Sorry I have been such a slacker with keeping my blog updated. This whole residency thing keeps a girl busy so here are the briefs:
1- Love- I got engaged to Dwayne on Jan 12th, 2007 while on the annual family ski trip to Park City, UT. We haven't yet set a date, but I will make sure you know when it is. If you have any ideas, advice, things you would have done differently at your wedding...please pass it along.
2- Family- As some of you may already know, my Grandmother and second mother, passed away on Dec 9th, 2006. She lost a hard fought battle with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. I know many of you had met and become acquainted with her over the years and I thank all of you who helped me and continue to help me through such a difficult time.
3- Community- Of course I am always doign something to help someone...As many of you know, last year I did a triathlon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. Well I am at it again this year. I will be doing an olympic distance triathlon at the Memphis in May celebration on May 20th in Tennessee. You can get more info and make a donation toward my goal of raising $4700 at www.active.com/donate/tntwnc/tamieka1. I plan to use my blog mostly for keeping everyone up to date on my triathlon training happenings.
4- Doctor Stuff- I am still plugging away at my residency. I am looking at applying for the Sports Medicine Fellowship in my program to start following graduation. I have been spending some time working with local sports teams (mostly high school, college and special olympics). I think I have made it through the roughest months as a resident. Now comes the part about figuring out what to do with all this knowledge after fellowship and residency. I plan to stay in NC for now unless something really exciting and well paying can change my mind.
Tootles for now,
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Friday, September 16, 2005
The 36 hour trip fro E!
SOOOOO...
I returned from a trip to AZ on Labor Day weekend. I was going to say farewell to a dear friend of mine who is headed off to Kenya to join the Peace Corps. It was really a short trip. And a suprise visit for Eric. I had been telling him since May that I wouldn't be able to make it for his going away party. Boy, did I have him fooled.
On Sat morning, I got on a 7:30am flight out of Raleigh-Durham and arrived in Phoenix about 9:30am. My friend Cristin had arrived the previous day. I plotted with her on how we were going to meet up with Eric to suprise him. She told him that my grandmother wanted to meet them for brunch (Eric loves my grandmother) I knew he wouldn't be ableto say no to that. So when Eric showed up at Cristin's hotel where "grandmother" would be meeting them, I snuck up behind them while they stood at the check-out counter and waited for eric to turn around. I wish I had a million bucks to pay to see the look on his face. He couldn't have been more suprised. Off to lunch we went with the gang. It was one of the better times I have had in a long time. I was with some of my favorite people. Cristin, Eric, Grandmother and my "little brother" Nylin.
Afterwards, we said our goodbye's to G-ma and Nylin then headed to Eric's mom's place. To wait 'til party time. I had to take a nap before the party started, I was one tired cookie from workin' and travellin'. When I awoke, the party was in full swing. Several people had arrived including the parents sister and neice of my good colege buddy, Mikey (aka Mickey P). I hadn't seen them in years. At least 4 if not 5 years. I also got so see a friend of Eric's family, Joan. I've never spent too much time with her, but for some reason I always look forward to seeing her.
So the party was a great success. There was catered food, dancing, a band, booze, a naked lady in the pool (thats a story for another day), a thunder storm singing to Eric's guitar playing and late night swimming and of course lots of people that are gonna miss Eric quite a bit while he is out making a difference on the other side of the globe. I don't think anyone will miss him as much as I will though (mabe with the exception of his mother.) I even start to well up just typing about it.
I don't think I have ever had so many years of fun and laughter with the same person. We've had adventures together with skiing in Colorado, caving in Washington State, exploring Seattle, galavanting around Manhattan, driving from NY to NC and back, Renting motorcycles and putting 500 miles on them in a day. and hoping to make many more memories like that. Even though I only get to see him once a year or so, I always look forward to the e-mails and accessibility by phone. Both of with are going to be scarce in Kenya. Therefore, I will miss him bunches and bunches.
I do plan to head out there in the next 12-18 months to do an international elective in medicine for a month so I can see a new place and get credit for it. And of course, the biggest reason of all is so that I can see my buddy E!
