Thank You!

I love sending "Thank You" cards. I started at a young age...when I gave my own surgeon a little Mickey Mouse doctor statue, and a photo of me dressed in surgical attire (mum helped). He had just finished saving my life...

Fast-forward 24 years and I am hanging a cute little drawing from another pediatric surgical patient on our family fridge- next to a copy of the above mentioned photo. And the recipient of said thank you was my husband. Also included were more adult presents---a card from the family and a super cute bottle of wine named The Doctor.

I am fairly certain this is the cutest gift my husband has ever gotten---

Just this year I spoke with my surgeon Dr. Karl and learned he still had the gift and picture...and I know in another 24 years, my husband will as well.

(side note: I swear this is my last doctor-related posting for a while!)

Dinner at Reagan.

“Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing”-Voltaire

Voltaire is usually one of my most trusted philosophers, and his writing are one of my most pleasured escapes, and yet I find myself thoroughly disturbed by the quote about. Interestingly, if you Google quotes about doctors, you rarely find a good one. Why?

As I sat at UCLA Ronald Reagan's cafeteria this evening grabbing dinner (I love hospitals- and particularly hospital food, don't ask, I am clearly weird) while my husband started work, I watched dozens of doctors quickly come in and out- grabbing food- and checking their pager- and then running off. My husband was one such doctor. I often wonder why it seems society is seemingly decreasing the amount of respect for said profession, when it requires more heart, and dedication, and sacrifice than its counterparts.

My husband often feels I am one who rarely respects physicians- and the medical profession as a whole- simply because I don't like going to the doctors for myself, that I rarely listen to my own doctors, and more importantly, him. But nothing could be further from the truth.

I love doctors. I have since I was a baby, because after all, I in particular wouldn't be here without them. Born with a severe congenital heart defect, it was only because of a group compiled of dedicated nurses, a caring pediatrician, a thorough cardiologist, and a brilliant surgeon that I get to hang out at a hospital like tonight----simply for fun.

People in the medical profession may not all be brilliant and caring, but when you think about the real sacrifices they make, you might be more sympathetic, and respectful...because they give up more than just dinner with their families at home...

On a lighter note, here is a picture of my dinner. Yep, that is a big chunk of cake :)

What being Catholic has taught me...

okay, this isn't intended to be a soapbox, but I thought I would blog about something very personal- more so than friendships or romantic relationships. It is my faith. And whilst it isn't perfect, it something I strive to protect and foster daily. Even if that means dragging myself to mass or overcoming the cringe of my tithe.

I love, love, love religion. I took religion courses all through elementary, middle and high school. I've studied at Catholic schools, Evangelical ones- and even did graduate work on Judaism. Yep, you read that right. My best friend growing up was Hindu. And two of my closet friends are Buddhist and Jewish respectively. I find religion interesting, to say the least. But, I should never be confused for anything but Roman Catholic. It isn't that I feel being Catholic makes me better, nor even more "right", either. Truth is, while I have faith- I do believe there is only one God, and the most important things in life is to be as good as you can, without judgement of others. I do sadly relish in the occasional "bitch" fest over coffee...and thankfully, there is confession for that ;)

I am not sure I remember my first mass. I have been going for as long as I can remember, and it is the only place where I can be in California, New York or even England and know that I belong. The words- the smells and feelings remain unchanged regardless of my geographical location. And that is a comfort that is priceless. But it isn't the amazing earthly building that I adore (have you been to the Vatican?). It is the beliefs and the identity that comes with it. And for all you Catholics out there, you know exactly what I am talking about. We almost always have a crucifix above our beds (and more importantly we know what INRI stands for). Our rosary belonged to our grandparents. We probably can trace our roots to Ireland. Ave Maria (in Latin) is on our iPod. We rocked the plaid school uniforms. We pray to Mary... nightly. And make no excuses for it.

