Natural or Novelty

Amazing to me that the United States has made a most natural daily occurance around the world into a novelty for talk shows and debates. Michelle Obama, the First lady has decided to plant a vegetable garden in the White House yard. And now news pundits are debating, can "normal" people plant gardens and eat vegetables. Mrs Obama, to her credit, is having to justify and explain that fresh grown peas and tomatos taste better.

I can imagine trying to have this conversation in India with my relatives:

Me: I think fresh vegetables taste better than frozen, canned or otherwise altered ones
Relative: um, yes. That is why we buy our vegetables fresh for each days' meals
Me: And kids should know that vegetables and herbs come from the earth and can be grown
Relative: um, yes....the children see the farmers growing their crops in the fields along the main roads
Me: and people are healthier if they eat fresh food
Relative: ah, yeah....that is why there are less obese children here

pause and then I can hear the whispers....."I don't know what happened to her; she went to America when she was very young; maybe they live in some uncivilized concrete jungle; I feel sorry for her, maybe she never saw a garden; poor thing, they said she went to a good college"

Cozy reading spaces....

Lucky couple excited in the Shark tank!

When you work too late.......

New Puppy: Junior

Holding Court on H.H. Uma's 5th Birthday

Have you ever been to "Pump it up" ? An experience to be sure! 25-30 children race around like mad on slides and jumpy houses (I have to admit, I went down the slide a few times :)

They line up for hand degermer and run into the "party room" Next, eat pizza and veggies, drink plenty of water, lemonade, juice! Some magical timing (apparently by the time a child is 5, he or she may have done this a few dozen times), they all assemble and sing happy Birthday. Grab a cupcake (except for the poor kids allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, nuts and chocolate who had vegan oatmeal raisin cookies). Get your party favor and voila, one birthday bash in style!!

What would happen if you imported 30 children from a village in Africa, Thailand or India? would they also automatically know what to do? hmm... an interesting non-profit idea? celebrate birthdays for children with limited resources--shouldn't every child get to be a prince or princess at least for one day?

The Lucky Couple Enjoy Sunrise

The lucky couple went to?

It was a good day for the lucky couple.

Where in the world is the lucky couple?

Somewhere in SF, the lucky couple travelled....

what they didn't teach in medical scool

Diaper technology has really advanced in recent years; there are "green" diapers, gathered, ones for boys and different ones for girls; there are animals in the front and all around; chartoon characters, disney characters; now first of all, the diapers face the adults who could care less about the disney characters at the 0300 feeding/diaper change. Why don't they have messages for the adults like "only 1 million to go-hang in there"

Ok-what about bottles, and the types of cribs, and the variety of pacifiers; now with phathlates or lead or mercury or other toxins; how is anyone supposed to know--which shape of nipple? how many holes? what shape of bottle and oh yes, we don't want plastic, so glass bottles are better; but which company is better for the environment; how do you sterilize glass bottles?

There are at least 4 stages of baby foods and they come in various jars and sizes and tastes; organic and non-organic (as opposed to synthetic?) --the cereal comes in different flavors, size packages and with different additives to make the babies smarter. Is that really the problem with children today, they aren't smart enough?

Perhaps the real problem is that parents cannot have a baby without guilt that they aren't buying the perfect product for their baby and instead of snuggling and singing lullabies, they need to worry about the equipment needed; mankind has survived quite well all these years.....to be continued.....

Case of the missing tiara

In an effort at equality, I agreed to take my niece Uma to the Disney Princesses on Ice show since I was going to take my nephew Sachin to a hockey game. I'm not sure where the gender stereotypes started, when Uma started a vanity case for her hair things, or when Sachin stopped giving his Auntie hugs and only wanted to do "boy things."

As I picked up Uma, I felt woefully un feminine. She was dressed in a lovely velvet topped tulle and silk dress; she had tights, a pink purse and ballet shoes on. I had on gym shoes, track suit bottoms and a sweatshirt; what would it matter I thought; little did I know.....

Every little girl at the show was dressed in tulle and lace and silk; moreover, my niece's face fell as she realized she left her tiara at home. With promises to make it up to her, I bought an Ariel light thingie, looked at every necklace available and settled on a princess book and pink rose.

I was so proud of how well behaved she was and I finally understood what it means when you have so much joy you think your heart will burst; seeing her face light up and her smiles gave me that incredible joy.

One question though, how the hell did she know about Prince Eric and why did every princess have a prince? Is this how we are subtly trained to believe that unless we receive "true love's kiss" or are "rescued" or "meet the one born for us" we are incomplete?

I hope fervently that Uma meets her prince and true love; but if she doesn't at the time and the way she hopes, I hope she knows its not because she didn't have a tiara; she is and always will be a perfect princess; a lady with dignity, strength, dreams, belief in herself and an unwillingness to settle for less than the best; an incredible woman who expects that she be treated with respect, genuine love and kindness.

