Interview #2 at Vanderbilt in Nashville!

Interview Numero Dos---Nashivlle,TN

I greatly underestimated the persuasive power of southern charm. After years in Los Angeles and a few weeks in Seattle I was not prepared for the manners of Nashville folks. Oh the manners! I would not have guessed it but it turns out I love being addressed as ma'am.

We were indeed impressed by the kindness and warmth of the people we met in Nashville. However, charm does not a successful residency make. I think.

Brad and I met up in the airport (which features country memorabilia and glittery signage). From there we headed to downtown Nashville. The drive took us an onerous 15 minutes. We met up with Rhianna and Chad at the hotel and made our first important stop: Cracker Barrel. We rocked in rocking chairs outside until our name was called and had ourselves some mighty fine country cookin. The eating didn't stop there. For the next couple days we fed ourselves quite well and continuously.

In Nashville we were able to see the Ryman Auditorium, a bride catching up with Elvis on Main Street, Ostrich boots, Garth Brooks cover bands, my fantasy team kick butt, and the movie Red. We had a great time.

Pre-Interview Interview---The Happy Hour

 On Sunday night, after we said goodbye to Rhianna and Chad, Brad and I met other residency applicants and a second year resident in the lobby of the hotel. We chatted a bit about our weekends, where we came from, and all that good get to know you jazz. We also had a nice little convo about the wonderful amenity of seat heaters in cars.

From the hotel, we crossed the street to get to the restaurant. Here we experienced an amazing moment. The cars stopped, in the middle of the street, to let us pass. No honking. No irritation. No near miss. It was amazing.

The happy hour dinner was fantastic. We talked with interns and second year residents about the pediatrics program and life in Nashville. Several residents mentioned that a perk of working at the Children's Hospital in Nashville is the string of celebrities, of the country music variety,that come and visit around the holidays. One of the residents had a picture with TSwift. Bonus! We talked about neighborhoods, house prices and softball teams. A key moment involved high five technique building exercises. I hope we made a good impression.

Brad's interview the next day went great. Brad instantly felt like one of the gang. The program is very supportive, even for spouses, and the residents themselves seem to be happy satisfied folks. 

So folks, it seems that Nashville is a major contender. How many of you could be convinced to move to country music capital USA?

Interview #1 -- the Suprisingly Pleasant Windy City

INTERVIEW NUMBER ONE-- Children's Memorial in Chicago

     Brad began his interview adventures last week in the jungle that is Chicago. The city and the program received Brad's high praises. In particular, Brad  marveled at are how clean downtown Chicago is and how each neighborhood is distinct but accessible. He also was pleased to discover the free zoo in the heart of the city. Our west coast boy was charmed by such amenities.

     Another key amenity Chicago featured was Brad's high school friend Ryan. Brad crashed at Ryan and Amber's  (newlyweds mind you). They generously entertained Brad for the evening and even gave him a ride to the airport in the early morning, on a Saturday! Thank you very much Ryan and Amber!

     Even though he had only had maybe four hours of sleep, the interview seemed to energize Brad. He was really excited and he funneled it into a pro con list. That pleases this here wife to no end! So--the pro con list is as follows:

                      PRO                                                                                            CON
* Happy residents                                                                              * Living long term in Chicago (with 
                                                                                                          kids) doesn't seem like a great option
*Residents actually hang out with each other outside of work      
                                                                                                          * No help with moving or job
* There is a separate intern only report before morning report                 relocation for spouses


* New hospital near medical center                                                      * Far from family



* Pragmatic specialist lectures                                                              * Winter weather (hard traveling for 
                                                                                                             holidays!)

* Golden weekends twice a month (both Sat & Sun off)                 

                                                                                                           * No office for Janelle
* Free zoo in a cool city                                                                      
                                                                                                           * No childcare

* Residents have a wide variety of backgrounds   
                          
* Totally electronic record keeping
                                                   
* 50-50 1degree vs. specifically "safe zone"
 (I have no idea what this last one means, but it made the list!)

     Brad enjoyed all of the people at Children's Memorial except for one ornery person who was not very pleasant. Not too bad! For every Cuddy, you should have a House too.

     After his quick trip in Chicago, Brad put himself on a plane headed due south to Nashville. There he met up with me, Rhianna, and Chad. Stay tuned for more info about our Nashville adventures.

INTERVIEWS UPDATE

     Brad received an interview at John Hopkins, which he'll do right after his Georgetown interview. We'll be watching a few episodes of The Wire to prep. Seattle continues to string Brad along. He received a definitive "Maybe" from UW. It's hard to want to be with someone who isn't sure they want to be with you. That is a lesson of love UW might have to learn the hard way. Hurumpfh!

Until next time,
Mrs. Mcmack

Make Like a Tree and Leave (Dang You Stanford)

We've had some good news and bad news over the last couple weeks.

First, Stanford must have found out that we attended the Huskies tailgate in full effect on Halloween because shortly after the game, Brad learned that he did not receive an interview with Standford's Children's Hospital. The bay area will have to mourn the loss of the McCammack's because it is certain we will not be partaking in your city lights and crazy high living cost in the next few years.

Shortly after the rejection, I was actually on a plane heading to the hilly city for a work training. Don't worry, I glared out the plane window at the mean girl that is Standford.

After we heard from Stanford, we both grew nervous about the outstanding invitations-- Colorado, Seattle, and Boston.

Good news was just around the bend though as the University of Colorado made the right choice and offered Brad an interview. Hooray! Although we were not waiting with much anticipation, we also heard from the Children's Hospital in Austin. Brad got an interview there as well! It turns out, Texas loves us! I admit, I love Miranda Lambert. She hails from Tyler, TX near Dallas. Even though I think the likelihood of us ending up in the Lonestar State is relatively low, I am excited to see how Brad enjoys the programs. Here is a picture of us the last time we visited Austin.

We loved it, even though watching the Jets beat the Chargers was tough to swallow. The local bars with their many beers on tap sure helped!

Brad scheduled his Colorado and Austin interviews for mid-late January. Thus, January is going to be a big month for fun interviews. I again suggest that everyone look into a weekend trip to Texas or Colorado to accompany Brad!

Rhianna and Chad have smartly planned to meet up with us for our Nashville weekend coming up! We will be there from Friday to Monday. Brad surprised me for our one year anniversary with a trip to Nashville and we haven't been able to stop singing its praises since. The Vanderbilt residency program in Nashville has really shown its southern charm so far, with being very quick to answer questions Brad has had about the program and even inviting me to visit with the program people. Wow! I am curious as to how charming the program will be in person. I can't help it, I love to be wooed!

Brad is going to his first interview in Chicago this Friday. he flies out Thursday and is staying with his high school friend Ryan. Send him warm and windy thoughts for his first interview!! We have been told by many folks that we would love Chicago. All I know is I think that mirror bean thing looks amazing and I feel pretty good about Oprah. That's a start!

Where's the Love SEATTLE!

We continue to eagerly wait to hear from UW in Seattle. We have loved living here so much. It would be sad if the possibility of staying was not even available. That is how the game goes I suppose. We will definitely hear by the end of this week. How could they not want to interview Brad!! Hopefully, the program will come to its senses.

I'll post more when I know more.

Love
Mrs. Mcmack