VIVAIA Feature

When one of my favorite sustainable shoe companies, VIVAIA, reached out to ask about featuring me on their 100 Lifestyles series, I was thrilled to share my story. The best part is, they wanted to feature my dog Westley too. Here are a few excerpts from the article. To read the whole thing, click HERE.

#endless passion

Growing up, I used to tell my parents I was going to be a triple threat: an actress, singer, and dancer. I like to think I fulfilled many of those dreams and more, from blogging and social media to competing in Miss America pageants and talent shows. But I finally found my passion for working in healthcare.As much as I love STEM fields, I have never been able to separate art from science. I am a strong advocate for STEAM, adding arts to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There is no better profession than medicine to exemplify the need to integrate one with the other. It was Michelangelo who broke into crypts in order to study the anatomy of the human body. And the discovery of DNA’s structure came from Watson and Crick’s stick and ball model sculpture thanks to the woman behind it all, Rosalind Franklin, who captured the original image through X-ray crystallography.

Having earned a dual-degree in Classics (the study of Greek and Roman history, cultures, language, and mythology) and Biology, I am conditioned in using my “left brain,” described as logical, analytical, and objective in conjunction with my “right brain,” or the intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective side. This helped me not only in learning the medical terminology, the majority of which is Greek and Latin in etiology but also in patient care and being able to think outside the box. The path to becoming a doctor is not easy but it is worth it. Every day I get to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and listen to patients’ stories while improving their quality of life. My goal in writing this is to show you that choosing your future career should not limit you but rather inspire you to be creative, to explore, to grow, and to succeed. Just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

#dogmom

Life with Westley has been a series of adventures since the moment I picked him up from the rescue. When his “gotcha day” arrived, I was so focused on getting everything ready, I didn’t even realize I dropped my apartment keys on the ground before driving away. We got home, it was the dead of winter, and I remember my fingers freezing as I frantically searched for the keys…to no avail. My friend held Westley inside her coat to keep him warm. He was only about 12 lbs and he was shaking. I felt like I had failed at being a dog mom my very first day. But then the doorman let us in with a spare key and as soon as I introduced Westley to his new home, he immediately marked his territory. My friend and I burst out laughing. I realized nothing could have prepared me for being a dog mom and I just have to take everything in stride. He taught me to live in the present and embrace our strengths as well as our flaws.

Westley is as much a cheerleader as I am, especially in the morning. He is without fail a big ball of energy, so much so, many doubted he could be properly trained. However, after some extra puppy classes, Westley soon proved even our dog trainer wrong. He has learned not only the basics like sit, down, stay, and come but also advanced tricks like roll over, bow, fetch his leash or a specific toy, put away his toys, and so much more. We are currently working on speak buttons and so far, he has learned to say “Play” – his favorite (and only) word. His intelligence and determination (even if it is food motivated) taught me not to let anyone tell you that you cannot do something; be the “dogtor” of proving them wrong.

Speaking of his intelligence, he truly is a dog after my own heart because he, like his mom, knows the importance of respecting shoes. While he has chewed almost everything else I own, he has not once chewed a pair of shoes.

 Read the full feature HERE and be sure to check out VIVAIA - they even have an exclusive 20% off discount program that includes healthcare workers.