The last two months have been very busy for joshie and stephie. Stephie just finished her fifth interview and josh is preparing for his second presentation of the last week. Josh has found a little time to write this post after slipping on ice Florida boy style and sustaining an immobilizing leg bruise:


Josh has been taking the first salsa lessons of his life the last five weeks and would like to share some types from the class. Of course he would not have gotten inspired to do such lessons and join the salsa community if it was not for stephie so thank you so much my love! Here are the basic cincepts he has learned:


Lead and follow
Takes longer for guy to learn how to follow-patience!
Man is frame And lady is picture
Tension in hands allows partners to anticipate each other
Guy reaches for hand only
Guy and girl face each other almost always
Hands thought tight against each other and no curling

Learn salsa in 123s
Invite cross body with hand at hip ht
Open break tells lady that something is coming
No thumbs in salsa
Ladies hand when dropped should go back down to mans hand
Hand down for spin
Hair comb with flair
Number of fingers for number of turns

Just read an article in the New Yorker by Atul Gawande that was excellent and linked here Coaches for doctors?.

I particularly liked the following vinettes:

Consider Maxwell Perkins, the great Scribner’s editor, who found, nurtured, and published such writers as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe. “Perkins has the intangible faculty of giving you confidence in yourself and the book you are writing,” one of his writers said in a New Yorker Profile from 1944. “He never tells you what to do,” another writer said. “Instead, he suggests to you, in an extraordinarily inarticulate fashion, what you want to do yourself.”

Good coaches know how to break down performance into its critical individual components. The U.C.L.A. basketball coach John Wooden, at the first squad meeting each season, even had his players practice putting their socks on. He demonstrated just how to do it: he carefully rolled each sock over his toes, up his foot, around the heel, and pulled it up snug, then went back to his toes and smoothed out the material along the sock’s length, making sure there were no wrinkles or creases. He had two purposes in doing this. First, wrinkles cause blisters. Blisters cost games. Second, he wanted his players to learn how crucial seemingly trivial details could be. “Details create success” was the creed of a coach who won ten N.C.A.A. men’s basketball championships.


Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/03/111003fa_fact_gawande#ixzz1b5FVj5wO

Omega and the Olympics

Omega continues its relationship with the 25th straight Olympics in London!! This picture was inspired by the adventures of Alex Cheng, the founder of Seagull, the North American distributor for Omega in the 1970s and 80s.

Remembering Lee

I wanted to write a post remembering some of the teachings of Dr. Lee Lipsenthal, a physician, healer, shamanic journey leader, and a loving husband and father. Dr. Lee was one of the lecturers during the HEART elective this past April and I think it appropriate this weekend to recount some of the lessons he instilled in the HEARTies just a few months ago. I reopened my journal from the elective for the first time since I left that sacred space April 24th and share now all that I wrote down with a fiery passion and so much love during his series of lectures.

Dr. Lee told us the following: "When you have heard that I have passed away, know that I passed away happy and surrounded by all my loved ones." Lee's whole-hearted acceptance of mortality and the end of life was so striking during the elective and he gave so many reasons for this powerful peace of mind. He expressed gratitude for an incredible wife and children, for living exactly the way he wanted to, with an appreciation for the beauty before, behind, beneath, above and around him. Why fear death when you did all that you wanted to do and soaked up every wild and precious moment? Lee routinely told himself, "Today is a good day to die" and I regularly practice this with my Stephie. Live each day to its fullest.

Lee also inspired us to follow our hearts with the following ancient quote from the Far East: "Do that which feeds your soul, while you chop wood and carry water." Most of us have to make a living in some way and consider finances at some point, but always remember your passions and live them fully. This saying is so grounding and allows one to focus on what is truly important. For me this is my life partner Stephie Wei Li and the joy for life that we share as two merged beings.

"Do you want to be good or to you want to be whole," Lee asked. Are you trying to meet unrealistic expectations and goals at the expense of your whole being? Allow yourself to simply be and let those pressures placed on you in many of the roles in your life slip away. If you allow yourself to be whole, everything else will follow.

