Apr 12, 2016

Coming full circle

Where to start; where to start?  Should I end?

I can't say I have a lot of advice for you all now starting in Grenada (or in Newcastle) other than good luck, really enjoy the time you have because you'll look back on it fondly (maybe not the harassment but otherwise) and work hard, but the island is so far away from me that it feels like a dream.  Nearly 10 years now since I shipped off, terrified, and a very different person than I am now.

I've alluded to and generally complained about the pathology job market being terrible.  I can officially say I've accepted a job offer that seems like an excellent fit for me, and we're really happy about it.

There's an official "we" now.  I'm engaged.  The impossible has happened, and no, there's no big wedding.  This year has been so stressful that doing anything other than a quick inebriated cakeless wedding just isn't worth the effort or money.

I can continue the "travelogue" portion of the blog to an extent.  For the past few years, my PTO has been used for less fun things - interviewing for a fellowship; the next year moving for fellowship and the year after applying for jobs, but having secured one with a healthy amount of time left, the future husband and I took off for the Belize jungle and had an amazing time.  It was the first I've felt truly relaxed in years.  Amazing country and who knew you could hop on Southwest for less than a flight to San Francisco?

The cytopathology boards are sometime in August.  Not too stressed.  Maybe I'm finally entering a time in my life where the exam difficulty starts going downhill.  Either that or the AP/CP exams just broke me entirely, which is likely.

Everything's winding down.  I'm in my last away rotation, which would be nice except it's been complicated by a knee injury sustained during crossfit, so now I need to get a scope stuck in my knee.  Then it's back to my main hospital to wind up my year and hopefully say goodbye to trainee status forever.  Not that I have any intention of ceasing learning, just that I get a decent salary and am higher than *someone* on a ladder.

So things are working out, for all the pain and difficulty.  It's been an insane ride, but a fulfilling one, and I've been extremely lucky all the way.  I wish a great deal of luck to all of you.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since you left Annexcafé to become a Doctor. (PS thanks for all you've done to help keep it going until now). Good luck on your coming marriage and in all your future endeavors.

[Note that personally, it is most scary to me that I am ten years older than when you started your odyssey. In 35 years you'll know exactly what I mean by this]

R said...

I'm glad you made it! I started my grown-up job in December (after 6 months of trying to get the ECFMG to send my proof of graduation and residency to the Powers That Be here in Canada) and I honestly have to say that it was worth it - every last bit of annoyance, harassment, and stress - has been worth it for the awesomeness that my life is these days. Good luck and congrats on the marriage and the new job! --R

BoaterDave said...

Even though you decided to shut me out of your life, I must still congratulate you on securing a grown-up position for work and the start of a new relationship with your husband-to-be.

I don't think you have a clue that Annexcafe was being utilised by what I call 'bad guys' - but I'm absolutely certain that it was!

Will you be participating in the new User2User group now hosted on the Dogagent server and still totally controlled by '...winston' ? (a name I'm sure you know!)

GOOD LUCK, lovely lady! :-)

David x

Ishie said...

Nothing personal; I'm just wholly uninterested in hearing about the "bad guys", and I like to keep my personal life separate, but I appreciate your well wishes. I likely will not be participating in the new U2U. I have plenty to occupy me in the upcoming years. Planting a garden, rehabbing a torn ACL, and getting a dog are near the top of a long list.

Bob: thank you so much. *I* can't believe it's been 10 years! So much has happened that I feel like a completely different person. I'm sure in *another* 35 years, it'll be even wilder (particularly since I'm already starting to get flummoxed by the new technology coming out).

R: Thank you! And so much congratulations your way! It's hard to believe the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train before you're out of it, but now it's absolutely wonderful. I'm crazy excited about my new life and I'm crazy excited about yours!

BoaterDave said...

If you haven't read the book (or seen the film) - Marley - I suggest you familiarise yourself with same! :-)

I have absolutely NO hesitation in recommending the ownership of a Labrador - or a cross between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever. I have enjoyed the company of both breeds over the years.

Perhaps you will reconsider being my Facebook friend again. I'd really like that, Ishie. :-)