so today i went to the 'visiting student elective program for underrepresented miniorities' luncheon to meet the program director and the other students in the program. there were 4 african amerian women, 1 puerto rican woman, 1 puerto rican guy and myself. the director is puerto rican himself, the administrator is african american. i felt like both the whitest and the most asian/pacific islander person there. i guess i've never really truly felt like a miniority, because everwhere i've been has been pretty diverse. or maybe it's just that i'm adaptable and can kinda make myself a niche no matter where i am. the program director was gregarious and personable, offered his help in anything we needed,...and made suggestions of good home-style puerto rican restaurants to eat at! mmm. i'm so excited! i really want to eat all kinds of ethnic food while i'm here. there's a falafal joint right down the street and pizza places everywhere.
anyway, one thing i learned about the program was about this county hospital in Queen's, called Elmhurst. It's where all the trauma comes in. Apparently it's so diverse that at any one point, there are more than 40 different languages being spoken there. people go straight from the airport to Elmhurst. The pathology (disease) that is seen there is supposedly incredible to- tropical diseases like malaria to urban disease like asthma (as an internal med doc). plus i can only imagine what kind of penetrating trauma they get (aka gun shot and stab wounds). anyway.
i also learned that i'm actually staying in east harlem, not the upper east side. the main mount sinai hospital is at a cross roads of the wealthiest white people in the world, on one side of 96th ave, and the poorest of the poor on the other side. i'm on the latter side of 96th, at 101. the director of the program grew up 2 blocks from mt sinai, went to mt sinai for med school and residency. and is now working there. very very cool.
....so today i got to sleep in an extra hour, went to a lecture on parathyroid surgery at the main mt sinai campus (literally 2 blocks from my place), then caught the shuttle to englewood. i only had time to scrub into one case, a laparascopic gastric banding, which i had never seen, so was pretty cool. the surgeon was a young greek woman, from the bronx, and she used the words 'shit' and 'fuck' more liberally than i would expect. the assistant surgeon was one of the older surgeons i had met yesterday. cool surgery. it took literally 30 minutes. the idea is that you put essentially a rubber band around the stomach and create a stomach pouch the size of an egg, so you can't eat that much, then you can adjust the size /tightness of the band as the patient needs to. cool, huh?
i caught the noon bus back to manhattan to make the 1 pm luncheon. that ended at 2:30 and i was so excited to have the afternoon off! what to do! i caught up with my ex-boyfriend, bill, who's in law school at NYU and we made plans to meet up next week. i was so excited to explore, i got ready, and just as i put my coat on, packed my bags and got ready to head out the door, i got really really tired. i dropped everything and laid down to take a nap. it's amazing what a 20 minute nap will do. i felt so much better...i headed out the door to the metropolitan museum of art, called the met. i took the subway, walked a few blocks to the museum, which is an impressive buliding. i took lots of pictures, but forgot my camera and connection at home;( i'll post them tomrrow. i wandered through the nineteenth century european art section, the modern photography, the spanish collection, with my headphones on, listening to the killers/the wicker park soundtrack and the garden state soundtrack. i spaced out, felt like i was high or something. i found the matisse paintings- waterlillies and dandelions. other than that, i kinda wandered aimlessly, not really sure what i was looking at and definitely not cultured enough to know the power of what i was looking at, but it was pleasnt nevertheless...
made it back to my apartment, ate leftover panini, chatted on the phone a bit and here i am.
tomorrow's friday. i suppose i'll get out at 5 pm. it's a friend from guam's birthday tomorrow night. he's been living in the city for years now. he's having a little pre-party then we're going out. yay! nightlife in nyc. not sure exactly where we're going, but i'm excited.
i have the weekend off! not sure how to spend the day(s) but i'd love to eat italian food in the bronx, see the financial district, go shopping at h&m, hit chinatown, browse soho, amongst the many many millino things to do in this city that never sleeps. my friend wendy is in boston till monday, my ex-boyfriend bill has a big law project due on monday so won't be able to hang out till after than, my friend chan comes into town sometime on sunday or monday, and chris comes into town in a couple weeks. definitely lots of playmates after monday. will explore on my own till then!
oh yeah! i got one more interview! the most important one: Hawaii:)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
the rest of yesterday's blog
okay...so what was i saying? lots of good looking peeps at nysc, lexington and 86th, right?
so the manager takes me for a tour of the gym, i'm like a fat kid dying to lose weight in a candy shop- what? nevermind that. i'm basically just ready to get my workout on. i swear i had all this pent up energy. no sex, no workout. haha. anyway.
i'm focused on running on the treadmill when we run into one of the trainers who convinces me to take his 30 minute ab class. holy shit it kicked my ass! it's 30 minutes of 1-2 minute boot camp type exercises. damn i was dying. but in a good way...after the class was over, and my entire abdomen was as hard as a rock but sore as fuck, i decide to take the boxing class that follows right after...i though 'eh, why not?'. oh man....it was taught by the real deal. a puerto rican gentleman who looked like a fricken rockstar. the class was ITENSE! the first 30 minutes was stuff like wall squats, jumping jacks, high knees, burpies...i ask this guy next to me "hey how long is this class?'- thinking it had to only be 30 minutes- oh no. it was one hour. the last hour was boxing combos with bags. i punched the instructors mitts so hard one time my wrist actually hurts. i think next time i'll go a little lightly, considering my hands are gold at this point in my career, or i guess the beginning of my career.