Give gratitude for your teachers. Lee had us write a list of teachers in our life and I was amazed at how many people have played such a formative role in my life. Gratitude leads to happiness and I give thanks at the end of every day with my love Stephie for our wonderful life we lead.

Stay connected with a daily ritual. There are many ways to connect with the collective unconciousness and to ground oneself. Pick one and practice it regularly. I routinely use prayer, meditation, song and chanting, yoga and breath work. Music and breath are incredible vehicles to reach the unconciousness as Lee so prominently demonstrated during the shamanic journey he took us on. 

Be responsible to the patient and not for the patient. Be a great teacher and let the patient make their own decisions.

Teach your children how to learn and not what to do specifically.

Use the energy and enthusiasm of a 5 year old and the intellect of a 30 year old. 

Dont let the perfect get in the way of the good.

Cutting down hours does not prevent burnout but changing personality structure does.

When you say no to others, you say yes to yourself. 

"My goal is obsolescence. For the wisdom of the group, not me."

Thank you Lee for your incredible life lessons. You will be dearly missed, but your love and lessons live on in all the lives you touched.

Great quotes

"Meditation allows you to be more of who you really are." - Will Kabat-Zinn

"The heart of Buddhism is compassion and the heart of compassion is self-compassion." -Tara Brach

Sweethearts forever

♥

I went on the Spirit Rock Young Adult Retreat a few weeks back.

I will add to this post but in the meantime, here are some photos from my experience:

thhttp://www.mettalovingkindness.com nice site my fellow retreatant made. May you be well. May you be at peace. May you happy. May you be free.

http://www.dharmaseed.org/retreats/ ask S or J for password to listen to dharma talks from the retreat (4 of them. all amazing). Or feel free to browse the site. Tons of amazing resources.

Biggest take home message for me: loving-kindness and compassion toward self and others = where it's at. :) Liberation through mindfulness. With awareness comes choice. And "Dreams become reality one choice at a time," as it written on the beautiful bracelet from Mama Menke.

Well, off to bed as my sleeping schedule is slightly off lol. Have to be at the ICU in a few hours. More on ICU later. I'm having an amazing time. One of the most meaningful aspects is just being with patients and their families. Something that delights me daily: seeing my patients wake up from being sedated and on the ventilator. It's like I get to witness this beautiful birth and welcome them back into the waking world. I can't help but smile. It's so beautiful! It's so amazing too...so many of the patients in the ICU are suspended between this world and the next. Such a delicate balance. Some will stay with us and some will transition on. I give thanks for this amazing ICU rotation. I can't believe how it's flown by. I have one more week left and then I return to Portland. The teaching has been amazing. Another highlights has been the stellar communication. My resident and attendings communicate so so well with the families. It makes all the difference. Dr. Harless, the course director and director of critical care, has really set the tone and created a wonderful place for faculty, staff and patients. Dang.

K gnite!

An Epic Conversation

From 7:49 pm on September 10th until 4:04 am on September 11th Joshie and Stephie talked with one another on their life partner communicating devices (what some people may call a cell phone). This epic conversation spanned over 1/3 of a day, more than the typical 8 hour work day, over 1/6 of the entire weekend (including sleeping time), more than 495 minutes (thank goodness for the unlimited weekend minutes), and the time it takes for the moon to rise and then set (which Joshie had the opportunity to see). One of the most incredible parts of the experience was how natural the conversation flowed the entire time! We talked about everything under the sun and moon from how precious it is to confide in one another after long days in the hospital to the beauty and power of buddhism and it's accompanying message of compassion. It was the most beautiful of conversations and I am continually blown away by the similarity of our viewpoints and our appeciation for life. We live life in the same natural, compassionate, loving, spiritual way and the entire relationship comes straight from the cosmos and the creator of the universe. Thank you my love for the most amazing life together. Each moment is so wild and precious and I am soaking it all in like a sunflower on a beautiful clear and light filled day.


