March 9, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It’s Monday morning and it’s one of those days that I originally took off because our youngest also had it off. She goes to a fancy prep school and this is “ski week” although we never go skiing. But she’s been bed-bound for various reasons and healing, and on the upswing. I knew last week I didn’t need the entire day off, and I put myself back in clinic this afternoon to save a precious vacation day for the summer when I can spend more time with both of our children (one who is actually an adult already at 20).

It’s really important for me to work, because working and living under the normal constraints of other people keeps me grounded. Because of the way I was brought up and because of the profession I chose (pediatrician), I know that none of us are that exceptional and that all of us are extraordinary. Does that make sense? We all have our role to play in this world and in this particular time-line.

We hear back from all her schools in about three weeks. She is one of those faces in a see of faces, and each is so beautiful to me and to their community and family. But my eye is always drawn to my child’s face, as your eyes are drawn to your child’s or those that might remind you of someone important.

I am so grateful to be a mother. I got to be to the Girl Scout Troop leader. She was chosen as an Emerging Leader again and it’s her final year. Our actual troop is quiet these days, because all the girls are busy. They have all done fantastic, and I’m proud of them individually as a pediatrician and as their troop leader. But as a mother, I’m proud of my own as well. She gets to EMCEE the Cool Women’s gathering in April, and I bought tickets for her Korean grandparents to attend and myself. She asked if we could three be there, since her grandfather had through her entire child been the one to sew on all those patches she had earned since she was a Daisy Girl Scout. I think after we hear back where she ultimately goes to school, we’ll plan to have their final Girl Scout bridging gathering which honestly we can just do during the summer before all the girls head off to college. It’s too busy right now with the waiting for college admission, getting ready for Prom, prepping for the last final round of AP exams, and thinking of summer plans. She’s my last and only daughter, and she has an amazing summer of travel planned with her friends and family. I’m selfishly involved in two of the big trips including to Denmark where we’ll meet with our human right’s friends and network – something that is now part of her life and part of our family legacy. We’ll fly to Europe every summer now, and I get to watch her form networks and real relationships with families that have known each other for generations now scattered across the world due to circumstances of war and imperialism.

But what I wanted to remember today, is that I had a quiet morning and she needed me to hug her this morning. She had a nightmare, and she is almost 18 and it felt more like when she was little – and just needed me. I was sandwiched between her father who has a broken patella, and a poodle mutt that annoys me on top of my head, and her on my other side. That bed was too small for the four of us, and I was happy and wanted to remember that moment.

February 17, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It’s Thursday morning and I finally slept a good night’s sleep. I’d like to blame my previous days fatigue on the Tijuana Sewage Crisis, but I actually live further north so we don’t get the exposure to the hydrogen sulfide gases like our neighbors in Imperial Beach. I was previously tired because I was binge watching C-dramas. I usually watch K-dramas but they can’t make them fast enough so I’ve been watching more C-dramas. They have been really interesting and it’s fun to hear the words that sound similar to Vietnamese, because of the importation of Chinese words into Vietnamese over the last 1000 years.

But I’m thinking about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis today, and honestly I’m always thinking about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis even when I don’t want to think about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis. I need to thank the co-signatures to the epic letter addressed to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District that began our involvement 1.5 years ago. But we are all connected and I can always send that thank you email out later.

The reason I’m thinking about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis is that the amazing SDSU research team included community physicians as co-authors on the main paper. And the paper was AMAZING and so well written. It’s literally about the largest most important environmental disaster in the country. But it was rejected on it’s first submission by an editor that I actually know. In this circuitous journey of climate and health advocacy of mine, I’ve been lucky to be co-authors with several prominent environmental health pediatricians. And it was their name on the rejection email. I was SHOCKED since the paper was so well written! I even texted one of my other co-authors regarding my shock and she said that it happens, and the paper will be submitted to another journal.

I’m also always thinking about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis because there are thousands of people smelling the hydrogen sulfide and getting sick and they are always thinking about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis. Tomorrow is Saturday and it’s a precious weekend, but I have to be at the Imperial Beach Pier area at one of the ice cream shops (I need to bring my lactaid pills) to wear my costume/white coat and ask questions to someone running for Governor of California. I’m bringing along one of the UCSD medical students and one of the premedical students. There are a lot of people running for Governor, and this person was a freshman in college meeting his college girlfriend and now wife while I was a chief resident further down the Charles River at MGH. It’s funny how small the world is when you know details about people. We are all so connected in this world. And rivers whether they be the Charles River in Boston or the Tijuana River here in San Diego Country – connect us all. Water and rivers are vital to life.

