Becoming a doctor?

This question haunted me during my last high school years. And the answer was really difficult though I have always had a keen interest in medicine and science in general.

My father is a doctor. For as long as I can remember medicine was (and still is) a central part of my family’s life. I liked to listen to my dad’s stories about his studies, his work, his experiences with patients. I liked to visit him in his office.

Therefore it might seem natural that I went into medicine as well. But in contrast to many of my friends who knew not much more about medicine and doctors than the image that was/is created in the newspapers and TV, I knew from firsthand experience that being a doctor has not much to do with this image. Weekends were often spent only with my mother because my dad was on call, at conferences or finishing things he didn’t manage to get done during the week.

It took quite a long time for me to figure out whether I should go into medicine as well. My dad was not of much help. He probably didn’t want to influence me – in one way or the other. The decision was made only days before the end of the application period. Until then I was thinking more about other opportunities - like biology or law or maths – than about going to med school.

Well, now I am glad I decided to become a doctor. Even though it takes away a lot of my free time, it feels like the right thing.

Sweet kitten

The young couple who lives near my family's appartment in Italy found a kitten in June. I have seen the kitten the for the first time during my recent stay in Italy. It is such a sweet kitten!

When I was younger, I wanted to have a cat. But we already had a dog, so my parents did not allow it. Actually, my parents don't like cats that much, so even without a dog in our household there probably wouldn't have been a chance for me to get a cat!

I have never owned a cat in my life and my love for cats has diminished during the years but I still like them. It's just that I like dogs much better.

But let's get back to the Italian kitten. It loves to be pet and it loves to play hide-and-seek. I really had to fight the urge to take it home with me!

Another try

During my recent trip to Italy, I tried to hike up the mountain shown below. It's Monte Penna in Northern Italy.



I already wanted to go up there last year but didn't find the time. So I postponed it. In March this year I was in Italy again but it was impossible to get up there because the road leading to the start point of the hike was still closed because of snow.

Well, this summer I got up early, drove to the start point, started the hike and even made it to one of the neighboring mountain tops. And took the photo shown above. It is the closest I have ever been to Monte Penna. Because shortly after the picture was taken, big dark clouds rolled in and a thunderstorm was getting nearer and nearer.



So I decided to turn around and go back to my car. It would have been to dangerous to go on. I was told that the view from the top is amazing. Guess I'll have to wait another year...

I'm back!

Nearly one month has passed since my last post. So much has happened, I can't even remember a lot of the things. And unfortunately I didn't have the time to write something for this blog. I'll try to update it more often again. I promise!

A short version of the last weeks:
- my dad's birthday
- vacation in Italy
- my birthday
- remodeling
- working
- and much more