i limp my way to the subway, and am so hungry i could eat all of new york. maybe just the pizza. i find a fresh salad place, grind a panini and salad and headed to the coffeeshop to blog...
anyway. what a day! i was tired as hell yesterday. i did sleep like a rock, and this morning i felt much better- i think it was exercising that made me sleep and feel better.
so the manager takes me for a tour of the gym, i'm like a fat kid dying to lose weight in a candy shop- what? nevermind that. i'm basically just ready to get my workout on. i swear i had all this pent up energy. no sex, no workout. haha. anyway.
i'm focused on running on the treadmill when we run into one of the trainers who convinces me to take his 30 minute ab class. holy shit it kicked my ass! it's 30 minutes of 1-2 minute boot camp type exercises. damn i was dying. but in a good way...after the class was over, and my entire abdomen was as hard as a rock but sore as fuck, i decide to take the boxing class that follows right after...i though 'eh, why not?'. oh man....it was taught by the real deal. a puerto rican gentleman who looked like a fricken rockstar. the class was ITENSE! the first 30 minutes was stuff like wall squats, jumping jacks, high knees, burpies...i ask this guy next to me "hey how long is this class?'- thinking it had to only be 30 minutes- oh no. it was one hour. the last hour was boxing combos with bags. i punched the instructors mitts so hard one time my wrist actually hurts. i think next time i'll go a little lightly, considering my hands are gold at this point in my career, or i guess the beginning of my career.
i limp my way to the subway, and am so hungry i could eat all of new york. maybe just the pizza. i find a fresh salad place, grind a panini and salad and headed to the coffeeshop to blog...
anyway. what a day! i was tired as hell yesterday. i did sleep like a rock, and this morning i felt much better- i think it was exercising that made me sleep and feel better.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
my last blog
...is not complete! it wasn't saved! damn. i'll finish it up later. my computer battery's about to run out!
ahhh....back to the OR for gsurg
i'm so happy! i got to in the OR for a gen surg case for the first time in a couple months. i feel like i'm in my element. diverticulitis, cholecystitis, colon cancer, breast lumps....oh so great. i guess i really am meant to go into general surgery.
today i started my day at 6 am, catching the shuttle (uneventfully) to englewood. morbidity & mortality(which they call 'outcomes' as a euphemism- sp?), grand rounds, basic science...i could barely stay awake. sheesh. i think the time difference is rocking my pineal glad right now. then...to the OR! yippee! first case was this cute old school italian surgeon (who says my last name as real italians would say it) and i- doing a lap chole. he was so calm. the case went beautifully. and he let me put the grasper in and grab the gallbladder and retract it. not much, but i'm so stoked to do that as a med student. i've been playing in the laparascopic lab at home, so i got really excited. i was going to scrub into a lap resection of terminal ileum for crohn's, but this ex lap and hartmann's for perfed diverticulitis came in and i got STOKED. this case went beautifully toO! good vibe, great teaching, calm and rhythmic. we finished up (and i couldn't help but admire the good looking latino and african american scrub techs:), then the chief and i rushed to catch the 5 pm shuttle. it was dark by 5pm! i passed out immediately in the shuttle.
i needed a work out BADLY. i hadn't worked out in like 4 days. which is a lot for me honestly. i think that's why i've been feeling tired too!.. in my 'not for tourists- nyc' book, i found the new york sports club. they're EVERYWHERE. they had this introductory deal for 2 weeks, which is almost perfect for my stay here. i liked that the club manager called me to arrange a meeting ...i rush home from the shuttle, throw on my 'cold weather work out clothes'- not bikinis and shorts here and catch the subway to 86th and lexington..the club is huge! and gorgeous. and tons of classes! all times of day. the manager and staff are super friendly- unlike lots of the staff at 24hour fitness- sorry 24 hour, you guys are cold sometimes- the gym is like 7 milion stories and half-stories tall, with 2 group class rooms, a spin room, a whole resistance band section...and lots of good looking peeps.
today i started my day at 6 am, catching the shuttle (uneventfully) to englewood. morbidity & mortality(which they call 'outcomes' as a euphemism- sp?), grand rounds, basic science...i could barely stay awake. sheesh. i think the time difference is rocking my pineal glad right now. then...to the OR! yippee! first case was this cute old school italian surgeon (who says my last name as real italians would say it) and i- doing a lap chole. he was so calm. the case went beautifully. and he let me put the grasper in and grab the gallbladder and retract it. not much, but i'm so stoked to do that as a med student. i've been playing in the laparascopic lab at home, so i got really excited. i was going to scrub into a lap resection of terminal ileum for crohn's, but this ex lap and hartmann's for perfed diverticulitis came in and i got STOKED. this case went beautifully toO! good vibe, great teaching, calm and rhythmic. we finished up (and i couldn't help but admire the good looking latino and african american scrub techs:), then the chief and i rushed to catch the 5 pm shuttle. it was dark by 5pm! i passed out immediately in the shuttle.