Below is a picture of my July trip to Rome- and particularly The Vatican. It is one of the only few I have, but I think it does the trip justice...it was my "Birthright" trip of sorts...but of course, mine wasn't free ;) Typical Catholics.

Support for night float comes in all forms...

including sweets and dry erase board notes for his 7ish am return.

Yep. I am lame.

Night Float...how I loathe thee...

“The great secret of doctors, known only to their wives, but still hidden from the public, is that most things get better by themselves; most things, in fact, are better in the morning”- Lewis Thomas

Oh, if only the above were true my husband would be home!

I often hear stories about life inside the hospital- the kind that make your eyes well and your heart heavy-and recently these stories involve "night float". For those that whom are unfamiliar, night float is the joyous months when an intern (in this case my surgical intern husband) takes cross-cover (typically a 12-16 hr shift) in the early evening to early morning. Yesterday night was our first. Tonight, our second. While I don't have to be up- and probably shouldn't- I cannot imagine doing anything else. I want to be on the same sleep schedule as my husband. But it doesn't mean I do not loathe it.

Since we are still adjusting, I am fatigued but when I am about to complain I thank God I am home, in our beautiful quiet home, while my husband is in a dreary hospital working. I have found some slightly happy ways to pass the time, including excessive cleaning- writing- Facebook stalking and of course, prepping for about 7am when he does come home. I am making a habit of putting his favourite donuts, smoothies, fruit and bagels out on the table for when he comes home and I even include flowers (he might not appreciate them as much as me so perhaps they are after all for me). Life is bound to get easier. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and in 10-15 years I look forward to the day when we laugh about this time...and it is he giving orders to the interns and residents ;)

Until tomorrow-

Sunday night- date night!

I had a great weekend with my husband...and am bummed that I somewhat messed it up by fighting the other day. I hate that, you know the feeling when things are going really well and than a fight over something silly ruins it? Oh well, "forward ever, backward never" in the words of my beloved and brilliant grandmother, Baba.

My husband got off work on Saturday around 1AM. It is hard to get frustrated at his schedule- when you know he is helping people all day in a highly demanding job. I am selfish for missing him and making him aware of it. Anyway, we went to Norm's in LA around 2AM and it made me feel like a college student just finishing an evening of partying. On Sunday, after a meeting, we went to Korean BBQ...

Here are a few pictures from Sunday night :)

Our next car...soon!

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz"-Janis Joplin

Last weekend when the Mercedes was in the shop, the dealership gave us a C300 2011 rental. This is the picture. I was in heaven driving it over the few days and whilst Ryan didn't favour it per se, I did. When we move to Seattle we most likely will only have 1 car, so we will trade in ours for something like this (although if he has his way- which he probably will- it will be a 3 or 5 series BMW). I couldn't have loved a design of a car more than this c300 though.

Who wouldn't?

Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake!

My book (The Beautiful and the Damned by Fitzgerald) currently has a cute pink bookmark that says the above, "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake", so I opted to yesterday.

Lately I have enjoyed countless sweets (courtesy of the holidays- a nice jump start of such). Yesterday my husband and I had lovely cupcakes from a Santa Monica bakery...with red velvet, vanilla bean, and then mint chocolate chip and it reminded me that I forget to post about the amazingly sweet gesture from my father. He went to my hometown of Santa Cruz on business, and bought me my favourite taffy from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I love it. It is the little things...sweet little things that bring sweet big smiles :)

It is official...2 months later!

after 26 years-for the first time ever- my legal name has changed :)

I am now DHW (Danielle H. Whitney). Yes, Mrs. Whitney. Or, Dr. and Mrs. Whitney (has a nice ring to it) if my title includes my swanky husband...jk. I am 10x swankier than he.

Our license:


Our wedding photo:

He operates with both...

“A good surgeon operates with his hand, not with his heart”
Alexandre Dumas Père


My husband is great with his hands (and no- not a sexual conotation) but he also follows his heart- and when I forget just how amazing he is, I find random surgical kits laying around our home.

