Honesty

In technical terms, diabetes is 'controlled' when a patient's A1c is ~7%.  Needless to say, when a patient's A1c is 12% her diabetes is VERY uncontrolled.  Today I had a new patient who had an A1c of 12.4%, it was my first time seeing her and I could tell in the beginning she was skeptical of who I was or what I did.  I think when I asked her if she spoke English and started to worry.  After about 10 minutes she finally told me, "You know, I'll be honest.  I don't take my medicine.  I only inject once a day."  She was worried 'so much medicine' would hurt her kidneys when in reality, her uncontrolled diabetes was WAY WORSE for her.  I explained what she needed to do, how her medications are safe for her and will actually help her protect her kidneys.  I was glad that she was honest with me so I can properly help her and treat her diabetes.

Cookbooks

I've had some chicken breasts defrosted in the fridge for a couple of days but I was out of ideas on how to cook them.  Thankfully we have a good amt of cookbooks in our house & I found a recipe to use for dinner!  The chicken turned out pretty good (according to Alex) so extra points for me!  Thanks Ad Hoc/Thomas Keller!

KitchenAid mixer

The KitchenAid is like an extra hand in the kitchen.  It especially helps when you have to whip/mix something for a long time.  You can measure, mix & do other stuff while the KitchenAid is mixing!  It's so awesome!  Every baker should have one!

Mind readers

Sometimes when I least expect it Alex can read my mind. He'll say the things I'm thinking or order something that I wanted or ask a question before I can open my mouth. It's useful when I don't have to always explain things and say everything I'm thinking.

mutual respect

Sometimes it's hard to think of something to write in this blog.  Especially if I'm having a bad day it's difficult to think of something I'm thankful for.  Of course there's the obvious, my healthy, my family, my job and my relative good fortune but sometimes I want to write about more than that.

Today, I'm thankful the the mutual respect the staff give to me and the other pharmacist.  The other pharmacist has been at the clinic for many more years than I have but they see us as equals and come to me for pharmacy problems as well.  It sounds small but at least in the clinic we're equals.

efficient MAs

I'm still so amazed by how wonderful my clinic day/flow is when I have a good Medical Assistant.  The one that's 'assigned' to me right now is only a temp so hopefully they hire him full-time!!  All the providers agree that he's an exception MA so I hope the managers take note.

scanner at home

It's so weird how sometimes you just need a scanner and taking a picture of the document isn't enough.  I'm glad we have one that we can use and is readily connected to the computer.  It's so useful!

leftovers

Today was a LONG day.  I was planning on cooking a quick meal for dinner but when I got home there were leftovers!  YAY!  Julie had bought a rotisserie chicken for lunch & Alex went and bought roast duck on his way back.  And there was rice!  SWEET!  Thanks for dinner guys!

Walmart/Target

Sometimes after Alex & I have had a big meal or are super full after dinner, we'll go to Walmart or Target to walk around.  Target is always the nicer of the 2 but Walmart sells stuff that you can't find elsewhere.  Either way, it's always nice to kill time & walk until I don't feel like throwing up bc I'm so full.

use of both of my hands

Yesterday we played a team game where 1 person uses only their L hand and the other uses only their R hand and you have to complete some sort of task.  I was the L handed person and MAN, it was pretty difficult.  My R hand partner was pretty helpful and we ended up winning the game but I was pretty thankful that I'm able to use all my limbs in my daily life.

Weekend events

This weekend we are celebrating a good friend's baby shower! I love weekend events bc they're always a good celebration time but also time to relax.  I enjoy spending time with friends and with my family on the weekends since everyone's always so busy during the week.

Pope Francis

There are many things that Pope Francis has done since he was named pope and I admire all of them.  I hope he leads the catholic church into a different but better direction and it seems like he's on that path.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324492604579085112121099956.html

Asian markets

Sometimes the 'American' markets just don't carry the ingredients you need.  I was glad that 99 Ranch had all the items I needed in a varying brands and at decent prices.  Tonight I made Thai chicken yellow curry which was pretty straightforward and turned out really yummy!

