English Recordings

‘Why I Became a Doctor’: Michigan Medicine Physicians Share Their Stories

Carol Bradford

I did not come from a family of doctors. My mom was an office manager, and my father was an attorney. As early as elementary school, I developed a love for math and science. I somehow knew very early on that medicine was the career for me. I wanted to help people. I chose a career in otolaryngology early in medical school and chose to focus on head and neck cancer surgery because I felt that who we are as people — our voices, our looks, our sight, our hearing — was threatened by cancer, and I aspired to preserve form and function by minimally invasive surgical approaches, reconstruction and therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation) that avoided the surgery that could cause significant dysfunction. Medicine, for me, has always been a calling as well as a privilege.

‘Why I Became a Doctor’: Michigan Medicine Physicians Share Their Stories

Erica Marsh

My decision to become a doctor was driven largely by values instilled in me by my faith and my family. The idea of being a part of a profession focused on helping others regardless of circumstance, focused on facilitating people leading healthier and therefore happier lives … I can’t imagine a more fulfilling job.

1. write
2. stick
3. cut
4. underline
5. work in group
6. read
7. listen
8. take notes
9. work alone
10. highlight
11. circle
12. ask

sharpener. eraser. pencil case.

present perfect or past perfect
1 I didn't want to go to Voronezh because I had been there before.
2 Have you read my book? Can I get it back?
3 Since I sold my bike, I had walked to school every day.
4 You are early! Where have you been?
5 The next day they got up early. When they had finished breakfast, they began to make plans for the rest of the day.
6 Friends Reunited is the most popular website in Britain. I have become its registered member.
7 Only 38 per cent of the readers said they had read the new novel during that period.
8 Mel joined the queue at the checkout counter to pay for a few things he had selected.
9 When I got to John's house, the police were there. Somebody had stolen his car.
10 -Has Mrs Boxel arrived? -Rachel said she had arrived a quarter of an hour before. Why have you come so late?
11 Two years ago Margaret decided to give up skiing after she had broken her leg several times.
12 I have waited long enough! I am going home.
13 Hello, Boris. Have you had a nice day?
14 We have known each other for years and we have been in love with each other since the day we met.
past simple or past perfect
1 When I got to the party, it had already started.
2 I had just sat down when Rick asked me to dance.
3 After Juliet had arrived at the hotel, she had a bath.
4 When they had left the restaurant, it began raining.
5 Jack gave up drinking because he had had so many accidents.
6 By the time they reached the shop it had already closed.
7 When they got married, they had known each other for ten years.
8 My sister looked very tired because she had slept badly.
9 Larry said they had been engaged for ten months.
10 Although Madge didn't learn to ski until she was 11, by her 19th birthday she had already won two World Cup races.
11 Jill was upset because Stephen hadn't called her.
12 Nobody came to Mark's party because he had forgotten to send the invitation cards.
13 Last month my parents bought a new computer for me.
14 Jenny walked for twenty minutes and then suddenly burst into tears.
15 Roger was not sure he had shut the door before leaving.
future simple or future-in-the-past
1 I'll take an umbrella if it rains.
2 Dear Sarah, I'm writing to tell you I'll be in Edinburgh next week.
3 I thought dad would be happy if I gave him this book.
4 Do you think it will snow tommorow?
5 They promised they would send an e-mail when they arrived.
6 We're lost. I'll stop and ask the way.
7 Explain this to them again, perhaps they will understand.
8 I thought that mum would be angry if I stayed at the party longer.
9 Florence was sure Andy would win.
10 I think I'll work as a babysitter for a family with young children three days a week.
11 I hope my parents will give me a puppy as a birthday present.
12 Jane promised she wouldn't spend more than three hours a day in front of her computer.
13 Richard understood he would have to prepare everythig himself.
14 Soon we shall leave our school and enter a grown-up life.
15 Do you think the world will be able to stop terrorism?

