Hey Friends!!

Driving

Hey Friends!

So last time I was here, I was just entering the interview trail and I am so happy to share that I am now one interview away from being done! I received 16 interview invites total and accepted 11. Over the last 5 weeks, I have been to 8 different cities in 5 different states. Since Chicago, the family and I [read: minivan renting, road trip driving with a 4 year old and 4 month old] have been to North Carolina, Michigan, Indianapolis (lol), and Georgia. Thankfully, all of the trips went on without a hitch - aside from the snowfall that increased the duration of our supposed-to-be-8-hour Atlanta road trip by 7 hours and the three hour flight delay on the way home from my interview in North Carolina round 2.

It has been an exciting but EXHAUSTING time. Just to give you an idea, I haven't spent a weekend at home since November 2nd o_O My busiest week was two weeks ago week when I had an interview in Indy on Monday, Detroit on Wednesday, and Atlanta on Saturday. The last two months have been quite the blur. But it has been really great to visit our family who lives in and around my Midwest interviews and it has been awesome to experience some Southeast life now that we are in full-fledge winter.

And more driving...

On the 11th, I also took Step 2CK. If you have been following along my med school journey, you may remember that I took Step 1 the summer between 2nd and 3rd year. These exams are how the medical licensing board makes sures that all the medical schools are teaching their students what they are supposed to, and it also serves as a way to gauge your competitiveness for residency. The biggest difference with Step 2 is that there are two different parts. The "Clinical Knowledge" portion (CK) is the 9-hour computer based exam, and the "Clinical Skills" portion (CS) is a 7 hour standardize patient exam. This is kind of like a simulated doctor's office where you are the doctor and you interact with 10 different patients with 10 different chief complaints. You have 15 minutes to interview them, do a physical exam, and counsel them on the next steps of the process, and then 10 minutes to write a visit note about the whole thing. I took CS right before Thanksgiving. This is how I am feeling about being done with Boards until Step 3 in intern year...

Fourth year is BLISSFUL.

I cannot believe Christmas is next week. When I say I am not ready...I am NOT READY. Somehow the hubby and I need to find time to shop for the kids. Oh, and I need to put ornaments on the tree. And pretty much put out every other decoration I have. Don't judge. I haven't been home more than 48 consecutive hours since November...After I finish this research paper draft for my December elective, and mail out the backlog of thank you notes I have to write from interviews, I have a dreams of a Pinterest-filled Christmas complete with crafts for Natey and great memories to be made.

And I plan on continuing to reflect on the real reason for this season...

Hope you all are wonderful!!