i needed a work out BADLY. i hadn't worked out in like 4 days. which is a lot for me honestly. i think that's why i've been feeling tired too!.. in my 'not for tourists- nyc' book, i found the new york sports club. they're EVERYWHERE. they had this introductory deal for 2 weeks, which is almost perfect for my stay here. i liked that the club manager called me to arrange a meeting ...i rush home from the shuttle, throw on my 'cold weather work out clothes'- not bikinis and shorts here and catch the subway to 86th and lexington..the club is huge! and gorgeous. and tons of classes! all times of day. the manager and staff are super friendly- unlike lots of the staff at 24hour fitness- sorry 24 hour, you guys are cold sometimes- the gym is like 7 milion stories and half-stories tall, with 2 group class rooms, a spin room, a whole resistance band section...and lots of good looking peeps.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
jfk-dca-lga
ohmygosh what a crazy couple of days!! i didn't have my computer on me, not wanting to lug it around, but now i think it's worth it. lots has happened!
yesterday morning i woke up at 5:15 am so i can get some breakfast at the corner coffee shop before catching the 6:30 am shuttle to Englewood, NJ so I can make my orientation at Englewood Hospital. The shuttle is run by Mt. Sinai and Englewood is an affiliated hospital. The next shuttle supposedly wasn't till 9 am, and I had to be there by 9:30- my google maps on my blackberry said it was only 11 miles away, but i didn't know what new york traffic would be like. i pack my bags for the next two days- my orientation, my trip to d.c., and my interview- roll my small suitcase down the street, grab some yummy oatmeal with cinnamon and milk ($1.50) and wait for the shuttle...except i'm not sure exactly where to stand. i was sent an email that said 50 E. 98th street, but I wasn't sure which corner, what the shuttle would look like...6:30 comes and goes so I call the security office....long story short, after spilling some coffee on my skirt, freezing in the nyc morning weather, finding out that the shuttle times were at 6:00, 8:15, and 9:00, running around from garage to security personnel, to different corners of the block, hopping in a cab thinking i had totally missed my shuttle and having the cab driver circle and drop me back, i finally make it in the shuttle...it's a nice passenger van with englewood hospital written nicely on it, with 2 other gentleman in scrubs. the drive to englewood is over the george washington bridge, and we approach a huge tree lined street- the trees are beautiful and golden- to a beautiful hospital. i meet the surgery administrator, the 'chief' resident- an R2, the OR nurses, get a tour of the OR , how to get scrubs, get my pager....and everyone is really really really nice. apparently the rotation is known as 'surgery camp', because the attending basically put in all the orders, and manage the patients day to day, and the residents- an R2 and two interns, essentially scrub into cases and learn to operate. it's a private hospital with 300 beds, slightly smaller than Queen's, and all the patients are private. I'm told I don't have to come in on weekends and I can take call if I want- they really just want me to learn how to operate, go to the conferences and soak up as much as possible. I meet the Director of Surgery on the way out, a grandfatherly like Vascular Surgeon. I'm excited because I haven't had much vascular surgery experience and I think I can learn alot. ....Apparently UPenn med students rotate through this hospital, but none are around while I'm there. The food is really really good. I felt like I was in Whole Foods when i was there! The chief resident (an R2) is a nondesignated preliminary resident- basically he has a spot for 2 years then has to reapply to categorical spots, is a really laid back guy from ecuador- very honest, chill, and real. i appreciate that. i can't wait to really start tomorrow...
so after my gourmet salad, i catch the noon shuttle back to manhattan, with my suitcase and my neatly packced suit and shoes and leather bound notebook tucked away, my nice black coat and hat, and all the essentials, and catch a cab to JFK airport. sweet! i'm really early. I find a :10 minute manicure kiosk in the airport and get my nails prettied up for my interview. I'm nervous for the interview!!! So i read my CV, my personal statement, review possible questions to their possible answers, and jot down questions I want to ask...as I'm getting my manicure I see that Obama just arrived in D.C., which is where I"m going and I get a little stoked. Simple pleasures of not being from the East Coast and being "in the same state as our president-elect!". ...After an hour long plane ride (aka nap) we land in D.C., and it's 6 pm. I have to be at dinner at 7 pm. I catch a cab to Adams Inn, the bed and breakfast recommended by Georgetown, where they gave us a discount. I've been to D.C., but it was a while ago and it was only for a weekend. D.C. is gorgeous, I'm kind of in awe that I'm passing by all these landmarks I only hear about. I kinda wish I had more time to explore D.C. We get to the bed and breakfast, and it's on older colonial style home, next to all the older homes 'you only see in movies' if you're from the islands, rush up to my room, take a quick shower in the shared bathroom, put on my best looking yet most conservative nice outfit that's not a suit, and get to dinner. I'm nervous. Do I look alright? Am I a right fit? What do I talk to these other applicants about? How do I know who's a resident and who's an applicant? I meet a bunch of folks- 4th year med students in my exact shoes, running around/flying around for interviews, nervous about the match, excited about the interview, but not really sure what to expect...this was also there first interview too, for most applicants. I run into a girl who's a 4th year med student at Davis- who I had met and connected with! Very nice to see a familiar face. Met people from multiple medical schools, all with different stories. I pass on the margaritas (we're at Cactus Cantina), but definitely do not pass on the burrito and fajita bar. Met R1-R4s, and go through the whole formality of questions "are you happy here?", "how many cases do you log a year?"....it's a very very necessary yet scripted set of interactions. which is fine...
i meet this really cool guy from columbia, at tufts medical school, and find out we have a mutual friend. I feel a dope connection, which is nice in the midst of the social mileu of nervous med students, buzzing ortho interns, and friendly general surgery residents and typical conversations.
