Tomorrow we can say tomorrow!

"Tomorrow we can say tomorrow," was the phrase of the day yesterday.  This is in reference to the countdown to match day, which has been going on for about 2 weeks or so now.  Yesterday was 2 days away.  Today I have repeatedly shaken Sief's leg and said "Tomorrow" with wide eyes and a big smile!

It's finally here.  I cannot believe it.  We have been waiting our entire medical education for tomorrow moment at noon eastern time.  The moment we open our envelopes and find out where we will be spending  the next 3-4 years of our lives.  Thankfully we passed the test on Monday which notified us that we had matched into our preferred specialty.  And thankfully, we will only spend 3-4 years at our location of residency.  For some of my classmates going into surgery or other long specialties will find out where they will be spending the next 7 years of their lives.  That's crazy.

I cannot describe the emotions I have been feeling over the last couple of days.  It's a mixture of excitment, nervousness, and fear.  This is by far one of the biggest moments of my life up until this point.  Likely it will be the most memorable day of my medical school career.  I do not expect to feel this anxiousness and anticipation for something again until I may someday get married or have a child.  That's the weight this carries.  I know that may sound ridicuolous to some, but for us and the medical community that is the way it is. 

I have played out the moment in my head of when we open our envelopes to find out where we matched over in my head more than 100 times.  It's crazy and may be nothing like what I imagine.  I'm afraid I'll get a paper cut from running my finger under the envelope flap to open it.  I probably have obsessed over this moment a little too much.  I hope I have a few glasses of champagne in me before the actual opening.  We'll see.....

Here's a brief overview of what tomorrow will be like.  When I get a chance I will post a video of Sief and I opening our envelopes.  We have to arrive at 10:30 am.  We each pay $1 into a pot (I'll explain where this comes in later).  We have a few speeches - from our classmate, alumni, etc.  More talking not sure about what and I guess somewhere around 11am they will start calling our names and handing out our envelopes, which we cannot open until noon.  The last person to get their envelope gets the pot of $$$.  Then at noon we open our envelopes and eat a yummy lunch.  That's my understanding.

Here are some pictures from first year.  I've come a long way.  Wish us luck!

Much love,
Jen