Interviews: The Run Down

In the midst of our holidaying, we fit in a few residency interviews.  Ok, so that was actually the point of heading out west for two months.  My mom graciously offered to watch the kids so I could participate in almost every interview.  She even flew out in October so I could go to the South Bend ones.  I was feeling guilty for wanting to go, and then just kind of accepted the fact that I wouldn't be able to go since it's not something you take kids to, until I talked to her and she had the attitude of, "No! It's really important for you to go!  I went to all the ones I could with Dad when he was doing the same thing, so I really think you should."  So thanks to her encouragement and tending skillz I was a big part of interview season with Ben.  Thanks Mom. :)

For all those people who have asked or are wondering, Ben has chosen Family Practice as his specialty, and that's different than a General Practitioner.  So if you mess the two up I will probably punch you in the face.  If you'd like an in-depth discussion about how they are different, I will tell you in person.  The main difference is that Family Practice requires more training.  And yes, they make more than teachers.

We interviewed in South Bend, IN; Lancaster, PA; Boise, ID; Spokane, WA; Provo, UT; Ogden, UT; Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; and Columbus, OH.  There were some we liked, some we loved, some we disliked, and some we detested (Boise).  It was good to see the programs because some we expected to love we didn't, and some we expected to be lukewarm were wonderful.

Now we have some big decisions to make, and THE MATCH is what decides where we will go.  So we have to turn in our rank list and then wait until the middle of March to see what churns out.  We are having quite the dilemma with this decision though, I'll tell you.  We can put the program we like the best as #1, but what if we don't get in there? And what if I have to live in Provo? :)  We would love to live close to family, but we've been able to have a unique experience living away from where we grew up and we really love Columbus.  I don't think we'll be staying here for residency, but we've loved it, so I think we could get to love another new place.  Yet I think about all the times I bawl when I get dropped off at the airport to fly away from my family yet again.  You can see why we are torn.  This is where we would appreciate some input.  So if I seem distracted, stressed, or crazy, that's probably what's rolling around in my head.

I included a picture of my sister and Sammi because she (and my other sister Steph who is not pictured) were both huge helps with watching my kids during the interview season.  (Don't be freaked out by that crazy bride peering over at the pianists.)

When did I get a big girl?

I still think of her like this: