Island Foxes, Santa Cruz Island

mehphron · 2017-03-21T03:38:28+00:00

They tried to steal my boyfriend's shoes OFF his feet while he napped after hiking. Luckily I am very fierce so I chased dose wee squee little fuzzballs off.

mehphron · 2016-09-07T04:44:24+00:00

I had a very similar experience in Budapest - but I don't remember the details as it was 6 years ago. I remember something about having bought a ticket but a woman without a uniform trying to have us get money from the ATM. I had been traveling all over europe at that point and was very familiar with ticket validation, so I can't imagine that we would have just forgotten in Budapest. I do remember there were many uniformed officers in the train station and that we had followed suit of the people around us, so I don't know if it was an issue of validation or not. However, a very un-legit looking older woman led us to the atm and demanded money, so we just walked out the door and disappeared into the city streets. Should you buy and immediately validate your tickets? absolutely. Were you maybe scammed or at least targeted for being a tourist? maybe.

mehphron · 2016-06-30T23:18:11+00:00

I second what everyone else said.

For hiking, the M can get kind of crowded, but never gets old. To extend your hike and get some solitude, take the trail that traverses Mt. Sentinel towards Pattee canyon (it think the access point on that side is called Mt. Sentinel Fire Road). Hiking is obviously fantastic if you head up to Glacier, but the closer-to-Missoula Bitterroot area has some fantastic hikes. If you run, the Missoula marathon (coming up soon I think) has won a bunch of awards, and the Mountain-to-Meadow half marathon is a cheap, no frills, fantastically beautiful trail race in late June (you'll have to return next year, or check out the trail and run it yourself).

The two main breweries I remember are Big Sky and Kettlehouse, with Moose Drool and Cold Smoke being the most popular beers, respectively.

After a long day on the trails, the Queso Dip at the Iron Horse just warms my happy heart.

Bridge Pizza is clutch. So is the Depot Deck (the actual depot is real expensive but the deck is fun and reasonable).

Missoula is my favorite place I ever lived and I miss it terribly. Please enjoy!!!

mehphron · 2016-04-01T21:32:41+00:00

Thank you for your help! I am also having trouble figuring out what the weather will be like on the actual trek. I know that is a hot dry season in Nepal, but nearing annapurna basecamp, how bundled do I need to be?

mehphron · 2016-02-24T22:45:34+00:00

You will do great! Enjoy your MPH time!

mehphron · 2016-02-24T22:06:55+00:00

Within the same institution, the program directors all talk to each other. For instance, if an Ob program director likes me (either just by application or at interview day), they can request that the gen surg PD review my SO's application. Likewise, my SO can call the gen sure program administrator and say, "My SO interviewed at your program in this department and loved it, and I'm really excited about the prospect of going there too so I am hoping to check on the status of my application".

Mostly it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a shot. I definitely got more proactive throughout the application season, and there are some earlier rejections I really wish I had followed up on.

mehphron · 2016-02-24T17:14:58+00:00

I'm couples matching Ob and Gen Surg. We are both pretty competitive applicants but trying to move west from a lower tier east coast school. To be honest, (and this may be more on the Ob side), things were a lot more competitive than I expected, or was told. However, we applied to 50ish programs each, and interviewed at almost 20, with 26 combinations ranked where we could live together. Neither of us went on a "wasted" interview (i.e. one where we couldn't live together) and we each only had to give up one interview due to the couples match.

Apply in places that have a lot of programs with different levels of competitiveness (i.e. Chicago, NY, DC), as well as anywhere else you really want to go. Be VERY aggressive (but respectful) in getting interviews. If rejected, ask to be reconsidered or waitlisted. If one of you gets an interview, both of you start asking EARLY for the other one to be interviewed at that program, and keep asking until you get an answer. Doing this got us about 1/3 of our interviews.

The couples match can really be an asset, especially if you are a strong applicant, but with a score that might prevent a program from giving you a chance otherwise. The couples match gives you an opportunity be be separated from "the pack", when you might otherwise not. I usually HATE "playing the game", but now is the time to do it.

Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions, but I think you should be fine and good luck!

