Gourmet?

This was my attempt at a 5-layer birthday cake.


Correction:
This was my first 'n final attempt at a 5-layer birthday cake.

(And to think I was trying to make an 8-layer cake?! I'm crazy. And I overestimate my talents.)

my Z A N Y friend

You know how everyone develops a patented intro over time?



Mine has become:

"This is Esther. She's my friend from _{school/ church/ mutual friend}_. She's from Alaska and speaks 3 languages. She now attends Medical School in Vienna."

Yawn. NOT WORTH IT.







I would much prefer the following:

"This is Esther. She's chronically late to everything. Her German is different because she's from Alaska and Brazil and who knows where else. She goes to Med School because someday she'll start a charity in Africa. Besides that -- don't ask me, ask her."

Fun! WORTH IT.






A bit informal, and two times longer than the other, but FAR MORE ME. Just a couple weeks ago, 2 different people described me, one as crazy and the other as zany. Finally! The real me is making a statement!!

Pen, Please?

A pen ran out of ink while under my jurisdiction.

This NEVER happens. But since it just did, history is changed forever.

KinderUni

Aren't we sooo cute in our sooo yellow shirts and sooo big smiles?! Best colleagues ever.

Last week, 44 of my hours were donated to helping 4,000 kids of Vienna herd from one medical lecture to the other. They learned (from some of my professors!) about the most poisonous animals (Taipan Snake), how the Cell is a City, that the human bones fit like a puzzle, how hygiene is key in medicine, why boys run faster than girls, etc...



Favorite Story came from the class "Dicker Bauch? Nein, danke!"
This hour was dedicated to nutrition, and emphasized the importance of eating right and staying a healthy weight.

The professor passed out measuring tapes, one per child. Their assignment was to go home and measure themselves and their parents. One little boy, hand wildly waving in the air, asked, "Can I have 2?!" The teacher asked why. "I don't think 1 will fit around my Dad!"



For pictures of the adorable Viennese children who were at KinderUni this year, click here.

AIDS Research

According to my recent poll: AIDS research is totally worth it!

Many right-winged conservatives drop by to read my blog. I was surprised to have see 100% of voters support AIDS research. CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS! (not quite sure if I'm congratulating AIDS research or you people who voted. ToBeConsideredLater)

A friend of mine, Arek, worked the convention that took place in Vienna Austria last week -- a worldwide conference to raise awareness concerning the crisis that AIDS poses on humanity. Target topics at the conference included: prevention, research, infection statistics, and awareness. (From what I witnessed, the only topic that the conference cared about was condoms, but whatever. I got a free T-Shirt.)

Melissa is one of my best friends {insert anything you could want with regards to bragging about a person. all are true when it comes to Mel}. She sent me a letter, via mail (on the most beautiful stationary), mentioning that she was at an AIDS conference that same week at the Harvard Medical School. Mel has actively participate in AIDS research since 2005 at the University of Utah. Her studies then took her east to MIT, where she is currently a Grad Student, again furthering AIDS research. Because she was at the Harvard Convention, I decided to attend here in Vienna.

Opinion I formed:
AIDS needs to be stopped. Promiscuity in the Western World and Cultural-Rituals in Africa and Drug abuse everywhere needs to stop. Is this even a possible goal? No,{shame that} it isn't. Today's world is one that solicits a lifestyle where AIDS can thrive. Really, too bad. Although I myself am choosing the only guaranteed way to stay HIV-free, this does not allow me to shun others who aren't. Like I mentioned above, AIDS affects humanity. I need to do my part to make a contribution; do my part to promote a safe lifestyle; do my part to notice and assist those groups of people who are affected, do my part in supporting the research that might someday be successful. Why? As a good person, I view it is my responsibility to care for the poor and needy. Mosiah 18:9

Listen -- What could happen should AIDS not be stopped? Could it alter enough to become contagious? Could it grow at a more accelerated rate, affecting the next generation even more? Might it begin to simultaneously create other viruses?

Young Women "Leaders"

The Young Women Program is just as important, if not made for us Over-18-yrs-old Young Women "Leaders".

This yummy Thai food excuse was Michiru's Surprise HAPPY Birthday Party!

Almost-catastrophe

Babysat today. Left my bedroom door open while I studied: (ir)responsible. I could hear J7 and his neighbor friend playing downstairs in the living room.

Good news. So I thought.

Just 30 minutes of them being unaccompanied, I go downstairs, and there is a soccer ball on the burner -- burning! What the?!

I myself was on my way out the door, there was a sizzling half-ball on the burner, my bus was driving away (I told myself I could hear it), plus of course there were two boys giggling in the play room. "Get out! Get out! Go to the neighbors!" I called BG to tell her of the almost-catastrophe. Over 10 years of 'professional' babysitting, and now is when I get my own that-one-time-I-almost-burnt-the-house-down story. Geez.

Came in tonight and the first thing I heard, apart from the dog barking, "Esther, I didn't burn the ball and my mom believes me." The living room wasn't welcoming either, just a dutiful 'hi' which I echoed, totally unenthused.

BG cooked. I cleaned. J7 kicked the ball onto the burner. Who's to blame? Uhh -- nobody! We all could have noticed. Whatever. It isn't about who takes the blame. (or is it?) Wait, what is it about? How about increasing each of our perceptions to the world around us:
Turning off the burner when done cooking.
Checking the knobs before wiping down the burners.
Picking up toys when they land on the kitchen counter-tops.

J7 felt the finger was pointed on him. BG felt the finger was pointed on her. I felt the finger was pointed on me.

Don't blame, please.