But I have to think about other things as well. It’s my vacation week but I am home in San Diego for various reasons and will do some organizing. I need to get our March newsletter out because we have tons of updates to send. Need to email the UCSD students that were accepted into our 2nd UCSD Academic Internship Program to help them get their learning agreements in. I was only going to take 4 students, but we ended up accepting 5. One of the students seemed luke-warm about accepting the offer, but honestly we had 15 applicants for very few spots and it doesn’t really help me to take on more students. I’ll answer this particular student’s question but I’d rather there be just 4 students than 5. I really only offered the internship this year for one of the students who is the main organizer of the H3SD summit so that they have some time during the next quarter to help organize.

But I wanted to finish this blog post to let you know, that the Tijuana Sewage Pollution is always on my mind. But the coolest thing is that I got to be the inspiration for this beautiful art work profiled in a multi-media piece called Homesick. I think this depiction of the crisis and my part in it, is the most memorable part of this all. I really want to meet the artists someday.

February 28, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I was on Fox News for the 3rd time 2 mornings ago. I’m almost 50 and I think it’s all sorts of hilariousness that while in perimenopause/menopause – I’ve now learned how to be camera-ready. It’s a whole process that honestly does not come naturally to me. I think this is true for a lot of women physicians, as it’s such a grueling process to get through medical training that we don’t have time to care for ourselves. I remember right before Mr. Plastic Picker and I were engaged, doing inpatient pediatrics rotations and hardly making it through the days. I thought I was doing okay, but the amount of stress I was undergoing – I had the worse acne I had ever had in my life. Eating processed sugars, not sleeping much, eating cafeteria hospital food, not being able to wash my face regularly and the amount of stress – it caused a massive breakout before an important time in our lives. I had so much make-up on that day of our actual engagement ceremony and the retin-A I had started was causing a lot of dryness and skin peeling. Anyway, these days being almost mid-century in age, my patients compliment me on my skin.

But to prepare for the news segment, I dyed my roots that night with a box dye. I had the questions ready and prepped the night before. It actually took a few hours as I had to read up on sunscreen and become familiar with the American College of Dermatology webpage on sun safety (which is excellent by the way!). I read and reread and rehearsed the questions (they provide them before hand). We had to be at the Fox studio SUPER EARLY, like 645 am! That meant I had to get up at 530! My morning routine was more careful. I used moisturizer with sunscreen and then a sunscreen and then primer and then concealer and light foundation. I had to remember to draw my eyebrows in really carefully (I have an aunt in Vietnam who will text my mom if my eyebrows seem weird on TV). I even wore a lipstick (or some kind of lip gloss) that someone gave me that works! I don’t buy clothes anymore really (we all have too many clothes), but I know this one dress looks bright. I have boots that actually belong originally to my teen daughter that works. And that’s it!

The interview went well and I’m honestly kind of “on” and “acting” through the entire day. I really love our HMO media person, but this is work and professional so I’m on my best behavior. I’m smiling and cordial, but in an almost exaggerated and caricature kind of way? Do you know what I mean?

I told a few people at our actual clinic already, but the entire morning was really interesting. It’s like this parade of characters coming in through the green room at Fox, waiting to be on the morning news. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. First as I was sitting outside waiting for our HMO media person to come, the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile drove by. It looked like this.

Then you have to get buzzed into the studio (it is politically kind of sensitive times although the local Fox people are great). And then while waiting in the green room, there is that greeting and hand shaking of the staff there. I’ve met them before and they look familiar, and I greet them – a doctor in a clean white coat. They tend to trust pediatricians, and it’s good because I am trust-worthy! While sitting in the green room, I’m the only one with a person – who during this morning even though she is a fantastic friend, I think of her as my “handler” that morning. I’m officially there on behalf of the HMO, so I need to stick with the script and not go rogue! In the waiting room we also met 2 striking looking gentlemen who were indigenous pow-wow singers and they looked very traditionally indigenous with biker clothes. They were really interesting and we shook hands and connected. There were the two women in matching red polo shirts from what I presume was the segment with the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile. And then when I was being led to my segment, I walked by Makeda ‘Dread’ Cheatom who is the founder of the World Beat Center! https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/about-us/people/ I’ve met Makeda before through Tammah Watts, a fellow San Diego Bird Alliance supporter. She invited me to be on her podcast! But it was such a fun time walking by her and waving to her enthusiastically as we were both on Fox that morning.

