June 24, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I wasn’t sure what the meeting was about, but I had received this email about a Scientific Advisory Board Meeting at the Indian Health Council at the Rincon Reservation. I assume it was from Dr. Dan Calac who is also a Harvard Medical School alumni and head of the the IHC and good climate friend. I had told my friend Dr. Luis Castellanos about the invitation and he had received the invitation as well, but he had clinical and teaching duties. I had clinic just in the morning and a dental cleaning. So I let our oldest who is home for summer break anyway, know that this was happening and asked him if he could come with me. He’s always in for any climate side-questing with me, and has been with me during the most interesting climate adventures – so we planned on going together.

Yesterday was an incredibly LONG day. Somehow it all worked out, and indeed just this morning I finished all my notes from yesterday! Yeah! But yesterday, somehow I was able to finish all my patient care and then went to the dentists. Had interesting conversations with my dentists an my dental hygienists. I also had NO CAVITIES and they said things looked good and were able to space my cleanings for 6 months! I’m really working on my dental health, so I was nervous and relieved and happy. And then at 230 after finishing with my dentists, headed back up from the South Bay to meet my son at home before heading to the meeting.

I had no idea where the Rincon Reservation was. I had no idea what the meeting entailed. All I knew is that I received an interesting invitation, and one of my good climate friends who is a senior physician asked me to come – so I went. I’m a fairly obedient physician, and he’s a a more senior physician than I am. I’m not sure if Dr. Calac remembers inviting me? But I’m so glad we went!

It was such an interesting adventure getting there and getting back. The scenery was a part of a region I had never quite experienced before. Indeed, it’s a different culture and a different nation. We listened actively to the presentations and were inspired by the talks. It was such an interesting mix of people in the room, researchers from UC Berkeley and San Diego. Tribal Board members and elders. The mix of talks reminded me that health inequities are some of the biggest issues for indigenous health systems. I heard terms I had never heard before “culture is healing, ” discussions on “sacred tobacco” and the commercialization of “sacred tobacco” that is not endorsed by the Navaho nation. We got some very interesting swag and a children’s book , and a lot of cool stickers!

Dinner was really delicious. I was able to chat with Dr. Calac afterwards and I told him about the data center work and we discussed the Tijuana Sewage Crisis as well. I updated him on the San Ysidro Health Center Tijuana Sewage studies, and I remet someone I had met during HPV work. It’s so interesting the world and the folks that move through it, and who we are connected with.

I was so honored to be invited and so grateful that the coordinator said it was okay to bring our oldest son. It was a very interesting research conference and it was FREE and delicious dinner included. I just wanted to remember yesterday and grateful I had an interesting climate side-quest with our oldest, and got to see a part of the world that I would never have seen – if not for my climate friends. Thank you Dr. Dan Calac for the wonderful invitation and inspiring new thoughts and giving us new experiences yesterday.

June 23, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I’m feeling lonely right now. It doesn’t make much sense since there are a lot of people around me. My mother-in-law is sitting in the kitchen sipping coffee, and just commented that I’m up early this morning. I’m blogging in the kitchen again and I’m up on time these days, and not binge watching as much Netflix. Indeed I’m not watching much Netflix at all. The house is full but just one person is missing.

Our daughter is on a semi-tropical vacation with her best friend and their family, and I missed her. She called yesterday and we chatted for a long time. She sent some pictures and it was foreshadowing for what the autumn will spring – when she goes off to college.

And one of my long time climate and health colleagues is moving back to her home state of Ohio. She has two young boys now and their entire family is in Ohio (both sides) so for their children and their families, it makes sense to be together. She was one of the very first people who joined me in climate and health advocacy. We’ve been through a lot together. She’s been through a lot. And now she’s leaving San Diego and moving back home where it feels very right for her to be. Almost a decade I’ve know her. She’s done tremendous clinical and climate work. It seems very right this move of hers, but it makes me feel lonely.

