Bangladesh Bound...

For those of you that haven't heard, I finally decided to embark on a journey to Bangladesh!

Why Bangladesh, you ask...

I get a call free month and while a lot of people use this time to do things like have a baby, I have decided to use it to go away somewhere and try to make a difference with all of this insane training I have gotten over the past 7 years.

Two of my best friends are there now and have created a blog. I will probably continue on updating their blog once I get there. So, feel free to follow along on

I am excited but also a bit nervous about going by myself. It will be quite an experience!

thebanglablog.blogspot.com

So, stay tuned! I am leaving on April 9th...

Puerto Morelos, Mexico

We had a chance to get away and easily decided it had to be somewhere warm! These winters are brutal!! I can't believe that we have signed up for three more of them! So, we had a few days to get out of the cold and found great deals on an all-inclusive in the Riviera Maya (probably because everyone is scared to go to Mexico right now!)

We stayed in Puerto Morelos and were greeted by warmth and humidity the moment we landed.

We didn't take many pictures, but here are a few from our short trip.

Our colorful room
The first night we had dinner at the Mexican Restaurant.

This is our waiter making me a coffee beverage after desert...yum!

The next morning we were on the beach bright and early, which is unfortunate because that meant we just got burned all the sooner!

Paul in action playing some volleyball



One of the swim up bars...plenty of Corona to go around!

The second night we had dinner at the very popular Japanese restaurant where they cooked in front of us.

It was much needed: relaxation, warmth, sun, food, sand, drinks, etc. It was a nice break from the NY winter. But, then it was back to the city and back to work :(

Snow Day!

For the first time since probably elemetary school, I had a snow day today!!! I am on elective and the clinic was canceled this morning. We ended up getting 9" of snow in Central Park. Therefore, first thing on the agenda this morning was getting Tucker out to play in it.
This dog LOVES the snow more than anyone I have ever seen (except for my mother, of course)! He finds the largest piles and runs back and forth.

The park was beautiful!

Happiness!

Frolicking!

He doesn't always understand that some sticks are just too big!

Sad to leave

But, as soon as Paul got home we took him over to the East River for more playing in the snow.

Paul thinks its funny to make snow balls and throw them for him to "fetch"...

he leaps...

and then digs for the snowballs...usually without much success in finding them :(

Fun times!

We have to enjoy these lovely winter days. Only 3 more winters in NY :)/:(

Home for the Holidays...

Miraculously, Paul and I both got 11 days off to go to Texas. We hadn't been since July (and that was only for a quick weekend) so we had lots of ground to make up. We flew into DFW and headed to Houston the next day. We stayed with Courtney and Gamble in their beautiful new house. We had one thing on our minds...fajitas and margaritas. So, it was Lupe's for dinner...Courtney and I sipping away happily on "Sangritas"
Paul's brother, Mark, and his girlfriend met us for dinner.
We left the next day for Port Neches to see Paul's family. We spent the night with his Dad. It was a quick but great visit and then we headed back to Corsicana.
Of, course we had to stop at the Jerky Capitol of the world on our way...

Only in Texas!
Kristen and Kyle drove in and Ellen came over to meet us. We sat outside by the fire and caught up...just like old times!

Ellen, Kristen, and I

The next day was Christmas Eve. Paul's mom and Bo drove in to stay with us for the weekend. My Aunt and Uncle came in and we had dinner and celebrated Christmas Eve, traditionally.

in front of the tree at my parents house

Christopher and I

Calie was happy to have everyone home!

Christmas morning!

Christopher got the most popular Christmas present by far! The Xbox connect. Here are Paul and Bo boxing. We spent hours the next few days horseback riding, skiing, playing soccer, dodgeball, rafting, etc.

The, we went over to my Grandparents for Christmas lunch.

My Grandfather and Uncle David preparing all of the meat

So good to see everyone!!

We were also lucky enough to see Becky, Heather & Robert, and my cousins and their children (just didn't get pics of those). It was a great trip and makes us realized how much we appreciate Texas and the family and friends that we can't wait to move back to!

However, it was good to get back to our apartment, 21 inches of snow, and most of all...

Tucker!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Back to Thanksgiving and Halloween...

We were stuck in the City for Thanksgiving, but thanks to amazing friends it was great!We started out the morning with Tucker in Central Park. Such a happy dog!!!
Then it was home to cook. The Greenberg turkey, a family tradition. Along with a new big fan...Tucker!

We went to our friend, Steve's and it was quite a spread!

Taboo and 4 Loco rounded out the day!

The next day we spent a second Thanksgiving with Vinod & Gillian. We got to eat way more than anyone should!

Just a look at Tucker in his Halloween costume for those who didn't get to see him...

poor guy but such a good sport!

Back to October 23rd...

I have been a bit negligent in blogging. So, I have to go back and show you what you've missed..

Two of our dearest friends, Vinod & Gillian, got married in Chicago. It was our first true Indian wedding and quite a show!!! Vinod is a friend from residency who is now doing a PICU fellowship at Columbia and Gillian and I have become really great friends through him. She is currently a NICU fellow at Cornell and we will get to work together next year!! (and hopefully live in the same apt building!!)

Tom & Courtney also cam for the weekend
Courtney, Lee, Vinod, myself, and Faith after the Welcome Dinner

Gillian's hands

Me, Faith, Gillian, Shannon, Caroline, and Lee

The festivities began with a parade of the Groom's family bringing him to the Bride's family. Of course, Vinod did it in style...white horse and all.

the Groom's family danced around him

we paraded all the way up the Magnificent Mile to the doors of the Drake!

The ceremony was beautiful!

The lovely couple leaving

Gillian and I with a couple of her NICU co-fellows

at the reception

Luckily while in Chicago we got to see Kaelin and Manuel for two of the most amazing brunches I have EVER had!!!

After brunch on Sunday, Kaelin took Paul and I to a bar that soon became Paul's FAVORITE bar...

it was a beautiful day, and there was...

Shiner on tap! Needless to say, Paul was in heaven!

It was a wonderful weekend of seeing old friends and celebrating the new marriage of two new great friends!

First trip to the beach...

We have been looking forward to October when dogs are allowed on the beach in Long Island. Just as we expected, Tucker loved it! He didn't venture very far into the water but we will work on that when it's warmer.

Big waves!

Look at that pose!

My Birthday Weekend

Let's face it...it takes a lot to get a girl excited about turning 30. However, from the moment I found out that my 5 best friends from medical school were coming it couldn't come soon enough! It had been way too long since we all got together but the moment they arrived, it was as though we hadn't missed a day. Despite a huge tropical storm delaying all flights into NY, everyone made it. We started the evening at a Spanish Tapas restaurant where the sangria was unlimited...

Me, Jessy, Courtney, Martha, Kaelin

Back together again!!!

After dinner it was off to Japanese Karaoke. We got a huge room to ourselves and sang our little hearts out!

Joined by Courtney and Lauren

Eric, Lauren, and Tom

An action shot of the Connors brothers

The night was everything I hoped it would be. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...a little too much!

We got up the next morning and went to brunch and walked around. The weather was perfect.

We walked the High Line Park

We took it a little easier the rest of the weekend.

It was everything I could have asked for on my 30th birthday!

Thanks to everyone for coming and celebrating with me.