I check out at 10 pm, make it to my bedroom, which is comfortable and feels like a home. I have big plans to re-read my application, my research protocol - they're bound to ask me- but end up passing out. much needed....
the next morning - i can't believe it was only this morning!- i wake up for my big day- my first interview! i'm not hungry, and actually haven' tbeen hungry this whole trip- mainly out of nervousness. i've also been going through bouts of nausea this whole trip. anyway, i wake up, try to breathe deeply as I get ready, put on my suit and shoes, and pack up again. I'm so worried! will the cab come in time? is it okay that i'm bringing my suitcase to the interview? is my hair neat? i call my cab and make it to georgetown university hospital in the dark- it's 6:30 am when i get there and i don't have to be there till 7 am. i wish i could see more of the ride! i can see the outlines of gorgeous architecture and trees, but can't quite see it in full. i also wish i had taken pictures of everything, but am too nervous to worry about that...
so interview days starts!
30 well-dressed medical students, almost all of us in black suits and neutral shirts with the few bold ones in pinstripes (including my new friend from tufts in a brown pinstripe suit), or the few women in high high heels and brightly colored undershirts. they have breakfast waiting for us in a conference room, it's a very small conference room and we're all squeezing by each other with cups of coffee and georgetown folders, trying not to spill and trying to socialize. all nervous. the chairman and residecny program director speak with us at 7;30am for half an hour....i won't kill you with the details of the day, but essentially, after an hour long tour of the hospital, we get back to the room and wait to be called out individually for our three separate interviews: one with the chairman and residency director (2 different people), one with two chief residents, and one with a faculty member. this goes on till 1pm- mentally jumping back from socializng with the residents and med students, to 10 minute interivews with each set of people...by the end we're all sitting down and the room has quieted down- it's tiring to socialize! i'm the second to last person to be interviewed by the chairman and residency director- perhaps the most important interaction, and by this time it's a 5 minute interaction.
i got asked the typical questions amongst the three interviews: strengths? weaknesses? tell me about your research. tell me about something that's not on your application. no surprises such as 'present your most memorable case to me' or 'tell me a joke' or 'what was the last book you read'.
we then go to the faculty club for another really nice lunch...
by this time i've formulated some impressions of the program. it's an excellent program. i like the residents, the chairman is great, i can go on...i actually have a spreadsheet to systematically evaulate my experience. which i will do tomorrow while the impressions are fresh and i'm not too tired.
my overall hunch on the progra,m however is that i will rank it high. i hope they like me.
my tufts friend and i connect periodically through the day. boston is only a few hours away and he invites me to come for the weekend while i'm here. maybe i will. we exchange numbers and i'm excited to have made a new friend.
i catch a cab ride with another applicant, whose flight is leaving national airport around teh same time as mine.
in reflecting on these interactions, this is new to me. we all connect because we're in the same boat, but we really know nothing about each other. once in awhile we get tidbits of each other beyond the standard 'where are you from? where have you interviewed? where did you get interviews?. like those who are married, those with kids, those with boyfriends/girlfriends...but mostly, we know nothing about each other. yet i'm still able to make an impression of who i like and who i can see myself hanging out with. i guess the residetns and program director is doing the same thing with us.
anyway, i'm exhasusted, get to the airport early again, to find that my flight to jfk was going to be cancelled or delayed because george w. bush had just landed in jfk so flight traffic was backed up. fortunately there's a wide upen flight to la guardia, another nyc airport, and they put us all on that one. i'm kind of in a daze right now, exhausted as hell. i make it back to my apartment via cab.
i realize that while i like my apartment- it does the job- it feels empty, and esp without internet connection. but the moment i step out of my apartment i feel less lonely. i guess 'cause there's lots going on in the city, and starbucks is right down the street, which is where i am now blogging away. i will call some friends soon..i start my day at 5:30 am tomorroow! i will catch the 6 am shuttle and meet up with my team, go to grand rounds/conference and scrub in the afternoon.since the last shuttle is at 5pm, we're all out of there by 5 pm unless you're on call....
so yeah! that's my last couple of days!
i'm excited to explore the city. I have an interview in newark at umdnj- new jersey medical school, this weekend but after talking to some applicants, some who went there, some who are from the area and know the area, i think i'm going to cancel it. i honestly can't see myself living in newark! it sounds drab and like an armpit. i also heard you do become a good surgeon, but...it's not an academic center and the city doesn't sound at all appealing... plus i have 7 or 8 more interviews lined up. which is sufficient to make a match list...instead i will explore the city. my best friend from college is coming down from boston for the weekend too!
phew!!
