On August 15th, I quit my job1 and moved to New York City to start graduate school at Columbia University’s Medical Center. Des Moines is still my home base and I’ll be coming back between semesters and over summers.
I will regret not trying this and am very grateful that I am able to do so. This is more of a reorientation of my skills and interests towards a domain I care about deeply2. I still love writing software but want to do something that makes healthcare providers’ and recipients’ lives better.
I am way too old and eccentric to have roommates and found University housing in the Washington Heights neighborhood. My studio is ~190ft2 and I am thrilled by the rent, location, and amenities.
As of this writing, I’ve been here for about two weeks and it’s already been pretty extraordinary. This city is a hive like none other. I am on schedule to annoy my wife and NYC friends when I turn into this person by the end of the month (cached). I’m publishing my notes from the program here. It’s all very exciting.
Grandma
My grandmother passed away peacefully at the age of 91. She was my last surviving grandparent. She had a full life and was a good person and a Force of Nature. She was fiercely inquisitive and intelligent and we always wonder what she’d have achieved if she were allowed an education.
I regret not talking to her as much as I should have. I will try and do as much good as I can for other people and dedicate these deeds to her memory.
Me chilling with my Grandma, circa 1989
I’d been at my company for nearly 13 years, almost a third of my life! It’s truly amazing how quickly time passes. Like many people my age, I have a lot more respect for the time I have left.↩︎
And, as I indicated on my application, not a scheduled midlife crisis. I won’t be selling my jewelry or baked goods anytime soon.↩︎