Healthcare Hell

Yes, I have officially been called a slacker blogger, but I have cataloged and edited all of my pics from this summer so I will be updating photos soon. I will also offer up lots of excuses for not blogging.

I just have to vent right now. I am not an advocate for socialized medicine for many reasons that I will not go into at the moment, but one of the reasons I am not an advocate for it is that for many specialists you have to wait forever to get in to see them. So that being the case, WHY am I waiting forever to see a specialist when I faithfully pay my insurance premium every month?

As you well know, I had wee little Madeleine in December of last year. Since then I have had several problems ( I won't bore you with the details). Recently, I had my hand on my neck and stopped short because I had a big bump starting at my thyroid and ending at the gland right under my jaw. I knew immediately that I had a problem because both of my sisters have had their thyroids removed due to benign thyroid tumors. I called both of them and I share many of the symptoms that they had.

Anyway, I did not have a primary doctor or an internist so I asked many of my clients who they might recommend. One of my clients is even a friend of the CEO of the big fancy hospital here. I got several referrals from them and started calling.

STRIKE ONE: We are no longer taking patients. We're too busy.

STRIKE TWO: We are not taking PPOs right now. NOT TAKING PPOs? I'd never heard that one before.

STRIKE THREE: We don't take insurance. Your first visit will be $450.

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera! It went on and on. I finally got into an endocrinologist for October 22! In frustration I called my existing OBGYN's office to see if they could help me. They turned me away rattling on and on with the same lines everyone else had. When I made a stink they said, "Well, I guess we could get you in on October 28th . . ."

I'M AN EXISTING PATIENT! Ridiculous.

I wanted to scream. Luckily, I blog.

Shake, rattle and . . . is this an earthquake??

There are several things about L.A. that I'm not crazy about: smog, crowds, traffic and EARTHQUAKES!! As many of you probably know by now, we had an earthquake measuring 5.4 this morning at 11:40. I have never been in a really big quake and I pray I never am.

I was watching Hadley (Charley's friend) this morning and so I had three little girls here with me. My house was a disaster because I was sweeping and mopping so everything was out of it's normal place. All of a sudden I feel a little rumble and then I hear the earthquake. I don't know how to describe it. I had only been in 2 tiny earthquakes before this one so I had to stop for half a second to figure it out. Luckily, Madeleine was close so I grabbed her and ran to Charley's room (probably the most earthquake friendly room in the house) where the girls were playing. They were rooted to their spots and wouldn't move when I called them to me. After a little loud coaxing we got into a safe position together. The girls really didn't comprehend what had just happened, but I was shaking like a leaf. Once I was sure the quake was over I laid Madie in her crib and let the girls go back to playing. I had to sit for a minute and compose myself. I just kept waiting for the aftershock (which we have not yet experienced in our city thus far . . .). Nothing happened and I pulled myself together and tried to go back to work.

Fortunately, we were not the epicenter and the quake only lasted about 5 - 10 seconds. It's hard to tell when you're in the middle of it. It seems so silly that such a short quake would get me so on edge, but for someone who didn't grow up in "earthquake country" it is not pleasant. I couldn't get in contact with Ameri who was on the train headed downtown and my phones wouldn't work. My sister Julie called to check on me so I knew my land-line was at least working again. That was a relief and it was nice to have a calm voice to listen to and to have a listening ear. Thanks Jules!!

Well, now I'm thinking about emergency preparedness. In church on Sunday we had a Sacrament meeting on being prepared and this just drives the message home. We need to be prepared. Ameri and I have our water barrels filled and have most of our 72 hour kits together but we definitely have a weekend project this Saturday!! If you do not have a 72 hour kit or do not know what it is I hope that you will go to providentliving.org or to lds.about.com

There are my thoughts that were literally shaken into me this morning. We just never know what's coming. It was a beautiful day today and we had not a care except to vacuum. Again, thankfully, it was a small quake that didn't last long. So we carry on and thank our Father in Heaven for the reminder!

If you were a 1930's housewife . . .