Three cheers to physicians! And extra cheers for their dedicated wives!

The smell of Cartier is thankfully gone...

“What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.” -
Marilyn Monroe


Today I went and did my first load of laundry in Santa Monica at the coin laundry. We had to- the comfort is usually done by the staff but since it is a Sunday AND a holiday NO WHERE was open---and the chocolate stains and the smell of my Cartier parfume became too much to bare :)

Here is a pic of my wash (courtesy of Instagram!)

A different NYE and NYD of sorts!

“New Year's Day - Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” -Mark Twain

Twain was right, but alas I think I will make them anyway---after all---my NYE sent the new year off in a new style (no champagne. no party. just my husband and some sparkling cider in front of a tv---which it turned out to be his FIRST delayed new years countdown as he grew up in the city!). So I am hopeful for a different type of year. Last year I was "broken hearted" on a transatlantic flight and celebrated by being asleep. This year I was constantly talking to loved ones, and with someone. Cheers for that! Anyway, back to my resolutions:

1) Laugh more. I never laugh. Ever. It is a travesty, so this year, I am going to laugh more. How? I haven't the faintest of clues, but I think little things like "not sweating the small stuff" and even more active things like going to the comedy club a few miles away on Sunset Blvd are a step in the right direction.

2) Be a better friend (and maybe wife-sister-daughter). I have the GREATEST people around me. Whether it is you, my blogger friends, or my best friend Jenna, or my husband, I am constantly given so much support and yet I rarely seem to give it (or it feels that way) so this year I am going to make a better effort. The world doesn't revolve around me...

3) Find a career. Having given up my PhD I was somewhat sent on a wild-goose chase as to what I was supposed to do with my life. Apparently being a serious academic from Cambridge wasn't one of the best options- or at least an option I didn't pursue whole-heatedly. I have two jobs (I work for my father-bah! and I work as an instructor at a university). I want a job though that I love. Interestingly enough, this pretentious Ivy grad would ADORE working at J.Crew. Even for a few hours I am certain that would be heaven...so maybe 2012 will bring lots of J.Crew (after you take out that awesome employee discount!)?


4). Be a better wife. This goes with #2 but I really need to focus on being a better wife. I smoother my husband, not because I like tormenting him, but simply cause I cannot get enough of him. His schedule sucks though- think 80+ hour weeks at the hospital. His job is stressful (if I were to fuck up- we might lose a sale or two, if he fucks up people die). He comes home then after a morning of 4AM to finishing notes around 8 or 9PM to a wife who freaks when he doesn't smile enough. He doesn't need that. So I need to shift how I deal since he really can't(or so says all those blogs I have been reading written by other wives of doctors/surgeons). I need to give him time/space to unwind and be happy with the few moments I do get.

5) Clean up. Our BEAUTIFUL Wilshire Corridor condo is a mess. Despite working from home and having ample time to clean up, I don't. MUST. GET. BETTER. Imagine how stress free it would be if the granite and wood floors didn't have grime all over them? Or the large glass shower could actually be clear? Today I spent the afternoon organizing and cleaning the bathroom and moved into the walk-in closet (but gave up halfway through). Ugh.

6) Cook. Cook. Cook. First, it is healthier. Luckily for me my husband isn't a health-nut despite being a physician. I do spend, however, at least 2 meals at McDonalds a day. NO LIE. It is pathetic. I need to cook more. I have a fab kitchen waiting to get used---and an always hungry husband who doesn't mind my mediocre abilities in it. Plus, it saves money :)

7) BUDGET. Yep, I suck at this- this year has got to be different. I need to get my finances organized for 2012- because you just never know when life sends unexpected twists and turns (heck, I didn't for see getting married in 2011 so you really never know!). I do NOT need to spend hundreds and hundreds and hundreds a week. I literally should be able to get by with spending just a few thousand a month. So cheers to that!