I love this woman:

"Children Learn What They Live"

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
She learns to find love in the world.

~By Dorothy Law Neite

Beautiful. :)

The Marionberry

The Marionberry 

Heart shaped treat

Red with texture

Eyes closed
Mouth open

Small bite

Lays on the tongue

Melts with ease

Sweetness hits 

The lips tingling

So succulent

Sugary delight

Lasts for minutes

Subtly leaves.

Thank you love

For the daily sweetness

That you bring

Into my life

Your sweetness

Lasts an eternity. 

ERASH 2012

Why have many of the fourth year med students been itching lately? What are all these murmurs of a pesty dermatologic condition going around the wards, in clinics and in hospital cafeterias? Well folks its been all about ERASH the last few weeks. After a quick walk-by-consult with one of the dermatologists I think I may have some definitive information for you.

ERASH: A erythematous, pruritic eruption on the distal phalanges and forearms bilaterally. Blister formation is possible but rare. It is not uncommon however to also experience nervous itching of the arms, back, neck and scalp.
Pathogenesis: Lengthy hours at the computer and late night proofreading.
DDx: Love sickness.
Rx: Topical corticosteroids until ERAS has been completed.
Prognosis: Excellent post application submission.

Hope that clears up any confusion about ERASH (no pun intended).
Love,
Dr. J and S

I See You! I.C.U. :)

I just got off the phone with the most amazing man ever: Joshiepoo! I’m on my ICU rotation, and it has been challenging in a lot of ways. It has also been incredibly educational, enjoyable, and broadening. I will speak briefly about the challenges first. First, it has been difficult to be here at times because it reminds me of being in the ICU with Daddy during his last few days with us here in his physical form. The sights, sounds, smells, feelings are just so familiar….I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions….fear, anxiety, discomfort, sadness, but also (and more often) curiosity, compassion, peace, joy, and relief. I try to let go and be present with all the feelings, sensations, thoughts, and mind states that come up. I try to let my breath anchor me….to breathe my way back into mindfulness. I think often of Rumi’s Guest House poem, welcoming all that comes up.

The Guest House (sorry formatting a little messed up)

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

This rotation has been a gift, even after only three days. I felt really nervous and insecure about my clinical skills and knowledge having taken time off. I noticed in me a fear of being back fully in medicine, and yet I knew that the best way to get back into it was to go all the way, to dive in, to go for the full immersion experience. And this is it. I’m here. And I’m noticing how much I’m enjoying it. I get to work with really excellent, intelligent, kind, dynamic physician/PA/nurse/RT/pharmacist/etc. teachers. Everyone is sooo welcoming and goes out of their way to teach. The environment is very collegial and cooperative. I love that every day we have Multi-disciplinary Rounds to talk about all the patients in the unit. As the name implies, we have physicians, PAs (physician assistants), nurses, social workers, palliative care doctors, dieticians, (students hehe yay!), and pharmacists. It’s a form of integrative medicine for sure!

Something I’m really appreciating, too, is that this is Western Medicine at its best. What I mean is that I believe that one of the major strengths of allopathic medicine is acute and critical care. I feel that non-allopathic modalities and health systems really shine with chronic issues and preventative health. All these systems complement each other so beautifully, and I think that learning this medicine here, now, is so very important. With some of these patients, the only thing that can help them might be Western Medicine. Now some may argue that all these interventions aren’t natural or that they shouldn’t be done in the first place. I respect their views too. This is valid. Still, in our day and age, and to be a truly integrative, holistic physician, I feel it is imperative that I learn this medicine well. Keeping this in mind and thinking of my larger goals really drives me. And I have been so humbled and inspired by my interactions with my teachers here already. For instance, this morning, my colleague gave a presentation in which she quoted her attending physician, a surgeon. He stated that “You make your money by what you do to patients. You make your reputation by what you don’t do to patients.” I love this! Contrary to some stereotypes, most surgeons I’ve met have not been “knife-happy” but have been incredibly thoughtful and only operate when indicated. In fact, on the first day of surgery, my chief resident said, “98% of the care we do takes place before and after the OR. Only 2% takes place on the operating table.” I digress somewhat, but this quote spawned a whole conversation on favorite doctor quotes, and my course director shared this quote:

