Things I adore, Things I abhor (ed 2)

Things I adore

1. Impromptu Sunday afternoon serenades
Especially when they include; "Oh kiss me with your eyelashes tonight, or Eskimo your nose real close to mine. But you don't fold, you don't fade, you've got everything you need. Especially for me, sister you've got it all" and are sung by your very own boy.

2. Pretending to be at the Coldplay concert with your girls
Especially when the strangers sitting next to you get into the same groove

3. Counting down to many an adventures that lay ahead
Especially when it is only 2 weeks away

4. Raffaello
Especially when raffaelo un bello

5. Nurses at the red cross donating centre
Especially when they make you seem like a saint when really all your doing is your duty

Things I abhor

1. Boys who don't take rejection well
Especially when they lash out due to the rejection. Honestly, there's no use in wishing me ill or hoping I have a horrible life. The best way to get under my skin is to hot up, get a gorgeous girlfriend and show me what I'm missing out on. Although, a warning, I'm probably not going to feel like I'm missing out on much if things keep going the way they are

Lines that doctors should really try, but don't really seem to...

Lines that were created with many a glass of vino and laughter at DOC (my favourite Italian pizzeria outside of Venice) and were inspired by our carefully sculptured, amazingly sweet waiter.

• Hi, I'm an ophthalmologist - you have beautiful eyes
• Hi, I'm an anaesthetist - but I won't be putting you to sleep tonight, baby
• Hi, I'm an emergency physician - I know you're heart has stopped now after seeing me, but I can fix that
• Hi, I'm an obstetrician - let's make babies, baby
• Hi, I'm a cardiologist - I know how to make your heart race
• Hi, I'm a respiratory physician - I can take your breath away
• Hi, I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon - I'm in the business of mending broken hearts

Can't really complain

On Thursdays, I try to catch the boy training for his indoor cricket team. Due to the Hospital That Treats Final Year Students Like Slaves (HTTFYSLS), he has normally already been there an hour by the time I get there. When I arrive, I have a look around, to see if I can see him.

This Thursday, I spotted him across over at the nets doing his thing. I still feel a little shy as I walk towards him. He just beamed at me. I leant over and kissed him.

"Hello," he smiled.

"Eurgh, you're all sweaty!" I teased.

He kissed me again.

"Having a good workout?" I asked.

"Yeah," he sighed. "Done for the day, huh?"

"Yesssssss," I replied, like I would never have to go to HTTFYSLS when really I would be back there within 12 hours.

"Are you going to kick ass?" he asked, encouragingly.

"Of course," I smiled.

I pressed my body against his and looked at him.

He said, "when I saw you over there, I thought: I'm so lucky to have a woman like you, a lovely, sexy lady."

"Did you?" I smiled, basking in it.

"Yesssssss," he replied, a hint of oomph in his voice.

I held his gaze for a moment, then, "ok, see you after," I said, walking away.

"Bye," he said, wistfully.

I was smiling a huge smile as I went to sit down and savour some Picoult magic.

Sometimes, it really is bliss.

Before I run off into the cool winters night into those warm arms

There are certain colours which cause each other to shine brilliantly, which form a couple; which complete each other like man and woman.

From the same man that brought us "there are always flowers for those who want to see them"

Feeling

The road is long and seamless. Even over water. And though the tar is paved in blood of the last animals on earth, it is also a path paved in love and light, where every direction is just a roundabout way home.

I am closer to God than ever.
I am closer to you than ever.

Why it is all worth it

There are days, days like today, when I take a few quiet moments in that walk between my postbox and my front door to glace up at the heavens and say a sincere 'thank you' to the powers that be.

It's not often that I take the time to reflect and truly realise how lucky I am to be doing what I am doing. In fact, much of my day is spent complaining that as a doctor next year I will be paid much less than my counterparts in the commerce and law worlds. But really, it doesn't matter to me that I will be buying one less pair of Jimmy Choo shoes (read: zero pairs) because none of these other people get to spend their time truly taking care of people, and sometimes bringing them back from the dead.

Case in point; Ms. Loveliest Old Lady (names may have been changed to protect the real identity of the patients), a 95 year old woman brought to our team for some essential surgery. Although 95, Ms. LOL is sharp as a tack and has more life than most of the emo kids I see hanging around. She makes jokes when her high heparin levels make her bleed out of her IV tubes and on more than one occassion has noted my dress sense and refers to me to the nurses as the "one who looks like she should be on a catwalk". After a successful surgery, although she did give the anaethetist one hairy moment, Ms LOL was brought into the wards. The resident and I were having a discussion on IV fluids and PIG infusions whilst slowly sipping on our lattes (his treat, "you're a poor medical student in debt, you don't have $3 to spend on coffee!") we heard the emergency buzzer go off. As we ran into Ms LOL's room we heard "she's not breathing" and the resident and I instinctively acted. Whilst he held her airway open and adminstered oxygen, I was left to start compressions. A few minutes later the ICU, anaesthetic and med reg on call appeared and we were relieved of our duties. 4 more minutes later and Ms LOL was back from the dead and is doing fine. To have even played the smallest part in that really validates the past 5 years of hard work and has even lit up a small passion in critical care.

So whilst the others may be helping to make the rich even richer, I can't help but smile on the inside, even if I am sacrificing these beauties.