8) Dance. Yoga. Golf. Dance some more. I love dancing- makes me smile (goes to #1). I get rejuvenated with yoga and finally I reminisce with golf. All good for me and my soul. So I need to do at least one of these a week. No ifs. No ands. No buts.


HAPPY NEW YEARS MY FRIENDS!

Wonderful...to be back...

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! How could it be anything else?"-from It's a Wonderful Life


I remember when Christmas Eve Day was the best day of the year. As a child we would wrap presents and head over to meet our extended family at my grandparents' house in Menlo Park, CA for an extravagant, yet down-to-earth Christmas Eve. Food would range from native Russian delicacies to Honey Baked Hams...presents would be placed around the at least 9" tree and grand piano, and we would always wait to find out who had trash duty. It was the little things. But it has been 5 years this Christmas since we had the pleasure of one of these Christmas Eve's. It has been 5 years since one of my very best friends passed away, my grandfather Pa, and it seems with him went the last of these memory-making evenings.

What was once a time for memory making has seemed to become a time for memory reminiscing instead. And whilst it usually makes me sad to think this way, isn't it wonderful I even have such wonderful people and events worth remembering?

This year has seen more changes than any other year in my life. Having weathered divorces, breakups, relocations to other countries, and then my return to the states, also enjoyed unplanned surprises, such as a spur-of-the-moment wedding to my now husband, Dr. Ryan W (with whom my first date with actually occured on my grandfather's birthday, and my parents anniversary-a sign, no?). Yet no matter who I am with, or where I am, my eyes do well at the thought that the aforementioned Christmas Eve will never, ever be replaced.

Tonight I am spending Christmas Eve alone- my brother now has a lovely girlfriend, and they are spending the night at her parents. My parents are planning on coming to my home Christmas Day for dinner. And my new husband has the night shift at UCLA RR Hospital (on peds) from 10PM-2PM (yes, sucks). So I will attend midnight mass alone, snuggle in front of a yule log, and remember---and if I try hard enough--- I just might be able to hear my grandparents laughter, see their smiles, and in return be grateful that I even have such perfect memories to fondly recall.

It is wonderful to be back on Moon River and Me. I may have not finished my PhD in England- but I gained so much more this year than I could have imagined- and that is wonderful too.

Merry Christmas!

XOXO
Dani

Once again...PLEASE STOP BY MY NEW BLOG!

I love Moon River and Me. I cannot wait to take it over again in 3-4 years when I no longer live in the UK :)

But for now, I have fully moved to my blog From California to Cambridge

PLEASE follow it, bookmark it, or even tell your friends about it because in just a few days a very special giveaway is gong to be posted...and you won't want to miss it!

In loving memory...

Andrew J. Gawley Sr. is the world's greatest grandfather; he was witty, smart, loving, and above all deeply sweet.

He passed at 8:07PM 4 years ago today.

He left behind a loving family, great friends and even two little cats who were spoiled rotton...

As I posted on my current blog, I love you Pa....

The 3-4 Hiatus....

I am officially startng my 3-4 hiatus from Moonriver and Me :)

I am excited, and emotional...but know I cannot continue to go back and forth between this blog, and From California to Cambridge...and frankly...my life is slowly being consummed with the transition to my new life in England...

SO PLEASE JOIN ME AND MOVE ON OVER ;)

Prayers Needed...

Today I discovered sometime recently I lost my grandmother's Golden Gate Bridge charm...she had it nearly her entire life...and I lost it.

There are NO WORDS for the pain in my heart right now...no words...

Calling.....the new homeowner...

My amazing friend Jenna and her partner Faith purchased an adorable townhome which is a work-in-progress. They have been tirelessly remodeling (not by choice) and today I stopped by to check on the progress...aside from the work still needed (like a kitchen, and a bathroom walls) the home has GREAT character...some of these neat features include:





Pink doors with mail slots, cute windows, and my favorite: ROTARY PHONE!