“There are three kinds of languages for physicians:
1. The language of anatomy, physiology, and pathology (in other words the language of the basic sciences and the pathophysiology of health and disease).
2. The language of clinical medicine (all the terms we say in clinic and in the hospital, the language spoken between physicians and other health care workers as we actually practice medicine).
3. The language of patients. How we convey what’s going on to patients and their families.”

My course director stressed that he believes this third language is the most important and is unfortunately, often overlooked in our education. How insightful of him to share this!! This is especially important in the ICU where patients are so sick. I feel thankful that at OHSU, this third language has been very intentionally taught to us, both explicitly and implicitly. We had sessions on practicing translating complex medical jargon into “lay speech.” More importantly, we are surrounded by soooo many amazing role models who really embody this aspect of the practice of medicine. This is the true art of medicine, and I feel so blessed to have worked with so many artists! :) I’m thrilled that here, too, in Bend, there are so many insightful, communicative, thoughtful, socially intelligent physicians and role models. Especially in the ICU, patients and their families are so vulnerable and really look to their medical team to support them and provide them with information. In only three days here, I’ve learned so much about the art and science of medicine thanks to my wonderful teachers.

Why am I writing all this on Joshie and Stephie’s blog you ask? Well, I felt inspired to write this after speaking with Joshie. He is my daily inspiration, my light, my love. I feel his presence all the time, and I am constantly thinking of him in MN, picturing what he might be doing in each moment. It’s been so amazing: several times now one of us will call the other and the other will happen to be free in those exact moments! It’s gotten kind of uncanny and crazy beyond coincidence...specifically because I’m on ICU and he’s on surgical pathology! We have about 10 free minutes the whole day. It’s wild, and yet not that surprising at this point hehe. :)

I’m just so thankful for you, Baby. I love talking to you, thinking of you, holding you in my heart and mind. Seeing photos of you (thanks for all the wonderful photos and vids throughout the day!). Seeing photos of your scrumptious food hehe. I’m so excited to see you in two days! Okay sorry for anyone else who’s reading this. I realize that it’s kind of strange to be writing a love note publicly like this. Forgive me? :)

Really though, I am ever so grateful to have Joshie in my life and to be able to talk about anything and everything with him. As I described above, certain aspects of this rotation are challenging for me, but Joshie gives me strength and helps me find the opportunities for learning, growth and transformation in this experience. Thank you, Darling!

I’ll end with a cartoon that I found online today. Someone had a photo up of a Notre Dame cheerleader holding a sign upside down. I cringe whenever I see it. Loyal Irish fan that I am, I covered it up with this new image. :)

I’ve also posted this quote at my desk.

Finally, here’s an image of the office in which I work (with the other physicians and PA):

Hard to read but it says, “Doctor. Walk In. Man or Beast” and to the right, “Bona Fide Physician with Degree. Animals doctored when time permits. Elixirs, splints, remedies, trusses. House calls only if needed.” I love it! Such a great group with which to work! :)

Goodnight! Here's another one of the above Mary Oliver quote. :) Quotes are so lovely!

Addendum: I forgot to mention that one thing I really appreciate about this rotation is the opportunity to be working with these patients, many of whom stand at the threshold between this world and the next. It's such a privilege just being here...this work is remarkable, sacred. This is true out of the ICU as well. Patients teach us so much about grace, bravery, fearlessness, and our own humanity.

The most beautiful woman in the world...

...graces me with her presence every day. What a lucky man I am to receive this most incredible daily gift: Stephie Wei Li Cheng!

Love,
Her Not So Secret Admirer

I just had to say...

