“Discovering what you don’t want is just as important as finding out what you do.” – Elaine Welteroth

This week was my first week of work y’all! Granted it was orientation AND it was virtual, but STILL, relaxation is officially over. Next week is thankfully not virtual and I’ll get a chance to meet my co-interns in person – FINALLY. My first day on the wards as Dr. Adejare-Smith, is also next week – keep ya girl in prayers!

Last week I mentioned I would show a pic of newly microbladed brows. Here they are 5 days after getting them done. I didn’t fill them in, no concealer to define them, just freshly done and poppin’! 

Now on to the get down!

What I’m thankful for: Forbearance on loans. I officially consolidated my med school loans. Praise HIM! I am SO determined to be debt free in the near future (& yes, I do have 6 figure loans). One of the steps I’ve taken towards that was consolidating my loans. I also enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan (the revised pay as you earn to be exact), and started the process for public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) since my hospital qualifies. Due to the pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, aka the CARES Act, was passed; it suspends “all payments and interest accrual on all loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) until September 30, 2020” (Source). A six-month forbearance y’all, no payment needed! Thankful!

What made me laugh this week: This tweet with the video in it. “When I’m marrying a rich man & he start talkin about a prenup.” Hilarious!

What inspired me: My husband and I picked up a new hobby – pickleball! I’m not even a paddle sport kinda person. I don’t play tennis, squash, ping-pong etc, but my husband encouraged me to try this new sport with him. Our apartment complex has a court, so why not? We bought our pickleball paddle set (balls included) from this Amazon link and got excited for our pickleball dates. Well, our first game I absolutely SUCKED! Y’aaaall, serving the ball, hitting in the right direction, it was a whole mess. BUT the next day, we were back on the court again, and a couple of days after, back at it again. And lemme just say, ya girl has improved A LOT. I’m even surprised myself. When compared to my first day ever, I can serve better, we can go back and forth for a longer period of time, I’m building up my stamina, shoooot my small progress in this short amount of time inspired me! I can see some parallels to how intern year might be – from feeling like I’m absolutely rubbish at what I’m doing, to feeling like I’m slowly getting things, yaaaaas!

What I’m loving: I mentioned last week that I’ve been watching make up videos on YouTube. Well I’ve also been buying makeup – as if I’ll be able to wear them under my PPE (personal protective equipment) at the hospital. Y’all, y’aaaaaaall, it makes no sense, but a girl can dream. Makes me happy and hopeful for a day I’ll be able to get cute again. Makeup I purchased in the past 30 days (and LOVE) are:

• Lancome Tient Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation
• Too Faced Born This Way Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
• Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder

What I’m reading: Y’all already know, I’ve been reading “Queenie” by Candice Carty-Williams. I’m a little bit past halfway and to be honest, I’m not enjoying it that much. The girl (Queenie) has me F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-E-D. Today is my book club discussion on the book, so I’m interested to know how others felt about it.

What I’m listening to: It was all virtual orientation sessions this week. A whole lot of learning. I did start listening to the new Insecure Season 4 soundtrack on Spotify though. Y’all, its a vibeeeee.

What I’m watching: Orientation powerpoint slides for days. But I’m proud to say I finally finished Avatar: The Last Airbender series. This was my first time watching the cartoon series (team no cable TV growing up) and my, my this was good!

What I learned I could do better: Budgeting. I’d like to get braces on my teeth (this will be round two of braces – a story for another day). I had an orthodontist consultation during the week and it all went well. When I was presented with what my payment plan would be if I went through with it, I was like yaaaaaaasss, this is not bad! I could totally pay this per month! (Shout out to good dental insurance). I was so excited to show my husband, but his response? “Can we really afford it?” Bruhhh, he did have a good point. Before getting all excited to say “yes, when I can I get this treatment started?” I need to consider my other obligations – my car payments, the disability insurance that I would like to get, my monthly school loan payment and our regular living expenses, savings, and church tithing. So yea, I’ll be looking at our budget sheet to see if it’s really possible right now.

One goal for next week: My first shift as a doctor is next week. Maaaaan would y’all judge me if I said my one goal is to make it through that shift without having an “imposter syndrome” or moment of “Omgosh, they’re gona find out I have no idea what I’m doing, they’re gona think they made a huge mistake hiring me”? I have a lot to learn as an intern, but I also WORKED MY BUTT OFF to get where I am, no accident there. I am where I am supposed to be. I hope I don’t forget that on my first day.

Well, that’s all folks. Hope you enjoy your Saturday!

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