Externship, Relationship and Residency

I really enjoyed my externship at the University of Glasgow. The pathology department was quite chill out, and my supervisor was great. I had learnt heaps, and applied my knowledge into diagnostic aspect of veterinary medicine. I had read several histopathology slides, describing the tissue change and providing diagnosis. My supervisor was happy with my performance, and she believed that I am at the level of late first year resident - My head just blew up like a balloon that day, yays. Then I was given real cases that I needed to write a report back to clinicians. I was thrilled, and I got them right, yip yip!

I had discussed the residency program in veterinary anatomical pathology and training for the board certification with my superviser. We had a long talk, and I decided that it wouldn't hurt to apply for this year (If I get in, I would start as a resident next July). I had shortlisted the residency program according to their training quality and location. Well, I would be spending three years of my life (or six years if I'm doing a combined PhD-residency program) at one of these if I get in:

The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Cornell University, New York, USA
UCDavis, California, USA

This meant I would need to move to another country once I am accepted in. It is unfortunate that the training system in Australia has not been very well established. All of my lecturers and professors in pathology had recommended me to train in either USA or UK. Funnily enough, one of them said "Just do it while you are young and have no attachment. When you are single, there aren't many things to worry about". It seemed like that is not the case for me anymore.

A path to walk

This brought in another issue about moving, which I would need to properly discuss with Boyfriend D once I get back to Melbourne. I had sent a long email to Boyfriend D, explaining the whole situation. Early on in our relationship, I told him that after a few years of practising as a veterinarian, I would be moving to another country for a residency program. The plan had changed, and that might happen a lot earlier than we expected.

Boyfriend D felt unsure about everything. He seemed unease, but understood that it's my dream to become a veterinary pathologist. He said that he would be mad if I don't aim for the best, and pursue my dream.

Even though I might not get it, I had thought of several case scenarios. I had had a few long walk to think through and consider all the options. The issue was rather tricky, and I realised that this may soon become our first relationship crisis, if we don't think through and communicate properly.

I had been mentally exhausted, and felt a bit down recently. At times like this, I just wanted to hold Boyfriend D tight, and tell him how much I love him. Now I understand how agonising it is to decide between your career and family. This would be one of the crucial forked paths of my life.

Glasgow, Scotland

I have just started to get my head around the Scottish accent. No offence, but people talk funny here, and it requires extra concentration for me to understand. The externship so far has been great, and I managed to do some tourist things on a weekend break.

I got have an office (to share) and my own microscope.

Ahhh.. You will make part of a great breakfast

I don't understand why this is called dumpling. 

Brewery!

Fish & Chips with a pint pre-brewery tour

Beer tasting post-brewery tour

Statue of the Duke of Wellington in front of Gallery of Modern Art, lol

Quite a contrast!

Bagpipes and kilts :)

Glasgow Cathedral

The interior

Haggis, neeps and tatties with Guinness

Travelling time

Meeting the family sort of went well. I introduced Boyfriend D just as a good friend. My mum's cooking was nice and homey, but bit too hot for Boyfriend D, A, and including myself! It was a delicious agony as we coped with the spiciness. I think I must have lost the ability to eat spicy food. Then my mum was concerned that Boyfriend D did not eat very much. Hmmm, she was very observant. And before half way through the wine tasting, my mum and sister got bored so they left earlier, lol. I'm glad that Boyfriend D met my mum and sister even though they didn't talk much. This will be a reference when I came out to my family. I have just driven them to the airport and now I'm getting a bit homesick - I can't believe it.

As the topic suggests, it is really a travelling time. Boyfriend D has gone back to New Zealand for a week. He is not out yet, so our contact at the moment is kept minimal. We are just being super cautious, as he is staying with parents and doesn't want his family to get suspicious.

Glasgow summer is colder than Melbourne winter. How do these guys cope with the breeze?

Before Boyfriend D gets back to Melbourne, I'm leaving for an externship in veterinary anatomical pathology at the University of Glasgow, Scotland for a month. It will be my first time travelling to Europe. I'm feeling both excited and nervous, as I'm setting a step closer to my dream. Also I have a thing for guys wearing kilts, haha. It would be nice to try them on and immerse myself into the Scottish culture, and try everything. No offense to everyone, but I have been warned that they speak funny there. Hopefully, I will be able to make sense of the Scottish accent. Boyfriend D also has both Irish and Scottish family background, though he only speaks English with a Kiwi accent. I just know that different tartan patterns relate different clans or family groups, though tourists often just pick the pattern they like. I will need to find the pattern that relates to Boyfriend D's family then. Anyone have any suggestion of the things to do and must-do's in Scotland? So far I have got: eating Haggis, getting a photo of myself mooning in kilts, hiking, visiting Loch Lomond, Scottish folk dancing (one of the vets at uni told me),  and learning Scottish slangs.

Doggie's support

Woof woof!

This photo just leaves me smiling.