Nirvana and all that stuff

I decided to try a yoga class....here are my thoughts on this wonderful ancient practice

--oh my God!! no one warned me about these core stabilizing nazis!
I got a call while we waited for the class to start and I was getting glares--i think the cell phone messed up their chi or interfered with their inner flow-
But wait, it gets worse...I was supposed to breathe, stabilize my core, surrender my thoughts, balance on one leg with the other one "gently" in the air, lift my left arm and open my heart center--all while making sure my movements were "soft", without any judgement--then when I tried to look over at her to find out what to do next---well--I fell over--she said it was ok
that I just needed to be present with my body and observe--well it doesn't take much observation to be one with the fact that my ass hurts
--brunch sounded so much better in hindsight (no pun intended though that is what I spent the hour of yoga doing, hind-sight, of mine and others!!)

(and by the way, i checked with my mom and "downward facing dog" just doesn't translate to or from Sanskrit---so not sure where that came from)
peace be with you and don't forget to breathe into your lower core--and open your pelvis (ah, that is why we don't teach yoga to teenagers)

Mixed messages at the holiday season

As I drove my 3 year old niece and 5 year old nephew to the mall for new shoes, we discussed Christmas. Christmas is Jesus' birthday; ok. Jesus helped a lot of people and we should be kind to others as well: check. So far so good and I felt like a great Aunt. Here is the tricky part. Sachin asks, "So is Santa Claus really Jesus?" "No? then what is special about Santa Claus?" "If we are supposed to give things to others, why are we asking Santa for stuff?" "Does Santa Claus ever die?" "why should we take our picture with Santa Claus?"

I tangled myself in the explanations of Christ, the St Nick that is now Santa Claus and the pagan traditions of trees and lights.....commercialism and doubt.

Pandering to the rich to serve the poor

After an extensive hiatus, it occurs to me today that in order to serve the extremely needy, one needs to befriend, cajole, in general suck up to the very rich.....in addition, the elite enjoy champagne, fine wine and some presents; then they are even more likely to donate to a good cause. For the rich, an easy way to get a tax right off, dress up, drink and get some nice art, designer purse or whatever; for the grantwriters and social do-gooders, checks, grant money and maybe some connections (and a bit of champagne and invites to fancy places); for the ill, homeless, downtrodder, poor and destitute, we can only hope that whatever trickles to them as a service or donation makes a difference....what about the waiters and staff at the fancy hotels and the migrant workers who are picking the grapes for next years champagne......they may be the working poor and maybe the very recipients .....is fundraising the only way?

92Q

Its official! I don't just hate shopping; I loathe it. Especially for ......bras! This is one item that you can't stock up on like mammoth jars of vitamins and mustard from the new super wherehouse shops like Costco. Same breasts but need new supporters frequently! Nordstroms lingerie department pays more homage to breasts than boyfriends I've known. Well, after a random tour round the department and wondering how the varioius bits of string and lace cover or support any mammilian breasts, I finally asked for help.

"Of course" says the barely past puberty teen (who, by the way, resembles one of the patients in my clinic). This can't be put off any longer, so I acccept her help, thinking she will "start a room" for me and put some stuff in there I can try on. Well, she COMES in with me, bringing her tape measure and says, "OK. top off" Shit! This is some bad movie or something.....I ask her some vague question regarding what we are doing. Patiently, with just a bit too much understanding pity in her eyes, she explains, "we are going to fit you". (I think, "we?" who the hell else is she bringing into the room??)

Lo and behold, all the exercise I have been doing has paid off and I am not the 92Q I thought I was, but a new and improved 85W ! Great! I have now been fitted! Unfortunately, the fun had just started....these specially fitted brassieres do not come in a value pack. I had to painstakingly sift through the styles and select 85W's. Well, everyone must be a 85W, because there were hardly any. Lots of 69Z's and 102F's....geez, who are these women?

Is it too much to ask for just a simple bra. No minimizer, thank you very much and I certainly don't need "extra body"...and I actually prefer my underclothes without sewn-in jewelery--so I go back to Ginger and ask very politely, "which section are the regular bras in?"--she responds again with the pity look, "These are really what you need, Ma'am"---

Maybe the women in the 1960's were onto something....the no bra-feminist-go ahead and look at me in all my freedom-I am woman-hear me roar -glory era is looking really good to me now. In Africa, they dispense with anything on top altogether.....

As Ginger individually swaddled each bra in tissue paper, I pondered.....Hm...where is the delicate balance between enticement and exhibitionism, between freedom and disciplined containment........to let them all hang out or to lift, separate, support?.......

The final bill cured me of my musings....it costs big bucks to prettily lift and support......I grab my bag of tenderly gift wrapped bras and head straight for the exit as fast as I can.

I'm a "grand-doctor" now

Where did it all go wrong. Obviously, if it takes a village to raise a child, I am not responsible; however, there is still a fleeting sense of questioning. "Wrong" is probably too judgemental and the outcome remains to be seeen; so, I will stay hopeful. Here's the story.

