2014: A Look Back

It's my first New Year's Eve with this blog, so let's emulate the rest of the blogosphere and take a look back at the year 2014!

In January 2014 I was midway through my fourth year of medical school, about to embark on a trip across Canada for my CaRMS interviews. Somewhere between Halifax and Vancouver, I went from the most anxious I'd been in my life to having the most enjoyable time in my four years of medical school. I got to explore great places like Halifax, Montreal, and Ottawa; meet and travel with a wonderful group of fellow applicants; and experience my first real Canadian winter. In March I found out where I'd be spending the next five years -- I was so happy to have been accepted into residency at the University of Alberta.

Pier 21, Halifax

Parliament, Ottawa

In May I wrote my LMCC MCCQE Part 1 and graduated from medical school.

Toblerone to celebrate my last day of studying for the MCCQE Part 1

Island Medical Program Class of 2014

I worked for a couple of weeks before departing for southeast Asia in June. From the spicy cuisine of Penang, Malaysia, to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, to the colourful lanterns lighting the streets of old town Hoi An, Vietnam, my three weeks were filled with unforgettable experiences.

durians, mangosteens, and bananas from the orchard we visited in Penang, Malaysia

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

Hoi An ancient town, Vietnam

In the last week of June I returned to BC and had less than 24 hours to get organized for my move to Alberta. I packed more stuff than I had thought possible into my little car and headed off to the ferry terminal. I arrived in Edmonton on the evening of June 26 and the next morning was off to residency orientation.

approaching the Rockies

On July 1 I watched the Canada Day fireworks and the next morning started my first residency rotation, CCU. I spent my spare time setting up my apartment and assembling my Ikea furniture, and two weeks in was overjoyed when the delivery of my new bed saw an end to my camping out on the floor.

downtown Edmonton and the North Saskatchewan River

The months between July and December passed quickly, with a new clinical rotation starting every four weeks. I made new friends, explored the city, and became less reliant on my GPS. In September I started taking Saturday morning Mandarin classes at the University. Also in September came Edmonton's first snowfall -- fortunately just an anomaly, not (as I'd feared) the start of winter. In November the snow returned, this time to stay, and somewhere along the line I adopted the mindset that anything warmer than -10°C is brisk, but not parka-worthy cold.

grain elevators in St. Albert, Alberta

winter in Edmonton

I managed to get twelve (!) days off for winter vacation and headed back to Victoria to visit my family. It's been a sunny, relaxing break, with lots of good food and a fun day of skiing.

Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island

Overall, it's been a wonderful and exciting year, with lots of change, both geographically and in my medical education (honestly, it gets better at every stage!). I'm sure in what feels like no time I'll be writing a summary of 2015!

What was significant to you in the year 2014?