Happy Birthday, Julie!

Monday was Julie's 25th birthday. To celebrate a group of us from med school and Chris went to Martini's for yummy Italian food and martinis.



We love you, Julie!

Shakira's new album cover

Sony realeased the cover art for Shakira's new album:



Shakira looks hot as Eve.

This all-English album will be released on November 29th.

Shakira rocks!!

So I came across this article on shakiramedia.com:

To break the record or not to break the record -- that is the question on
Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart, and it won't be answered until next week.
For now, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz have to be content with holding the
No. 1 osition on this chart for the 19th non-consecutive week with "La Tortura".

Since the all-time record for longest stay at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs tally
is the 20-week reign of "A Puro Dolor" by Son by Four in 2000, Shakira and
Alejandro could tie the record next week and surpass it in two weeks.

"La Tortura" is Shakira's fifth Latin chart-topper. "Ciega, Sordomuda" spent
three weeks on top, starting in November 1998. The follow-up, "Tu," led the
list for one week in February 1999. "Suerte" held sway for seven weeks,
starting in October 2001. "Que Me Quedes Tu" also had a lone week in pole
position, in March 2003.

I hope she does break the record because that song is amazing.

[UPDATE]

She did it! 21 non-consecutive weeks at Number 1!

Columbus Marathon

Yesterday I ran the Columbus Marathon. Today I'm trying to move as little as possible. My legs are killing me right now.

My mom came into town to watch me run. I made her stay in a hotel. I'm glad she did. I can only stand her in low doses. Not that she's not a nice person, she's just annoying at times. But I guess it was nice to have her support.

I woke up at 6:00 AM on race morning, got ready and headed over to my mom's hotel to pick her up. Julie was good to wake up bright and early and meet my mom and I at the finish line to drive us to the starting line. We arrived at around 7:00 AM. We stayed warm inside Starbucks until I went to find a bathroom. The line for the port-o-potties was way too long so I wandered down to the YMCA and thankfully was able to use the bathroom there. On the way back to Julie and my mom I saw Jared, Lindsay and Jen, Jared's sister. Jared, in my class, was also running the marathon. We had a joint carbo-loading party the night before. I left them to find my mom and Julie, which I did after a brief panic since they had moved outside. I gave them my warm clothes and went to the starting line right around the 7:00 minute/mile people.

I was a little bit rusty at the start, but after a couple of miles I was feeling really good and staying under my 3 hour target time pace. I found a group of three guys that I ran with until about mile 14. At the half marathon point I was at 1:27, three minutes under my target time, so I was really happy. Julie handed me a Gu packet and I continued on my way.

Coming up High Street, after I saw Mathiew, Jonathan, Ryan, Alison, Aaron, Chris, Chris, Zack, John and Beth, I started slowing down. After Lane Avenue there was an uphill until Dodridge. I didn't really pay attention to my pace, but right before Dodridge I saw that I was a minute or two over pace. I was upset, but by that time I was starting to feel tired. I tried to pick up the pace but I couldn't. Erika handed me a cup of my favorite Gatorade at the corner of Dodridge and High. Lindsay and Jen handed me Gu and an orange on Ackerman. Kip was waiting at around mile 20, then Julie and Mom were right before I turned down Lane. I continued to slow down, going 8-minute miles. It was discouraging when the 3:10 pace group passed me and I couldn't keep up with them. I saw Erik, Kristi and Alison on Neil, then Chris, Zack and John on Park. Don was right near the finish. By the end I was at 9-minute miles. I ended up going 3:15.44. I guess I needed to train more so I could keep up my pace for the whole marathon. I needed a 3:10 to qualify for Boston, which i did last marathon.

It was fun to give everyone a hug at the finish and have my mom meet all my friends. As I was finishing I was so happy. I knew I hadn't got my best time but I had finished another marathon, in my new hometown, with my new family helping me along the way. It was an amazing experience. Thanks to everyone who came to watch. I always had such a big smile on my face whenever I saw one of my friends. You helped me make it 26.2 miles. Next time I will break 3 hours and I hope you're all there to watch.

Forming a GSA in a Utah County high school

Oh no, what will those conservative Mormons in Happy Valley do now? Here's an article in the Deseret News about a student trying to form a Gay-Straight Alliance at Provo High School(one of my high school rivals).

