from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, conch shells, silver and gold. Miniature painting is a beautiful art. It was at its peak during the Mughal era, hence most of the miniature painting portray fascinating scenes from Mughal times.
You can order his art from http://www.novica.com
Everyone on my Christmas list this year got something from Nand Kishore.
Dec16
Would the real Homo sapiens (man) please stand up?
Today I just made a realization…
Men don’t give up their seats for women anymore.
I’ve been counting (and keeping track) of all the examples. And you know that I have a memory like no one else 
1. Pregnant woman walks into the train. There are five men sitting around her. Another woman gets up and gives her seat to the pregnant lady. For shame guys.
2. I see a lady in my neighborhood with some sort of severe autoimmune disease (I think she has scleroderma). What takes a normal person one minute to walk probably takes her fifteen. Sometimes when we are on the same train I see her asking for a seat. Hardly anyone ever gets up for her. 
3. I was on the “6″ train. It was jam packed. An elderly woman who clearly had severe kyphosis (most likely due to osteoporosis and stress fractures) asked a guy if she could sit. He rolled his eyes at her and reluctantly gave up his seat.
4. Young lady feeling faint when she gets on the train. She asks the only guy sitting in front of her if she could sit down. “I’m really not feeling well”, I heard her say. He responded and pointed to another man on the opposite side, “Why don’t you ask him for his seat?” Eventually a nice lady got up and gave the young lady her seat. This made the guy embarrassed and he got up too. No one sat in his seat and he just stood there looking like a jerk.
These are the four that come to mind. Come on men, what’s up?! We criticize other countries for treating their women badly. This really doesn’t look too good for us either.
Would the real Homo sapiens please stand up?
Dec14
Turning the world around
Remember Superman 1978?
Lois Lane dies in an earthquake, Superman (Clark Kent) was too late to save her?
In his despair, he circles the earth a bajillion times and turns back time.
We should all have someone who loves us that much that would do that for us…and that we would do the same in return.
Dec14
A generous gift
My sister has the biggest heart of anyone that I know. I’ve known her to be like this ever since we were kids.
When we were both kids, we would often get into arguments about my sister’s magnanimous character. I often felt that there were people who were undeserving of her generosity, little did I know that this would be an argument that would extend into adulthood.
I consider myself a humble and kind person; but I am no where near my sister’s generous spirit. In my adulthood I realize instead of getting into an argument with her, I should appreciate her gift. She has it for a reason. It was sent to me for divine reasons.
Dec12
Run Forest! Run!
I have this friend (who shall be nameless) who is one of the most irreverent doctors around. Don’t get me wrong, he’s loved by all, patients, other doctors, but somehow he gets away with cracking jokes about other people, making fun of them right in front of their face and just acting plain silly.
Let me give you an example:
We went to a dinner (admittedly paid for by pharma) where another (albeit senior) colleague was sitted. My friend proceeded to crack jokes. When the senior colleague was talking about training for marathons, my friend asked, “How much do you run?” Senior colleague responded, “Oh, I don’t have a goal, I just run aimlessly.” Not more than one second passed, and my friend, with a straight face just blurted out, “Hmmm, like Forest Gump.” No smile, nothing. Of course, the giggler that I am, I went into spasmodic jerks laughing my a– off, and my friend kicked me under the table.
Now, can you tell me why I was kicked? It’s not like I was making the irreverent jokes. I was just laughing. It was damn funny at the time.
Live. Love. Laugh.
Dec9
A look over the fence