...that I love this man!

Love,

His Secret Admirer

The Same Mountain Top ~ Orcas Island

Within one year of each other, the Menke Pathology Dynamic Duo and the Cheng Mama-Papa-Daughter Trio went to Orcas Island and ascended Mt. Constitution. What are the chances? :)

Sunset Time Lapse

We love sunsets, photography, and music and here is a combination of all three.

Love,
J and S

Hot Air Balloons...

Sun emerging,
People gathering,
Balloons inflating,
Flames burning,
Up, up and away,
Into the clear blue sky,
Blue, red, yellow, green,
Floating so peaceful and serene,
Oh my, what a scene!


A picture from the largest hot air balloon festival in the world in Albuquerque, NM.

Breaking the Silence

As you may know Stephie has been at a silent meditation retreat for the past six days and has not been in cell phone or internet connection during this time. However, she did record some audio files and give me several gifts in a large cardboard box, and I have been opening one gift every day and listening to the pertinent audio files. Today is that last day of retreat (gasp!) and her gift today was a book of rumi love poems:

She also read the following poem to me:

i carry your heart with me

BY E. E. CUMMINGS

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) 

i am never without it 
(anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear
no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Stephie, I love you through and through and how thoughtful and generous you have been to make such thoughtful gifts each day! The greatest gift of them all is you and yourr loving presence, which I felt the entire week. I walk each day side by side with you and hold your hand throughout all of time. I love you darling and cannot wait to talk later at long last!

Love,

J of J&S

Saturday afternoon movie

Just watched the movie Fierce Grace, a movie about Ram Dass' journey through life and his recovery from a stroke. There were some powerful reflections on suffering in life, and here are some of the quotes and stories that moved me the most:


A month after the passing of her boyfriend in Columbia Abby saw him in a dream and asked what she should do if she were to find love again on earth. He said, "This is small peanuts. When you find that love I am apart of it."

Rachel passed away at age 12 in Ashland, OR and this is a letter from Ram Dass to her parents:

Steve and Innita,

Rachel finished her brief work on earth and left the stage in a manner that leaves those of us left behind with a cry of agony as the fragic threads of fate are dealt with so violently. Is anyone strong enough to stay concious through such teachings as you are receiving? Probably very few and even they would only have whisper of equaminity and peace amidst the screaming trumpets of their rage, gried, horror and desolation. I cannot asuage your pain with any words. Nor should I for your pain is Rachel's legacy to you. Not that she or I would inflict such pain by choice, but there it is and it must burn its purifying way to completion.You may emerge from this ordeal more dead than alive, or something within you dies when you bear the unbearable, and it is only in that dark night of the soul that you will prepare to see as God sees and to love as God loves. Now is the time to let your grief find expression, no false strength. Now is the time to sit quietly and speak to Rachel and thank her for being with you these few years and encourage her to go on with her work knowing that you will grow in compassion and wisdom from this experience. In my heart I know you and she will meet again and again and recongnize the many ways in which you have known each other. And when you meet you will in a flash note what now it is not given to you to know why this had to be the way it was. Your rational minds can never understand what has happened, but your hearts if you can keep them open to God will find hope their own intuitive way. Rachel came through you to do her work on earth which includedher manner of death. Now her soul is free and the love that you can share with her is invulnerable to whims of changing time and space. In that deep love include me too.

So much love.

Ram Dass

Suffering brings us closer to God.

- Ram Dass' guru in India

My stroke is an incarnation. There are qualities in me that would never have come out. I am at peace now more than I have ever been. The peace comes from settling into the moment. This moment is alright.

-Ram Dass

I am touched by these reflections and words and just thought I would share. Love to all.

