Eddie Walker

Winter

It's definitely winter here in So. Cal...the rain has been relentless...I think we are officially out of our drought...The rain will persist through March...Well, it won't persist, however, it will continue to remind us that summer won't completely arrive until April...The rain titillates the deep roots of the sparse foliage that composes our brown landscape...The inherent nourishing qualities of the simple hydrogen and oxygen compound forces the flowers to smile...How is it that the lilies of the field show more gratitude toward their maker than I ever could? I am sure that if I was a farmer the arrival of precipitation would be much more appreciated...It's fine...I can spend endless hours playing guitar, blogging, listening to jazz, and drinking obscene amounts of coffee.

South Park: The Living Home

Last night was very cool...I was able to hang out with the Evans' family (and friends) for Jason's 30th b-day...I wish I could spend more time down there with them...I should probably start praying for doors to open so that I can enjoy their company in larger quantities...It's been a long time since I have really been able to sit in a leather couch as a sophist...talking story...cruisin' on the boss, etc. I haven't had the chance to read or discuss thoughts on theology and the post-modern church...It would suffice to say that I miss my spiritual family deeply...I would like to be more committed to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jason spoke very kind and gentle words about all of us that were in attendance...He is very eloquent...I believe that if there was one man that I knew to be meek it would be Jason...The Spirit of God is truly upon him...I suppose that I love being in his presence because as his cup runneth over-I sneak under and catch whatever run off is available...

Reflections:

I had a lot of time to myself on Monday...So I wrote this poem that I would like to share with all of you...it's silly, but I think that most all of my low-maintenance, easy-to-please friends could use this poem next year for good ole V-Day...Feel free to adjust the lines as appropriate for your own situation...This is very pliable.

Cheesy Poem:

Here's a few lines
To discuss all our good times
Your horizontal smile
And your sweatshirt and jeans style

I'm glad we're united
And I hope your delighted
To share some space
And your smiling face

You are such a joy
To this simple boy
There's only one last verse
So I'll make it terse

Would you like to share some wine?
And won't you please, Oh won't you please be my Valentine?!

I read a blog I wrote from last Valentine's Day...I realized that I have done a very poor job in spreading the Love of Jesus around all year long...I have a friend Nate that is in Beirut (sp?) and has been traveling around that area as a missionary...I am a little jealous...I suppose I am still waiting to find out what my role truly is within the Kingdom of God...I think that at this point in time when I feel as though there is little to "do" I should be in continual prayer for my brothers and sisters that are doing.

My Benediction (bene: good; diction:word choice- a good word):

May God bless you all this day...May you be involved with Him intimately...and may all you see inspire you to live radically within the context of His unconditional and unfailing Love...Practical Application: give some one a card and let them know how much they mean to you...or speak some words of encouragement...and whatever you do, DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT!! (this is my new catch phrase).

posted by Unknown @ 1:03 PM 3 comments

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I found this...I found it to be insightful...

Valentine’s Day Advance Placement Cliff’s Notes
Okay. So I’m about to get real busy and then chase that flurry of hurry with a healthy dose of rest and relaxation, which means I may not open my computer for a solid week or so as I’ll be lost in paradise somewhere on a private tropical island in the central pacific with my imaginary Victoria’s secret model girlfriend. With that in mind I’m leaving the mainland with this advanced statement for those seeking Valentine’s Day advice.

If you’re like the former me, you’re having trouble coming to terms with the holiday around the corner. You’re wondering what you should do for your significant other, what you should buy. And I say if this is you, you’re wasting your time. Valentine’s Day is to be shared and if your partner is expecting something from you to keep the game going then they suck. If you’ve done something wrong and you think you’re big dinner plans for this Valentine’s Day are going to save your relationship than you’re still wrong. Valentine’s day is about the celebration between two people and everything they understand about each other. It is a day reserved like any other. It is one day. But it’s a day with its emphasis on appreciation. The best thing you can give your lover or long time friend is your undivided attention. Place your hands in theirs and look them in the eyes and give them a straight answer.

