Final Entry

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you've imagined.
- Thoreau


I was given a card by my aunt after graduation that had the above written in plain block lettering across the front. No color. No pictures. Just the words and the weight of the message.

At the time, Thoreau's statement meant only so much to me as I was largely directionless. I lacked that certain passion or calling. However, no one can say it was because I didn't attempt to find it. I've had so many internships and career related experiences that it would make most bleed from the eyes.

With the blankest of canvases in front of me, I started this blog as a running journal to record the path I was about to fall, trip, and stumble down. I knew by the end of my 23rd year that I would be doing something completely different than when I started- this medium serving as a way to explain how I got there.

However, in last few months I stopped recording. Oddly enough, it is largely due to the fact that I had realized my goal - to become a doctor and practice medicine. I didn't want to chronicle the GRE's, my application to school, the interview, etc. because if I didn't want to have such a cruel reminder should I have failed. By the grace of God, I didn't.

Starting this fall, I'll be attending the University of Pennsylvania to study the necessary materials to enter medical school. No, I'm not kidding.

There's not enough space on the internet for me to explain how I've come to such a conclusion, but it has been something I've been fascinated with since childhood. I can speculate for hours over why it took till now, but only until recently was I ready to commit to such a course.

On September 2nd, I leave my job and go confidently in the direction of my dreams and live the life I've imagined.


A heart felt thank you to those involved in experiment that was my 23rd year on this rock.


Should you have just come across this shit show, here's DAY ONE.

Jay Bird Airlines

Dad flying the Cessna , the Honda Civic of small air craft, in the skys near Washington DC.  I've never seen him so nervous to do anything in my entire life. (Plane pictured was not ours, but very well could have been)

Granted, the prep work we did on the ground with the flight instructor was at break neck speed.  We sat in a class room with a poster of the inside of the cockpit.  An Israeli pilot, with the thickest of accents, explained the instruments like we were about to drive a simple lawn tractor.

But the stakes were much different because this tractor would shortly leave the ground. Although the instructor would take over if need be, it sure felt like we were being thrown in to sink or swim.

It was a big joke when the bob sled with wings actually left the ground.  I was in the back seat, being drown out by engine noise, but was laughing insanely the entire way.

Everything was fun and games until we came in for the landing. Wind sheer is a bitch. The insignificance of our small vehicle was made known as we began to approach the runway almost side ways. 

Before you land, you can straighten the plane to correctly touch down. They call this "crabbing". I call this "what a shitty gift I would have given my dad if this flight lesson kills us both"

But the Israeli pilot takes the stick for a brief moment and everyone (my dad and I) could breath.

Til Later Philly.

Drk Zlsks Hse

Spent some quality time with Hank and Maryanne (aka Genevieve) Zaleski.  Definitely a piece of the trip that I looked forward to. Anything that pieces together the puzzle of "who is derek?" is always welcome.

Back into the city we go for round 2.

City Hall

En route to 30 st. Market so I can get an amish pretzel covered hot dog and dump half on the floor. 

5 second rule?

Rittenhouse Square

Roof top. Zoubs.

Sister

Great to see Adrienne.  After a dinner from my kitchen (aka Chipotle) we head out on the town for a while, being condescending towards St. Patricks Day and its related festivities.

Just drink, who needs an excuse. Especially one from a country that 9/10 of those wearing the most green couldn't even pick out on a map.

With that being said, on my way to party. Philadelphia for the weekend with Derek, Siner, and the Zoubs.  Excited to escape NW DC and get into something 'real' for just a little.

So off I go, on the second story of the double decker Megabus. Round trip, 30 bones.... not too shabby.

The kid behind me saw a two story McDonalds as we left the city. With the gaining popularity of double decker buses, he applauded their ingenuity of starting the process towards a second story drive through.

Apparently, the wave of the future.

Sheenious

Flexibility

What a skill to practice. Yes, the pictured bed in Jack's suite and thought of returning to work in the same clothes as the day prior doesn't seem like a win. But waking up the next morning, having room service deliver tooth brush and paste, a hot shower, and a delicious hot breakfast surrounded by 20 hot eastern block girl tourist was 'Sheen'ious to say the least.

