Monday, June 21, 2010

Work

Ryan had a big end of the year dinner at the Ritz Carlton on Saturday for work. It was a lot of fun as always and is always nice to feel like we're one year closer to being DONE.

Which brings me to my next point. Of not being done. With Miami. For three more years now.

(I know, insert groans of pity.)

But, on the bright side, it's because Ryan was chosen to stay on as the Chief Resident and do his retina fellowship here.  It is impressive that he was one of the two that were chosen. He'll do a great job.

But I'll admit I had to choke down the news a little when he told me. I'm sure I didn't give him the congratulatory response he was expecting as I sort of felt like throwing up every time I thought about it for two days.  But I think I'm coming around.  It was a hard choice. He has one more year of residency here then will do a two year retina fellowship after that. A lot of fellowships actually go down in salary from what you even make as a resident. But staying here, he would actually make more. A huge plus. Even though the cost of living is more here, it's still a significant difference. Like the difference between I hope we can survive and we'll be fine. Like he tells me some California fellowships pay like $30,000 - how you pay for housing there and survive with a five person family in LA or wherever, I have no idea.  Also, if he said no to the spot here, he wouldn't start interviewing for other places until the fall, so it's not like he's choosing from all his options at once. So if he said no here he'd be giving up more of a sure thing to go gamble for another spot somewhere else. And pay lots of money to interview all over the country. And maybe get a good spot - or maybe not. I would LOVE to go to the fellowship in Oregon. That would be my first choice. But there are only one or two spots there, who knows if they have someone staying internally for the position...and our chances of it just get less and less likely. So the only thing that got me to say he could apply to stay here was continually thinking, "It could be worse." Like he could gamble and get stuck with a lame fellowship in some place even worse than Miami. (That's betting that somewhere worse than Miami probably exists. :)

It will be hard to not wonder how it could have played out differently and think maybe the grass would have be greener....but we played it safe, and he'll be really well trained, and I'll just have to wrap my mind around it.

But since I found out we are staying I've had a few panic attacks, including some absurd thoughts like what if the end of the world comes soon? I don't want to spend my few remaining days HERE!!!   And worrying that the longer we're here the more likely our chances are that something bad will happen like getting hit by a hurricane.  Or getting shot. Or my children getting stolen and sold on the black market.  Or that I will look like a piece of fruit leather by the time we leave here.

Anyhow, hopefully we will just live here happily in peace, with a little extra money around and a lot of beach and sunshine to enjoy. And a happy husband who gets great training and gives me whatever I want when I'm done suffering through all this med school/residency/fellowship business.  :)  Right, honey?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC PICTURE!!! YOU BOTH LOOK GREAT! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO RYAN!

Julie

Sharon said...

And maybe a ton of great friends, and a workout pal for the next 3 years!

AnnaMarie said...

Wow. Congratulations, Ryan! It'll be great...at least you're all settled there, you have friends, your kids know the routines. There are a lot of pros. Are you going to stay in your place? And yes, you both look great in your pic.

Rochelle said...

Jen you look gorgeous!!!

Anonymous said...

You both look wonderful, and I send my congratulations. I hope it was a very nice event, as you looked so gorgeous and handsome. Actually, there are a lot of things to love about Miami - of course, I am not there in the summer. The breeze, the views, the palm trees, the water, the doormen, the pool, the security of your condo, the proximity to the parking lot, the proximity to the cruise ships, the sports arena, and the arts center. The great friends and great ward.

xoxoGrammy

Anonymous said...

Haha, fruit leather. :)

That sounds like great/disappointing news. I can understand the mixed feelings.

You guys look great. Ryan is looking more and more like the kind of guy I would trust with the tender care of my eyeballs.

SuburbiaMom said...

Have some more kids--it will make the 3 years fly by. JUST KIDDING!!! Good luck to you all! All your sacrifice will pay off--literally and figuratively!

Jenilee said...

Jen you look beautiful. Congratulations to Ryan! At least you will have some great experiences to share with the rest of us.

LuAnn said...

Oh good I have 3 more years to make it for a visit! It just might happen. Great dress.

LuAnn said...

Oh and congrats to Ryan. Your kids will be brainiacs!

todd & nicole said...

Darn...we would have loved to have you in Oregon, but that is great news for Ryan.

Melanie said...

Ok first - you are one hot mama! Second, big groan for you! I completely feel your pain and I know if anyone can get through the next three years it is you! You will be such a strong wise mother at the end of all these years of sacrifice. Your kids will whine about life being too hard and you can snort and say "Yeah, it is...deal with it."
The bright side is all these years will pay off. Go Team!

Sarah said...

you both look so fab. that's quite some news.. somehow you always make me laugh, no matter what kind of news it is :) hang in there pumpkin!

Karen said...

we're dealing with the same kinds of decisions right now, and it STINKS! i also keep wondering... when will all this be OVER? i am so done with dealing with medschoolresidencyfellowship--it's all one big blur to me (that will have been 11 years of our life by the time it's all said and done)!!!

but then i think about all the other things we could be struggling with and having to deal with, and i'd gladly pick up my bag of troubles again :o) we have good friends here who paid their dues in professional school, had a great job that paid their mortgage and made their lives possible one day, and the next day the company cut 60% of their jobs, and he's out of his... they're underwater on their mortgage and have nowhere to go. so it could be worse... right? keep up the great attitude, and i bet one day you will miss these crazy days :o) i know i will, in some sick way...

Winnie said...

You guys look like movie stars!