The L word...

What starts with "L", and makes my heart beat like crazy?

Why, the LX5 (by Panasonic), of course. :-)

(Although L-O-V-E does have the same effect on me, for some reason.) 

Presenting pictures taken from my new electronic "boyfriend"... ( I just bought this today, 11:20AM to be exact, and these are the first few pictures I ever took.)

picture 1: I couldn't even wait to get home to check it out...i just picked out a coffee place and played with it right out of the box. :-) 

Life's discoveries are often made alone.

Secret admirer. November 30, 2011. Robinsons Manila.

Coffee shop action. November 30, 2011. Robinsons Manila. 

The Lumix is relatively easy to handle, despite the fact that I've been a Canon user for the past 3 years. :-) I was just playing with the Macro and the thing with the old lady being a "secret admirer". It's pretty cool, it even makes generic shots look really nice. 

Instant sparks. This baby and I will have many many hours of fun together. :-)

:-D.

More pictures later. as it turns out, my cousins are coming over, so I won't have to watch Breaking Dawn alone. :-)

(I can't wait to try it out...when it's less "hot" outside. haha. :-) My second love. and my second camera, another day for the books. )

Love, 

S. 

Sunday Birthday Party

Last sunday,I went over to my cousin Kuya Rich's place for his birthday party... I was really looking forward to it, knowing a lot of my family in Manila will be there. :-) I had just gotten off duty, and just finished rounds before I trooped over to their place (which was far away, I have to say.)

Kuya Rich/Kuya Ick2x. 7 hours short of 33 years.

With some of my family who went. Uncle Cading, Uncle Fred, Ate Cel's Ma and Pa, Ate Girlie, Auntie Clarita, Kuya Ick, Ate Cel, Anton, Nico, JC, Kuya Ronnie, Ate Norge, Isabelle, Katrina, and well, me. :-)

That's Ate Girlie, Kuya Ick, JC, Serge, Anton, Me, Katrina, and Isabelle (who is only 13, and has size 10 feet.:-p) <-- Oh yes, we have the same surname. Not a lot of us in these parts. ;-)

This one has Nico (Kuya Ick's son) in it. :-) 

Their condo set-up reminded me of what I thought an Ivy League condo housing would be like. There are buildings, yes, but lots of open spaces, as well.

That's "tough guy" Uncle Fred quietly reading the paper. lol... MY earliest memory of Uncle Fred was when I was about 6 or 7, when he visited (or was he assigned there?)  my hometown, and he let me hold his standard issue .38. I remember thinking, "Wow, cool!"


(Good thing I didn't point it at anyone.)

Anyway, all in all, it was a really fun Videoke party, with lots of food. Of course I sang, and of course I stuffed myself. :-) I always love a good [family] party. :-)


Love, 


S.

Lu-MEex.

I'm doing quite a lot of camera research...but just on two types. It's a tedious process, but i'm thoroughly enjoying the whole thing. I've always wanted something like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5.. (Thanks for the tips. :-)) Love, S. :-)

Video: What's my name?

:-) like i was saying...one of the perks of living alone is that you get to sing along to Rihanna songs at any time of the day in your skivvies even. Love, S.

Duty Notes: Late nights/early mornings

It’s nearly one AM, and I just got back up here in the call room, after having admitted a patient from the ER.

In the still hours of pre-dawn (my favorite time for writing), I don’t feel sleep at all. No hint of the need for somnolence has come to me, so far.

(It helps to have a huge mug of 3-in-1 instant coffee handy.)

My friend Anne, who came over for a visit, is currently snoozing on one of the bunk beds, and I can’t help but smile. I am amused at her story of the lack of sleep from work making her all cranky and stuff. Bless her heart, I think about my sleeping habits, and I thank my lucky stars that I haven’t gotten to that point yet…

Anyway, how was my day?

Well, it’s not over yet, that’s for sure… there’s a patient waiting for me at the ER, but the intern gets first dibs with the interview. As the “more senior” person on the hospital totem pole, I get to wait and do some work while she gets her learning done.

(In this case, that “work” would be blogging.)

