As I was glancing over my blog postings from the last few months, I realized that I hadn't posted about Sarah's graduation from medical school! Tragic!!!
Sarah ended her four year pursuit of a Jefferson Medical College medical degree on May 28, 2009. The graduation took place in the Kimmel Center, arguably the most beautiful venue for the arts in Philadelphia. Sarah was joined by 100+ fellow graduates who probably spent at least two of the last four years studying or learning in the hospital. Sarah's parents, sister Elizabeth, and I were the privileged ones to receive Sarah's four tickets for the ceremony.
It was quite something to experience all these students recite the Hippocratic Oath together and for them to officially become known as "doctors." There was much rejoicing!!!
We were all so proud of Sarah. She worked so hard to get this degree in order to help people with their medical issues. One of the reasons I am proud of her is her pursuit of primary care--specially family practice medicine. While not as well respected on the East Coast in terms of prestige and paycheck, she wants to be a family doctor to develop relationships with her patients and their families to foster better care for their health. The emphasis on preventative medicine and health education makes family practice the closest an MD will ever be to a teacher! Or maybe I'm just biased.
Thursday, July 30
Thursday, July 23
City Hall surprise!
Monday afternoon, my parents and I took a tour of Philadelphia's City Hall. The building is extremely ornate, with more carvings inside and outside of it than any other building! It's also the largest city hall in the country; when it was designed, it was the tallest building in the world. (during its 30 year construction, the Washington Monument and Eiffel Tower overtook it...but they aren't "buildings")
About 20 minutes into our tour, we were outside the SE quadrant admiring the statue of William Penn. Suddenly, people started flooding out the doors. The fire alarm was going off! Much to our dismay, we waited outside for about 25 minutes as all 700 rooms were evacuated, the fire department was dispatched, and order restored.
While we were waiting, we noticed several cars parked in front of the building. An off-duty police office who was touring with us said that they were the mayor's cars, and that he worked in the very quadrant we were in front of. Sure enough, Mayor Michael Nutter decended the steps and walked safely into the crowd around us! After some coaxing from my dad, my mother and I walked up to him, shook his hand, and talked with him for a bit. He was very friendly--despite all the PA budget issues--and was willing to pose for pictures.
Our tour soon resumed, and we dashed in and out of several gorgeous rooms before ending at the tower: a 22-story elevator that takes visitors directly under Penn approximately 500 feet in the air. What a view!
We managed to make it to the top and down before our parking meter ran out. Thankfully, the tour guide refunded our money due to the tour interruption. It was a City Hall tour unlike any other!
About 20 minutes into our tour, we were outside the SE quadrant admiring the statue of William Penn. Suddenly, people started flooding out the doors. The fire alarm was going off! Much to our dismay, we waited outside for about 25 minutes as all 700 rooms were evacuated, the fire department was dispatched, and order restored.
While we were waiting, we noticed several cars parked in front of the building. An off-duty police office who was touring with us said that they were the mayor's cars, and that he worked in the very quadrant we were in front of. Sure enough, Mayor Michael Nutter decended the steps and walked safely into the crowd around us! After some coaxing from my dad, my mother and I walked up to him, shook his hand, and talked with him for a bit. He was very friendly--despite all the PA budget issues--and was willing to pose for pictures.
Our tour soon resumed, and we dashed in and out of several gorgeous rooms before ending at the tower: a 22-story elevator that takes visitors directly under Penn approximately 500 feet in the air. What a view!
We managed to make it to the top and down before our parking meter ran out. Thankfully, the tour guide refunded our money due to the tour interruption. It was a City Hall tour unlike any other!
Wednesday, July 22
Parents to Philly
This weekend, our De Boer parents came to Philadelphia. We had perfect weather for it! Our fun events included eating outdoors multiple times, touring City Hall, going on an Old Original Walking Tour, watching the Phillies/Cubs game, and reshuffling our living room decorations. Here are a few photos from the fun:
Location:
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Thursday, July 2
Improv Everywhere
Now I've mentioned the fun-loving urban prankster group Improv Everywhere before, but the mastermind just released a new book about his pranks (or "missions"). He was on the Today Show recently promoting it. And yes, this man is still my hero.
This was their latest prank: a random wedding reception for a couple married at City Hall!
This was their latest prank: a random wedding reception for a couple married at City Hall!
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