Week 2 of rural

Well, we are nearly at the end of second week of rural, and the end of the first week at the actual placement. However, it is not REALLY the first week - we have spent the entire time in introductory sessions. The whole thing has amounted to a second orientation week.

We are all looking REALLY tired, and one of the staff members joked today that it is because we have all been out partying. This could not be further from the truth - most of the time I go to bed around 8pm and just read novels. (I'm nearly finished The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie - I'm thoroughly enjoying it!)

Sitting through talk after talk, with long breaks in between, is quite taxing, particularly when you can't go home at the end of the day, but are stuck in a strange place away from your regular comforts.

Speaking of regular comforts, the place isn't badly set out, but is missing some fairly important things for me. Since I've been here, I have had to buy a frypan and two baking dishes (one roasting pan and one loaf pan) because there was either no equivalent here, or they were in such shocking condition that they should be thrown away! Oh well. I guess I have the luxury of that choice.

The oven is in immaculate condition anyway, so I doubt many people who have stayed here have actually baked much.

I have decided (with the approval of flatmates) that it would be awesome if we had a weekly roast. Tomorrow I'm baking, and we are going to have it all with wine. Good fun. :)

I also have my fingers crossed that after seven weeks of cooking for himself, Mr TGWTBS will be proficient and that I might get the occasional baked dinner at home. One can dream. :P

My favourite area so far has been the mental health department, because they were so keen and welcoming today, and so happy to give us guidance with what they needed (we have to do a rural health project contributing something), and are going to organise for us to sit in with one of the visiting psychiatrists.

We also had another suturing workshop yesterday afternoon. I am improving in leaps and bounds, which is a massive relief. I may not ever need to suture when I am employed and after I specialise, but I think it is important that I get proficient. It is one skill that I would like to be comfortable with.

It is my husband's birthday tomorrow, and for the first time ever, I can't be there. We'll have to have one hell of a bash the next time I see him. :)