Day 3244: A week after Match

You would think that I would blog rightaway when I found out where I matched? Because I am sure you are all dying to know where I ended up. Well, most of you texted/contacted me, which I greatly appreciated. For those that didn't, I am pleased to tell you all that I am off to the University of Maryland for my internal medicine-pediatrics residency!

It was quite unexpected, but, as James Michener says, "We are never prepared for what we expect." So, to receive such unexpected news, was, well, surprising. It took me most of Friday, and the subsequent weekend, to process the news.

Overall, I am thrilled to be matched in to a residency I wanted (I can't say that for several medical students I know :\) and in a new city! I forget how close everything is on the east coast! DC, one hour away! Philadelphia, 2 hours away! New York City (my love!), 3 hours away! For all my east coast loves, we will be reunited soon, and often!

Anyway, thank you all for your kind thoughts and well wishes. I apologize for keeping some of you waiting, but I can't thank each of you enough for your support.

I AM GOING TO BE A DOCTOR. HOLY. COW.

Day 3234: Oh happy St. Patrick's day!

So, I'm -100% Irish. Yes, that is a negative sign before the 100.

Today's happiness is to inform you all that I have matched! What does that mean, you ask? It means I have a job come July 1st! Do I know where? No, of course not. The medical community likes to have incoming doctors sweat, squirming in nervousness.

Congratulations!  You have matched!

This is all I got in my email on Monday. How anti-climactic right?

Until Friday!

(AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH) 

Day 3227: Ups and Downs

Hey all, I am writing today to discuss the ups and downs of the Match.

I am, as we all know, a little emotionally unstable (read: a lot unstable). My moods go crazy in times of stress and the Match is about as stressful a time as any. Everyday I waver between "I would be thrilled to be at any of my top three programs" and "I am not going to get my first choice and I don't know how I feel about actually getting my top three." And then there are the other thoughts like, "WHAT IF I DON'T MATCH?" "WHAT IF I DON'T GET MY TOP THREE?" "WHAT IF NOBODY LOVES ME?" The last one isn't necessarily Match-specific, but it's still applicable to the Match, haha.

Anyway, most days, I'm fine. Most days, I can talk myself in to being calm about the process. I remind myself that the Match places me where I am supposed to be. It doesn't feel like that sometimes, but I know that it's true. I just have to remember that it's true. But some days, Danny and I fight because I am so up-and-down and he doesn't know why I am suddenly depressed as all get out and we fight and we're always fine in the end but it's all due to me and my emotional instability.

Just wanted to keep you all apprised on my current emotional state. Level orange. Unstable.

Day 3214: The future is now

AHHHHHHHHHH

Today is the day! Rank lists are due! At 9:01pm eastern standard time, my future was officially out of my hands. The computer has completed running the program that has decided where I will be trained as Dr. Jessica Lee over the next four years. 

CRAZY!!

And I don't get to find out until Friday March 20th! Torturous!

It's been nice to be here in Taiwan when all of this drama is going down. Being in a US medical environment would make this whole month too stressful. Everyone would ask "where is your number one program??" Over and over again. I would lose it. Probably stab someone with the nearest needle. So, just chatting with my friends via messaging apps is sufficient. I just want to make sure everyone ends up where they are supposed to be (and hopefully happy to boot).

Until next time!