I’m sitting in a beautiful coffee shop called Neighbours in my sister’s trendy Calgarian neighbourhood. This is my very first time blogging and I have to say it feels a little weird being this vulnerable and open. Yet while I look around at all the cute couples having coffee on this early albeit beautiful Sunday morning, I have this odd sense of calm and belonging. It’s as if I have been doing this for years…as if I was meant to do this. I have a giddy happy smile on as I am typing this that you can’t see. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m finally in medical school (just completed…or really survived MS1) after a tumultuous journey of tears, stress, heartache and hard work.
I just turned 24 in February and I am studying at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland in the stunning city of Dublin, which 18 year old me could have never imagined happening (but that’s for another time). I am in the Graduate Entry Medicine program which is four years in length. Prior to this, I completed my Bachelor of Science at the University of Alberta and my Master of Public Health at Queen’s University in Ontario. I love public health and believe all healthcare providers should have some familiarity with this arena.
Since the age of 12 I have had cystic inflammatory acne, thus I am a skincare freak and have fallen in love with the art of makeup. I seriously considered diving into the bridal makeup industry for a while, but medicine was always my true calling. I am a devout foodie, I have lists of places to check out in every city I’ve lived in/visit often. I love all things cooking and baking (I can make a mean banana bread) and I’m dangerously addicted to chips (long live salt and vinegar, ketchup and all dressed folks) and my sweet tooth is unrivalled. I have a never ending travel bug and when I’m not studying I’m trip planning. Being in Europe for medical school could not have worked out better because the travel opportunities are endless and affordable! A sharp departure from travelling in North America where it takes 6 hours and some major $$$ just to get from one side of the country to the other. I spend a lot of time crafting my wardrobe which I would characterize as cozy chic. Turtlenecks and high waisted pants are my jam (Don’t lose faith in me, they can be cute!). Nordstrom is my favourite and you better believe I went crazy at the Nordstrom anniversary sale!
I consider myself to be a pretty social person: my family and friends are my everything. I’m spending the summer back in Canada with my family and I’m so grateful for all the quality time I am able to spend with the people I love, the people who have played a pivotal role in my journey and who I am today. I have three wonderful sisters, or really built-in best friends. My two eldest sisters are a decade my senior but the age gap has long closed. The eldest is a psychiatrist and the second a lawyer, so to say they set the bar high is the understatement of the century. My youngest sister is four years younger than myself and despite being at the beginning of her university career, she is one of the smartest people I know. I’m a proud and protective mama bear over my younger sister. My parents were born and raised in India and lived in England for many years before emigrating to Canada, where myself and my younger sister were born. There is no stone they have left unturned on the journey to ensuring the success and happiness of their children, very long story short: I am incredibly grateful and forever indebted to my parents for the sacrifices they have made to ensure us four never have to face the hardships they have (cue the tears…I’m an overly emotional person, happy/sad and everything in between makes me teary eyed).
Continuing down the line, my two older sisters married two fantastic guys who I am lucky to call my brothers. I love these guys…I never knew what I was missing because I never had brothers (nor really wanted one) but these two have brought something so special to our family. They made our ever full family even more whole. My sister had a baby this year and the journey of becoming a Massi (aunt in Punjabi) has been one of the most fulfilling experiences. My niece is the most beautiful ball of light and she has stole the heart of every person in our family. I had some serious middle child syndrome when she was born because everyone forgot about me (kidding of course, she deserves all the attention!!!). My eldest sister is expecting and I can’t wait to become a Massi all over again. I never realized how much joy being a Massi would bring me…I’m constantly thinking of how I can spoil them. I seriously can’t wait to be the cool aunt, a title I will hands down wrestle my sisters for because come on, I was born cool. I have a big fat Indian family, so many awesome cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We all look for any excuse to throw a party because it means we can all come together from near and far!
I have an awesome group of friends who are my cheerleaders, my tribe, my ride or dies. Being in Dublin means every other relationship outside of medical school has become long distance (WHICH CAN REALLY SUCK). But all things considered, we really make it work: endless facetimes, novel-length text message updates, Whatsapp calls, Snapchats, Instagram stories etc. We scramble to coordinate our schedules…we literally have plans for 1-3 years from now because our lives are so crazy and we all have moved out from our home town of Edmonton, Alberta (woot woot!). As for the friends I’ve met in medical school, well they have become my home away from home. We have gone through the INSANITY that is MS1 together whilst navigating life onanother continent (the great, the bad and everything in between): this is a recipe for expedited, all-up-in-yo-face, best friendships.
I woke up this morning feeling blessed and full of gratitude. Two weeks ago I went through a pretty invasive surgery after nine months of lead up and anxious anticipation. My experiences as a patient are enough to fill a few blog posts (stay tuned!), but they have given me so much to reflect on. So much to be grateful for. I wake up counting my blessings, thanking God for my health, for my family and friends who have been my backbone and for my education that’s going to allow me to help others during their worst moments. I’m hoping this blog will be a platform for me to share my experiences and explore the things I am passionate about. Excited to rekindle my love for writing & thrilled to have you join me in this journey!
SINCERELY MILLIE 