---

I got myself this duty schedule because I wanted to attend my cousin’s birthday party at their new condo unit in Pasig later today. This will be a veritable gathering of the Miaco clan in these parts of Luzon, and therefore, something that should not be missed. He said I should get my voice ready because it’s going to be a videoke party all the way ‘til night.   Definitely something to look forward to. Kuya Ick and his family have always been really nice to me, and they called me saying I specifically had to come. I ‘m looking forward to it. I love parties.

I haven’t gotten him a present, though.

----

My day started with an ER consult. Needless to say, I can’t talk about the patient, but this I can say, the intricate artwork of his tattoos were amazing. There were names and roses, and a lot of other things. I wasn’t able to interview him thoroughly though, because at that time, he was in pain. I was thus drawn to the fine details of his skin art, made more clear by the tautness of his muscles…

This afternoon, I realized how hard it is to help people who don’t know (or refuse to know about) what is wrong with them. What makes it much worse is if their caregivers don’t even believe in the same. In the usual sense, a problem can only be dealt with the moment it is identified as such. So when it came to that point, where insight could not be had, I had to exhaust all my efforts in helping them learn how important it is to take medication.

As in, I hammered the “psychoeducational” truth into them…in Tagalog.

(Aren’t you proud of me?)

Also, one of my patients asked if I did facebook, because he wanted to add me. I politely refused and informed him that being facebook friends was going to be overstepping physician-patient relationship ethics, and I’d rather we focused on his treatment. (Oh, and he asked if I had a boyfriend, whether he and I were on good terms…the usual. To these “probing” questions, I usually ask why they wanted to know. Usually, I just say yes…so that’s the end of the discussion.)

A patient’s mother hugged me today. I’m not really big on hugging in the hospital, so I kind of held back a little. (Is this ok?)

Tonight, I saw what “pain” looked like, in the face of a patient. It was heart-wrenching, yes, but I preferred not to show it.

---

A friend of mine said that talking to me was like a breath of fresh air. (I took that as a compliment.) So did a patient earlier, but hey, I hope they meant that in a general sense.

Usually, I just let them talk. I just listen and say things, and that makes them feel better. One of my favorite psychiatrists in one lecture said that, maybe, what people really needed was not advice, but just to be listened to. That is, in itself, part of psychotherapy.

-----

I usually like listening to people and their stories, but at the end of the day, I think I’d like it if someone wanted to just sit and listen to me.

(Which is probably why I’m writing this one out.)

 

All in all, a good day. Thank heavens.

Love,

S.

P.S. For some reason, I felt invincible enough to go out of the hospital to buy that camera I’ve had my eye on for the past months…and not get caught. LOL. I eventually decided not to follow my flight of fancy and opted instead to wait a few more days, until I was really “ready”. I’m already in love with the damn camera.

The low point of the day? hmm…I shouldn’t overthink it, but I do dislike (very much) if I don’t get SMS courtesy. By courtesy, I mean that if I ask a question, I fully expect an answer because it would only be right. It’s a pet peeve of mine to be ignored when I ask a question, just because the person on the other line is done getting what they want from you.

It annoys me very much.

And the worst part about it is I can’t do anything about this annoyance, I’m not the type who engages in hysterics if she doesn’t get what she wants. I usually let it simmer, and forget it eventually.

Still, I don’t need the effing aggravation.

Loops

The other day at work, one of my out-patients handed me a cellphone cover. It was black and brown, and crocheted.


"I made that while I was waiting for my turn, in the waiting area..." she said.


I turned the thing over in my hands, and then said, "The workmanship on this is very good..."


And she then talked about how she had discovered crocheting just recently, and talked about how fulfilling it has been. She has already had orders for bags like these. Handmade, 100%, she said proudly.


I, for one, think it's quite cool. :-)


Love,


S.

Smileys

One time, I ended up watching "First Love (A little thing called Love)", projected from my laptop onto the wall (using Bien's personal projector), with Aleah, my duty-mate.

Pretty nifty, the projector, I mean.

