it's been 3 good months away from home. Finally I have time to sit down, after all the crazy interviews ( I do hope more will come). It's good to be home here in Tucson. Not exactly my home -home as in Malaysia, but I feel good to be back.
Interviewers asked, do you have family here in US? I answered no, but I should have said, I do not have family here, but I do have friends who treat me like family members.
Going to interviews made me miss home even more. Questions like what are your long term plans? What made you want to come to the states? Tell me more about Malaysia.
And so I was reminded of my purpose. My goals.
It's a mixed bags of feelings. Something which is hard to explain. I am sure any Malaysian expatriate will understand this.
The grass is always greener on the other sides. Things are definitely much better here. But certain things, like comfort and the familiar feelings are something which can't be found here.
I remember sharing my experience in Singapore in one of the interviews. Going to Singapore was an eye opening experience. I was from a small town, Kuantan, I am confined to the small city, not knowing how big the world outside can offer me.
Yes, it changed my life. The two years in Singapore. Looking at how this small dot can progress, it is definitely a big slap on the face. We have so much more potential, in terms of resources and talent. But it is just wasted away.
Stepping out of my comfort zone. That's a big step I made. It's not easy. Nothing is ever easy. Saw this quote: the number one reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they have gotten.
I have gone this far. Further than I thought I could. I always welcome surprises. Also opportunities. They said, opportunities are for people who are prepared. I agree!
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday, November 08, 2013
From one side of the world
Been in the states for 2 months. To many, this is like a dream. To me, it is like a dream coming true. My close friend said, she is glad to see I am achieving my goals one by one. I am thankful and grateful for whatever I have been through this 2 months. It's a life changing one.
It didn't feel like 2 months. I remember stepping out of the airport at Tucson airport, greeted by gigantic cacti and the dry hot weather. Followed by going to my mentor's house. He is really one great man, without him, I wouldn't be where I am now. First question he asked me was what is your goal here. Of course, after 35 hours of flight, I was very slow in my response. However, he laid out what I should focus and be clear with my goals here in the states. That was my very first impression of him - focused and intense.
Then, I met many many many other people whom I owe a lot during my stay. These people have have helped me in one way or another, making me feel very at home. I admit, there are times which I miss home a lot, miss the comfort of home, miss the convenience of things, things which I have taken for granted. Comfort zone, yes, the circle which I missed. But I always believe we need to step out of comfort zone in order to succeed. Staying comfortable in one's circle is not going to bring us far.
Travelling to the big city in the states made me realise the world which I was in was so small. Felt like a really small fish in a big pond. Had the opportunity to join the world largest interventional cardiology conference in SF. It was amazing. I am truly inspired by how all these great people coming from different parts of the world, gather in one place, and how they passionately describe on their discoveries, sharing the new skills. I hope there is one day, this small fish can contribute whatever she gained here in the big pond back to her original pond, hopefully play a part in expanding the pond.
Preparing for interviews made me sit down and reflect. Simple questions like ' Tell me about yourself, why do you want to do internal medicine, why United states, etc ' are things which I never really took time to question myself. And I am very happy after my first interview when both the interviewers commented that I have really good exam scores. It felt like all my hard work paid off. I can imagine the day when the match results are out. I hope things will go smoothly.
My goal was to secure a residency here in the states. But I can proudly say that I have learnt more than that. There is definitely more in life than that. I am blessed to be given this opportunity to see what I have seen, to hear what I listen, to have chosen this path. I am hoping can my loved ones can share this blessings which I have. I hope the next time I update I will have more good news to share.
It didn't feel like 2 months. I remember stepping out of the airport at Tucson airport, greeted by gigantic cacti and the dry hot weather. Followed by going to my mentor's house. He is really one great man, without him, I wouldn't be where I am now. First question he asked me was what is your goal here. Of course, after 35 hours of flight, I was very slow in my response. However, he laid out what I should focus and be clear with my goals here in the states. That was my very first impression of him - focused and intense.
Then, I met many many many other people whom I owe a lot during my stay. These people have have helped me in one way or another, making me feel very at home. I admit, there are times which I miss home a lot, miss the comfort of home, miss the convenience of things, things which I have taken for granted. Comfort zone, yes, the circle which I missed. But I always believe we need to step out of comfort zone in order to succeed. Staying comfortable in one's circle is not going to bring us far.
Travelling to the big city in the states made me realise the world which I was in was so small. Felt like a really small fish in a big pond. Had the opportunity to join the world largest interventional cardiology conference in SF. It was amazing. I am truly inspired by how all these great people coming from different parts of the world, gather in one place, and how they passionately describe on their discoveries, sharing the new skills. I hope there is one day, this small fish can contribute whatever she gained here in the big pond back to her original pond, hopefully play a part in expanding the pond.
Preparing for interviews made me sit down and reflect. Simple questions like ' Tell me about yourself, why do you want to do internal medicine, why United states, etc ' are things which I never really took time to question myself. And I am very happy after my first interview when both the interviewers commented that I have really good exam scores. It felt like all my hard work paid off. I can imagine the day when the match results are out. I hope things will go smoothly.
My goal was to secure a residency here in the states. But I can proudly say that I have learnt more than that. There is definitely more in life than that. I am blessed to be given this opportunity to see what I have seen, to hear what I listen, to have chosen this path. I am hoping can my loved ones can share this blessings which I have. I hope the next time I update I will have more good news to share.
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