So I remember thinking during medical school how much that the whole educational process was actually less about learning a particular volume of knowledge but more about being somehow brought up in a new culture.  There’s the language, the set of assumptions, basic working principles.  So much pattern recognition and expectations.  Perhaps this is why there have been cases in the past of certain talented individuals masquerading so well as doctors, if they’re particularly talented at learning culture quickly.

I kept thinking that my anthro background contrary to what most might think was actually a very practical help.  Some of the practical skills of modern anthropology’s qualitative, reflective approach are ideal for getting stuck in to medical culture.  Learning the appropriate way to treat a consultant, learning the key words to include so a radiologist can’t deny your CT request.  

I’ve been a bit disheartened recently at the lack of education we get these days as we work on the wards.  The initial enthusiasm of our seniors in our first 2 weeks has given way to the normal treatment that we are workhorses, and education becomes very much an afterthought or add-on as the busyness of the year means most consultants and registrars can only spend an all too brief few minutes on the wards before they’re whisked away.  

So in light of this, trying to live up to our wonderful Southampton education’s promise of learning the skill of ‘life-long learning’ i’m finding myself turning to the method i learned in Anthro for language learning.  Bringing a notebook with me, and through the course of the day, if there’s a concept, or a treatment, or something that i don’t understand or haven’t heard of, just write it down.  Then at the end of the day, when you’re back at home, you choose 3 from the list, and look them up. Or if 3 is too much even 1, at least if you actively learn 1 thing a day that must be worth something.

It worked for life in Cambodia, and language learning, although i have to admit, it is a discipline and i’m definitely not nearly as passionate as i was those few years ago, but here’s for hoping the method works.  And maybe it’d even make Drs. Arnold and Howell a little proud.

So had my first try at properly teaching medical students on the ward today.  I like to think I’m more of the first type of teacher but probably realistically more the second.  Had to say though it was pretty fun, I LOVE the lack of eye contact when they don’t want you to ask them a question.  It was great to see the fake enthusiasm when introducing themselves to the patient, and the quiet behind their eyes pleas of “just let us go home!” when we went to see another patient.  Classic.  Think i may like this teaching/torture gig ;)

So last weekend i came into work and there were a few road detours in place, nothing much, i got home that night looked at the bbc website and find out there was yet another viable bomb found on the streets of belfast.  This time located in a busy student area where many people are on the street at all hours of the day, and which just happens to be about 50 yards from where i work.  

I don’t know who put it there, and it doesn’t really surprise me, sure we had another bomb just down the street from my house a few months ago.  I’m happy enough to just go on with life as so far this year i haven’t been around anywhere where these bombs have actually gone off.  I’m really surprised how little these devices seem to affect my colleagues especially the nurses on the wards who have worked in belfast for decades and have seen just how horrific a little bomb can be.  

……that’s it….and the burrito bit is i had a really great carnitas burrito at chalcos tonight and thought i should share.  best burrito in belfast.

So…I’ve moved in with christians this year, and so we’re getting up every morning at feckin early o’clock and chanting through some psalms, singing, praying and doing bible study (you know…as you do like)…  Well, we’ve chosen Galatians to start off studying and think we have pretty much been getting the point that Paul is repeatedly making (ad nauseum) - that as Christians we are no longer under the Jewish law.  Initially this is one of those things that I tend to skip over, i get it.  Pretty easy stuff.  But since we’ve been doing this again, and again, and again….i’ve started being impacted by it a wee bit.  Paul makes the point that we are spiritually more alike to Abraham than Moses.  We are sort of his spiritual children in that we know God through faith, not reliance on rules and outside boundaries.  I guess i hadn’t really ever reflected on Abraham’s situation. He had no laws.  He had no rules/guidance to go by.  He heard a God that was previously unfamiliar to him, and followed by faith.  Abraham’s spirituality, his religious life, must have been pretty messy, confusing and scary.

It made me go back and look to see how God called Abraham (when he was simply Abram) back at the beginning.  What hit me, was that unlike other tribal gods described at the time, this God did not work through fear.  God did not threaten Abram with wrath if he did not follow.  He DID say that he would make Abram into a great nation and that he would be blessed, but what really stands out is that twice during this ‘call’ God says he will make Abram and his descendants a blessing to other nations.  Why would Abram care?! Why would this be the ‘hook’ that God uses to entice Abram to follow him? To me it just speaks of our God’s goodness.  He has not promised Abram pleasure beyond imagination, great riches and luxury, but rather promises to make him a blessing to all nations.  Incredible.  How good is our god?!  

Alright….silence has been golden…but for some reason i think i’ll start writing a bit again.  So here we go, let’s give it a try.

so I was late to get lunch yet again today, and was hoping for something slightly different than the normal old soggy chicken salad sandwich that has become my staple diet.  saw they had a thing where they were making paninis today and my hopes mounted.  As I stepped into the queue the dinner lady said, sorry love the paninis are all done- but on seeing my disappointment said “you can have a toastie”….oh but we don’t have any cheese, hmmm let’s see what we can make you….ah here what would you like “brown or white bread”- “well we only have brown actually” “okay, turkey, sausage or tuna”….and before I could anwer….”have sausage- better you have it because i can’t” …. and I thought okay a sausage toastie, a bit like an all day breakfast can’t be that bad…..then she added the pineapple… then the corn, then came onion, and then they found cheese (wish they hadn’t) she then asked “what else would you like on it?” ‘you’ve taken us this far, you finish it’. I replied… she placed it in the hot press, and added a scoop of old coleslaw on the side.  When it came out the bread was toasted but the inside still cold.  I was famished though so down it went.  Think i’ll stick to the familiar tomorrow, but maybe it was worth it for the change.

I’ve started again…wow.  So here we go.  This is where i’ll be talking about new life as a doctor (in a very confidential careful - not getting me struck off- kind of way).  And also my life in NI.  So much weird greatness here in Belfast.  I always knew Belfast was odd (as well as the people from here), but never quite entertained the idea that it might just mean i’d find the place where i seem to just fit in…. ;)