June 22, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I’m having a lot of fun this morning watching an old YouTube video of our pediatric offices (Bonita and Otay Mesa) dancing during an event almost 13 years ago. It was mostly staff and nursing that had organized and coordinated the dance practices and events, but I remember showing up as one of three physicians and it was so much fun. We had several practices and I think I made most of them, and we were all part of the short well edited video for our HMO. Even well over a decade later, watching it brings a smile to my face and brings up memories or small moments that were so new and exciting and filled with connection and community.

Being a participant is very POWERFUL.

Here is a fuzzy image of me in the background. It was so fun and I had shorter hair with a lot less greys! If I had known perimenopause was going to be like this, I would have enjoyed myself even more back then! But honestly to all the friends that were part of the dance video, thank you for including me! It was the nurses that really encouraged us physicians to show up and to participate. It was so fun being part of the group. Let’s MOVE YOUR BODY and also SAVE THE EARTH!

Here is a link to the video if you want to watch https://youtu.be/NgQbGSs2BCY?si=Zu9sJRaa6k1efJyl

I’m going to move my body by going jogging this morning! I’m blogging back downstairs and it’s nice and quiet. I may return to blogging in the kitchen in the early mornings again.

June 20, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

This Data Center/AI thing is really out of control! One of my climate friends told me that there is a data center proposed in rural Montana, and from a town of 150 – 100 people showed up at a town meeting regarding this. My pediatrician climate friend told me that they used our handout! Our handout is actually based on another friend’s handout, which we reviewed and agreed upon and I just put our logo on it (San Diego Pediatricians for Clean Air). It’s a really powerful handout, and we are proud to help ask questions on behalf of children and environmental health.

California is really diverse, and this is completely driven by big tech. And I think it makes sense it had to be so cal pediatricians leading the way. I know my town and my town San Diego is a really loving area. we are not left nor right. We are center. And the center can care about community and the earth and climate. Not everything comes out of the bay area. I’m a very San Diego-centric pediatricians so I’m really proud of us!

Anyway, just was thinking about how powerful a flyer is and wanted to share this flyer again!

June 15, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

We just finished hosting our daughter’s graduation party at our house. It went fabulously and we were exhausted by happy. The house was soooooooooooo clean in the preparation.

I took some well deserved space to be fully present as a mom during the last few weeks. Our youngest graduated high school and there were a lot of celebrations. But during that entire time, I was scrolling through posts and reading news articles and seeing the very real community uprising and our climate communities collective horror at the emergence of data centers. Our own HMO along with every other health system and indeed every sector is pushing AI as the answer to everything. I can honestly say other than a few times accidentally reading the AI generated summary for a google search (I’m trying to change to Ecosia again), I do not use AI. And the reason why, is that I have natural intelligence and I also understand in the core of my irreverent eco-avatar heart that the rise in AI and Data Centers is incompatible with life on earth. It’s simply too energy and water intensive. Nothing is free, and AI is not free. It exploits our very real natural resources and there is simply not enough for biological life already to share with AI.

So now that our daughter has graduated and we have just one more small celebratory thing to plan, I’m back at my volunteer climate work in earnest.

This is SUPER IMPORTANT. I even created an email folder called “AI BAD.” When it gets a separate folder on my email account than you know it’s an important issue. A group of connected pediatricians are already working together on an email group and drafting a national resolution on AI and data center proliferation without the required environmental reviews. We have one of the main breakout sessions at H3SD San Diego’s Heat and Human Health Summit going to address AI and Data Centers and Extreme Heat in the Imperial Valley (which is the area that is part of our bioregion where they are doing a land grab for data centers). Then we need to write an article on AI and extreme heat for the San Diego Physicians Magazine. After that is done, the team can this just continue giving talks virtually and in person wherever we are invited and then we will have done a huge part in the fight against the environmental devastation that is threatened by AI and data centers.

I have to finish our newsletter for June as well. I have a lot to do, but it’s a good to do list. The craziness of celebrating graduation was fun but exhausting so I’m glad to be in this part of life. The achy feeling of knowing our youngest is leaving soon is real. But climate work slows time down for me. I just go project by project, and get to work on things I think are actually important. No one tells me to do anything, and I’m a free agent in this space. Freedom is really important. Freedom of thought. Freedom of creativity. Why anyone would allow someone else to control your thoughts and your freedoms, and take away the creative process – makes no sense to me.

