Durham Thanksgiving

It had been about a year and half since we last were in Durham. A trip back "home" to visit old friends was being talked about for months, and we finally made good on this plan.

For the U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend we took to the road to Tobacco Road. It was so good to be back in Durham (NC). With so many memories in this city - our first home, wedding, Ethan's birth, Kelly's residency at Duke (to name a few) - being back felt more like home than our current place of residence.

We left on Wednesday night (11/26) and split the road trip in two, staying overnight in Asheville, NC before continuing the next morning to Durham. The entire trip takes about 6 1/2 - 7 hours, which we felt would be too much for Ethan if driven continously.

Jessica offered her place for us to stay, even though she would be out of town visiting her family for Turkey Day in Baton Rouge, LA. Jessica would come back Friday evening and we spent all of Saturday together, which was great fun.

The average American consumes about 4,030 calories on Thanksgiving Day. I certainly managed that, if not the first evening, most definitely after the second, as we were treated to two Thanksgiving dinners! On Thursday we were hosted by the Kugler family (Eileen, Gary, and sons Jason and Jeff). Dinner was traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy. On Friday, we were at the Mostaghimis residence for a Persian-American fusion dinner combining favorites such as khoresh-e-bademjan (persian eggplant stew dish) and oven-roasted turkey, and tadik (crispy persian rice) with sweet potatoes. Yuuuuuuuuuum! For the record I had seconds both evenings. Heaven! Oh did I mention there was shohlezard (persian yellow rice pudding)... darn, I want some right now.

Saturday with Jessica included breakfast at home (bacon and egg McJessica muffins, pancakes, Earl Grey, left-over shohlezard). We then went to the science museum, butterfly conservatory and insectarium where Ethan had a lot of fun roaming around and exploring. We were not alone, as it seemed every family in the area thought it was a good Saturday-after-Thanksgiving thing to do to take the kids to the science museum. We had to park across the street it was so packed.

Saturday evening we dined at Merlion. We ate Char Kway Teoh (Singaporean noodle dish), ginger beef, a tofu dish and honey glazed prawns. After Ethan was put to bed, Kelly, Jessica and I ended up talking until 2am, bringing back fond memories of our time at Duke/Durham.

But sadly our trip had to come to an end eventually. On Sunday, again Jessica made us some egg and bacon breakfast muffins. Kelly, Ethan and I went to the Baha'i Center while Jessica went to her church for Sunday service. The program at the Baha'i Center in Durham was on the topic of marriage and chastity. The discussions were lively, and the selected readings very thought provoking -- I know several friends of mine that would benefit from these Baha'i writings.

Some usual suspects were at the Center - Catherine Davis, Dilsey, Angelica, Parvaneh, Anyema and Sherlock, Shegund, Ayla, Lee Moavenzadeh, Daria, etc.. It was nice to see everyone, and so comforting to be the in the company of our former community members. Several other friends we knew ahead of time would be away this weekend which was a pity - including (but not limited to) Amani, Elyse, Nahal and others.

Lunch was had back at Jessica's (left-over Merlion food, left-over Thanksgiving meals Persian-Chinese-American fusion, and STILL left-over shohlezard :-D). Our truck fully loaded (with recent purchases for the baby's arrival) and Ethan showing signs of napping, we took to the long road back home, under pouring conditions, making our way, slowly, back to Blue Ridge.

10 pm Sunday evening, and a truck full of things to unload, we were "home" at last. A very worthwhile trip.

Medicine/Pediatrics Senior Dinner

A wonderful evening has come to an end, and friends are now making final preparations for the next phase in their lives. Perhaps I will sit and write a more detailed and thoughtful entry in the morning. Well done to all! And good luck to next year's SARs.

Medicine Senior Dinner

Last night was the Medicine Department's dinner for the graduating senior residents. Like last year it was held at the beautiful Hope Valley Golf and Country Club which happens to be very close to where we live. Dinner was the same as last year - or at least what I had (Filet Mignon). Can't beat a good quality steak no matter what the other food options in my opinion.

As usual, they had a slide presentation of all the SARs (senior assistant resident -- don't know why they are called this actually) in which they made fun of most/all of them. It was good fun, and not that emotional though. The medicine dinners always seem more proper and formal than personal in my opinion. We managed to take but three pictures all night. I will post all here. I will certainly take more pictures tonight, which is the senior med/peds dinner - Kelly's graduating class of 6. It will definitely prove to be much more emotional for sure, since this intimate group/program has really grown close over the past 4 years.

The Mostaghimi family babysat Ethan and put him to bed (in their home). THANK YOU!!! We left the festivities early (10pm) to hang out with Zhila and Parvaneh a little before taking Ethan home. What a great family we have in our colleagues and the Baha'i community. All will be terribly missed when we move to Blue Ridge.

