Ann Arbor Michigan

Ann Arbor Michigan is a cute little college town outside of Detroit. Now that's the first problem. As far as anyone not related to academia is concerned the only thing they hear is Detroit. A conversation typically goes something like this

"We went out to Ann Arbor and loved the area and they had a great program with an awesome schedule."

"Oh that sounds nice. Where's Ann Arbor."

"About 30mins outside of Detroit. Its a cute little college town with lots of surrounding farmland."

"Detroit! Why would you want to move to detroit?"

"No. We wouldn't move to detroit, we'd move to Ann Arbor. They have a great program..."

"But Detroit is so filthy. And so far away."

The conversation usually ends with me banging my head against a wall repeatedly.

Truthfully. I really liked Ann Arbor's program. Its a big program which translates into better hours and a lot less overnight call. They also have a strong teaching program which helps prepare for the test you take at the end to get your license. The downside is that with such a large program you can get lost in the shuffle.

This is the psychadelic tunnel between terminals in Detroit.

I can't dance

I have no sense of rhythm. Even my husband, who loves me, will admit it. I can't dance. I completely lack any musicality. In other words, I got no moves. But on the upside, this girl has moves.

Portland Maine

Loved Loved Loved Portland Maine. It was beautiful. We flew in over the ocean and were wowed by the scenery. There were multiple picturesque little islands covered in pine trees. A ferry goes to the islands every morning and lots of people live on the islands. There are adorable cobblestone streets and great old architecture. The anesthesia program is a bit of a workhorse program but we'd definitely survive if we went there. Only real downside is it's 2 plane rides from Utah. The upside.. lobster. Lots of lobster.

This is Portland head light, the oldest lighthouse in Maine.

Here's Kevin at the Bait shop and New Meadows Lobster. It broke his heart that he couldn't take one home with him. He wanted to take home a bunch of lobster as his carry on luggage.

The anesthesia programs try to convince you to come to their program by taking you out to a nice dinner where you talk with their residents. Kevin was jealous and this is the room service he ordered. Lucky for me Maine is amid a lobster market crash... lobster was cheap.

Albuquerque

I'm late posting but at the begining of this month (immediately following phoenix) we went and interviewed at Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA). Kevin loves that their license plates have to clarify that they are part of the United States of America. We had a great time interviewing there. The program put us up in a cute little suite with a kitchenette. The program was great. The people were super friendly and Kev had a great time around town. We also went to Petroglyph state park and took a couple of pictures. Here's New Mexico in a nutshell. Maybe we'll end up there. It felt like home.

PhOeNiX

Well interview season has officially started and we kicked it off in phoenix with Kev's family. His sister and her family were AwESomE and let us stay with them for a few days. This made it easier on us -AKA free AND tons of fun. But it was also much more fun for Kevin while I was gone at the interview he had someone cool to hang out with. So he went shopping with his sis, swimming with the nieces and nephews, and became shockingly proficient at Guitar Hero. My first interview was at Maricopa county. I had never been to a "county" hospital before. I didn't know that county meant ghetto. It was kinda cool though because the residents all get to do tons of cool procedures. Also, I got to see tons of the famous maricopa prisoners with their striped jumpsuits and pink underwear (the ones that live in the tent city). Anyway that was pretty sweet. Here's a picture of me flashing what I think might be a gang sign outside of Maricopa, Yo.

The next interview was at St. Josephs in Phoenix. It was significantly more posh. They had a concierge for the residents and vallet parking at the hospital. They also had subsidised housing for the residents right next to the hospital. Either one would be great because we'd be close to Kev's sis and my extended family. We would love to live near his sis because 1) she is super cool, 2) her family is super cool, 3) she has a swimming pool and guitar hero - I'm not gonna lie those are our priorities.

Here are some pictures of Kev's sis's be-otchin crib. (just practicing the lingo in case I end up at maricopa). Yes that is a signature Kevin meal of Ribs, corn, scewers and probably 5 different desserts. What you may not have noticed is the pool with the waterfall and slide AND hottub in the background.

One of my UBER-cute nieces checking to see if I am cleared for surgery (note the play scalpel in her right hand).