Hmmm, so obviously residency was even busier than I imagined, as I haven't posted here in a year. I just re-read my first two posts from over a year ago, which I had forgotten I'd even written. Too bad I didn't write more posts, since I don't remember most of the past year and it would have been a good reminder. :)
I started second year with vacation and I'm glad to have had a break before becoming a senior resident. It was a welcome time for reflection on intern year, when I had so little time for anything, especially contemplation. Mostly I feel as though I fell into a pit or got sucked up in a black hole, basically cut off from the larger world. I had a very heavy first half - PICU, lots of ED, lots of wards- which was exhausting, but at least it slowed down towards the end, giving me time to breathe before moving on to second year. Now I am expected to supervise and teach a lot more- exciting, but also scary in a whole new way. Last year as an intern I could always count on the senior resident for help... and now that's me. Yikes!
On other fronts, I maintained my sanity over the year by cooking, my major creative outlet. I signed us up for a CSA and thanks to the absurdly long growing season out here we get great produce year round. I've learned several keys to cooking as a resident (i.e. generally busy person):
1) No more than 10 ingredients, no more than 30 minutes.
2) You get more out of cooking great basics (stock, bread) than some complicated one time
dish
3) (most important). Do not, under any circumstances, shop post-call. In my delirium, I
bought stuff I don't even like. Plus, you have no self-control. (cookies, brownies and ice
cream were all purchased)
Note to self, write more often. I can't imagine how many of my left brain cells died last year, so that's motivational.