Fresh towels

Esp fresh from the dryer! They're so warm, fluffy and smell so good! I feel so indulgent when I use a newly washed (& dried) towel.

YouTube

I came home from work with every intention of going running but I thought I'd rest for a little then get ready and go run. Fast forward through a 20 min nap and 40 min dinner prep followed by eating dinner, that left me at 8pm full and scared to run in the dark. Enter YouTube videos!! I was tired of On Demand exercise videos so I turned to YouTube for a quick 30 min workout. Maybe I'll go running tomorrow.

Electric fans

When we got home from brunch & errands it was pretty hot in the house.  We've been trying not to use the AC unless we're dying from the heat so we used the electric tower fan instead.  It was pretty good at keeping the room we were in cool which was good enough until the sun set & the house cooled down.

Aprons

Today I made homemade lasagna which includes simmering the tomato sauce mixture for an hour.  Over that hour the sauce is bubbling and put my clothes in danger of getting dirty!  Seeing as how I was wearing my USC jersey for game day, I'm glad I had an apron on to keep my clothes clean!

Power 106

Nothing like a Tupac mix to start your day!

extra batteries

Yesterday my laptop was left on and the battery drained the whole day so when I came to work to use it, it was dead!  Poor laptop!  Thankfully there was an extra battery in the office that I was able to switch out until my batteries were charged.  close call!

Allrecipes.com

When I don't know what to cook or what the best ratio is I look on allrecipes.com. What I love most is the suggestions and tips people post in the reviews! Super helpful!!

homecooked meals

It's magical when you come home from work and smell something delicious from the OUTSIDE of your house only to find the smell is stronger as you open the door.  YUM.  I was so thankful to come home to a homecooked meal today and it smelled amazing too!

Sprinklers

From someone who grew up watering plants and the lawn by just physically standing there, I'm SO THANKFUL for sprinklers and automatic timing systems.

Birthday celebrations

Today is my goddog Palmer's 9th birthday!!  He is THE sweetest, kindest, most lovable dog in the whole world!  He's given me his fair share of problems but also always shows me his love and has comforted me when I needed it.

Alex & I went to Ate & Johnny's house tonight to give Palmer his gifts and watch him eat his cake!  It's the funniest sight to see and I'm so amazed at how fast he scarfs down the cake each & every year.  I'm glad we got to celebrate Palmer's birthday and hang out and spend time with each other.  I love you Palmer!!

Efficient workers

I rarely rent a car when I travel but when I have it usually takes a long time and they ask you a billion extra questions.  Today, we flew into OAK for a wedding, rented a car and the registration person didn't give us any problems and when we walked out to get the car it was already waiting for us!  It was so fast & efficient I was super impressed.  Thanks Alamo!

Porto's

YUM!  My patient brought us cheese rolls from Porto's today.  She said to me, "I'm so thankful for all that you do for me.  Thank you for always helping me.  I love everyone in this clinic.  Everyone's so nice."  It's nice to feel appreciated as well =)

Home lunch & snacks

If I bring lunch, I can nap or relax for 15-20 minutes and provided it's not blazing hot outside I can enjoy the weather!  Also, bringing lunch from home means I can also bring snacks!  It helps pass the time when I drive home =) YUM

My Wife

Cuz she is awesome! 

My health

I wouldn't say that I'm SUPER healthy but overall I don't have too many health problems (Thank God).  It's so difficult to have 1 problem after another and then they start compounding and exacerbating each other so it's best to be healthy early on and stay healthy as you get older.  Let's cross our fingers that that's the case!

slow work days

Esp after a 3 day weekend and CRAZY back to school traffic!!

Hiring a photographer

Back in July, Alex & I had our marriage blessed by my church. We had a small ceremony with just our immediate families and at the last minute we decided to hire a photographer. We hired Genessee Quizon (http://www.genesseequizon.net) and I'm so glad we did!! This is one of the precious moments she captured!