If you’re happily married and you already celebrate each other’s companionship daily, well, I don’t quite know what to tell you. I would say do something to surprise the other. How so? Do the opposite of your daily routine. If you watch a lot of TV, don’t. If they always make dinner, you do it. If you always drive, let them drive. If you always have to shave their back, let them do it. Carry on with life as you always would, but put yourself in their shoes for a few hours to learn more about how they contribute to the courtship.
Here are a few more specific tips to prepare for the upcoming showcase showdown.

Guys:
WAKE AND BAKE.Get up early. Girls love breakfast in bed. If she has to work, wake her up in time to enjoy it. She’ll only be grumpy for a few minutes. If you don’t have a kitchen or time to cook because you’re a lazy-ass, then take her to a local hotel the night before and order room service and treat the both of you. Besides, strange places are always the kinkiest.

FLOWER POWER.People say flowers are over-rated. This is only said by those who are uncomfortable buying flowers because of other issues. Flowers put a smile on every woman’s face and will do the same for you when you get home from work and you see the same flowers at the dinner table and then later by the bed. She will remember who loves her all day long and she’ll see them and feel pretty and think she smells good because she’ll be smelling the flowers instead of that knock-off perfume you got her for Christmas.

DETAIL.So you’ve given her flowers, your honest hand and a straight answer. You still need to make her giddy all day because you paid attention to detail. -Send a postcard today that will arrive in time for Valentine’s Day. *Write something nice on it.-Leave little notes in all her usual spots, i.e. the coffee pot, the porcelain pot, the drivers’ seat of her car, the cat, your boxer shorts, etc. *Write something nice.-Make a mix tape/cd with all your favorite love making songs for her to listen to all day and attach a note that asks her to save you a dance later. Dancing can be done anywhere; in the carport, in the kitchen, on the roof, it doesn’t matter, just don’t promise her you’ll dance with her and then not. She’ll hold it over you head the rest of the year. You’ll be sorry.

-Give her a bath. Not one with you in it, but draw the bath for her. Light candles. Drop in some flower petals. Use salts. Then leave. Deep down she wants to be alone. She works hard to put up with you as it is. Besides, this will give you time alone for online gambling or finishing that jig-saw puzzle you worked on all day long while she was at work. -And whatever you do, don’t tell her you got your tips from this website. She’ll think you’re gay.-If you are gay, the same rule applies. Pretend you thought long and hard about this without any help.

*If you’re completely hopeless and/or retarded, here are a few suggestions to write on the aforementioned notes/postcards. If your handwriting sucks, I give you my permission to print this out and paste it onto the parchment. Cut this section out so you won’t give away the fact that you found it online. Parchment by the way is a nice word for paper.

- You make me smile. (My personal favorite.)- Without you, I’d probably be in jail by now.- I love the way you love One Life to Live. - I love how you reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable earth future.- Buenos dias con amore. Lavese los manos. (Girls love a foreign tongue.)

Or use song lyrics…
- I’m yours. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. (If you’re 4.)Hike up your skirt a little more and show your world to me. (For advanced couples only)I adore mi amore. (I repeat: Girls love the foreign language.)Drop it like it’s hot.

Girls:
The best thing you can do for your fella is to just let him be. He won’t know what to do without you nagging him incessantly. In fact, don’t do anything. I mean, really, does he deserve it? Let him watch TV. Let him look at porn on the Internet. Just don’t let him leave the house without you. This may be a night where you give him some peace, but it doesn’t mean he can have his peace and eat it too. He’s not to go out with the boys and forget about you because you did nothing for him. He’s to learn at home exactly what you do for him everyday. You’re distance will drive him nuts. And then just before he’s about to cry or storm out of the house, take him by the hand, look him in the eye, capture his calming heart, then kick him square in the frontal intersection of his pants and tell him if he ever tries to leave you it won’t be your foot he’s coming in contact with next time. Boys are stupid. Sometimes they need to be reminded of this. I speak on behalf of all stupid boys when I say it is you who makes this relationship work. If he hasn’t left already, you’re doing something right. Take this time to torture him for the fun sake of torturing another.

-Whatever you do, don’t dare tell him that you heard this from me. I don’t need your boyfriend waiting in the alley after the show. In fact, don’t bring your boyfriend to the show next time. There are five other guys onstage with me dying to be your boyfriend that night.

