Sunday Reflections

For a while now I've been thinking of how I could do more with my blog and although I enjoy the posts where I share my advice on getting through medical school, I also just want more informal reasons to write. And the other day it finally came to me...Sunday reflections. The whole point of Sunday reflections is for me to share a little bit more about my life as well as have a chronicle of where I am in my journey. The whole intention of starting my blog was for me to have something to look back on years from now, so I think Sunday reflections will be a great way for me to share what's been going on recently, where I am in school, and maybe just random thoughts/anecdotes that I'd like to share. A lot of this stems from the fact that one of my favorite things is to learn about people. I love to hear their stories. How they grew up, what excites them, and why they do the things they do. I feel like understanding people allows for us to have a better connection as humans and serves as the foundation for deeper friendships. So in the spirit of promoting that, I am choosing to let people hear more about my story.

This probably has to be one of my favorite times of the year. I know a lot of it has to do with my birthday being in November and with Thanksgiving bringing my favorite people together. My birthday always serves as my reset point for the year. I love to look back and see what has changed since my last trip around the sun, the lessons I've learned, and the people that have come and gone along the way.  And Thanksgiving is always the time that I take a pause and look around to see all the things that I have in my life and everything that I've been blessed with. This picture speaks volumes in those regards.

I won't tell the full story as it's not just mine to share, but over the past several years my parents had their fair share of hard times. So believe me when I say that this house has been a beautiful blessing for them and every time I take a walk to the backyard, I'm reminded how everything seems to work out in the end. On another note, I remember for years wishing that I had a place to run.  Our old house was set in the middle of a forest preserve and our street was the only street for miles. It was beautifully secluded, but not the ideal place to hit the pavement. When they showed this house to me, I fell in love. I'd always wanted something like this and I couldn't believe I was finally getting it.

This was the first holiday that we were celebrating in our new house and I was really happy that it was the one where we get a chance to celebrate the things that make us thankful. It was a great start to all the memories that we'll get to create here and a chance to look back on how far we've come. And that has been the thought that has been on my mind the past couple weeks. My birthday week I just felt so thankful that I have been blessed with incredible people in my life, friends and family that make me feel so loved. And of course how far I've personally come on my journey.

I'm currently three weeks out from being half-way done with my third year of medical school and I honestly can't believe how fast the time has gone by. Next year at this point, I'll be interviewing for residency and deciding where I would like to spend the next three years of my life and that's both exciting and terrifying. Either way, I know wherever I end up it'll be where I need to be.

Clerkship-wise, we are at the midpoint of our pediatrics rotation and so far I've been loving every second of it. I was a bit nervous at the beginning that I was going to change my mind and that all these years of saying I was going into peds was a lie, but I swear the past couple weeks have felt like coming home. I have worked with the different residents and attendings and it feels like I've found my people. I think it also helps that my patients are adorable and even when they just come in with colds I'm delighted to see them. But, it does make me excited to start residency and finally getting into the good part of my career.

For this Sunday, I hope you are reflecting on all the good things this week had to offer. The things that make you grateful in this life and all the things that you still have to look forward to.

-Gen<3

Word for 2018!

 

      I honestly can't believe that it is time to write this post, because it feels like it was just a little while ago that I was picking my word for 2017. Last year, I picked the word awareness. It was something that I worked (and am still working) on cultivating in my life during the year, and although I still have plenty of work to do on this subject, I feel like I built a solid foundation. For me, 2017 was a year of being aware of the opportunities around me and I can say that I am very proud of myself. It was definitely a year of taking chances and making mistakes, but as one of my recent favorite quotes says,
     "...if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before and more importantly, you're doing something."-Neil Gaiman

     Looking back, I can say that it was a year full of life and life experiences, and to me, that seems like a year well spent. This upcoming year, is already set with many big career-oriented milestones for me (i.e. finishing my pre-clinical years of medical school and taking my first board exam), so when I was picking a word, I wanted it to fit the vibe of the year. And, the other day when I was reflecting on the year with a friend, what I was hoping for this year popped into my head. I want this year to be the year of "Self." Self-focus, self-love, self-development, self-discovery, but especially self-trust.

     For those unfamiliar with the medical field, at the end of M2 year, you have to take an exam called Step 1 in order to progress to your third year. This exam is notorious for being a beast because you are being tested on everything that you've learned in the past two years of medical school. So believe me, it's dauting to think about. But, I always try to keep optimistic that everything happens for a reason and that if I've made it this far, I can make it through the entire thing. I just have to trust that I can do it and let the rest fall into place.

    Apart from school, I feel like it's just a good year to build things up in my life. This past November, I turned 25 and it's made me think a lot about what I want to get out of life. It's rather funny because I feel older, but I know that I still have so much life to live. But, I do feel that turning a milestone age makes you reflect more on where you are currently and where you'd like to go moving forward. So, 25 will be a good year for this. I think it's a good year to spend reflecting on myself as a person and to focus on what I need.

    I hope this year brings you many great opportunities and that you do focus on yourself as well.

Take care,

- Genesis<3