No, I'm not dreaming.
This is real.
I'm going to med school. I'm going to be a doctor. W-o-W.
I received my matriculation packet in the mail yesterday. Holy cow. Gotta get on the ball. School starts at the end of July and my white coat ceremony is the weekend following my birthday! (yay!)
Now, I just have to figure everything else out...
That's going to be the not-so-fun part.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
to HPSP or no?
I've been struggling with this.... (joining the NAVY for the HPSP program.)
Particularly today.
I can't decide whether or not the monetary benefits, prestige, and stability are worth it. It's an excellent opportunity. When I was in San Diego, I had to go to the Naval Hospital and I absolutely loved the staff there. I always thought it would be "cool" to be a Navy doc. But now that I have the opportunity to do it, there's one thing standing in my way.
I don't mind being told what to do or where to go, as long as I have a slight bit of say in it (choosing my specialty). I don't mind the unlikely possibility of going on a GMO tour. I don't mind base housing or military pay or any of the military life stigmas, because I've experienced it firsthand already. In fact, I'd love to join and live in officer housing as opposed to enlisted. I'd love to travel the world. I'd love to help those military wives who (as I briefly experienced firsthand before my ex came back and fathered three children, none obviously with me) endure so very much and receive so very little in return. That would be an honor.
I had been pretty gung-ho about it until this evening. My parents are staying with my brother and sister in law out of town in order to help my SIL out with the kids while my brother finishes up an important project. I have to go down and feed the animals while they are away. I went down today and my mom had left me a note. She gave me a list of instructions (water plants, put the mail on the bed, etc) and the last was "Always keep in your heart that I love you." And I seriously lost it.
I'm so close to my parents and it's so hard to imagine that I'll be leaving them. I'd give up anything just to make sure that they are cared for. My mom turned 68 this year and my dad turned 76. I don't know how much time I have left with them. They are at least somewhat healthy, but both have their problems.
If I remained a civilian, I would have more flexibility with my internship and residency as well as my location after completion. I will also have accrued approximately $250,000 in debt. I could work for a rural program in my family's area which would help some with loan forgiveness/repayment. But, I would be closer to my parents and have the ability to be near them in the event of illness. Not to mention the ability to take a leave of absence if necessary.
If I were to go the NAVY route, I would have very little flexibility with location of my internship/residency (one of ~3 sites - VA, MD and CA). Once I went active duty after my residency, I could be stationed in one of a plethora of beautiful places, but it is likely that I would have very little say in where I went. The kicker here is that I would be absolutely, positively debt free. But, it would be very difficult (if even possible) to take an emergency leave of absence if the need were to arise.
So, I don't know. Sometimes I wish I could just give up everything and move back with them and take care of them. They're by no means helpless, but I'd do anything for them. Anything. Here I am. Stuck, again, between a rock and a hard place. If anyone has any advice for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm so lost right now.
Particularly today.
I can't decide whether or not the monetary benefits, prestige, and stability are worth it. It's an excellent opportunity. When I was in San Diego, I had to go to the Naval Hospital and I absolutely loved the staff there. I always thought it would be "cool" to be a Navy doc. But now that I have the opportunity to do it, there's one thing standing in my way.
I don't mind being told what to do or where to go, as long as I have a slight bit of say in it (choosing my specialty). I don't mind the unlikely possibility of going on a GMO tour. I don't mind base housing or military pay or any of the military life stigmas, because I've experienced it firsthand already. In fact, I'd love to join and live in officer housing as opposed to enlisted. I'd love to travel the world. I'd love to help those military wives who (as I briefly experienced firsthand before my ex came back and fathered three children, none obviously with me) endure so very much and receive so very little in return. That would be an honor.
I had been pretty gung-ho about it until this evening. My parents are staying with my brother and sister in law out of town in order to help my SIL out with the kids while my brother finishes up an important project. I have to go down and feed the animals while they are away. I went down today and my mom had left me a note. She gave me a list of instructions (water plants, put the mail on the bed, etc) and the last was "Always keep in your heart that I love you." And I seriously lost it.
I'm so close to my parents and it's so hard to imagine that I'll be leaving them. I'd give up anything just to make sure that they are cared for. My mom turned 68 this year and my dad turned 76. I don't know how much time I have left with them. They are at least somewhat healthy, but both have their problems.
If I remained a civilian, I would have more flexibility with my internship and residency as well as my location after completion. I will also have accrued approximately $250,000 in debt. I could work for a rural program in my family's area which would help some with loan forgiveness/repayment. But, I would be closer to my parents and have the ability to be near them in the event of illness. Not to mention the ability to take a leave of absence if necessary.
