Down Under Diaries

July 7, 2024

One of the best parts of being a physician is attending medical conferences, where you get to learn about new practices, technologies, and scientific innovations in your specialty. This is especially true when those medical conferences occur all over the world. It just so happened that my top travel destination coincided with the location of this year's International Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) Symposium: Sydney, Australia.

Having never been before, I wanted to make the most of the trip and we decided to first vacation in Auckland, New Zealand before hopping over to the conference. End of May, beginning of June was the perfect time to go because it's technically "off-season" or winter down there but winter to them feels like late Spring/early Summer to us (around 60 to 70 degrees F) and the best part is no crowds!

It's hard to summarize the almost 3 week bucket list trip in one blog post so I'm going to list out my top 5 favorite things to do for each place. Of note, we only had time to visit the North Island in New Zealand so will have to return to see the South Island and write another post!

Before I get into the highlights though, here are some fun facts about New Zealand:

  1. It was the first country to establish minimum wage and give women the right to vote.
  2. The people refer to themselves as kiwis based on their native kiwi bird (more on this later).
  3. It is the first country to greet the morning in the world - because of the time difference, they are the farthest ahead in time.
  4. New Zealand is known for their medicinal Mānuka honey. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-proliferating properties can help treat wound healing, pain relief, digestion issues, and more.
  5. It’s basically a second Hollywood - home to directors Peter Jackson (LOTR and The Hobbit) and James Cameron (Avatar), several popular movies and shows have been filmed here.

New Zealand Top 5 Highlights

1. Hobbiton - if you're a fan of the Lord of The Rings, whether the movies or the books, visiting the filming set of The Shire is a must.

You'll feel completely immersed in Middle Earth, visiting Bilbo and Frodo's home Bag End along with the Green Dragon Inn. You even get to tour inside one of the Hobbit holes. We booked our tour to include a visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves after as well.

2. Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu, and Te Puia - New Zealand is a stunningly picturesque country known for its geothermal activity with geysers, mud pools, and hot springs. These places did not disappoint when it came to showing off just how beautiful and powerful Mother Earth can be, so much so pictures don't do it justice. But don't take it from me, you just have to visit for yourself.


3. War Memorial Museum - While the museum includes war tributes, it is more an eclectic mix of natural history, fine arts, and other culturally significant exhibits.

From housing the native Maori people's boats and buildings to displaying an array of New Zealand animal life (including the Kiwi bird) and offering Maori performances including a ceremonial haka welcome dance, there is something for everyone.

4. Auckland Zoo - We did not fly over halfway around the world to NOT see Kiwi birds. New Zealand's flightless ground dwelling Kiwi bird is nocturnal and rare to spot in the wild so we did the next best thing and went to the zoo. Fun fact, the kiwi fruit is named after the Kiwi bird because they are both small, brown, and fuzzy.

5. Sky Tower - The best way to see Auckland is from above and the best place to go above the city is The Sky Tower.

The picture above shows the Sky Tower to the left and a typical New Zealand rainbow to the right.

Our last night in New Zealand, we had dinner at the top of the Sky Tower, with its revolving restaurant offering a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. 10/10 recommend.

Honorable Mention: a visit to Waiheke Island (we did a wine-tasting tour, which was excellent)

After leaving New Zealand, we flew to the land of Vegemite just in time to catch the Vivid Sydney Lights Festival (of note, this did make the city a lot more crowded than Auckland but it was incredible to see everything lit up so spectacularly). Fun fact about Australia: it was built by convicts!

We stayed in Darling Harbour but it was really easy to navigate to all the different places we wanted to visit since they have great public transit infrastructure.

Australia Top 5 Highlights

1. The Opera House - the iconic Sydney Opera House is a must see, whether for photos, to catch a show, sit at the bar, or just walk around (it also affords a great view of the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay). It's as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.

Featuring my new Cavana purse

2. The Zoos - Both the Sydney Zoo and the Taronga Zoo are a YES in my book. Though if I had to pick one, it would definitely be the Sydney Zoo because they let you feed the kangaroos (including kangaroos with a joey in their pocket) and I had my first koala encounter there!


Can you spot the joey (baby koala)?

Koalas are one of my all time favorite animals and I've never been more excited to be so close to one...
...except for when they brought a koala to the ISPRM welcome reception the following night.

Of note, the Taronga Zoo has a duck-billed platypus, which was really cool to see. We learned that while the platypus is a mammal, it actually lays eggs. Also their offspring are called puggles.

3. The Botanic Gardens - Once you've had your fill of the Opera House, you can head into the Botanic Gardens to look at plants from all over the world.

There are several beautiful walking trails. There is also a well-known landmark called Mrs. Macquarie's chair, which is made of sandstone and overlooks the Sydney Harbor.

It was hand carved for the wife of the Governor of New South Wales in the 1800s. Speaking of the governor, depending on when you go, you may get invited to visit the governor's house. We got a tour and were even treated to a jazz performance by the Royal Australian Navy band.


4. The Blue Mountains - Explore the Scenic World of Australia including the unique rock formations, rainforests, and mountains.


5. Sunset Cruise - Sydney itself is known for its ferries, which makes public transportation that much easier. But there is nothing like taking the boat transportation one step further by treating yourself to a dinner cruise on the water and watching the sunset reflect off the Sydney Harbor, Circular Quay, the Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House.


It also afforded us a great view of the Vivid Sydney light shows.

As a side note, the food was incredible in both New Zealand and Australia. And if you're wondering, yes, I did try Vegemite and no, it is not my preference.

