So I wasn't expecting to have a great day today, with a final and lots of studying and missed-out on hours of sleep ahead, but then I came across this while leaving my last class of the semester. It instantly put a smile on my face, so I thank whoever put this here-turtle or human. The best part was that I could hear voices/pipes clanging down in the sewer (no joke) and a light was on. Maybe they were really having interviews? If so, then I definitely missed out, but I hope it can bring a smile to your face like it did mine!

Here is a pic of the UVA Women's Club Soccer team from Nationals in Phoenix. It was a great weekend, and a beautiful place to play-a soccer player's heaven! We got a little unlucky in the end, losing in overtime, penalty kicks and finally sudden death penalty kicks to Ohio State. It is frustrating because it was obvious that we were the better team (I know everyone always says that, but this time it is actually true). We were in their half most of the game, had a bunch of really close chances, and dominated possession. Unfortunately when it comes down to PKs a lot of the final decision depends on luck, chance, and whoever practices PKs more, and we came out on the short end. But our team played phenomenally, and really impressed me this weekend with their talent, heart and commitment to the team. I'm really lucky to have such a great team, even if I couldn't be on the field with them in Arizona. I can't wait to be back in the spring! Approximately 2 months til I can start playing around again! :)

NATIONALS IN ARIZONA

Hi everyone!
So I haven't been a great blogger recently-I'm sorry! I have been loaded down with school and physics and biochemistry and am ready for the semester to be over! But right now I am getting a pretty sweet break from it all, staying at an amazing hotel in Phoenix, Arizona with the UVA Club Soccer team. We are here for the NIRSA National Club Soccer Championships, and we had our first two games today.
We woke up a little too early for my taste (7:30 am, when it is still cold in AZ!) considering we got into the airport at midnight and to bed by 2 am (all in AZ time). But our team has been so excited for this tournament, especially after qualifying for the Championship Division by doing so well this year! Unfortunately I am still not playing (though I was cleared to run this week, and even clocked a few minutes on a treadmill on Monday!) I'm already so, so happy I came!
Our first game was at 9:45 this morning, against Texas A&M, who sounded pretty intimidating. But the fields are beautiful, flat and perfect (surrounded by distant rocky mountains) and the weather became perfect soccer-playing weather by the time we got to the sports complex. Despite the early morning wake up call, our team made me proud by hitting the field running. The other team was good, fast, and organized, and played a lot like we do, but we got on the board in the first half when Shayna slipped one in, and it was all over from there. It was 2-0 at the half, and ended 4-2, but I really think a score of 4-0 would be more reflective of the game. The two goals they had were unfortunately results of simple mistakes, but we held on to it for a good, deserved win.
We had a couple hours between games, enough time to take advantage of the coolers of food and drinks our wonderful parents (We have fans all the way in AZ!) brought us, and catch half of the Men's game. They eventually won 4-0 against ASU, after a red card on one of the ASU players, and rude taunting about oompa loompas from their fans.
Our second game was against TCNJ (The College of New Jersey in case you haven't heard of it) and for some reason-maybe we were tired, didn't expect much out of the other team, or didn't get a good warm up, but we came out pretty flat. The first half was frustrating for all of us, and at half we were stuck in a 0-0 tie. We self-coached ourselves at half time, told ourselves to pick up our energy and get some passes together, and came out on top with a 1-0 win. Thankfully Lucie scored that goal, because despite our scrappy and somewhat lethargic playing, we definitely were the better team. TCNJ was definitely okay, but they were very physical, and I think the pushing and over the top fouling got in our heads a bit. Now I'm not talking dirty playing like Elizabeth Lambert (Check her out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC-pF3OHY1c) but it was definitely too aggressive, and the referees did not do their job to protect our players. It is important for the refs to keep the game aggressive, but clean and fair, and these referees allowed too much, ultimately leading to one of our girls heading to the hospital with a badly twisted ankle, and taking her out of the rest of the tournament.
Our next game is tomorrow morning at 10, against the winner of the OSU, Arizona and Denver bracket. I'll be doing my part as team photographer and somewhat coach on the sidelines. I'll keep you updated, and hopefully get some pictures up soon!

