Why oh why are men like bleeding buses.
I can't keep the one I wanted and now I appear to have 2 on the go at once. And no, I'm not cheating on anyone.
I have A, who I met through online dating, who is in fact lovely and who I am going dog walking with on New Year's Eve on the beach, and H, who I haven't yet met but who my housemate has set me up on a blind date with.
I'm not sure if I can remember how to do this whole dating thing anymore...
29 December 2007
26 December 2007
The season of goodwill
As is usual when my family gets together for any period of time, arguments soon follow.
Thankfully at least my family has enough decorum to avoid physical war and the involvement of third party organisations.
It comes down to the usual type of stuff. My mother wants me to spend every waking hour of my time at home with her and my father. She fails to realise sometimes I do need some 'alone' time, and heaven forbid might actually want to see some of the rare friends I still have in this area.
Consequently I have been 'banned' from going to see friends because, and I quote: 'we don't see you enough as it is, and all you want to do is go out. Remember, this is our house.'
OK, fair enough, I hear what you're saying. But also, please bear in mind, it's very difficult having to go to bed at 10.30 every night when you aren't used to it. It's equally difficult to have to ask permission to go anywhere alone, never mind getting that permission refused for the reason 'because I said not'. That worked when I was 4, at 24 it's slightly harder to stomach.
The one I find the hardest is: you live under our roof and must follow our rules. Fair play, but do you follow mine when you come and stay with me?! I think not...
I love you mum, but I'm an adult. I make my own decisions, eat when I want to, go where I want and see who I want to see when I'm at uni. I appreciate that this is your house, but you aren't making the transition between home and uni any easier. In fact, you're making that wedge between the two of us even bigger. I feel like a small child again. You even ask me what I'm doing on facebook these days.* Jeez, is a little privacy too much to ask sometimes.
*My mother has said that she is going to join facebook. She doesn't understand that sometimes I need my own space, and if she does, I won't be able to add her as a friend because she won't approve of my current friends. It's a difficult situation, or am I just being a brat?
Thankfully at least my family has enough decorum to avoid physical war and the involvement of third party organisations.
It comes down to the usual type of stuff. My mother wants me to spend every waking hour of my time at home with her and my father. She fails to realise sometimes I do need some 'alone' time, and heaven forbid might actually want to see some of the rare friends I still have in this area.
Consequently I have been 'banned' from going to see friends because, and I quote: 'we don't see you enough as it is, and all you want to do is go out. Remember, this is our house.'
OK, fair enough, I hear what you're saying. But also, please bear in mind, it's very difficult having to go to bed at 10.30 every night when you aren't used to it. It's equally difficult to have to ask permission to go anywhere alone, never mind getting that permission refused for the reason 'because I said not'. That worked when I was 4, at 24 it's slightly harder to stomach.
The one I find the hardest is: you live under our roof and must follow our rules. Fair play, but do you follow mine when you come and stay with me?! I think not...
I love you mum, but I'm an adult. I make my own decisions, eat when I want to, go where I want and see who I want to see when I'm at uni. I appreciate that this is your house, but you aren't making the transition between home and uni any easier. In fact, you're making that wedge between the two of us even bigger. I feel like a small child again. You even ask me what I'm doing on facebook these days.* Jeez, is a little privacy too much to ask sometimes.
*My mother has said that she is going to join facebook. She doesn't understand that sometimes I need my own space, and if she does, I won't be able to add her as a friend because she won't approve of my current friends. It's a difficult situation, or am I just being a brat?
24 December 2007
Merry Christmas!
It doesn't really feel like christmas, but I am assured that today is in fact Christmas Eve.
The highlight of my day today was icing the christmas cake, as you can see above.
I suppose if medicine doesn't work out, I can always retrain as a cake decorator!
So I guess all that is left to say, until I post next:
'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'
The highlight of my day today was icing the christmas cake, as you can see above.
I suppose if medicine doesn't work out, I can always retrain as a cake decorator!