After the booze dried up and we were all pooped, I pulled up a piece of tile flooring and off to sleep I was til sunday morning. we all got up, a few of us headed out to grab some Krispy Kream donuts then some more pool time (minus the naked lady). Cristin left mid day for her flight. Eric and I did some shopping for his leatherman that he is taking on his trip and then it was off to the airport. It was a rather sad goodbye. And a very short one, cause I knew I would cry if I said the goodbye I really wanted to say. so I just did the quick "good seeing you, I'll miss you, talk to you soon, tell me what you want me to send." then a quick hug and I immediately turned toward the door of the terminal before the waterworks began. (dammit, I am welling up again).
Anyway, lets just say it was well worth the 36 hours I spent in AZ, getting to see two very good friends (Eric and Cristin), Eric's mom, friends and other family and getting to see my family.
I spoke with Eric earlier today on his cell phone. He was doing some last minute shopping before he heads to Philly for some training tomorrow. I tried calling him a few minutes ago, but ...sigh...his phone has been disconnected. It's all beginning. Only a few more days in the U.S. for him.
I'm gonna miss him. But I can't wait to visit in about a year.
Dr. T
I returned from a trip to AZ on Labor Day weekend. I was going to say farewell to a dear friend of mine who is headed off to Kenya to join the Peace Corps. It was really a short trip. And a suprise visit for Eric. I had been telling him since May that I wouldn't be able to make it for his going away party. Boy, did I have him fooled.
On Sat morning, I got on a 7:30am flight out of Raleigh-Durham and arrived in Phoenix about 9:30am. My friend Cristin had arrived the previous day. I plotted with her on how we were going to meet up with Eric to suprise him. She told him that my grandmother wanted to meet them for brunch (Eric loves my grandmother) I knew he wouldn't be ableto say no to that. So when Eric showed up at Cristin's hotel where "grandmother" would be meeting them, I snuck up behind them while they stood at the check-out counter and waited for eric to turn around. I wish I had a million bucks to pay to see the look on his face. He couldn't have been more suprised. Off to lunch we went with the gang. It was one of the better times I have had in a long time. I was with some of my favorite people. Cristin, Eric, Grandmother and my "little brother" Nylin.
Afterwards, we said our goodbye's to G-ma and Nylin then headed to Eric's mom's place. To wait 'til party time. I had to take a nap before the party started, I was one tired cookie from workin' and travellin'. When I awoke, the party was in full swing. Several people had arrived including the parents sister and neice of my good colege buddy, Mikey (aka Mickey P). I hadn't seen them in years. At least 4 if not 5 years. I also got so see a friend of Eric's family, Joan. I've never spent too much time with her, but for some reason I always look forward to seeing her.
So the party was a great success. There was catered food, dancing, a band, booze, a naked lady in the pool (thats a story for another day), a thunder storm singing to Eric's guitar playing and late night swimming and of course lots of people that are gonna miss Eric quite a bit while he is out making a difference on the other side of the globe. I don't think anyone will miss him as much as I will though (mabe with the exception of his mother.) I even start to well up just typing about it.
I don't think I have ever had so many years of fun and laughter with the same person. We've had adventures together with skiing in Colorado, caving in Washington State, exploring Seattle, galavanting around Manhattan, driving from NY to NC and back, Renting motorcycles and putting 500 miles on them in a day. and hoping to make many more memories like that. Even though I only get to see him once a year or so, I always look forward to the e-mails and accessibility by phone. Both of with are going to be scarce in Kenya. Therefore, I will miss him bunches and bunches.
I do plan to head out there in the next 12-18 months to do an international elective in medicine for a month so I can see a new place and get credit for it. And of course, the biggest reason of all is so that I can see my buddy E!
After the booze dried up and we were all pooped, I pulled up a piece of tile flooring and off to sleep I was til sunday morning. we all got up, a few of us headed out to grab some Krispy Kream donuts then some more pool time (minus the naked lady). Cristin left mid day for her flight. Eric and I did some shopping for his leatherman that he is taking on his trip and then it was off to the airport. It was a rather sad goodbye. And a very short one, cause I knew I would cry if I said the goodbye I really wanted to say. so I just did the quick "good seeing you, I'll miss you, talk to you soon, tell me what you want me to send." then a quick hug and I immediately turned toward the door of the terminal before the waterworks began. (dammit, I am welling up again).
Anyway, lets just say it was well worth the 36 hours I spent in AZ, getting to see two very good friends (Eric and Cristin), Eric's mom, friends and other family and getting to see my family.
