Happy Patriot's Day!

Bastille-Pompeii

So glad the Marathon was successful! A little bummed I missed Patriot's Day in Boston, but I'm most positive that it was fantastic. #BostonStrong!

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/article/2014/03/25/boston-marathon-shoe-cover-runners/

Key To Life

Sia-Elastic Heart

Greetings dear readers!

I'd like to start off my first formal post of the year by declaring my commitment towards better healthcare and posting tips and information for others on how to get there. I hope my readers will come along with me on this fun journey.

There are some fundamental aspects of healthcare that I believe are crucial to living a healthy life. My point in introducing this is threefold: (1) We are one person and by virtue of our singularity every aspect of our lives contributes to the whole self. Thus, it is not possible to truly excel long-term in one aspect whilst compromising another. (How can you exercise at your best if you have not properly nourished yourself or received adequate sleep? How can you be motivated to exercise if you are not at ease internally?)
(2) Believing you excel in one aspect while consciously compromising yourself in another aspect is at the height of hypocrisy. I've touched base on this before, but I'll be more straightforward this time. Running around doing yoga every week is wonderful, but when you supplement that with copious amount of alcohol consumption every weekend you are only fooling yourself. I use this particular example because I see it nearly every weekend as I live above a yoga studio and there's a bunch of undergraduates who live in my building, and also because in general I just know way too many people who try to tell me how great shape they are in and then proceed to imbibe heavily on the weekends. To truly be in integrity is to live your ideals/values in all your aspects of your life.
(3) Although we are one person, we are one part of a greater context. We are all a part of this world and to believe our actions are benign and don't impact our neighbors or the world is a limiting viewpoint. I choose to elaborate this simply: by not taking care of our fundamental aspects of personal healthcare we are not allowing ourselves to be fully present in this world for ourselves, our neighbors, our communities etc...

Onto my aspects of healthcare:

(1) Nutritional Health
(2) Fitness
(3) Sleep/Rest
(4) Spirituality/philosophy

These are the 4 main aspects I believe must be in tune in order to be a functional person. I am still learning about each of these and will try to be as comprehensive about this information as possible. I am thrilled to see this article from the WSJ, so it appears that many of us already are well on our way to better nutritional health. I also hope to bring back philosophy into the mainstream. I've previously declared that I participate in the practices of Stoicism and I'll dive deeper into the philosophy throughout the year. In ancient Greece and Rome there were schools of philosophers where one could go to ponder the aspects of life and the human condition and then come together to discuss such subjects in an effort to establish the collective unconscious. Religion has replaced this for some but what are the rest of us to do? I seek to present (or re-present? I guess an entire philosophy on it's own exists to realize that no thought is ever actually original) questions that make us think and establish our beliefs. Some of you may be wondering "what about social/family life?" or "what about professional life?" I didn't include career in these four because I think these four are required in order to be functional (and exceptional) in one's career. By the same token, social and family life I think are super important so perhaps they ought to be on the list. To be frank I don't know what more information I can offer about them except that they are required for adequate mental health and I think on some level they are included under #4. (Let's all stop talking about minutiae and start talking about big ideas!?)

I'll close this post by stating this: As per The Critical Thinking Guide, a well-cultivated thinker will "thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences."  What I hope to convey by mentioning this is that an aspect of being a good critical thinker is evaluating and re-evaluating established beliefs. Therefore even though things I will post about are evidenced-based (and I will provide links to current literature for your benefit), these aspects are the subject of ongoing research. Should some new information arise that sheds further light on something I've previously posted I will be sure to include that into a re-evaluation process and I hope that this urges us all to continuously question what we believe. Medicine, much like life, is a subject rooted in evaluation and re-evaluation so let us enter this journey with the mindset to do the best we can with whatever information is available at the time.

On a different note entirely, I did want to post this from yesterday's NYtimes because I felt it is important editorial and I am thankful the Times has addressed this. 

Time to hop aboard for our maritime adventures!

This Week's Lessons Learned

(1) Learning how to delegate is imperative to one's success in proper time management. Task Rabbit has once again saved me from a mountain of stress!
(2) You learn a lot about others simply by their responses upon receiving news about your successes and failures.
(3) 1-2-3 Allons-y!
(4) There really is no rest for the weary. For the triumphant, however, sleep is imperative.
(5) If I haven't posted the quote below earlier here it is again. Simply put, I love/revel/thrive when immersed in a relentless pursuit towards success or for a solution. Here's to keep moving on.
(6) Again, as much as I love the BBC program Planet Earth, it is far too troubling for me to watch it at night. (Tonight's episode featured a fox eating a baby duck as the parent ducks [who mate for life!] watched in distress.)
(7) I really do practice the art of being quiet and unassuming...which is most-likely why others are taken aback after publicizing a major decision that was actually very well-thought out internally.
(8) The hidden nutrients behind Chia seeds!

