Book a double

"Perhaps next time when you have a big list like this, you could book a double appointment?" I nicely suggested at the end of a protracted consult.

"This is a double, sweety", my patient nicely replied.

Well, then. Ok.

Running late

I hate running late. Hate it. Which is unfortunate for a GP, because sometimes people's troubles cannot be fixed and documented in only 15 minutes.

By the end of today I was running an hour late and I could see the setting sun through my window. I braced myself for complaints and called in my final patient. In he walks, smiles and says, "well there's no early minute for you today!"

Whew. Patients are people too - and nice people.

Hair styling

5yo girl, as we head to the consulting rooms, "Do you like my hair? Do you like my hair style?"

"I do" I reply, duly examining her messy ponytail. "Who did it?"

"Daddy did ... but he didn't do much of a job"

Dress code

You know you're in the country when they have to specify "no denim" for a ball.

Fonts

At least my allocated password only contains one l. Or 1. Or something.

Lawns

The lawns at my new place are quite expansive and seem to grow unnaturally fast. At first I bought a push mower to keep them under control, and spent 12 joyless hours one day cutting my cursed grass.

Even then I didn't finish, running aground on an ancient artefact kindly left by the previous owner.

I have since learned that a ride-on mower is a worthy investment.

Soda

Omigod puppies are adorable! This is my new addition Soda, who like most puppies, divides her time between running around like a mad thing and sleeping. And without fail, drains about 50 IQ points from anyone who sees her.

Update

Time for an update so any possible future posts will have some context...

I'm now living the dream, working 9-5 as a GP registrar at the same practice where it all started with my third-year placement. I still have my little dog Sprite, who is soon to be joined by a new puppy - Soda.

I actually bought a house with some land, with hopes of bringing my horses down here with me ... this is on hold for now because I accidentally broke my arm while pulling out the old fences. Ugh. One more month in plaster.