OK, so never mind the last post which was essentially all about Jersey and how we were going to go there. We changed our minds at the last minute and decided to put in for all NYC hospitals. The reasons are many, and I don't want to go into it all again after having hashed it out over and over for the past two weeks. Lets just say Chris & I are happy and confident in our decision, and are REALLY hopeful for our number one pick, but are fully aware it's unlikely we'll get.
Went to the beach at the Aquarium today. Cruise ship season is ramping up again, so there were a number of cruisers at the beach. This boat was very obviously a European crowd as the men were all in speedos and the women were either in teensy bikinis or topless. Not a common site when the American boats are in. When researching Grenada before we came here I read that it was not acceptable to go topless on the beaches here as it's a conservative culture compared to the other islands. The Euros apparently didn't get the memo or don't care, and what the hell! They're on vacay!!!! Besides, for a 'conservative culture' I routinely see women nursing their babies out in the open without even the discrete little wraps we North American-ers now use, so I guess it's hypocritical. Showing your 't's' while nursing is ok, but frolicking on the beach is a no-go. Who can keep up with all these double-standards?!
Julie, our ever-adventurous neighbour in all things Grenadian, has now made TWO authentic drinks lately out of local fare. The first being a 'nut-water' concoction with green coconut water, rum, and condensed milk. This drink was pretty good other than the fact that we used the 75% rum which tastes like gasoline, and which you're not even allowed to take on planes due to the high flammability. So needless to say, it burned going down. But the burn was good, and we had a really intense discussion, although I can't remember what it was about anymore.
The second drink debuted at The Flats happy hour last night, and was made from sea moss, rum, bitters and milk (i think). It was really good - for the first half. Then the last half had all the sea moss gelled bits at the bottom (gray gelatinous stuff that Julie soaked, boiled and blended into the drinks). Think of fish-eye tapioca. Well, I don't drink tapioca. So I think next time I'll have to strain my drink first, cause the flavour in general was still delish.
Off to bed now. Night!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Yes, it's been forever :$
Once again I know I've been neglecting my blog. I think this is only the second or third this semester. So if no one finds it, that's ok. I'm mostly just blogging to organize my head space.
The list of hospitals that we can move to came out about three weeks ago. It was somewhat poorly planned as the list came out on the Friday before midterms, and all the med students could do on the weekend was think about possible clinical placements instead of study boring pharmacology.
At first we thought this list would be fun. As soon as it came out, Chris, Paul and I went and picked up dinner, ate take out from the new restaurant Charcoals, and sat down with the list in front of us, craigslist and google maps. We ended up having probably over 20 hospitals on our list. About 7 in NYC, 6 in NJ, a couple in California, a couple in Florida and one in Michigan. California and Florida are out right away for various reasons. Michigan only has a few spots available, and although living there might be very cheap and I could work across the border, I can't help but feel as though Detroit would be depressing. Not to mention the fact that the so few spots means our chances would be slim.
This leaves NYC & NJ. We only get three picks. For the last two years I have been super keen to move to NYC. I mean, who wouldn't?! It would be an absolutely aweseome experience...maybe. Here are the drawbacks:
-There are no hospital placements in Manhattan, so you wouldn't be living in The City (but really, it's too expensive there anyway).
-You cannot have a car as there is no parking anywhere, and who would want to drive around there?!
-It's kind of expensive, even in the boroughs
-there are not very many families that have gone before us living in NY (I can only think of two)
-taking the subway everywhere sounds convenient, but I really doubt it when you get right down to it, and it can be expensive
-this little fantasy I have of being cute and chic in NYC, is unrealistic and instead we'll probably be poor and frazzled in NJ
Logistically, not having a car with a one year old may be a nightmare. Sure, many people may do it, but it kind of sounds depressing. Shlepping all my s%$t around with a toddler in tow and maybe one day another on the way, in long, cold, icy, snowy, sleety weather would not be fun. I may end up being housebound a lot of the time, as even living near fun, trendy places or big parks raises the cost of rent. Up and down subway stairs, turn-styles, train transfers, etc. We wouldn't be able to drive around, explore the area, even go on the odd (and I mean very odd) family weekend getaways.