-------
From the Abstract of the 1985 book Aquarium by Victor Suvorov about Soviet military intelligence:

Man is capable of performing miracles. A man can swim
the English Channel three times, drink a hundred mugs of
beer, walk barefoot on burning coals; he can learn thirty
languages, become an Olympic champion at boxing, invent
the television or the bicycle, become a general in the GRU
or make himself a millionaire. It's all in our own hands. If
you want it you can get it. Most important is to want
something: the rest depends only on training. But if you
simply train your memory, your muscles or your mind
regularly, then nothing will come of your efforts. Regular
training is important, but training alone decides nothing.
There was the case of the odd character who trained
regularly. Every single day he lifted a smoothing iron and
continued this for ten years. But his muscles got no
bigger. Success comes only when the training, of
whatever kind (memory, muscles, mind, willpower,
stamina), takes a man to the limit of his capacity. When
the end of the training becomes torture. When a man cries
out from pain and exhaustion. Training is effective only
when it takes a man to the very limit of his capacity and
he knows exactly where the limit is: I can do two metres
in the high jump; I can do 153 press-ups; I can memorize
at one go two pages of a foreign text. And each new
training session is effective only when it becomes a battle
to exceed your own achievement on the previous day. I'll
do 154 press-ups or die in the attempt.
We were taken to watch future Olympic champions in
training. There were fifteen-year-old boxers, five-year-
old gymnasts and three-year-old swimmers. Look at the
expression of their faces. Wait until the final moments of
the day's training, when you can see on a child's face the
grim determination to beat his own record of the day
before. Just study them! One day they will bring home an
Olympic gold to offer to our red flag with the hammer
and sickle on it. Just look at that face: so much tension,
so much pain! That's the road to glory. That's the path to
success. To work only at the very limit of your capacity.
To work at the brink of collapse. You can become a
champion only if you are the sort of person who, knowing
that the bar is about to fall and crush him, nevertheless
heaves it upwards. The only ones who have conquered
themselves, who have defeated their own fear, their own
laziness and their own lack of confidence

My Plea to Oscar

Oscar is my neighbor's doggie.

Pretty Boston Mag Cover

Gorg:

How do I feel today? Today I feel CLEAN!

A few more things for Boston/last week's lessons learned

I paused my segments last week out of respect for Boston. Before I start up again, I would like to use my blog as a forum to reflect.

Whew. What a week.  Last week this city, my city, and its people were robbed of many things: Patriot's day, crossing the finish line of a race some trained months to run through, and for some it came down to the loss of limbs or even their lives. I often wonder about the capacity of human nature: we have an exceptional ability to create goodness for all, but some choose an alternate path that is starkly different. I still believe most people are genuinely good, but I am always perplexed and troubled when things like this happen. Last week was proof that Bostonians are resilient. After being here a little over a year here I must say I love Boston and Boston has rightfully shown the guys who did this to "go fahk yourself."

(A little love from my hometown too)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/flowers_for_boston/ 

Onto some lessons learned:
(1) The capacity of a human being to perform acts of good is limitless. Let's work a little harder to employ this a little more.
(2) Resilience 
(3) The best way to start each day is to always ask "how can I be of service to others?"
(4) There are many ways to express grief--none should be judged or even dismissed as apathy.
(5) "Mental toughness is not letting anyone or anything break you"
(6) Sometimes the right thing to do is simply not easy.  
(7) We are lucky to live in America. Really really really lucky. Really.
(8) Never, for a second, believe that you are powerless. In believing so you become so.
(9) We all share a responsibility to be and do good. Own it.
(10) "Boston is probably the only major city that if you f-- with them, they will shut down the whole city...stop everything.. and find you." -Adam Sandler

Boston: One Badass City

"Boston is probably the only major city that if you f-- with them, they will shut down the whole city...stop everything.. and find you." -Adam Sandler

YAY! Thanks to the BPD, FBI, and others involved in capturing this Boston bandit. Boston is truly one badass city--don't mess with us.

Lastly, GO RED SOX!!!!!!

Love Boston

http://www.boston.com/news/local/flowers_for_boston/

Etiquette Wednesday: MBTA Etiquette

Krewella-Alive

On numerous occasions I sense that there is something about the T that brings the Masshole out of people. I'd like to offer a few pieces of etiquette for the T:

1. Don't jump on the train right when the doors open. Be considerate and move out of the way for people to get off the train first. (I once received a thank you from a woman strictly because I let her get off the train first.) The conductor usually checks to see the doors are clear before he/she closes it. Relax-you'll make the train if you're standing right in front of it.

2. As a small female I don't think I've ever had the luxury of a gentleman allowing me to board first. Whatever happened to women and children first? Furthermore if anyone would let me board first I wouldn't be taking their seat since it's far healthier to stand (plus it's inane to race for a seat for a 5 min ride on the T.) Let's all take a stand to stand on the T and be healthier! Even in little instances every bit helps.

