It has been a long time...

You know, I first created this blog to sort out things in my head... I guess now I am busy enough that thoughts my head just constantly gets buried. I really miss blogging. However, my most recent development is my knowledge, skills, perception, and depth of understanding when it comes to osteopathy. I've recently went to the Cranial Osteopathy course and the Cranial conference by the American Cranial Academy. I had so many new revelations there and met so many very interesting people... which made my time very enjoyable there.

I loved getting to know some individuals deeply and connecting in various ways that are quite unusual for me, but in ways that spoke to my heart and soul. I felt that there were definitely magical moments that will treasure in my heart for a long time... they are definitely imprinted in my journey to become a better osteopathic physician. My love for osteopathy grows tremendously every day! Now, I am seeing and approaching my patients with such a different and refreshing perspective, that I even get refreshed each time I think that way.

I also love the modern practice of medicine and surgery, and enjoyed learning that, but, the addition of osteopathic principles give all of it a spunk!

Another thing I started to do is the idea of grounding... more contact time with nature and earth. Connecting in nature. I started going down to the beach and walk and meditate in the ocean waters before work. Just of few times a week makes me feel refreshed and centered. I get to pray, sing, think about our Father's love for us, and appreciate the rhythm of God's wonderful creation, which our existance are intertwined in.

I love it... living the life... time of peace and connection, with those around me, and with my family and my Creator.

Moab, Utah

Wow, has it really been 3 months since my last blog?! I must be having too much fun in residency! This year has really flew by fast! I only have 5 more weeks left. I have 2 vacations during these last few weeks, and the first one is to Moab... here is my story:

Far far away from residency and the beach and home, I have found myself in the midst of a ton of red rock formations. The stress and fast pace of residency seemed to be a million mile away, 783 miles to be exact. Why did I come? AWLS! Advanced Wilderness Life Support course. This course taught me how to do wilderness patient assessment, treatment, and rescue. A short list of topics are: avalanche, climbing, altitude sickness, infections, burns, lighting, drowning, fractures/dislocations, bites and stings, water disinfection, hypo/hyperthermia, frostbites, ENT, and lots of hands on wilderness scenarios...

Our teachers consist of 3 ER docs in the special forces in the Army, a couple of docs who are professional rescuers, and other Wilderness Medical Society members. We learned in the classroom and out in the field. We also had a few evening sessions taught by various experts... one of note is Greg Child, who is a world expert climber and mountaineer. He did a presentation of his climb on K2 in 1990. Imagine being on 28000 feet climbing without ropes or oxygen! He is definitely of a different genetic make up than I.


A picture of K2, bordering Pakistan and China... the 2nd tallest peak in the world.

Pictures of Arches National Park:
So, of course, when I am not in class, this is where I am... I hiked 12.5 miles in Arches the first day and then few more the other days, and end with 3 hours of hike in the Fiery Furnance on my last day there. Here are some pictures...

The Landscape Arch, longest one, longer than the football field and only about 6 feet thick at the thinnest spot. Kept going on this hike took me to the Partition Arch that gave me 2 beautiful window views to the vally below.

Walking on top of a 'fin'... these verticle sheet of red rock are called fins... the tops of these fins are made of sand stone and the base layer is something harder and less water penetrable. So, as water travel from top to bottom through the middle of the sand stone, it gets collected at the bottom and eventually erode away a 'puddle' of sand stone forming an Arch.

The Delicate Arch: unofficial symbol of Utah. It is very tall!

Driving around, I found and will name this one the Whale Rock! And my camp.

Petroglyphs, or rock art, are found in various places on the canyon walls. Some are of styles that are consistant with time periods between 5,500 BC to 1,880 AD. Here I am point to a picture of a woman giving birth...

More rock art and a pair of dinosaur foot tracks... interesting?!

Continue on... here is a Mesa Arch at Canyonlands, and Double Arch at Arches.

"Islands in the Sky" at Canyonlands National Park.

Biking at Slickrock Trail:

In between, I did at 12.7 mile bike ride in Slickrock Trail... This is what is posted at the trailhead: "The Slickrock Trail is physically demanding and technically difficult. Although the main trail is 'only' about 12.7 miles long (out and back to the trailhead), you should allow 4 to 5 hours to complete the trail. Riders should also be aware that there is no bike route more challenging in the entire Moab area. Injuries are fairly common here; unfortunately, some of them have been quite serious. The Slickrock Trail is to be approached with respect."

Coolest offroad vehicle! Ever!

Me and the snowcapped LaSal mountains behind me; also the Colorado River...

My Action Shots...

Hiking inside the Fiery Furnace at Arches. I named this the "Thumb Up" rock... you see it?

Wedged in the crack...

Surprise Arch and the Goggle Arch... just right around the corner of this hike...

Lastly, we cannot leave without talking about this Cryptobiotic Soil... These little bumps are made up of cyanobacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms. It creates a structure to hold water and moister and produces nitrogen fixation so the plants can grow in the desert sand. Without it, there would be no obvious life. So, don't step on it! This patch probably is about 250 years old!

So, I hope you've enjoyed my pictures... I am determined to learn more about wilderness rescue and my role as the medical provider. Stay tuned...

The BEST SNOW on Earth --- Utah!

Ok, seriously, Utah?! Yeah, the "greatest snow on Earth." I wasn't sure how it is going to compare to the French Alps, such as Val d'Isere and Espace Killy, but, let me tell you, I was impressed! 2 friends, Michelle and Adam, and I warmed up at Brighton and then progressed to Snowbird and then Solitude. We snowboarded for 3 straight days and then wrapped it up with one day of cross country skiing at the Nordic Center at Solitude!


Snowbird is the hardest terrain I have ever snowboarded in... I wish I am better... I wish I can fly off the trail like a bird... I wish I can work the moguls... I wish I can telemark these trails...

Solitude really is solitude. There are less people here and the runs are wide and groomed. We spent a day here to our hearts' content and then another day at the Nordic Center learning how to cross country ski. So, learning the freedom of cross country ski, with the glide motion, and skiing on bent knees made me wanted to learn how to TELEMARK...


So, this is my next goal. I am gonna learn how to do this. This looks so cool and almost like flying... so free. If you want to see what I will be doing when I master this, here is the video (click on the pictures above to see some videos of it). Doesn't that looks so much fun?!

Here are some pictures of our trip:

My personal record: 11 thousand feet and 4 degrees F, on top of SNOWBIRD!

Thanks to Adam, who took these pictures...

My ride: Lib Tech Banana Technology with Magna Traction and some Burton Cartel bindings and boots.

Making snow angel on my 'pillow top feather snow bed'

'Hidden Peak' on top of SNOWBIRD: 11 thousand feet and 4 degrees!

Michelle and I taking the tram down after a long day, while Adam is shredding down some double diamond unmarked clift.

Learning and falling on the frozen lake... withe my cross country ski teacher, Bonnie.

Michelle and Adam skiing in style!

Racing into the village... come catch me if you can!

The signs says "Watch out for Moose," and here are some Moose tracks... I think we are close... I think its watching us!

All I have to say is: WE WILL BE BACK!