I have been taking care of a family for over 7 years. They have had numerous ups and downs, including but not limited to: an infant that died of genetic problems, lack of money, living in a poor, violence ravaged neighborhood, history of substance abuse and multiple children all with varying fathers. Nonetheless, the mother has kept trying and continuously seeks to improve.

B, one of the middle children, has been coming to me for her medical care since she was 10 years old. We had the puberty talk and the safe sex talk, almost every visit! We talked about being safe and taking care and HIV and consequences. I met her boyfriend and we talked about birth control......

Yesterday, now 17 year old B and her boyfriend came in with their new baby Ana. I felt the immediate deep sense of hapiness whenever I see a newborn. The feeling was drowned out by the myriad questions racing through my mind. How will this seedling new family break the family cycles of lower socio-economic-status? How will they be able to raise this child and teach her that life can be different? Could any amount of health education in the clinic prevented B's choices? His job at Jamba juice and her job at the Hair Salon isn't going to help pay for Ana's expenses; how will they cope?

Yet, B and her boyfriend entrusted me to take care of this new little person and were so full of hope and naive expressions of fear and faith. It was all going to be okay they told me. Each of them had chaotic childhoods and the boyfriend had raised himself, so he is going to be there for the baby. He's not sure what marriage means, but he is going to help take care of Ana. B is going back to school next month and Ana can go with her to the free daycare. They are going to start a savings account this week.

With a heavy heart, I said a silent prayer that Ana would indeed have a different childhood than her parents had. For a moment, I let myself believe in the young optimism of B and her boyfriend. If your children have children, you become a grand-parent; so when my patient became a mother, I become a grand-doctor. Now there is triple the care in an appointment. For Ana, her mother and her father.

I'll just hope and see. I did whisper in Ana's ear to make sure she waited to have sex and always used a condom. You can't start too early!

Life or Death Decision Making: Patient or Surgeon?

Dr DeBakey, a cardiovascular surgeon who discovered mutliple surgical techniques and procedures, had to have the surgery himself recently. NYT he is 98 years old now and is back at work!! he had signed a paper not to have resuscitation, but was glad that the family had forced the team to do it. What he as a doctor had determined or didn't want before he was ill and what he is happy now are different. He stated to his medical team, many of them colleagues of his for more than 20 years, that he was glad they did what they needed to do and those kinds of decisions shouldn't get held up in committee meetings.

Sachin and Uma's Winter Concerts

So sweet with his red hat and shirt! Adorable little bird though I have no idea how the bird fits in with the holiday themes of any culture. What I do know for sure is that there was no where else on earth I wanted to be at those times. Sitting on little chairs in the front, I clapped as loudly as I could. 2 sets of grandparents, parents, respective supportive sibling and a doting Auntie---so much love. Forget macy's sales, tangled lights and quests for the "perfect" gifts......unabashed, exuberant expressions of love and joy are what its all about.

My Brother-in-law's company! Seriously cool!

Aruba Networks files for $100 million IPO
Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:19pm ET

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Aruba Networks Inc., which provides access to data, voice and video applications across wireless and wireline networks, on Friday said it is planning an initial public offering.
The company, in a preliminary offering document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said it may sell as much as $100 million of common stock.
The IPO will be managed by Goldman Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers, JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets, the Sunnyvale, California-based company said.
The company is seeking a Nasdaq listing under the symbol "ARUN."

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

In a suprise turn of events....I am speechless...

TODAY:
Andy Borowitz Mon Dec 11, 5:47 AM ET
Vowing to boldly go where no gourmet coffee chain has ever gone before, Starbucks Inc. announced today that it would build its first coffee franchise on the moon by the year 2020.

YESTERDAY:
Martha Stewart (don't ask how I happen to be watching), states so calmly, so proudly, with such panache and verve..."Today is National Poinsettia Day" ---well, who knew......!

Hustensirup

My lost voice reminds me of one of my finer goofy moments in 2005. After staying out all night in France and Amsterdam, I lost my voice and developed a cough. I'm a doctor after all, no problem. Find pharmacy, purchase cough syrup and voila, I should be better by the time I return to Paris on on the train. The directions on the bottle say something vaguely about 1-2 teaspoons (I think, because Dutch is sort of similar to German and I did take German 1,2,3 in 1987). I open the bottle and the stuff is horrible; smelled like lighter fluid! But, I figured, I know that European pharmaceutical firms are much less stringent than in the United States so they must sell the strong stuff over-the-counter.....several capfuls later, I'm traveling on the train to Paris and feeling fantastic!! Love the cough syrup....I meet some fellow travelers (a Dutch model and his mother going back to his home in Paris--I have his picture in the style magazine, by the way). After we'd been chatting for a while, I casually mention that I've been taking this wonderful cough syrup and could they please read the bottle instructions for me?

They could barely get it out....you said you are a doctor?.......laugh, laugh, choke......you say you drank how much?.....laugh, snort, laugh.......it says, "place 2 teaspoons in 4 quarts of boiling water and inhale deeply"