After we endured the day filled with electrical, insurance people, and the killing of MASSIVE roaches (their home is still unknown) we ate at an amazing Mexican food restaurant (which is neat, seeing as I usually dislike Mexican food!); our server was crazy friendly and even took a picture for us!!!!




You may wonder why I was off work today...well, I was required to stay home by my doctor; on Saturday (my 25th B-Day) I got a concussion...at Disneyland...I HIT MY HEAD ON A CHAIR---LONG, LONG, STORY!

Two and Five...Happy to be ALIVE!

Today is my 25th! I celebrated yesterday evening at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel at their wine room, and then today at Disneyland...concluding with a nice cake, a cool bath and In-N-Out burger. It was near perfect. Of course, not all loved ones were around...

I am very thankful however to be alive, have great people surrounding me, and thankful for all of the opportunities I enjoy...

Some of the highlights (in addition to the fantastic wine, cheeses and meats as well as chocolates) included beautiful flowers (hydrangeas from one of my best friends in the world---who knows they are my favorite flowers; and a HUGE bouquet of the best smelling flowers from the lovely Jill who made waking up on my birthday magical)...I got books on my hero John Wooden, diamonds from Tiffany, that Adamo from Dell laptop I hinted to below, a cute pill holder that I will carry around for life...a scented Henri Bendel lavender candle to smell up stuffy old England ;) and a ton of other very, very thoughtful gifts to help make 25 the best (and stress-free) year of my life...nothing like opening cute cards and tearing through packages...

I promise to post more pics, but here are a few ;) of the best...

And to those who were there...I love you, and miss you...and while it is true that sometimes it is the boring, simple days that I often remember most (as Russell from the Disney movie UP! stated "Sometimes, it's the boring stuff I remember the most") this birthday and all surrounding it will also be remembered ;)

And the Fall Line is in...

THANK HEAVENS FOR J.CREW!

I have been waiting to use my 20% off for my J.Crew card and found the most perfect and versatile items for my move to England (and yet they still work in California!)

J.Crew came back with the wool/cashmere Dream V-Necks in a slimmer fit (YIPPY!) and AMAZING new colors (pics attached of pale hazelnut and heather agate) as well as keeping that classic English Gingham print perfect for layering!

Anyone else super excited? I also LOVE the new pearl knotted necklace for the staggering $78 (hoping that will go on sale)....

Age...

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

I cannot help but continue to spiral into a pseudo-depression over turning 25. There isn't ANYTHING wrong with it, but suddenly I realize I no longer look like a teenager, I am in my mid-twenties, and life is not exactly where I thought it would be...but then again, is it really ever?

If Mark Twain is right, perhaps I simply need to not mind it; or as others have suggested, embrace it!

Happy Birthday Jill

This evening we celebrated our friend Jill's 30th birthday...she is adorable, and totally handling the transition well. I started to worry about my own upcoming birthday...turning 25 is really scaring me...hopefully I can have Jill's attitude.

My First Birthday Present

I got my first 25th birthday present...courtesy of the clever Anthropologie gimmick by giving me an adorable candle necklace and 15% off...gotta love that ;)

Never without a name...

It was at first hard to decide whether or not to post about this, but but I felt is too special to keep a secret. Something magical occurred over the past weekend that lightened my heavy heart. For the first time, I visited my Great Grandmother Helen, whom I am named after. You may ask why I never went before...and I don't have a good excuse. What is worse? Over 30 years after being buried, her name had still never been put on the grave...the grave she paid for, month by month on her maid's salary, so her family could be buried together. How do I know this? The lady in charge of the cemetery (whom had to be over 100 years old) kept records and remembers her...

It took all of us over 2 hours of searching, but we found them...and I paid respects with white roses (my favorite) and lavender (my other favorite). More importantly, she soon will not be without a name on her tombstone...I have started the work needed to have it added, and it will be done before I leave for England...not like she was ever without one to us...

For Helen Lebee Jenkins, may you know your always remembered, even if it took your great-granddaughter 25 years to find you...