I keep meaning to post the Thanksgiving menu, but I keep leaving the list where I am not. :-P All I'll say now is that it was simply. amazing.
So to stall a bit, I'm going to borrow a list of questions from Dawn. It says 50 questions, but some likely got dropped becuase either people didn't want to answer them or they had a cut and paste error. So I'll fill in the blanks!
1. What bill do hate paying the most?
It's not really a bill, but it's kind of a monthly expense, which is what a bill is, so I'm going to say paying for gas. I don't want to get all political, but I hate the idea that with every gallon of gas we use, we're giving money to people who hate us and would likely prefer if we didn't exist.
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
It was at Victoria & Albert's at the Grand Floridian Hotel at Walt Disney World. If' you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know we *love* fancy food and wine to go with it, and this was the perfect place for that. Exquisite 4-5 course meal, perfect ambiance, exceptional service; I couldn't find a single thing to pick on!
This one was deleted, so here's my #3: What was the last thing you baked?
Since I don't find myself in the kitchen much, I think I'd have to say it was last Christmas when I baked cookies. And I plan to be there again doing the same very soon!
4. If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?
I said some very mean things to some of my friends from high school once. I can be a real brat sometimes, and those comments cost me their friendship.
5. Name of your first grade teacher?
Miss Stockle. Man, she was tough. I coasted through kindergarten, and first grade was a huge shock to me. I had to actually try now. Do homework. We had a sit down discussion and she said something I'll never forget: "Never stop until your good is better, and your better is best."
More of my own questions: 6. How do you feel about the whole video game thing?
I am a huge fan of video games. Grew up playing them. Graduated from Atari to Sega to Playstation. Then my brother gave us a PS2 so Daniel could play his zombie games. When he gave it to us, I was still in residency, remembered how I loved playing video games, and resolutely stayed away from it. That is, until recently, when my friend brought over Guitar Hero III and Rockband. O.M.G. Have to try to stop this.
Nichole's question 7. Do you go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, so called "Black Friday"?
If I'm not working I do! I've been able to get some really good deals with all the sales stores have going. There seemed to be better sales last year, but I still made out pretty well this year anyway. As a matter of fact, I'm done shopping for Christmas!!
8. How many colleges have you attended?
four. 1. California State University, Fresno. 2. Fresno Community College (summer classes). 3. California State University, Long Beach (summer conducting course). 4. Tufts University School of Medicine.
9. Why did you choose the shirt you have on right now?
Because I was going to be operating today and I have to wear this while in the OR.
Nichole's question #10. What's one of your favorite scents?
It depends on the time of year. Now it's Christmas trees and the smell of baking. But I always love the smell of fresh sourdough bread.
11. If you could move somewhere and take someone with you where would it be?
I think I'd like to try living in Hawaii.
12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
I'll get up and study after a cycle through the snooze button.
13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I wish I weren't in such a weird mood... maybe sleep will re-set me.
14. Do you miss being a child?
Sure! Done with school at 3:30, summers and weekends off, get to play with your friends, play video games... being a kid was great.
Nichole's #15. Do you have a "spot" to sit in when you're at home relaxing?
Usually. But I've been known to move around when the need arises.
16. What errand/chore do you despise doing?
Errand: getting the dry cleaning. Chore: cleaning the cat box.
17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
Absolutely. There are all kinds of people all over the world who don't have access to medical care and need help. It'd be cool to travel and operate on people who otherwise couldn't get surgery.
18. Get up early or rise and shine?
Early! Why waste the day in bed when there is so much fun to be had?
19. What is your favorite cartoon character?
Donald Duck. He's got plenty of spunk yet still knows how to have a good time.
20. Favorite thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
Be sqeezy. Add kitty to make extra squeezy.
21. Have you found real love yet?
Absolutely!
22. When did you first start feeling old?
When I started having medical students rotate on my services more often. They are so young... and scared of everything.
Nichole's #23. Do you have big veins that are easy to stick for blood draws or do they have to dig around for a bit?
I have veins so large on my hands that I've been sitting at a computer, typing, and a passing nurse will actually stop and comment on how big they are and that she wouldn't even need a tourniquet.