I spoke with Eric earlier today on his cell phone. He was doing some last minute shopping before he heads to Philly for some training tomorrow. I tried calling him a few minutes ago, but ...sigh...his phone has been disconnected. It's all beginning. Only a few more days in the U.S. for him.
I'm gonna miss him. But I can't wait to visit in about a year.
Dr. T
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
2 months and counting...
ABOUT THE JOB
I'm sitting here on my last call night of my pediatrics rotation. And thus far, I have managed to survive with only a few minor breakdowns. I knew coming into this that it is impossible to know everything, but I didn't realize that not knowing everything was more like knowing close to nothing. I've come to realize that I really do learn by doing rather than by having someone tell me/lecture me/rattle off the thousand tests I have to do to figure out how to fix the sickle cell kid. I did have a great experience of doing my first spinal tap (lumbar puncture in doctor terms) on a 2 week old baby. I got it first try. Yay me! And my upper level resident gave me a bottle of white wine since it was also a very clean "tap" meaning little trauma. The tradition is actually that you get a bottle of champagne, but alcohol is alcohol in my world.
For the month of Oct I will be doing Obstetrics. Yup, delivering slippery little babies from the warmth and padding of their mother's womb. I am so glad that I don't remember that experience for myself. It just doesn't seem like it would be a good memory. I liken it to having to crawl out of a nice warm bed in the dead of winter as the shade draws up and instantly brightens a once darkened room.
ABOUT MY HOUSE
I had my RED SUEDE couch, chair and a half and ottoman delivered to my den a few weeks ago...oh so compfy. MUCH, MUCH better than the futon that has been retired to the formal living room til I figure out what decos and color of paint (besides the current powder blue) that I want to have in there. The wall paper is still pretty U.G.L.Y. I started taking some of it down, then realized that I don't really like taking wall paper down. Oh well, it will happen one of these days.
ABOUT DATING
Things with Dwayne and I are going great in general, but...
I am selfish...not like "it's all about me" kind of selfish (although if you think it's all about me, I won't try to change your mind), but more like a I am an only child who has mostly lived on my own for the last 13 years and is pretty independent and not used to having someone else around that likes to spend time with me. It has been an adjustment. I have no complaints other than that.
Dwayne is the best. He knows I have long nights at the hospital and will often swing by my house and have dinner when I get home. He even mowed my lawn and cleaned the house while I was working overnight at the hospital so I wouldn't have to worry about it and could sleep the next day. He is even doing weight watchers with me to help me/us lose weight. He has gotten flowers for me for no particular reason and understands my need to have time to myself. Might be a keeper...We shall see.
ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL
Things are good. I will be walking/running in a women's only 5k on Oct 1. I have been swimming at the YMCA and bike riding. I hope participate in the YMCA's winter indoor Y-Tri triathlon. I went mountain biking for the first time about a week ago. It was a blast til my handlebars came loose. We had to abandon the days fun a little early. But, handle bars are now back in place and I can't wait to hit the trail again.
I think that's it for now. Sorry I have been such a slacker with updating this. I will try to be better.
Tootles
Dr. T
I'm sitting here on my last call night of my pediatrics rotation. And thus far, I have managed to survive with only a few minor breakdowns. I knew coming into this that it is impossible to know everything, but I didn't realize that not knowing everything was more like knowing close to nothing. I've come to realize that I really do learn by doing rather than by having someone tell me/lecture me/rattle off the thousand tests I have to do to figure out how to fix the sickle cell kid. I did have a great experience of doing my first spinal tap (lumbar puncture in doctor terms) on a 2 week old baby. I got it first try. Yay me! And my upper level resident gave me a bottle of white wine since it was also a very clean "tap" meaning little trauma. The tradition is actually that you get a bottle of champagne, but alcohol is alcohol in my world.
For the month of Oct I will be doing Obstetrics. Yup, delivering slippery little babies from the warmth and padding of their mother's womb. I am so glad that I don't remember that experience for myself. It just doesn't seem like it would be a good memory. I liken it to having to crawl out of a nice warm bed in the dead of winter as the shade draws up and instantly brightens a once darkened room.
ABOUT MY HOUSE
I had my RED SUEDE couch, chair and a half and ottoman delivered to my den a few weeks ago...oh so compfy. MUCH, MUCH better than the futon that has been retired to the formal living room til I figure out what decos and color of paint (besides the current powder blue) that I want to have in there. The wall paper is still pretty U.G.L.Y. I started taking some of it down, then realized that I don't really like taking wall paper down. Oh well, it will happen one of these days.