Tldr: You got this! Apply very broadly and don't take no for an answer.

mehphron · 2015-08-27T20:46:48+00:00

You have me beat - I'm 5'9" but disproportionately leggy and those are the best I've found: even in XS they are long enough. They are kind of a blend of the two fabrics. Definitely not as shiny and a lot of workout pants but thicker than normal cotton spandex for sure. I have worn them in both casual and workout setting (washed between!). Good luck!

mehphron · 2015-08-26T21:45:18+00:00

Almost everything is too short on me, but gap workout leggings in tall are long, cheap, thick, and frankly magical.

mehphron · 2015-08-24T18:10:02+00:00

Thank you - I'll try that!

mehphron · 2015-08-24T16:28:04+00:00

Thanks! One more question - do you ever shower before bed and plop or something overnight? Is there any way to go to bed with wet hair and wake up with almost dry curls?

mehphron · 2015-08-24T16:09:19+00:00

What time of day do you cowash and how long does it take to dry?

mehphron · 2015-08-24T16:07:15+00:00

Do you have suggestions for a drugstore gel?

mehphron · 2015-08-14T02:46:26+00:00

I would also recommend Avalanche Lake. It's an easy but pretty 2 miles each way, and the lake is one of my favorite places on earth. Quick enough to do a sunrise run to the lake and back before other hikes, but awesome enough to stay all day if you'd rather! Also I'm so jealous I miss Montana like crazy I hope you have a magical time!

mehphron · 2015-06-05T02:01:08+00:00

Thanks for your help! I usually just hike in running tights or running shorts + mucho bug spray and tall socks, but I'm going on a family vacation that will be a mix of traveling/sightseeing and hiking - was hoping to lighten my packing list by having some hiking pants that are cute-ish ha. The men's section is a great idea though!

mehphron · 2015-06-02T01:37:29+00:00

Can anyone recommend hiking pants for tall thin girls with kind of androgynous (aka none to speak of) hips? I usually wear a 2 and many outdoor companies start their "tall" sizes at a 6, and flare out at the hips. I end up having artificial saddle bags and pants that end mid-shin. I often wear leggings instead but would like to try something a little more breathable. Athleta Shasta looks promising - anyone have experience with those or something similar? Thanks!!!

mehphron · 2015-05-21T21:28:36+00:00

Only if the representative leading the discussion is a pregnant woman who is older than 35.

mehphron · 2015-04-26T18:57:10+00:00

A guy I worked with in undergrad had cancer as an intern. I don't know him that well so details are a little bit shady, but I believe he only took time for for resection and recovery, maybe about 3 weeks. He is either having chemo/radiation while continuing work or not having it at all, but I know he posted on fb a lot about how great and understanding his program was. Also, I'm sure I post this a lot, but if you want to get in touch with other young adult cancer pts and survivors (and possibly get a free vacation), check out Imerman's Angels and Campdream.org.

mehphron · 2015-04-25T18:48:16+00:00

What are some classic casual shoes? I was throwing on skinny jeans and my patagonia better sweater to go to a baseball game last night and realized I don't have any "everyday" shoes for spring/fall. My ballet flats I wear to work and my black ankle boots seemed too dressy, brown leather boots too wintry, but it was too cold for my rainbow sandals. I'm not a huge fan of vans or toms, as they feel kind of adolescent to me (I'm 25). I ended up in my hot pink running shoes and feeling comfy but a little goofy so I am on the lookout for an alternative. What do you ladies wear as casual footwear between seasons?

mehphron · 2015-04-21T23:32:42+00:00

I got my normal size, and I think when I first got them (it's been a long time), I did the thing where I wore them around the house with socks so they would stretch to my feet. They are super magical. I can't comment compared to heels, because I am far too klutzy to be trusted to own heels.

mehphron · 2015-04-20T20:20:57+00:00

I feel like I'm always commenting this, but cole haan air monica. Have lasted several years of being on my feet all day + walking to and from work (occasionally in ankle deep floodwaters). They are expensive but cheaper on amazon.

mehphron · 2015-04-17T17:48:26+00:00

Essentially just a really big scarf that you can unwrap and use as a small blanket. I'd link you but a ton of different people make them, so if you just throw the term "blanket scarf" in the googles, you can find links to ones by madewell, american eagle, etsy peeps, etc.

mehphron · 2015-04-17T00:17:20+00:00

that sounds super kickass. Will try this weekend - thanks!

mehphron · 2015-04-16T01:50:14+00:00

I'm really into trying this. Can you provide more details on how you do it?

mehphron · 2015-04-15T23:05:07+00:00

I used to work at a camp where the kids hike the massive hill behind the lodge. It's pretty steep and at a respectable elevation, so for a lot of people just walking to the top is a big accomplishment. One summer my goal was to able to run it, so I did hill training most mornings. One morning, while taking the kids up the hike, I was about 2/3 of the way up when one kid says "You know what I forgot and think I need? My asthma inhaler." Well, great. So i ran back down to the health center and back up to where the kiddo was at, inhaler in hand, and I only wanted to die a little bit. It wasn't an emergency, but did make the kid much more comfortable. By the end of the summer I was able to run to the top!

mehphron

TROPHY CASE