Senior Farewell Dinners

Senior Class Photo, Duke, Internal Medicine & Pediatrics combined residency program, 2007
[Back L-R: Kelly Koay, MD, Jennifer Walker, MD, Krishelle Leong-Grotz, MD; Front L-R: Christian Ramers, MD, Mathew Schwartz, MD, Reilly Coch, MD]

It is that time of the year when graduating seniors bid farewell to mentors, friends and colleagues, and look back on their training here at Duke with fond memories and astonishment at just how quickly 3 years (4 for some) has flown by. A word reiterated through speeches offered by many describing feelings they have during this time of the year was "bittersweet". And I can say, as a spouse to a medical resident, I concur.

It is hard to survive and sacrifice so much to go through a residency training. And I have to say it is probably a lot harder trying to do a combined program like medicine and pediatrics. It is one year longer than most (4 instead of 3) and you find yourself in your second year of the program being called a "senior" to interns who end up, by the end of their first year, actually having more experience (than you - if you did med/peds) in either single discipline.

So much self-doubt you have to overcome because of the nature of the combined program and split schedules, which pushes you to always have to "catch up" and learn quickly to "keep up" with medicine or peds colleagues.

And now it is Kelly's class' year. Their time. They are the ones being celebrated this year. Can you believe it is now their time? The many senior dinners we've attended, and the emotions we saw in the graduating seniors of those years - so palpable. And now Kelly and her class take their rightful place.

It is sad.

We have made a family in Durham. Not just our immediate family with Ethan born here, but with our many friends and colleagues who have truly been there through all the "major" events in my and Kelly's life. They have witnessed our early days as friends, then our days of dating, engagement and attended our wedding and were a witness to our marriage vows. They saw us through our first pregnancy and the eventual birth of our first born. They celebrated the highs, and commiserated with the lows. Many dinners, parties, get-togethers, game nights, movie nights.

And now, the group moves on to the next phase in their lives and professional development. Quite literally, the Duke med/peds class of '07 will be relocating to all four corners of the country - Seattle (Pacific Northwest), San Diego (Southwest/coast), Ithaca, NY (Northeast) and Georgia (Deep South) :-D

Thank you for the memories guys. We look forward to a reunion in the near future and good luck with all your future endeavors, be they professional, personal, or of service.

With two more senior dinners left (the medicine department and med/peds), emotions will be building, and ultimately come pouring when the med/peds class say 'good-bye'.

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alright, reality check, Noomz needs a poopie diaper changed... and oh yea, we still have this thing called a house to sell.. .argh!

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Here are some pictures we took this morning from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. The blue skies were in full force, and so were the gardeners enthusiasts who were all out it seemed for a plant sale that was going on at the SPDG. There were so many different plant varieties. I wanted to buy so many different plants. But it would not be wise to do so since we are moving very soon. Lots of planters and pots and decorative garden stuff -- I guess you just have to know what I mean -- with local craft artists and horticulturalists and botanists doing their thing. It was especially neat to see the "bog plants" and carnivorous varieties like the Venus Fly Trap (not sure the official name).

The Snow Azaleas were really pretty and we took some photos by them. Ethan kept reaching out to touch them, sporting his new wide-brim summer hat.

Pediatrics Dinner

One benefit that Kelly has for doing a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency program at Duke, is that she gets to go to both the medicine and peds parties for both Christmas and year-end celebration. And, actually, a third med-peds party is usually thrown in the mix too. And so last week was the medicine party, and tonight was the pediatrics equivalent.



Also held at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club, the party was a lot more cozy due to the smaller numbers on the peds department. And although there was no chocolate fountain, in my opinion, we got something better (for dessert) - oven hot waffles with vanilla bean ice cream and whip cream with fresh blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. There were three flavours of waffles to choose from: (1) chocolate, (2) apple cinammon and (3) oh I forget this last one. But I totally prefer the waffles to the fountain station. Yum! :-D





And it was more fun this party, what we even did a bit o' dancin'. The kids came out to play - Krishelle, Matt, Christian and Kelly - all of whom are in the same med-peds class and are in their final (fourth) year. Only missing were Reilly and Jennifer from this group of six. And not to mention the very important spouses of these wonderful medical doctors - Lauren (in white dress) and myself :-D The night was a blast.

We got pictures with the med-peds crew (sleigh pics) and also one with our very own (Ethan's) pediatrician, Dr. Susan Owens, MD.





It is hard to believe, after three previous years of Christmas parties, this is Kelly's (et al) last. They are the seniors now. The six amigos. And in one half-year remaining, we shall all be together for a final hurrah, before the group go their separate ways to pursue fellowships or primary care elsewhere in the country.










You've done well, guys and gals. Ya dun good.

Medicine Dinner

Last Friday (12/9) was the Duke medicine department's annual Christmas dinner party, which traditionally was held at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club - the venue of our very own wedding two years ago.

This year's dinner - the food - was much better than last. Similar to last year, they had various 'stations' set up in one of the large ballrooms. They had an Asian station with stirfry, chicken skewers, shrimp skewers, and the like. Another station was set up with a large carving roast under a heating lamp with a chef ready to serve you, and garlic mashed potatoes. This was my station for the evening as we often eat Asian cuisine at home.

