Almost time to go....

I leave on the 29th to start my next adventure. My world wind tour will start in Texas, then onto Miami and finally I'll land in Dominica on January 4th. I'm sad to leave my family at home, but I'm also excited to start this next phase of my life.

I've ordered my books and all of my doctor equipment. At this point I look like I know what I'm doing more than I know what I'm doing! Give me a few months, and I will amaze you with my knowledge. Just think, in approximately three and a half years, I'll be Dr. Baca!! Of course before I can practice, I have to do my residency (another three to five years depending on the specialty) and if I subspecialize I'll have another three or four years! For example, if I decide to do pediatric oncology, I will have to do a three year residency after medical school years to be a pediatrician then another three or four years to complete the hematology/oncology fellowship: approximately ELEVEN years!!! Recently, I've been more and more interested in Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology (which would also be approximately eleven more years: OB/GYN residence and Infertility fellowship after medical school).

I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Time flys when your having fun....

WOW! My time at home is flying by. I am excited to get back to school; however, I've had so much fun with my family and friends that it will be hard to leave again. It's only 21 days until I head to Texas, then to Miami, and finally onto Dominica.

The family went to Olympia to visit friends for Thanksgiving. It was GREAT and we happened to get out of the west side of Washington, just in the nick of time. I went down to the Walla Walla barrel tasting....IT WAS GREAT! I can't tell you how much fun it was!

Well, I only have a few weeks left and so much to do. Hopefully I'll talk to you all soon!

Woodworking isn't for me

I might be a medical student, but I'm not a genius. I got the bright idea to strip the paint off my night stand table. Brilliant! I worked on it Tuesday and it now looks like a spotted table...a sick spotted table. It has been sitting in my garage and every time I pull in to the garage, it startles me. I've decided today to attack this stupid table again today. To my surprise, after laboring for hours with my orange, gel stripper, a plastic scrapper and piles of paper towels, my table doesn’t look half bad. Now, I still need to sand it, stain and polyurethane it, but that should be the easy part.

Since Dad was going out to play billiards with the guys, Mom and I went out to Twigs for dinner tonight. It was slam packed. I didn't realize that so many people would have the same great idea...maybe I am a genus after all.

Keeping Busy at Home!

I've managed to keep busy since returning to Spokane. Mom and I have been spring cleaning since I won't be here next spring to do my fair share of cleaning. I have a ton of things to do for my visa to go to dominicia. They require a police report, chest x-ray, random vaccinations, pictures and piles of paperwork. I've also been trying to see as many people as possible.

I was at the book store today and found a copy of "First Aid for the USMLE I." I am such as nerd. I am as excited about getting another review book as a young girl is about getting another doll.

I am getting excited to head south to go back to school, but I'm trying to enjoy my break. There won't be another real break until my name is Dr. Nicole!!

Glad to be Home!

It is a beautiful fall here in the great northwest. I'm excited to be home and have the opportunity to see everyone. It was fun to go up to the hospital and see all of my old coworkers. I was on the south hill today and it was BEAUTIFUL! I am so lucky to come home to all of this beauty. I colored my hair red today….now I have a new autumn color on my hair. I’m just a festival of fall!

I don’t usually love Halloween, but I’m excited to see the little guys this year. I hope we get lots of trick-or-treaters. I think I’m going through children withdrawal; however, I’m not going to have any kids of my own any time soon!!!

Home at Last!

I started this post in the Chicago Airport waiting for my connecting flight to HOME to Spokane. It was over 90 degrees in Miami when I left. But, it was rainy, cloudy and downright crummy in Chicago. My flight into Chicago was a bit late because there was so much fog that they had to make the spacing between the planes larger. It was rainy and cold. Luckily, the flight out of Chicago wasn’t too choppy and the four hours went relatively quickly.

I’m happy to be home. Last night was the first time I’ve slept for eight hours straight in months. It’s funny how the little things make me happy. I probably shouldn’t get used to sleeping through the night as I head to Dominica in January. As a good medical student, I’m taking these two months to do a little extra studying—you know, to try and review a little bit before the storm of studies hits!
I have so many people to see. I can’t wait to catch up with all of you!!