Catching my breath

Since the exams ended, I feel like I haven't stopped. My mind is constantly racing, and I have several to-do lists. I really need a holiday...

The first week of December was taken up with visiting my gorgeous new nephew, and preparing for a close friend's wedding. The wedding was fantastic! I was in charge of the music, and I also did a reading - both went well. The reading was unusual. I was the narrator for this story:



I adore Edward Monkton.

Two days after the wedding, I flew to South Australia to begin my John Flynn placement - a rural placement that takes place over two weeks each year, for the four years of my medical degree. This was my third placement. Unfortunately, I was BORED. I got the chance to do some anaesthetics, which was good. I assisted on two Caesareans (and stapled up one patient's abdomen), and I spent an afternoon at the Pap smear clinic (a tad confronting, as you can probably imagine - but great experience). I spent most of my time seeing patients in the drop-in medical centre (part of the GP practice I'm allocated to). But overall it was medically and socially dull. My attitude didn't help - all I wanted was to be on holidays, not using my brain for medicine - especially after such a crappy year. Thankfully one of the doctors saved me from complete boredom - he lent me his car for the whole weekend. I drove to the Clare Valley, a place I'd always wanted to visit. I bought quite a lot of wine and had a divine lunch at Skillogalee:







I arrived back in Sydney just before Christmas. Luckily I'd completed my shopping before I left, because I had to launch straight into Christmas Eve lunch with Dad, then Christmas Eve drinks (too many) with friends, then Christmas Day at Mum's place (too much food and wine consumed), then Boxing Day at my uncle's place down the coast (again, overindulgence).

Then it was back home again to make a dent in my to-do lists. Why so many to-do lists? I'm leaving for Vietnam tomorrow - my two-month elective. Following that I've got 12 days in Thailand (finally - a holiday!), so I had a lot of fiddly bits and pieces to get done before leaving.

Oh yes - and I had to hit the sales! I bought several tops, one pair of pants, two skirts, and lots of books. I didn't want to buy too much because I'm going to get clothes and shoes made in Vietnam. (And also because I need to lose weight.)

So I'm on the plane in less than 12 hours - eek! I've been to Vietnam before, so it won't be a complete culture shock. And there are several of us going, so it will be loads of fun. Can't wait!

Stay tuned for tales from South-East Asia...