thanks for reading:) i'll carry my computer more often:)
I
yesterday morning i woke up at 5:15 am so i can get some breakfast at the corner coffee shop before catching the 6:30 am shuttle to Englewood, NJ so I can make my orientation at Englewood Hospital. The shuttle is run by Mt. Sinai and Englewood is an affiliated hospital. The next shuttle supposedly wasn't till 9 am, and I had to be there by 9:30- my google maps on my blackberry said it was only 11 miles away, but i didn't know what new york traffic would be like. i pack my bags for the next two days- my orientation, my trip to d.c., and my interview- roll my small suitcase down the street, grab some yummy oatmeal with cinnamon and milk ($1.50) and wait for the shuttle...except i'm not sure exactly where to stand. i was sent an email that said 50 E. 98th street, but I wasn't sure which corner, what the shuttle would look like...6:30 comes and goes so I call the security office....long story short, after spilling some coffee on my skirt, freezing in the nyc morning weather, finding out that the shuttle times were at 6:00, 8:15, and 9:00, running around from garage to security personnel, to different corners of the block, hopping in a cab thinking i had totally missed my shuttle and having the cab driver circle and drop me back, i finally make it in the shuttle...it's a nice passenger van with englewood hospital written nicely on it, with 2 other gentleman in scrubs. the drive to englewood is over the george washington bridge, and we approach a huge tree lined street- the trees are beautiful and golden- to a beautiful hospital. i meet the surgery administrator, the 'chief' resident- an R2, the OR nurses, get a tour of the OR , how to get scrubs, get my pager....and everyone is really really really nice. apparently the rotation is known as 'surgery camp', because the attending basically put in all the orders, and manage the patients day to day, and the residents- an R2 and two interns, essentially scrub into cases and learn to operate. it's a private hospital with 300 beds, slightly smaller than Queen's, and all the patients are private. I'm told I don't have to come in on weekends and I can take call if I want- they really just want me to learn how to operate, go to the conferences and soak up as much as possible. I meet the Director of Surgery on the way out, a grandfatherly like Vascular Surgeon. I'm excited because I haven't had much vascular surgery experience and I think I can learn alot. ....Apparently UPenn med students rotate through this hospital, but none are around while I'm there. The food is really really good. I felt like I was in Whole Foods when i was there! The chief resident (an R2) is a nondesignated preliminary resident- basically he has a spot for 2 years then has to reapply to categorical spots, is a really laid back guy from ecuador- very honest, chill, and real. i appreciate that. i can't wait to really start tomorrow...
so after my gourmet salad, i catch the noon shuttle back to manhattan, with my suitcase and my neatly packced suit and shoes and leather bound notebook tucked away, my nice black coat and hat, and all the essentials, and catch a cab to JFK airport. sweet! i'm really early. I find a :10 minute manicure kiosk in the airport and get my nails prettied up for my interview. I'm nervous for the interview!!! So i read my CV, my personal statement, review possible questions to their possible answers, and jot down questions I want to ask...as I'm getting my manicure I see that Obama just arrived in D.C., which is where I"m going and I get a little stoked. Simple pleasures of not being from the East Coast and being "in the same state as our president-elect!". ...After an hour long plane ride (aka nap) we land in D.C., and it's 6 pm. I have to be at dinner at 7 pm. I catch a cab to Adams Inn, the bed and breakfast recommended by Georgetown, where they gave us a discount. I've been to D.C., but it was a while ago and it was only for a weekend. D.C. is gorgeous, I'm kind of in awe that I'm passing by all these landmarks I only hear about. I kinda wish I had more time to explore D.C. We get to the bed and breakfast, and it's on older colonial style home, next to all the older homes 'you only see in movies' if you're from the islands, rush up to my room, take a quick shower in the shared bathroom, put on my best looking yet most conservative nice outfit that's not a suit, and get to dinner. I'm nervous. Do I look alright? Am I a right fit? What do I talk to these other applicants about? How do I know who's a resident and who's an applicant? I meet a bunch of folks- 4th year med students in my exact shoes, running around/flying around for interviews, nervous about the match, excited about the interview, but not really sure what to expect...this was also there first interview too, for most applicants. I run into a girl who's a 4th year med student at Davis- who I had met and connected with! Very nice to see a familiar face. Met people from multiple medical schools, all with different stories. I pass on the margaritas (we're at Cactus Cantina), but definitely do not pass on the burrito and fajita bar. Met R1-R4s, and go through the whole formality of questions "are you happy here?", "how many cases do you log a year?"....it's a very very necessary yet scripted set of interactions. which is fine...
i meet this really cool guy from columbia, at tufts medical school, and find out we have a mutual friend. I feel a dope connection, which is nice in the midst of the social mileu of nervous med students, buzzing ortho interns, and friendly general surgery residents and typical conversations.
I check out at 10 pm, make it to my bedroom, which is comfortable and feels like a home. I have big plans to re-read my application, my research protocol - they're bound to ask me- but end up passing out. much needed....
the next morning - i can't believe it was only this morning!- i wake up for my big day- my first interview! i'm not hungry, and actually haven' tbeen hungry this whole trip- mainly out of nervousness. i've also been going through bouts of nausea this whole trip. anyway, i wake up, try to breathe deeply as I get ready, put on my suit and shoes, and pack up again. I'm so worried! will the cab come in time? is it okay that i'm bringing my suitcase to the interview? is my hair neat? i call my cab and make it to georgetown university hospital in the dark- it's 6:30 am when i get there and i don't have to be there till 7 am. i wish i could see more of the ride! i can see the outlines of gorgeous architecture and trees, but can't quite see it in full. i also wish i had taken pictures of everything, but am too nervous to worry about that...
so interview days starts!
