UCSF away

So it's official, I just submitted my $300 payment and acceptance to do a surgery away rotation at UCSF for the month of February. Here are some thoughts:

PROS

• It's UCSF. When am I ever doing to be able to do surgeries at UCSF ever again?  (see cons)
• I'll be living at home for a month. And driving my own car (that I shipped back this February). Yay comforts of home!  
• My parents (see cons) are doting and will likely help me out when I need it 
• Friends--please hang out with me...maybe? If I don't work 14 hour days?
• Food and culture 
• I'll get a surgery experience outside of my Iowa bubble, with a whole different demographic and approach. I'm excited for that.
• Getting away from Iowa in the snowiest month 

CONS

• It's after interview season. So if I don't get an interview at UCSF, I'm still committed to doing a one-month rotation at a school I have zero hope of going to. Awkward....  
• The students are probably sharks. And will eat me alive. This is just my (biased) opinion. 
• I'll be missing med school prom for the first time. And it's the last one ever.
• I'll likely be working a lot (it's surgery) and getting home late can be dicey in the city...or at least dicier than what I'm used to (Iowa: the safest land in the world) 
• IF I get an interview and IF they like me, that's still a lot of pressure to perform 
• My parents (see pros) are doting and I'm not used to answering to anyone, especially while working 
• Time zone difference between Allen and me plus surgery schedule = I don't even know what to do 
• Learning a new system and all of the intricacies of navigating while treading lightly.