If I were to go the NAVY route, I would have very little flexibility with location of my internship/residency (one of ~3 sites - VA, MD and CA). Once I went active duty after my residency, I could be stationed in one of a plethora of beautiful places, but it is likely that I would have very little say in where I went. The kicker here is that I would be absolutely, positively debt free. But, it would be very difficult (if even possible) to take an emergency leave of absence if the need were to arise.
So, I don't know. Sometimes I wish I could just give up everything and move back with them and take care of them. They're by no means helpless, but I'd do anything for them. Anything. Here I am. Stuck, again, between a rock and a hard place. If anyone has any advice for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm so lost right now.
Monday, January 5, 2009
I'm baaaaaack...
Just got back from LOVELY, LOVELY New York & New Jersey.
What an amazing week. Wow. I really got to enjoy myself. I completely vegged the first few days.. walked around, visited sites, did NOTHING. It was awesome.
I finally got the courage to go to the City by myself on Saturday and I wish I'd had more time to visit it. It wasn't as intimidating as everyone had made it out to be. hah.
I'll upload some more pictures at some point. But, right now, I'm tired from traveling all day.
Note: Empire State Building from the pier beside the hotel I stayed at. Sorry, it's a little crooked - need to do some editing to my graphics before I have them printed. :)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Dear anonymous..
In the profound words of Thumper the rabbit (ca. 1942, Bambi):
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."
Duly note as well that from now on, anonymous posting of comments will be disabled.
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."
Duly note as well that from now on, anonymous posting of comments will be disabled.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Start spreadin' the news...
... I'm leavin' today (well... a week and a day from today.)
After all of the stresses of this past year and all of the excitements, I decided I needed a vacation - particularly before school started. After lots of coaxing, my hubbadub decided that he'd be okay with me going on a solo trip.
I've got to be a part of it....
Soooo... I'll be going to New York City in the very near future! I've never been to New York so it will definitely be an adventure.
Squee! Merry Christmas Eve's Eve, everyone!
After all of the stresses of this past year and all of the excitements, I decided I needed a vacation - particularly before school started. After lots of coaxing, my hubbadub decided that he'd be okay with me going on a solo trip.
I've got to be a part of it....
Soooo... I'll be going to New York City in the very near future! I've never been to New York so it will definitely be an adventure.
Squee! Merry Christmas Eve's Eve, everyone!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Without Christmas Spirit..
It doesn't feel like Christmastime to me. I don't know why. I don't feel like putting up lights or decorations. I just don't feel like being Christmasy this year. Hmmph.
Well, at least for now. I've got the tree up, but that's it. It makes me sad because I've always been incredibly excited about Christmas. Of course, this year I decorated the tree by myself and haven't helped my parents with their tree, but.. meh. It doesn't feel like Christmas.
Blah. I'm just down in the dumps. Something feels off. My dad is sick, so that makes me worry (not to mention my mom over-worries, which makes me worry even more).
Ah well, I'm looking forward to next Christmas; that's for sure. I'll be at DCOM, halfway through OMS I! Who knows how different my life will be then, but I'm excited. I have a feeling being in the Christmas spirit is the only thing that will keep me going next year!
Anyone else just feel "bleh" sometimes at Christmas?
Oh, and I'm quitting my job next week. Surely that will make me feel more spirited. It's not worth $6.55/hr to destroy my back.
Well, at least for now. I've got the tree up, but that's it. It makes me sad because I've always been incredibly excited about Christmas. Of course, this year I decorated the tree by myself and haven't helped my parents with their tree, but.. meh. It doesn't feel like Christmas.
Blah. I'm just down in the dumps. Something feels off. My dad is sick, so that makes me worry (not to mention my mom over-worries, which makes me worry even more).
Ah well, I'm looking forward to next Christmas; that's for sure. I'll be at DCOM, halfway through OMS I! Who knows how different my life will be then, but I'm excited. I have a feeling being in the Christmas spirit is the only thing that will keep me going next year!
Anyone else just feel "bleh" sometimes at Christmas?
Oh, and I'm quitting my job next week. Surely that will make me feel more spirited. It's not worth $6.55/hr to destroy my back.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Hey, MammaDoc
You should make your blog open to comments! I'd love to leave you comments on your recent blogs.
For now, it's time for work. But, just a thought!
For now, it's time for work. But, just a thought!
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