It was a cute movie, actually. Not exactly a favorite yet, but I thought the theme of wanting to make yourself a better person for the one you love was enough to make me want to just appreciate it for what it was.

Mario Maurer is cute, but he's not why I like the movie. I think what's cuter was that thing he did was put together that scrapbook of pictures for the girl.

In retrospect, I've been thinking about which to choose, which idea was better; someone who likes me enough to make the effort, or choosing someone who just plain takes me breath away every time. In times like these, my mother always said (presuming I like both), "go for the one who wants you more than you want him".

Meaning, I should go for someone I needn't have to put smileys at the end of my text messages for...because he'd be the one to do that. Perhaps, I've always valued the grand gesture, anyway.

:-1

Love,

S.

P.S. I just thought I'd write in something totally random. I heard about this movie from a friend who absolutely gushed about it. One of the pre-residents, a guy, was said to have been "moved" by this movie. <-- If a guy got "moved" by a "chick flick", then there must be something to it.

Here, give the trailer a go. :-)

Video: The Hunger Games

The Hunger games are showing soon. Something tells me I should speed read through all three books. or at least, the first one.

Video: Jimmy Tagala plays violin

I love Violin Music.

Much ado about interviews

I spent most of last Saturday at the hospital…even though I had the weekend off.

:-) 

I had 8 patients admitted, and I wanted to take the time to talk to them, and redo their histories. So, that’s 8 patients, and then 8 family caregivers (i.e. bantays) that I talked to, last Saturday. Sometimes, the responsibility of making their lives “better” daunts me, but usually, it’s been advised that as soon as you’ve addressed the reasons for admission *, then you can deal with their other problems on an out-patient basis.

Trust me, I’ve been at this for a year, and honestly speaking, no two patients are the same. Although their reasons for admission, and their problems might revolve around the themes of love, family and stressors, they are all different from each other somewhat. It’s fascinating.

Getting through to people takes some time and a comfortable environment, so I don’t really like it if I have to interview my patients in the loud and oftentimes hot Emergency room (we call it the ACU – Acute Care Unit) where I work. Sometimes, one wonders (I know I do) if one’s psychotherapy is getting through to the patient. I like interviewing my ward patients in the Child Psychiatry Unit, which is almost always empty and free, because it’s quiet, and it’s air-conditioned.  

When I do my interviews, I usually interview a patient first, and then have his/her family caregiver come in, so I can do confirmatory interview. It’s a tedious process, but it’s of my own doing (and choice). A collateral informant is always needed. Like my supervisor says, a psychotic patient is not always dependable, and thus, you have to practice talking to, and getting other vital information, from another informant (I had to do this during my oral exam).

I find interviewing both quite a fun and exasperating activity. It takes all of my patience and skill to try to get the real story from what I’m hearing and listening to from my patient. It’s like, aside from the fact that you have to listen, and get the real story from between the lines, you have to see how he or she tells it…whether his or her face registers something otherwise. “Active listening”, as it is called, takes quite a lot of energy. I think it’s because you’re “on your guard” for every second of the interview. “You have to have a presence”, my supervisor said. The patient has to “know you’re there” when you’re interviewing.

Back when I was in medical school (and even when I was still a student), I liked to sit in front because I felt I could better remember things if I saw how the speaker was teaching, how he said words, what his face looked like while he was giving a lecture. I’m more visual… but it also helped me remember what he taught if I remembered how he taught it, and if I associated it with a memory.

It’s pretty much the same when I’m interviewing…it helps me remember more details if I take a mental picture of their faces, if I remember how their hands moved, or if I saw how they positioned themselves. People can be such fascinating creatures…

Lately, I’ve been interested in studying body language, and I’m trying to read up on how people convey messages by how they move, and even how they sit. (Oh, which reminds me, I ‘ve been thinking about watching that series, “Lie To Me”, do you think it’s good?)