Loners:
Take yourself to the movies. Do something alone. Cherish the solitude and all the popcorn you can eat. Or go to dinner alone and then leave a note for the waiter/waitress. Let them know that someone is thinking of them this Valentine’s Day and that you’ll wait by their car when they get off work. This might creep them out but it’ll be your pleasure since you’ll be home asleep long before they have to be escorted to their car later that night in fear of you.

I hope this helps. If you need me I’ll be in Hawaii, a long, long, long way away from your problems.
Peace and love and better understanding,

Well that was it...hope you enjoyed it...If you don't have an inamorato (on this V-Day of sorts) then just know that I am thinkin' of ya'...P.S. It's J. Evans birthday...go to http://www.thelivinghome.com/ and post a comment that reflects the joyous occasion of him turning 30!

Much Love,

Edward

posted by Unknown @ 11:27 AM 3 comments

The Novella...


Warning: There are many components of this blog that may cause nausea, boredom, or narcolepsy...Read at your own risk!!!! (This isn't very creative due to the amount of information that needed to be dispensed).

In order to speed things a long I suggest reading the headings to this blog, it might make things a bit easier since I haven't written anything in four long weeks.


The Funeral

The funeral went well...The wake was a little tough...I found out on Thursday evening (the night I arrived in Tucson) the way in which my grandfather passed on...It was not nearly the peaceful portrayal that had been described to me on Monday...I was thankful that no one had informed me of the correct details...this would have made my trip to Philly much more difficult...Apparently he hit his head on the end of a table...We think he might have tried to get up, but no one was there to help him...I had originally thought that he died in his sleep...The details are of little consequence now. The Eulogy was a success...I told some stories that highlighted, accented, and underscored the greater components that made Eddie Gallego who he was...I discussed three reasons for our attendance at his funeral: (1) the legacy he left with those who knew him (2)rejoicing in his new home (being reunited with his wife, family, friends, and most importantly Jesus Christ and (3) we were there to mourn, we were there to mourn for those who never knew Eddie Gallego.

Seeing all of my cousins was odd...they are considerably older than I am, however, I think that we all truly enjoyed one another for the first time in 15 years.


The INTERVIEW

So my interview went off without a hitch. It was a nice relaxing day. I arrived on Tuesday night...I exited the plane and through a series of questions to random individuals and a little bit of walking and public transportation...I found myself at Jefferson...I met the guys with whom I would be staying and in my usual outgoing and quasi-casual fashion I chatted about life in PA. We then went out for one of my top three favorite meals...Beer and hot wings...Apparently it is a tradition amongst this pod of med students...On arriving to the pub they commenced in a drinking game...This was slightly embarrassing for a 24 year old to witness...(I think part of my embarrassment was due to the fact that I played these types of games as a boy). Yet they were content and I dare not disturb their few hours of enjoyment...The next day was brisk...I had a leisurely breakfast...Groomed myself and went to the interview...There were about 30-40 of us in board room...we then were met by the Dean of Admissions, then the director of Admissions, and then financial Aid (Yeah, Jefferson Medical College is $58,000 a year...ouch). After this we had our informal student interview...and after that was our talk with the Student liaisons. This was followed by a tour of the campus...after that was our formal faculty interview.

I met with the head of Minority Affairs (I am a Chicano). He was really cool...he asked me about myself so I gave him some tid bits to chew on (these aren't as tasty as bacon bits)...Then we talked basketball, about Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson...from here we discussed music...Then he asked me about my family life, which led into a discussion on racism (don't ask, it's complicated)...From here he asked me about why my application looked light on shadowing doctors and hospital experience (apparently they overlooked the fact that I work in a hospital, side-by-side with doctors daily). I gave him a terse and speedy overview...He then said as far as he was concerned the interview was over...He told me I could stay if I liked to talk a little bit more...I then asked him a few questions...and continued to chat for about 5-10 minutes. After that I said, "Is there anything else that you would like to ask me?" To which he replied, "OH, PLEASE!" I was taken aback...He said, "I've seen this application...You struggled your first couple of years, but then really pulled it together at the end...You persevered...You attended four schools to complete your undergraduate education...Oh, please. I've seen all I need to see." I then stood up and thanked him for his time. He responded with, "Thank you for coming in today, it's been fun." Needless to say, I left on cloud 9.