ABOUT DATING
Things with Dwayne and I are going great in general, but...
I am selfish...not like "it's all about me" kind of selfish (although if you think it's all about me, I won't try to change your mind), but more like a I am an only child who has mostly lived on my own for the last 13 years and is pretty independent and not used to having someone else around that likes to spend time with me. It has been an adjustment. I have no complaints other than that.
Dwayne is the best. He knows I have long nights at the hospital and will often swing by my house and have dinner when I get home. He even mowed my lawn and cleaned the house while I was working overnight at the hospital so I wouldn't have to worry about it and could sleep the next day. He is even doing weight watchers with me to help me/us lose weight. He has gotten flowers for me for no particular reason and understands my need to have time to myself. Might be a keeper...We shall see.
ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL
Things are good. I will be walking/running in a women's only 5k on Oct 1. I have been swimming at the YMCA and bike riding. I hope participate in the YMCA's winter indoor Y-Tri triathlon. I went mountain biking for the first time about a week ago. It was a blast til my handlebars came loose. We had to abandon the days fun a little early. But, handle bars are now back in place and I can't wait to hit the trail again.
I think that's it for now. Sorry I have been such a slacker with updating this. I will try to be better.
Tootles
Dr. T
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Still Alive...
On Being a DoctorMy first two and a half weeks as Dr. Howell has been quite interesting. First of all, it took me a while to get used to people introducing me as Dr. Howell. I would always expect someone else to extend their hand and give a firm hand shake. "Oh, yeah! that's ME!" I still answer my pages with "This is Tamieka, I mean, Uh, Dr. Howell." And to say, "MY nurse..." How weird is that? Actually my nurse is great! Her name is Michelle. She has been wonderful. Clues me in when I have the completely blank, I've been here for 2 weeks look on my face. She even makes sure that I have a place to be for holidays, weekends and happy hour. She even gave me my first ever tomatoe plants from her garden which I have planted. I am up to 3 tomatoes and 3 more should be ready for picking tomorrow. Back to doctor stuff. It's quite weird to think that people trust me to make decisions that could affect their lives forever. I prescribe medications (even have my own prescriptions pads with my name printed on them), I get to check out some pretty intimate parts of people, and they share with me things that they may not share with their husbands, wives, mothers or best friend. Quite a job I have. I think I am going to really love it.
On Being a Home Owner
My car know the way to Home Depot and Lowes all by itself. I am suprised they haven't given me my own parking space yet. I have mowed the lawn 3 times now, cut some tree branches, planted flowers around the mailbox (apparently thats what people do in NC), planted my tomato plants and, my most recent endeavor...Beginning to take down the crazy wallpapered rooms that I bought. I began with the foyer. About 20 minutes into it, I realized that I have taken on quite a task. For anyone that knows anything about wallpapering, the wall paper is stuck directly to the dry wall. Yep. It sucks! The good thing about being a homeowner is that I have had several neighbors stop by to introduce themselves and say welcome to the neighborhood. I even got a welcome to the neighboorhood zucchini bread from someone. Its been a nice month of homeownership! Now if only that wall paper would peel itself off the wall.
On Being Me
I've been dating a guy that some of you have met. His name is Dwayne. He has made my transition to NC great. It's weird for me to include someone new in my life. Being that I am the independent, mostly self sufficient, used to being by myself, only child type person, you can imagine the adjustment. It's still all about me, but I come out of my world everyone in while to play in everyone else's world with Dwayne (and his cute dog, Lexus. Lexi for short). While being with Dwayne is good, I think it is keeping me from getting out as much and meeting people. I have put some of my hobbies on hold cause we spend so much time together. I haven't been flying since I moved here. Although, we have been able to enjoy some things like golf, wine and live music together. Not necessarily at the same time.