So I guess all that is left to say, until I post next:
'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'
23 December 2007
Yorkshireness
For a change this year I will not be working at the leisure centre. I love the place dearly but I didn't get a summer vacation due to hospital work all summer. I thought it would be nice this year to have the holidays off and chill - spend some time with the parents without having to worry about being called into work all the time.
For monetary reasons I will be heading back dahn sarf just before new year, ready to work a new year's eve night shift on the MAU, which I'm strangely looking forward to...
I'm in the middle of compiling my 'highlights' of the year at the moment, so in the event of my not posting again before the 25th, then I wish you all a very merry and enjoyable christmas!
For monetary reasons I will be heading back dahn sarf just before new year, ready to work a new year's eve night shift on the MAU, which I'm strangely looking forward to...
I'm in the middle of compiling my 'highlights' of the year at the moment, so in the event of my not posting again before the 25th, then I wish you all a very merry and enjoyable christmas!
22 December 2007
Wow!
I was always impressed by the simultaneous intelligence and stupidity* our dog shows.
Take this for example.
I have just been out to the pet shop for the next door neighbour's cat's present (don't ask, my mother forgot to buy 'Thomas' something, so I got sent). While I was there I realised I'd missed our dog out, so picked him up a furry toy thing that makes noise (will probably only last about 30 minutes on christmas morning before it gets eaten).
When I came home I ran the bag straight upstairs where the dog is banned from, yet when I came downstairs he charged at me, sniffing, barking and licking. It's like he knows....
Worrying.
* eating 'popping' candy and then coming back for more, even though it made you sneeze. Or the classic 'being afraid of your new metal bowl' because you can see your face in the bottom of it when you try to eat.
Take this for example.
I have just been out to the pet shop for the next door neighbour's cat's present (don't ask, my mother forgot to buy 'Thomas' something, so I got sent). While I was there I realised I'd missed our dog out, so picked him up a furry toy thing that makes noise (will probably only last about 30 minutes on christmas morning before it gets eaten).
When I came home I ran the bag straight upstairs where the dog is banned from, yet when I came downstairs he charged at me, sniffing, barking and licking. It's like he knows....
Worrying.
* eating 'popping' candy and then coming back for more, even though it made you sneeze. Or the classic 'being afraid of your new metal bowl' because you can see your face in the bottom of it when you try to eat.
20 December 2007
I ming
I had an amazing time in London, I really did. It was the first time Laura and I had met, and it was like having a big sister or friend for life. The fact that I may end up giving her gastroenteritis is another story.
Laura is right, I really am a big furry chicken when it comes to being jumped out on. I really don't like it and I don't see well in the dark. I guess it's caused by mean parents and a wendy house when I was a child*
Anyway I did enjoy the dungeon in the end, even if I did jump and scream a bit. My underwear was clean when I left, which is a minor miracle. And like Laura, I too fell in love with the Devil in Satan's Grotto. I thought I was going to have to go through the event on my own and have to leave Laura with him!
I did a lot of sightseeing, including Camden Market, Tower Bridge, Picadilly Circus, London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Tower of London, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
Sadly, as mentioned before I'm not very well.
After dragging Laura around London yesterday we had lunch at a well known chain of burger restaurants (not the royal variety...), the one that's attached to St Thomas' Hospital (I think) and then headed back to Laura's after meeting Faith and having a coffee.
Once back at Laura's lovely flat I promptly fell asleep sprawled across the sofa and Laura herself. Woke up at around 7PM and decided I didn't feel very well. Cue me spending the next 10 minutes redecorating the inside of the toilet bowl with regurgitated burger.
Consequently the next couple of hours trek home was less than fun. I do apologise to the woman sat next to me on the train if I've given it to you too.
Last night I took a wander down to the out of hours GP who said that gastroenteritis is doing the rounds in the area, and it probably wasn't food poisoning as I had suspected. Can I just say how much I love buccastem right now?
