THE SIMPLE LIFE

WHAT’S NEW IN CHICAGO?

This has been a very relaxed week. I got to meet up with a few people for one-on-one quality chats and also got to spend time with friends. Most of all, got a lot of time to read and think. If only school was always like this! =P

I also got to go Blue Man group. It’s good but I had really high expectations because everyone hyped it up so much after seeing it last year. I think I would’ve been more enthused after the show if I went in not expecting anything. I can’t even really call it a show though; it’s more like ‘the Blue Man experience’ *laughs*. Go and then you’ll see what I mean. The seats we got were awesome – I got to sit in the front row, right smack in the center but I’m glad they provided ponchos for us to wear! I’d be interested to see it again somewhere else cuz I hear that they’re different depending on the city. I’m pretty sure they’re in Toronto too.

We had a private practice symposium on Friday which got me thinking again about my future. It’s always around this time of the year that my mind starts to skip ahead. I’m still debating whether to stay to do a year of residency after I graduate. I know I still have another year and half before I decide but after talking to one of the speakers, I definitely felt more of a tug in that direction. Hmm…will have to find more doctors to discuss and explore this area of possibility.
I also spoke to a few people to see if they were interested in hiring an international graduate. I’m not leaving Canada for good…I can already see Steph ready to say something! I was just putting it out there and trying to gauge the response. The commercial side is very open to sponsoring a visa but the private side seemed pretty hesitant, which I completely understand. It’d have to be a very match for them to be willing to go through all the paperwork and of course, I’d have to be very committed to staying in the States…which right now, is all up in the air.
I really don’t like schmoozing and networking but one of the people I spoke gave me such encouragement by telling me that I would be great with patients because of my personality. It gave me such hope that maybe I won’t be an absolutely terrible doctor after all.

I had so much fun yesterday. I met up with Kathy, Winston and Louis to paint Sharon’s apartment while she’s on vacation. It’s just great to have music playing, everyone talking and working towards accomplishing the same goal. And of course, being covered with paint and making a mess at the same time. I’m kind of excited to be at that stage of life where you do ‘adult’ things like fixing up a place of your own. But then it’s also very scary. I think I’ll just stick to enjoying where I am right at this moment… =)

P.S. I’m trying to avoid random surfing on the net as a part of Lent so I won’t be reading blogs but I’ll still post on my end. Hopefully I can keep updated about your lives through msn, e-mail & phone!