I found this on my friend Laura's blog. Kind of a fun little test. I was surprised by my results - I think if it had been, "If you were a 1950's housewife" I totally would have failed!

67 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

How do you measure up? I guess I did OK, but I'm not willing to ask his permission to buy stuff. I'm also NEVER dressed for breakfast!

Silly, Willy, Nilly 'ol Bear

Charley loves the Disney version of "Winnie the Pooh". She also loves the songs that go with it. She has memorized the opening song and sings it to Madie when she is sad. She will also sing it to her dolls when they are sleepy. Sorry for the dark picture, but we were getting ready for bed.

Memory . . . in the corner of my mind.

I went to visit my friend Mahina's blog and she was playing this game. I left a few memories (rather than just one) on her blog because we've had some fun ones and I don't follow instructions well.

Anyway, this is how the game works...

As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. Or I'll just email you one if you don't have a blog!

So, come along and we'll see who is the better elephant. They never forget after all!

M.I.A.

Hey everyone! I'm still alive! I've been to Utah, Tennessee and I started work again so I've been a little crazy lately. I have a lot of great pics to share and Madeleine got her first tooth - yea Madie!! Be back soon!

So, now what?

Some of you have emailed me and asked me what's next for us. Well, I'm just enjoying the moment! I'm just glad he's graduated!! Of course real life and rent come knocking at your door so -
Here's what's up for us next:
We've moved out of Caltech housing and into an apartment 2 feet bigger for twice the rent! We do have a washer and dryer now, so I am one happy mama! It is a lot brighter and we are enjoying our new little space. Buying a home in California is for them thar' rich folks. We still po' so we be waitin' a while!

Ameri took a job with an environmental engineering company here in California working on air quality issues. He'll be working in their downtown L.A. office. I like that he's using his degree to help the environment. So far he likes it too and he likes his boss, etc., but he is already talking about returning to school to get an MBA. (I know, believe me, I've already thunk all of those thoughts!) I was a little unsure at first but I told him if he's serious about it he'd better do it now while we're still poor. I don't want to get used to an income if it's going to be taken away from me!!! I'll keep you posted . . .

I have not been working for 6 months since little Madeleine arrived, but I will be returning to work in July. I'll only be training around 10 hrs/week this time. I've kept my favorite clients and so work should be quite enjoyable. Charley starts preschool in the Fall so I'll get "me time" while she gets to socialize! Madeleine gets to accompany me to the gym.
There we are in a nutshell. All sorts of nutty.

Dr. David

Hooray for us! Ameri graduated today! After 4+ long years Ameri has graduated from Caltech with his PhD in Chemical Engineering. He worked his little hiney off and we were able to celebrate his hard work today. I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. He is an inspiration and it was a very happy moment today to watch him get his diploma. Good job Ameri - we love you!!!
I also have to thank both of our families for all of their support and love! Thanks to Philippe & Hina for coming all the way from Tahiti to celebrate with us, and thanks to Eve, Olga and Rory for flying down just for the weekend to be with us! We love you guys!!

Here is the song they sang at graduation. Imagine it being sung to the tune of Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus. Very clever, very silly. Who knew?

There's Just One!
Text: K. Giapis and D. Caldwell

Hallelujah!
In Pasadena, graduation, jubilation, the time has come.
Sounds of music, glorious cheering, exaltation, adulation,
the time is now!

Graduates on this day we salute you!
Sing praises, you've done it, it's over, hallelujah!
For your accomplishments, we give honor.
Sing praises, you've done it, it's over, hallelujah!

Praise on this day of great celebration!
You've done it, you're through, no more take-homes, no problem sets,
hallelujah!
No thesis, no flicking, no flaming, no more work, hallelujah!
No finals, no midterms, no more nights in the lab, hallelujah!

For there is life beyond quantum physics.
For there is life beyond the house alleys.
No research, no UASH (??), all-nighters are all gone,
No classes, no letters from the Dean!
Free weekends, real life begins!

