Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Training License.

So the other day I received a great letter. It was from the Pennsylvania License people telling me that they received my application for my medical license while I am in training.  I could not believe that I am getting information about my medical license. Then I get the email telling me about orientation. I cannot wait.

Only 56 more days to go, but no one is counting. Ah, who am I kidding; I AM COUNTING. This is the greatest feeling in the world. To know that in less than 2 months I will be a doctor. The cool thing is that when I book my trip to Las Vegas for the Old Pre Meds conference (www.oldpremeds.com) I plan to reserve it under Dr. Lerman. Something that I have wanted to do for a very long time.

Right now I am on my Endocrinology rotation. It is still a lot of general medicine, however I am really learning how to manage the diabetic issues in people, which is the reason I took the class anyway.

This week I am going to be going to the Exit Interview, which pretty much drills into your brain that you have to pay your loans back. I have to look into programs that help with loan repayment if you work in an underserved hospital. But I will be earning a paycheck again. I have to kick out the senioritis out of my. I have stuff to read and I even purchased my Step 3 review book. In the meantime, I have been reading non medically related books.

The first book is Mad Money by Jim Cramer. I am reading this because I will be getting back into the stock market after a several year hiatus in order to make some more money. It is a nice diversion from medicine. The other book that I am reading at the same time is Sun Tzu's The Art of War. This book is purported to be read by heads of state as well as corporations. Since I am gunning for that fellowship position, I need to have all of the tools possible for my success. I will let you all know how it turns out. There is something to be said about a book that has been around for 2400 years and is still being published (bible not included).

I am also looking forward to my time off between graduation and start of residency. Getting back to the golf course and fishing.

Till next time.


Sunday, March 13, 2011

Relaxing and Motivation

Hello there fellow Non Trads,

Well, since we last spoke I received, signed, and returned my contract for residency. I am so glad that I do not have to worry about that anymore. It is for real and I will soon be getting my orientation schedule and on July 1, I will begin my new career as a doctor. However, until then I still have to be a student.

Recently, I finished my Cardiology rotation and I noticed that I have absolutely no motivation to do anything. I mean, I do not want to read or want to listen to anything. I just cannot seem to get myself to read for more than 5 minutes. When I get to the computer, I play games until it is time to go to sleep. I realize that this can be a problem. Especially since I need to start getting motivated again and prepare for residency.

I downloaded this program back in January to test it out. It is called Life Manager Pro. It is for Mac but I am sure that there is a version out there for PC. Well, it has allowed me to set some goals and organize projects and activities into these goals. Since I am a type A personality (and what medical student is not) and I am OCD, this is perfect. I noticed that with those goals and this program trying to put things into perspective I have been able to accomplish many things. For instance, I have been able to once again organize my family's financial books by getting a program for the computer that is made for Mac and I was able to sync all of the accounts that I need to keep track of. I am able to look at where the money is going and how I can better work things out financially. It will also allow me to ensure that the credit cards are taken care of. In addition, future plans include rolling over 401Ks into IRAs and once I start working again, rolling over my 401K so I can start contributing again. These are the things that sets us non trads apart from the trads.

In addition, I am going to be using the Kelly Howell meditation files to get motivated again and I would like to start meditating in order to clear my mind and remain more calm. Especially with my girls, since I have noticed that I have been a little short lately. 




On the other side, I am sooo ready to be done. We have planned a trip to the Shore for a few days after graduation and then once we get back, my wife and I are flying to Las Vegas where I am going to be presenting a talk at the Old Pre Meds annual conference: 

Then when we get back, I have a few weeks of R and R before starting my new life as a physician. During that time, I plan to go to the pool in the morning, when no one is around. Get in a few shots around the links, and get to the ol' fishing hole. In addition, read, read, read, oh and did I mention read.

Tomorrow, I start a new rotation in Endocrinology and have to be at the hospital at 7am. Until next time dear non trads.