The Week so far...

I had the day off on Monday. MLK Day. When I was a 'wee lad', it was President's Day that we had off. A day off of school to celebrate the birthday's of George and Abe and the rest of the President too. My most admirable Presidents List (in no particular order) Abe Lincoln, George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Jack Kennedy. I could go on, but I'll stop there. I've read/listened too a few books about these men. Good stuff Lincoln- by Donald was a good biography of the man. Washington- 1776 McCulllough not about Washington in particular, but still gives you an understanding of what makes him the legend that he is. Roosevelt- Mornings on Horseback by McCullough again(I'm biased to this author ok?) Kennedy- Profiles in Courage by Kennedy good stuff.
Anyway, on my day off I went to D.C. with a couple of friends. We went to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum(NHM). If you ever come out to see the Smithsonian Museums plan for a day to see each museum- this will allow you time to see everything. If you want to contemplate upon what you see, well, add more time your plan. They are open every day but Christmas from 10am til 5pm.
A friend of mine that works in the Museum of Indrustry here in Baltimore, told me once that a museum can only show a very small percentage of their holdings. To put on display, they try to select the items that will stimulate thought and discussion. At the NHM, they have recently revamped the mammals exhibit to make it more interactive. The displays include videos to watch, displays that are kid friendly- about 2 feet off the floor and other stuff that an adult has to get down on hands and knees and crawl to see. In the insect section they have many displays that are at kid height (see photo). Other that that I saw the history of the earth in geological terms from the formation of rocks(the oldest rocks come from Greenland) and oceans to the formation of the earliest protiens and bacteria(shown in fossil history). The Hope Diamond seemed to be quite popular with the ladies of our group too.
After we had spent almost the entire day inside, we steped out to see the Lincoln Memorial where Dr King gave his famous speech from. If you have a chance read/watch the speech http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/Ihaveadream.htm
I think that the world and nation has made progress toward the realization of his dream. Aparthied over turned in South America without a civil war happened in my life time- a demonstration of the dream. However we aren't there yet, there is more to be done.
Thanks Mom and Dad for having us interact with the minorites in our small Utah town(I felt like a minority because of my last name in the small town setting-what a joke!). I know that this wasn't easy, but being in college towns made it easier. College students from Asia, sub Sahara Africa, South America, exchange students, attending church services for other churches helped. My first trip to DC where we were the only white people in the Wendy's resturant helped me to understand what a minority might feel like in Utah. I now go to my local store, post office, etc and don't notice the way others look but what they do, say etc and interact with others. Part of 'Dream'.
Along these lines to, one of my patients this past week was a man with Italian ancestors. I've actually met quite a few Italian Americans at my work, but this man's family came from the same part of Italy as we did. It gave me the chance to call Dan, my uncle and nearest repository of the family tree, and catch up on the geneology. He sent me a tree that included a possible common ancestor with my patient. How do you like that. It is a small world. My new friend is now looking at his family tree and finding out from his family more about his orgins. Oh, and he is recovering well from his surgery too...