Interviewing has been quite a challenge, and up until lately, has been a Waterloo of sorts. Speaking in Tagalog has been, well, different from what I’ve been used to, but I suppose I’m much better at it now, than compared to how I did 9 months ago. (And before that, I would just nod my head if someone talked to me in Tagalog.lol…). I’m working on it, though. How hard can it be? :-)

I’m a work in progress, I should say… I think it’s a fun language to learn, though. :-) I’m working to get better at it, everyday. I was advised to have a consultant, or a senior sit in while I do an interview, so I’ll get tips on the technicalities of it. I’ll do that next time.

------------

* i.e. The four indications for admission are the following: “Threat to self, threat to others, non-compliance with medications", and Social emergencies.”

Let it Be, shirt edition.

Guess what I found. A Beatles Shirt, with Let it Be on it. :-)

 

And no, I did not forget my pants. haha.

 (Weekend outfit for watching the Pacquiao-Morales match.) 

Where'd all the time go?

Clock face. Jerome's "Shanghaian", Makati City. September 2011.

Accreditation people are coming in a week, to check us out and give their stamp of approval on our training program... (I'll be one of the "welcoming committee", they assigned me to be 'escort service' to one of the accreditors...who is from Cebu, which is just about perfect.)

Paperwork crunch time. :-D

Where'd all the time go? I'll be a senior (second year) in a couple of months. Yikes. :-)

(And for everything else...it's been a quite a year.)

Good morning.

Love, 

S.

Video: I Bruise Easily

I heard this song back when I was in Med School. I've always liked it, maybe even more than her other songs. It's pretty heavy, but I like her styling. :-)


And so I saw it again a couple of weeks on MTV, and i liked the video very much.


"There's a mark in me, like a love heart, carved on a tree..." :-) (such pretty lyrics. )


The video on MTV was about a geisha, coming home from work, peeling her makeup off layer by layer...until she was down to her own bare self. Very much like taking one's own "layers" off, defenses down, and revealing oneself to someone they love. After everything's said and done, you're left at your most vulnerable, as if to say, "Hey, this is me, this is all I have...will you still love me anyway?"


:-) 


But the song itself...well, People are people, and no matter how strong they appear to be, there will always be something that will wound them deep...or even easily. No one should be "more hurtable" than others, because once you really get down to it, everyone bruises easily, they probably just have different ways of showing it.


Love, 


S.




I Bruise Easily lyrics

My skin is like a map
Of where my heart has been
And I cant hide the marks
but its not a negative thing
So I let down my guard
Drop my defences down by my clothes
I'm learning to fall
With no safety net to cushion the blow

I bruise easily
So be gentle when you handle me
Theres a mark you leave
Like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily
Can't scratch the surface
Without moving me underneath
I bruise easily
I bruise easily

I found your fingerprints
[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/n/natasha-bedingfield-lyrics/i-bruise-easily-lyrics.html ]
On a glass of wine
Do you know you're leaving them
All over this heart of mine too
But if I never take this leap of faith
I'll never know
So im learning to fall
With no safety net to cushion the blow

[Chorus]

Anyone who can touch you
Can hurt you or heal you
Anyone who can reach you
Can love you or leave you

So be gentle
so be gentle
so be gentle

[Chorus]

I bruise easily
I bruise easily

Photo: iPad Footballer

Manang Bebang, apparently trying to play football on my iPad. And smiling, ear to ear about it. :-)

Love,

S.

On the brighter side…

I’d just pulled in a long day at work, with hardly any sleep…I slept some on the couch, but was mostly either talking to my patients, or talking with their parents. It was a holiday yesterday, newly-announced and I had many outpatients come to consult with me despite that.

I’ve been feeling kind of overwhelmed with work lately…I’ve got many patients both in the wards and in the outpatient department, that I haven’t caught up with my schoolwork. I haven’t paid my supervisor a visit in the past couple of weeks, nor have I even talked to my mentor.  In fact, I’ve avoided him for a while, because I couldn’t stay to make chitchat.

