Life in PA!

Hello All!!
Ok, I haven't been keeping up with my blog, and I'm sorry about that.  The move to central PA has taken most of my time.  Lots of setbacks and short tempers but things are slowly shaping up.
Lemme splain...
1. The place I moved into was somewhat not ready for move in (some windows weren't working, some had no screens, all had no blinds, the place wasn't cleaned by the landlord, The backdoor doorknob keeps falling off, etc...)
2. The boxspring for my bed can't fit through the stairs, so right now, I'm just sleeping on the mattress
3. The Oven doesn't work!!!  It did before!  Now, it doesn't.  WTF?!
4. It took forever to connect my DSL, and on top of that, my wireless network (obviously both are fixed now).
5. ORIENTATION HAS STARTED!!! I got my own long white coat, my pager, and my ridiculous schedule and everything else that comes with being a new intern.  Quite overwhelming, really.

So I start next Friday, the 1st day of 4th of July Weekend, throughout the weekend! Umm...yea...no rest for the newbie.
On the upside, I enjoyed my downtime after graduation with my family and my girlfriend (miss you babe).  I've been slowly putting things together and cleaning things in my new place.  My landlord is working with me to get things all set up properly. And, I'm also enjoying getting to know my fellow pediatricians and the my new staff/faculty.
Good things.
This is a new chapter in my life.  Now that I'm connected again, I'll be more diligent (maybe) in keeping up this blog.
Until next time, ;-).

Song of the day: "Pumped Up Kicks" - Foster The People

First Weekday of Med School Freedom

05/09: And I spent it working on my loan repayment situation/apartment hunting.
It was quite depressing. The loan repayment situation, not so much the apartment hunting.
So far, I have organized my loans into groups according to which entities I will be making my payments to. OK, 3 so far. Not too bad. Now, comes the tricky part: which payment options to choose. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what my new cost of living will be in my new place of residence. More stuff to follow tomorrow.
Apartment hunting is going. The one apartment that I wanted, a school building rebuilt into a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, new kitchen with brand new appliances (dishwasher, range, microwave, fridge), washer/dryer, with hardwood/tile flooring and really good natural lighting (open floor layout with lots of windows) is $1200. Unfortunately its not in my price range. Will be looking at much more approachable living accommodations on Wednesday.

05/13: Wednesday has come and gone. And sad to say, the other places still didn't pan out. It's either too expensive or the move-in date is too late. I fear, I may have waited too long and all the good places are rented. Still, I remain hopeful. I'll try again next Monday.
In other news, I floated the idea of doing a Tough Mudder event to my girlfriend earlier this afternoon. A few minutes ago, she told me that she has a tentative team ready and would undertake the next year to train for the August event in her neck of the woods. To make things more interesting, she "invited" or rather "challenged" me to join her team. I admit I am very intrigued at the prospect of training and getting fit for such an awesome obstacle course, but it is not without some doubt that I made my mind about it.
So here's to me and my big, fat mouth. :)
Hey, I got through med school...what's a little 12-mile run with 16 obstacles, right? Right???

Song of the day: "Serpentine" - Chris Bathgate

Hello!

My sister just gave birth to a 7 lb 2oz baby girl this past Monday.
Olivia's the name, don't wear it out.
C-section.  Had to be done.  She was stubborn from the get go.
Both mom and baby girl are doing fine.
I'm an uncle now! Officially!
Thankful, proud, and happy.  That's me in a nutshell right now.
Now if only the allergies would stop, I would feel even better.

Song of the day: "Something Beautiful" - Trombone Shorty

Amazing! Simply Amazing!

Something I came across while perusing through NPR's All Songs Considered Blog, by Bob Boilen.  This music video is quite post-worthy all on its own, but it was also reminiscent of my most recent visit to my GF's place of residence.  She took me to a local park that was absolutely beautiful. This reminded me of that beautiful moment with her.

Enjoy!

Song 2 of the day: "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring" - J.S. Bach
 

New stuff!