The actual interview went extremely well. The news segment was sent out to the leadership of our HMO, and I was proud to give us good publicity. I’ve watched the segment several times and posted a snippet on social media which has received many views!!! I have >3000 followers now which is really cool! They are real followers as my account is private. But it went well I think because I have now given countless media appearances and lectures. Practicing and experience have made a difference. I’m comfortable on camera these days especially if it’s something I’m interested in and passionate about. I’m interested in sun protection because I’m a practicing pediatrician who cares about my patient’s largest organ, which is the skin!

So I think I’ve peaked! Wanted to share with the blog readership by real-world experience being on TV. I’m really proud of myself but I’m going to try to relax a bit this weekend. This has been a HECTIC climate week.

Oh, tomorrow I’ll tell the blog readership how I irritated two Stanford academic pediatricians when I could not stay quiet at the APA meeting about AI and the existential crisis that the energy and water demands are causing rural communities. I am a climate activists and I said at this meeting “we need water for living beings and not AI.” Yes I did! I said that in the middle of the APA Region 9-10 meeting. I’ll blog about that one tomorrow.

February 25, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It was so odd yesterday. I saw this elegant tern last night. It landed on the deck/outside patio area of a bar/grill restaurant at Paradise Point Resort. This is a frequent site of HMO large meetings so I’ve been there ALOT. I like when our HMO meetings are there because it’s really close to where our family lives. But last night I was there because our youngest who is ALMOST 18 is learning how to swim, and we used resortpass.com to get access to their pool. For $20 we were allowed to use their pool and she wanted to practice swimming. We had a grand mini-adventure as she swam, and I walked a few laps in the evening. The place is mostly deserted and very quiet. But we were having a mini-adventure, and had dinner at their bar/grill dining option which was surprisingly full. We walked along their faux boardwalk/pier which was only like 20 feet long. But it felt like a middle-aged adventure with middle-aged conference goers. At least that is what my 17 year old said. But during that adventure, I saw an elegant tern standing upright at the dining seating area.

I had never seen an elegant tern that up close! And my eyes kept on following the tern. To the point, my daughter reminded me not to be odd. But what amazed me is that no one else was noticing the elegant tern! Here is some information on how they have come to nest more in the area. https://rewildmissionbay.org/2024/08/26/fresh-faces-in-mission-bay-building-a-lasting-sanctuary/ I had written on op-ed with one of my climate friends Prof Adam Aron. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/08/29/opinion-fireworks-near-mission-bay-are-harming-animals/

And this is the same evening that I found out one of my most favorite people in the world, Ashley Teo, who is also one of my former patients got into medical school! She’s one of my OG premedical students. She’s been through so much of our different climate projects, and been there as we’ve tried to figure out things. She worked as part of the Youth Climate Art project. She tabled with I Love Your Wetlands! She came with me when I was interviewed by a documentary film maker regarding my work. I’m not sure whatever happened with that footage, but we had an interesting lunch at Fig Tree Cafe and filmed amongst the tomato plants in our backyard. She worked on the heat and youth sports project. She’s shown up at the H3SD Summit last year. But most importantly, I know her and she’s a wonderful student and a former patient. I remember her during her high school years as this beautiful and studious young girl, who was admitted at UCSD. And then so proud to see her find her path to medical school. She helped during the Kaiser Family Residency days, bringing breakfast and helping coordinate the lectures. OMG she’s done so much. And she 100% deserves and has earned her spot in medical school!

All the students I am working with are doing so wonderful this year. I’m inordinately proud of them. Lots of interviews and students helping each other. But we put the community and climate at the center. I’m so grateful that a deserving student like her has earned her spot!!!!

My mommy and pediatrician heart is really happy! My own two children are doing great in their professional and personal development. They’ve asked me to be more private about their lives so I’m learning boundaries. But I’m forever grateful to raise my own kids at the same time I decided to open my heart to a limited number/select number of talented prehealth students! It’s all volunteer with me so I get to choose who I work with!