The real treat, however, was a large chocolate fountain, with fresh fruit (strawberries, blackberries, honeydew melon), marshmellows, cheesecake, and regular cake on skewers for you to coat in chocolate - I suppose like a fondu but instead of dipping your fruit/cake into a bowl of melted chocolate, you simply let the chocolate fountain coat your skewer. Neat :-D Needless to say the crowds were around this station.

And after having one too many chocolate coated cheesecake skewers, I was near about to puke. In hindsight, I would have simply stuck to the marshmellows (light!) and the no-fail, always-excellent-coated-in-chocolate, strawberries.

Close-Knit

[L-R: Krishelle, Clarissa, Kelly and Jessica]

It had been a few weeks since we last got together with Krishelle and Jessica. A couple nights ago, along with another colleague and friend, Clarissa, we all had dinner and warmed up to mugs of hot tea and chatted the night away. I was playing cards with mom and dad (not pictured).

With less than 8 months left in Kelly's and Krishelle's residency training, dinners like these will soon mark an end to a fantastic era in our lives where great friendships have been made. Krishelle, and also Kelly and I, are already planning on putting our homes on the market this early spring and make headway on relocation plans (Krishelle is going to scintilatingly sunny San Diego to pursue further training in the world of premies undertaking a 3-year neonatology fellowship).

Well we still have many months in Durham. Let us make more memories together.

The Secret Of Divine Civilization

Today, the Duke Baha'i Club met at The Marketplace on Duke's East Campus to start a weekly deepening. The group decided our first book to tackle this semester, since it is already so late in the school term, will be the compact "The Secret Of Divine Civilization" by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Haley, Shawheen, Leigh-Ann, Ryo and I took turns reading and discussing passages from the first few pages we managed to get through.

I was particularly keen on getting out of the house for a couple hours, and this "book club" was just a perfect way of spending a Sunday afternoon doing something intellectual - a good escape for a mind yearning for a few hours removed from baby babbling and singing. Plus, I have not seen many friends (other than the ones who drop by the house to see us) and I was eager to meet up with the young, hip, but all too stressed, Duke students.

A passage we read really struck me and got me thinking:

"We should continually be establishing new bases for human happiness and creating and promoting new instrumentalities toward this end."

What 'new instrumentalities' will bring about human happiness?

The passage continues:

"How excellent, how honorable is man if he arises to fulfil his responsibilities; how wretched and contemptible, if he shuts his eyes to the welfare of society and wastes his precious life in pursuing his own selfish interests and personal advantages."

Most I know would agree with that statement, yet most would just as quickly point out how current standards set by society almost encourage this type of selfish promotion, or are hardenned by the effects such behaviour (societal norm) imparts.

OK, lastly, and this book (so far as we've read) is filled with such strongly worded statements:

"And this is man's uttermost wretchedness: that he should live inert, apathetic, dull, involved only with his own base appetites. When he is thus, he has his being in the deepest ignorance and savagery, sinking lower than the brute beasts."

"... They are like the brutes: Yea, they go more astray ..."

So that of course gets me thinking about my life, and my contribution to society, and how one's profession, career, skill, craft play a significant role.

I have a lot of personal searching to do...

Environmentalist, PhD

[L-R: Max, Amani and Emil]

Congratulations, Amani!!!

Today, Amani successfully passed his doctoral prelims! Well done!



Amani is a PhD candidate at the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke. Amani's many scientific interests include, but are not limited to, wetlands and mosquitos. His research studies have taken him to places such as Tanzania, and the Carolina coastal regions.

Good luck on the rest of your PhD work, Amani.

Hardscrabble Plantation

A huge THANK YOU goes out to Drs. Virginia and William Kraus for organizing tonight's dinner reception for the Duke Baha'i Club. Held at the ultra-swank Hardscrabble Plantation clubhouse, Duke Baha'i students, faculty, staff and their families and friends enjoyed a wonderful spread of wholesome salads, wraps and enormous cookies.

Faculty and parents of Duke students, some of whom were themselves Duke students, reminisced of their days at the neo-gothic Durham campus (and the cheap tuition of those good ol' days) and offered great wisdom and shared many stories to the fledglings now currently enrolled in studies at Duke.




Dr. Greg Samsa was particularly amusing and warmed the hearts of everyone when he shared his love and embrace for the fascinating (not his word of choice) field of... statistics. Anyone interested in speaking to Dr. Samsa about stats, he will be sure to refer you to a colleague and friend, Dr. Robert James, a psychologist. :-)







I was personally impressed at the caliber of the young students and their ambitions. International governance. Middle Eastern studies. Public policy. Law. Arabic studies. And just how well-travelled they all are these days. (or was this just a product of Duke culture and training?)









Well the evening was great. It was very nice to have most of the Baha'i students at Duke in one place together. It rarely happens, but hopefully this will be a start, at the very least, of an annual gathering.