On Being Fat
I checked out this interesting site today about a guy who weighs 400 pounds and is walking from CA to NY. talk about adventurous (or crazy). His site is www.thefatmanwalking.com. Check it out! And, btw, I started Weight Watchers again. This time at 210 pounds. I am down 5.6 pounds my first week. I have also been swimming and walking to get in shape. I would say I am training for sprint distance triathlon, but a friend of mine is already doing that so I feel like I need to find some other goal. She's always a few steps ahead of me in terms of what I want to do to get in shape. Kind of takes the fun out of doing what I want since, well, someone's already done it. I know, its my own weird way of thinking, but that is how my brain works. I like to be the originator of an idea, not a copy cat. With that said, I am looking for my first NC 5K to get involved in. I'm looking at doing it in about 2 months. We shall see.
Well, thats all for now. I will be posting pics of the house and the updates on the site soon. Until then...
Dr. T
On Being a Home Owner
My car know the way to Home Depot and Lowes all by itself. I am suprised they haven't given me my own parking space yet. I have mowed the lawn 3 times now, cut some tree branches, planted flowers around the mailbox (apparently thats what people do in NC), planted my tomato plants and, my most recent endeavor...Beginning to take down the crazy wallpapered rooms that I bought. I began with the foyer. About 20 minutes into it, I realized that I have taken on quite a task. For anyone that knows anything about wallpapering, the wall paper is stuck directly to the dry wall. Yep. It sucks! The good thing about being a homeowner is that I have had several neighbors stop by to introduce themselves and say welcome to the neighborhood. I even got a welcome to the neighboorhood zucchini bread from someone. Its been a nice month of homeownership! Now if only that wall paper would peel itself off the wall.
On Being Me
I've been dating a guy that some of you have met. His name is Dwayne. He has made my transition to NC great. It's weird for me to include someone new in my life. Being that I am the independent, mostly self sufficient, used to being by myself, only child type person, you can imagine the adjustment. It's still all about me, but I come out of my world everyone in while to play in everyone else's world with Dwayne (and his cute dog, Lexus. Lexi for short). While being with Dwayne is good, I think it is keeping me from getting out as much and meeting people. I have put some of my hobbies on hold cause we spend so much time together. I haven't been flying since I moved here. Although, we have been able to enjoy some things like golf, wine and live music together. Not necessarily at the same time.
On Being Fat
I checked out this interesting site today about a guy who weighs 400 pounds and is walking from CA to NY. talk about adventurous (or crazy). His site is www.thefatmanwalking.com. Check it out! And, btw, I started Weight Watchers again. This time at 210 pounds. I am down 5.6 pounds my first week. I have also been swimming and walking to get in shape. I would say I am training for sprint distance triathlon, but a friend of mine is already doing that so I feel like I need to find some other goal. She's always a few steps ahead of me in terms of what I want to do to get in shape. Kind of takes the fun out of doing what I want since, well, someone's already done it. I know, its my own weird way of thinking, but that is how my brain works. I like to be the originator of an idea, not a copy cat. With that said, I am looking for my first NC 5K to get involved in. I'm looking at doing it in about 2 months. We shall see.
Well, thats all for now. I will be posting pics of the house and the updates on the site soon. Until then...
Dr. T
Monday, June 13, 2005
Pictures, pictures, pictures!
Well, not too much to report since last post. I close on the house this friday. It seems like it is taking forever for friday to get here. I went funiture shopping for a bed and kitchen table yesterday. I didn't buy anything, but did find a few things I liked. I don't feel like I can rely buy anything until I am actually in the house and can visualize what I want and where.
Right now I am in NC staying with a friend of mine til I get to move in. So I am in NC, but not REALLY in NC. I can't get my new driver's license or car registration cause I don't really have an address yet. So I sit around most days, doing all those little things that I can. I set up dates to have my gas, water and electricity turned on, got all my graduation photos online, got some quotes for a professional carpet cleaner and other stuff here and there.
I finally got all the pics online. Here is a preview of what's to come!
The original Single Girls Club graduates!
Anyway, I just wanted to get the links up for my pictures. They are on ofoto and listed below. You will have to create a log in to view them. Hope you like 'em!
Pre-Graduation Stuff
Graduation Day
Graduation Party
Hanging out in North Carolina
Enjoy!
Dr. T
Right now I am in NC staying with a friend of mine til I get to move in. So I am in NC, but not REALLY in NC. I can't get my new driver's license or car registration cause I don't really have an address yet. So I sit around most days, doing all those little things that I can. I set up dates to have my gas, water and electricity turned on, got all my graduation photos online, got some quotes for a professional carpet cleaner and other stuff here and there.