The Friends

Cloud 9 looked much like Matt Hoffman's car...He came and picked me up from Jefferson and I was able to break bread and catch up with the Hoffmans. Jealous? It was a blast and Priscilla made the most amazing dinner...I had never been to New Jersey and I am not convinced that much has changed. I then left early in the morning and went to Tucson...I love having friends all over the U.S.

The Work Place

Another funny story from the pathology kid...So I went down to one of our other facilities a couple weeks ago (the name of the facility is Pomerado)...It was my first time working in this lab so things work a little differently...By "things" I mean the garbage disposal isn't as nice...There's a hood in the lab for the formalin container because they don't have vents lining the walls, etc...So as our routine dictates we did placentas in the morning and then proceeded to gross in the other specimens on their arrival.

We were working with Doctor Castillo, a jovial fellow...He's like a Filipino version of Santa Clause...As most Filipino's he has no hair on his face (and in his case on his head either)...He is a portly gentleman with a large grin and spectacles that rise to his forehead with the bulging of his cheeks...(this is a little hyperbolic in case you didn't notice).

Anyways, we received a colon late in the day...Castillo let me cut the colon open...we think it was ischemic...This means there's not an adequate amount of blood flow...the tissue then becomes necrotic and that portion of the colon is no longer viable...when this occurs you have an obstruction...Translation: YOU CAN'T POOP! So I cut open the colon and what should flop out? Dookie...lots of dookie...I wash this foul smelling excrement down the drain and hand the colon back to Dr. Castillo.

About an hour later we finish our smaller specimens and are ready to conclude our day...Dr. Castillo is sitting in his chair at the cutting table...Placing the final cassette lid on our final skin specimen of the afternoon. Jennifer and I begin cleaning the lab in preparation for the following day...I pour soapy water down the drain and then turn the garbage disposal on with a flick of a switch...

Like a geyser water leaps from the mouth of the garbage disposal...I am not sure if it was a like a geyser or an erupting volcano, however, the soapy water that was expelled was mixed with shit, blood, and who knows what else...I can envision the people of Pompeii reacting in a similar fashion...Filled with trepidation, desperate for shelter but paralyzed by fear (this is a pretty bland statement, nothing creative came to mind)...I turned to Jennifer on my right...Astonished I simply said, "Did you see that?" She nodded in the affirmative. I then looked to my left to see why Dr. Castillo was silent on the subject. There was Dr. Castillo, looking up at me with pain in his eyes...His lips had been sealed with a large portion of soapy, poopy, bloody water. With each bubble that burst came an aroma resembling that of a stale fart. He tried to mumble something...but I simply burst into laughter...I apologized between the deep gasps I had to take to replenish my oxygen supply...

There are a few more major things that have occurred in the last couple of weeks...I will write about them later this week...some of which can only be described with a picture...I'll have to discuss my trip up to Cambria and Morro Bay...That area is amazing...Just a few little things...

Thanks

Thank you all for your prayers concerning the funeral and the interview...Concerning medical school I have been placed on the wait list at Jefferson...This is supposed to be just a holding place...Apparently they pull people off the wait list all the time so I have to send some more info. to the school concerning my desire to go there etc. I have been rejected at a really prestigious school that shall remain nameless (no surprise)...I really only have one shot left at staying here in Cali. and that's USC...Ya know...the College Football National Champions...So keep praying...OSU offered me an application to their Post-baccalaureate program...for those of you that don't know this isn't the best of news...It means I won't get an interview to their medical school...I would have to attend this Post-Bac program for a year before I would have the opportunity to get in...Fairly disappointing...The long and short of it is...I still have 13 schools left to hear from...And I hope that good news is on the way...It's been very hard to stay positive and faithful...I know that God has a plan and I don't know what it is...But it doesn't matter what I do as long as I am within the palm of his hand...

As a great man once said, "I believe that good things come to those who wait."

Love ya' all keep praying and I hope to blog again soon...And for those of you who don't know...I just found out another friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer...please keep him and his family in your prayers...

posted by Unknown @ 1:29 PM 1 comments