So, what's so great about Jersey?! Well, for one in some parts you are closer to Manhattan than the boroughs. There are lovely river walks and boardwalks where you can walk forever and see the Manhattan skyline. We could possibly have a car. We might be closer to other families. Let's be honest, some parts of Jersey are no cheaper than NYC, so I don't know if that's a real benefit. Having a car seems HUGE though. One thing I have learned from living away, is that if you don't have friends and neighbours that you enjoy, your quality of life really goes downhill (at least it does for Chris & I).
Well, regardless we'll see. Our choices have to be in TODAY, and Chris & I are still flip-flopping. Let me know what you think! But before you vote NYC, YOU try living with kids and no car and see how easy your life is. Oh, and by the way...this choice is only for the next 1 year and Chris & I could always move somewhere else for fourth year. That will be a whole new discussion!!!
-K
The list of hospitals that we can move to came out about three weeks ago. It was somewhat poorly planned as the list came out on the Friday before midterms, and all the med students could do on the weekend was think about possible clinical placements instead of study boring pharmacology.
At first we thought this list would be fun. As soon as it came out, Chris, Paul and I went and picked up dinner, ate take out from the new restaurant Charcoals, and sat down with the list in front of us, craigslist and google maps. We ended up having probably over 20 hospitals on our list. About 7 in NYC, 6 in NJ, a couple in California, a couple in Florida and one in Michigan. California and Florida are out right away for various reasons. Michigan only has a few spots available, and although living there might be very cheap and I could work across the border, I can't help but feel as though Detroit would be depressing. Not to mention the fact that the so few spots means our chances would be slim.
This leaves NYC & NJ. We only get three picks. For the last two years I have been super keen to move to NYC. I mean, who wouldn't?! It would be an absolutely aweseome experience...maybe. Here are the drawbacks:
-There are no hospital placements in Manhattan, so you wouldn't be living in The City (but really, it's too expensive there anyway).
-You cannot have a car as there is no parking anywhere, and who would want to drive around there?!
-It's kind of expensive, even in the boroughs
-there are not very many families that have gone before us living in NY (I can only think of two)
-taking the subway everywhere sounds convenient, but I really doubt it when you get right down to it, and it can be expensive
-this little fantasy I have of being cute and chic in NYC, is unrealistic and instead we'll probably be poor and frazzled in NJ
Logistically, not having a car with a one year old may be a nightmare. Sure, many people may do it, but it kind of sounds depressing. Shlepping all my s%$t around with a toddler in tow and maybe one day another on the way, in long, cold, icy, snowy, sleety weather would not be fun. I may end up being housebound a lot of the time, as even living near fun, trendy places or big parks raises the cost of rent. Up and down subway stairs, turn-styles, train transfers, etc. We wouldn't be able to drive around, explore the area, even go on the odd (and I mean very odd) family weekend getaways.
So, what's so great about Jersey?! Well, for one in some parts you are closer to Manhattan than the boroughs. There are lovely river walks and boardwalks where you can walk forever and see the Manhattan skyline. We could possibly have a car. We might be closer to other families. Let's be honest, some parts of Jersey are no cheaper than NYC, so I don't know if that's a real benefit. Having a car seems HUGE though. One thing I have learned from living away, is that if you don't have friends and neighbours that you enjoy, your quality of life really goes downhill (at least it does for Chris & I).
Well, regardless we'll see. Our choices have to be in TODAY, and Chris & I are still flip-flopping. Let me know what you think! But before you vote NYC, YOU try living with kids and no car and see how easy your life is. Oh, and by the way...this choice is only for the next 1 year and Chris & I could always move somewhere else for fourth year. That will be a whole new discussion!!!
-K
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