Days update

So now that my test is over I've been able to start catching up on all my shows that I have DVRed.

Wednesday's Days of Our Lives was a great one. Austin is back looking hot as always and giving eveyone advice. Lucas got a cute haircut and was visiting his new niece in the hospital. He suggested they name the baby Kiki. Philip said that if it was a boy they were going to name him Luke after Lucas, so that was cute. Sami pulled all of her old wedding dresses out of her closet. There were three from failed Austin marriages, one from Franco, one from Brandon and one from Lucas, plus the one she was wearing. It was hilarious.

This is a great quote and the reason I love Sami so much: “I’m telling you Austin if that crazy bitch[Nicole] isn’t gone when I get out, I’m gonna tear her bloodshot eyes out.”

Mean Girl

I love this movie, and it's one of the few I happen to own. I don't think I'm really too much like Regina though, but oh well.


Regina George


Which Mean Girl are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Sorry for not posting something substantial, but I'm going crazy right now with school. Hopefully I'll be better next week.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Citizenship test

Sorry I haven't been keeping up on blogging, I had a week of practically no Internet in Minneapolis. I had an amazing week, and now I have to catch up on pulmonary for my test on Friday.

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Me as a blog component

After getting blasted for a recent post, here's something on the lighter side so I don't strike any nerves:

If I Were a Blog Component, I would be the DATE / TIME STAMP.
I love activities and I revel in day-to-day life.Which Blog Component Are You?
Take This Blog Quiz at About Web Logs!

Something good about BYU in the media

I recently bashed BYU for their anti-gay stance, but today I found out that BYU was named the nation's fittest college campus, so that makes me a little prouder that I graduated from there.

That is one good thing about my Mormon upringing-I was taught to always take care of my body. As I train for the Columbus Marathon, I thank my parents for teaching me that.

Letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger

A touching letter to Governor Schwarzenegger that I completely agree with.

California lawmakers legalize gay marriage

I happily read this in my daily New York Times email:

"California lawmakers on Tuesday became the first in the country to legalize same-sex marriage, with the State Assembly narrowly approving a bill that defines marriage as between "two persons" instead of between a man and a woman.

The 41-to-35 vote in the 80-member Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, was along party lines, with no Republicans supporting the bill."

For those gay people who vote Republican because they "don't let their sexuality decide who [they] can vote for" (I heard this Saturday night) this is proof that Republicans do not support gay rights. How can you be gay and continue to support that party when they refuse to support gay marriage? It doesn't make sense to me, unless you hope we will never have the same rights as our heterosexual friends.

Let's hope Arnold will sign this bill into law. As for me, I'm California Dreamin' all over again.

So with this post I finally did one of the things that I set out to do last November.

[Update]

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will veto the bill permitting same-sex marriages, his press secretary said this afternoon.

Schwarzenegger had hinted that he would veto the bill. Even if he had signed it, it would have faced an uncertain legal future because of Proposition 22 in 2000, approved by 61% of voters. That ballot measure said: 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California.'"

That's upsetting, especially when I think of the millions of dollars the LDS Church put into the campaign to get Proposition 22 passed.

Embarrassed for BYU

Two lists from The Princeton Review of the nation's best colleges that have come out in the past week have made me again embarrassed that I went to undergrad at Brigham Young University. BYU was again named as the country's most stone cold sober school. Drinking does go on at BYU but you have to be really sneaky about it. I usually went up to Salt Lake to enjoy my non-sober nights.

The other list which is the more important issue is that according to the Princeton Review, BYU is in the Bottom 10 among universities' acceptance of the LGBT community. I completely agree with that ranking. I had a few friends that were kicked out of BYU when it was found out that they had participated in homosexual activities. I was very careful about not revealing my sexuality all through college for fear of being kicked out and losing my scholarship. I lived in a sort of constant fear of someone telling on me. I never signed on to gay.com while at BYU because I often heard that people working for the university would put up fake profiles on the site, search for BYU students and turn them into the Honor Code office when the students were discovered. I also heard that people would go up to the gay clubs in Salt Lake and search out the cars in the parking lots with BYU parking stickers and turn the drivers into the Honor Code office for discipline. Besides the threat of being kicked out of school, there is the issue that the student body is close-minded and does not understand what it means to be gay, although there are a lot of closeted Mormons at the school. If I had the chance to do it all again I would have gone somewhere where I could have gotten the same high quality education I received there, but also be appreciated for who I am. It's been amazing to come to Ohio State where nobody cares that I'm gay even among such a conservative profession. Now my friends love me for the person I really am, not some lie I created to fit in.