But I did try "Fairy Floss" french toast, which was delicious (basically french toast topped with cotton candy).

Honorable Mention: If you have time, definitely tour The Rocks (we did a free walking tour), learn about the Aboriginal culture, and visit the beaches - we went to Manly Beach, which is known for its surfing. We also heard great things about Bondi beach though did not have time to check it out.

Of course, I also connected with doctors from all over the world at the ISPRM medical conference and learned about global advancements in Rehabilitation Medicine, especially as it relates to my sub-specialty of Cancer Rehabilitation.

Shout out to my mom for making this one of the best trips ever and agreeing to make this epic mother-daughter travel dance video with me :)

We booked everything through Viator, which was really easy and the tours were excellent, with knowledgeable guides, great food, beautiful sights, and lots of new memories. If you are planning a trip down under and have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message on Instagram.


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Miss VA USA Orientation

April 28, 2024

This weekend I attended the Miss Virginia USA orientation, hosted by the FAV group at the Hilton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Huge shoutout to the FAVulous Miss VA USA directors Lacie Ross, Darrell Williams, Sheatiel Carter and Kyle Kelley for all their hard work in putting everything together!

We went over all things pageant related, from sponsors and activities to interview prep, public speaking skills, walking styles, hair and makeup, fitness and nutrition, as well as swimsuit, and evening gown designs. I met several of the other Miss and Teen contestants and had so much fun connecting over our pageant journeys and platforms.

Some of my top takeaways from the presentations can be applied to any aspect of life, not just for Miss Virginia USA:

Interview tips:

  • do your research and learn what the objectives are for the job or position you're interviewing for so you can answer the questions accordingly
  • listen to the question in its entirety before answering
  • do not focus on impressing the interviewer, focus on connecting with them
  • do not overthink because this can lead to underperforming - instead stay authentic and true to who you are as you formulate your response
  • take a deep breath before you start speaking
  • slow your answers down and be sure to articulate and enunciate

Modeling tips:

  • be confident
  • take your time with posing
  • make eye contact
  • have fun and show your personality
  • figure out what works for your body type
  • don't forget to smile!
Thank you especially to our #FAVulous sponsors for making the orientation such a success including:

I am also so grateful to have my Miss Charlottesville USA sponsors Cloud 9 and Relax CVille keeping me polished and poised from head to toe for all my appearances. Cannot wait for pageant week in June! Hope to see some of you there :)

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Feeling #FAVulous

March 23, 2024

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the #FAVulous directors from @thefavgroupinc for the upcoming Miss Virginia USA pageant along with the current Miss Virginia USA Ashley Williams and a couple Miss and Teen contestants (shout out to Erin Houston & Alexa Rodriguez).


It was so fun to connect in person and hear about everyone's own pageant journeys as well as what led them to Virginia. I shared how competing in pageants helped pay for my medical school tuition and more about my platform Healthy Habits: encouraging health literacy, accuracy, and advocacy. My story as this year's Miss Charlottesville USA was also recently featured on CBS19News:

Afterward, Miss Virginia USA wanted to see my new children's book, which teaches kids about preventing the spread of medical misinformation online: An Apple A Day: Unraveling Online Myths For Kids. Get your copy here!

The Meet & Greet was hosted at Reflections - Prom and Pageant Shop in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They had some pinterest-worthy backdrops that made for great photo opportunities.

The FAV Group is well versed in pageant production, bringing their mantra of Focus, Authenticity, and Value to life. They even have a GLAM girls experience where girls ages 6 to 13 can join in on the fun during pageant week while building lifelong skills. From interviews and rehearsals to meeting current titleholders including Miss USA and the opportunity to win their own crowns, it is never too soon to begin this #FAVulous journey. Learn more here.

I cannot wait for pageant week. Competing is more than just about winning the crown, sash, and title. It's about connecting, inspiring, learning from, and empowering others. There was so much energy and excitement, I know it's going to be a #FAVulous production. Tickets on sale soon!


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NBC29News: Teaching Kids Healthy Habits

March 14, 2024

Last week I was invited to have my first book reading at a local elementary school. Jaws literally dropped in the classroom and NBC29 News was there to capture it all! Check out the video below:

I had so much fun as Miss Charlottesville USA visiting Moss Nuckols Elementary School to read my children’s book An Apple A Day: Unraveling Online Myths For Kids. As part of my Miss Virginia USA competition platform Healthy Habits, I am teaching children all about online safety to prevent the spread of medical misinformation.

After the reading, I taught them how to write a prescription by having them draw and color in an apple on a prescription template. They handed me the "script" to ensure an expert weighs in (getting my doctor’s signature). Once signed, they brought it over to the "pharmacist" to fill the prescription (handing in the “script” to get their apple). The activity was a hit and the kiddos loved it!



In addition to bringing my book, I brought some goodies including erasers, Dr. Seuss learning flash cards, crayons, and stickers.


And all the children lined up to try my crown on!


It was so wonderful that @anahitajafarytv and NBC29 News were there to capture each moment and show just how meaningful the event was for the kids. One of my favorite parts about competing in pageants is the community outreach and connections we build along the way.


In addition, Mitchell Sasser from the Central Virginian was there to interview me and put together a great article about the children's "visit from royalty." Click HERE to read.


Thank you to all the incredible staff at Moss Nuckols Elementary School for helping make this happen.

I cannot wait to read my book to more children at schools around Virginia and inspire the future generation to pursue STEM disciplines. Get your copy today on Amazon!

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