Intership Interviews and the Beginning of the Semester

It's odd being back in classes for what is my last semester of coursework. After that I will be starting my year long PAID clinical internship, which I have started attending information session for and submitted my resumes to the hospitals where I would like to work. I have 3 out of 8 interviews already set up (Brigham and Women's, Spaulding and Newton-Wellesley, first one June 1st), 1 that is currently being scheduled (MGH), and I'm waiting on 4 other sites to accept me for an interview (Boston Medical Center, New England Rehab, Shaughnessey Kaplan, and Youville: a new addition to the list). 29 students applied to Boston Medical Center for 1-2 positions, so they have decided not to interview everyone and will be hand selecting interview candidates. Shaughnessey is having their information session on Friday June 1, and the other two have not yet reviewed all the resumes.

The whole process is frustrating and nerve racking as students are looking around the room at the other information session attendees sizing up the competition. Meanwhile we've started 4 classes, with 3 more that will begin once we are through the interview process, and not much work has been assigned and there appears to be a lot of confusion in terms of logistics. I guess it'll all settle out once interviews are done, and our final ranking lists are submitted. That will all happen by June 25th, so I guess I only have a few more weeks of stress ahead.

Oh, and to add to the stress and confusion of my life right now... my roommate moved out yesterday and I have the next week to clean up, paint the place, and be ready to great my summer roommate, Amy. Amy is a first year DPT student at the institute adn her orientation is the 2nd week of June. I'll be able to give her some pointers and books... not sure who the roommate will be for Sept 1. We'll see.

Triathlon Training

Well, now that I am back in Boston, I have officially started my triathlon training. Anna has been taking swimming lessons and biking with a group out of Newton while I was in VT, and boy do I need to catch up! My two workouts so far this week have left me fairly exhausted: swim ladder (300m warm up, 200, 300, 400, 300, 200 and 100 cool down), and a 20 mile bike ride with a lot of hills. I actually felt better with the swim, which means I need to work on my riding. There is another 15 mile ride planned for tomorrow, and I should plan to do another longer ride during the week. Our race is in August: The Cranberry Country Triathlon. I should be able to build up my biking endurance by that time. My lungs hurt when I returned back home yesterday and I was coughing for an hour until I felt better. Crazy! Well, I guess I'll be in great shape by the end of the summer.

Back in Beantown

So, in just 9 more days I will be back in Boston for a full year! Yup, I got my internship list back and am approved to apply to all the places on my list that I posted a couple of weeks ago (except New England Rehab which is still not a definite option). This means that I will be living in Boston for another 15 months, and I have already spoken to my landlord about signing a 15 month lease at the current rent. She is even redoing the tub for me, buying paint for me to fresh up the place, and having her carpenter come in to discuss where he will build shelves in the kitchen to make it more usable. Oh, and she said I could have a dog in there if he wasn't a real barker. I just need to find a roommate for when Helen moves out and I am all set! I am so excited to finally fix up this apartment, to be on a lease, and to have all my furniture in one place. You know, to be somewhat settled.

I've been having fun with my last few weeks in VT and am helping my roommates with a neighborhood yard sale this weekend, and doing a charity walk. Anyone can donate. It's the COTS Walk to benefit homeless shelters, and my team is the Burlington Hash House Harriers. Matt is coming up this weekend to hang out and help move my stuff back to Boston. He has been absolutely wonderful in helping me get ready to come back and is showing my apartment to potential roommates tonight for me. :) Hopefully one of them works out.

Running for a Good Cause

My friend Megan and I traveled down to Albany this past weekend for the Captain Timothy J. Moshier 5K Fun Run/Walk in memory of Matt's best friend who's helicopter went down in Iraq last year. It was great event with over 120 volunteers who made it all happen, including Matt's parents who helped with registration and course direction. It was a great day for running: overcast and in the high 50s, and we all did really well. Matt got 4th place overall and Megan and I had strong finishes as well. Below are my times:
89 Jessica Riggs 27 F Somerville MA 23:59 7:44

I was 89th out of 364 people, some of whom walked, but not bad for not training! I wonder if I could get my time below 7 minute miles with training. In any case, I am really glad that I was able to make it down there to cheer Matt on as he sped past me coming back in, to lend my support, and to spend time with Matt's family and the Moshiers. It was a great weekend.