Is there life out there?

Wow, has it really been a month already? June was a veritable whirlwind. I finished out that last call and then embarked on a 3 week "tour of duty," visiting friends that we hadn't the opportunity to see for 2 years (eek) and also doing some interviewing. I wish that I could say that I've found the perfect job and everything is going to be happily ever after, but so far that hasn't happened. All of the interviews that I have had have gone wonderfully well, but it seems that I just can't find the dream combination. For example, I interviewed at a rather prestigious "big city hospital" and loved all of the aspects of the job. The facility, the physicians, the work schedule and call schedule were all great. The compensation was good, and, as cities go, the city was really nice. But....it is still a city. The housing prices, property taxes, and available homes are a little less than desirable, and while there are good schools there, I worry about raising my children in a larger city. At least there, I would have better chance of participating in their lives. I am moving forward with the next steps to see if this position is the right fit for us.

I also interviewed at another practice, in an area of the country where Mr. Whoo and I have always wanted to live. The practice was nice, hospital was beautiful, and, of course, the area was everything we wanted, but I sensed an underlying air of malignancy amongst the physicians working there. I could sense that they really were not friendly outside of work, there were several family member with controlling shares of the practice, and there were a few warning flags raised when discussing the financial aspects of the practice. So, while the area was perfect, the job was not. If anything, the visit cemented in our minds our desire to one day live in this area. We are continuing to look for other practices there, but so far, nothing has panned out.

I do know, as I've gone through this process, that there *is* life out there. Every day that I spend in this particular position, I am missing out on a better lifestyle. It gives me a lot of hope to see that I can still do the job that I love while simultaneously enjoying my life and family. It is just a matter now of finding the best fit.

In other news, it is crunch time for finishing my case list (due August 1!), and I find myself once again in the midst of 18 days straight of call (boo). My little baby Bean will be one year old on the 19th of this month (impossible). I am also very honored join a new blogging group of physician-mothers, Mothers in Medicine. This is an amazing group of women (regular posters and guest posters alike), and what they write hits home with me so much, I find it difficult not to comment on every post..."Me too!" "Oh, that's exactly how I feel!" etc. Check them out! I hope everyone is having a great weekend, and for my readers here in the US, I hope you are having a great time celebrating our country's birthday!