I’ve noticed everyone that gravitates toward AI are actually the folks I wouldn’t naturally like. They are the ones looking for shortcuts and no the thoughtful ones. They are the ones that look for the easy way out. Guess what????!!! There is no easy way out of any problem. There is nothing that is accomplished without hard work. But this will give some very deserving students an opportunity to be involved in some ground breaking advocacy. Whoever responds to my text messages first will get the project!

Thanks for hearing me ramble on about data centers and AI. It is good to know it’s not just me. There are more and more people concerned, and as pediatricians it’s our duty to speak on behalf of the children in these rural areas who will bear the brunt of the burden. So my house was super clean before we dove into the AI advocacy work!

June 7, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

Given the Harvard entering class is about 1600 unique individuals, the idea that anyone knows the formula of how to get into Harvard – is really ridiculous. Some other parents have asked Mr. Plastic Picker, who is the Chief of the Radioactive Doctors Department, and he just shrugs his shoulders. It was an exhausting process senior year for all involved, just applying to college. It just happened that the top college our youngest was admitted to was Harvard, and it has that aura. But for all of us who are alumni and Harvard trained, we all know it’s just a place. It’s pretty similar to other places like Yale, Brown, Stanford, Columbia, Georgetown, Cornell, Berkeley, Clairemont McKenna Colleges, USC, UCLA, and on and on and on.

I’m glad she’s in and we’ve reveled as a family and community, but then moving past it. I’m relieved. Our daughter has made contact with the Harvard Ceramics program and other key people she will need to know while there. She has a vague idea of what she wants to study and professional goals. And we have our plane tickets and hotel reservations, and a move-in date. We are back to the regular world of having to do things together as a family, and are still celebrating – but not nonstop. It was very wonderful but a bit too much for my nervous system! Yesterday Mr. Plastic Picker and I went for a long walk. We ate food at home which has plenty of protein, and some fruit/vegetables. We are eating all the many many leftovers in our house, and re-centering ourselves. We had a last gathering of our girl scout troop yesterday which was very meaningful. And ended that chapter of our lives. It was twelve years together. That could be an entire book in itself! I am so grateful I was their girl scout leader, and got to have that experience with my daughter and her friends and the other moms. We had so many different experiences together!

How do you get into Harvard? Actually I got into Harvard too! But I’d rather ask the questions – how do I deep clean my bathroom? How do I fill the sink-hole in my backyard? How do I navigate menopause? How many supplements does any sane person take? Which hair-dye should I use? How do I get Mr. Plastic Picker to exercise more and stress less? Those are the questions I really want answered.

Our now two adult children went to the gym together yesterday, and they were laughing and had funny antics that they were showing us. A secret handshake that includes a robot-like ending. It’s really funny and endearing. We used our ninja air fryer and the turkey burgers turned out really well! And everyone had their burgers a bit different with different fixings. I never realized how the children don’t really like fresh tomatoes? Which is crazy since we have so many tomatoes every year! My son made this stir-fry with a bunch of leftovers and it actually turned out okay. I was initially horrified that he dared alter a fundamentally amazing Vietnamese dish by combining it with some dishes, but when he stir fried it with some left over salmon poke bowl and a random chicken tender – it was actually transformed into something really interesting! But most importantly he ate it and there wasn’t any leftovers and we had less food waste in our kitchen.

I know the blog has become more my blathering than anything. But it helps me sort things out in the morning. I have to write a letter of recommendation today, try to finalize an abstract by a student group. I’m not sure if they got it done correctly? And then make sure I show up where I’m supposed to show up this week. I have to email Harvard an email from our family regarding our daughter, so that they can place her in the right dorm with the right roommate. Thank you Harvard – I really appreciate that care and consideration. And then I have to finish ordering our Harvard freshmen ad for the yearbook. So lots of Harvard things to do for our Harvard-bound youngest. How did she get in? I think she got in because she applied and she was qualified and an interesting candidate. And it doesn’t hurt that both her parents were alumni. But we are proud of her, because she was admitted to another Ivy League college and a few other top notch schools. So if she hadn’t got into Harvard, she would be freezing her tushy off in Ithaca! Phew. That would have been close! Cornell is really really really really COLD!