OK, just an update, no specifics.
1. I got matched into a program! I will be starting this coming July for Peds! (Hot sh...ut yo' mouth!)
2. Went to go visit my lovely GF for the weekend. Quite the trip, but well worth it! I <3 her :D. I miss her already!
3. The left headlamp of my car is out. Grrr. On the upside, it held on until AFTER my car inspection. That's my little sooper trooper.
4. I start my very last rotation on Monday! 1 month of pulm. I hope it all goes uneventfully.
5. My sister is getting ready to pop a new addition to the family anytime now. Condition status in the household is holding @ DEFCON 2.
6. Lots to do for the internship! Paperwork, background checks, looking for a new place to live, starting repayment on my loans!!! $200K+ in debt is quite the kingly sum. This is me, being sad... T_T (You like that emoticon, don't you? Yea, you do).
7. There are so many things vying for my attention right now that I have more free time...(catch up on my shows in Netflix vs. catch up on my light reading vs. sleep vs...) WHAT AM I SAYING?! I have paperwork to do and I still have to hunt for an apartment! Oh and study for Step 3!!! CRAP!
8. (It's raining + it's cold)^I forgot my dinner = sad^10.
9. Warmer weather is on the way, so at least that's something to look forward to. Gotta get me that fishing license and then I'm out w/ my tackle to the lake! Here, fishy fishy...
10. Nachos. Na-chos. With ranch or 7-layer dip. Or Buffalo wings. I need.

That is all.

Song of the day: "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" - Tom Lehrer
I've been saving this one for such an occasion. Bon apetit!

Woo Hoo!!

I matched!
I matched!
I matched!

And I find out where I'll be indenturing myself for the next 3 years this coming Thursday! I'm hoping I get in somewhere in my top 5 ranked hospitals and hoping against hope that I get my number 1 ranked Hospital!

I'll let you all know accordingly.

That is all.

This calls for some F-U-N music!!!
Song of the day: "Undercover Martyn" - Two Door Cinema Club

Talking weather and such

It was such the warm, rainy weather today, I'd swear it was spring already. A few hours into the wee morning, was when it all started. I got woken up by uber bright flashes of lightning through my blinds, followed by startling crashes of thunder. I heard the few drops of the rain, and just like a baby, I went back to sleep.

I really did not want to get up @ 6:30 this morning.

It only got worse when I got to the Doctor's office only to find that he doesn't come in until 12:30pm and will be at his other office today.

So, got myself caffeinated and I was off to the library. To read. And nod off.

I was so tense today because of all the bad things other med students have mentioned about this doctor that I'm supposed to follow for my Pain Management Medicine Rotation. "He's such an asshole!" or "He's so full of himself!" Right off the bat, he asks me a question and of course I didn't know the answer. Well, he didn't chew my head off, thankfully. The day went on and we all saw patients with him and got to listen to him tell his "coming of age" stories. He was nice and he seemed genuine and not at all Assholey. I hope that's the same case tomorrow morning.

So the day ended with more rain. I got home, felt like napping but couldn't. Watched a litte TV, ate dinner, and read the assigned article for tomorrow. "The nonsurgical approach to low back pain" written by none other than the good doctor, himself.

I'm tired. I need to sleep. I miss my girlfriend. And all this rain is making me feel quite lonely. Facebook is quite the blight when you're in such a state. All those pictures of a past life...those people...those memories.

Well, it can't rain forever, I suppose.

Song of the day: "Purple Rain" - Martin Sexton (Orig. by Prince)

Blah...and not so blah.

I'm tired of winter.
I'm tired of waiting.
I'm especially sick and tired of HOMEWORK!
Normally I don't mind doing some work especially if it's important for my medical edification. But if the powers that be start giving us busywork, then my eyes start to bleed and my brain starts to liquefy and leak out of my ears. That's what my next two weeks look like with my current rotation (pain and palliative medicine).

And now, I'm becoming more anxious and paranoid with every day the match gets closer. News of other medical students not matching for the osteo match is making me quite on edge. Sad part is, I can't do anything about it.

Good news is, my ankle feels better and I think I'm set to go for volleyball tomorrow.

Oh and I have a girlfriend now. We've been seeing each other for a while. She's cool. And I love her. =).

Bye for now.

Song of the day: "Crazy" - Alice Russell (Gnarls Barkley Cover)

Ankle

So there I was, playing volleyball. I jump for a block @ the net, and next thing you know, I'm landing on the opponent blocker's foot (he had stuck it out past his side of the net, which might technically be a no-no), causing me to roll my right ankle.

Yea, its nice and swollen. By tomorrow, it'll be all black and blue-like...rotten banana-esque I should say.
And to make things worse, I spilled the ice water on my bed.

My night is really starting to shape up.

Song of the day: "Fixed" - Stars

Post post

Roughly a month to go before my match...chomping at the bit.

