the doctor's office

i went to the doctor's for the first time in 5 years. as my doctor and i got to talking, we entered the conversation of doctorhood. i mentioned that primary care physicians seem to be in demand. i told my story of failing to get one appointment my whole year in boston, and she said it's cause the job sucks. oh. the reward of helping people is drowned by the paperwork that inundates the office. insurance companies are constantly changing what's being covered. so doctors figure out a good treatment that works, and two months later, the treatment isn't covered, so doctors have to go through the entire process again. no one values the time of the PCP. people who get paid more than doctors, have half the education of doctors with too much time on their hands get together to discuss how to "improve" things, and in the end make things worse for the doctors and their patients. her advice was, if i liked engineering, i should stick with it. mmm... encouraging. i guess this is a good time to spring this on me. it's not like i haven't heard it before. my dad has been telling me for years. but, yea, they all seem very bitter. maybe by the time i get out, things will be better.

on the upside, i am healthy. hooray!

and it's only cause i exercise. every time i enter a conversation with my grandparents, or leave to go climbing or running or tennis or any other activity, i get the "you exercise too much. next year, no exercising. focus on studies." apparently, my grandfather was a great kendo person in middle/high school. but then he gave it all up to study medicine. no time to even go watch movies! their intentions are good, but it is still frustrating to hear that they are unhappy with me doing things that make me happy. i'll just have to find a balance for next year.