I finally got all the pics online. Here is a preview of what's to come!
The original Single Girls Club graduates!
Anyway, I just wanted to get the links up for my pictures. They are on ofoto and listed below. You will have to create a log in to view them. Hope you like 'em!
Pre-Graduation Stuff
Graduation Day
Graduation Party
Hanging out in North Carolina
Enjoy!
Dr. T
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
A month in the life of the real Dr. T
I know, its been a while but I will try and give you the short version of a long story.
I am officially, Tamieka Howell, MD. It's a strange sounding title. I had an awesome time with friends and family from near and far. The festivity weekend began with a service to have our hands annointed (rubbed with oils that were blessed by a priest for those of you who are wondering). I know it was risky for me to participate in this activity, and I too thought I ran the risk of my hands spontaneously combusting, but it all worked out fine, blessed palms and all. There was an awards ceremony where I was awarded not one, but two awards. One was for commiment to Family Medicine and the other was for service to school. I also received a few gifts from our minority student associations. A pen with my mew name on it and an alumni license plate. I will be putting it on my car today.
The big grad party was on Saturday, May 21st. It was so mush fun that I am not sure if it was legal. I a had friends that I hadn't seen in a while there, but I was very excited to see them help me celebrate. Some I have known since before I was ever in med school, but most were people I had met in the last 4 years at school, in hospitals, at the airport or in my various jobs. It was awesome. And Thanks to Christine and Rena who were determined to find a bar to shake their rumps, that just made the evening that much better.
Graduation day itself was great! It was held in Carnegie Hall on Monday, May 23rd. Yes, THE Carnegie Hall. There are more ways to get to Carnegie Hall besides practice, practice, practice. I had some people there I love and can't ever be able to express how much I appreciated having them at my ceremony. Of course there was the famous and bestest Aunt in the world, Aunt Viv. I had my mother and family friends Denise and Nylin there as well as two of my good college friends Eric and Nelson who all came in from AZ. My best friend Cristin drove up from VA and of course, my sister Dianna (aka bestest sister in the world) was also there with Jason from CT. And my friend Dwayne came up from NC. Aunt Viv and Eric had air horns (yes, in Carnegie Hall). It was way too cool. I got to be on stage, have my name called, Dr. Tamieka Howell, and I didn't trip on the stairs or go sliding across stage in my new shoes. It was a GOOD night!
Things have been coming along with getting the house. I am just waiting for my closing date of June 17th. Everything else is in order. I shared a moving van with a friend and moved all of my belongings down last week and put them in storage. It was cheaper to do that than to wait and move my stuff by myself. Eric came down with me a got to see the house. The owner was there and was nice enough to give us all the tour and tell me things about the house that the realtors could never fill me in on. Of course, since it was Erics first time in NC, we had to do something fun so we rented motorcyles and rode our little hearts out for a day and half. We stayed with Dwayne who doesn't ride, so he had to be my 'bitch'. (That's motorcylce lingo for the person on the back seat). I dropped Eric off back at the La Guardia airport on Sunday evening for the the longest aiport run ever (we drove straight from NC).
Whew! What a week! I am worn out. I am now back in CT spending my last few days in the Northeast with Di and Jay and the Doggies.
No updates with WW...too much partying, vacationing, spending time doing other things. Will be back on track soon.
Well that's for now! I will try to figure out how to get some pics on here for you guys soon.
Ta Ta for Now!
Tamieka Howell, M.D.
I am officially, Tamieka Howell, MD. It's a strange sounding title. I had an awesome time with friends and family from near and far. The festivity weekend began with a service to have our hands annointed (rubbed with oils that were blessed by a priest for those of you who are wondering). I know it was risky for me to participate in this activity, and I too thought I ran the risk of my hands spontaneously combusting, but it all worked out fine, blessed palms and all. There was an awards ceremony where I was awarded not one, but two awards. One was for commiment to Family Medicine and the other was for service to school. I also received a few gifts from our minority student associations. A pen with my mew name on it and an alumni license plate. I will be putting it on my car today.
The big grad party was on Saturday, May 21st. It was so mush fun that I am not sure if it was legal. I a had friends that I hadn't seen in a while there, but I was very excited to see them help me celebrate. Some I have known since before I was ever in med school, but most were people I had met in the last 4 years at school, in hospitals, at the airport or in my various jobs. It was awesome. And Thanks to Christine and Rena who were determined to find a bar to shake their rumps, that just made the evening that much better.
