Winter Break

Finally got home after 2 more interviews during the week. I think in the last 4 weeks, I've had 9 interviews. It's really exhausting and all of those beside the 2 this past week, were within driving distance for me. The interviews themselves are not exhausting, it's more of the traveling that is making me tired. So I'm definitely glad I'll have 2 weeks of doing nothing to just rest before coming back to Jersey for a couple more interviews and rest of med school rotations. I spent most of my time with my parents, going out to eat and shop, while being my brother short term tutor for his boards whenever he has a question. He's taking his boards right before New Years.

The highlights of my break was going to SF for New Years then going to LA day after New Years of Disney on Ice. My brother got a new digital SLR camera and spent ton of time experimenting with the camera. It's been a long time for me for photography. Once I have some time and some cash flow, I'll definitely get back into it.

With my parents doing hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Just being goofy at my brother's apartment while he's experimenting with his camera.

For New Year's Eve, we went to SF to spend some time at my brother's place. In SF, it's the one night where the cable car is free and tons of family out past 10pm. We took the cable car down to Fisherman's Wharf and watched fireworks. It was cold though while waiting for the fireworks, but pretty.
This was taken at the Bread Company right by Fisherman Wharf. This Bread Company was also featured on Food Network too. It was too cute to pass up.

It was fun again, being touristy, seeing SF again as an adult. I've seen it as a kid during day. I really liked SF and totally don't mind living there if I could.

Then we drove down to LA to see Disney on Ice the Princess. It was definitely more for younger kids but it was fun for us too because we have never seen one and it was a family thing for us. The show was amazing on its own, the costume and choreography. Very nicely done.

Disney's version of popcorn.

Disney on Ice: Cars

Interview # 6

Baystate .. Categorical

I drove the 3 hrs to the hotel that they put us up in. It's the longer route because I was trying to avoid driving through the city traffic.

It's an awesome program. I was already in love with it before even going for the interview. I love the fact that they are very pro residents and a medium size program. The dinner was at the restaurant next door and there were 5 residents that sat down with us. Some of them brought their SO as well. The residents are very happy and said all the good stuff about the program.

Interview Day: It starts at 9 am not the 7am shuttle that hotel runs to the hospital. We didn't know that beforehand so a bunch of us met in the lobby and just sat and chatted until it was time for us to carpool to the hospital. The orientation that started the day off was long and the lights were off. We all were pretty much ready for the PD to end by the end of his presentation. But the PD was very informative and excited. He was all praising how great the program was and how supportive they are of the residents.

The one thing that impressed me was that they have managed to arrange an advanced airway month. They have small enough number of residents that about half of the faculty practice one their own. They also have plenty of funds for the residents for education/conferences. They have a CRNA night system where it lightens the residents' load during calls.

The interviews were laid back. No crazy questions were asked, just wanting to know you.

Overall, I'm so far loving this place. Now, I can't decide between CCF and here.

Interview # 5

St Luke's Roosevelt .. Categorical

The one where my day was filled with what could've gone wrong, went wrong.

I left my place early enough and took the train into NY Penn station plenty of time. Then I hopped onto the subway and took me 2 stops to realize that I got on the wrong direction. Of course. I got off and cross the streets to try to get on the other way. I bought the ticket and went in then realize I was on the wrong direction platform again. I had to get out and cross the other way to finally get on the uptown subway. I got off and I have 5 min before breakfast and I would only be 5 min late, so it wasn't too big of a deal. Then I walked in the wrong direction and I had to bactracked a block and walk the original 2 blocks. I ended up being 15 min late to breakfast and walked into a roomful of people dressed in suits. Ugh.

The program felt a little out of place for me. I'm still not sure what is it that made me feel that way. The PD and chair were role playing and entertaining us during their orientation/presentation. They were the only ones to interview. They didn't ask anything about me and their only question was if I have any questions. That was it. The residents came in during their lunch breaks and they didn't hide the fact that this was not their first choice and some even said that they wouldn't come if they did want to stay in the city.

They are definitely known for regional. Starting as CA 1 they dive right into doing the regional procedures. The residents didn't seem as happy as some other places I have been to so far. They definitely to rave about it.

They do have subsidized housing but even then, it's $1400 for studio. expensive.

Overall, it's a quality program, just not sure how I'll rank them.

Thanksgiving

The week has been great. Came back from CCF interview then went into my FP rotation at Morristown office. They are very laid back and pretty much just do what you like and they are ok with it. I went in on Tues and then before I left at noon, one of them told to go home and take the rest of the week off and show up on next Tues after my St Luke's interview. Amazing or what? Worked only 1 day for the entire week. It was great. I just vegged for the rest of the time and just recuperating from the traveling for the previous interview and the previous month in Seattle and rest up before my crazy whirlwind of interviews in the next month.

I spent Thanksgiving with Kirstin and her family. It was great that I get to catch up with her and her process with the match. She's doing AOA match and she pretty much has narrowed down the a few she wants and knows the order to rank. I wish her the best and in getting what she wants. Perhaps we may end up in the same city for once. ;)

Her family is great. They pretty much have adopted me for the holidays and I have spent a couple of nights with them a couple of times. Her mom, Mary, makes good food, fairly healthy and taste good too. No complaints about food. It's been so long since I have had any home cook meals. Just satisfying. I just kind of vegged out at their place as well, definitely did not do any Black Friday shopping. I don't have any absolute need and have no need to wake up that early on my days off where I don't have to be up and functioning by 6am.

