"say you'll be there"

-spice girls

i think they said it best. all one really needs is patience and constancy.

despite whatever i say or do (within reasonable limits), i need to feel like i'm not being judged and that you'll be there through those rougher times. you don't need to be oprah, but i'll appreciate the acknowledgement.

actually, during my last preceptor visit today, i had spent 45 minutes with a patient who started off our interaction with: i don't want to be here. and with all her bad experiences with doctors and hospitals - i simply listened (i'm a first year, what else can i do?). at the very end she actually felt heard. she even thanked me for coming in to talk to her. it was really amazing to be reminded why i'm doing this.

next recipe i'm thinking about putting together: baked curry carrot latkes

2 lbs shredded potatoes (it's therapeutic to grate it and squeeze the excess liquid out), a few shredded carrots, 2 eggs, salt, pepper, curry powder, 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

preheat oven to 425, mix all the ingredients together, plop them on greased baking sheet, cook for 15 minutes and then turn them over for another 15 or so. i know it's taboo, but i really like it with ketchup. i bet plain yogurt or sour cream would be good, too.