Update

So it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. Not that my life is terribly exciting, but I thought I'd post an update.

Since my last post, I've turned 27, I finalized my appartment in Hamilton, I think I've figured out what car I want and what I can actually afford, I've spent more time online window shopping for new furniture and accessories with money I don't have, I've called the National Loan Service and found how much money I owe the government, I've gone to the bank to find out how much money I can get from them, I've had to decide about disability insurance (and make assumptions about my future salary...quite interesting)...hmmmm...decided to wear a sari to my formal (I'm too broke to buy a dress plus I don't like wearing dresses). Oh and I went to my financial advisor adn found out how much income tax will come off my paycheck next year (bloody $8700!!!! I'm like in 6 figure debt and the gov't is gonna take almost $9000 of my hard earned money...bloody hell). Then I realized I won't owe any taxes next year b/c of all the tuition I've paid in the last 8 years and I made a budget with my financial advisor. (scary stuff...never did that before). The worse part was that I barely break even (maybe even go negative) at the end of my first working year. And ppl say docs make a lot of money.

I also found out, I will pay $2500 in malpractice insurance up front (I get back 80% eventually)...it's not so bad except it comes out of my line of credit and I pay interest on that (which I do not get back). I will pay over $1000 in disability insurance coverage. Haven't calculated the car insurance yet...

Some (maybe) good news: the OMA ratified a new agreement whereby caps on doctor's salaries are gone...maybe now docs will work longer hours/see more patients b/c they will actually be paid for their work. Also, medical students (starting in our year) will get $6000 for working in the hospital in their last year. The OMA gives the schools the money supposedly by June. Not sure when we will actually see it or even see it (we only get this stipend IF it doesn't increase the OMA budget which it probably will).

I also found out it will cost me $550 to move my stuff from Kingston to Hamilton (times like this I wish I had a man who had access to a pick up truck/van and who could load shit and unload shit).

I had to decide what rotations I wanted to do next year and at which hospital (obviously I know a whole lot about the hospitals in Hamilton...having only worked there for 3 weeks on one floor of one hospitals. They must think we have like supernatural powers or something to figure out what goes on in each hospital)

Yesterday some of us had a day trip to an institute that is a home for 400+ severely mentally challenged people that the gov't is shutting down in 4 years and all this people who have lived there for 35+ years will have to be placed out in teh community (some of their parents are nowt over 80 years old). I'd like to see a politician spend a day with them and try to meet their daily care needs. Bloody idiots.

I went and got a pedicure today. I figure after finding out what the real world is about, I deserved a $50 pedicure with red toe polish. (my feet now look quite hot :P)

Anyhow, I'm back in TO in May...after my first licencing exam. Trying not to panic :P