Graduation day itself was great! It was held in Carnegie Hall on Monday, May 23rd. Yes, THE Carnegie Hall. There are more ways to get to Carnegie Hall besides practice, practice, practice. I had some people there I love and can't ever be able to express how much I appreciated having them at my ceremony. Of course there was the famous and bestest Aunt in the world, Aunt Viv. I had my mother and family friends Denise and Nylin there as well as two of my good college friends Eric and Nelson who all came in from AZ. My best friend Cristin drove up from VA and of course, my sister Dianna (aka bestest sister in the world) was also there with Jason from CT. And my friend Dwayne came up from NC. Aunt Viv and Eric had air horns (yes, in Carnegie Hall). It was way too cool. I got to be on stage, have my name called, Dr. Tamieka Howell, and I didn't trip on the stairs or go sliding across stage in my new shoes. It was a GOOD night!
Things have been coming along with getting the house. I am just waiting for my closing date of June 17th. Everything else is in order. I shared a moving van with a friend and moved all of my belongings down last week and put them in storage. It was cheaper to do that than to wait and move my stuff by myself. Eric came down with me a got to see the house. The owner was there and was nice enough to give us all the tour and tell me things about the house that the realtors could never fill me in on. Of course, since it was Erics first time in NC, we had to do something fun so we rented motorcyles and rode our little hearts out for a day and half. We stayed with Dwayne who doesn't ride, so he had to be my 'bitch'. (That's motorcylce lingo for the person on the back seat). I dropped Eric off back at the La Guardia airport on Sunday evening for the the longest aiport run ever (we drove straight from NC).
Whew! What a week! I am worn out. I am now back in CT spending my last few days in the Northeast with Di and Jay and the Doggies.
No updates with WW...too much partying, vacationing, spending time doing other things. Will be back on track soon.
Well that's for now! I will try to figure out how to get some pics on here for you guys soon.
Ta Ta for Now!
Tamieka Howell, M.D.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
3 miles and counting
I am procrastinating. I should be in the anatomy lab taking advantage of the gift that some aged, very thin woman has left me to improve my anatomy knowledge. But instead I decided to post to my blog.
I ran again yesterday, and before I bore you with the details, I'll tell you that I ran 3 miles in about 36 minutes. Not so fast, but I was running. I went a new route. Decided I was sick of the loop. I did an out and back this time. I think I liked it much better. I'll probably do the same one a few more times.
I went to see my friend Erin run her first marathon Sunday as part of the Team in Training to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was a beautiful day down on the Jersey Shore. I was with my friend Lisa. We were there early and walked a few miles of the boardwalk to pass the time and then people watched for a while. We cheered on the runners that went by as we waited in an area that they would have to run past again. Then there was Erin. Go Erin! You're doing great! I got a high five on her way by, then it was time to wait the 1.5 hours for her to get to the finish. So we sat and cheered and people watched some more. I didn't mind. It was a chance to support a friend, spend time with another and take advantage of some great weather. Erin finished around 4:20, not sure exactly what her time was. It was great to see her at the end. I'm impressed. You can check out her training adventures and post race perspective at tntnycerin.blogspot.com.
That's all for now.
Dr. T
I ran again yesterday, and before I bore you with the details, I'll tell you that I ran 3 miles in about 36 minutes. Not so fast, but I was running. I went a new route. Decided I was sick of the loop. I did an out and back this time. I think I liked it much better. I'll probably do the same one a few more times.
I went to see my friend Erin run her first marathon Sunday as part of the Team in Training to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was a beautiful day down on the Jersey Shore. I was with my friend Lisa. We were there early and walked a few miles of the boardwalk to pass the time and then people watched for a while. We cheered on the runners that went by as we waited in an area that they would have to run past again. Then there was Erin. Go Erin! You're doing great! I got a high five on her way by, then it was time to wait the 1.5 hours for her to get to the finish. So we sat and cheered and people watched some more. I didn't mind. It was a chance to support a friend, spend time with another and take advantage of some great weather. Erin finished around 4:20, not sure exactly what her time was. It was great to see her at the end. I'm impressed. You can check out her training adventures and post race perspective at tntnycerin.blogspot.com.
That's all for now.
Dr. T
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