Sadly I have to travel back to Yorkshire tomorrow, so I intend on spending the rest of the day in bed and feeling sorry for myself.
A huge thankyou to Laura for putting me up/putting up with me, and I have some amazing photographs to post soon!
*I used to have a fabric tent wendy house when I was a child. It was my favourite game to play on the patio and make cakes etc. All was fine until one day my wendy house stood up and started walking towards me, courtesy of my father hiding inside it at the time. I don't think I have ever screamed so much in all my life. I never did play with it again....
Laura is right, I really am a big furry chicken when it comes to being jumped out on. I really don't like it and I don't see well in the dark. I guess it's caused by mean parents and a wendy house when I was a child*
Anyway I did enjoy the dungeon in the end, even if I did jump and scream a bit. My underwear was clean when I left, which is a minor miracle. And like Laura, I too fell in love with the Devil in Satan's Grotto. I thought I was going to have to go through the event on my own and have to leave Laura with him!
I did a lot of sightseeing, including Camden Market, Tower Bridge, Picadilly Circus, London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Tower of London, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
Sadly, as mentioned before I'm not very well.
After dragging Laura around London yesterday we had lunch at a well known chain of burger restaurants (not the royal variety...), the one that's attached to St Thomas' Hospital (I think) and then headed back to Laura's after meeting Faith and having a coffee.
Once back at Laura's lovely flat I promptly fell asleep sprawled across the sofa and Laura herself. Woke up at around 7PM and decided I didn't feel very well. Cue me spending the next 10 minutes redecorating the inside of the toilet bowl with regurgitated burger.
Consequently the next couple of hours trek home was less than fun. I do apologise to the woman sat next to me on the train if I've given it to you too.
Last night I took a wander down to the out of hours GP who said that gastroenteritis is doing the rounds in the area, and it probably wasn't food poisoning as I had suspected. Can I just say how much I love buccastem right now?
Sadly I have to travel back to Yorkshire tomorrow, so I intend on spending the rest of the day in bed and feeling sorry for myself.
A huge thankyou to Laura for putting me up/putting up with me, and I have some amazing photographs to post soon!
*I used to have a fabric tent wendy house when I was a child. It was my favourite game to play on the patio and make cakes etc. All was fine until one day my wendy house stood up and started walking towards me, courtesy of my father hiding inside it at the time. I don't think I have ever screamed so much in all my life. I never did play with it again....
The end of my London adventure
To be honest, although I really loved London and had a great time staying with Laura, I feel the end of the visit was a slight let down.
Apparently I have gastroenteritis. More on this tomorrow when I (hopefully) stop being sick everywhere
Apparently I have gastroenteritis. More on this tomorrow when I (hopefully) stop being sick everywhere
19 December 2007
My London Adventure - 3
Today if you want to find me in London, just follow the screams.
Laura and I are going to the London Dungeons, and I'm a really big chicken with a nervous disposition.
I have no problem with gore, blood, death etc.
However, I am not keen on being made jump. I scream like a girl and shake.
I have a feeling I will be getting slapped at some point today.
Laura and I are going to the London Dungeons, and I'm a really big chicken with a nervous disposition.
I have no problem with gore, blood, death etc.
However, I am not keen on being made jump. I scream like a girl and shake.
I have a feeling I will be getting slapped at some point today.
18 December 2007
My London Adventure - 2
Well, I successfully managed to navigate my way around London and I'm actually enjoying myself at the moment!
I'm currently sat on Laura's sofa using her laptop and listening to her bitch about Cliff Richard and cough like an emphysaemic with TB. Apparently Cliff Richard is like brussel sprouts - a part of christmas that no-one really likes.
Anyway, I have dragged Laura around London today, and we even did a tad of Z-list celebrity stalking.... best not to ask.
Lots of photos to follow when I get back to my own laptop.
I'm currently sat on Laura's sofa using her laptop and listening to her bitch about Cliff Richard and cough like an emphysaemic with TB. Apparently Cliff Richard is like brussel sprouts - a part of christmas that no-one really likes.
