Well, not to write anything great or anything. Just to update the blog. I'm now a second year resident...still hard, but not as bad as being an intern on the wards. This past month I've been in the ER, and it was a good month. I now feel much better about lumbar punctures (spinal taps)...100% success rate this month. This is kind of a big deal for me because I was terrible at them intern year and went into last month with no confidence.
The worst part about the ED was the schedule. No, the hours weren't bad at all (quite nice, for a resident...only about 60 hours a week)...it was the alternating days and nights. I have never had insomnia like this, ever. I have to wake up in 5.5 hours and I'm nowhere close to asleep. It's going to be a loooong day tomorrow. I'm also starting a new rotation as the senior resident in the well-baby nursery. It will be a fun rotation, but we're down one resident...so it will be hectic!
As far as my future goes, I've made a decision. I'm going into primary care. Ultimately, I think it's the best fit for my personality. I'm quite excited...and honestly, I think that I'll be ready to get out into the "real world" after what will be 2 decades of school and training. 1.75 years of training left, but who's counting? I hope I can find a job.
I'm still on my little quest to get back in shape. I've lost a couple of pounds, but I have a pretty long way to go. My twin sister and I are doing the Couch to 5k challenge on coolrunning.com (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). I did it second year of medical school and got in to pretty darn good shape for me. It's a walk-run program that ends in being able to run three miles without stopping...the walk-run part of it means that last time I did it I was on the receiving end of some mostly good-natured ribbing by my more athletic friends. OK, I kind of make fun of myself, too. I've been unathletic and dorky and awkward and bookwormish for 27 years now, and I've learned to embrace it. (It's part of my charm, right?) But I CAN learn to run, and it's my responsibility to be healthy for my patients and my family and friends and, ultimately, myself.
I just downloaded Skype, and it's really, really fun. A face to face conversation on the Internet! (I realize I am way, way behind the curve here.) I'm only using it to talk to my sister right now because, well, I look really awful on webcam. It's true. I'm not being falsely modest here. And despite the fact that I don't wear makeup to work anymore (sleep is a luxury) and I've essentially lost the tiny bit of fashion sense that I once had, I will retain this modicum of vanity. Trust me...you don't want to see me on webcam. It's not flattering.
Yay for Kristin Chenowith winning an Emmy! Pushing Daisies was a great little show. She's guest starring on Glee this fall, so stay tuned! Glee is my favorite new television program...full of great singing and almost overwhelming earnestness. If you haven't watched it, you should give it a try. May not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's pretty special. If you want to check it out, the first three episodes are online. http://www.hulu.com/glee
OK, that's all for now. Good night!