June 5, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

Hee hee! I just sent an epic number of emails, posted on Linkned, and facebook. I realized that I do not have ADHD, but in this disjointed world I’m trying to connect all those dots that need to be connected. Yesterday was honestly exhausting but meaningful. I don’t think my young colleague realizes how much I’m doing when I wandered out of my office in a daze. I had climate meetings from 1230-130, 230-330, 4-430 and then working on other human rights stuff at night with my family. It was actually an epically important climate day because I connected Christina Laster who helped pass a California Law that helps implement heat safety measures in schools https://www.laschoolreport.com/author/cclaster/ with Nan Renner from Scripps Oceanographic Institute and Mikaela Robinson from Green Schoolyards of America. We are all going to speak at the same breakout session at H3SD San Diego’s Heat and Human Health Summit. We only met because Christina spoke at District 8 Summit which was inspired by H3SD. It’s so interesting how the world works. And Christina is up at Stanford, and wants pediatricians help in forming the state-wide policy in implementing this law. So I responded to an email from Lisa Patel from Stanford about something else, but will connect her with Christina who is also at Stanford.

As someone who went to Harvard, I totally get it. We can literally be in the same space working on the same issues, and not know that the person you need is right in front of you.

But anyway, the thing I really wanted to tell you is that 5 years ago? I think it was 5 years ago, I met a documentary film maker named Mitzi Mayer who was making a film about plastics. And I’m Dr. Plastic Picker (although I don’t really do that much advocacy on plastics). She interviewed me and we had this super interesting day where we got sandwiches from Fig Tree Cafe with one of my patients/students Ashley, and then walked to our house and she interviewed me in front of my mother-in-law’s tomato plants. I think Mitzi also went to the H3SD summit? I haven’t heard from her since but know where her web page is and know she’s out there doing things, and she emailed everyone letting everyone know her film was done. I haven’t watched it yet, but it was so fun to receive her email! She is such a genuine person and I was so happy to meet her years ago.

But anyway, she was looking and trying to figure out where to premier her film. I happened to be at the San Diego Natural History Museum for another project (which is super interesting called Healing Through Nature) where I’m trying to get a bunch of doctors to help the NAT do this important project. It will get a bunch of doctors out of clinic and into a fun place! I think they’ll LOVE IT! Anyway, I happened to be at the NAT and chatting with a few people about this other project. My daughter and niece were sitting a table away, just returned from wandering around the NAT, and I got to introduce them to my new young friends! I thought that was cool that I’m actually semi-famous/infamous. And then I off-hand asked Natalie from the NAT, “I know this is weird but I met this really cool person 5 years ago Mitzi Mayer and she did a documentary film on plastic pollution and I’m in it (just a little bit) because I’m Dr. Plastic Picker! I haven’t seen the film but she’s looking for somewhere to premiere the film? Could she premiere it here?” And Natalie looked excited and mentioned to her other friend, and they might make it happen.

So in the gazillion emails and Linkned message and facebook messages I did send, the coolest one was a quick reply to Mitzi’s email and I cc’ed Natalie. I hope it works out and I think it really will! I’m really excited that there might be a documentary movie premiere at the NAT on a plastic waste documentary that I might be in, and it will be at the NAT! I LOVE THE NAT! My entire family loves the NAT!

Anyway, I thought that was really cool! So it’s 5:56am and I am going to go jogging and pick up trash /plastic on the beach because I’m Dr. Plastic Picker! SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, too much coffee already.

June 3, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It was the primary yesterday! I definitely voted and our daughter voted in her first election. I’ll be honest, I don’t really vote carefully. I kind of take my ballot and vote for the people I know well and trust, and the others sometimes I leave blank and sometimes I’ll just make sure to vote for a Democratic (I was raised Republican but lean left because obviously I’m a pediatrician and climate minded person). But I’m not a purist. I think because I was raised very conservatively I understand some of the concerns that are coming from the right side. But I’m definitely non-partisan usually I think? I don’t really donate to politicians. I think it’s a waste of money. But I definitely VOTE. Which is the most important thing.

