A New Year's Update...I think

I has been a long time since I wrote an update. And, like Disraeli, I am not generally one to embark on explanations or apologies...it's not because I haven't had anything to write about. There have been several incidents that I needed to write about to get out of my system, but which I didn't have the energy or courage, or both. It occurs to me that I might be a bit depressed, or suffering a bit of late culture shock, or maybe I'm just tired...

So on with my generic update. I had a good time in my Obstetrics rotation. Wrote two exams at the beginning of Dec (Surgery and Ob/Gyn), which I passed. Sang two Christmas concerts, one of which I had a couple of nice solo bits. Took two weeks off for Christmas and New Years (hence the pictures from Spain). And despite all of the interesting things I've been doing, and the stuff I've been learning, I'm tired and ready for a break. In fact, I'm feeling a bit burned out. Which is a little alarming, because I still have a long way to go. And while I keep telling myself I need a vacation, I've just come back from a lovely two week one with my parents.

I am a bit lonely. While I have developed a bit of a social network over here, I'm still missing family and friends from home. And I'm getting very tired of the dismal living situation here. What is it about the UK and dire student accommodations? This place would be 100% nicer to live in for a coat of paint. Several years ago, I was in the UK as a member of a Cathedral Choir on tour, and we stayed in student accommodations at a University-that-will-remain-nameless, and I thought I'd never seen such awful living conditions. But there apparently this is not entirely uncommon...

This is from our shower room.


And I'm getting awfully tired of messy flatmates who leave the kitchen an awful mess, steal food, and seem oblivious to the common courtesies inherent in shared living arrangements. Were these kids all raised by wolves? Ok, so I had to walk to school uphill in blizzards both ways, but it still rankles. Although to be fair, they did get me some drugs when I was puking my guts out this week (Norovirus is going around).

Oh well, this too shall pass. I'm only here another few weeks, and then it's back home to study for more big exams.

Other than the desire to be back home and my dealing with some stupid personal crap, I'm not sure why I'm feeling so blah. I feel like I've lost much of my confidence, and every time I walk into the hospital, I feel like I know less than I did the day before. And while this is quite possibly true, it isn't terribly comforting.

I shall keep plugging away. And I'll be home at the beginning of March, so if you're around, let me know. Be well!