As I try to do every year, I look back at goals I set at the start of the year and see how well I did. As usual, this it’s a mixed bag.

How did I do?

• Well, my primary goal was to get into PA School. Last year I had gotten waitlisted at one and declined at all the others. Close, but not close enough. This year started off rough. I was able to submit what I think was a much better application. I had a few more courses to add to my transcript. This helped bring up my GPA (though not above the magical 3.0 that most schools require for a cumulative GPA). But my last 41 credits were all 4.0 and if I include my last 60 (some schools have look back windows of 30-60 credits), it’s nearly a 3.7. Not too bad if I may say so myself. I submitted fairly early in the application cycle.
  In addition, I think I had a stronger essay for my application as well as better letters of recommendation.
  And then the first rejections rolled in. One was particularly disappointing since it was one of my top choices and they claimed to not have a minimum GPA. After exchanging some emails, I learned that while they claim not to, in fact in the last 5 years, they haven’t accepted anyone with a cumulative GPA under 3.2. That definitely felt like a bait and switch to me.
  However, the very next day I received the email that would change my life. In fact, I had to read it more than once since I was in shock. Even when I got the emails explaining how to put in my down-payment I have to admit I didn’t believe it! That said, for now I’m keeping the name somewhat under wraps as I’m still waiting to hear from two other great schools. But the key point is, regardless of what happens with them, I’m going to PA School in 2025!
• Another goal I had was to keep working in the Emergency Department and keep my Red Badge status so I could be the lead tech in Traumas.
  • Not only did I succeed with this (as of last night over 2450 hours, including PTO) but I added to my resume the role of being the Tech who taught the Red Badge class to new techs. I’ll be handing that role over in a few months (and am already taking steps to make that happen) but it’s been a great job.
  • I also moved to night shifts for most of my shifts in the ED. Honestly, I love the crew and atmosphere, but it’s done shit for my circadian rhythm and for planning day events.
  • One benefit of another year in the ED is I got to become familiar with a lot more procedures and help out with a lot more than I did in the previous year. These are skills and experiences that will aid me well when I start taking classes.
  • More than once I got to listen in as an attending gave an in-depth “lecture” to a resident or med student. Also very valuable!
• I definitely cut back on my IT consulting. My largest client and I mutually agreed to part ways as of April 1st. This was refreshing in many ways, even if the drop in income was noticeable. Ironically enough, they approached me just before Thanksgiving asking if I was available part-time starting in January. I’ve agreed to pick up some more time with them. This will most likely result in me cutting back some hours in the ED, but as I don’t need to built my resume there, I think it’s financially it’s a wise choice.
• Work on me and be a better person – I was intentionally a big vague here, but I think I managed this a bit. I definitely tried to relax more and snap less. I’ll continue to work on that.
• Hiking – I absolutely failed at this. I think I did one hike this year.
• Biking – I also absolutely failed at this. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s a result of age, perhaps some long Covid impact lung capacity (though I’ve never tested positive for Covid) or what, but I just found it harder to do the longer rides I preferred doing, especially at the speed I wanted. I also think the fact I was working nights and sleeping days didn’t help.
• Caving – Ironically, despite having the NCRC weeklong in NY this year, I didn’t get into caves much this year. The best part was taking a local reporter into a local cave during our mock rescue.
• See friends – Again, with my schedule, I didn’t do as much of this as I wished. And tonight, when normally we’d have a lot of folks over, I’m self-isolating because of a cold (not Covid thankfully).
• Travel – this is one that Randi and I did manage to do! We flew out to Seattle and stayed with close friends for a night before boarding the Empire Builder for Whitefish Montana. There we disembarked and spent 3 solid days exploring Glacier National Park. Let’s just say 3 days is not nearly enough. When done we took the Empire Builder from Whitefish back to Chicago where we stayed a night at a hotel and then flew home. I’m already trying to figure out how to get back!
• Septic system – Let’s not talk about this.
• Several Projects around the House – well, just one, but it took finally biting the bullet and getting a table saw. But I think I’ll work on a few more before moving away for PA school.
• Classes – I did take one more. If I had more time I might have taken more, or had I not gotten into a PA school I might have taken more to help with my transcript, but decided to focus the time on relaxing and working nights more.
• Blogging – well I did blog, and as promised, not as much. So I guess I succeeded on that one.

So overall, us usual some hits, some misses, but the biggest hit is one I really was working for, so I’m content.