The election was last night and I was only following it peripherally. Because of the Tijuana Sewage Crisis, I met Matt Mahan, Xavier Becerra, and also someone else – I forget who? Anyway. I met 3 people or was it just 2 – running for Governor. I actually voted for Becerra before I realized he had taken money from Chevron. But now that there is a Republican in the run off, I’m glad I did! No politician is perfect but definitely Becerra is preferable to a Republican right now. Anyway, I got to meet him in Imperial Beach and got to shake his hand and chatted with him before my shift. It was all very interesting. His wife is also I believe a Harvard trained physician.

I actually met Nicole Crosby who is in the run off for the District 2 seat as well. She was sitting at our table during our daughter’s Girls Scouts’ Emerging Leaders celebration. It was super interesting because our daughter gave a very good speech and received a good amount of applause when they introduced her and announced where she was going to college. I started following Nicole Crosby because she took our picture and was seated at our table. Politics and influence definitely flows through certain groups in San Diego and that includes Girl Scouts! Anyway, I thought she was really interesting and an up and coming young leader and started following her. She won last night! She mentioned in passing at the table that she knew Raul Campillo through something, who is also one of the current City Councilmen. Then one of my patient’s parents told me something about her, because this parent is a public defender. I have known this parent for years, so I thought her perspective was interesting. The entire election was interesting.

I’ll be honest though. I definitely vote and chat about politics and politicians, but I kind of just do my thing. I don’t think climate is left nor right, it’s just literally trying to survive. I think by concentrating on doing what I know I’m supposed to do, and then voting and participating – that I’m doing enough. So to the weird person’s campaign that called me to donate after I already blocked you on social media and on my phone, PLEASE STOP!

The weird thing about a lot of people, is they want to tell other people what to do. I really really hate that! I already am told what to do at work, by my patients, by my husband (in a partnership kind of way), by the IRS, and by my family – so I don’t take kindly to being told what to do! That’s why I don’t respond intuitively to some people and certain students. It’s like they are dumping things on me and telling me what to do with my time! Do it yourself! I’m pretty sure I’m busier than you, and all my activism is actually volunteer which is how I like it.

Anyway, just wanted to let the blog readership know I though the election was super interesting and will chat about it during work with my office buddies. I got to meet some of the politicians who like to tell us what to do. But the truth regarding democracy is that it’s really the people and grassroots organizing that controls the narrative. Also there is corruption is politics 100%, so we need to get to the root issue and take the money out of politics. I think Australia just requires everyone to vote on an easy to get to day like Saturday, and just fines people – if they don’t vote? I think that would save a lot of time and money if we did that. Again, I’d rather just be me and not involved or overly concerned with politics. But I did vote everyone! And the people I voted for actually did win. I think I’m reflective of the general population. And please don’t try to tell me what to do. I really respond poorly to that. I’ll literally just block you on social media, or ignore your emails. I’m a more collaborative person. I think I don’t like people telling me what to do because I’m Vietnamese, and imperial forces have been trying to control us for like a thousand years.

June 2, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

I know it didn’t seem much of a pause, but to me it seemed like a pause! I spent the last 5 days gloriously just being a mother. I had a few virtual climate meetings sprinkled in but mostly I was rushing to senior awards ceremony, graduation, noticing the little details of her emotions over friends and pictures and leis – and then we had a family dinner at a beautiful restaurant to just be together the 18 of us who so rarely get to gather together like that. I sat next to Mr. Plastic Picker and we mentally rested with my siblings, and ate fancy food and felt so comfortable. The sun set and the children who are all mostly young adults now ate toward the other end of the table and we watched the sunset frame their conversations. It was a magical time with hundreds of pictures, and only a few shared on social media. When I mean I paused, I mean that so many of those photos and memories and conversations I didn’t share – because they are family memories and family photos and my daughter’s friend memories and friend photos and they belong to the very real world and not the virtual.