a pint of the good stuff

Yesterday I donated blood for the Crimson War battle between UVA and the University of Maryland. It would be great to beat Maryland but more importantly, everyone who donates can save three lives. There is a blood shortage in Virginia and you can help! So if you're at UVA (or anywhere!) go donate!

so fresh

I just went to the KD Farmers Market on grounds, and bought potatoes and salad (which I am enjoying right now!) It is so fresh compared to what you can get at the grocery store, and delicious. I was there right before/as if was getting started, so there wasn't too much out there yet, but I saw yummy looking vegetables, autumnal decorative corn, and squash. It really is getting to be fall!
Today also reminded me of the SoNo Farmer's Market at home, and is really making me want apple cider donuts, (mom send some?) If you haven't tried any, they are delicious, and you should! The desire to find more fresh vegetables and apple cider donuts is making me want to attend the Saturday morning farmer's market downtown this weekend--anyone want to go with?

knee update!

So quick update for anyone wondering about my knee: I am walking and no longer using crutches for the last couple weeks! Yay! I do get sore sometimes walking long distances, and going down stairs is still not really an easy option, but I am walking, and that makes me excited. Today it was a little sore, which may be from the weather, or maybe the decision to try on heels the other night, but it is feeling better after physical therapy today. Last weekend I was set on putting a brace on and going hiking, but I realized that may not be the best idea quite yet. I'm hoping it doesn't get too cold before my knee gets strong enough to go on some easy trails! I won't be running for another month or more, but I can bike and hop on the elliptical occasionally. So slow and steady it goes, but that is better than not at all! I'm trying to be optimistic, and so far it is working out well. I'll keep you guys updated!

are you an organ donor?

As of today, there are 104,043 people waiting for an organ in the United States. People on this list die every day waiting for an organ, and the wait can be years. There are many more people who aren't on this list because the wait would be too long, including over 300,000 people on dialysis. The shortage of organs is a serious problem, but it doesn't have to be. The way I see it, there are many potential donors who haven't thought about it, or haven't made their wishes and values clear. The system we have relies on people choosing to donate, which is different from many countries in Europe that have "Opt-Out" systems. Individual rights are not compromised in this system, since every individual has the right to choose not to donate. But for such a system to be enacted in the US, vigorous education and publicity about the change in policy would be required so that every individual is informed enough to make the choice to opt-out if they want to. As long as there is an easy way to opt-out, and patients know about the system, this seems like one of the better solutions to the huge organ shortage. But until the organ donation system is modified to increase organ supplies, individuals can make the conscious choice to be an organ donor and check that little box at the DMV. There are objections and fears to organ donations, many religious, but if you don't have any reason not to, it seems like an easy way to save another person's life. So are you an organ donor?

changing seasons

It's beginning to look a lot like fall. It's October, UVAs fall break and the leaves are starting to change. I'm currently in Deep Creek Maryland with Tom for break being lazy, catching up on reading (actually using those reading days!) and admiring this pretty place. Driving up from Virginia, it was like driving thru the season as the leaves changed from mostly green to a mosaic of green, bright oranges, reds and yellows. Although I'm not looking forward to the oncoming cold weather, I do love certain things about autumn; the changing leaves, the fresh air, cozying up with chai tea, and the smell of fall itself. I almost want to head back up to Connecticut for these things, but right now I'm going to try and prolong summer and head out on Tom's boat for some more reading,

Happy autumn!

Baller Twin

This weekend, I drove down to Washington and Lee University in Lexington VA to see my twin sister's field hockey game. It was my first time really driving since the surgery, but it went well and safely and felt normal, and was totally worth it since my sister scored the winning goal-they won 2-1. It was a really exciting game, and it is exciting she had a game somewhat near me! I feel pretty honored to be sisters with the currently tied for first goal scorer of JHUFH. Go Hop.


Check out the sweet high light article:
http://www.hopkinssports.com/sports/w-fieldh/recaps/091409aaa.html

a-trophy

So I didn't know if you would be able to tell, but you definitely can. My legs are still noticeably different in size. Sorry about the awkward stance in the picture but, my left leg has become intensely muscular from walking around on crutches and hopping everywhere, but my right is still much smaller. It is amazing how fast you can lose muscle tone! And believe it or not, this is after I have started to gain the muscle back. I'm currently maxed out for leg presses at half my body weight until further notice from the doctor, and on good track with my recovery according to my physical therapist, Lloyd. He keeps saying how this part should be boring, since you don't want any exciting or unpredictable surprises or screw ups in the beginning of rehab. But he is right, it is getting pretty boring. I keep trying to be positive, and on a good note: I'm 2/3 of the way done with crutches! but all I want to do is go run around and play soccer. The Women's Club Team has a double header next Sunday--go watch! We just picked up some sweet new girls on Friday!