Nichole's #24. Do you watch any cartoons now?
I still love cartoons, but they are most definitely for adults. The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. I occasionally watched Futurama when it was on, but never really got into it. Don't like American Dad at all.
25. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
I get reminded of just how many people in this country simply don't speak English.
26. Beach or lake?
Being the sun-phobe that I am, I prefer a lake because it implies there is shade nearby. And hiking, which is more fun than swimming.
27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
I think it is one of the most key elements to our society. And the breakdown in the value of marriage over the last several decades corresponds to the breakdown in the fabric of our society...
28. Do you own property?
Nope. I got an education instead. Yep, my education is as expensive as a freaking house.
29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
My re-discovered love of playing video games! What a horrible time sink *that* is...
30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Pillow Talk with Doris Day and Rock Hudson. It's a great old movie but chessy as all hell.
31. What's your drink?
Vanilla Coke Zero.
Nichole's #32. Mac or PC?
We just got a mac. I love it! Yay!
Nichole's #33. What annoys you most at work?
People who try to cut corners or shirk their responsibilities. Not to be overly dramatic, but we're not dealing with papers or money here. It's people. Lives. Do your freaking job already. Pretend it's *your* dad.
34. Who from high school would you like to run into?
I think I'd like to see what Keri Rose is up to. She was one of our three valedictorians (yes, we had three people get straight A's and take max honors classes) and wanted to do orthopaedics.
Nichole's #35. What is your handwriting like?
Let me start off by saying that it is LEGIBLE. Hard to believe, but true. Kinda loopy, but not in a rediculously girly way. My normal writing doesn't have a slant to it... just straight up and down. If I'm trying to write more formally, it's slanty and less loopy.
Nichole's #36. What kind of food do you like to eat when you're sick?
Can't beat tomato soup and grilled cheese for when I'm feeling yucchy.
Nichole's #37. Do you wear any jewelry on a regular basis?
Wedding set, left hand. Some kind of silver ring on my right hand, unless I'm all bloated, which is not infrequent for some weird reason. I have to have a necklace on if I'm wearing rings, since I have to take off my rings when I scrub for a case in the operating room. I string my rings on my necklace so they don't get lost. Don't wear a watch because I have enough contraptions hanging off my waist that tell time. And I don't wear earrings because I'm terribly allergic to anything that isn't purest gold or platinum and it's too much of hassle.
38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
Lots... :-P
Nichole's #39. Do you do anything creative?
I have been known to sing. Not just in the shower, either. I make cards, stamp, and occasionally scrapbook.
40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
I've love to have a conversation with Mark Twain. What a talker he must have been...
41. Indoors or outdoors?
Indoors. Afraid of the sun, remember?
42. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
People have crashed into *me.*
Nichole's #43. Hit random on your iPod. What are the first five songs that come up? (Ignore if you don't have an iPod.)
"That Old Black Magic" by Louis Prima. "Liquid Love" by Above & Beyond (trance). "Could Be Anything" by The Eams Era. "Give it to Me" by Timbaland. "Read My Mind" by The Killers.
44. Last book you read?
I'm in the middle of Vanity Fair by William Makepace Thackery. Which I've been in the middle of since last May. Freaking residency...
Nichole's #45. (Man, I can't think of anything else...) Do you like roller coasters?
I like them if they're not too crazy. Like some of the ones at Six Flags Magic Mountain have a straight drop and it looks like you're going to hit the ground. No thanks. But loops and corkscrews are just fine. Oh, and I don't like getting wet, either.
46. Strangest place you've ever brushed your teeth?
um... work?
Nichole's #47. If you're running out of the house to go to the store really quickly, what pair of shoes are you most likely to throw on?
Summer -- wedge sandals. Winter -- brown loafers
48. Do you go to church?
Yep. Every week. Well, almost. ;-)
49. At this point in your life, would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
I wouldn't change my relationship for anything. And I'd be lying if I've ever wondered what a normal life would be like. Don't get me wrong, I love being a doctor, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth all the sacrifice. I didn't realize just how much sacrifice there was when I started this whole thing.
50. How old are you...
32 and three days!!! :-)