February 21, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It’s Saturday and I worked the late shift last night. The late shift is not as late as it used to be, and many many years ago when I was Assistant Boss – I had a large part to do with improving our schedules. Now I’m lucky to benefit from those changes. I’m in the trenches and a worker-bee now. I’m happy, and I’m content. I had an emotional outburst in the lunchroom, venting some of my pent-up frustrations being a woman leader. Baking brownies, organizing parties, mentoring when you aren’t ready, endless committees that are not of your choosing – these are the pitfalls that many young women fall into at the cost of their own professional development and their own personal lives. Burn-out is very real, and even now during the premedical process and the medical school and residency training process – it’s a very real threat to our profession.

I think about burnout and professional development a lot. I’m lucky to mentor and be surrounded by these amazing idealistic young premedical, medical students and trainees. I worry about them. I worry about their mental health. I worry about their future. I worry about our profession. I worry about our country and of course I worry about the climate.

But in general I worry a lot less than before. I’m very present these days in clinic, and enjoy the flow of patients that come and go from our hallway. Life seems to ebb and flow smoothly these days, despite doing a lot of climate and health organizing. I’m still almost full time in clinic. But I closed all my charts yesterday and mostly answered all my messages and did my results! If you are an actual physician, you know how wonderful that feels.

But I think what I’m most grateful for is the next 10 years. I get to be a pediatrician for 10 more years. After having been in the same office for almost 16-17 years, that is another 10 years of getting to watch kids grow up. I get to be involved in the community and with children, and try to keep them safe and healthy. It’s such an honor to see a child at their last visit after they have almost reached or just passed 18 years of age, and gently remind them “make good choices! I am so lucky to have been your pediatrician.” That last hug with their parents in the hallway, and with their last sticker in hand – is the best hug ever.

And that’s the greatest gift that being drplasticpicker has given me.

February 20, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

The talks were deployed! It was our first time giving a talk on environmental health at UC San Diego Rady’s Pediatric Residency. This is during their new advocacy elective. I’m grateful for this opportunity to deliver the talks and give four new opportunities to students to present their projects, and to deploy a new partnership /project with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District. Probably the most important thing that happened is that I was able to connect the Office of Environmental Justice at SDAPCD. After two joint talks, our partnership is solid now and the students have been introduced. We also met two new individuals that are important for us to grow our organization. Anna Northrup a new Ms4 from UC San Diego School of Medicine, interested in pediatrics, and also going to head a project with NRDC on Nitrogen fertilizer legislation. And then a talented young freshmen Jaime from UCSD who is also from the an environmental justice neighborhood in San Diego. It’s critically important to mentor students who reside in the neighborhoods that we are trying to protect. I learned this concept called academic extractivism from my good friend Dr. Elizabeth Friedman. Academic extractivism is bad. Mentoring students from EJ neighborhoods is good.

All in all, it was worthwhile. The talks did not go perfect. The first talk went fantastic and it had that amazing energy and connections. The second talk, we were able to really meet our new partners and discuss projects, but it was 3-4 very tired residents in the afternoon who were set on leaving on time. I think this is why it’s hard to loop in residents into this work, as they are overtired. You have to find the right one! But we met a lot of new friends during the two talks and it was something I needed to do.

I was actually very impressed with the growth of the student presentations. The students get better and better, as they practice. One of our students Wooch Kim is working on a new line of thought on pediatric oncology and climate resilience. The growth from the first to second talk was remarkable. The powerpoint slides were improved and eye catchy, and definitely had an artistic unity to it. Eleanor Jung one of my more experienced students is always flawless in her presentations. And the third student that presented, Justin Buchanan, it was fun to get to interact with him and watch him learn a new skillset. Sometimes when you have been doing one thing so long and you are good at it, you don’t grow as much. And it’s fun to see more experienced students realize that new skillsets are interesting and challenging and fun.

No matter what, the two talks were memorable. I’ll always remember the rain yesterday, going from light showers to drizzle. I’ll remember wanting to tell the students nonsense gossip but not able to, because I had to go pick up our daughter from school earlier than planned. In the end, we were all able to fit this in. We prepared and delivered, and it got done.

Climate work like this is very forgiving, because is our team had not shown up – it would not have happened. The 2nd audience and talk was a bit frustrating, because so much preparation went into the talks and planning and coordination to get all the people there. And sometimes it felt like we were speaking to ourselves. But it’s hard to be a resident in the middle of training. They have a lot of ICU rotations and overtired.