Long Days Update

Last night Chris and I saw Four Brothers. I liked it a lot. I sat by Erik and Kristi today. It was good to be back down near the front, paying attention and taking notes. After class I went with Julie and friends to W.G. Grinders. It's fun to eat lunch with med students now. I went to the pool today and swam and studied. I hope my legs get to feeling better so I can run the half-marathon on Sunday. The last two times I have gone running they have killed.

On Today's Show:
Sami visited Bonnie Lockhart to see if see could have her wedding reception at Bonnie's country bar Alice's. I love that place because whenever a scene takes place there they play country music. Trick Pony even did a performance on an episode last month. Bonnie agrees to have Sami's reception there. Before Sami leaves she has a run in with Mimi who came to tell her mom that she almost slept with Shawn D. Sami gave her a hard time over that before leaving.

Shawn helps Belle and Phillip get to the hospital so Phillip can be fitted for a prosthesis for his amputated leg. Shawn is finally accepting that he's lost Belle. Now Belle needs to get over Shawn. It's kind of backwards because it's Belle who's decided she can't be with Shawn. They talk about Shawn and Mimi's relationship and he says they are just friends. Shawn goes to use the pay phone. Sami sees Belle looking longingly at Shawn and they have a heart to heart. It was cute to see them talking again. Sami told Belle to get over Shawn. But Belle says she can't. Oh Belle is finally starting to show so that's fun.

Shawn calls Bonnie who offers him a job as a bartender. Mimi just asked for a job as a waitress so now the two of them will be working together. So I've often wondered why the characters always use the pay phone at the hospital instead of their cell phones. Shawn said that he'd call Bonnie on the pay phone since you're not allowed to use cell phones in the hospital. So that was interesting.

Hope arrives at the hospital and starts saying what a problem child Chelsea is. Billie defends Chelsea and Hope and Billie get into an argument. Billie lets it slip that Chelsea is their daughter. Bo says that they're at the hospital to confirm that. Hope apologizes. Billie and Bo receive the DNA test results. Billie opens the envelope and says, "I don't believe it."

Amnesia patients: 1 (Marlena, but I'm glad she wasn't on the show today)
Dimera hostage count: 0 (All the hostages were freed and now Tony is in jail)

Back to school

Well I've started my second year of med school. Hard to believe I'm already here. We are studying our fourth division of neural science. Yesterday we had the clinic orientation for the first years. We divided them into nine groups and went over what they'd be doing at the clinic. I'm having a little problem figuring out where to sit this year. I wanted Erik and Kristi(who I sat with all last year) to move up to where Julie and her friends sit, but Erik said it would be too distracting. So I've sat with Julie the past three days, but I'm having separation anxiety form Erik and Kristi. But now someone has stolen my seat by them. So tomorrow I have to get there early and steal my seat back. I think I'm gonna try to swithc back and forth between the two groups. I just love Kristi too much to not sit by her ever. Erik is in my PCM small group this year so I'm excited about that.

On Today's Show:
Chelsea went on today about how Billie could never be her mother. Meanwhile Billie and Bo are at the hospital awaiting DNA confirmation that Chelsea is their daughter. It was funny because they are just gonna use the test results from thei previous blood transfusion. Sorry but that blood is long gone, they would have to draw new blood to run the DNA test. Kate went to see Tony. She let him use her cell phone so he called Sami to come see him. Sami arrives in a funny disguise-black wig and a slimming black business suit. She pretends to be Tony's lawyer. Kate and the police don't recognize her lol. So Tony gets Sami to help him with his plan to escape. I can't believe Sami is digging gherself deeper and deeper. Kate goes into use Roman's computer to look up dirt on Sami. Lucas catches her in there and pulls her away from the screen as Kate wheels back and they go back in forth a few times. That was hilarious. As Sami leaves Tony's cell Kate does recognize her. She yells out to Lucas, "Luuucas com here, Luuucas come see this" but of course Sami is gone by the time Lucas appears. Jack continues to hook Jen and Frankie up. So Jen and Frankie end up slow dancing in front of Abby, Chelsea and Jack. So annoying. Chloe continues to whine about her scars. Why can't Brady understand she doesn't want to have the scars at her wedding?