This is a story about a man named Ichabod Crane, a smart and friendly teacher who moved to Tarry Town, a country town near the haunted valley of Sleepy Hollow.
Ichabod opened a school house for the local children who loved and adored him and he also taught singing to some pupils.
As he began to get to know the town's people, Ichabod met Katrina Van Tassel, a beautiful girl who was the daughter of a rich farmer. Ichabod wanted to win her heart and so he hoped to get to know her better as her singing teacher.
However, another man named Brom Van Brunt was also pursuing her and became Ichabod's rival. As his rival continued to persecute him, Ichabod stuck to his plan of slowly trying to win Katrina's heart and when he was invited to a party at Katrina's house, he dressed up and tried to make the most of the oportunity by being social and impressing Katrina with his dancing.
The town's people closed the night by sharing scary stories, including the story of a headless horseman, the legendary ghost with a pumpkin head that haunted sleepy hollow entire town.
Feeling good about himself, Ichabod left the party on horseback and headed home.
As he neared a bridge, he saw a dark figure, he tried to talk to the mysterious figure but it said nothing.
Then, scared and panicking, Ichabod steered his horse to galopp faster and faster. However, the figure chased him and then Ichabod realised that the figure was the Headless Horseman. The Horseman chased him and just as Ichabod thought he had escaped, the Horseman threw his pumpkin head at him and it attached itself to his head.
In the end the people from tarry Town were left wondering what had happened to Ichabod and his story was added to the lore of Sleepy Hollow.

Most of my friends went into teaching actually. I think they felt it was more 'academic' and of course the pay is quite a bit better. But I've never really been bothered about things like that. I think the enjoyment of the job comes first and I certainly get a lot of good feelings doing this work.
We have some difficult cases sometimes but there's still a lot of laughter here and the patients can be amazing, especially the kids.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes helping people.

Novel
"Timkey and Pinkey"
by Rizwan Ahmed Memon

Chapter 2: Colorless World

The day came to an end, and twilight faded into darkness, but Father still hadn’t come home. He returned late at night, after Uncle Arbaaz had gone to bed.

Pinkey and Waseem had gone to bed without Father telling them a bedtime story. He often told them about the prophets or other Islamic stories before putting them to bed. They especially loved the story of prophet Joseph.

I saw Father and put my dupatta, a shawl-like scarf, on my head. “Baba, you’re late. I mean … shall I bring you a meal?”

“No, thanks. Tension has killed my hunger.”

Mother heard his voice and woke up. “You’ve come home… Were you at the mosque?”

“Yes. I don’t have a moment of peace in this house. Father’s stubbornness and Arbaaz’s greed, wanting to own all the land, has snatched the comfort of my heart and mind.”

Mother asked me to bring Father’s food. After putting his food on his cot, I went back to my cot to do my homework. I often read books late at night.

“We shall give them everything and leave this house,” Mother said.

Father sighed. “I’m his son, too. He must at least give us some land to build a house.” I looked at Father and felt his sadness.

My mother rolled her eyes. “Yes, but he won’t do that. And your brother wants to hoard all the property without sharing anything! As if he’ll take it to the grave.”

“Father just doesn’t want us to be separated. It’s Arbaaz and his wife who can’t get along with us. Father understands us, but Mother—she cares too much for Arbaaz.”

“Let’s leave it to God,” Mother said. “I fell asleep waiting for you and didn’t offer the night prayer.”

She left to do her ablution, a common practice among Muslims to wash parts of their body before every prayer. I started to read a lesson in my textbook.

“Timkey, how’s school coming along?” Father asked, slowly eating his food.

I looked up from my book. My father didn’t normally ask about my education. I doubted he even knew what grade I was in. “Very well, Baba. I got an A in a math test. Next year, I’ll be in the 9th grade.”

“If you need anything, let me know,” said Father.

“Baba, my uniform has become old,” I nervously said. “I was wondering if you could buy fabric for my uniform and Mother will sew me a new one.”

“Okay. I’ll buy it for you tomorrow.”

A smile spread on my face. “Baba, I also need a box of crayons. I want to color my drawings.” Father agreed to buy me crayons, too. He finished his meal, and I finished my homework, and we both went to sleep. Mother was still praying as I closed my eyes.

