Who wrote "The Muppets Rule...#1" on my car?

Ok, newsflash for the "children of the 80s" - The Muppets might be getting a new show. You can read the article for yourself, but suffice it to say, it'd be a quasi-reality show in which viewers would get to pick the next muppet in the muppet family. I don't really care what it is, if it's muppets, then I'll probably like it. And, you know if the muppets are getting a new show, then crimping your hair is the next thing to come back. Good thing I saved that crimping iron...

Ok, Ok

So, I've had some "requests" to explain what "life-changing" means in the context of a U2 concert. I'll admit, I didn't really talk about the specifics, in part because I didn't think you guys would find them that interesting. So, now you can't blame me if I bore you. :P

And, perhaps "life-changing" isn't the most accurate term...perhaps it would better to say that I have been reminded of why I'm doing what I'm doing. Ok, still pretty vague...to put it simply, as many of you know, the focus of all this work (college, internships, research, medical school...and eventually MPH and residency training) is to influence public health policy. As a future public servant, there isn't a lot of glory (it def. isn't considered a "prestigious" use of your medical degree) and there is a lot of hard work. So far I've only been working during the summers, but even then you become very aware of the scut-work of policy. And, it's easy to get bogged down in the details, to become so focused that you miss the forest for the trees. And, even more so, to miss out of the reasons you're here in the first place.

I was told before I started school to write down why you want to go to medical school because during its course, you'll forget. I thought that was ridiculous, how could I forget? And, sure enough, there have been many times I couldn't help but wonder why I was here (and my own name...but that's an issue of being overworked ;)).

Seeing U2 in concert and listening to Bono talk about poverty and AIDS and our ability to influence what happens and what has already happened reminded me of the human side of what I'm doing. I've never really forgotten per se, but it is very rarely that one is inspired to keep doing what you're doing and to try even harder.

In short, I guess that was the message I left with. You can't ignore problems such as AIDS and poverty because they're too big to handle. You have to keep trying...or specifically, I have to keep trying and I can be encouraged by the fact that others are trying, and are making a difference.

Life-changing...again

Last night was the U2 show in DC. I had been looking forward to it since...I don't even remember, but I'm pretty sure I've had these tickets since April at least. Anyway, the last time I saw them I was a freshman in college (5 years ago) and it was a life-changing event. While I do feel a little saying that about seeing a band, it doesn't make it any less true.
So, the concert started at 7:30, but I wasn't too concerned if I missed Ziggy Marley (the opening act) so we (emily and I) arrived around 8:30. U2 took the stage at 9 and I almost started crying I was so excited. (I know..I'm such a girl!) They played a lot of good, new stuff and threw in some of the older stuff they don't play so often.
Washington 2 Setlist: City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Electric Co., Out of Control!, Still Haven’t Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet The Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride in the Name of Love, Where the Streets have no Name, One, Walk On, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, All Because of You, Bad
We left after the first encore, so I missed All because of you and Bad, but I still got back pretty late, so I'm not upset.
Highlights: The Secretary of State was in the audience, before Miss Sarajevo U2 decided that we should sing happy birthday to Pavarotti since he turns 70 this week, Sunday Bloody Sunday (my favorite song), AND I got a new hoodie.


Speaking of new music...the new Fiona Apple cd is awesome and so far my only complaint is that the cover art seems a little "off" with the tone of the album. If you bought her previous 2 cds then you should pick this one up too.

I was fairly certain I had other things to report since it's been a long time since I've written anything here...but I've since forgotten, so another time. :)

Back on the Scholarship Train

Hey guys, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been in the process of "doing something" that might turn out well for me. It's actually a scholarship, and I mailed in everything (for the deadline today) this weekend. I don't want to say too much (I guess I think that if I talk about it out loud then I'll be sure not to get it?), but I could really use your "best thoughts" and prayers in the coming month. The interviews are in Nov, so I'm assuming I'll hear before then if I move onto the next stage.
In the end, if I don't get it, that's ok, but a little extra "good wishes" never hurt, right?