But real life is back, and it’s time to dive back in. I’m back to work this morning. Our daughter is stressed out because she has to take her online placement exams, and now Harvard is nagging her for things to complete before she lands on campus. There is always someone waiting for your spot if you don’t get things done at Harvard, so she will spend time doing the nitty gritty of placement exams and online portal management when she thought she’d be working out at the gym and looking cute.

But she was truly gorgeous during graduation!

It was her dream to wear a white graduation ao dai, and we made it happen for her! We do have a professional photoshoot coming up so we are excited to have her get to wear her graduation ao dai, and stole with all the pins correctly placed, and her prom dress one last time. By then she should have finished all the Harvard on-line tasks that is making her current life not fun! But girl! You don’t go to Harvard to just be pretty! She’ll learn you go to make your mark on the world, and bring the causes and community you champion into the spotlight. We are counting on you. No pressure. Just do what you can, and look good while doing it. Our world saving adventure continues to Cambridge, and in San Diego! But thank you to all our blog friends who have been cheering us on. It was really hard for her to get into Harvard! She’s an excellent student but it’s not easy! Phew. I’m glad it all worked out. I don’t think I could write a book or advise anyone about their own children. Our daughter also has no intention of being one of those students who monetizes her Ivy League admissions. Honestly, so much of life is due to serendipity and how do you write a book about that?

I have so many climate emails to send today! If you are waiting for an email from you, I’m getting back to you soon! Just took 5 days off to see our youngest graduate in style!

May 26, 2027

by Dr. Plastic Picker

It all worked out! I had previously blogged about the the nefarious HMO that was trying to take our chalkboards away https://drplasticpicker.com/dear-hmo-dont-take-away-our-chalkboards/. It ended up being a misunderstanding and miscommunication so we are keeping out chalkboards (YEAH!) albeit with a few infection control modifications. Then I was ranting about the premedical students not sending in any sort of slide deck for the big funding meeting https://drplasticpicker.com/thoughts-on-premed-mentoring-i-wonder-if-they-are-going-to-get-their-act-together/ at the San Diego Foundation yesterday. And it’s true the students I emailed did not send anything in, but another student had sent me a slide deck a few months ago and I was able to find it and texted him thanks and let the larger group know that he had generated one that I was able to use! It’s important to give credit where credit is due, and he showed up and got it done. Most importantly the two amazing UC San Diego Medical Students Daisy and Michelle during their busy clinical rotations, were able to come last minute and actually present 10 of the slides to the funding team. Given they had the slide deck just about 1.5 hours prior to the presentation and did it flawlessly, they did FANTASTIC!!! They are really smart and accomplished already because they are already in medical school.

So everything flowed well yesterday and it all worked out! We were able to reconnect with two wonderful people, who I had already met and known but fully understood who they are now. So they are climate friends with specific training backgrounds and roles they are playing in the San Diego climate space.

But during all that climate drama, I got to spend more time with my daughter. It’s this odd week where there are some activities for the graduating senior and a lot of off time. She wanted to get out of the house, and came to me to the funding meeting and sat in the corner. She baked cookies and we shared them with the four other women in the meeting. Home-made short bread cookies are special. And then we walked for a precious 20 minutes around Liberty Station. We bought some iced matcha, and talked and I was able to hear her perspective of the meeting. I try to be just her mother, but I could tell she was proud of me. She heard by spiel and my animated climate and health self – trying to save the earth for her and other children. But she’s 18 now, and technically no longer a child. I dropped her off at Senior Sunset making it right on time to see two of her classmates walking also toward the beach. The entire class was together at this picturesque spot, and I got to drive her and to drop her off. Her iPhone was directing her to her best friend Emily.

And a few days ago I realized why I really loved this plushie I bought at Little Tokyo. Where is she? (PAUSE). OMG I can’t find her! I have to go! I just found my wallet https://drplasticpicker.com/the-magic-of-blogging-i-found-my-wallet-subtitle-wallet-vs-warehouse-isr/. And now I’ve lost my lovey!