Pope Francis

On this great Easter Sunday I'm thankful that we have a new pope who thus far has been very humble.  I've read multiple news articles on what he's been doing as Pope and it sounds like he's off to a great start (IMO).

Tuning things out

I like to say that bc I loved to read as kid, I've been well trained to tune out background noise.  It helps a lot when I'm trying to study and especially if I'm trying to fall asleep or take a nap in a noisy place.  Focusing on words and the things right in front of me help my clear my mind and calm me down.

My coresies!

Today one of my coresidents (and past roommate) got married out in Rancho Palos Verdes.  The bride was beautiful, the groom was looking dapper and the venue & chapel were stunning.  My coresidents and I were all in attendance and it made me truly thankful for such a great group of girls.  Between the groups before us and after us, I can 'non-biasly' say that we are the closest group of ambulatory care residents that USC has seen.  Congratulations again Charlene & Henry!

Professional massages

YAY!! Alex & I are getting massages today!  I'm very excited to feel relaxed and just unwind.  Massages at home and the chinese foot massages are nice but sometimes a nice spa day is in order.

future events

sometimes when you're super busy during the day and the week just seems so boring or even horrible, it's nice to think about the future events you have.  Sometimes it's a coffee date with a friend, a show you're waiting to watch on DVR or a day at Disneyland, sometimes they're all you need to keep going.

spring break

Spring Break for everyone else = less traffic for me! It's been great
these past 2 days so hopefully it stays that way! Enjoy spring break
everyone! Thanks for sleeping in and staying off the freeways!

free shipping BOTH WAYS

As it gets warmer I'm always on the lookout for work appropriate shoes that I can wear with dresses, skirts & no socks!  It's been difficult as my feet are wider than normal and I guess I'm just really picky.  THANKFULLY zappos & nordstroms both have free shipping both ways!  

My iPad

I alway think how excessive it is to have multiple electronic devices in the house but today when I'm feeling tired from traveling and don't want to feel the heat from the laptop, it's nice to have an iPad to browse on.

Friends who pick you up

Especially if they have to go out of their way to pick you up. But it's nice to spend that extra time with them having out and catching up on anything and everything.

Ambulatory Care and Clinical Pharmacy

When all is said and done, I will look back and be thankful for all the experiences I've had so far in my career. They have collectively taught me to appreciate and value what is truly important and I hold that lesson close to my heart. Someday, my mind and my heart will align and together they will live in harmony. 

Sandeep Narayan

I've known this fool since we were 13 and he used to pick on me in 8th grade science.  I distinctly remember talking to him on AIM back when it was cool to join online cliques and change your sn to aznxcher or something like that.  His sn was FX-something and I asked what that meant and he said, "hit Alt-F-X."  So of course, naive 12yo Cher does it and it closes AOL!  It probably took me 15 minutes to sign back on and I TYPED VERY ANGRILY back to him.  Since then our friendship has definitely gone through its ups and downs but I can honestly say that he is one of my very good friends and I'm so thankful for that.

Regardless of the fact that we probably see each other once a year (if we're lucky) or that we're on the opposite sides of the world (literally) I'm glad he takes the time to catch up with me and keep me informed of his life events.

Friends come and go but the good ones stick by your side.

cancelled appointment(s)

There are just some days when I don't want to see patients.  Sad but true.  Today I'm thankful for cancelled appointments especially when my patients cancel them ahead of time.  It's a small but courteous thing that I've taught them to do.

My high school Spanish teachers

Mrs. Arellano, Bryan, Sra. Hofstad.  They ALL taught me the Spanish I use on a daily basis and I'm very, VERY thankful.  From 'de colores' to destinos to telenovelas to Shakira in the class and all the other tips & techniques they used to teach me, I'm reminded of them today and thankful for it all.

My faith

I always leave church with a good feeling and a sense of serenity.  It's nice when you can be thankful for what you believe in and realize just how many people believe in the same things.

PHARMACY STUDENTS!

Today I am ESPECIALLY thankful for pharmacy students who are here to learn and help us out in clinic.  It's GREAT and I hope they know that we are grateful for their help.  Extra stars & points to those students who take initiate and are on top of their knowledge & their notes!

DVR

Hulu commercials claim that watching television rots your brain. I'd like to further specify that watching commercials rot your brain and for this reason, I am thankful to have DVR. Without it catching up on our favorite shows would be impossible since we only spend a couple of nights per week watching tv. If it wasn't for tivo, we would miss the laughs from Big Bang, the drama from Grey's, Katharine McPhee, and the magic of Once Upon a Time. Since No Reservations aired it's final episode and Bourdain sold out to be a judge on the Taste, there is more memory on our DVR to record shows we have yet to discover. 

coworkers to eat my baked goods

It's difficult being a baker and having a husband & brother-in-law who don't really like sweets.  I usually end up baking stuff in miniature, bite-sized pieces and bringing them to work.  Today I'm thankful for coworkers who will eat my baked goods so I don't have to finish them off or so they don't go to waste at home.  They haven't complained so far!

Daylight saving

It's GREAT leaving work while there's sun.  It's also great waking up to the sun.  It's great when we 'save' the daylight!

friends from all ages

Apart from 2 years in Japan, I've been in So Cal my whole life.  I'm an LA person through and through.  I'm grateful that I've made good friends in each part of my life and have been able to maintain those friendships over the years.

girlfriends

sometimes there are things that your girlfriends understand more/better than anyone else.  It's so great when you get to spend time with them, laughing, venting, giggling about random girly things.  I am always thankful for the times I get to spend w/ my girls!

Brunch

Thankful for time on the weekends to enjoy a cup of coffee and have a good brunch with my wife.

Alex

Long sleeves thermal tops!

It's so cold!!

A warm meal

Especially after a long day of work.  It's great to come home to a warm meal, extra points if it's home cooked!

Brandon Barco Purificacion

It's difficult to express how grateful I am to have such a GREAT brother!  He's super caring, very thoughtful and always puts his family first.  Thank you for everything this weekend Brandon!  I miss you already!

Edit: Yesterday after I posted this, Brandon won tickets to the Jay-Z/JT concert at the Rose Bowl and he's giving them to Alex & me!!!  Thanks BRANDON!  You're the awesomest brother ever!!!
Edit#2: AND he just won tickets to a free screening of "Oz" tonight!

A short flight and time to visit my family and one of my BFFs!!