I spent ALL day on Saturday helping breakdown an amazing photography exhibit that is produced by a couple of very good family friends. It was held at the Lyceum Theater in downtown San Diego, in the historic Gaslamp District and part of the Horton Plaza mall. We spend hours repackaging very very expensive artwork from artists all around the world (46 different countries) and moving the packed boxes into a huge truck. They will all eventually be shipped out to owners and buyers. This collection included pieces from a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and other world-renown artists.
This last Thursday, my mom and I were able to go down to the show and tour the exhibit with a few of the photographers and distinguished guests. An overview of the exhibit can be seen at the show's website. Check it out!
Main Website:
http://www.artofphotographyshow.com/index.html
Pieces in the show:
http://www.artofphotographyshow.com/2008photos.html
More pictures of the theater, reception, and show:
http://www.artofphotographyshow.com/Reception_Images_2008/
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Massachusetts General Hospital
The school that I am going to is ranked in the top 5 for physical therapy programs in the United States! It is the educational branch of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Here is some more astounding information I found online about the hospital, in particular. It is simply incredible. Immediately below is a picture of the hospital's campus.
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Founded in 1811, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is recognized as a world leader in academic medicine and has made pivotal contributions to the advancement of medicine throughout history.
Ranked 3rd for overall excellence by U.S. News & World Report in its "Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals" for demonstrating high levels of competence in 12 major medical specialties. The MGH ranks among the "Top 5 Hospitals in America" for excellence in treating Digestive, Ear Nose and Throat, Cardiac, Geriatric, Gynecological, Kidney and Orthopedic Diseases, as well as Respiratory, Neurological and Hormonal Disorders. MGH was ranked among the "Top 10 Best Hospitals in America" for excellence in Rheumatological and Urological Diseases. (See U.S. News & World Report, July 18, 2005)
MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
• 1945: Developed the Pap smear, a definitive tool in the diagnosis of cervical cancer
• 1960: Used proton beam radiation to treat eye, neck, and brain tumors
• 1962: Performed the world's first reattachment of a severed, human limb
• 1964: Pioneered technology to support the long-term storage of blood
• 1969: Developed the intra-aortic balloon catheter, the world's first temporary, aortic-assist device
• 1970s: Developed Positron Emission Tomography scanning (PET) and Magnetic
• Resonance Imaging (MRI), providing for the noninvasive imaging of internal organs
• 1981: Developed artificial skin made from living cells, with MIT and Shriners Burn Institute
• 1993: Discovered genes responsible for Huntington's disease
• 1995: Performed first cartilage transplant operation in the United States
• 1998: Applied molecular genetic analysis to classify and treat brain tumors
• 1999: Demonstrated efficacy of a new, less toxic regimen for bone marrow transplantation
• 1999: First to induce spinal cord growth across injured site without use of implanted cells
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Short Relationships of Life
I was thinking today about how relatively short most of our relationships with people are. We meet them, talk with them in our limited language, we share embraces, we learn and teach with them, we develop a love for them, and then the subtle decisions in our lives drive us apart from most as time goes by. The only institution designed for this not to change exponentially with each decision is the family.
A few years is really not a long time, but I wish it were an eternity. I have so many friends that I will miss so much from my last few years at BYU! I met some friends that live close to my home in San Diego recently, but I am constantly reminded that these relationships will change and likely fall into lesser strength when I move to Boston. Even the small interactions that you have with people throughout life, such as the smile or exchange of a hello you give to someone when you are running or shopping at the grocery store, are usually over within minutes! Each person then moves on in their own directions. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to make friends, but I am one of the worst at keeping them because I am always so busy!
Hopefully blogging will help a little with keeping friendships, however fragile they become. But I am sure it will be other more important forms of communication that will be most instrumental. I saw the latest Chronicles of Narnia movie last night, and as cheesy as I hate it when people use movie quotes to speak about significant life experiences, I am going to do that very thing now! In the movie, there is a little cliche given a couple of times, "things never happen the same way twice."
My mom and I watched the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, two English Premiere League teams that managed to make it to the culminating game! This is the first year that it has ever been an all-English final! The game was so exciting! After a tie, the game went to penalty kicks, and then Chelsea had a chance to win it all on a PK, with the most consistent player in place to take the kick, John Terry, but he slipped on the wet grass and missed his!! It was so crazy! Manchester United came back and their goalie made an amazing stop to win them the championship! What a quick change of momentum! All of the haters out there who dislike soccer/football because they think it is not exciting enough, needs to watch Sportscenter tonight!! You will not be disappointed in the excitement department.
A few years is really not a long time, but I wish it were an eternity. I have so many friends that I will miss so much from my last few years at BYU! I met some friends that live close to my home in San Diego recently, but I am constantly reminded that these relationships will change and likely fall into lesser strength when I move to Boston. Even the small interactions that you have with people throughout life, such as the smile or exchange of a hello you give to someone when you are running or shopping at the grocery store, are usually over within minutes! Each person then moves on in their own directions. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to make friends, but I am one of the worst at keeping them because I am always so busy!