The next day, Pinkey, Waseem, my three cousins, and I prepared for school. When we were about to leave, Aman Wadi asked us to wait at the door of our house. “Timkey, how old are you?” she asked, rubbing her chin.

“I’m 13, Aman Wadi,” I replied. “And I’m in the 8th grade.”

“You’re almost 16! Aren’t you too old to go to school now?” she asked.

Almost 16. I thought. I remained silent.

She approached me and snatched my bag from me. “Children, you go to school. Timkey won’t be going anymore.”

The earth shook under my feet. She was going to do with me what most people do to their girls in rural areas of Pakistan: Stopping them from attending school. “No, Aman Wadi. Please give me my bag,” I protested. “I have to go… I’m going to be late.”

Aman Wadi shook her finger at me. “You won’t be doing a job or anything like that when you grow up. You’re a girl. You must learn what girls need to know.”

Mother saw us and ran to me. “Chachi, please give the bag back to Timkey.”

Aman Wadi refused and shouted at my mother. “Who are you to send her to school? While I’m still alive, and in this house my rules are followed.”

Father came out of the room when he heard Aman Wadi shouting. Father asked us to go into our bedroom, but we didn’t.

My cousins all looked at us. I started to cry. Pinkey took her bag off from her shoulder and put it in front of Aman Wadi. Pinkey feared she might scold her, too. Aman Wadi looked at her and didn’t say a word. Aunt Fariha sneered at us.

All the boys in our home were able to go to school, but I was forced to stay home.

From that day on, my school life ended. Aman Wadi insisted that I learn cooking, sewing, and needlework. I wished that there was a rule in the Pakistani law to send all girls to school and not stop them until they earn at least a Master’s degree. Neither the present democratic government nor the past military rule could implement the laws of empowering women properly.

Pinkey stayed home that first day out of fear, but the next day Father sent her back to school because she was still in the 5th grade, and Aman Wadi didn’t object.

Mother taught me how to cook wheat meals and make puddings. When I wasn’t busy learning household tasks, I often snuck into Aman Wadi’s room to search for my school bag, but it was nowhere to be found. She must have locked it in her safe. One day, Baba Haji saw me in their room. “Are you looking for something?”

“No, Baba Haji. I was just looking at the ceiling to make sure there weren’t any cobwebs. I’ll clean your room thoroughly tomorrow.”

Baba Haji seemed to understand what I was looking for. He looked at me for a few seconds, and I looked at him. Feeling embarrassed, I left the room. I noticed something about Baba Haji that was different. Older than Aman Wadi, creases of lost time were etched deeply into his skin, which exposed innate wisdom about himself. His eyes sacred and still, seemed to weep with the pain of his prayers. A lingering sadness on his face made me wonder what tragedies he had experienced. No matter what stories were buried deep inside of him, he still cared about his appearance, as many older people do. Wearing a turban of the same color as his ancient beard, a beautifully patterned scarf known as Ajrak, draped his neck to keep it warm.

The next day, I went to clean Aman Wadi’s room. As I swept the floor under Baba Haji’s cot, I saw my schoolbag. I quickly took it and hid it in my dupatta, and silently left my grandparents’ room.

In the privacy of my room, I looked at each of my books one by one, my unfinished dreams. Aman Wadi had not snatched mere papers, but my heart’s dreams and songs. When I removed my drawing book and saw that some sketches needed coloring, I could only see the color gray, as my world now appeared to be. Unable to even finish the 8th grade, I became another one of the millions of Pakistani girls who could no longer attend school.

As I looked up at the cloudy sky, the sun struggled to make an appearance. The anemic star that couldn't seem to penetrate the haze was a stark reminder of this new life that no longer seemed to have meaning. I felt a certain kinship to the sun: I was lost in world of gray.

That day when Aman Wadi snatched my school bag would never be erased from my memory, but I refused to let it get the best of me. Somewhere, deep inside, a desire to get an education still burned, and my dream of becoming a doctor still lived.

