What would you be when you grow up?
Somewhere since the beginning of medical school, I enjoyed organizing events/parties. I organized our post-exam parties, Match Day celebration and that continued into residency where my BFF and I organized socials and dinners/events for potential recruits.
When it came time for wedding planning, people recommended that I hire a party planner. But if you know me, you know I have some control issues and like to handle all the little details myself. I did research on florists, cake, music, churches, reception venues, bus rentals, etc. and updated my timeline/To Do list/spreadsheets religiously. I had a binder that was my ‘Bible’ for the 6 months pre-wedding. Since I was in San Diego but the wedding was in Chicago, I did hire a wedding planner/coordinator to help with details like contract/agreement reviews and weekend and day-of coordinating. After the wedding was over, I went into party planning withdrawal!
I organized socials for our hospital subgroup and am currently Co-chair of the Social Committee of our group of 250+ physicians. We have an annual Welcome party for the new physicians, a holiday party for our group and a bigger party with the surgeons for 600-700 guests every 3 years.
This past Wednesday, San Diego National History Museum hosted an event for people in the event industry with their preferred vendors of caterers, florists, linen rentals, furniture rental/decor, DJ, etc. The museum is amazing and I had no idea what to expect. I had been to a wedding expo and food festival (Poke Fest in SD) before so I was expecting teeny tasting portions. I wish I had come hungrier and thirstier because the food portions were big and delicious! They also had wine, beer, signature drinks and provided generous pours! I had a great time! I got super full super fast but kept eating anyway! I had to make sure I did a thorough analyses!
The timing of the MET Gala and this vendors event made me wonder, since I love to plan events, would being an event planner be my next choice of career? The MET Gala was a separate topic- I look at celebrities’ elaborately flawless makeup and outfits and daydream what it’d be like to be able to get ready for, participate and party it up as a celebrity!
My patience and customer service is not what it used to be. I used to work customer service at Bloomingdale’s in high school. On certain days, ‘high-maintenance’ patients can test my patience. Weddings, for instance, bring out the best/worst in people depending on the day. I don’t think I’d want to deal with myself when I was planning my wedding. I’d have rolled my eyes a million times. I know my husband and bridal party did!
I LOVE being an anesthesiologist- there is no other field/career that is more perfect for me than my current gig. If I wasn’t an anesthesiologist, what would my dream job be? Be an Asian Beyonce? J.Lo? A talented singer/performer/actress/ and just overall amazing woman (and super wealthy)? Or maybe I can use my doctor knowledge to be the next Dr. Sanjay Gupta? And then be a party planner on the side? The celebrity and paparrazi pressure would drive me nuts (considering I rarely wear makeup and am all about comfort these days- thankfully pregnancy is my current excuse!).
I forget sometimes to add ‘Mom’ to my current CV. I still feel like the same old me (literally and figuratively) but have a little 2yo cutie pie attached to me and a little Dos about to make his/her entrance into the world. That is also a dream gig I never really imagined loving as much as I do. I’m living the dream!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing moms who have raised any kid or furry child. It is a job that fellow moms can appreciate and commiserate.
What would your dream job be?
Trust Me, I'm a Doctor Mom 