I just got home after having dinner with people I  worked with, at the call-room. It was a welcome reprieve. It was fun, actually…good old Cifu soup (yes, I ordered the hot and sour), because most of us were sick (I have the cough and the sniffles) and Mer, the one on duty, was feeling like he was coming down with the flu…

There were like 10 people in the callroom who ended up joining us for dinner at the dining table, and it turned out to be quite enjoyable, a little ribbing here, and a little ribbing there. A little corny joke here, a little teasing there (especially when Trina said she just wanted Donn Mc, and Mer asked if everyone wanted some wine to go with the ‘cheeeze", haha. anyway…)   Just a light-hearted moment…

I just said I wanted to go home. And by “home” I meant a whole bunch of different things… I meant that I missed being pampered at home, being cuddled by my Ma, hugging my Lola, or just being at home in my condo unit, enjoying the peace (and cable tv)… hell, I almost even meant being with someone who just felt like home…

Anyway, I’m probably just feeling sorry for myself. I’m sick, and I just want to laze about, and throw a little fit of helplessness, and have someone make it all go away.  Things at work have been a little overwhelming, and I have to admit, I get down in the dumps sometimes, from the pressure and from the weight of it all. One of my favorite teachers back in medical school, a resident as well, told me that yes, it is normal to be feeling that way, but she said that the thing that was sure to get her out of the doldrums was this, “ Despite what you feel, you have responsibilities to fulfill.” Most of time, you don’t have the luxury to mope, because somebody somewhere was waiting for you to make them feel better.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thinking of quitting, or going anywhere, or being all resistant in the workplace… hell no! I love my job. And I’m thankful for all this learning I’m getting, and this “adventure” I’m going through, but still, I can’t help but feel like a used dishrag…dirty, and well, soiled. I’m in terrible need of a good picker upper…or a good night’s sleep (whichever comes first).

One time, I was told by one of the consultants that life was not always nice, and people weren’t going to be treating me as nicely as I often expect. “It’s a harsh world out there, Stephanie…don’t you always be thinking that everything is soft and sugarcoated…” [Paraphrased, yes, but I never did think that the world was all peaches and cream. at all.] I’ve had my share of disappointments (boy, have I), I’ve had my share of being hurt by what other people have done or said to me,  I’ve been through a whole lot more than I could possibly tell in these pages…  In a weird way, I’ve adopted a sense of optimism despite all this. Ok, well, I almost lost my arm, and wound up with it being disfigured for the rest of my life,but instead of hiding it, I’ve just decided not to bother. After all, funnily enough, it has become a good conversation starter with other people, as well as patients so it doesn’t bother me anymore. (A friend of Chamie’s said that he didn’t even notice my arm when he first saw me…all he noticed was, well, me. ) I got some constructive criticism lately, and instead of dwelling on it too much (although I did for 48 hours), I decided to make it work in my favor…(long story, haha). One time, I promised someone I wouldn’t hurt him, but I wound up getting the worst emotional beating any girl could stand anyway, and I wound up being the one who had to take the brunt. LOL…but that was in the past. Out of that foolhardy endeavor years ago, I developed the ability to laugh about it, and know that it could never work out because I didn’t want to be with someone who didn’t love himself enough (and who had short legs).

To make the long story short…there will always be a way to make things better, and a way to look at situations in a different way…

I understand that this is getting to be a sob story, and that I’m ranting about my problems with work… I’m sorry, I don’t need validation, nor anyone to feel sorry for me. LOL

Actually, I’m just feeling bad that I’m sick and all the way out here when my family is an hour’s ride away by plane, celebrating my brother’s birthday. I wish I could be there, but right now, I can’t. So I’m doing the next best thing…taking this night off to rest my weary bones (and heart), and watch Crazy, Stupid Love, and sleep in my warm, comfy bed (that smells of home)…

….Until, well, about 6AM tomorrow, when I’ll have to go on rounds at the ward again.

Toodles.

Love,

~ S.

(P.s. who cares if Mark Twain thinks first drafts should be edited “because they’re crap”? I’ll pass on the editing, and opt for catharsis. for now. Thanks for being a good audience. )\

Worry

 

Old lady by the boulevard one afternoon. October 2011.

" Worry is a god, invisible but omnipotent. It steals the bloom from the cheek and lightness from the pulse; it takes away the appetite, and turns hair gray."

------ 

My credo when things get tough? "There are other bigger things to worry about, out there. This is not just it. Or, "I've been through this before, it can't be that bad."

