Yuletide in the Foggy City

Grateful for our tree

Christmas will always bring to mind the woman I saw in the Emergency Department last year. She was around forty, had epilepsy, and came in because she had "gone into convulsions" that morning. Her husband brought her in at 4 AM, explained that she had fallen out of bed and bitten her tongue, and then then had gone to work while she was treated. Although it was clearly painful to talk, she wanted to. She told me she had come to our hospital because when she went to the general hospital after a seizure, the staff assumed she was drunk or high because she was Black. "It hurt my pride when they treated me like that," she told me with a bleeding tongue, "I don't abuse my body with drugs or drinking." As she and I talked, it became clear that she had been off her seizure medications because she was saving up for Christmas. "I asked the kids if they wanted a tree or presents more, and of course they said presents. They've been good kids, so they'll get their toys. We'll just do without the tree this year, things have been rough with the money."

Stockings, candles in the grate, and apple pie for Santa

Stories like this always remind me to be thankful for how much we do have -- our health, each other, and more than enough money to live on. We had such a joyful and abundant Christmas, with both a tree and presents, and I only wish everyone could be as fortunate.

Card games around the table

Our traditions vary, but this year my whole family and B (B and I were at his parents' for Thanksgiving and my parents' for Christmas) played a board game around the dining table, Apples to Apples. My father won, which makes this the second year in a row he had won the Christmas game! Well done, Dad. We also spent Christmas Eve dinner together, and my dad had Tandoori chicken, palak paneer, and other delicious food for us to eat. Our Christmas Day brunch was tasty too (but then, I made it and I only made food I like!): whole wheat flapjacks (some with chocolate chips), chicken and beef sausage, garlic and cheddar home fries, and eggs with toast. We were all full on Christmas morning, although I did sneak back for an extra flapjack. We opened presents together in the living room, and it was just a lovely feeling to be together, with B there for the first time.

A thoroughly spoiled Samantha

Even Samantha, my American Girl doll from back when it was still The Pleasant Company and American Girl had not been sold to Mattel, had a new fancy purse and a plush Christmas mouse. After we had all opened our presents, we bundled up and went out to see the new Tin Tin. We used to read the Tin Tin comic books in India, so it was a fun treat. The movie was well made and the visual effects were beautiful. It was a very simple story, and family friendly. There was a camel that was so touchably fluffy with such long eyelashes that I wanted to take it home.

Family Movie

 

Laughter around the food table

We had a gathering in our home the night before New Year's Eve. We were joined by old family friends whom we've known for years. It was so nice to see them all again amid laughter and stories of 2011. We had food and friendship as we bid the old year good-bye. I'm glad to welcome 2012. I hope it will bring us luck. If you look in the middle of the food table behind the grapes, you will see a square gingerbread on a square plate. Here is my Pumpkin Gingerbread Recipe to keep you warm in the chill -- be careful not to over-bake, it is better moist and also better on the 3rd day.

Pumpkin Gingerbread

Pre-heat oven to 350. Take out two large mixing bowls. Into each, add the following:

Bowl 1:

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup olive oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 can pumpkin
1 tbs powdered ginger
1 tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp pumpkin or allspice
Pinch nutmeg

Bowl 2:

1 cup white flour
2.5 cups whole wheat flour
1/2-1 tsp baking soda (depends on your baking conditions)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Mix each bowl separately and well. Fold dry ingredients into wet.
Mix just until evenly blended. Pour into 10x10 in pan or two 9" loaf pans.
Bake 1 hr at 350. Remove to cooling rack when a knife comes out clean. Serve on the 2nd or 3rd day, warmed, with ice cream or fruit.

There were so many parties and potlucks around the holidays, including for work. I am currently trying to decide between Neurology and Pediatrics for a career (potentially Child Neurology). The rules for how to apply to which are quite convoluted. I don't know what will happen, but I hope that it all somehow works out... I will let you know! I need to meet with advisors, write an appropriate resume, and try to get in touch with my former classmates (many of whom are graduating this year, meaning that they are applying to the residency Match right now). Isn't it strange that a computer algorithm determines your post-MD placement? It's a bit scary, but then everything worth doing is. I'll post about what happens.

Office potluck -- everyone digging in

There are so many projects I want to work on all at once. I don't know which to do first. There is the lab work, other work-related projects, career planning, household stuff, wedding wrap-up. It's all wonderful, though, in a sense. My mother was right: it is fun to be a grown-up.

Wet Malamute

We have finally gotten the rain we will need to prevent another big summer drought. As I write this, though, I have a grown-up dilemma: the next-door neighbor's dogs are locked out on their patio, it's pouring, and the younger of the two is chewing up and ripping apart their wooden window blinds trying to get into the house through the window. The neighbors have gone out, or else they aren't answering the doorbell. They've just moved here and I don't have their number. Should I leave them a note? I've told the dog, "No!" but that is all I can do without breaking into their yard (not a good idea with strange dogs). Poor, wet, angry doggies.