Amnesia patients: 1 (Marlena, but I'm glad she wasn't on the show today)
Dimera hostage count: 0 (All the hostages were freed and now Tony is in jail)

Orientation

Last night was an orientation party at Lodge Bar. It's hard to believe I'm a Med 2 now and that one year ago I was just moving to Columbus, still going to church and caring what the other Mormons thought of me. It was a fun time with country music and free beer. I hung out with Erik and Kristi and Julie and her group. I ran into a guy from BYU who I had a class with. I felt a little silly drinking a beer, but he didn't say anything. I always thought he was a loser anyways. Erik rode the mechanical bull which was fun to watch. I had fun checking out the Med 1's seeing if there were any new prospects. There are a bunch of hotties but probably all straight. After the Lodge Bar a bunch of us went to Skully's. Alison made sure I made it there safely. I ran into Chris there so that was fun. It was fun to dance with the Skully's med school crowd.

I ran today for 54 minutes so I'm feeling a lot better about my training. I hope I can keep it up.

On Today's Show:
The dramatic irony is killing me. We(the audience) all know that Chelsea is really Georgia. Finally today Patrick suggested this theory to Billie. Billie's not too smart but I've liked her character ever since she first came on the show, though it was a different actress at the time. She should have figured out the true identity of Chelsea when she was the only match in Salem for Chelsea's rare blood type. She needs to do a DNA test. It was sad to see Billie cry after getting ripped apart by Chelsea who told Billie she should stop looking for Georgia because she would be an awful mother. Chelsea had a hot sex scene with Max but they didn't seal the deal maybe because she mentioned how much she loved Patrick. Victor is back in Salem and confronted Nicole about her trying to kill him. Brady and him kicked Nicole out. Shawn D and Mimi are trying to comfort each other for the loss of their loved ones. They were doing fine until Shawn heard through the air vent Phillip and Belle having sex. Dr. North and Marlena continued their creepy get away in the romantic mountain cabin.

Amnesia patients: 1 (Marlena)
Coma patients:1 (Jan was mentioned today)
Dimera hostage count: 0 (All the hostages were freed and now Tony is in jail)

Fun weekend

I had a good weekend. Last night Zack, Jamie, Robert and I went to Virginia West's drag show. We had a table on the front row so that was fun to be in all the action. It was a slumber party massacre, and by audience vote my favorite drag queen, Monique Devoreaux, was named the killer. Afterwards we went to Union for the cast party and had a few drinks.

Saturday Zack and I went to a party at Pete's house where we got to hang out with our law school friends for a bit. Then we went to Havana to hang out with Jimmy and friends. It was a nice change of pace to hang out with the older crowd.

On Friday night we went to a party on the Scioto River and then went to Axis. It was a fun night at Axis. Zack and I got our groove on. We ran into Aaron, Donny, Rob and Steve. Don was also there with his friends.

I talked to Natalie on Saturday night for two hours on the phone. It was great to catch up with her again. I'm flying out to go to her wedding in Minnesota in September. She is my ex-girlfriend and the first non-gay person I came out to, so we are really close even though we live far away.

Yesterday I went running for 45 minutes. I have a renewed desire to train for the marathon. I need to get a training plan and stick to it. I just hope I have the discipline I need to train. I signed up for a half marathon in two weeks. That's my favorite distance so it should be a good time.

My newest nephew Asa Baugh

I felt much better today after my nap. I went for a thirty minute run. I love my Ipod shuffle that I got for my birthday (*smooch*). I used to be one of those that said I'll never listen to music when I run, but now I enjoy it. I hope my motivation is back up to run the marathon in October.