Love, 

S. 

One Good Day

It was a stroke of luck.


A table all to myself at the nearest StarBucks, with the lamp just hanging above. Perfect lighting, perfect little corner by the glass window, space enough to wrap my legs around the table leg and a nice cup of Toffee Nut Latte in hand, with my name on it (it simply is my favorite).


Ma'am Wamcie and Pearl, who are my seniors at work wanted some "quality studying time" after work, and I ended up tagging along.I was a little late, so when I went there, I had to drag someone's extra chair from a different table, positioning myself for some light reading ("The Elements of Style") and perhaps some writing.


My inexpensive sketchbook (I don't draw, I just like writing on clean,unlined paper) was on my lap, and I was just getting comfortable, hooking my legs in the rungs under Ma'am Wamcie's chair when the couple on the next stable stood up and I scored their spot.


----- 


Ah, life. It was packed in Starbucks that night... there were lots of people sitting on the couches, and the tables, and there were still more milling around at the counter, waiting to be seated. I was amused that whenever they'd pass by the planner stand, they'd reach for it, and then turn it over in their hands, and then immediately ask for the sticker card which you have to fill up so you can get your own planner. I know I did. (Obviously, I want one...although it's going to take a me a little longer than most people, unless of course i get outside help.:-p)


I like Starbucks...but not for when I'm studying. Maybe to just do casual, friday night stuff, like hang out with friends and write, watch people milling around. I learn a lot that way.


---- 


Earlier that night, we saw Gary V. perform at the mall for the tree-lighting ceremony.  We were on our way to eat dinner at a SuZhou, a dimsum place in Mabini (which has the best Spicy Sour Soup this side of Manila), when we heard someone sing "Pasko Na, Sinta Ko". We thought it was someone singing karaoke to the Gary Valenciano song, and doing a fairly good job at it. When we looked, lo and behold, it WAS Mr. Pure Energy himself! :-)


Can't say I'm a big fan, but hey, the guy can really hold the audience in thrall. The main audience was mainly a group of students and their teachers (who embarrassingly squealed with glee when Gary V. went by their areas). 


I remembered my cousin Ria saying back in high school (she saw a Gary V. concert), after seeing him on-stage that he was "gwapo kaayo!" (Cebuano for: Very Good-looking). Thenn, I just pish-toshed her and went about with my business. But...after seeing him perform live, I've changed my mind. The man simply is a bundle of energy. And I liked the positive vibe...he talked about his being diagnosed with Diabetes (type 1) at age fourteen and how he had been on insulin ever since. He even showed his insulin pump (which substituted the insulin shots he used to give himself every day.), and talked about how the life expectancy of those diagnosed with this was just 30 years, from the time of diagnosis. He was on his 33rd year, and there were no signs that he was stopping.

Anyway, in this pic, he had the spotlight on him, and he looked almost ethereal. You have to admire a man who does his job with as much pep and good vibes like he does. :-)

Also, may I be excused if I say that he has noticeably one of the nicest derrieres I've seen on a man before? Lol... i never notice these things, but with this picture, I hope you can understand why I have said so. :-p

Gary V. performs during the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Robinsons Place, Manila. November 6,2011.

And there's the beautiful tree that changes colors...:-) The mall was lit up with Christmas lights and Christmas songs were playing, and frankly speaking, I was looking forward to it, even if I won't be able to go home during the holidays. I've always liked Christmases. I'm contemplating on decorating somewhat at my place, so we'll see... :-) (I'll be working that day, though.)

---- 

And so we went to SuZhou, this yummy dimsum place I've been to three times before in the past month (and will probably keep going back to), because its food offerings are simply delish. :-)

Spicy Sour Soup (after I'd taken my share, of course), SuZhou.November 6,2011.

Xiao Long Pao (Shanghai soup dumpling). November 6,2011.

