23.

There is something mysterious about the number of 23. In fact, the term "23 Enigma" has been coined to explain that 23 (and any permutation of 23 or any number related to 23) is somehow linked to all incidents and events. Very Interesting.

For some believers, 23 somehow may be the key to explaining how and why things happen. If good things happen, 23 is lucky. However, if bad things happen, 23 is unlucky. Ultimately, it comes down to the interpreter.

I'm struggling to decide what I should make of 23, two numbers- the previous one less than the latter. I suppose I would have more insight if I knew what to expect from my 23rd year of life. For now, I'm going to keep an open mind and hope 23 brings as much joy as 22.

My mother called me yesterday around 10 PM.
"Happy Birthday, Eisha. I'm calling you the day before your birthday because your were born after midnight." She said.



August 21st- my birthday. Growing up, I always had a bitter-sweet birthday; I was celebrating my birth along with the end of summer vacation. Somethings really do not change. I'm celebrating my 23rd birthday four days before the arrival of the storm that is the second year of medical school. I bought myself a gift: the immunology syllabus.

I celebrated a birthday earlier with some of my friends. The birthday cake was one of the best gifts ever. One of my best friends actually took the time to make the choclate ganash cake from scratch.

Looking back, I have to say I was blessed. 22 was a great year. I am thankful to God, my amazing parents, four brothers and sister, friends, classmates, teachers, blog readers and patients for truly enriching the texture of my life by providing me with everything from love to support to knowledge to patience to reassurance. I am here because you all have placed so much faith in me, giving me that energy that puts a smile on my face in the morning and allows me to move forward each step of the way.

22 was a year of so much change; the year I began my first year of medical school. A year of new relationships and friendships. A year filled with learning the art and science of medicine and becoming a part of something so great. A year of new discoveries and realizations.

22 was a year of many of firsts. It was the year, I met some of my best friends. It was the year I completed my first 12K. The year I learned to perform a physical exam and take a full patient history. It was the year I organized my first full dinner party. It was first time I took a sexual history in the company of 5 of my peers. It was the year I moved to SF and explored the new city that has become my second home. It was the year I made my first incision, drew my first vial of blood and injected my first immunization. It was the year I started my first blog and published some of my essays. It was year I took my camera in the OR to photograph a surgery. It was the year I went to prom (it was medical school prom). It was the year I learned to suture and tie surgical knots. It was the year I was given my short white coat and the year I recited an oath that will dictate my actions for years to come and the year I became 25% of a doctor.

It was the year I realized my life was going to change, as I move closer and closer to my goal of becoming a physician and as I began to learn the fine art of balance.

Overall, 22 was year of new beginnings.
As I start 23, I hope these beginnings in my professional and personal life burgeon and take on a life of their own. Although I dread returning to the regimented schedule of lecture and school (oh how I dread the 8 AM lectures), I know I need to simply pick up my feet and move forward, drawing on my experiences. I am looking forward to moving ahead through the second year medical school in anticipation for the start of clerkships that will get me closer to working directly with patients.

I guess there are a few other things I am hoping to accomplish during 23. In no particular order:

1. Complete the SF 1/2 Marathon
2. Make it to all the weddings I'm invited to (2008 seems to be year of weddings)
3. Do more than one pull-up
4. Fully integrate swimming into my workout regimen (I just rediscovered swimming this week and love it)
5. Continue reporting to this blog with insightful (and some not so insightful) entries
6. Survive Boards Hell (and maintain a semblance of a personal life that involves time with friends and working out)
7. Figure out "which kind of doctor I want to be"
8. Get better at balancing my life, which may involved learning to say "no"
9. Continue to writing essays, including non-medical essays
10. Continue to spend time with friends and family, cultivating the new relationships that have become so central to my life and my sanity
11. Take my camera to new places
12. TRAVEL!!! (somewhere exotic)
13. Regain the swimmers tan I lost to the SF fog
14. Mentor the first year medical students
15. Continue mastering the fine art of Indian cooking
16. Speak solely Punjabi with my parents to better my ability to speak the language of my childhood
17. Continue to maintain a regular workout regimen during MS3 rotations
18. Continue to explore SF (all the museums and neighborhoods)
19. Surf and one day swim in the Pacific Ocean (if it ever warms up)
20. Meet Prince Charming
21. Stay up to date with current events and become an informed voter (go Obama)
22. Improve my Spanish
23. Smile everyday and realize how lucky I am

With the day so young (and me one year older), I am looking forward to the proximal celebrations, including a trip to the Moma to visit the Frida Kahlo exhibit with friends followed by dinner and cake with my brothers. And tomorrow will be another dinner event (Thai food) with some of my newest and closest friends and whatever other festivities we can fit into the evening.

I suppose I have created an ambitious list. Above all, I hope 23 is another year of discovery and learning and less of the enigma it has been cut out to be.

Time will tell. For now, it is time to cease the day and live it to the fullest.

Happy Birthday!