30 well-dressed medical students, almost all of us in black suits and neutral shirts with the few bold ones in pinstripes (including my new friend from tufts in a brown pinstripe suit), or the few women in high high heels and brightly colored undershirts. they have breakfast waiting for us in a conference room, it's a very small conference room and we're all squeezing by each other with cups of coffee and georgetown folders, trying not to spill and trying to socialize. all nervous. the chairman and residecny program director speak with us at 7;30am for half an hour....i won't kill you with the details of the day, but essentially, after an hour long tour of the hospital, we get back to the room and wait to be called out individually for our three separate interviews: one with the chairman and residency director (2 different people), one with two chief residents, and one with a faculty member. this goes on till 1pm- mentally jumping back from socializng with the residents and med students, to 10 minute interivews with each set of people...by the end we're all sitting down and the room has quieted down- it's tiring to socialize! i'm the second to last person to be interviewed by the chairman and residency director- perhaps the most important interaction, and by this time it's a 5 minute interaction.
i got asked the typical questions amongst the three interviews: strengths? weaknesses? tell me about your research. tell me about something that's not on your application. no surprises such as 'present your most memorable case to me' or 'tell me a joke' or 'what was the last book you read'.
we then go to the faculty club for another really nice lunch...
by this time i've formulated some impressions of the program. it's an excellent program. i like the residents, the chairman is great, i can go on...i actually have a spreadsheet to systematically evaulate my experience. which i will do tomorrow while the impressions are fresh and i'm not too tired.
my overall hunch on the progra,m however is that i will rank it high. i hope they like me.
my tufts friend and i connect periodically through the day. boston is only a few hours away and he invites me to come for the weekend while i'm here. maybe i will. we exchange numbers and i'm excited to have made a new friend.
i catch a cab ride with another applicant, whose flight is leaving national airport around teh same time as mine.
in reflecting on these interactions, this is new to me. we all connect because we're in the same boat, but we really know nothing about each other. once in awhile we get tidbits of each other beyond the standard 'where are you from? where have you interviewed? where did you get interviews?. like those who are married, those with kids, those with boyfriends/girlfriends...but mostly, we know nothing about each other. yet i'm still able to make an impression of who i like and who i can see myself hanging out with. i guess the residetns and program director is doing the same thing with us.
anyway, i'm exhasusted, get to the airport early again, to find that my flight to jfk was going to be cancelled or delayed because george w. bush had just landed in jfk so flight traffic was backed up. fortunately there's a wide upen flight to la guardia, another nyc airport, and they put us all on that one. i'm kind of in a daze right now, exhausted as hell. i make it back to my apartment via cab.
i realize that while i like my apartment- it does the job- it feels empty, and esp without internet connection. but the moment i step out of my apartment i feel less lonely. i guess 'cause there's lots going on in the city, and starbucks is right down the street, which is where i am now blogging away. i will call some friends soon..i start my day at 5:30 am tomorroow! i will catch the 6 am shuttle and meet up with my team, go to grand rounds/conference and scrub in the afternoon.since the last shuttle is at 5pm, we're all out of there by 5 pm unless you're on call....
so yeah! that's my last couple of days!
i'm excited to explore the city. I have an interview in newark at umdnj- new jersey medical school, this weekend but after talking to some applicants, some who went there, some who are from the area and know the area, i think i'm going to cancel it. i honestly can't see myself living in newark! it sounds drab and like an armpit. i also heard you do become a good surgeon, but...it's not an academic center and the city doesn't sound at all appealing... plus i have 7 or 8 more interviews lined up. which is sufficient to make a match list...instead i will explore the city. my best friend from college is coming down from boston for the weekend too!
phew!!
thanks for reading:) i'll carry my computer more often:)
I
Sunday, November 9, 2008
a few moments
just got back from my first subway ride on my own, and from meeting wendy for healthy japanese food in union square: salmon with ginger sauce, curried vegetables, brown rice- good food, good conversation. good to see her. she's awesome!
here a few of my favorite moments from today:
-waiting at a corner to cross the street, this white guy in a northface jacket is looking across the street, also waiting...just as the green man comes alive, he waves a girl to come over, hands over head, waving her over furiously. this pretty latina girl dressed up with a dress, tights and boots - everyone in nyc seems to be wearing this!- walks over and he can barely contain himself, and as he walks to meet her practically in the middle of the street, says 'hey baby. hit it!' and leans over to kiss her and she kisses him. so so cute. awww...makes me want to vomit in my mouth. j/k.
- on the subway these two guys get on the subway and say 'hey ladies and gents, it's doo wop time' and run through the crowded subway singing (and collecting money, of course), and at the end say 'just smile! it won't mess up your hair' or something ridiculous. 'cause everyone is avoiding eye contact with them. i want to smile because it's funny but i'm solemn because i was told by a new yorker to not make eye contact and to not trust anyone in new york.
-getting a new york bagel with cream cheese!! mmmmm.
