NYC - trip home

After some NY bagels Sydney and I reluctantly headed home to Mass....On the way we saw a sign for the Leavitt-Matthews Mansion Museum in Norwich, CT and decided to check it out. We walked around the grounds but the mansion itself appeared closed. Sydney strongly encouraged me to keep exploring and we tried every door. Finally, the last one opened. For about 5 minutes we stood there alone but a woman came and explained that the mansion was undergoing renovation. Since we were here, though, she'd be happy to give us a private tour! It was very cool viewing the fully furnished mansion that was built (for 2mil$) of a family's railroad earnings only to be sold after the stockmarket crash for $90,000. Interestingly, none of the fireplaces were working, instead they had hot air vents in them. Yet again I find myself thankful for Sydney's determined and adventurous spirit (I would have given up as soon as the museum appeared closed!).

This is the awesome view from Roberta and Juan's aptl of the Hudson. We had a blast on our trip! Thanks so much to Juanerta for opening their home to us during what was a busy

week for them.

And next time Bert - I'll help with the lasagna!

NYC Day #3

On Monday Sydney and I were on our own because Juan and Roberta had to return to work. Their apt. is in such a great location near times square that there was plenty for us to do without getting too lost. We first checked out the Ripley's believe it or not museum which, although expensive, was very much worth the money. Sydney and I had so much fun there. It was definitely weird stuff but that's right up our ally. Since we went in the morning there weren't that many people in the museum (by NYC standards) and we had time to go through slowly. After that we checked out Bryant Park and "Fashion Ave." We had lunch in a local deli and caught a movie. We then went shopping at the gap where Sydney really enjoyed the lighted mirrors and platform for seeing her clothes from all angles. Later that night we had dinner in a small restaurant with Roberta and Juan.

NYC - Day #2

Roberta suggested grabbing breakfast at Elsa's Stardust Diner which is a diner where the waitstaff are also prospective broadway performers. They function as typical waitstaff but also sing songs in between or during their duties serving food. Sydney loved it! I enjoyed Juan's chorus of "doo a ditty ditty dum ditty doo," But my favorite moment was when a waiter sang "your choclate chip pancakes are finally here...." to the song "on Broadway."

We then waited in line for 1/2 price broadway tickets. I kept wanting to drop out (it was cold!)and pay full price but Sydney encouraged me to stick it out. When we finally got to the front the shows we had planned on seeing were sold out (hairspray, grease) so we bought tickets for the three of us (Sydney, Roberta and me) to a show we knew nothing about and ran off to catch the start which was very shortly after we got out of line. We saw "Mama Mia" which was awesome. Sydney was mesmorized by the singing, costumes and set. She wants to see another show as soon as possible.

NYC - day #1

We hit a couple items on our "to do" list that first afternoon in the city including the American Girl Doll's Store in Times Square as well as the M&M store. In our group was Sydney, me, Roberta, Bill and Avanti. We went to Rockefeller Center (sort of by accident) and then rode the subway out to dinner with Juan joining the group then.

I think Sydney's favorite part was riding the subway (go figure) or playing the "I believe" game. This is a game, a very simple one, that I think Sydney and I made up. Its fun at dinner parties where children are present. The MC-person names a mythical/supernatural creature (ghosts, aliens, faries, witches, vampires etc) and then you go aroung the table saying whether you believe in it or not. You are allowed to comment (i.e. I believe that Dragons existed at one time but not presently). It creates a good deal of discussion and kids really love it.

By the way: Juan believes in unicorns.

Cousins

I was fortunate enough to get my vacations for the year in-line with Sydney's (December, winter and spring break). This past week with our vacation time Sydney and I visited several people we have been meaning to see. The week started at my cousing Bob's house where we hung out with his kids Bobby, Ashley and Matthew. We went to an intense basketball game of Bobby's the next day where he scored a sweet basket and his team won the game.

They then headed off to Loon Mtn. for a ski weekend and we drove down to NYC for a crazy week livin' the city life!

New Year's 2008

Despite Jon working on New Year's day, we did celebrate at Worcester's first night. They had a number of very fun family activities nice and early for us. We saw dancers, listened to music, judged a sand castle competition, marched in a weird parade and saw fireworks. Most importantly we were home by 9pm for Jon. Syd and I stayed up until 2008 though!

What are the Seymour-Tisdell-Straubs doing!??

....obviously not keeping up the blog.

January was a difficult month for us. We finally felt like interns meaning that we were sleep-deprived, eating poorly, never home, not exercising and irritable. Our undoing came when Jon was scheduled for the critical care unit (a stressful month) and I was scheduled for "the wards" which tends to be a difficult month for interns. Additionally, my program is undergoing downsizing which means that we are taking care of more patients with less residents. As the situation now stands there are only two interns on per month meaning that only one intern is on at a time (with senior residents and medical students, of course). Anytime I'm not there my co-intern is and vice-versa.

Prior to that we had really lucked out having essentially opposite schedules (when I was on a tough rotation Jon had a lighter one....etc). In the end, we were lucky to be home at the same time (forget meals together) and the blogging has suffered.

I know you all have missed us but do not fear: we're back. Its only taken us 22 days of Febuary to recover but there are numerous exciting postings coming your way...........