No more heavy books?

This year, 62 first year students at UVA's Darden School of Business will be testing out Amazon's Kindle DX. The Kindle is a wireless electronic reader that is being tested at 7 different schools this year. Textbooks, case studies and other books can be downloaded on to this reader that is "as thin as a magazine and weighs just over a pound"!

To me, this seems like a great idea. It reduces the amount of paper used to create large textbooks, reduces the volume and weight of things you have to carry to class or the library (great considering today I almost toppled over on my crutches from the weight of my backpack!), and would help out those annoying times when you're trying to find a topic or citation that you know you highlighted somewhere in the 300+ page book with the search feature. And if you're lazy you can just have it read to you.

It seems like the outrageous costs of textbooks today could be slightly reduced by a universal transfer to the Kindle or electronic readers. I know you're paying for informational content and rights to the book, but there would be a huge reduction in physical production of textbooks themselves. And though the initial upfront cost of the reader is pretty steep, you can go on using it, saving trees and trips to the bookstore.

The new Kindle DX can hold 3,500 books! And it reads like 'real paper', and can go for 4 days without a charge! The only possible downsides I can see are the loss of the physical book (sometimes it is nice to have it in front of you), and having to read from a screen (but you can highlight and annotate), and then there is the possibility of crashing--does that happen to Kindles?

I'm pretty old fashioned and I like having the book in front of me, but it seems like they have thought of everything. I don't see how this won't catch on eventually.

Visitors and Polo on what?

So this weekend, my parents came down to UVA to visit. It was a quick one, but we had a full day, with brunch at the Horse and Hound, a good time at King Family Vineyards (though they wouldn't let me taste with my parents because I didn't bring my ID!), a trip to drop Dad off at RIchmond Airport, ever important for college kids grocery shopping, and a yummy dinner with Mom at Mellow Mushroom!

My favorite part of the day, besides my visitors themselves, was probably the Vineyard. It was a gorgeous day, and despite being denied yummy wine, it was still a lot of fun. My parents continued their craze with Viognier while my mom snuck me sips behind the bar. The land itself was gorgeous, with mountains not too far away, lots of grapes, and a huge field with polo being played! Unfortunately we didn't get to watch much of the polo because it ended right as the tasting finished, but it really makes me want to go this coming weekend to see it!

Natalie had told me this, and I was a bit skeptical, but did you know that when it is too hot for horses, polo can be played on Segways? This seemed a little odd to me, until I saw Segways roaming on the polo field after the match, and a polo enthusiast confirmed it.

Example: http://www.bayareaseg.com/Polo.htm

Pretty Surprises

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Nothing too special until I get home, and there is a box from ProFlowers waiting next to my door. It is such a day-up-lifter to have a sweet surprise like that! And helps me have a good attitude about stretching, many many leg lifts, and my (seemingly) never ending balancing act on crutches. So thank you to Bahman for the beautiful flowers (I love love LOVE fresh flowers in my room... it makes it so much cheerier and happy!), my parents for the visit and everything else, Tom for listening, MJ for your baller picture, Catie for being my nurse, Leyla for bearing with my whining and slow-walkingness, Jason for "helping" in taxis, all of my roommates for being understanding and supportive while laughing as I try to do everything on my own and not letting me, and all my other friends who have been really sweet about this! :) It makes it 1000x easier.

Only 3.5 more weeks on crutches! And 1.5 on two crutches!

same stuff, different day

So my doctors visit went alright yesterday. No luck with trying to get my surgeon to be friendly and talk. I felt like every question I asked was wasting his time. A patient shouldn't feel bad about asking questions, and a doctor should want to have their patients be fully informed and not assume they already know everything. I have had this surgery twice now so at least I know some things, so I feel bad for those people going through this for the first time with a doctor like this. Oh well, as long as he did a great job with the surgery, I'll be happy in the long run.