Anyway, I have dragged Laura around London today, and we even did a tad of Z-list celebrity stalking.... best not to ask.
Lots of photos to follow when I get back to my own laptop.
17 December 2007
My London Adventure - 1
I'm still sat in my pyjamas at the computer and my taxi arrives in 20 minutes.
I should perhaps get a move on!
I should perhaps get a move on!
16 December 2007
oooh and one more thing!
My final piece of news that I forgot to mention is:
Merys is coming to London baby!
I'll be around Londonium from lunchtime Monday to nighttime Wednesday. Hopefully the lovely Laura will be Merys-sitting. I hope she knows what she's letting herself in for... I do tend to get a bit excited by the concept of large red buses and underground stations.
And before anyone snidely comments about how I will be affording it, I'm being all expenses paid by one of the companies I work for in return for participating in a project for them. They're paying for my hotel, oyster card (not that I know what one is!) and train fares. So there!
Woohoo, London Baby!
Merys is coming to London baby!
I'll be around Londonium from lunchtime Monday to nighttime Wednesday. Hopefully the lovely Laura will be Merys-sitting. I hope she knows what she's letting herself in for... I do tend to get a bit excited by the concept of large red buses and underground stations.
And before anyone snidely comments about how I will be affording it, I'm being all expenses paid by one of the companies I work for in return for participating in a project for them. They're paying for my hotel, oyster card (not that I know what one is!) and train fares. So there!
Woohoo, London Baby!
Workplace injuries
As you may have guessed by the presence of 2 posts in 24 hours, I am actually on a night shift on a stroke ward.
Not my favourite ward, but usually pretty safe to work on.
Except for the two injuries I've sustained tonight*
The first was caused by a tres confused lady who won't hold your hand but will cat scratch the living daylights out of your arms. Cue one 6cm minor scratch to my right forearm. Fair play, I'll keep my distance the next time.
Sadly, the next patient wasn't quite so sweet. Very very very very very confused gentleman who takes 4 staff to change and turn him. I have NEVER met a patient post stroke who is that strong! While I was trying to talk soothingly to him and hold his hand, he was trying to punch me in the face.
All of a sudden I felt the most sharp, searing pain which caused me to shout in alarm.
Man, that patient needs his fingernails trimming. Thankfully, the only thing wounded was my finger, which now has a sweet little lined bruise across the fleshy pad, and thankfully he didn't draw blood. Considering he was a 'gold digger'** I'm quite glad I had gloves on.
*aside from a bruised bottom caused by a patient nipping it
**unflattering nursing term for a patient who digs their fingers in their poo.
Not my favourite ward, but usually pretty safe to work on.
Except for the two injuries I've sustained tonight*
The first was caused by a tres confused lady who won't hold your hand but will cat scratch the living daylights out of your arms. Cue one 6cm minor scratch to my right forearm. Fair play, I'll keep my distance the next time.
Sadly, the next patient wasn't quite so sweet. Very very very very very confused gentleman who takes 4 staff to change and turn him. I have NEVER met a patient post stroke who is that strong! While I was trying to talk soothingly to him and hold his hand, he was trying to punch me in the face.
All of a sudden I felt the most sharp, searing pain which caused me to shout in alarm.
Man, that patient needs his fingernails trimming. Thankfully, the only thing wounded was my finger, which now has a sweet little lined bruise across the fleshy pad, and thankfully he didn't draw blood. Considering he was a 'gold digger'** I'm quite glad I had gloves on.
*aside from a bruised bottom caused by a patient nipping it
**unflattering nursing term for a patient who digs their fingers in their poo.
15 December 2007
Technological advances
Sometimes I feel really old. And I don't mean this in a condescending 'aren'tIwonderfullyyoungpleaseremindmethatIam' kind of way.
I can't help but think back to when I first started university in September 2002. I'm astonished at how much things have changed within this time frame of 5 years.
