There has been a complaint.
Well, my sister mentioned that she thought that I wasn't posting frequently enough. That counts as a complaint right?
Sadly, this is due to a lack of interesting things to talk about. My placement seems to be taking up most of my time and energy, and whilst there's loads of interesting stuff that I could tell you about, being kicked off my course for potentially breaking confidentiality rather limits what I can share. However if anyone would like to recommend any good journal articles, websites etc relating to clinical governance and record keeping, please feel free to do so. On a vaguely related note; can anyone recommend a good (smallish) medical dictionary? Google is great for looking stuff up if you have access to a computer, but a book that you can surreptitiously sneak a peek at is bloomin' handy as well.
This week I.....
Well, I survived my first week of placement. Only another five to go. It's amazing how physically and mentally tiring placements are. I thought I was increasing my stamina whilst being back at college, in that I could actually get home and not fall asleep some days, as opposed to needing a two hour nap before tea but apparently that was me being a bit too optimistic.
What I had in fact failed to notice was how easy students have it. (Yes, it pains me to admit it, but in the interest of reflective practice and all those other things I'm supposed to be doing I have to be honest.) Whilst I'm doing a full time course I'm actually only in lectures for three and a half days a week. Most of those days don't start until 9.30 and are usually finished by 3.30. Take into account that included in those hours are a half hour coffee break in the morning and an hour for lunch, and I suddenly realised why working Monday to Friday from 8.30-4.30 with 45 minutes for lunch was exhausting before you factor in the cognitive demands of being in a new place, on best behaviour and trying to look intelligent. Think I failed on the last count when the senior OT was fitting a brace by someone's ankle and asked me what the malleolus was and I replied "The sticky out bit...."
Still on the bright side, they're prepared to have me back next week, the green trousers have not yet split and I am actually learning a lot about OT.
In other news this week, it was my birthday - this involved chocolate cake, pizza and garlic bread as well as presents. What more could a girl want? Fortunately I received some money for my birthday, this was very good as I'd already ordered some more sock yarn. I'm ashamed to admit that despite having a jumper to sew together for my niece, and a cardigan I'm knitting for myself that has not yet progressed past half a sleeve, I have in fact cast on a sock. Is there a sock knitters anonymous? I suspect there's something in the dye they use in the self patterning yarn that has addictive qualities...
6 Weeks Without College
Placement starts tomorrow! Eek! Shall we gloss over the fact that I've got to wear the lovely uniform for it (you've heard of one size fits all - this is 5 sizes fits no one). Scary placement on hospital wards and I've got a stinking cold. This is going to be fun.
Ha Mr Blogger - Take That!
For some reason Blogger is refusing to let me publish pictures at the moment.This is very very bad as I've finished the socks and therefore demand bragging rights. Photobucket to the rescue! 
Yes, I know the pattern doesn't match - that was deliberate to add to the charm of the finished handcrafted article. It also means that as for some reason one sock feels more comfortable on my right foot than the other I can easily identify it before putting it on. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.So things I have learned about knitting with double pointed needles:- It is advisable to wear goggles to protect your eyes initally. Knitting with four double ended pointing things very close to your face whilst you're trying to work out what your doing is potentially dangerous.
- It's probably harder to do if you're flat chested, having someting to support the end of the needle with is helpful.
- If you knit in the style of 2, be prepared to have lots of small holes in your tops, and odd marks on you.
