It was such an honour to be part of Chiluba and Phil’s day, and what a miracle that the rain stopped long enough for us to have photos outside, YAY.
I was asked to sing during the ceremony, so I led one of my favourite hymns, In Christ Alone, and it was so special. Also great to be reunited with people from med school back in the city we went to uni in, -we’re all getting so old!
I LOVE WEDDINGS 💕
 Only three years to go till I can wear this for real!
Last week two of my favourite people in the world graduated, and I felt like a proud mother. I tagged along to their grad week, ofcourse, and it was nice to hang out at university and explore the city without having work on my mind.
Starbucks Gal and Bangledeshi Bae are two of my dearest friends, and over the last three years, they have been a constant source of support, encouragement, and many, many laughs, and are great for putting up with me as a flat/housemate for so long.
I’m absolutely devastated that they’re leaving me, but I’m even more proud of their accomplishments, and how much work they’ve done to get to graduation. I’m really going to miss them- life at university won’t be the same without them around, but this is definitely not goodbye!
So that’s what I’ve done.
I’m composing this on the train as I head home for the weekend, after what has probably been the most emotionally draining week of my time at university so far. Why does this always happen in November? I’ve recently noticed that it’s around this time of term that I feel the lowest. November/almost Christmas blues, maybe? Odd.
You’re probably wondering what has happened. Long story short, I had to cut ties with one of my closest friends this week. I realised that person was someone I couldn’t trust anymore, so I made the decision to distance myself from them from now on. Difficult? Yes. A bit harsh? Maybe. But it was better than growing to despise that person and having to look over my shoulder all the time.
I say this a lot because I really mean it: Friendship works both ways. Your friends should be a source of joy and happiness, not pain and sadness. You should be able to count on them to build you up, because if you would do anything for them without a second thought, why do you not deserve the same?
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Dear Tai,
Like you successfully did last year, it is possible to experience freshers’ week sober, so do not let anyone pressure you into drinking. You can have a good time without alcohol, FACT, so stay true to who you are and everything you stand for.
Make sure you give it your all when it comes to making friends. Last year, you had “Don’t want to replace my home friends” at the back of your mind, and this held you back. Obviously don’t be all up in people’s faces (no one wants that), but still make an effort. And don’t be disheartened if some peeps don’t warm up to you, it can and might happen!
You’ll be tempted to just stick with your pals from last year, but make sure you branch out and meet new people, that’s the point of freshers! Do not alienate people. I repeat: Do. Not. Alienate. People.
Finally, have fun! Medics’ freshers will be a blast, so make sure you make the most of it 🙂
Lots of love,
You.
I am back in ‘university land’ and all moved into my house for next year, very exciting times indeed! I don’t get accommodation on campus because only first years are guaranteed it, and even though I’m technically going into year 1 of medicine, taking a foundation year makes me count as a second year student in the eyes of the accommodation office. I’m not bothered though- my house is a 20 minute walk to campus (10 minutes by bus), has cornershops, a restuarant, pub, and takeaways, as well as a BAKERY down the road, is about 10 minutes from the city centre, and did I mention there is a bakery as well??? So yeah, I’m pleased with it 🙂
I don’t actually start till next Friday, but yesterday was my dad’s only free day to drive me down, and with all the stuff I had to get over here, there was no way I was turning down a lift! Unfortunately Abs, (my mother), wasn’t able to come with us, so I had to unpack everything by myself, and this was no easy task. I’m only now beginning to appreciate just how much work my mum did for me last year, as she unpacked all my stuff and sorted out my room for me. I tried to help but she was having none of it; she literally pushed me out of my own room, and told me to go and make friends. Such a cutie!
All my things have been unpacked now, the internet is finally up and running, and I’m settling in wonderfully. I think I’m gonna like it here… *cue Annie song*
Absolutely, positively BUZZING to start next week; my uni shopping is complete, I’m all registered for the new academic year, and I even have new hair (ooo that rhymes!) Shout out to my hairdresser, Moira, whose weave game is strong, and is one of the few people I trust with my hair. Here she is doing her thing, she is so lovely:
The date is Tuesday 17th September 2013 and it is 01:49am as I begin to write this, but you won’t be reading this until I’m gone. I move to university in 4 days. Yikes.
I’m going to miss you so much.
I’ll miss karaoke Saturdays with my karaoke second, having someone to quote Coming to America and My Big Fat Greek Wedding with, my fellow HSM, Céline Dion and JB stan, pretentious conversations in the early hours of the morning, “I can’t breathe” laughing fits, picking the same outfit you’re wearing just to annoy you, my “does this sound okay” tweet and status proof reader, your keenness that has made me lazy because I’ve always relied on you to wake me up, plan my journeys, pack my lunch and pretty much look after me. This has caused many to say I can’t be independent, maybe they’re right.
I’ll miss staying up late together watching weird shows and films, and just talking about our lives.
I’ll miss going to restaurants and getting to eat two different meals, because I’ll no longer have you there to split your food with me. I’ll even miss you telling me random facts about France and French grammar. I always pretend that I don’t care and find it annoying, but I’ve always listened. I guess I’ll just miss having a friend I can always count on, because I’ve never had to worry about being on my own; I’ve always had you.
University will be weird. And tough. Scary, even. What makes me the most sad is that we won’t be going through the same things anymore, so I worry that we’ll no longer have shared experiences. But this also a good thing because we can now be different people; you’ll be Kenny and I’ll be Tai, and we’ll Skype, and call, and keep each other updated, and it’ll be fine.
I apologise in advance for the cringe but it’s coming… brace yourself… and here it is: You’re my best friend and I love you. I don’t think we’ve ever said that to each other because we’ve always thought it was corny and well, cringe. But what the heck, I love you, Kenny. Peace out.
Life As A Junior Doctor 