Morning after, Day ahead...: I'm Back and life is G-O-O-D!

I've been on a much needed hiatus but I'm back feeling refreshed and ready to finish medical school! Since my last entry, I've traveled from Atlanta to Chicago to Philly, taken Step 2 (boards), and am now back in Atlanta completing an away rotation with Emory School of Medicine. So I've been away from Hershey for about 3 months now, and its been most enjoyable especially after seeing family, friends, and even having a change of scenery. Being in Hershey for almost 4 years with either my head in the books or shut off from the world while in the hospital, I sort of felt I forgot what is out there; that there is actually light at the end of the tunnel, a future waiting for me with so much promise, joy, and new beginnings.

Bike riding along Lake Michigan
in Chicago

Residency applications are due within the next couple of weeks, so I've been making edits to my CV and personal statement while confirming the final list of residency programs. I'm hoping to be in a big city for residency, especially after spending almost 8 years in small towns for school. Yet, its hard to exclude programs in small towns especially if they possess other necessary qualities I'm looking for in a program. So, I'm still applying to small town programs because you just never know.

I've been rotating at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta with the High Risk OB department for a week now and I LOVE IT. For those who don't know, I've decided to pursue a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. And why am I in Atlanta? Well, 4th year medical students have the opportunity to rotate at outside programs, and often opt to do so if they are interested in the program or just want to get experience at a different medical institution. I chose Emory because I'm actually interested in the program for residency, especially because my parents now live north of Atlanta. And for most of the residency programs I'm applying to, I have family and personal ties to the city in addition to it being a city program.

Jellyfish at Atlanta Aquarium

In other news, a research project I was working on with 3 others was just accepted for publication in the Women & Health journal! I'm also working on another research project which seems very promising. So its safe to say that on the academic side of things, life is good.

There are so many things going on in my life, but I don't want to bore you with every little detail. Bottom line is, I'm back to blogging with many things to share. I've made some MAJOR lifestyle changes which I can't wait to share and I have a feeling that my life in the next few months is going to change drastically. I'm happy to blog about it to bring you along for the ride.