Brain Games

4. New York, New York

The sun paired with a cloudless sky and sounds of traffic greets me as soon as I step outside of my new New York apartment. Car horns, breaks squeaking, tires running over potholes, motors that should really be checked out. I close my eyes, taking in a deep breath to try to soak in this moment, but all I seem to breathe in are exhaust fumes and the faint smell of hotdogs from a nearby street vendor, making me cough uncontrollably for a few seconds.

Okay, moment not as glamorous as I pictured it. I always imagined my first day in New York to be magical, with birds chirping and people singing and dancing around in a flash mob of some sorts. Guess not.

But nothing a little T-Swift can't fix.

Pulling out my wireless headphones, I pop them in and blast Taylor Swift's "Welcome To New York" on repeat to enhance my experience and strut my way through the streets like I'm in a music video. Warner Central Hospital is only nine blocks away from my apartment so I decide to walk instead of taking a taxi. Upon moving to New York City, I sold my car back in California instead of driving it all the way across the country to a city where it would hardly be used anyway.

I take in all the sights, taking my time walking now that the morning rush hour has died down and the sidewalks aren't jammed with people. I memorize restaurants and cafes I pass that seem promising until I finally reach Warner. Looking up at the tall building, I feel a sense of intimidation wash over me for a moment before a tingle of excitement runs down my spine, shooting all the way down to my toes.

Walking through the glass doors of the main entrance, I observe the modernized lobby that has white marbled floors and large floor to ceiling windows that let in natural light. Everything is so clean and bright and smells of antiseptic, making my heart happy.

I walk past the reception desk and past the small fountain in the center of the lobby before taking the stairwell to the next floor up, beginning my adventure. I decided it was best to go to the hospital before orientation to refamiliarize myself with the layout. I've been here once before when I did my interview for residency, but I didn't get the chance to really roam around and get a feel of the whole layout. So today I decided to swing by and get a head start at figuring out where everything is so I can have a leg up on all the other first year residents tomorrow for the first day of orientation.

I go down every nook and cranny of the hospital I'm allowed access to as unauthorized personnel yet, memorizing where all the different departments and units are, along with the cafeteria. I find out that the neurosurgery department is on the third floor, and I stand outside the door, wishing and itching to go inside, but I don't think that would be appropriate considering orientation isn't until tomorrow and no one knows who I am yet. Plus, an ID badge is needed to open the door, and even then the receptionist behind the front desk doesn't look the friendliest, her mouth set in a hard line as she seems to argue with someone on the phone.

With a disheartening sigh, I continue down the hallway, wondering what's behind the door of the neurosurgery department. I wonder if they have a decent lounge with a couch or two. Hopefully with this being one of the best and most funded hospitals in the country—and the number one ranked neurosurgery department in the country for the past twenty years—they have one of those kickass coffee makers I can take advantage of.

I guess I'll just have to find out tomorrow.

I walk down the hall towards some operating rooms and stop for a moment outside the first set of double doors, obviously not allowed to go in. Another bolt of excitement rushes through me, and I imagine the first time I'll be able to push through those double doors and work on patients of my own.

After a few moments of wishful thinking, I walk further down the hall to the surgery unit where patients are getting prepped. I peek my head around the corner to spot patients on gurneys with loved ones beside them before they're whisked off to surgery and their loved ones are asked to wait in the waiting room. Doctors, nurses, and other members of the surgical team move around from patient to patient, waiting on the green light for their case. Nothing out of the ordinary, but there is one sight that makes me do a double take.