Joshie and Stephie

Welcome to Florida

I am flying back after a memorable four days with my family and the love of my life Stephanie Wei Li Cheng. We came together in Florida at this time because of the passing of my grandmother Catherine Berns Snyder. My grandmother passed away on August 10th, which also happens to be my mother's birthday and also my grandfather's birthday. How serendipitous the timing, and I am sure that my grandfather was calling his wife to him this after being separated for the last 25 years. I know this is one of his most treasured birthday gifts. We had a memorial service last Friday afternoon at my grandmother's retirement community Cypress Village to commemorate the incredible life of my grandmother. The service was very music centric, just like my grandmother, and I am sure she was smiling that day listening to her daughter, granddaughter and musician friends performing her absolute favorite pieces. The Clair de Lune played by Bonita was particularly heart wrenching for me, because of all the memories I have of laying underneath the piano while my grandmother Debussy's works from memory. Music has such a powerful effect on me, transporting me to distinct moments in time and running my full gamut of emotions. One of my grandmother's greatest gifts to her family and the world will always be her music, and I am blessed to grow up in such a musical family.

I was so touched to share this very tender and special time with the love of my life Stephie and to show her my childhood home and my family. She fit so naturally into my immediate and extended family and was received with open arms and open hearts. I was so touched to observe all the connections she made with family members and the precious moments we shared alone with one another. She immediately recognized the sweetness and good heartedness of my brother and we had an amazing weight lifting session with him at the District. I will never forget Stephie and I sitting on his legs to provide resistance as he lifting his torso from the floor to kneeling position--quite the scene. She glowed when listening to my sister sing and was so appreciative of my sisters vocal talent. I will never forget laying under the piano with Stephie and listening to my mom play and sister sing Going Home, Pie Jesu, and Ave Maria. She immediately connected with my mom, Mama Bear, and I will always remember the late night transpersonal conversation we had about the healing power of music in patients, working with homeless populations, and all my mom's work with the program Body and Soul in local hospitals and hospices (bodyandsoul.org). I saw Stephie's face light up when we brought up the underserved. She welcomed the warm embrace of my father and had special conversations about medicine, family, spirituality, and life in general with him. He offered to be a fatherly figure in her life and welcomed to her to the Menke family with a big hug. We all welcomed the love of my life, my life partner and future wife to our home and what a perfect fit. Even my grandmothers wedding ring turned out to be exactly size five and fits perfectly on my love's ring finger. Stephie, you are my cinderella.

Stephie, watching our families unite around our love and sharing time and space with you was incredible. Whether we are on the west coast, in the midwest or on the east coast our love transcends all space and time and our relationship flourishes in all circumstances. The people around us this weekend welcomed our love and responded to us so positively just like every time we are together. It had extra meaning seeing neighbors I have known for years smile warmly while I kissed your hand, family members commenting on our deep mutual affection, and even strangers at Roys restaurant recognizing the love we have for each other and asking if we had just gotten married. Happy anniversary my love: the last fourth months have been the most incredible of my life.

The Inexplainable

We are frequently encountering the most inexplainable events past and present every since we met one another and wanted to list a few here. These events simply reaffirm in my mind the power of consciousness and intention and how the universe delivers if you allow it.

Receiving daily Abraham quotes that feel like summaries of recent discussions with your life partner.

Deja vu's frequently, especially when physically together.

Winning awards or getting paid extra the exact amount of money needed to purchase airfares to see my partner (happened twice!).

About to dial my partner's number when I get a call from her/him (just happened twice in the last 24 hours! 2/15-2/16/12) or receiving calls the minute upon waking up or in times of need (e.g. gastroenteritis).

Sharing childhood stories (e.g. exciting libraries, tents, snuggles) that mirror one another precisely.

Visiting Mount Constitution in the San Juan islands just a few months apart in 2008.

Born just 6 weeks apart (Stephie and I were molded for each in the womb!)

Attending symphony concerts in our respective study abroad locations, London and Berlin, on our own even though no one else was interested in going.

Taking pictures during trips that we cannot recognize as belonging to either one of us in particular.

Bringing up the exact same topics to discuss completely independently (e.g. academic medicine).

A friend from first year of college tells you that she thinks you are going to marry a blonde surfer guy.

