Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Some bad news

My not having posted for a while now is no news, nor something that needs an elaborate explanation: It was simply a result of enjoying the last days of the summer, and also the last days of the best trimester of my life so far.


As I have explained before, I will be working as an agricultural doctor in Lesvos for a whole year. The first 3 months are spent in Mytilene, where each one of us is trained at the hospital here. After this educational trimester ends, we are to move to our village of choice (the one we applied for 6 months ago) and actually start working.


I guess that my everyday life at the village will be interesting, challenging, funny and with a few surprises. I promise to share my experiences, good and bad, along the way. But until Monday 31st, my first day at work as a "real" doctor, I am still a trainee.


A trainee not being trained, actually - but this is for another future post. But as a result of the flexible hours and the everything-but-intensive schedule, I have lots of free time. Free time to make friends, swim, sunbathe, watch interesting movies (or cr@ppy ones - it doesn't matter, as long as you have good company!), play board games, enjoy long drives in my car (and occasionally create a new bump or two), drink yummy cocktails and gain 100 pounds by enjoying the local cuisine! In short, free time to have fun.




Somewhere along the way, I feel the annoying presence of guilt for not studying, and not being 100% dedicated to my job. But you know what? In my 24 years of life, I can't remember myself having much fun. It was always a race, a competition - I had to give my best, I had to be the best. And after going through the incredibly painful process of Greek exams, upon entering Med school, I discovered that I had been cheated - where was all the "fun" I was promised, right after the exam torment had ended? Not only things were not "fun", they were even harder then! In fact, I had to study more than ever before!


And I did. And I will, until the very last day of my life. Because Medicine requires true dedication, and it is a science that always evolves. There are no givens, and no golden rules. Everything we take for granted now, may change tomorrow. So we must always be up-to-date.


So, for the last 3 months, I decided to tell my guilt to shut it and go away. It was one of my very few opportunities to have fun, and I promised myself to take it. And I did. And it was amazing!


But today, I feel awful. I know, it is ok to be a little sorry that the trimester is ending, and also a little (or a lot!) terrified that starting Monday, I will be responsible for real, flesh and bones, people.


However, the reason for my bad mood is a bit more practical. There is a problem with my accomodation at the village. I was going to rent an appartment there for 9 months, and started looking for one with my colleague, a while back (we agreed to not stay together, for various reasons, so we had to find one for each). There had to be good heating, because the village is on the top of a mountain and it is cold in the winter, and since it was for 9 months only, it would be better if they were already furnished (because after 18395 moves, dragging my furniture across the other end of Greece was not an option).


We searched a lot, and found only 2 suitable places. My colleague and I liked the same one, but I decided it was just not worth fighting for, so I went for the other. She herself closed the deal with hers, and today I phoned the owner of "mine", in order to agree on some last details.


But guess what? The owner decided that she won't accept me, because I have a dog! I was furious! Don't get me wrong, it is TOTALLY her right not to want pets at her property. However, we had talked about this TWICE before, and she had said there was no problem whatsoever! Not only did she not need convincing, but she seemed more than ok with Phoebs.


And today, 4 days before my move and while we had unofficially agreed and I had stopped searching for something else, she decided against us! I did not see that coming - and I am wondering what to do now.





I asked again, and there are no other accomodation options at the village that suit my needs. So, my only 2 options are: 1) Rent an unfurnished appartment and spend a small fortune (which I lack at the moment) equipping it for a stay of just 9 months - not to add the need to transfer every single piece in my tiny car, because having the shop move it is not possible, or 2) Rent an appartment in Mytilene, and go back and forth every single day, driving in potentially dangerous roads, with snow and ice in the winter (not to mention also spending a small fortune on gas).


I am really frustrated right now, and feel that I am out of time. Also, next weekend I will be off to Germany (I'll share the details in another post) and will have no time to deal with all this, so the pressure of finding a solution fast is overwhelming.


I know it's not possible to help me from so far away (and I am sure that, not knowing the specific details of the accomodation process, it all sounds Greek to you! LOL) but you can at least send me your good vibes and wishes for a viable solution. Or you can try voodoo on the owner for being so inconsistent and untrustworthy. Whichever suits you best...


14 comments:

  1. I'm sharpening my pins as we speak....

    And I'll throw in some good vibes for you, too! There is a nice apartment for rent right nextdoor to me - in fact, the new owner was just asking my husband today if he knew anyone looking...but I guarantee the scenery is not as nice as what you're used to!

    Hope it all works out for you quickly!!

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  2. Good vibes coming your way from Switzerland too. I also have a dog so I know your pain!

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  3. What a crappy situation! Good vibes coming your way!

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  4. If I could only remember what I did with that voodoo doll I had....

    I'm sending you good vibes and hoping you can find something even better than what you had planned on.

    Good luck and keep us updated!

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  5. ((Good Vibes)) What a stinker that woman is!

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  6. Good Vibes from 6,800 miles away. The distance has got to count for something :)

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  7. More good vibes coming your way from me! Do you have anyone who would foster your dog for those 9 months? Just a thought.

    I thought you were incomunicado due to the fires near Athens, that perhaps you had family that was affected. (Glad to be wrong.)

    I am glad you turned off your guilt and enjoyed these past 3 months - you deserve it! And who knows if/when you'll get the chance again.

    GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK!

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  8. Although you asked for good vibes, I hope you don't mind if I ask my very favorite saint to pray for you to our dear Lord. He's never failed me and I am sure he won't fail you either. Gracey...all will be well. Chin up and cheer up. There is the perfect place for you just waiting to be discovered.

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  9. That is SO frustrating!

    Things always work out, and I know this situation will be no different.

    I don't know how things work in Greece, but can you do a month-to-month lease in Mytilene until something closer comes along?

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  10. Blowing good vibes as I type, I'm sorry that the place fell through. But I'm keeping all fingers and toes crossed that something even better comes through :)

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  11. I'm afraid you'll have to rent an unfurnished apartment. That's what students are supposed to do anyway. You only need a table, bed and sofa, really. And some picturesque old crates to make bookshelves.

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  12. Thanks for the support, good vibes and prayers, people! I hope something nice comes up soon.

    Karen, finding a temporary place is my one and only solution at the moment indeed. It's not ideal, but at least I won't have to worry about sleeping on a bench or something! LOL

    Hph, it is not that I am asking for too much equipment. If only those places had at least some electronic appliances! But they don't, so I'll need to buy a fridge, a small oven and a washing machine too, in addition to everything else... :(

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  13. Sending good vibes your way!!! Here's hoping that you find a suitable living arrangement and that your previous potential landlord finds a cure for her severe case of rectal myopia. In any case, it's great to here from you!!! ~~~~~~~GOOD VIBES~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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  14. Things always work out, and I know this situation will be no different.
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