Some new things.
- joined 2 volleyball intramural leagues. Now I'm coming home with sore shoulders and backs and thighs, oh my. It's good tho. Can't complain. I still need to lose the Christmas and pre-christmas weight.
- Finished my ED rotation today. My eval reads: all excellent except for the final grade - high pass. The preceptor doesn't give honors grades. Grrr. If I didn't like him so much I would've slapped him right then and there. Well, maybe not. But still, that's just messed up!
- Going home tomorrow to see the 'rents and the doggies. That should be fun!
- My check engine light needs to be addressed soon before my next inspection this month. Either I need a new catalytic converter or an O2 sensor or some sort of spacer, which could mean the difference between paying by the 10s, 100s, or 1000s. Vehicle upkeep is such an expensive pain in the ass.
- Found out a few days ago that some of the programs I applied for had never received my Step 2 scores...well thanks for letting me know sooner, Pa! I hope that doesn't affect my application, tho.
- I have developed a new affinity for shortbread cookies.
- I heart Netflix. Period.
- There are plenty of very ripe bananas in my fridge that require my immediate attention. Looks like it's banana nut bread for the weekend.
- Hearing things from nice people that presents are forthcoming. AWW YEAH! Those nice people are the bestest! Hope to see them, and you, soon =).
- Starting a new rotation come Valentine's day: Pain and Palliative Medicine. Woo. Hoo. Quite the depressing change of scenery. I'm already missing my strokes and CHFs and Lacerations =(.
- Too many friends are getting married. No, I'm not in a rush to get married myself. I just have a limited budget and so I can't exactly splurge on wedding presents as I'd like to. I like weddings. Weddings are cool.

OK, I think that's enough for now.

Song of the day: "Sugarfoot" - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

ER and things

In the ED rotation now.
Long weekend (two 12-hr shifts).
Sutured 2 lacerations today. Need to be better, be more organized, more confident.
Went 0 for 2 on the venous sticks today. Quite the disappointment. There's still more veins out there.
Then lost 4 times on the Volleyball field today, despite a valiant and a very much improved effort by my team.

But I feel good.

In other news, Match is coming up. Yea. Cue ulcer.
For those of you who don't know what Match is, let me s'plain...
It is that fateful moment when all the medical programs we medical students applied to get to tell us that we are hired!
So as a med student, I apply to X number of programs. They, in turn, receive many med school applicants (myself and the thousands of others applying for a job) for interview. In the end, there can be only one!!! Wait, got movie side-tracked...
In the end, each medical program participating in the match ranks their medical applicants from 1 to whatever. And each one of us applicants get to rank the programs we applied to from 1 to whatever, as well. So, a match happens when a program and an applicant rank each other evenly. This is done by a big computer in the sky. Whatever. The rub is this, I'm competing against many (hundreds) medical students for a limited number of positions (it can be as low as 1 or as high as 60, mine is between 6-24) in my top ranked programs and each of my top ranked programs gets to generate their own rank list of applicants.
Now, I interviewed in 12 pediatric residency programs. I'm ranking all of them. It is my hope that my top ranked programs put me within their high rankings, so come match day, I get into a residency program that I like and of course, a job come June/July.
So there are multiple types of matches (military, San Francisco, ACGME, AOA, etc). I am going for the allopathic match despite me being a DO student. It affords me greater geographic range and more options for residency (not all residencies are the same). Disadvantages, both DO and MD students can apply in the allopathic match, so the competition gets larger and stiffer.
This is the ulcer part: Worst case scenario, I don't match and I have to scramble, meaning I get on the phone and call every program that has an available opening to see if they'll take me. It's not very pleasant, nor pretty, and it certainly puts you in a program that is not necessarily your specialty let alone choosing.
Allo match goes down some time in March (DO or AOA match happens in Feb). Until then, I cross my fingers, write my thank you letters, and pray to God I didn't screw up my interviews/rank list.

And that's the update.

Song of the day: "Kids" - MGMT

2011, here we go!

Finished my ICU month, fairly unscathed.  Learned a few things which were really good.  Going to do an Emergency Medicine rotation month next.  Wish me luck!  The rest of my 2011 is also looking good so far.  My last interview (Massachusetts) is in sight.  The end of my interview road is near and I am really happy its close by.  All this traveling and spending is really taking its toll on me and my car.  I'm also in the process now of making my rank list of residency programs that I want to go into.  Yet another stressor and source of headache for me, but it must be done.  Match day is this coming March.  Wish me luck!
In other news, I joined an intramural volleyball league that should help me be less sedentary.  Lots of fun and makes my weekends less crazy.  And also there are other new changes that are making me smile more nowadays, so that is always good.
That's all for now.
New Year's Resolution: Less procrastination.  Seriously!

Song of the day: "Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)" - The Old 97s

2011

Happy New Year!
Hope all is well with you and that this year will be better than the last!

P.S.
Keep those resolutions, eh? Cool!

SongS of the day (that's right boys and girls, you get a 2-fer!): "Mr. Sandman" and "If You Think You Need Some Lovin'" - Pomplamoose



If these nutters seem familiar to you, they're in the new Hyundai Holiday Commercials.  I love them!