Status
Good morning.
Thought I'd check in and share how things are going.
Regarding work: I'm finishing my third year of residency. It's been an excellent year. The first 6 months (July-December) were primarily filled with outpatient work. The schedule was nice, but it becomes somewhat tedious when each week is largely the same and my work space was a small, windowless room. This portion of the year (January-June) has been exciting; I enjoy jumping between consults, the emergency department, and random outpatient clinics. Consults in particular has been an area that I'm excited about and may be a path into my future. Starting in July, I'll be in my fourth year of the program and I'll be one of the chief residents. The types of activities that I'll be doing are things that I really enjoy, so definitely looking forward to it. Perhaps the more intimidating aspect of next year is whether I want to do a fellowship, get a faculty position somewhere, or find a job somewhere. There are pros and cons to each option, but that's a rapidly approaching future that I need to set some time and thought to.
Regarding family: My parents are still living about 45 minutes north of here, and I see them frequently. My brother will be moving from Hawaii to Chicago in a month or so with his wife -- she works for an airline. Since I believe that I will be moving away for my next work/training opportunity, it's interesting to consider where my parents may go. I think dad will have a few more 3-5 year commitments; unclear whether that will be within the government or private. I like the idea of him landing ultimately somewhere in academia with an easy schedule and lots of students around -- because I think he's a great teacher and it seems like a good environment to finish in. Of note, one cousin is now living in San Diego for the year working for a large company, another cousin is graduating this year and going to Tanzania with the Peace Corps, and three other cousins are still in high school.
Regarding home and relationship: We've been together for more than 7 years and I feel like it's about time we got engaged, married, and started having children! We recently took a trip to Spain that was phenomenal, and in one month both of our families will gather for a good old-fashioned beach week. We'll have a few more good travel experiences coming up. As for our house, it's looking so great -- we had help from a designer to get furniture and the main living space is so nice. We need a few more chairs for various places in the house, but no rush at all.
I think that's all to look at for now. We've been having a great time, feeling a once a sense of determination in creating a great future, and a sense of accomplishment. It's funny, I was watching this movie last night, it wasn't great quality or anything but it was about these high school students...they were striving for something, almost like they didn't even know what, and by the end they had started on their journey. I saw myself there, looking out at all of these things, so many options, thinking -- what will it be like for me? And then here I am. It's almost like, I want to say to myself when I was younger: you did it! And new dreams and new futures await!
Thought I'd check in and share how things are going.
Regarding work: I'm finishing my third year of residency. It's been an excellent year. The first 6 months (July-December) were primarily filled with outpatient work. The schedule was nice, but it becomes somewhat tedious when each week is largely the same and my work space was a small, windowless room. This portion of the year (January-June) has been exciting; I enjoy jumping between consults, the emergency department, and random outpatient clinics. Consults in particular has been an area that I'm excited about and may be a path into my future. Starting in July, I'll be in my fourth year of the program and I'll be one of the chief residents. The types of activities that I'll be doing are things that I really enjoy, so definitely looking forward to it. Perhaps the more intimidating aspect of next year is whether I want to do a fellowship, get a faculty position somewhere, or find a job somewhere. There are pros and cons to each option, but that's a rapidly approaching future that I need to set some time and thought to.
Regarding family: My parents are still living about 45 minutes north of here, and I see them frequently. My brother will be moving from Hawaii to Chicago in a month or so with his wife -- she works for an airline. Since I believe that I will be moving away for my next work/training opportunity, it's interesting to consider where my parents may go. I think dad will have a few more 3-5 year commitments; unclear whether that will be within the government or private. I like the idea of him landing ultimately somewhere in academia with an easy schedule and lots of students around -- because I think he's a great teacher and it seems like a good environment to finish in. Of note, one cousin is now living in San Diego for the year working for a large company, another cousin is graduating this year and going to Tanzania with the Peace Corps, and three other cousins are still in high school.
Regarding home and relationship: We've been together for more than 7 years and I feel like it's about time we got engaged, married, and started having children! We recently took a trip to Spain that was phenomenal, and in one month both of our families will gather for a good old-fashioned beach week. We'll have a few more good travel experiences coming up. As for our house, it's looking so great -- we had help from a designer to get furniture and the main living space is so nice. We need a few more chairs for various places in the house, but no rush at all.
I think that's all to look at for now. We've been having a great time, feeling a once a sense of determination in creating a great future, and a sense of accomplishment. It's funny, I was watching this movie last night, it wasn't great quality or anything but it was about these high school students...they were striving for something, almost like they didn't even know what, and by the end they had started on their journey. I saw myself there, looking out at all of these things, so many options, thinking -- what will it be like for me? And then here I am. It's almost like, I want to say to myself when I was younger: you did it! And new dreams and new futures await!