With vision now go forth and seek a new horizon, and make your
alma mater proud.
And she shall reign forever in science.

There's just one!
- in theories of protons, electrons and chem bonds.
Caltech can stun!
- in science with rigor, in research with vigor.
There's just one!
- in rockets, in astro, in seismo, in neurons.
Tech is the sun:
- with medals of science, with Nobel achievements.
There's just one!
- for ever exalted remember the Rose Bowl!
And now you're done, you have won, hail new alum.

And you shall spread Tech's passion for science.

New alum, Tech needs you, remit a sum, contribute!
For Tech to reign in science forever.
There's just one! A star of stars!
There's just one! Renown on Mars! (JPL!)

And Tech shall reign forever in science.
You've won the day, we shout hooray!

We honor your passion, your achievement, your triumph, hallelujah!

Getting it out of my system

There are a couple of epiphanies that I've had recently. One is in regards to true friendship and the other concerns just letting go and getting "it" out of my system. Let me explain.

As years pass it becomes pretty obvious how important family is and how your family can become your best friends regardless of whether your older brother stuffed you in sleeping bags and dragged you down the stairs as a child. I've mentioned that my immediate family has become great at emailing short "strings" to each other and we keep each other laughing. The transition from being family to best friends came fairly natural in my case and I feel blessed because of it. The transition from friend to family though can be rare.

Ameri and I recently discussed who our true friends are. We feel like we have some really great "acquaintance" friends and that hanging out with these friends can be truly enjoyable. However, there are those FRIENDS that save your life and your sanity. They're the friends that when you sit in silence there is no awkwardness. They're the friends that you may not have seen for 5 years and yet you can pick up a conversation with them as if you talk to them on the phone every day. These friends allow you to say what's on your mind, tell you what's on their mind and neither party gets offended when things get "real". I don't think I can put real friendship into words, but I think you all know what I'm talking about. Bless you dear friends. Thanks for saving my sanity.

As for getting "it" out of my system, I recently went to Utah for another 2 weeks to allow Ameri some time to finish writing. While I was there I decided to go to "Comedy Sportz". For those of you who do not know what it is, Comedy Sportz is and improv group that performs short shows similar to "Whose Line is it Anyway". I used to perform with them a few years back. I only did it for a short time, but when I did "it" I found that it was something I was fairly good at. I didn't do it long enough to become incredible, but I was learning and I think I did pretty good (without sounding smug).

Before I arrived I was nervous to see people I used to perform with and I was anticipating that those who used to perform with me would say something like, "Wow Kristi! So good to have you back! We've missed you!"
Well, as it turns out no one missed me and I had to remind everyone but one girl who I was (you mean the world doesn't revolve around me?) The epiphany came when I realized that I had actually moved on in my life. I'm not saying the people still performing haven't moved on (far from it!!), but it was just something that I didn't need to do anymore. I always thought I could perform again someday. Maybe I will, maybe not, but whatever happens I know that it was a great time in my life and I'm glad I had the opportunity!

Madeleine takes on cereal

It's always fun to watch your babies eat cereal for the first time. Madeleine was definitely no exception. Once she realized that it doesn't really taste that great, it became a game as to how I could get the food into her mouth. Making stupid faces and playing "airplane" didn't do jack for me with sweet Madeleine. She was as stubborn and tight-lipped as can be until I spiked her cereal with something sweet. She's not dumb.

BFF

Meet Hadley. She is Charley's best friend. Hadley is only 2 but by the way she talks you would think she's 16. She is not afraid to tell you what's on her mind and, seeing as how Charley is just the same, together they're a force to be reckoned with! Girls being girls. Giggles and all.
Do you remember being so care-free?
Germs? What germs? Just save some frosting for me will ya?My favorite. Hadley's mom Laura and I took the kids to the botanical gardens. While we were in the Chinese garden the girls got a little "hammy". Laura caught them in a perfect pose. Ah, youth!

Coldplay "Viva la Vida" Live

I love this song. MTV is not letting me share so I have to send you to them HERE.
Enjoy!