I went with Pearl and Aizah this time, but the first person who introduced us to this place, and made us "loyal minions" to the delicious food in this delightfully affordable  hole-in-the-wall (but almost always packed full) on Mabini St., was Dr. JCP. Sir, one of our favorite and admired consultants* , was a certified foodie who definitely knew his food and where to go for delectable goodies. This place was one of his haunts, something he discovered while walking around the Malate Area. 

This is where we're getting "instruction" on the finer points of eating the Chinese dumpling. :-)

Century Egg on Tofu, with Pork floss. 

Shrimp Tempura.

That's me, acting like a total dork (I'd already scarfed down four of these babies), courtesy of the "food endorphins". :-)
 On a serious note, though, I do believe (especially after this meal) that there are more things to life than meets the eye, and we are definitely lucky to benefit from the experiences and reflections of those who have come before us, especially when they give their time and make an effort in sharing what they know. I've always thought that learning was not only in the classroom, or in the wards, in the confines of the hospital, but most importantly, they were from the people who we interact with. (Thank you, Sir!)

-----

Earlier today we had our first ever lecture in Forensic Psychiatry, and well, I thought it was a bit anticlimactic, considering I was waiting for "action" in terms of The Profiler, or Criminal Minds. hehe. Not today. It seemed like there was a lot of bureaucratic red tape involved in Forensics. And I'm not sure if it's going to be my cup of tea, but hey, things could change in the next few months.

----

Oh, something came up that day. That was kinda nice. sort of.

When I was making rounds that afternoon, Surgeon Boy ( a surgery resident I have a bit of a crush on because he was super tall and had nice hands) came up to me and asked if I was  the Psych resident on-duty, because I think he had a patient he wanted to refer. Oh, snap. I wasn't, but with a perfectly composed face (because I couldn't help smiling to a little to myself when I first saw that he was in the ER), I told him that I wasn't, and that he could call the local number to refer that particular patient to the resident who WAS on duty. He was a tall one. and I do mean tall. I had to crane my neck just so i could look him in the eye when he talked to me. 

But, well, that was that, I did a quiet little "Eeek!"  and went over to my patient,  back to the business of doing psychotherapy. :-) It was a nice surprise.

The nicer surprise came in the morning, though. I thought I saw Doctor Boy in my ward, while I was making orders. He was probably going into the department office for something or other, but i wasn't able to stare (like last time, haha) because the mother of my patients was calling me and in my direct line of vision. Shoot. He still made my heart skip a beat, though. tsk tsk.

----

It was a good tour of duty. 

I admitted 2 patients, and saw one at the ER during my 36 hour duty period. I can't talk about them here, but suffice it to say, the consultant I worked with was very helpful and gave me a lot of lessons. 

My intern was super-efficient. Lol. With lots of initiative...AND teaching capabilities. It was pretty amusing to see her call the clinical clerks into a huddle first before they presented their patient to me. :-) And the clerks were inquisitive and had a lot of questions. I liked that.

Oh, and the Pre-res I was on-duty with, had pocket wi-fi...so there was free internet all day (haha). Funnily enough, he's my age, and it really is a small world, as I found out that we had both competed during Nationals  back in High School. He for sportswriting, and myself for editorial writing. "No wonder you looked familiar when we first met," he said before. Ok, he did look kind of familiar, when they were first introduced, but I wasn't sure where from. 

(Oh, and we both didn't win. Interestingly, my other coresident, Chamie, won though, she was 2nd place overall in Nationals for Feature writing.)

Guess what we ended up doing while waiting for patients? Well, we ended up writing. 

He was typing into his netbook, and I was scratching out my own "writing project" with pen and paper. typical. :-p

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I've got my portfolio of patients together for the accreditation. Thinking about the number of patients and their families I had interacted with over the past year was daunting. Had I changed any lives? Have I made enough of a difference?

* scary *

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Oh, and at the start of it all, I woke up early, got ready for duty and work to this song By Blaque, "I'm Good"... about a girl who is ok, with or without a man. (ok, but i don't feel as intensely as a ball buster.I just won't settle anymore. LOL)

Which is kind of like, My theme song for the week. ;-)

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And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the summary of one lucky Friday. :-) Have a good night, y'all.

And...

Merry Christmas. :)

Love, 

S.