A little R&R

Th-th-that that don't kill me. Can only make me stronger…

At least until we get the results of our cardio exam. Then I may have to go into hiding, forever. Planning on doing nothing today, which is pretty sweet. Some rest and relaxation before we start our blood and oncology block. Not really looking forward to this. I’ve heard from the second-years that it’s all biochemistry pathways (No, no pathways, no!! I’m having undergrad biochem nightmares as we speak… N- glycosaminoglycane…GAH!!) and cancer. Yeesh. So today will be a day of doing nothing. Zip, zero, nada, nilch.

Yesterday was the first day of interview weekend. I was one of the “floaters” meaning I was in charge of escorting the interviewees around to the info session, welcome room, etc, etc. It was super busy. Lots of people interviewing, so lots and lots of walking. Lesson learned for next week, wear comfortable shoes, aka not ballet flats which although look very cute, do not provide any arch support whatsoever. I think I developed some plantar fasciitis midway through.

So the interviewees seemed very confident from first impressions. Not what I remember from last year. Then again I don’t really remember much from last year. It was all a blur, and all I DO remember is getting locked into the hallway (the building is locked during weekends and you need card access to open doors – ooo, how CIA) and being extremely, extremely nervous. So I was very impressed with the confidence the way the newbies presented themselves. And what a range of applicants. Some from Toronto, others Montreal and Alberta, and a couple of Ivy Leaguers from the States who made me feel slightly inadequate. They all seemed very nice, and I have no idea who will get in (although a few rubbed me the wrong way…seemingly WAY to cocky… I mean c’mon man, okay you go here for undergrad but please, doesn’t mean you need to tell ME how to open to the freaking door. Sit down! Med students should have SOME degree of humility. Please refer to fact 1st years know NOTHING in eyes of the REAL doctors. But I digress). I hope that I presented a good impression of our school. I tried to be genuine, without putting down other schools because honestly even if I think my school rocks and is the BEST, I can’t really comment on other schools seeing as I don’t go there. I was honest with what I liked, and I think many of the students appreciated that. So to all those out there who interviewed yesterday and all those who have yet to interview, good luck. I’m glad it’s not me picking who gets in because you guys were pretty awesome from what I could tell.

Another thing about yesterday was that it reaffirmed how grateful and excited I am to be at med school. Seeing the nerves of the students, and remembering exactly what it was like for me last year, I was sooo thankful that it was not me that was interviewing. It’s SO different on the other side. I mean I know we moan and groan about how much we hate exams and mock-OSCEs and assignments and it can seem that we hate school at times, but I can safely say that Truffles and I are VERY happy we’re here. Truffles even saw one of her interviewers from last year. I suggested she hug him. Little did she know I wasn’t joking. I didn’t see my doctor (I can’t even really remember what he looks like) but if I did recognize him, I may have been overcome by a fit of gratitude that I could have kissed his feet. Literally… that’s how grateful I was yesterday guys. Seriously.

So yesterday was very interesting but also BUSY!! At the end of our shift, I was kind of sick of welcoming people to the welcome room. Which doesn’t bode well for clerkship, if I can’t even last 6 hours walking around. Anyhow, I was glad to be done for the day. Until next week then! I’m going to a welcomer in the welcome room so people can come to me, not vice versa. Plus VIP access to food. Mmmmm… And don’t tell because even though we’re not supposed to, but I’d totally fight the interviewee for the sandwich. I mean I’m nice, but not that nice! At least when it comes to food. (evil laughter in background)