I went to Betty's for dinner. It was pretty good, just a little too salty for me. Then I went to see March of the Penguins. It was an interesting movie because I like animals and such but I was tired and almost fell asleep. It reminded me of my choice many years ago to not pursue the career in biology that I had wanted to do since I was a kid but to instead become a doctor. I still think I made the right choice even though one of the main reasons I chose to become a doctor now doesn't apply to me(providing for a family).

I called Andy to wish him a happy birthday and he happened to be at the hospital visiting my other brother's new baby. I found out his name is Asa. I talked to Matt for a little bit to congratulate him. This was the first I had spoken to them since my trip to Utah.

On Today's Show:
Not too memorable of an episode. Billie is off to help Bo rescue Hope. She ran into Kate at the hospital and it was nice to see her comfort her mom. Caroline spat on Tony. Mimi reminisced about her high school crush on Shawn. She still hates Belle.

Use of the word "hooks" as in "getting your hooks into someone": 0
Amnesia patients: 1
Comas: 0
Car accidents: 0
Dimera hostage count: 3 (Caroline and Victor, who were actually on the show today, and Hope)

Fun at Blondie's

Blondie's is just two blocks from my house, but last night was the first time I went since I went almost a year ago on one of my first nights in Columbus. It was a fun time. I had a nice buzz going when I got there that turned into full-fledged drunkenness by the time I left. Though I live only two blocks away, Dan and I managed to stumble around for 30 minutes in the wrong direction (east on Hudson, for example) before he called his roommate to come pick us up. I sang Whenever, Wherever karaoke for everyone at the bar. I didn't do Shakira well in the singing category unfortunately, but I thought I made a fine ass shaker. Next time I'll have to sing a song that showcases my vocal abilities.

Before Blondie's I played a nice game of Monopoly with Zack, Jamie and Robert. Zack and I made a great alliance since between the both of us we owned all but four properties. Well people got tired and we declared Zack the winner, and though they refused to say it, I was clearly in second place. Zack and I have been getting along really well these past couple of weeks since I've been home so I'm really happy about that.

I went to dinner with Jim, who is a radiologist. I've been talking to him for a while, but this was the first time we had met. I think knowing him will help me get the radiology residency I so desperately want. I need to get my act in gear and shadow him in my free time. Talking to him made me excited again to be a radiologist. Maybe I will be able to handle going back to school in less than two weeks.

On Today's Show:
On Days yesterday Marlena continued to annoy me with her amnesia. John was being ridiculous in defending Kate for her actions. Roman is right for not wanting to be with Kate anymore after what she did. I absolutely hate Belle for what she's doing to Shawn. It was great final scene when she told him she never wanted to see him again and they grasped hands. The camera zoomed in on their hands and as their hands came apart in the background was the S & B that was carved into the wall on the roof.

Use of the word "hooks" as in "getting your hooks into someone": 0
Amnesia patients: 1 (Marlena is being so annoying)
Comas: 0
Car accidents: 0
Dimera hostage count: 3 (Caroline and Victor, though they are hardly ever shown and now Hope)

In other news I got a call from Matt yesterday saying that I'm an uncle for the 15th time. Sage had an as yet unnamed baby boy yesterday. I'm glad they're both doing fine.

Drama-filled weekend

So I guess I'm not dating anyone again. I love when it ends by the other person ignoring you for two days. Can you not be civil and talk to me about things? I really can't be too upset about this though because it's not like he was my dream guy to begin with. But I did have fun while I was with him. I had so much fun at Aaron's and at Axis with my friends. I'm glad I dragged Zack along.

Lucas proposed to Sami today which made me happy. I'm starting to feel bad for Kate but she does deserve everything she's getting. Marlena is just being ridiculous. Not only does she have amnesia, she forgot how to act like a normal person. She's so bitchy to John. Lexie ripped the buttons off Tek's shirt while they were having sex. I don't know how he made it out of the hospital without someone wondering what happened to his shirt.

On Today's Show:
Use of the word "hooks" as in "getting your hooks into someone": 0 (here's to hoping Sami gets her hooks back in Lucas-looks like she has for the moment)
Amnesia patients: 1 (Marlena is being so annoying)
Comas: 0
Car accidents: 0
Dimera hostage count: 3 (Caroline and Victor, though they are hardly ever shown and now Hope)