Overall, it was a quiet and relaxing time.

Interview # 4

CCF ... Categorical

As per my previous review, nothing change during this visit for me. I was a little intimidated going in because of the other applicants not becuase of the interviewers. The applicants all seem to be from a much stronger batch than myself so there was a little inferiority complex. But other than that, CCF is still what I saw 2 months ago.

They put us up at the Intercontinental next to the Clinic. They were very accomodating. I got in very early, right around their checkout time, and they were able to put me into a room with no fuss. I was impressed. For dinner, we all met at the lobby and they chartered a bus/van for us. There were 2 chiefs there with interns and all other classes. Dinner was at Fire in Shaker's Square.

Interview day started aroun 7am and done by 2pm. Interviewed with 3 facutly and 1 residents, not necessarily the chiefs. The interviews were laid back and the ones with the chair and PD were nice and short. Everyone interviews with PD and others are just luck of the draw. Residents came in during lunch and tour was after. Tour was long, 1 hour and definitely needed the walking shoes. They took us all over the clinic. Whew.

They no longer do the exit interview where they sort of give you hint of how likely you'll match there because the PD and the chair are new.

Overall, they are still one of my tops and would love to be there.

Interview # 3

SLU ... Categorical

Awesome peds... Cardinal Glennon .... peds wonderland ... need to say more ....

Anyways, it's a medium size program about 10 per and only pain fellows around. So work/cases wise, no competition. They are working on setting up a peds fellowship but according them, there are enough work that they shouldn't have any problems.

They have one thing special is that they are starting a course on healthcare policy/management. I find that amazing because I know that I myself am fairly clueless when comes to healthcare politics/business. The fact that they are starting a course on it sounds like they really do care how the residents do while they are there and afterwards out in the real world.

This was one of the few that did not put up hotel but got us a great deal at Hyatt Riverfront. It was a gorgeous hotel and I think the going rate was around $200 per. Dinner was at Ruth's, which was right in the lobby so it was great not having to worry about where to go for dinner. The residents there that night was very blunt and straight forward. They tell you straight up what is good and not. Same thing during the interview day when they came in during breaks and lunch.

The interview day was one of my longer one. It started around 7:30 and did not end until 5pm, partly due to a series of situations that the interviewers had and they had to call other to come in to interview us. Interviewed with 3 people and they are all very laid back, no crazy questions.

Overall, I liked this program, which surprised me. I didn't want to like St Louis because it's in MO but it made an impression.

UW

Loved Seattle. Very much like SF but not too city like. It just turned cold when I got there. I felt that it was even colder than the East Coast. There's even decent public transit. But I'm not sure if West Coast is for me anymore. When I first arrived, I was thinking that it feels strange to be back on the West Coast and I'm not sure if I can fit in anymore with the lifestyle. The sad thing was I've only been away for a little over 3 years.

UW is great but I felt it was a little too intense. I would say it was a little more intense than any of my other anes rotation. There's lectures to go early in the morning and pbld once a week in the afternoon. The attendings there were from all over the world so it was sort of fun guessing where they are from. The attendings really like to teach and they do pimp a bit but nothing crazy. The residents there seem to be happy but definitely busy and some of them look tired. I ended up interviewing there before I left. I was told by the last year's chief that sometimes the people who rotated there seem to fall through the crack so he helped me talk to about giving an interview before I leave.

My fav part was that a couple of residents talked about their international trips that counted as an elective as CA3 and that the faculty help them set it up. It all seems to be good but my gut is telling me that it's not my perfect fit. I would be perfectly happy here but I just felt that there are more out there.

Interview # 2

University of Washington ... Seattle, WA

Interview while on my away rotation. Felt like it was more of a courtesy interview. Anyways, normally they have dinner night before. Interviewed with 2 interviewers. One with the PD and the other with a faculty. Both were laid back. PD asked about the current ASA/health policy a little, but nothing too crazy.

Overall: very strong program. Faculty are mostly international so lots of ways of doing things. An elective month during CA3 to go abroad and the faculty has connections to help. Seattle is aa great place to live. Loved it there. Lectures are on Thurs morning. Wed morning is grand rounds and then 3 hrs protected after for class lecture depending which year's turn. Simulation every 4-6 mos or so.

TJU

Spent a month at TJU in Philly. Loved the area, totally wouldn't mind living there. Lots to do and see and my fav, public transit. Totally no need for cars but parking is super duper expensive.

Jefferson is a good solid program for the residents but really doesn't care for the students. I didn't really know what to expect and by the end of month, the other girls and I ended up trying to see when we can leave and not to show up. The residents seem very happy and love what they are doing there. They claimed that it's the most benign program in the city despite their increasing case loads. The lectures are on Tues and Thurs early am and Wed afternoon for boards prep. Grand rounds is on Thurs morn after lecture.

Faculty will teach only if you ask questions but the relationship between faculty and residents seem to be open and friendly. Everyone knows each other and get along well. They also got lots of toys to play with. Attendings semem to be open about what and when to use or try what. They also sent more than half of the residents to ASA, mostly on presentations. More than happy to work with the residents to get papers/presentations out.

Mashed Butternut Squash

I found this in Shape magazine while I was waiting at Dallas airport.

Whole Foods frozen butternut squash
apple butter

boil and mash the butternut squash. add apple butter and mix.