Ad Victorem Spolias...

 

I am very please to announce that I passed my specialist exams and can now turn my full attention once again to Willowbrook; to getting the gardens back in order, getting the building underway, and blogging all the while. Please drop by this weekend to take a peek at the new look blog. Til then I leave you with some triumphal imagery fitting my current state of elation.

The Triumphs of Caesar (below) are a series of nine large paintings by the Italian renaissance painter Andrea Mantegna. They were painted between 1486 and 1505 for the Ducal Palace, Mantua. They depict the triumphal military procession of Julius Caesar celebrating his victory in the Gallic Wars...

Biding my time...

Only 2 weeks left until I fly to Melbourne to sit the exam. Study has been going well, but I wish it was  over and done as I have had enough and I want my life back!

I found this clip when I was having some down time, and it cheered me up - It's barking mad, but it cheered me up...

Anyway, soon it will all be over, and the Willowbrook Park blog will be having a relaunch party. 

Swing by on Saturday 12 May, for a new look blog with lots of interesting, [non-exam-related] posts on Art, Architecture, Design, Gardening, and Cooking! We look forward to unveiling the new look to you all soon.

Felicitous News...

... Well, almost! I received news from the college that I have passed the written component of my fellowship exam. It was quite a surprise, as I had had a vague sense of unease that the news would be disappointing. However, it was not - so onwards and upwards. The clinicals are in Melbourne in 47 days (oh of course I'm counting). So [almost] every spare minute of the next 6 weeks will be spent honing my examination, diagnostic and therapeutic skills ready to give it my best shot.

BTW - Big shout out to Millie. Congrats on your next big step. Familiar territories yet new challenges!

Fiat mihi secundum voluntas tua...

Well, yesterday was a gruelling day. The exam was pretty tough and I really have no idea how I performed (the Adrenaline seems to have blanked out my memory, pretty much as it did on the day - or maybe it's just post traumatic stress disorder!). Anyway, the papers are now winging their way across the Tasman. Let's hope the Fates are kind.

20 Days til the Big Day...

I had my 'mock exam' yesterday - an 8 hour practice for the real thing in just under 3 weeks. My head at the moment feels like the blackboard above - over stuffed and disorganised. I know I've read everything, but trying to recall every detail that must be included is so difficult. The more I put in the more that falls out the other end!

I wouldn't say that yesterday was a wake up call, but I am redoubling my efforts in this sprint towards the finish line. I am also conscious of the fact that having shared my endeavours with you, my dear readers, that there will be a sense of embarrassment and shame should I fail!

So, no more blogging until after 15 February. However, I do have quite a few lovely posts to share afterwards.

À la prochaine fois,

David.