VCMC here I come! And, Medical Acupuncture in Pittsburgh!

Hi everyone! So, I haven't blogged much after I got back from Cambodia... man, I've just been so busy. So, good news... I have matched to my number 1 choice for a broad spectrum family medicine residency program at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). I fell in love with 2 programs: VCMC and In His Image (IHI). There are both very unique programs and have strengths that are unmatched by any other programs out there. I love both of them, however, after careful consideration and prayers, I have chosen to rank VCMC #1 and IHI #2. I know I will love either one. God had open the door for me to go to VCMC.

So, on Match Day (3/19), I was on a plane to Pittsburgh for my 2nd clinical week of my Medical Acupuncture training. It was such an awesome week there. I learned so much and do feel pretty comfortable with needling and most of the concepts and metaphors of Chinese Medicine and treatment through acupuncture. I can see that there are many practical uses for patients that conventional western medicine does not have answers to. I am excited to incorporate both in my treatment of patients.

Here are some pictures of my trip there... enjoy! Keep tuned in for pictures from Costa Rica... I am going there next week! I will be gone for 1 week and will hike into the Jungle to bring medicine to the Bribri people. Please pray for me and the team.

Sun setting over Pittsburgh on Mt Washington! What a view. Pittsburgh is known as the 'city of bridges'... man, they weren't kidding.

The famous Duquesne Incline... it used to transport worker and material up and down Mt Washington. Now, it is a ride that anyone can take. All aboard!

Beautiful night scene from the top of Mt. Washington. I also ate a very good dinner at a restaurant "Georgetown Inn" at the top that gave me the same view! It was awesome. I had to celebrate that night, because that was the night I found out that I got matched to my first choice of FM residency at Ventura County Medical Center! I had dinner with Jesus. It was very serene.

Having dinner at Pimanti Brother's sandwich (stack of beef, fries, and coleslaw) with my roommate Dave and my friend Valeska. We also got some 'bubble tea' at an Asian restaurant.

A church and the 'Cathedral of Learning.' There is a room on the top I heard is really neat, but I didn't have time to see it this time.

Me and a statue of Christopher Colombus! I took about 1 hr before I had to go to the airport on the last day to visit the famous conservatory. It was very pretty!

I didn't know pineapples grew out of a stalk! Each 'spikes' on the side is a bunch of flowers, and the green 'top' is a complete 'seed' to a new plant. You can just chop that green top off and plant it! I think I might try it.

Every room in this conservatory is completely temperature, moisture and sunlight regulated. All the blinds and shades are computer controlled. Amazing place!