Christmas & Philadelphia Road Trip

The fiancé is currently taking his step 2 while I sit in The University of Pennsylvania/Drexel chestnut street Starbucks writing this. It was difficult to leave the family at 4 in the afternoon on Christmas to come with him to new completely honest. This year at Christmas is was very obvious that traditions are beginning to change as my siblings and I get older. Of course I wanted one last Christmas at home-home in my own bed and own room. Sort of bitter sweet really. I was woke by my middle youngest brother at 8am. "It's Christmas Jess!? Get Up!" I gave him a "ugh" and rolled over for another 30 minutes until he came in again and threw my cat at me. Nice. He had driven from his now rented house about 15 minutes away for the ritual of Christmas morning gifts. My family consisting my dad, mom, said brother (Age 23) and other brother (age 20) opened our gifts. Mom likes to buy her Christmas gifts in China Town in New York City with her girlfriend on her annual "get away from the husbands" trip. I've told her time and time again that the prices on North Face hoodies, Tiffany's jewelry, designer sunglasses and bags are so good because they are not real. It has no effect. "But this one really is though" she says with a ruffled confused look on her face. I just have to shake my head and laugh. Whatever you say mom... After opening gifts at home-home we traveled to my dads moms house for breakfast and gifts. Grandma Joan is I believe 84 now and can't really get around too much. Ben, my youngest brother opened up a container of Hershey's kisses, I got a bookmark, and the best of all, Zachary got a first aid kit. I feel really bad for laughing but I chalk it up to memories being made. Haha. I can just hear us 10 years from now... Remember the time that grandma J got us band-aids for Christmas then won at Chinese checkers!? She also demanded that my cat make the trip. The next stop was Charlie's Grandma's house for more food. My grandma Bonnie's house was next. Grandma Bonnie is a fantastic seamstress and always hand sews gorgeous intricate keepsake stockings for all of us. I opened mine to find she had given me her mothers handkerchief with beautiful embroidery and the letter "E" for my soon to be maiden name to use as something old for my wedding day. Charlie and I headed over to his dads house for our final stop. His mom hit the "I want grand babies" hint HARD when she gave me red lingerie. All eyes were on my red face. Haha. Oh boy. Charlie and I left on that note toward Philadelphia. We stayed in the Sherridan hotel. OH MY GOSH the pillows!!! Haha It's the little things. I have a lot of time to think today about how life if changing before my eyes. Deep. My brother is about to get engaged (I can feel it) to a great gal. I'm moving away likely come June. Grandma Joan is getting older. I had so many stops this Christmas, now reflecting on the day is when I'm truly enjoying how crazy and beautiful the changes are. I better enjoy it while I can because I don't think we will ever have any Christmas quite the same. I smile. 

Residency Interview Line Up

It’s been quite a long time since my last post. I was really freaking out for a bit about “THE MATCH”.  It was better to avoid thinking about it. Sitting at my computer for hour wasting time on Zillow.com looking at possible housing options depending on location we *might* move was starting to consume my school work time. Wedding planning has taken over my worries. My check list is getting shorter and shorter. My dress came in, save the dates are about to go out, and bridesmaids dresses are ordered.  All is right in the world. Except for my Christmas tree that only survived 48 hours before I came home from school with it on the floor. The cat popped her head up from the braches playing with the ribbons pouncing up and down excitedly as I opened the apartment door. Nice. Déjà vu. This already played itself out last year. … I have yet to fix the decorations. Instead it’s propped up against the wall. I’m using the excuse that it now looks “artistic”. Lol

I am very happy to report that the fiancé has a total of 19 interview for orthopedic residency programs!

His resume is prettttttty solid. Step 1 score of 258, Alpha Omega Alpha, 1 publication, worked on 4 projects, and a step 2 score of something really good also… can’t remember now.

In order of orthopedic residency interview date:

1)      Western Michigan University Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI

2)      Wayne State University’s Oakwood Heritage Hospital in Detroit, MI

3)      Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI

4)      Akron General Hospital in Akron, OH

5)      SUMA Hospital in Akron, OH

6)      University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY

7)      Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY

8)      Upstate New York Hospital in Syracuse, NY

9)      Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburg, PA

10)   Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      7^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

11)   Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      38^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

12)   Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, OH

13)   Albert Einstein University Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA

14)   Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, VA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      39^th out of all orthopedic hospitals in the US

15)   Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, OH

16)   The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, OH

17)   University of Pennsylvania’s Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA

a.       US World New Report Ranked

                                                               i.      34^th out of all orthopedic  hospitals in the US

18)   University of Birmingham Medical Center in Birmingham, AL

19)   Marshal University Medical Center in Charleston, WV

 

Rank lists are due sometimes in February. This is getting more and more exciting! I'm drinking more and more Yogi Stress Tea! :) haha But in all seriousness ,  have prepared myself that we might be moving away from Columbus. Anger was a real emotion felt for about a month before acceptance set in. The fiancé has very supportive about me not wanting to leave my job. It’s so nice just to hear him say that he understands what I am giving up potentially.

Happy Holidays!