With a Little Help from My Friends

Thursday afternoon involved some heavy rains in Houston and a practice practical in Neurology. The test was a good gauge of how studying was going- I'm not completely clueless, but there is room for improvement. I will say, though, the CNS is a pretty interesting and complicated part of the human body. After the mock test, I decided to unwind by attending the opening for the latest installation at the Menil. Entitled "Measuring Your Own Grave," the eerie exhibition features the erotic work of contemporary artist Marlene Dumas. Thanks to my subscription to the Houston Chronicle (getting the paper makes me feel so adult), I read a brief article about the opening and decided to go.After months of amicable fragmentation, my study group reunited for a dinner at Joseph's place. We met his lovely sister Kate, ate zesty homemade pizza, and played Apples to Apples (inexplicably, newcomer Kate dominated both rounds!). Then I brought my special ice cream pie concoction out of the freezer only to find that hours at sub-zero temperatures had not thickened the sorry soup. Alas, we slurped down the fruitless dessert (pun!), as my trooper friends donned feigned smiles of approval.My Rice friend, Sarah, and I met up for dinner on Saturday evening. We tested out Pink's Pizza as part of her restaurant reviewing gig with My Table. Sarah also writes for the Examiner, works for CultureMap, and canvases for the upcoming census. Busy girl! The pizza was unique and scrumptious but entirely too filling.Immediately after ingesting copious amounts of pizza and cheesy bread, I waddled next door to PJ's Sports Bar. It was there that Brandi celebrated her 24th birthday to the music of her twin brother's band, the HoodRatz. Pretty good for a trio of dental school students.After church I went to Sunday brunch with former Rice roommate Teresa at Empire Cafe. I am a huge fan of the Italian Toast. I am also a huge fan of catching up with Teresa who is enjoying grad school, her cats, her boyfriend Dane, and being outdoorsy as usual. Once the food coma subsided following an afternoon nap, it was time to study study study.

Great Forces Unite (almost)

March 26, 2009

To the faculties, staffs and students of Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University:

We are pleased to announce that the governing boards of Rice and BCM this week approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding that lays out a broad framework for formal negotiations about a possible merger of our two institutions.

While no decision on a merger has yet been made and many issues remain to be resolved, our boards have concluded that a closer affiliation has abundant potential benefits for both institutions, as well as for our home city of Houston. Months of informal discussions have confirmed that the missions and aspirations of our two institutions are in fact closely aligned, that both institutions would benefit in many ways from a merger and that, together, Rice and BCM could be one of the world's leading research universities.

The MOU framework will allow us to systematically and thoroughly move ahead with the next stage of discussions. Over the next few months, we will seek to address issues and concerns that have surfaced from those discussions, and we will continue to solicit input from members of our respective communities. The success of a merger, or any closer affiliation, will also depend significantly on how effectively we plan for and manage its implementation.

Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University are institutions of distinction that bring great achievements and greater potential to such a merger. Each is known throughout the world for contributions to important areas of human knowledge and service. Both are entering this conversation closely attentive to the importance of sustaining that which is great, inspired by the possibilities of expanded distinction and contribution, respectful of our values and traditions, and committed to our responsibilities to Houston and the broader society.

Thank you for the suggestions and insights that have helped shape our discussions so far. We continue to welcome your ideas going forward.

William T. Butler, M.D.
Interim President
Baylor College of Medicine

David W. Leebron
President
Rice University PS- Happy birthday Dad! (symbolic, celebratory raspberry rhubarb pie)

Fancy Feasts

On Wednesday afternoon, Tiffany and I took a trip to the Houston Rodeo for some carnival fun. Immediately after we entered the sea of ten-gallon hats and cowboy boots, Tiffany made a beeline for the funnel cakes.While we made room in our stomachs for more deep-fried food, we took a peek at all the animals. Rabbits, cows, and baby chicks, oh my! I saw an egg hatch for the second time in my life. The first time (also at the Houston Rodeo) allowed me to cross off #15 on my life list.It wouldn't be the Houston Rodeo without some Texas longhorns. As you can see, Tiffany was really excited to show her Texas pride. I never got a chance to milk a cow (#72 on the life list), but there's always next year!By then, we were ready to hit the food booths with gluttonous gusto. We shared an enormous turkey drumstick, some fried alligator, and a fried Snickers. Positively sinful.We came across a big stash of Idaho potatoes, and the tubers brought me back to my roots. After pausing for a photo op, I continued on my mission for a caramel apple. Success! Then Tiffany had a blue raspberry sno-cone. We topped the evening off with a bag of cotton candy. Let's just say, I haven't eaten since!And now- I brag. Check out my smart little kitty and his expert obedience.