Take mobile phones for example. The highlight of mine in 2002 was that you could program it to play tunes. No colour screen, no camera (these just started to appear in 2002) no polyphonic or realtones. No MP3 player, radio or internet. Just bogstandard texts and phone calls.
My camera: a 35mm film non-zoom from Boots. I spent a fortune on developing photographs when I was in my first degree. I didn't acquire a digital camera until (I think) my 3rd year. Even then, it was a cheap £45 german non-branded thing from eBay. The plus side of having no digital camera is that photos of my undergrad rarely appear on facebook. Given that I had a perm and orange hair at the time, this really is a godsend.
My computer: I was given a handmedown laptop when I started uni. It didn't even have USB ports, so getting a printer to run on it was challenging. It served me well until I finally bought a desktop computer in my 3rd year.
Music: I religiously used a NetMD minidisc walkman throughout my first degree. It was my favourite and most expensive piece of kit. Worth more than the laptop, camera and phone combined. I still have it, and it gets a reprieve by being used as a dictophone.
It just makes me smile now that university students (including myself) have more kit than I could have ever dreamt of.
I now regularly carry around in my rucksack to uni a 30Gb iPod video, a Samsung G600 phone with a 5MP camera on it, and sometimes even my 5MP camera itself, as well as a laptop for taking notes in lectures.*
Sometimes I love the simplicity of university in 2002. Sometimes I wonder how the hell I coped....
* I am insured, but please don't mug me
I can't help but think back to when I first started university in September 2002. I'm astonished at how much things have changed within this time frame of 5 years.
Take mobile phones for example. The highlight of mine in 2002 was that you could program it to play tunes. No colour screen, no camera (these just started to appear in 2002) no polyphonic or realtones. No MP3 player, radio or internet. Just bogstandard texts and phone calls.
My camera: a 35mm film non-zoom from Boots. I spent a fortune on developing photographs when I was in my first degree. I didn't acquire a digital camera until (I think) my 3rd year. Even then, it was a cheap £45 german non-branded thing from eBay. The plus side of having no digital camera is that photos of my undergrad rarely appear on facebook. Given that I had a perm and orange hair at the time, this really is a godsend.
My computer: I was given a handmedown laptop when I started uni. It didn't even have USB ports, so getting a printer to run on it was challenging. It served me well until I finally bought a desktop computer in my 3rd year.
Music: I religiously used a NetMD minidisc walkman throughout my first degree. It was my favourite and most expensive piece of kit. Worth more than the laptop, camera and phone combined. I still have it, and it gets a reprieve by being used as a dictophone.
It just makes me smile now that university students (including myself) have more kit than I could have ever dreamt of.
I now regularly carry around in my rucksack to uni a 30Gb iPod video, a Samsung G600 phone with a 5MP camera on it, and sometimes even my 5MP camera itself, as well as a laptop for taking notes in lectures.*
Sometimes I love the simplicity of university in 2002. Sometimes I wonder how the hell I coped....
* I am insured, but please don't mug me
11 December 2007
The morning after
I felt rather sorry for our lecturer this morning.
You see we had a whole year group lecture this morning on some biological principle or other.
Only 36 people were there at the start, with a few more staggering in within the first 20 minutes. The sensible souls had obviously decided to sack it off. I personally think the medical school were daft putting on a principle lecture the morning after exams, and just before christmas.
I certainly was there only in body, because due to being knackered I don't think I could even tell you what the subject was without looking at my timetable. It was clear from looking around that most people were in the same state.... (most looked worse than I did).
Surprisingly I didn't get drunk last night. I got bored quickly and was home by around 1am, pretty much sober, just shattered.
And why, for the love of all things holy, did I seem to spend more of the night chatting in the ladies loos than out dancing or drinking?? Maybe that's why I came home sober though...
You see we had a whole year group lecture this morning on some biological principle or other.
Only 36 people were there at the start, with a few more staggering in within the first 20 minutes. The sensible souls had obviously decided to sack it off. I personally think the medical school were daft putting on a principle lecture the morning after exams, and just before christmas.