-having a doorman! wtf. i have a doorman. who's the nicest guy in the world, especially because he didn't flinch one second when i asked him this morning "where can i get sundries..you know like toilet paper!". nice guy. but oh yeah, i dont' trust him.
okey dokey, off to my place to pack for the next couple whirlwind days...and to get some sleep.
i'll post pics later!
here a few of my favorite moments from today:
-waiting at a corner to cross the street, this white guy in a northface jacket is looking across the street, also waiting...just as the green man comes alive, he waves a girl to come over, hands over head, waving her over furiously. this pretty latina girl dressed up with a dress, tights and boots - everyone in nyc seems to be wearing this!- walks over and he can barely contain himself, and as he walks to meet her practically in the middle of the street, says 'hey baby. hit it!' and leans over to kiss her and she kisses him. so so cute. awww...makes me want to vomit in my mouth. j/k.
- on the subway these two guys get on the subway and say 'hey ladies and gents, it's doo wop time' and run through the crowded subway singing (and collecting money, of course), and at the end say 'just smile! it won't mess up your hair' or something ridiculous. 'cause everyone is avoiding eye contact with them. i want to smile because it's funny but i'm solemn because i was told by a new yorker to not make eye contact and to not trust anyone in new york.
-getting a new york bagel with cream cheese!! mmmmm.
-having a doorman! wtf. i have a doorman. who's the nicest guy in the world, especially because he didn't flinch one second when i asked him this morning "where can i get sundries..you know like toilet paper!". nice guy. but oh yeah, i dont' trust him.
okey dokey, off to my place to pack for the next couple whirlwind days...and to get some sleep.
i'll post pics later!
arrival in nyc
so....
here it is! round two of my away rotations for my 4th year of medical school. except this time, add in a new city, cold weather, 5 or 6 more cities for interviews, interviews themselves, and a board exam. it's like my last experience on crack. so i'm gonna blog about it.
first thing though: my place doesn't have internet! so i'll try to blog on microsoft word and post them when i make it to coffee shops. there's a starbucks with free wi-fi on 96th and madison, which is 5 blocks from where i'm staying. i hate to come to starbucks given the selection of cute coffee shops around here, but it'll do for the wi-fi.
anyway! some background on the last 6 wks since my trauma surgery rotation in davis ended: i spent two weeks doing plastic surgery, two weeks off, and two weeks during orthopedic surgery. essentially 6 weeks of play, receiving interview offers, anticipating and preparing for this trip....but mostly alcohol, surf, exercise, sleep, friends. and oh yeah, throw in that i started to really like a guy...who as for now, turns out to be just another one of those 'oh well, at least i'm learning how to do this intimacy /communicating feelings thing'. but that's another story. it's all good.
last time, i could get away with packing a small-ish suitcase because sacramento was 90 degrees. and i didn't have to bring a suit...this time...i bought a big brand new larg-ish suitcase, so large i named him igor, especially since after i packed my winter clothes, suits, clinical gear, some warm weather clothes for my trip to LA after this, he weighed 65 lbs. yowswers. damn those new charges for extra weight on airlines!!
i flew to seattle, and finally got a chance to breathe on the flight. it's always a little hectic before trips. i get to seattle and just as we're about to board at 10:45 pm, we find out our airplane is broken. oh well. they find us another airplane immediately, i get on the plance...and it's packed. thank God i'm full-fare. you know people always talk about getting stuck in the seat next to either 1) the fat guy who's flanks and sausage arms spill into your seat or 2) the irritating passenger who wants to talk story...i'm adding one more to the list. i got stuck next to the adolescent hippie/skater boy (he was somewhere between the ages of 16 and 22, i couldn't tell), who smells of old sweat, with big hair, so big i had to lean away from him, with a nasty double cheeseburger all wrapped up in a ball, that he retrieves occasionally though the flight to munch on, who falls asleep and breathes dragon stinky breath with his mouth open...who at one point actually sneezed on me, i could feel the spray of his infectious droplets on my arm. yup. i had the window and plastered myself to the window, i wish i was paper thin just so i can get as far away from him. anyway...only 4 hours of this, and i'm grateful it wasn't a flight to asia or something.
i'm excited to get to newark and anticipate my arrival in NYC. i expect it to be freezing! it's surprisingly sunny and 50 degress. Not bad, huh? i expect it to be crazy outside of the airport, with gypsy cabs hounding me to jump into their rip-off of a ride. surprisingly there's a huge official taxi sign with official taxis and official taxi drivers.
i see the skyline in the distance and get excited. we make it through the city, no traffic-it's sunday- and arrive to my apartment right on central park, on the museum mile of 5th ave. there's a doorman, and the building is comfortably older and cozy. my apartment is bare...it's wooden floors, with a kitchen, a huge living room, two rooms , one labeled 10D-1 and my room, 10D-2 (with the view of central park!), and my own bathroom. it's literally a bed and dressers. no sheets, no towels, no toilet paper even...but i like it already and can fill in the details later.
i spent the day walking around the upper east side, picked up a pillow, cheap sheets and a light flannel blanket, toilet paper, some snacks. the upper east side is really really nice with expensive stores and restaurants. i read in my guidebook to walk with confidence to appear like a native. it must have worked because 2 people on 2 different occasions asked me for help or directions. haha. i almost laughed but responded with 'i'm sorry, i wish i could help you'. i lug my stuff back to my apartment and can finally take a shower because i have a towel now. i call wendy and we make plans to meet up at 5 pm...it'll be my first experience on the new york subway....alone! i'm nervous but it's okay. it's only because it's new. we're going to meet at union square, halfway between her place and mine. she lives in brooklyn. ...i take a quick nap, and now am at starbucks, confirming where i have to be tomorrow. tomorrow i take a shuttle to new jersey to englewood hospital, then go straight from there to JFK airport, hop on a flt to D.C., take a shuttle to cactus cantina, get to a hotel, sleep while i can, wake up early the next morning for my interview at georgetown university hospital from 7 am to 3 pm, go straight to the airport to catch a flight back to JFK and back here. phew! i just got here and i'm leaving already...it's crazy now but i'm rolling with it....
