MRIs, MRAs and Gabapentin

So back in April I started having some sensation issues with the right side of my face along with some muscle twitching. I went to the MD back then and they thought I maybe had shingles without the break out. I got put on Gabapentin (Neurontin) and the symptoms seemed to go away. I was scheduled for an MRI but chose to see if the meds worked first. They did, so fast forward to July and i change jobs and run out of the meds. The symptoms come back and worse. Still no breakout. I finally had the MRI a couple of weeks ago and it turned out basically normal except for some "popcorn calcifications" in the right frontal lobe . There were 2 to be exact. Well, stupid me got on the Internet and typed in MRI and Popcorn calcifications......not a smart thing to do. I freaked myself out because apparently popcorn calcifications are seen in MRIs of people who have either migraines or MS- Multiple Sclerosis.....and I don't have migraines. Yesterday I met with the Neurologist and he walked in a said "You do not have MS." And I didn't even ask him that. I wanted to scream out " PLEASE tell me I don't have MS" when I was walking down the hallway and saw him going into another room, but I refrained. So Yay!!! I do however, they think, have shingles. I am going to have an MRA on the 30th to look at my vascular stuff and a couple of canals. He thinks the original diagnosis was correct and in my case I am just not having the break out, which is great since I do not want blisters on my face. God is great!

Seattle: or should I say Queen Anne

So last week I went to visit my sister and brother in law in Seattle. I used my Honduras ticket since I did not go this year (I will post on that later). Mary and Mark have lived in Seattle for almost 3 years and I have not gone to see them, so I thought that this would be the best time since I had 2 weeks before I started my new job. I flew out last Wed (July 2)and Marked picked me up at the airport. Lets just say that Sea-Tac airport has not mastered the art of the luggage transport from the plane to the carousel. After waiting forever I got my one bag and headed out. Mark to me to see Alki beach. It remined me of Miami beach on a smaller note.We then headed to their apartment. They live in an area called Queen Anne Hill that over looks downtown Seattle. See Wikipedia.
On Thursday we walked around Queen Anne which is seriously straight up and down. It was soo beautiful though. The yards were in full bloom and the weather was just right. There is some amazing lavender growing. I have never seen lavender that tall and thick. I had to educate Mary on Lavender. After the walk we went to Mars Hill Grad school where they are go and to Pike Place Market. We went to the first Starbucks and saw the place where they throw the fish. That night we went to eat with Jeremy and Wells a couple that are friends of M & M's. We headed to a "Kroger" to gets supplies to make potato salad and I was introduced to a really really cool device. The parking garage for the supermarket is below so you have to take an escalator. Well there is a escalator for the buggeys. It reminded me of the a rollar coaster ride. The buggy goes in through some swing metal doors and is pulled forward by a track and is lowered down as you are going down yourself next to it in the people escalator. Its cool.
The 4th we ate breakfast at Pecos. I had eggs with salsa and black beans with corn tortillas .... awesome!! Then we went to a house party at a classmate's of Mark and Mary's and then watched the fireworks from the park above Mark and Mary's apartment. It was so beautiful. It was the first time since 2003 that I have been in the states for the 4th. There were fireworks going off all around the city.
The trip was short but I really enjoyed spending time with them and in Seattle. I already planning a return trip for longer.

WALL-E

I went to see WALL-E the other night. I was a very good movie. For most of the movie there is no talking, which sounds dull, but was not due to the personalities of the robots. I suggest spending the money to see it.

Sex and the City

I love the 'Sex and the City" TV series. Why you ask? Here is why.....I love SATC because it follows 4 friends who stick together and up for each other through it all. They all don't have the same views on life and relationships, but in the end they learn from each other. Plus, and this is a big one, you get to see NYC in the show. Ok, now onto why I started to blog about SATC. I went and dragged Chris with me to see the SATC movie a couple of weeks ago. It was good for a TV series gone big screen, but of course nothing equals the original. Here is what I gained from it. The soundtrack. For those of you who know me know that I love music and different kinds of music. I sometimes even come upon a track or two that I have to put on repeat and drive everyone crazy who is riding with me. So now I have a new one...actually a few. This soundtrack is great. It has stuff from Run DMC to Jennifer Hudson. It has old goodies like "Auld Lane Syne" with a twist. Jennifer Hudson performs a song called " Dressed up in Love." It is a very, totally rad, exceptional performance. It is on repeat on my IPOD. They even put the theme song on steroids and it is just a great piece. So, for those of you out there who do not care about seeing the show or movie at least check out the soundtrack. There are some good work out songs: Fergie's Labels and Love.
Peace out

NKOTB

don't know about ya'll but I am way excited!!!