3. Please don't sit in the priority seat. You're sort of a schmuck if you're an able-bodied individual sitting in the designated priority seat when there's old people forced to stand. I find that as offensive as parking in handicapped parking.

4. If you are sitting, please be mindful of your surroundings. If there's an empty seat next to you and people are boarding the train at least make some kind of effort to keep to yourself so another person can sit.

5. I try to do this on the trains, but it's easier on the buses. When departing always say "Thank You" to the person driving the bus or (conducting?) the T. These kind people of the MBTA are doing a service for us so we can get to where we need to go and a little thanks is more than well-deserved. Speaking of, THANK YOU MBTA for your hours of efficient service and hardwork!

6. When exiting the T station, please get out of the way of the entrance gates. Nothing is more annoying than missing a train just because people are loitering in front of the gates and you can't tap your card to get into the station when a train is sitting right there. (The worst is when the doors do close right as you get through the gates.)

7. This has only been an issue at Park Street because it's so busy, but when rushing to board a train please be careful so that you don't knock someone down the stairs or off the platform. I've been pushed to the side because someone was trying to descend stairs to catch a train while I was ascending. Getting thrown back is actually one of my biggest fears. Most of us are cognizant of this and veer to the railing so others can descend--there's no need to push. Here's a good Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/nyregion/subway-deaths-haunt-those-at-trains-controls.html?_r=0

8. On standing: On a packed train, please be considerate to those around you so that everyone who is standing has access to grab on to a handle of some sort and that you clear the exits. Some people just don't move and others are left trying to balance which is hard if the train is making hard stops/starts.

Final note: Our public behaviour impacts everyone involved. Let's be courteous citizens and make sure we are all being safe while enjoying our rides on the T.

Think Different

Neon Trees-Lessons in Love

THINK DIFFERENT

5 more things

Calvin Harris/Nicky Romero-Iron

(1) I really do LOVE the tinsel during the holiday season. Festive decorations put me in a better mood. Here are some I took last night of the lights of the Commons/State House!  Stupid iphone camera is so blurry at night.

State House and Holiday Lights

Boston Common lighted Christmas Tree (as seen from a distance)

Boston Common Lights as seen from my roof!

(2) My week was filled with impulsive decisions which now make me excited about stuff again.

(3)  I read 4 books during thanksgiving. I'm quite proud of that :o)

(4) I really do love hot chocolate. Even if I don't make it right and it turns out in 3 different phases:

Mexican Hot Choco from the MGH gift shop...3 phases and yet still scrumptious

(5)  I have to force myself to go to bed everyday. Life is just so invigorating for me that I never seem to want to turn off the lights or the mind. gruff!

A nice moonscape and another nice T station ad

Ed Shereen-Kiss Me

Here is a picture of yesterday's moon from outside a building in an MIT courtyard:

 Isn't it lovely?

Here's a nice ad from the Porter Sq T stop. I don't know why I like it so much:

If you love someone, act on it

Bon Iver "Skinny Love"

I saw this wonderful billboard in South Station today that states "If you love someone, act on it" (sorry so blurry, not sure why):

I would just like to leave my post with that. Quite a storm last night, hope my cousins and everyone else in New York/Jersey are doing alright.

Nice Boston Skyline

The Killers "Runaways" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LOeImx0kW4

Some nice pictures of Boston's Skyline:

 View from Revere Hotel 23rd floor--Boston Common Baseball field/State House (wayy in the back right with Gold top dome.)

Boston Skyline Night-lit up Commons/State House

Lit up State House

 Moonscape! (Center)

Park Street T Station Art and 5 more things to know about me

Fuel "Shimmer" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMLAOkvDfG4

*I've noticed that my blog has a good amount of readers in Russia and France, so here is a special shout-out to my international readers: Zdravstvuj! Salut!

I was waiting in the park street T station today when I noticed this piece of art work (or at least I think this is a piece of artwork.) I really like it. There was also a hunk on the opposite platform. He's the guy next to the guy in the blue shirt. I'm happy my photography skills managed to capture him too.




5 Things to know about me:

(1) I love the 90s. Everything about them. Music, movies, TV shows, outfits, toys, life in general. I will totally go back to the 90s once a time machine is made.

(2) "I was born to be bad." --From Rent! This is sort of true but not really.

(3) I'm obsessed with Rent. Jon Larson is a genius and I will jump at the chance to play Mimi off-Broadway.

(4) I think candles are lame (and dangerous) unless there's a real blackout (but then again there's flashlights. The newer LED ones are super nice too.) This is the one fad I do not like from the 90s.