Sheenious: brilliance in league wih that of Charlie Sheen

"You going to see de Hwizard?"

No, my cabbie friend, we are going to see multiple Wizards.  Seats in the Exec. Suite which is full of free booze is not not a good thing.  My great friend Jack was in town, so it was a perfect opportunity to show him and Dan a good time.

Afterwards, Jack and I head out to Rocket Bar - its in a basement and smells like stale beer... so it reminds us of our home for the last few years, naturally.

We sling back too many gin and tonics and figured out the world and all its moving parts in one sitting.

Supreme Court

Semi important as I drunkily stuff sandwhich in face.

"Sick of the Ninja Turtle"

Have some pride in your work, a friend says.  While he is referring to the blog, I have to say that the general sentiment has been remiss from my day job as well.


  23 in DC was all 'shits and giggles' until the ruling gavel of 'the man' decided I would be strapped to a desk - my life to be consumed by spread sheets and bull shit.  There's no denying, I don't like what I do. Previously, I was hesitant to say so, but the readership of the blog is back down to approx. 5 people who know this is my current situation anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I've been having a great time outside of work.  I can't remember the last free weekend and weekdays have been mostly the gym, live music, or Trader Joes.  Not a bad deal.

However, its sickening how much time one must spend at work.  If you dont feel satisfied with what you do, then god speed because its a super bitch (compared to if you do enjoy your work, in which case, best scenario, it will be your garden variety run of the mill bitch... which is do-able)

Not one to turn over and die, Im currently studying for the GRE and have a plan to air lift my ass into greener pastures.

In the near future, two out of three of my jewish friends will be coming to DC this weeknd and it will be a great time - and cost effective if Jeremy has anything to do with it. 

Original Ninja Turtle Costume

Thank you, Smithsonian. My day roughly got 124521x's better.

Wrong Way

Got on the train in the wrong direction after lunch with Mr. Gilbert. What a great mistake. Beautiful sun and 60 degrees.

Yea, I might get some catch some flack from the man but I'm learning not to care. And, its making me better at my job.

A novel concept, the idea of putting forward less and recieving more...but such is the preference of the management.  Am I the one to argue with results? No. So I play by the rules created and get in line.

Its absurd. Its the man.

Kid got iced.

Mom, to be "iced" is to be presented with a Smirnoff Ice Beverage, largely known as a 'girls drink' - not to detract from women as they are some of my favorite people.

You are then peer pressured into chugging the drink, if you will, down on one knee in a semi prostrating manner as if being knighted by the majesty himself.

Largely, when iced it comes as a surprise followed by humility and then a looming stomach ache from massive amounts of sugar, carbonation and the fact that you had been 'had'.

This somehow reminds me of my day job.  Whether I feel like pressures initially made me choke it down and now Im feeling worse for wear or what. All I know is that it does not leave me the least bit buzzed after the fact.

God save the Queen.

W.H.

50 degrees in DC.

Now if I could just lose my desk.

.

This.is.it.

Its like space camp...

You may not be fit to be an astronaught in 20 years, but at least you can stomach the ride -

Siner on volunteering at hospitals in reference to my next adventure.

I'll comment went thoughts become actions.

TPS Reports

Watch the movie Office Space and instantly catch my drift.

The walls in my office are padded. I wonder if its because they know I'll go crazy? Some sort of pre-emptive measure? Brilliant on their part.

"As Cool As The Other Side of the Pillow"

That's Derek. He's holding a gun. It has live ammunition in its chamber. Do I need a reminder as to how scared we were to be in proximity of such an occurrence? No, probably not. But some day, if a tragedy would occur wherein I lose all memory and common sense - I would like such a reminder.

For that reason alone, I'll keep 'this' whole thing going.

Plus, I've found my voice again. The same recipe: internal conflict, a good amount of sarcasm, lots of 80's music, an addiction to progress, self affirmations, attempts at 'seizing the day' - same old, same old.


But now, there's a new mission. And it's going to be like being around Derek with a gun. It's going to be scary in its unpredictability, and will take a good amount of focus to walk away unscathed.

The Cellar

Most explanation of the weekend would end up defaming one individual or another, but we all walked away with a shit-eating grin that we couldn't shake.