On a very happy note, my parents are coming to visit me tomorrow! Yay! I'm super stoked. It is such a different experience going through surgery when you are away from home and your parents (even if you drop my leg sometimes in recovery, Mom). I loved having my sister here to take care of me and hang out after surgery, but once she left, it is kind of lonely, (not that my friends haven't been great about visiting and calling and helping me out!). But it is just a very different process, added to that I am much busier this time with school and orientation and other things.

Bed Side Manners? Contd.

Working in the ER, I have seen many versions and degrees of bedside manner, some seem almost too nice, while others are blunt and almost rude. As with everything, I think a doctors bedside manner needs to be a balance of extremes. I'm sure I will eventually develop my own bed side manner with the hours and hours of interviewing patients in med school, and I'm kind of afraid I will be awkward, or too nice and come across as incompetent or a push over, but it is just something you need to practice, and hopefully I will be able to emulate the doctors that I have found memorable and provide a good patient experience.

And maybe tomorrow when I go to get my stitches out at my followup, I'll be able to get more than a 3 minute convo with my surgeon, since I didn't even see him (consciously) on the day of the surgery.

Bed Side Manners?

After my misleading ER visit I saw an orthopedist who took <2 seconds of jerking my knee around a bit to tell me my ACL was not strong, and in fact completely torn, and would require surgery. I have heard from many people how great of a surgeon this doctor is, "one of the best in the country" but almost every person I have talked to has also mentioned his impersonal bedside manner. Considering how many people warned me about it, including his assistant, I was actually impressed by how long he stayed in the room (~ 5 minutes) and he even asked a couple personal questions like where I work and what I want to do (though he didn't seem to remember these answers at my next appointment since he kind of asked them again). Now I know that doctors are busy, and have a lot going on, but I think the patient needs more reassurance, and some type of relationship with his or her doctor. At least seem like you're listening and care about your patient who is sobbing on the bed. A rushed interview about what happened and the present illness or condition can cause patients to forget important questions, and leave a patient confused and bewildered.

Blogger?

So I never really expected to get a blog, I don't really know who will want to read it. But I have been pretty bored recently while recovering from my surgery, and starting a blog seems like a good way to think about things, get things off my chest or just share stories soo, MJ convinced me to give it a shot.

My first post was pretty lame or uninteresting to some people I guess, but that is the biggest thing that is on my mind right now... I had surgery 10 days ago, and hate being on crutches and confined to my bed all of the time. I can definitely get out and do things, but it just makes me so tired! I get exhausted after a day of a few classes, and get back to my room and just want to sleep. It would be even worse if I didn't have DART. I don't know what I would do without this free taxi service to/from class, physical therapy, the grocery store, whereever (within reason/Barracks Rd). If you are a UVA student who has some type of disability that inhibits your ability to get to class, DART is a lifesaver.

I also think it would be great to invent crutches that have some type of bag attached or somewhere to hold simple things. I have to walk super slow and swing a crutch forward awkwardly whenever I'm using a hand to hold something else. Let me know if you hear about anything

ACL Woes

I tore my ACL and I'm on the road to recovery! (thanks MJ)

So this is the second time I've torn my ACL... I tore my left one about 5 years ago in high school and July 22, 2009, I was playing intramural soccer (who knew there was even intramural soccer in the summer?) and had the same popping sensation. I was just cutting to the right, my knee kind of wobbled, and went left. I knew right when it happened that I did the same thing, and I was hysterical at the field. So after my second ER visit in 1 week, (only 3rd in my entire life), and some Anterior Drawer and Lachman tests where you pull the shin away to test the strength of the ACL, I was told by two of the doctors I work with that my ACL was great, and I probably just sprained my MCL. I didn't really believe them, but I hoped they were right. Too bad they gave me false hopes!

So in case you're wondering what I'm talking about, your ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament, and it runs through the middle of your knee (the middle ligament in the picture that isn't labeled), keeping your tibia (shin) from moving too far from your femur (thigh) and to tear it is way too common of an injury, especially in girls for a lot of reasons--our hips are wider, other anatomical differences, and factors like conditioning and muscle strength. There are a bunch of different training programs that are said to reduce the chance of a tear. Maybe I should look into those...