(5) When I was little, I was obsessed with the Golden Girls. I loved Sophia, the oldest one. She was 90+ and used to reminisce about Sicily and as a child I'd memorize her lines and tell people stories about Sicily too. I've never been to Sicily.

Today's lesson learned

Coldplay "The Scientist" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdBym7kv2IM&feature=related

Loving someone does not guarantee that the relationship will be functional.

Without airing my dirty laundry too much, I always think I've fully learned this lesson and yet I keep getting hit by this every now and then and it's the same result every single time. I talked about the definition of addiction with a friend recently as the idea of continuing the same behaviour despite its negative effects. I don't know if that's the case here too (with respect to being addicted to the way a person treats you), but it could very well be. Actually, coming to think of it, Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so perhaps I am insane. I just know that once again, my tranquility has been disrupted and that I have been hit with this lesson again and now I must learn because I very deeply feel the exigency of time bearing on my back to move on and I am getting restless with this pattern and do not want to perpetuate this any further.

I took a picture today of the sunset and I think this is a photo where nature has mimicked the reality of my life at the moment. For those of you in Boston, where were you/what were you doing when this was happening in the sky? Did you notice?

2 interesting things, 1 ridiculous thing, 1 annoying thing, 1 observation, and 1 missed opportunity

Foster The People "Pumped up kicks" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ

(1) Here are 2 pics outside of kendall station on the uni-pave in front of the Marriott. I don't know if these panels were always there or new, but I thought they were interesting.

(2) This afternoon I was getting sleepy while studying so I decided to take a break, change into my gym clothes, grab dinner, and then go to the gym. I realized while changing that I had forgotten to pack my gym socks. I was lucky for leaving the library a little earlier today because the MGH gift shop was still open (stays open until 1930.) I thought they might have some socks, but the only options they had were very thick chenille socks or thinner/funky dress socks. I opted for the latter and ended up spending $10.00 on pink poodle socks just to wear to the gym today. Ridiculous. Below is a photo of the socks. Nevertheless, I had a good workout today so mission accomplished I guess. Oh, and the socks actually matched my outfit since I had a similar colored workout tank-top on.

(3) Today I had a good amount of books on me and I, for some reason, am always astounded by the inconsideration or impoliteness of some people. I'm a teeny chick and had these two heavy bags and a giant physics book on me and not a single able-bodied younger gentleman offered me his seat on the T today. For all you men out there reading this, when was the last time you offered either a lady or an elderly person your seat out of being a kind person/good citizen? A side-anecdote: my answer to that question was a few weeks back on a bus to MIT I, again, had 2 heavy bags and a heavy book and still offered my seat to a woman with a cane. I then chatted with her about eddie murphy and chris rock the rest of the bus ride.

(4) After my stalking/theft incident, I am constantly staring down orange-haired younger men around this city and I've only been able to come to one conclusion: there are ample orange-haired younger men in this city. I spent a good several minutes in close quarters from my would-be criminal so I thought I'd be able to recognize the dude in a line-up if the MIT police ever had multiple suspects, but my gosh, I saw 2 orange-haired possible thieves in my gym alone yesterday. This is harder than I thought.

(5) Lastly, this Sunday I missed my snorkel lesson. I'm pretty bummed about this, but hopefully I can make it up next summer and possibly learn Scuba too.

*I chose the song above only because I noticed that in most of the pics in today's post I am wearing some pumped up kicks.

Trees of Boston

The Naked and Famous "Young Blood" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wng0bZaLhC8

Although I really need to sleep, I have been wanting to post for some time now a few pictures of some nice looking trees that I've seen here.

Tree in front of Cambridge Public Library (looks Maple no?)

Tree from my view outside my window (by Cambridge City Hall)

This one is a nice looking tree in Hyannis (Cape Cod)

Also, funny quote from today's texts:

Me: My eye is infected and there were too many kids in line in front of me for a doughnut, so I just left without my doughnut, I'm soo annoyed.

Maus: you and your donuts. Does your trainer know? [referring to Mike my 'e-trainer' from previous post.]

Ships of Boston

Listen to Pentatonix (a cappella group) "Starships": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FjJhPVu2Bg
 
In honor of this blog and my penchant for large ships, I am posting a few pictures of the giant ships I've seen around here so far. How amazing are they?

Ship from Freedom Trail

 Ship from Navy Yard adjacent to Freedom Trail

Not exactly a ship, but a nice sailboat inside MIT dome. Go MIT!

Hard to see, but ship from fleetweek. (Darned iPhone camera at night)

Most likely a supply ship. Taken off the rooftop patio of Legal Seafoods on the waterfront.

**Stay Tuned for yacht pics from the U-Mich yacht party next week!**

Grow old along with me the best is yet to be

There is a house down the street from my apartment that has cleaned up the shrubbery on its lawn and displayed multiple lawn ornaments. Here is a picture of  of them that I thought was precious. (The plaque in the center is the title of this post.)