The End.

Work advice: What to say when you weren't listening.

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1142&SiteId=cbmsn41142&sc_extcmp=JS_1142_advice&catid=wi&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=141a3025397b4bdb95e0133e5edc5515-245346948-VB-4


I think my favorite is no 8.

learning languages

It's free, it's online. Why not?

http://livemocha.com/users/register/36a4b14538e5a85fb2d31e9dce6acbd8/4821

It's already helping me and Steve out:

Me: Steve, do you speak French?
Steve: Oui. Je suis enciente.
Me: What does that mean?
Steve: I am pregnant.

Me: Steve les odeurs des petits gateaux.
Steve: :(
Me: Why sad?!
Steve: I don't know.
Me: I said, "Steve smells like cupcakes"
Steve: Oh, I thought you said "like small cats"


Me: Jennifer, tu es trop mignon
Jennifer: I'm what? Filet mignon?
Me: I think I said you're too nice.
Jennifer: Tu es une vache
Me: I am not a cow!!
Jennifer: Huh? Anyways..

Me: How do you say 'I'm a pretty girl' in French?
Jennifer: Je suis PREDDDY

Jennifer: Bienatot
Me: Au revoir. Jean Nate.

It's funny...I'm volunteering to work at a homeless health clinic and I'm planning to come early so I can also sign up for a Gold card while I'm there. Just feels weird being a volunteer that uses some of the service.
Makes for more interest in learning about healthcare though. The first year I went without insurance, I felt ok. A few free services from a doctor here and there, went without a lot of stuff...I'm lucky I'm a young, healthy American in middle-socioeconomic background. There was always a risk of an accident, that was scary- but the odds were with me.
Now having to go through a second year of it...it's starting to bother me more. I am more embarassed to go to the doctors I know for free service- I feel bad and if it's nothing I'll feel like a bother and that I'm wasting charity. I have the feeling poorer people might be even less inclined to go see doctors for regular check-ups and prevenative stuff.
There is a need for universal healthcare. And not because of what I just wrote above...that's only what is effecting me right now.
That being said, I don't want to enter a job market I wasn't prepared for. How much of our income should be taxed? Is it fair? (is life fair? is economics/health fair?) Do we really have to? Isn't there another option?
What's going to happen to doctors? One of my friends said, 'We're going to be government workers-like the post office! The Post Office!!' The horror in her voice made me laugh, even though she was serious. Part of going into med school was altruism...hopefully that will keep us 'doctors' and not just postal workers in white coats. No offense to actual postal workers- my mom was one and she worked hard- I'm just evoking the stereotype 'cause everyone will get it.
To me, we have two imperfect options. We need more, but we can't think of any. So we gotta choose. And it all comes down to your priorities. What is more important to you?
Unless you think of a third, very awesome solution. Then email me, and we'll chat.

what it is like in Vietnamese nail salons

So true, it's not even funny. It's boring 'cause it's so true.
great accent though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o

My cousin-in-law Robin has been learning how to speak Vietnamese (so she can understand what we're saying about her) and decided to try some out for me.

Robin: Chi caw whey khom?
Me: Umm... (glances at phil helplessly)
Phil: Hey, don't look at me!
Me: Repeat that, please?
Robin: Chi caw waay kchom?
Me: (nods, and then stares blanky) um..one more time.
Robin: I'm trying to say 'how are you?'
Me: Oh..ohhhh! OHHH! Sorry. I thought you were asking me if I was disabled.