The doctor told me I need to cut back on my drinking. She told me I needed to get into running, sign up to a gym and take up yoga. I’m going to do none of those things. Instead, I have a plan to turn my life around, and so far, it has been going really well. I’m becoming a professional dancer on social media. 



My family told me I was out of my mind. My daughters are embarrassed, my son is embarrassed and my wife pretends not to be embarrassed, but she is. I don’t care though. Finally, I’ve figured out what I should be doing with my life. Last week I quit my job. I’ll never need to show up at the supermarket dressed in that stupid uniform ever again. Now I dance.

Brandothebartender wins the Crystal Water at Santa Anita in April, a follow-up on his March victory in the Sensational Star Stakes.

Despite a two-race losing streak, the 8-year-old gelding Brandothebartender will start in Sunday’s $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar in the midst of his best season.
Brandothebartender won consecutive turf stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita in the spring, the Sensational Star Stakes at six furlongs on March 21 and the Crystal Water Stakes at a mile on April 24. That was the first time Brandothebartender won consecutive stakes in his 45-race career.
June was not as kind. A good second in the Albany Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Golden Gate Fields on June 12 was followed two weeks later by a dull fourth in the five-runner Bertrando Stakes at a mile on dirt at Los Alamitos.
Trainer Craig Dollase is ready to forget the Bertrando Stakes and focus on Brandthebartender’s return to turf in the California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds at 1 1/16 miles.
“I think going back on turf is a big plus,” Dollase said. “He didn’t take to the dirt too well at Los Al. He was on the inside and he wasn’t a happy camper.”
Owned by the partnership of Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis, Brandothebartender is one of several contender in a field of 10. Desmond Doss, Indian Peak, Galilean, North County Guy, Ward ’n Jerry, and Wound Tight have won stakes since the beginning of 2020.

Margot’s Boy has yet to win a stakes, but was second in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last September. Secret Club and Unbridled Ethos have won allowance races on turf this year.
“I think we’re in the mix,” Dollase said. “There are a lot of comebackers, but we’re in good form.”
Galilean and Brandothebartender were first and third in in the 2020 California Dreamin’ Stakes. Desmond Doss was fourth in that race and more recently won the Bertrando for his first stakes win in his 14th start.
Sunday’s race will be the 2021 debut for Galilean, a six-time stakes winner unraced since a fourth as the even-money favorite in the Cary Grant Stakes for statebreds at seven furlongs at Del Mar last November.
The California Dreamin’ is the second start of the year for Wound Tight, who won the Unusual Heat Turf Classic for statebreds at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in January 2020. Wound Tight was fourth in the Siren Lure Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on June 19 in his first start in 15 months.
“When I ran him, he was maybe 80 percent fit,” trainer Bob Hess Jr. said. “I was shocked at how well he ran. We’ve been pointing to this race for three months.”
Hess expects jockey Kent Desormeaux to have Wound Tight on the front end from post 2. There really is no other option.
“We have a lot of speed,” Hess said. “He’s ready to run.
“The horse is pretty headstrong. He’s pretty much going right to the front. The horse pulls.”

Every morning, I wake up at 6 o’clock. I take my shower at 6:45, get dressed and make my bed. Then, I eat breakfast in the Great Hall with my classmates from 7:30 to 8:50 a.m. After that, I wash my face and brush my teeth.
The students in Gryffindor start Monday with Herbology class from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. After the morning break, we have History of Magic.
Students eat lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. everyday. I always sit next to Hermione and Ron, they are my best friends. I really like the meals served at Hogwarts!
Next, in the afternoon, my classmates and I attend Potions classes.
On Tuesdays, Gryffindors have Flying lessons with Slytherins at 11:15. Our teacher is Madam Hooch.
Friday starts with Charms and then, there is Transfiguration. The last lesson before the week-end is Defense against the Dark Arts.
From 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., all students do their homework in the Study Hall or the library before dinner.
I sometimes play cards with my friends or read a book. Hermione reads books every day! Gryffindor boys often watch TV on Mondays and Thursdays, but we never play video games.
Finally, I usually go to bed at 9:00 p.m, but when I am tired, I go to bed at 8:30 p.m.