Just wanted to share some of my emotional journey and share some of the process and feelings of disappointment and exhaustion – as this was a new challenge I took upon myself. But it was done! and I’m done with climate work for today! Going to work the late shift tonight and just have 1 meeting at 10am with Scripps Oceanographic Institute So Cal Heat Hub to coordinate their talk at H3SD.

Thank you for following along this eco-activism and climate and health journey of mine.

February 12, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I’m up finally blogging and working on my own brain health. I have to write an important letter of recommendation this morning for one of my most favorite people in the world. She needs a real job that pays real money and she’s going to do real work. It’s important to understand money and finances, and the reality of life. Mr. Plastic Picker and I have been together almost 30 years now, and having the same familial values and also financial values is very important. We are a good team.

But as I wrote a draft of a letter for her last night, I realized it was complete gibberish and I stopped. Writing late at night doesn’t really work for me. My thoughts are garbled and my thinking is not clear. So I finally took care of myself and turned off my netflix (I’m been binge watching C-dramas these days) and went to sleep at a semi-normal time. And now my mind is clear, and I’m going to write that letter that needs to be submitted today.

But something I realized after thinking of the recent meetings I’ve been at. I attended my first SD Shade Cool Council meeting which was super cool. I was invited as one of 20 regional leaders as part of the H3Sd organizing committee. I realized that we are truly at the climate mitigation and climate adaptation stage. This is very scary and horrifying.

They shared with me the up to date power point which I’ve shared with climate and health friends, and will continue to share. We are happily starting to organize for H3SD 2026 now, and that is hopeful and happening. I have to set up the San Diego Foundation meeting to ensure funding for the summit, as they give us a grant for food. I’ve been invited to be a co-author for the San Diego State University Healthy Air Healthy Water research paper, and I’m so honored. But all of this is because, at this moment in time – the world needs all of us. Every tenth of a degree counts. There are massive climate migrations and shifting ecosystems. It’s completely horrifying that we’ve gotten here, and fossil fuel companies and AI aficianados are still trying to pump more carbon into the atmosphere and drain more of our water resources.

I’m going to write that letter now. But I wanted to let you know. We are at climate adaptation and climate mitigation, and the presentation from the UCSD Scripps So Cal Heat Hub made this starkly obvious.

Come to our summit and help out! We are still trying to save the world, but it just got scarier and more real.

February 2, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I think I may have used this picture in the last blogpost? I’m back here on the blog and actually on my old computer that is mostly broken. I still haven’t figured out how to log onto the blog from my new computer? I’m old and technology is still very challenging for me. But I’m here because the blog has always been my emotional diary to share my plastic picking journey!

I went to the beach this weekend and had a great adventure picking up trash along the beach. It was mostly styrofoam bits which are so interesting when they are weathered as they become this intense dirty yellow/gold color. It’s hard to spot if you aren’t an experienced plastic picker! Styrofoam isn’t plastic but I still pick up non-plastic things.

This really did all start with picking up trash, and now 7 years later I’ve been offered a faculty position at our HMO medical school! I’m really excited about it since it really will help me figure out how to extend our work on climate and health. Titles are super important, and whatever title they give me from HMO medical school will be enough! I’ll still be doing clinical work mostly, but now will mentor officially at the medical school and teach during their climate and health course which is every April. Our youngest is off to college, and I’ll have more time and probably use my educational leave time to go up there to teach.

Mr. Plastic Picker is now Chief of his department too! It’s funny how all of this happened around the same time. Our youngest has about 45 days until she finds out which of the 26 schools she applied to, will be her college home for 4 years. Honestly, being her mother has been so easy especially now that she’s 17 years of age and a self sufficient teenager. When she’s off to college next year, I need to keep busy and teaching students and meeting new people and doing new projects is always fun!

It’s so funny though. When I came to our HMO over 16 years ago, I actually didn’t want a full time job. I wanted a part time position and to be home with the kids. I had two little ones back then, and it was physically painful for me to be away from them. I was like every other mother I’ve ever met, I wanted to be with my babies. But having trained so long to be a pediatrician and the family and community that surrounded me, I was pushed into full time work. With the ebbs and flows of being a working mother, and the turmoil of feeling like I didn’t have a choice back then – I am now grateful. I am grateful that I chose my children and the earth 7 years ago, and left middle management and decided that every day I had left was important. I’m not sure what I would tell the young me from 16 years ago. I’m not sure if I would ever get along with her. But I would certainly admire her and cheer her on. I think she would cheer the current me on too.

