Anika and I are departing Portland on Tuesday, bound for Denver. We'll spend a week and a half there, and then travel on to New York. Our adventure is by no means coming to an end, however. We'll only be home for a day before getting into a car to go visit hospitals in New Hampshire, Maine and Boston.
Life in Portland has been good to us. The fall foliage is stunning, our temporary home is beautiful, and it's been wonderful to spend time with family and friends (most of whom we hadn't seen since our wedding). Andrew has enjoyed his rotation up at OHSU, and just this week began the residency interview process. He interviewed at Legacy Emanuel on Wednesday, and is up interviewing at OHSU today.
Last night all three of us went to a reception for OHSU interviewees at a restaurant downtown. It was interesting for me to see these people hob nob; Anika impressed everyone with her crowd-induced coma trick. Andrew was familiar with a few of the residents and one of the chief residents said that he thought Andrew would 'do well' there. Apparently Andrew has earned a reputation for giving the answers during lectures and such (a reputation he's had elsewhere). So, my sense is that a position here is quite possible if Andrew wants it.
This choosing a place to live and work thing is so hard; in some ways I'm grateful that we ultimately don't have full control. Hearing some of these residents talk has persuaded me into deemphasizing rank somewhat and focusing more on quality of life. The residents we talked to own homes and have recreational pursuits (which is unsurprising given their choice to live here). We're envious.
We're not unhappy in New York, but Andrew did comment a few weeks ago that he didn't want to wake up to discover he's 40 and he still hasn't left the city. This struck a chord with me. It's not a bad place to be young, but we don't aspire to live out our adult lives in a shoebox. And if we did stay, we'd probably downsize and move into Manhattan to be closer to the hospitals Andrew wants (Mt. Sinai and Weill-Cornell). Plus, despite the amazing cultural opportunities, I don't really want Anika to be swept up in the hustle. We'd like for her to have a bit of dirt and a room all her own--a space to play and reflect, where she can invite the world in not beg it to stay out.
That all said, we're tremendously grateful that the opportunities we're considering are good--very good--ones. Just this morning we discussed eliminating more of the interviews because as it stands Andrew's got something like 18 scheduled during the next two months. We're a little worried that he'll just end up burnt out.
And now for something completely different. Watch Anika's first flirtation with jumping on the bed (it's her first guaranteed laugh inducing activity):
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P.S. She laughs when we watch the video!
ReplyDeleteHa, too cute! It sounds almost like it makes you laugh just as much (if not more!)
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I find more humor in her than she finds in me. Nevertheless, I tried to contain myself since (obviously) I was not trying to be the focus of our little film.
ReplyDeleteI love it! This is a teaser of what we have to look forward to on Tuesday. Anika's expression wavers between happy and "what are you doing to me, Ma?". G-Ma Karen
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful...her little laugh has made me teary and has made my day. Can't wait to see you Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteWednesday
ReplyDeleteAww.. she is so adorable! It's only the beginning. You are such a cute little family with much fun ahead! Wish we could have spent more time together in Portland but glad to have seen you and tasted your yummy food!! Thanks again. :) My thoughts are with you all throughout these months of decision. (yours and "theirs") - Andrea
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