Hopefully blogging will help a little with keeping friendships, however fragile they become. But I am sure it will be other more important forms of communication that will be most instrumental. I saw the latest Chronicles of Narnia movie last night, and as cheesy as I hate it when people use movie quotes to speak about significant life experiences, I am going to do that very thing now! In the movie, there is a little cliche given a couple of times, "things never happen the same way twice."
My mom and I watched the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, two English Premiere League teams that managed to make it to the culminating game! This is the first year that it has ever been an all-English final! The game was so exciting! After a tie, the game went to penalty kicks, and then Chelsea had a chance to win it all on a PK, with the most consistent player in place to take the kick, John Terry, but he slipped on the wet grass and missed his!! It was so crazy! Manchester United came back and their goalie made an amazing stop to win them the championship! What a quick change of momentum! All of the haters out there who dislike soccer/football because they think it is not exciting enough, needs to watch Sportscenter tonight!! You will not be disappointed in the excitement department.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Mother's Day
Sunday was fantastic. My mom and I had a pleasant morning and I enjoyed going to church in the afternoon. After church, I spend a great evening with both my parents and I realized how much I am going to miss them. Boston is pretty dang far away from San Diego! I love my family so very much!
Lately, I have been organizing my life; this has included throwing many things away, replacing old and non-functioning items, buying new essential items, and attempting to record memories more efficiently. It has been really therapeutic to spend time analyzing where I am at in my life, setting goals, purging poor habits and beginning new ones. In my efforts to organize my photos and to write in my journal and blog more regularly, I have gone back and reminisced about many of my favorite past-times and monumental events in my life. Life goes by way too fast.
Today I worked on the roses all day. I worked in my swimsuit to try and obtain a suitable tan. People will not believe I spent my summer in San Diego without any tan to show for it! I think I am going to be burned tomorrow, but it is a great feeling! I love the warm weather here!
I will plan to finish up the roses tomorrow, and then I will start on cleaning the carpets! That will take a long time, but my mom is paying me for it, so I am excited!
Lately, I have been organizing my life; this has included throwing many things away, replacing old and non-functioning items, buying new essential items, and attempting to record memories more efficiently. It has been really therapeutic to spend time analyzing where I am at in my life, setting goals, purging poor habits and beginning new ones. In my efforts to organize my photos and to write in my journal and blog more regularly, I have gone back and reminisced about many of my favorite past-times and monumental events in my life. Life goes by way too fast.
Today I worked on the roses all day. I worked in my swimsuit to try and obtain a suitable tan. People will not believe I spent my summer in San Diego without any tan to show for it! I think I am going to be burned tomorrow, but it is a great feeling! I love the warm weather here!
I will plan to finish up the roses tomorrow, and then I will start on cleaning the carpets! That will take a long time, but my mom is paying me for it, so I am excited!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Home
Wow. Home is great. I have been having such a blast! Despite the muggy weather, San Diego is beautiful and school-less life is fantastic! After taking a few days to relax and recoup, I am looking forward to making like a little bit more busy and finding some fun things to do before I leave for Boston June 1!
I arrived in Poway after a long road trip with my mom to find a large package of books sitting on the front step, a welcoming gift and not-so-subtle reminder that my period of freedom from pupil life is shorter than I thought. My to-do list is huge before I start up grad school. Somewhere between the financial aid applications and the immunization shots, I have been experiencing many wonderfully excruciating feelings of nervousness and excitement for what is ahead.
I am just petrified that my peers are going to be far more qualified than me and that I will struggle and underperform. How does one shove these thoughts out of their mind and turn nervous energy positive? Any suggestions? I guess any uncharted waters are scary at first.
Hope everyone's May is just peachy!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Pictures from Graduation
Now that I am home in San Diego, I have a few days to catch my breath, post some pictures and updates, and prepare myself to head to Boston. The last couple of weeks have been so much fun! I just got back from Yellowstone, and I had such a fun time vacationing with Guinevere, Clark, and Ben! We had some great adventures!
Guinevere sent me a couple of pictures that she took from my graduation. Here are a few of my favorites! Pictures from Yellowstone will follow shortly!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Graduation!
Last week I graduated from college! What a crazy feeling! I feel so old in many ways, yet so young in others. My parents were able to come up for my graduation services and stayed with me in my apartment. It was great to be able to spend the weekend with them and catch up with all that has been happening in their lives!
Mom and Dad split and went for a week-long vacation in Philadelphia yesterday. I am planning on going on a little vacation of my own out to Yellowstone tomorrow (Tuesday) with Guinevere and Clark! We just decided to move our leaving date up a day and so now I have to pack up and organize my life all in one day! It will take a lot of work! It has been fun going through all of my boxes up to this point because I am seeing symbols and souvenirs of old memories from as far back as high school! It is fun to reminisce, but it was so sad when I made the subtle realization that these things are all too much clutter to keep any longer. So, I decided to at least make a list of a couple of these things so that I can always remember them and the memories associated with them:
1. An Italian National Team flag that I got when the BYU soccer team traveled to Italy. We had the opportunity to play the Italian National Team and then traded souvenirs afterwards. I got it back in the Summer of 2004.