Dreaming of getting engaged the night before it truly happens!!!!!!

More to come as they occur!

J and S

Airplane Rap

Here is a rap inspired by the frequent travels of Stephie and Joshie. Love to all those watching and we hope everyone had fantastic weekends.

Compassion

I just listened to an amazing talk on creative compassion by Martine Batchelor at the Rochester Meditation Center and wanted to share the link: 

http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/119/

Ill update this a little more when I have time....aaaah residency/medical school are busy!

Life partner

You know you have found your life partner and the love of your life when:

you come home from a long day at the hospital, but feel alive and refreshed just thinking about your partner.

you are inspired by a dancing class that she suggested to the point of spending the next 2 hours after class practicing the new steps and imaging her right there in your arms (and even dancing in the grocery store on the way home!).

you cannot stop thinking about her during the day and you send her so many pictures, videos and voicemails during the day that her phone shuts down or his voicemail becomes full.

you love each other's families as your own and feel completely connected with them.

you get tuned in, turned on, and tapped into the energy of the universe when you talk together.

your passions overlap to such an extent that you are speechless and have no explanation.

your and your partner's journeys started on opposite coasts but crossed at just the right place and the right time during a life-altering fourth year elective in the redwoods. wow!

you are constantly inspired to think of new concepts, read new books, watch new movies and challenge yourself.

you undergo periods of self-discovery and after knowing yourself better you find that you fit even more perfectly with your partner than you thought previously.

your myers briggs personality test is completely compatible with hers and your judgement is sweetly moderated by her perception.

you are forever courting your life partner.

you count down the days until you see her next (12 days sweetie!).

you laugh with her until your cheeks hurt and your eyes water.

you can skype for 6.5 hours (over one fourth of a day!) with her and it feels like 30 minutes.

you fill all four walls of a room with pictures of your partner.

you go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and see art projects for your partner around every corner.

you tell her absolutely everything and she is your greatest confidant, advisor, counselor, friend, fellow doctor, and fellow human.

your conversations throughout your day with everyone from your attending physician to the cashier at the grocery store inevitably turn to your life partner.

you love her with all of your being and are willing to do anything for her.

you are the happiest and most joyful you have ever been and you yell from the top of mountains and out of windows that you love her.

you fall deeper and deeper into love with each day you spend with her.


I am constantly finding new ways in which I love my partner and these are just a few examples. Don't let the pronouns she and her fool you into the author of this post. I love you Stephie!

Food.

As food plays a central role in our sustenance, happiness, and pleasure, I thought I'd take a moment to write an entry on this topic. Nom nom nom nom nom. :)

We quickly realized at HEART that we share a love of so many of the same foods, including the following:

avocado

bacon

kale ("Hail the Kale!")

flax seeds

blueberries (bloobs)

We're going to compile our favorite recipes over the years, over our lifetime. Some of our favs so far:

buckwheat pancakes with banana and love

BALC (bacon, avocado, lettuce, cheese) and love

whole wheat pasta with love

cobb salad with extra avocado and love

guac (Joshie's version) with love

homemade froyo with coconut milk, flaxseed, and kale, yes kale ;) and love

okay you probably gathered that everything has love...hehe

ribs--watup ribs?!

pea soup

salmon, avocado, and cream cheese toast (Alex Cheng style)

...

more to come!!

Love to you all. :)

Fro-yo with kale, flaxseed, coconut milk and looooooooooove

Salmon-avo-cream-cheese-toast :)

More recipes:

Kale smoothies: kale leaflets, bananas, milk, flax seeds, frozen fruit, touch of honey, extras eg. protein powder and peanut butter; blend all simultaneously, poor into clear glasses to appreciate visually and enjoy the texture of the kale and flax seeds

Carob sauce: 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup carob powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 hot water; mix together and simmer until syrupy. Refrigerate and reheat as needed. Enjoy!

