Sunday, September 26, 2010

Entitled to Happiness


The topic of our entitled American culture (and my generation in particular) has been the subject of conversation a couple of times in the past week, which I now feel compelled to comment on. It's true, we as Americans believe that happiness, convenience, and service are owed to us. When you graduate from school you think an employer will come barging down your door to have you come work for them (with an impressive benefits package). When the wireless on your ipod doesn't work you get annoyed at the inconvenience because you need to check your email for the 50th time today. And the U-scan at Harris Teeter should never have a line because you are entirely too busy to wait (never mind that you have the money to shop at Harris Teeter).

Whatever happened to talking to people in line at the grocery store? Or giving the courtesy wave when someone lets you into the traffic lane? Or simply being impressed that the town of Carrboro has free wireless?

An article we talked about in clinic this week comments on the "high self esteem" of today's young generation that is selfish, self-centered, and entitled. Chores are a thing of the past (most parents admit to me that the only "chore" their child has is to "tidy their room". What happened to folding towels, sweeping floors, emptying the dishwasher, or helping at the grocery store?). This high self esteem supposedly makes us less likely to think of others, less likely to serve others, and more prone to episodes of severe despression. While service to others is extremely important to me as both a Carson and a Carolina graduate, I see a lot of truth in this statement. Take those self-important Tweeters or facebook status updaters... "Baking cookies with my kitty Fluffy!!!!.... Eating cookies and watching at movie with Fluffy, best cat EVER!!!... Emptying the lint out of the dryer!!!!" However mundane, these S.I. posters will think that they are the cat's meow instead of thinking of how they can contribute to society. Take a look at the article-- it's an interesting read.

Time to let steam our of children's self-esteem.

If you're not convinced that we don't appreciate all of the joys of our very privelidged life, look at Louis C.K. commenting on our disregard for all things technology. This video puts it all in perspective a little bit. I am sure you will laugh because it's completely true.


So as I prepare to head to a third world nation and take with me a few luxuries of the modern world (read: peanut butter, bug spray, and toothpaste with mini breath strips), I am reminded to be humble. I am reminded to be thankful and to see joy in the places that I'd least expect it.
I am going to help a generation of children that has never known DVR, laptops, or cell phones... but they are just as happy.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Countdown to Tanzania! 1 month!

I received my visa today so it's official... I'm going to Tanzania!!! I will be in Moshi, a bustling town right outside of the Mt Kilimanjaro park and very close to the Kenyan border. For those of you who will be keeping up with my travels in Africa via Local Townie, I will post periodically before I leave on October 25 and will post as much as possible while I'm in Tanzania (although I make no promises with the internet access!).

The countdown is on! 1 month!

I will be staying in a compound for volunteers that are working at KCMC (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center) in Moshi, Tanzania with other international medical students, physicians, and volunteers. Duke has a relationship with the hospital and I will be attending rounds in the pediatric wards. A student went from the acute/chronic program last year, but no one has gone from the primary care program before so I will be the first, which should be interesting since I'll also be working in a children's clinic in town.

I'm starting to pack and starting with my small arsenal of a pharmacy which will include: advil, malaria prophylaxis, diamox (for high altitudes), cipro (for those GI bugs), pedilyte (for rehydration after the GI bugs), probiotics (to return to normal after the GI bugs), bug spray.

I am up to date on all my vaccines after next week with yellow fever, HepA, flu, and typhoid.

The reality of my trip has only partially set in but what's more unreal is that when I finish this trip, I will be finished with graduate school. Just one short month of Raleigh clinic work and two months abroad stand in the way of me being a PNP and that's pretty hard to believe!

My family and friends have done well to support me in organizing this trip while battling "Africa time" and encouraging me to take this opportunity. It will undoubtedly be the greatest adventure I have ever embarked on.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

UnLabor Day


To all those people who work 5 days a week: I understand your pleas for Friday now. I skipped town and made it to Colorado just in time for happy hour. Golden City Brewing in Golden, Co is the 2nd largest brewery in town... and they have pickles.

The Tour de Fat sponsored by New Belgium was going on in Fort Collins. Imagine Halloween on a Saturday morning... on bicycles. I felt right at home in this little college town, especially since I met up with Kelly-- my long lost from my Carolina days who now lives in Buena Vista.

After extensive research and asking a few locals for beta on where to climb, we set out for Poudre (pronounced "Pooter") Canyon for a gorgeous day outside. This is what we found...

We chose The Palace as our destination... a wall of sport climbing that requires navigating across a freezing river for the approach. Kelly and I led a couple of routes that turned out to be pretty "chossy" but we came out on top.
Never thought I'd see the day, but we even got Richard on the rock!
After a hearty meal and long nap for recovery, we headed to Boulder to check out the city. As we got closer to the city we could see an ominous brownish gray cloud over the city. Rolling down the windows sent ash and the smell of burning wood into the car. We had no idea that the fire started just a few hours before we arrived in town. Flagstaff Rd. is a parkway that overlooks the mountains and Boulder area and everyone wanted a view of the forest fire as well. It's probably about 10 miles as the crow flies, but the winds proved to be the most deciding factor in the fire's behavior.
Many thanks to my great tourguides Kelly, Richard, and Javi-by-email for a great trip in Colorado!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Viral video: Party in the USA

This might be my favorite viral video ever. I have a friend whose friend's friends made this video off the coast. That makes me a little bit cooler.