2. A doll that I got my senior year of high school from my mom. All of the lacrosse team's parents got together and made a doll for each of their girls on the team. Mine has a striking resemblance to me! It even has a red stick, which is my signature lacrosse identity! Good job mom!
3. The many many many letters that I wrote to my friends on missions during the last 5 years. Most of them are home and many of them are dating other people or married. I read through some of them one more time and kept others, but threw most away. I have really enjoyed writing to missionaries through the years. Their accounts and testimonies have such a strengthening power for me.
4. All of the information that I gathered together in the long process of taking the GRE, research schools, applying, and interviewing for various programs. I am glad to have a solid plan for grad school! There have been so many doubts and questions along the way about which location in the country and which school would be the best fit for me. The only material I still have is for registering for my new program!
5. Many of my DVDs are a few years old and just take up shelve space instead of being enjoyable to watch for me still. I am planning to take them all over to a store that buys back old DVDs.
6. All of the MANY cords and electronic gadgets that I have collected through the years, but that are now very outdated and useless.
7. A few pairs of old cleats. Probably about 5 pairs. Don't worry, I'm keeping 3 pairs of brand new ones that I still have from my soccer days! (2 pairs are studs) Don't let me ever buy another new pair again!
8. Most of my dishes that I have used for the last 4 years, since I moved into the brick house that Mom and Dad owned.
9. My get well and birthday cards from my 19 birthday, just before my first ACL surgery. SO many people came over to wish me well during that time and I kept many of them. I am sad to see them go.
10. This was an accident that I just realized about. But in with all of those birthday cards was a card from Grandma Thomas that she sent me just a month before she got really sick and passed away. I wish I had remembered to grab that! I loved getting grandma's birthday cards and I am so grateful for all of the many uplifting notes and phone calls that she made an effort to make throughout her life. What a great example. I will always remember that card in specific though.
There are many other things that have significant value for me in my life and there have been more than a few that have brought tears to my eyes as I realize that I am ready to move on to a huge new chapter of my life. However, there is something exhilarating about throwing things out and starting anew. I look forward to the new memories that will be made!
Mom and Dad split and went for a week-long vacation in Philadelphia yesterday. I am planning on going on a little vacation of my own out to Yellowstone tomorrow (Tuesday) with Guinevere and Clark! We just decided to move our leaving date up a day and so now I have to pack up and organize my life all in one day! It will take a lot of work! It has been fun going through all of my boxes up to this point because I am seeing symbols and souvenirs of old memories from as far back as high school! It is fun to reminisce, but it was so sad when I made the subtle realization that these things are all too much clutter to keep any longer. So, I decided to at least make a list of a couple of these things so that I can always remember them and the memories associated with them:
1. An Italian National Team flag that I got when the BYU soccer team traveled to Italy. We had the opportunity to play the Italian National Team and then traded souvenirs afterwards. I got it back in the Summer of 2004.
2. A doll that I got my senior year of high school from my mom. All of the lacrosse team's parents got together and made a doll for each of their girls on the team. Mine has a striking resemblance to me! It even has a red stick, which is my signature lacrosse identity! Good job mom!
3. The many many many letters that I wrote to my friends on missions during the last 5 years. Most of them are home and many of them are dating other people or married. I read through some of them one more time and kept others, but threw most away. I have really enjoyed writing to missionaries through the years. Their accounts and testimonies have such a strengthening power for me.
4. All of the information that I gathered together in the long process of taking the GRE, research schools, applying, and interviewing for various programs. I am glad to have a solid plan for grad school! There have been so many doubts and questions along the way about which location in the country and which school would be the best fit for me. The only material I still have is for registering for my new program!
5. Many of my DVDs are a few years old and just take up shelve space instead of being enjoyable to watch for me still. I am planning to take them all over to a store that buys back old DVDs.
6. All of the MANY cords and electronic gadgets that I have collected through the years, but that are now very outdated and useless.
7. A few pairs of old cleats. Probably about 5 pairs. Don't worry, I'm keeping 3 pairs of brand new ones that I still have from my soccer days! (2 pairs are studs) Don't let me ever buy another new pair again!
8. Most of my dishes that I have used for the last 4 years, since I moved into the brick house that Mom and Dad owned.
9. My get well and birthday cards from my 19 birthday, just before my first ACL surgery. SO many people came over to wish me well during that time and I kept many of them. I am sad to see them go.
10. This was an accident that I just realized about. But in with all of those birthday cards was a card from Grandma Thomas that she sent me just a month before she got really sick and passed away. I wish I had remembered to grab that! I loved getting grandma's birthday cards and I am so grateful for all of the many uplifting notes and phone calls that she made an effort to make throughout her life. What a great example. I will always remember that card in specific though.
There are many other things that have significant value for me in my life and there have been more than a few that have brought tears to my eyes as I realize that I am ready to move on to a huge new chapter of my life. However, there is something exhilarating about throwing things out and starting anew. I look forward to the new memories that will be made!
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