Having a cheerleading squad, those that fundamentally believe in you is so important. I had one person that I admire not cheer me on, and actually questioned if I was qualified to teach climate and health. I admire this person and I realize it comes from their own insecurities. But it really hurt. The emotions and pettiness are all very real. And climate and health physicians have their own egos.

But I told the ones that I know are cheerleading the collective us on, and it felt good to reconnect with them and let them know my good news.

That’s it! I’m not posting or writing as much about the kids because they are adults or almost adults. It’s to give them privacy and as my son said “stay out of their business” to let them decide their lives. It’s been so fun to continue to be their mother, and to get to know all the fun details!

I’m continually grateful to my cute college boyfriend now husband. We had our happy ending, and now we are trying to make sure our kids get to have their happy ending (and other children out there too) by working toward a better world and saving as much of our climate/environment as possible.

Wow! It’s Monday and I’m working the staggered shift today! It ends at 730 though so it’s not bad.

January 25, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It was such a wonderful evening. Mr. Plastic Picker (who is also a doctor) is now Chief of his department. I’m no longer Assistant Boss, for the last four years or has it been five? It was a valuable experience despite the burnout because I understand what Mr. Plastic Picker’s journey has been. It’s much easier being the supportive spouse than having to be actually in charge. I did my time in admin, over 5 years leading our large clinic and another 5 years as Assistant Boss. And now I’m happily a front-line clinical pediatrician taking care of my little patients and doing the projects that interest me.

But yesterday was his night. I wore one of my nicer dresses, nothing too fancy. Wore nice boots and a little bit more make-up. And I just smiled and shook hands, and followed him around the party venue like a puppy. This was the role I am used to in our relationship, and I don’t make apologies for it. It’s fun to follow him around and just try to be there for him. At my own work place, I’m like an energizer bunny at times with large swings of emotion. But once in a while, it’s good to be a more supportive character. It’s actually much easier on the nervous system.

So I got to observe all the dynamics of his department, the other doctors, the staff, the managers as a background character. I noticed things more. The firepit. The beautiful scenery. The dresses and the dance moves. I recorded. I photographed. I watched him do his leadership thing, knowing he looked very calm but underneath I could feel his nerves. He asked me to be there for him. He asked me specifically to remember to put it on my calendar. And I’m glad I was there and I think it made the evening nicer for him.

He and I get our happy ending everyday.

January 19, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I’m really excited about this project that has been on my mind for years now. It’s been meandering and developing in my brain as I’ve been wandering around doing climate and environmental health work. Everything I do – I do volunteer, and I use my own money to fund most of the little projects we do. I almost left medicine during burnout, so I figure since I’m happy now and still adding to the family finances – I have $20-$30K a year to play around with. That’s how this all stays fun. I usually use about $20K a year and Mr. Plastic Picker is okay with that. We have always had a savings rate of over 50% of our earnings, as we live mostly simply (other than private school and buying the oregon farm) and invest all of our remaining money in real estate and stocks and savings and all that stuff. We are two physicians so high earning couple, that actually loves our vocation and I honestly have been working most of my life since I was 8 years old. But because we care about patients and our own families, we care about the earth. Money is not worth much if the world burns (which it is).

Anyway, I’m no longer a personal finance blogger but I always think of things in terms of the most efficient use of my time and money – to try to make an impact! And this whole thing has to be fun. If it’s not fun, than unless it’s fighting with the mayor of Irvine and some not to be named meanie pediatricians in OC regarding OCPA (which was hugely important for the climate movement) – than I won’t do it.

This project is FUN!!! I get to work with my own son who has the connections and skill set necessary to get it done. I get to finally get a meaningful project to two young teenagers who have been doing climate work with me for over 7 years now! They are my patients and have shown up to so many events! I get to continue to work with the San Diego Bird Alliance, who are my close climate friends. I love shorebirds and I love the San Diego Bird Alliance, because they are all super nice people! So we are going to work on prescribing birding!

I don’t want to let out all the details but it’s a fun idea and innovative. And 100% it will involve fun people and be able to be written up in a poster and abstract and paper!

Oh! If you are around, come to I Love Your Wetlands Day. You have to register! And we’ll be presenting the project to share ideas with folks. But you have to come to the wetlands because we have to protect the wetlands for the children, the birds, and for clean air and clean water! It’s always been about the wetlands!