I often think that I'm not a lucky person, you know, because I never win a crappy prize at a raffle or I've only ever won a tenner on the lottery.

But I've done okay this week, I've got my first choice job at Bolton, to start in August! Dr Pillon (that's me) will be working in Breast Surgery, Complex Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, A&E and General Practice for two years in Britain's largest town. "Just" got to earn that MB ChB qualification now eh?

I've just finished my General Surgery placement at Trafford General. I've never wanted to be a surgeon but I actually had an ace time at Trafford. I've always liked placements there, it's a really nice little hospital and it's been really great being part of it for 2 months. Despite the 8am starts, I've had a lot of fun with the house officers and I've even done stuff like night shifts (which is perhaps evidence of "Finals Craziness" kicking in). I even gained a new nickname "Sam", which I might keep for future surgical jobs. And I've made some new friends: Nadia, Su, Lucy, Sally, Aki & Sarah/Jack. And of course, Dr Sarah G (aka The Boss) herself - I will miss being part of our dynamic duo!
On my last day yesterday, I went back to Day Surgery, where I did my first ever placement. It was vasectomy afternoon, and in front of all the nervous looking men, I picked up Sheila, a health care assistant who first looked after me on my wide-eyed first day. It was quite moving actually - they've seen me grow up over the past three years and I hope I will still get chances to pop back and say hi.
I left my 4 month stint in Blackburn feeling pretty confident about the whole junior doctor role, and at Trafford I've had the chance to take that further and I'm pretty proud of where I am now. It's odd to think that I was seriously considering leaving medicine 6 months ago; this year has kind of brought things together for me.

My next and last block will be in Liasion Psychiatry in North Manchester/Oldham. It's my elective block, so I have to explain it with faux embarrassment as I "should" really be on a beach somewhere pretending to learn. But actually, I'm really excited about getting the chance to try out the career I want to do for two months, it's pretty unique!

Anyway, what have I been up to this week?

I've been mostly listening to:

• "La Revolucion Sexual" - La Casa Azul
• "A&E" - Goldfrapp

I've been mostly watching:

• "Rome" on DVD
• The excellent new Torchwood

I've been mostly reading about:

• Kosovo's "independence" declaration
• The "fat, waddling staff" at Trafford General in the comments section of a story about the Trust's cash crisis
• Acid-Base balance, Kidneys and other such things I thought I could get away without learning...

I've been mostly spending money on:

• Some lovely shoes from Dolcis at The Trafford Centre thanks to their closing down!
• things at the DVLA webiste: road tax, change of address, new driving license, the list is surprisingly long

Anyway, I'm done now. Goodnight