To Nelly from Buenos Aires

My friend Nelly and I have known each other for more than 13 years. Can you believe it? we went to school together, we had our own world; of books, cool notebooks with images, notepads, markers, our crushes, highschool life, I loved it.  

At the same time we were also so different but maybe that is why our friendship has endured and gone through everything. We graduated school and went to different colleges, she started her path on to being the wonderful and dedicated Pastry chef she is now, while I studied Medicine. Along the way, no matter what we were going through, we always stayed in touch, Always. For me she is a sister, someone that always had special attentions for every of my birthdays since she has known me, every time I've needed her, she has been there. No matter what.

It doesn't matter what time it is, how far apart we are, we are connected.

 I am currently thousands of miles apart from my friend because I am in Argentina; this weekend  my family organized a trip to visit Buenos Aires so I have been so caught up in the beauty of this city, it is grand and anything seems possible.

When Nelly told me she was getting married I couldn`t even grasp the tip of the iceberg. My dear Nelly, my beloved friend is...getting married, still writing it makes me shiver. Joy fills me and I wish I could be there with her, sharing and hugging her but most of all laughing because that is what we do best. I still remember like it was yesterday when I used to sleep over, she would make the most delicious breakfast, hot cocoa with grilled cheese sandwiches, it was heaven. Dinner was always special too, the best macaroni and cheese of my life, she made it. We don't have to go way back to think about fun things we've done, some thing we might not go around saying is that we call each other up, put the same song on and start singing together (Duet phone karaoke ?), might sound silly but for me it is truly special, that I can just be me, no worries.

 Being in this beautiful city, she comes to mind every step of the way, I love her and can't wait to see her. I wish her the greatest happiness because she deserves it, she is a Good person, hardworking, smart, dedicated, and passionate about what she likes. I wish her to be complete, to keep being positive and believing in herself, because I do, I believe in her.

I haven't met the husband-to-be but that is coming soon, I hope. Congrats Nelly and Brian. With all my love and heart, Congrats!

 -M

Moderation is Key

When I was working in the Ophthalmology private practice it was hectic, my job was to make everything swell and smooth, to define efficiency with each step I took, I was glad to, of course.

Some of my activities were to be an Ophthalmic assistant when there were too many patients, to soften the anxious/cranky patients attitude, to assist with ophthalmic procedures, check postop's (post operated patients). I was the multitasking Dr's Assistant and proud to, I was in the best place in the country, learning up close from the greatest ophthalmologist, it was the perfect introduction to ophthalmology and the greatest boost for entering the residency. In all of those days, being busy most of the time, I  never disregarded my meals. Since I had to be at work at 7:30 a.m., this meant I had to be wake up at 6 a.m. to have a complete, nutritious breakfast and to eat it slowly, enjoy it. Then, after I arrived work, and it got crazy,  I took one minute at midmorning to have a healthy snack- one minute think about it, is just nothing. After the morning was over we had 1 hour for lunch, I always brought something from home, usually some greens + protein + other, and here is were the unusual comments began. "Oh wow, are you on a diet?" me: "Mmm, no why?"  "You eat healthy all the time." 

 This is the common mentality, if you eat healthy you must be on a diet. Why on earth is this the odd thing? why should I should be eating healthy only because I need to lose weight?

It took some time for everyone to figure out this was my normal way of eating and that's when they started asking for advice. I acknowledge the fact that this healthy lifestyle is not one everyone has or has the chance to get to know. I wasn't always this healthy of course, it was until I learned to eat; I saw the benefits of eating healthy, and most of them come in the long run. I was fortunate enough to have a nutritionist in the house, my mother is not only a Great nutritionist, she is also an amazing cook. Adding nutritionist+cook you get the best in a healthy yummy way.

 Coming to Argentina was a similar story from a different point of view- my grandmother's.

Over here eating is sacred. Eating good food is Ubersacred. When I first arrived she would try to stuff me like a turkey 24/7, everything was homemade and "healthy" for her. Homemade bread for breakfast with homemade jam, pastry is a big deal here and it is incredible (honest), lunch: Homemade spaghettis or raviolis with more of that bread, or vegetable pie, and for dessert: fruit. One sunday I got sick, I was feverish with stomach ache, the change of food had sickened me. I didn't want to hurt her feelings but I had to find a way around it or else, I went to the store and bought lettuce+tomatoes+natural yogurt+ the less sugared cornflakes I could find+ fruit. At the beginning it was shocking for her, she couldn't understand how I could eat like this, "This is unhealthy, you are going to be weak" she used to say. Slowly we started incorporating these healthy foods and some other in our meals.

I understand her, she comes from a different time when everything was used without even thinking about the consequences (I guess they weren't even known!) , butter was used as if it was water.

Since then, I have found the balance here to enjoy the delicioussssss pastry and pasta she makes without getting off the health wagon. She has even learned to eat healthier, has lost like 10 pounds without even realizing that the little changes I subliminally made her make have shed off that extra weight.

Eating healthy is not a punishment and that is what everybody needs to understand, it is a perfect balance and enjoyment of food without preventing yourself of enjoying something that isn't healthy once in awhile. My mother always says "Moderation is key."

- M

Slow motion goodbye

When I first arrived to Argentina I pondered on what I could do as a part-time job. Being a doctor without the country's medical license does't give you much choice in your MD field. Since I had experience in giving classes, I decided to apply for an English language institute. I winded up giving 3 courses, one of them being Conversation Classes for Teens. It was not easy to begin, but as time passed it turned out to be an amazing experience, natural and rewarding.

The class had teenagers for the most but also one mature lady; females being the majority. Throughout the year, we saw songs and movies, newspaper articles, we spoke about psychology and subjects they wanted to talk about. I felt empowered to guide them and advise them, it was enlightening to find myself complete with being a teacher, counselor but above all a motivational speaker. They confided in me, some days we laughed the entire class, other days we cried together. A special bond had been created, one of trust, appreciation and friendship.

Yesterday was the last class. I had asked them what they felt they needed to learn, one of the girls mentioned she had gone to US some weeks ago and she had found it difficult to have a Restaurant conversation; she said interpreting menus was complicated and she lacked the vocabulary to manage the situation. I decided that would be our last class but we would also incorporate real food to our farewell.

The class ended, we had laughed, shared, exchanged contact information, I taught them about menus and parts of a meal, special keywords, everything they needed to be able to have lunch/dinner/breakfast in a restaurant. The clock struck 6:00 p.m. They didn't want to leave, neither did I. "You've been the best teacher. I loved EVERY class." one of the students said. It felt like a slow-motion part of a movie, the end.. it felt bitter but sweet, I was happy.

Being a teacher was one of the MOST rewarding experiences here. 

I am little by little letting things go.. because I have to.


"It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life." -GD




-M

-27

It's been 9 months since I left my country. I needed change, to experience something different, to get  out the mold. Here I've been , a country completely opposite to my upbringing, totally different to my cultural customs, different weather; the perfect place to see it all from a different angle.

Never had I been away from my family so long, this has been a lifetime experience; hard work, trying new things, getting out of my comfort zone, sharpening social skills, the complete package. Constant learning.

Now I feel ready to take up on any challenge and to begin new plans that had been wandering and bouncing up and down in my head. It is time to go back home...

I am a Medical Doctor on a journey of doing my Residency in Ophthalmology, the specialty I love the most, trying to incorporate my passion for technology into it.  

I'm heading back home in 27 days;  I'll be back to everything and everyone I absolutely love, for the meantime it is time to get ready and to take advantage of each day left here,   in Argentina.

-M