Block Watch: New Kids on the Block to Reunite
From: MSN Homepage


Following two months of reunion rumors, the five original members of New Kids on the Block made it official Friday with an appearance on NBC's "Today" show.

The group's "Today" segment confirmed the group's plans for both a concert tour and new studio recordings in the climax to a succession of media leaks that began in late June with an item published by People. People's Web site also tipped fans to the "surprise" NKOTB "Today" segment on March 31. Speculation that the Boston-based quintet (comprising Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood and Joey McIntyre) had spread following the earliest leaks.

A major redesign for the group's official Web site added more pronounced weight to the prospect of a rekindled career.

"The fan response to this has been incredible," band member Donnie Wahlberg told the Boston Herald.

Wahlberg said he was convinced to get back together with his former bandmates -- Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood -- when they decided to record new music. Wahlberg said he wrote 80 percent of the new material with McIntyre and Jordan Knight.

"I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material," said Wahlberg, 38.

But he added, "We absolutely will do the old songs for sure."

At the height of their popularity, New Kids sold out world tours, marketed millions of dollars in merchandise and spawned a Saturday morning cartoon.

The group disbanded in 1994. Wahlberg has acted on television and in movies, while Jordan Knight, McIntyre and Wood released solo albums. Jonathan Knight became a real estate developer.

MSN Music has obtained new video interviews with members of the group, as well as a teaser trailer featuring clips of broadcast reactions to the prospect of their return. Conspicuous are giddy reactions from female celebs, including Elisabeth Hasselbeck, acting less than their age at the thought of junior high heartthrobs returning to active duty. The timing for a reunion is propitious: This year marks the 20th anniversary for "Hangin' Tough," the group's sophomore album release that established the group's commercial clout through hit singles such as "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)," "You've Got It (The Right Stuff)" and the title track.

A reunion for the platinum act marks a new twist to a time-honored "boy band" tradition that has reappeared for each generation since the 1950s. With the New Kids, it was Gen Y that largely fueled the screams and swoons, reacting to a videogenic group assembled by impresario Maurice Starr in the wake of his crossover strategy for New Edition. NKOTB's success in expanding Starr's teen R&B equation into an even broader pop, hip-hop and R&B mix established a template that would be emulated a decade later by the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync and 98°.

Three cups of tea

I am back from Guatamala. I spent four days down there with my company doing PT stuff. I went with another PT from STAR and a Orthpedic surgeon from Nashville. We saw a lot of patients, I watched a lot of surgeries in a very little, extremly hot room, and got to go to Antigua for dinner. I saw volcanos as well. Made a lot of new friends.

The Thursday before I was to leave on Sunday I came down with a stomach virus and so I did not feel well most of the trip, but in the end it was good and I would be glad to go back. As soon as I get pictures I will post them.

Also, while I was there I was reading a book called, "Three Cups of Tea." It is about a guy that got lost while climbing down from K2 in Pakistan and the people he met that changed his life forever. He has spend the years leading up to and post 9/11 in Pakinstan working to educate the children, boys and girls. I am telling you, this book is amazing. It ranks up there with "Redeeming Love," and everyone would be better off having read it. It will give you an insight about the Pakistani people and their lifestyle, as well as their commitment to the religion of Islam. Take the time to read it!

Also, having read this book I am now on a binge of biographical books about central Asia. I am now reading, "Soliders of God." I'll let you know about it after I am done reading it, Inshallah.

Peace Out!

Guatamala

So I have been in Guatamala since Sunday night.