The Siberian American: Reflections: Six Months Back in Texas

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Reflections: Six Months Back in Texas

I realized on Monday that I have officially been back in Texas for six months. I’m always in a reflective mood this time of year, so I thought I would share some thoughts on leaving Chicago and life back in Texas.


In some ways, it feels like we have been home forever. So much has happened since we moved back, and honestly, those first few months back are a bit of a blur. In other ways, it feels like we just left. Weren’t we just celebrating the end of intern year? I talked a little in the past about how residency life is weird. It’s hard to stay in the moment when it’s designed to always look ahead. Each rotation is four weeks, so Chris and I are constantly discussing the next rotation and what the schedule will be like. Even so, I’ve been trying to enjoy these last six months with an easier schedule. I’ve mentioned it before, but medical students don’t learn much radiology, so first year radiology residents aren’t prepared to take call by themselves right away. It’s an interesting residency in that Chris has to come home and study for two to three hours a day.

Of course, all of that is about to change. His schedule gets much worse starting in January, and starting in July, he will be doing four months of nights per year. (The medical new year starts in July). All that to say we have really enjoyed the extra time together. He has been off every other weekend, so we have loved exploring where we live.

I do miss Chicago. I definitely don’t miss it as much now when Chicago friends post about negative wind chill, and I really don’t miss the crazy intern year schedule, but I do miss walking to Lake Michigan and constantly finding new places to explore with my love.

One thing Chicago didn’t have, though, is family. We live about an hour and a half from both sets of parents (though they live in opposite directions from us), and it’s been such a blessing to visit my in-laws for the weekend or go to a Russian party at my parents’ house.

I hope y’all have enjoyed my stream of consciousness. I did want to say a quick apology for not reading your blogs or answering comments as much. I haven’t been feeling well barely have the energy to write. I’m planning on catching up after Christmas, though!

14 comments:

  1. Don't apologize, girl. Life happens :) I'm glad you guys are enjoy the "quiet time" you've got now; the next few months sound straining!

    Hope you feel better! Merry Christmas!

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  2. Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well again. I hope you can enjoy your Christmas and feel better soon.
    I wouldn't miss the cold of Chicago either! But I know what you mean about missing a place that has a special place in your heart.

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  3. I hope that you start to feel better before Christmas gets here! I definitely know what you mean about missing Chicago, but being happy to miss out on their winters and being back closer to family. It's crazy how much can change in just 6 months and how much it'll change again. Hopefully resident life doesn't get too chaotic!

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  4. I can't believe it's been 6 months already! Time really does fly. I hope that you feel better soon!

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  5. Take care of yourself! :) I can definitely say that it's tough not being near my family anymore, so I can see how moving back near yours is nice. :) XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  6. Feel better!! We've been in Portland for just over a year now, and though Seattle to Portland is a MUCH smaller move than Chicago back to Texas, I still have my surges of love for Portland and other pangs of nostalgia for Seattle.

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  7. Being closer to family makes a huge difference.
    Christmas, I think most people slack in blog world -to be expected :)

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  8. Wow these 6 months have flown by, but I'm so glad you're in so much of a better place health wise and no more negative wind chills - brrrrrrrr! Sorry to hear you've been feeling kinda crummy though, and sending lots of *hugs* and prayers your way sweet friend <3
    Green Fashionista

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  9. My SIL is in her second year of residency, and you're so right about always thinking ahead about what's coming, the next thing. It dictates their life. It will all be worth it though! :) Glad you're near family, I'm sure that makes a big difference!

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  10. Chicago is such a beautiful city and it was a blessing to experience life there but I agree that being closer to family is really more important in the grand scheme of things...if possible...because I'm not exactly in that perfect situation. lol

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  11. I wouldn't mind missing Boston in the winter haha!! I hope you feel better girl - enjoy the holidays!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  12. Isn't it funny how quickly times goes!

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  13. oh hun, sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. i hope everything is okay.
    i know i'm ion a different situation, but seriously, it feels like i just moved here and it also feels like i've been here forever. so i know that feeling.
    that's so awesome you are closer to family now :)

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  14. I'm so sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well! I hope you start feeling better soon! Chicago is such a fun city so I understand missing it, but there is nothing quite like being close to family. If all of our family lived close together (instead of spread out across the nation and even planet, ha!) then it would be really tempting to move close to everyone! So I understand that!

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