The Hazards of Making Friends in Residency

Andy has always told me that I need to meet more people and socialize more. Personally, I'm pretty happy with having a small social circle. However, every once in a while I make the effort to expand the circle. Last summer, Grand Forks got a new OB fellow, and Andy forced me to talk to him and his wife, Wendy. As it turns out, Wendy and I became friends and she made the first year of residency much easier. She had already been through it and was able to lend some much needed perspective and advice. I, on the other hand, told her about the Sioux Kids Club, North Dakota winters, and Happy Harry's. It was a good relationship. To add even more benefits, we vented about our living arrangements to each other, our kids played together, and we spent more than our fair share of time avoiding all the things we needed to get done by chatting with each other.

The end of July also meant the end of Eric's year as a fellow. Today Eric, Wendy, and their boys moved to Kansas for Eric to start practice. It has been a sad day. Meg sat down on the ground and declared that she didn't want them to go. Joseph cried, and that set the rest of us off. But in the end, they had to get in the car and start the long drive. It has been an odd day without them around. Nico has looked for them more than once, and Meg was sitting on the step at their house looking a little lost. I bought a new comforter set as inspiration to clean my bedroom...just to give me something to do.

While I realize that Kansas isn't the end of the earth, it is far enough away that walking over to chat for a few minutes is no longer going to happen. I guess that's why they have Skype!

I told Andy a bit ago that this is precisely why I don't like to meet new people. There are some that you are sorry you met, and some that you really enjoy, and some that you really treasure. It stinks when they have to move.

Things I Don't Want My Children to Learn

In light of recent events, I've put together a list of things I don't want my children to learn. Mostly, this is a therapeutic venting exercise, but perhaps by putting them in writing I will remember to guard against the installation of these types of values in my kids.

1. It is necessary to subjugate yourself to the masses - even if you know in your heart that the masses are not motivated by the greater good, but rather a selfish urge to improve their own position.

2. In dealing with others, it is necessary to bury all conflict. After all, it is better for the boat to go down in a fiery inferno one day than rock it a bit once in a while.

3. Social position and other people's opinions are more important than what you feel about yourself.

4. It is more important to advance your own position than it is to reach out to help someone else.

5. It isn't acceptable to reach beyond the low expectations that have been imposed upon you by others. Aim to be only average. Believe that you aren't good enough to do it.

June Blew By!

June brought a number of wonderful events to our household! First - and very important - Andy's brother Joey married Amanda in Key West! Not only are we thrilled with the new addition to the family, but Andy and I were thrilled to have a week to spend together in a place we'd never been. My mom stayed with the kids and Andy and I got to spend the week relaxing and enjoying each other. The food was amazing, the night life was wonderful, and the heat was unbelievable. When we arrived back in Grand Forks I wasn't sure if I should be grateful that it was a cool 65 degrees or depressed that it was 65 degrees. Regardless, it was a wonderful trip. What made it even more wonderful was the news we got as our plane was landing in Miami - Andy passed his Step 3 exams, and has now filed to get his permanent license. He should have that in the next few weeks.
June was also busy for Andy with teaching service call. As always, its a rough rotation. As of July 1 he is officially a second year resident and is now on OB call. While he likes delivering babies, he isn't liking this particular schedule. He has 3 days off this month - that is it! - and is also scheduled for jury duty starting tomorrow. With call shifts every other day and full clinic shifts the others, I'm not sure how that is going to work out.
Megan started summer camp in June, and goes 2 hours every week day. She's enjoying it and likes to make new friends. Nico loved his summer gym class, and has started baseball as well. The kids and I took a trip to Sioux Falls a week ago and had a great time down there. I learned to knit slippers, and I do believe our house is going to be well outfitted with slippers by the time winter rolls around.
In other news, June didn't bring all good tidings. My friend Rob lost his 5 year old daughter in June, because someone didn't unload and lock a handgun in the home. As much as my heart breaks for Rob and his family, the anger I have towards the irresponsibilty shown by the gun owner seems to grow daily. Please people - if you own a gun please lock it up properly every tiime.