Delightful evening of mindfulness

Tonight we enjoyed a lovely conversation about mindfulness, neuroplasticity, intention and lots more. I feel such deep gratitude that I have such an amazing life partner and that we share so much in common.  We're both reading A Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield. (J&S Book Club)

It's been really powerful, inspiring, and educational discussing this book chapter by chapter.  It's powerful reading books alone, and it's even more meaningful reading it with my partner!!  I love the meditations and exercises at the end, and I love that we're both cultivating our mindfulness together. Life is so rich!!  A poem that came to mind as we discussed Chapter 4:

The Guest House 

This being human is a guest house. 
Every morning a new arrival. 

A joy, a depression, a meanness, 
some momentary awareness comes 
as an unexpected visitor. 

Welcome and entertain them all! 
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, 
who violently sweep your house 
empty of its furniture, 
still, treat each guest honorably. 
He may be clearing you out 
for some new delight. 

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, 
meet them at the door laughing, 
and invite them in. 

Be grateful for whoever comes, 
because each has been sent 
as a guide from beyond.
~Rumi

Love you, Baby! Thanks for yet another amazing, life-altering conversation. ;) Sorry, readers, if that sounds over the top, but it's true!!! Love you, cutie McCuterson lol.

Antiarrythmic Drug Rap Video

This video goes out to all those medical students and residents who are confused by the antiarrythmic drugs and need a catchy tune and lyrics. Get you're studying on...what what!

¡Bailamos!

We love to dance! Some of our fav types and some examples of music/dance of each of these types:

Salsa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC7AQ9HqmMI

Bachata

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIWyKWzyHLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXYFhhu00sM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2rNKax28ds

Freestyle

Contact improv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkkXDPKPhe4 featuring steph's brother, Brenton :)

Let us know if you want to go dancing!! We love to dance and would love to go con ustedes!

First Entry

Hello blogosphere!
This is the first of many entries sharing the amazing adventures of two people deeply in love with one another and the world around them. There are no limits to the direction this blog can take and entries and discussion are open in the spirit of the authors' approach to life. However, chances are some entries will commonly touch on the authors' passions, which most commonly include one another (I love you sweetie!), their families and friends, western and eastern medicine including integrative and alternative medicine, foreign cultures and languages, medical mission trips, dancing (salsa and swing), sailing, surfing, traveling, humanism, spiritualism (like Buddhism and Presbyterianism), mindfulness, interesting books, movies and music that touch on all of the above, and of course food (especially local, organic and delicious)!

Here is some background about the authors for all those wondering how they met and fell so madly in love. Josh and Steph grew up on opposite coasts. Josh is from northern Florida and Steph is from northern California. However both come from like-minded families that love and support them, invested in their educations, taught them compassion, and cultivated in them a joy for the outdoors and for life in general. Josh and Steph explored after high school by going to college in Virginia and Indiana respectively. The also studied abroad in Germany and England and majored in history and anthropology respectively. After this transformative time they returned to the areas where they grew up. Josh and Steph eventually decided to go to medical school and coincidentally started their training in the same year with Josh in Florida once again and Steph in Oregon.

As fate would have it they both became very involved in humanistic and alternative medicine activities in medical school, and they were accepted to plan a medical student retreat near Santa Cruz, CA with three other students that focused on these topics. After exchanging multiple emails and calls and quickly visiting the elective site a year prior the retreat started in late March of 2011. The Sunday when they finally arrived at the elective site and saw one another again it was love at first sight. Josh and Steph quickly realized what an incredibly special bond they had and the thousands of things they shared in common. After a surfing excursion to Santa Cruz, camping in Big Sur, playing piano and dancing together, Shamanic journeying together, sharing multiple transpersonal discussions, laughing till they cried and cooking many meals with one another they were head over heels in love with each another. Josh and Steph are so happy to have found one another and love each day they spend in one another's company. They look forward to getting to married, having a family, pursuing their passions, and living each day to the fullest. Life is so full and rich, and Josh and Steph enjoy soaking it all up side-by-side.