Eight Days a Week

On Tuesday evening, Brandi and I went to a Rice alumni reception at Tudor Fieldhouse. We heard about the state of the University "in this economy" (a phrase I am SICK of hearing). President Leebron admitted that changes had to be made but that the future was looking pretty bright for Rice in general. Applications are going up; admissions are going up; tuition is going up. I guess it's a good time to be an almuna, no? Icing on the social cake: Beerbike next weekend. RSVP: undecided.The Rice love continued with the much-anticipated arrival of Jenn Howse. On spring break from med school at Wake Forest, she celebrated her birthday with her beloved fiance Robert and a smattering of Houston friends. She also gave me the scoop on her December wedding, which is sure to be a blast. Then, she surprised me by asking me to be a bridesmaid! Of course, I said yes and then called home to share the good news. Mom gets best quote of the week with her poignant reply:

• Mom- "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."
• Becky- "What?! You don't think I'll get married?"
• Mom- "Of course you will! A lot of people get married in their late 40s."

Sigh. Sometimes I wish mother wasn't always right.Friday the 13th marked a significant change in my luck- thankfully, for the better. After two swings and misses at the plate of Ben Taub's L&D, I went in for my third attempt at delivering a baby. As they say, third time's the charm; I caught my first baby! I had the opportunity to man the foot of the bed practically solo. I also had two delivery assists, caught three placenta, watched two C-sections, and experienced a bonus third C-section for the delivery of twins! I guess when it rains, it pours. Actually, I mean that literally. "It" was a projectile gush of amniotic fluid "pouring" all over my leg as a woman's bag of waters ruptured, and I was caught in the crosshairs. Guess what I did Saturday?Laundry. I finally got around to cleaning up around the house a bit this weekend. My bathroom got an organizational face lift. It's so pretty, I almost posted a picture, but who really wants to see my neatly organized toilet paper and feminine products? I also dropped my battered bike off at a repair place in the Heights. It was getting downright dangerous tootling around on my bike with its squeaky breaks, rusted chain, and non-shifting gears. Hopefully, I will be back at racing speed in no time (that would be racing to beat the clock and get to school in time for 8am lectures). More good news- after church today I also got a steal of a deal at Walgreens. With a careful combination of shopping the sales, stockpiling coupons (store & manufacturer), and timing my purchases perfectly, I walked out of the store with all of the items pictured above for... 69 cents! I paid the balance with a giftcard I have from previous rebates (balance remaining: $27.87), plus I got a $6 coupon to use toward my next purchase. How could I possibly have any better news than that, you ask? Well, I do! CHELSEY Morss Alberts will be making her maiden voyage to Houston at the end of block 5. Good thing I've already started to clean!!

Fun and Games

As Block 5 started revving its engines, I took a pit stop this weekend and enjoyed a lovely night at the ballet on Friday. The Houston Ballet promised that I would "applaud every breathtaking movement" of Marie in its world premiere. The life of Marie Antoinette inspired this full-length ballet by artistic director Stanton Welch. While it was impressive, I maintained full control of my breath the entire night. Peppered with many not-so-subtle innuendos, the first act centered around Marie and Louis XVI's struggle to consummate the marriage. Overflowing with opulence, the second act featured scenes of gaiety and frivolity around Versailles until the angry peasants broke up the party. The incredibly slow, dreary third act belabored Marie's march to her death by the guillotine. Overall, I enjoyed the costumes, the chorus numbers in the first act, the lovers' dances in the second act (video above), and the fact that the third act finally ended (ouch!).

Friday night festivities continued with a beer and game of bocce ball at Hans' Bierhaus in the Rice Village. Though Tiffany and Ryan clearly outperformed Joseph and me, we ended up winning somehow (perhaps out of pity). Tiffany, Ryan, and I wrapped up the night with a cutthroat game of darts, which really wasn't a game so much as an attempt to 'hit the bull's eye.' Very sophisticated game.

On Saturday I had my picture taken for the church directory. Taking a solo picture was quite an odd experience. Hmm. Weird.

Big Balla

Finally, I have returned to the world of blogging; rising like a phoenix from the ashes of Block 4 tests. Despite my dramatized simile, the tests were pretty intense. Two anatomy tests, a pharmacology test, and a pathology test were all under my belt by Wednesday afternoon. Thursday involved re-reading the entire immunology textbook, scouring all the clinical correlation cases, and reviewing my brick of notes in preparation for Friday's beast of an exam.

Saturday and Sunday were my days of rest- too short to call a "vacation." I watched Arrested Development on Friday and went shopping with Brandi on Saturday. Charity Ball was Saturday night, which proved to be a very fun, formal time of mixing, mingling, dancing, and drinking. I rallied on Sunday to go to church and help out with the 1st/2nd grade Sunday School class. Errands and household chores filled the rest of my time before classes started again on Monday. Blocks 5 and 6 will feature infectious disease, neurology, behavioral sciences, and ethics.