24 December 2003

Happy Holidays!! Since I am not very good at keeping in touch with family/friends, I thought I would send an "Xmas e-mail" this year, although there is not much new going on in my life. I am in my 3rd year of residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Sometimes the work is stressful and makes me feel like I've been punched in the face, but overall I am enjoying the program here. I am getting alot of operative time, along with ALOT of clinic time. I am learning little by little every day, but moving forward with good evaluations from attendings and the other residents. I am beginning to think about the possibility of a fellowship after residency, but I need to do a little more research about it first.

Crystal [my sister] is still living here with me. We have been attending LSU home games again this year with her season tickets. We recently went to the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on 12/6/2003. We had a great time (even in the upper deck), especially since LSU won the game as well as the #2 BCS ranking, placing them in the Sugar Bowl versus Oklahoma. Luckily, we got tickets to that game as well, so a road trip to New Orleans will finish my holiday season.

As for my free time outside of LSU football games, I have been getting some exercise (either at the gym or inline skating). I was able to make trips to the beaches locally several times (Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island) as well as twice to Seaside, FL. The beach gives me a chance to relax and catch up on some reading for work. I have been on a few dates in between all of this, but not dating anyone seriously right now.

There's not much else to report on right now. Christmas Day is my last call day for the year. I'm looking forward to a few days off to finish up some household projects and such. So here is my photo on "The Night before Christmas" for 2003.

Jared
jjpatt AT hotmail DOT com