Three-thousand dollars, fourty-two days, thirty-four interviews and thank-you notes, eleven flights, nine interview days, eight programs, five hotels, four states, three blouses, two rental cars and one suit. This season a.k.a. “the holidays” was transformed into a fun-filled, empowering adventure that took me across the country and beyond my expectations.
I would like to especially thank global warming, for providing the insanely warm weather I needed to take my carbon footprint to new levels. ALL ELEVEN of my flights were either on-time or early! If you know me, this is absolutely unheard of. I’m queen of crazy flights – at least 30% of my travels are foiled by airplanes gone bad. I’m mesmerized by my new record.
And a huge thank you to all my friends and family who helped me by hosting, giving me rides, loaning their vehicles and providing moral support. It was a joy to spend time with all of you. I really had a lot of fun!
My favorite question during my travels was: “So when will you find out where you’re going?”
Me: “March 16th at 1 o’clock Eastern Standard Time.” (Which always produced inquisitive looks… since when does somebody know the exact date and time of day when her future is revealed? Since the Match!)
I’m humbled that everything seemed to go so positively. Well, for the most part -there was one day when I forgot my suit jacket, and one hotel reservation I thought I made (but apparently never hit the “confirm” button). But in the end, everything turned out fine. I even got a cheaper rate at that hotel.
And while I was searching for the “ONE” (perfect program), I discovered that actually I could be happy at most of the programs. Now the Match seems like it will probably be a win-win situation. After my final interview day, I sat down with a cup of tea and calmly jotted down a tentative rank list. I couldn’t believe that it felt effortless. I showed it to my husband and switched two programs, and then it was over.
Before I knew it I was back home last weekend celebrating the New Year. My clinical skills felt a bit rusty as I returned to work this week, but I’m enjoying a new rotation, “Adolescent Medicine.” Happy 2012- the year of my medical graduation and many surprises!
Congratulations!! Best wishes for your next adventure in medicine! — And good luck finishing this portion of your training! Best wishes to Ben, as well. I hope his research is going well and his writing too!