THE NUTSHELL

The quick and dirty of my life. Ok, just dirty.

My mom is a pharmacist, and growing up, I'd get to hang out with her at the hospital a lot (especially when I was sick and couldn't go to school- even more motivation to be fake sick). I loved stealing the drug stickers ("do not operate heavy machinery"). 
 

Did ballet for 9 years and seriously considered a career in that direction but quit at the ripe old age of 12 because I couldn't kick my McDonalds habit.


Played flute competitively for 10 years, and almost considered a career in that direction, but at 16, I was already worried about job security and very sick of American Pie jokes.


Chose my undergraduate school because the campus was "pretty." Luckily, being the dumb one in the smart-girl click, I had been peer-pressured into a 4.7 GPA and enough extracurriculars to keep a football team busy, so I got in.


Took an EMT class in high school so I could leave 2 periods early every day. Loved it, and became a full-fledged member before becoming certified (rules were revised after realizing my security breach).


Got bored during college, so worked more hours. And finished paramedic training (1.5 more years). Spent over 700 training hours in the ED or ambulance, usually on a weeknight so I could work my real job on weekends. Realized I could never be an ED physician. Didn't tell my parents about the class.


Told parents about class, but not about work. Mom got really angry, refused to discuss it for 3 months.


Offered a full-time paramedic position during my sophomore year of college, working 70-100 hours per week. On top of classes. Of course I took it; didn't tell parents.


Lasted 7 months working full-time (job 1) and part-time (job 2). Boss 1 was not happy. Continued part time at both places, cutting hours to 60/week.


Signed up for $1500 MCAT class at 8am on Saturdays. Most students didn't show up (hangover); I didn't show up because I had worked the 24 hrs before. Scored right on the "average" for admission, breathed huge sigh of relief.


Applied to med school, interviewed at 4 places and was pretty sure I didn't get in anywhere (interviewers kindly spelled it out). Begrudgingly started making plans to get a second degree.


April Fools Day, 2009: Received med school acceptance letter; wasn't convinced it was real but celebrated anyway.


Moved away to school with a guy, who soon after decided dating a med student wasn't glitzy and glamorous. Ended engagement #1 after first year.


Told parents about how much I worked in college, expecting another silent treatment but now my mom proudly tells everyone that I probably wouldn't have gotten in without it (true words).


January 1, 2011: joined eHarmony at the suggestion of a friend. A month later met a guy and 18 months later he put a ring on it for engagement #2 (this one was better thought out). He also officially adopted my two wild dogs which came with the package.


Present day: still unable to kick the McDonalds habit despite still wanting to be a cardiologist. Will decide later how to proceed with that one.