I certainly was there only in body, because due to being knackered I don't think I could even tell you what the subject was without looking at my timetable. It was clear from looking around that most people were in the same state.... (most looked worse than I did).
Surprisingly I didn't get drunk last night. I got bored quickly and was home by around 1am, pretty much sober, just shattered.
And why, for the love of all things holy, did I seem to spend more of the night chatting in the ladies loos than out dancing or drinking?? Maybe that's why I came home sober though...
10 December 2007
If you need me...
........I will be in the pub.
You see, we had an OSCE today, and despite lectures tomorrow will all be getting hammered tonight.
I'll be the one with the headache in the morning. Actually, that might not just be me....
You see, we had an OSCE today, and despite lectures tomorrow will all be getting hammered tonight.
I'll be the one with the headache in the morning. Actually, that might not just be me....
05 December 2007
Trying new things
I just decided to try something new.
You see, if you had walked into our kitchen 10 minutes ago you would have found me on my hands and knees with my head in the oven. Nothing sinister I assure you, since our oven is electric rather than gas.
I thought it would be wise to break a student tradition and do some cleaning. Hence I have just cleaned the oven....and found it rather satisfying.
You see, if you had walked into our kitchen 10 minutes ago you would have found me on my hands and knees with my head in the oven. Nothing sinister I assure you, since our oven is electric rather than gas.
I thought it would be wise to break a student tradition and do some cleaning. Hence I have just cleaned the oven....and found it rather satisfying.
03 December 2007
What a difference a day makes.
It's odd isn't it. When I look at the post I made last night, I realise I was drunk. Full of false confidence and elation. Satisfied by the tiniest things.
Today I'd tired. Not just physically, but mentally.
I'm lacking in confidence in my abilities. OSCEs are looming and I don't know enough. Yet I can't concentrate. My priorities are all wrong.
I'm finding that what confidence I had to start with has vanished. I couldn't speak in front of the group in PBL today. Couldn't articulate my words to give my presentation. Had a screensaver moment.
I'm having funny dreams. No matter how much sleep I get, it's not enough. I really feel down. Don't want to be here anymore.
I'm hoping it's just pre-christmas blues. If not, I'm worried that I won't return after the holidays.
Today I'd tired. Not just physically, but mentally.
I'm lacking in confidence in my abilities. OSCEs are looming and I don't know enough. Yet I can't concentrate. My priorities are all wrong.
I'm finding that what confidence I had to start with has vanished. I couldn't speak in front of the group in PBL today. Couldn't articulate my words to give my presentation. Had a screensaver moment.
I'm having funny dreams. No matter how much sleep I get, it's not enough. I really feel down. Don't want to be here anymore.
I'm hoping it's just pre-christmas blues. If not, I'm worried that I won't return after the holidays.
02 December 2007
Lightening the mood
Tonight I had one of those things.... a care free night.
I went out, alcohol was consumed. General politics and relationships were discussed. More alcohol was consumed.... and a tiny amount of inter gender wrestling ensued.
All good fun... except I now can't seem to locate my spectacles.
And I'm not drunk.... honest.
It's just nice to be completely carefree for a change. No worry about inadvertant flirting etc. Just good amusing fun and laughter.
I went out, alcohol was consumed. General politics and relationships were discussed. More alcohol was consumed.... and a tiny amount of inter gender wrestling ensued.
All good fun... except I now can't seem to locate my spectacles.
And I'm not drunk.... honest.
It's just nice to be completely carefree for a change. No worry about inadvertant flirting etc. Just good amusing fun and laughter.
01 December 2007
night shift 2
Have just carried out last offices with a staff nurse to help them out.
Would have been fine had I not been left alone in the room with the 'patient' when the syringe driver on the table started to whir. May have jumped significantly
Would have been fine had I not been left alone in the room with the 'patient' when the syringe driver on the table started to whir. May have jumped significantly
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