anyway, i realized i forgot to bring a leather bound notebook. apparently it looks professional on an interview. i will go on a quick mission to find one before i meet wendy!!
adventures!
here it is! round two of my away rotations for my 4th year of medical school. except this time, add in a new city, cold weather, 5 or 6 more cities for interviews, interviews themselves, and a board exam. it's like my last experience on crack. so i'm gonna blog about it.
first thing though: my place doesn't have internet! so i'll try to blog on microsoft word and post them when i make it to coffee shops. there's a starbucks with free wi-fi on 96th and madison, which is 5 blocks from where i'm staying. i hate to come to starbucks given the selection of cute coffee shops around here, but it'll do for the wi-fi.
anyway! some background on the last 6 wks since my trauma surgery rotation in davis ended: i spent two weeks doing plastic surgery, two weeks off, and two weeks during orthopedic surgery. essentially 6 weeks of play, receiving interview offers, anticipating and preparing for this trip....but mostly alcohol, surf, exercise, sleep, friends. and oh yeah, throw in that i started to really like a guy...who as for now, turns out to be just another one of those 'oh well, at least i'm learning how to do this intimacy /communicating feelings thing'. but that's another story. it's all good.
last time, i could get away with packing a small-ish suitcase because sacramento was 90 degrees. and i didn't have to bring a suit...this time...i bought a big brand new larg-ish suitcase, so large i named him igor, especially since after i packed my winter clothes, suits, clinical gear, some warm weather clothes for my trip to LA after this, he weighed 65 lbs. yowswers. damn those new charges for extra weight on airlines!!
i flew to seattle, and finally got a chance to breathe on the flight. it's always a little hectic before trips. i get to seattle and just as we're about to board at 10:45 pm, we find out our airplane is broken. oh well. they find us another airplane immediately, i get on the plance...and it's packed. thank God i'm full-fare. you know people always talk about getting stuck in the seat next to either 1) the fat guy who's flanks and sausage arms spill into your seat or 2) the irritating passenger who wants to talk story...i'm adding one more to the list. i got stuck next to the adolescent hippie/skater boy (he was somewhere between the ages of 16 and 22, i couldn't tell), who smells of old sweat, with big hair, so big i had to lean away from him, with a nasty double cheeseburger all wrapped up in a ball, that he retrieves occasionally though the flight to munch on, who falls asleep and breathes dragon stinky breath with his mouth open...who at one point actually sneezed on me, i could feel the spray of his infectious droplets on my arm. yup. i had the window and plastered myself to the window, i wish i was paper thin just so i can get as far away from him. anyway...only 4 hours of this, and i'm grateful it wasn't a flight to asia or something.
i'm excited to get to newark and anticipate my arrival in NYC. i expect it to be freezing! it's surprisingly sunny and 50 degress. Not bad, huh? i expect it to be crazy outside of the airport, with gypsy cabs hounding me to jump into their rip-off of a ride. surprisingly there's a huge official taxi sign with official taxis and official taxi drivers.
i see the skyline in the distance and get excited. we make it through the city, no traffic-it's sunday- and arrive to my apartment right on central park, on the museum mile of 5th ave. there's a doorman, and the building is comfortably older and cozy. my apartment is bare...it's wooden floors, with a kitchen, a huge living room, two rooms , one labeled 10D-1 and my room, 10D-2 (with the view of central park!), and my own bathroom. it's literally a bed and dressers. no sheets, no towels, no toilet paper even...but i like it already and can fill in the details later.
i spent the day walking around the upper east side, picked up a pillow, cheap sheets and a light flannel blanket, toilet paper, some snacks. the upper east side is really really nice with expensive stores and restaurants. i read in my guidebook to walk with confidence to appear like a native. it must have worked because 2 people on 2 different occasions asked me for help or directions. haha. i almost laughed but responded with 'i'm sorry, i wish i could help you'. i lug my stuff back to my apartment and can finally take a shower because i have a towel now. i call wendy and we make plans to meet up at 5 pm...it'll be my first experience on the new york subway....alone! i'm nervous but it's okay. it's only because it's new. we're going to meet at union square, halfway between her place and mine. she lives in brooklyn. ...i take a quick nap, and now am at starbucks, confirming where i have to be tomorrow. tomorrow i take a shuttle to new jersey to englewood hospital, then go straight from there to JFK airport, hop on a flt to D.C., take a shuttle to cactus cantina, get to a hotel, sleep while i can, wake up early the next morning for my interview at georgetown university hospital from 7 am to 3 pm, go straight to the airport to catch a flight back to JFK and back here. phew! i just got here and i'm leaving already...it's crazy now but i'm rolling with it....
anyway, i realized i forgot to bring a leather bound notebook. apparently it looks professional on an interview. i will go on a quick mission to find one before i meet wendy!!
adventures!
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