Trains

Today is my last day at work and I took the train. Among everything else, a good thing about this internship is that I have made peace with mornings somewhat, and it makes me feel more professional to get things most of my work done before noon.

I'm brainstorming ideas for my final paper right now, so I'm going over everything I've done. I think the most helpful thing I've done here is to read over the process notes. The Friday morning talks (especially Dr. Manning's CSI style presentation) were also a highlight, as well as the HCM conference. I've learned a lot more about the structure of a session, answers to specific questions I had, and I have a better sense of what kind of work genetic counselors actually do. Here's a list of my brainstorm. Apologies for cryptic phrases...

• process notes
• prenatal = favorite
• no clinic, but that's okay
• 9 AM seminars (CSI!)
• HCM conference
• blend of psych/genetics
• grad school applications
• hospital atmosphere
• Stanford campus
• psychosocial vs. science
• intern vs. volunteer
• useful work
• videos of sessions
• made me want to work and study even more
• textbook devouring
• not all glamorous
• hard work, research
• play to strengths
• each has own style
• patients' process/agenda
• contracting
• rotations
• metabolic, cancer, dysmorphology, prenatal

This has been one of the best things I've ever done. Sometimes I can't believe it all worked out so well... I've really learned that taking initiative can yield great results. One should always ask, "what do I have to lose?" If the answer is NOTHING, then just take a chance and go for what you want. I'll probably keep using this blog, but turn it into a "grad school updates" blog soon. This semester is important and I need to keep track of things! This has been so much fun and I hope I'm back at Stanford someday soon...