A notice to all who find themselves on my patients list:  I expect you all to show up to meet with me tomorrow.  There will be no exceptions, deferments, or other delays--All of you will show up and speak with me at least in a perfunctory manner.

Sasuke-kun, I do expect to see you in my room as well.  There is a two-hour block of time that I have made sure to keep free.  I intend to use it well.

It has been some weeks now since my last update.  Things are now much more settled-in after the move, and at long last the new paint smell has vanished--a great help, as it irritated my nostrils every time I opened my door.  However, I find the weather here, while inclement at times and greatly varied, to be more my liking than our previous location.  It has more... personality, shall I say, than before.  And if a few things are moved about and misplaced every now and then, it's no big matter.

As long as it is not my room key, again.

Having set up my snakes' habitats, they seem to be settling down and eating well again.  After the excitement of their gifting they were rather stressed, but now that they are back to routine they are much better.  For now I will keep them separate until I am sure Serenity, by far the larger one, will not eat River.  Either way, they certainly will not be neglected.

Speaking of neglect, I fear there is one thing I have left too long.  You--I believe you know who you are--do come over.  I am sure you have already made this clear in your own way, but it bears one more thing.

Uzumaki Naruto.  Might I have a word with you?

Also, all of those patients under my care should expect to receive engraved invitations to a check-up shortly.  If you miss it or refuse to come I shall simply hunt you down in a much worse frame of mind, so I suggest you all come as called.

By rather fortuitous happenstance, I am now a full doctor, for the duration of my stay here.  I do thank the sap person who quit in order to give me this opportunity.  It will look most impressive on a resume for when I actually apply for the job--who knows?  I might simply stay on here, despite the abominable cold.

I have found being a doctor to be quite to my liking; ordering the other interns around due to my newly superior status is an uplifting experience.  I am able to actually put my medical training to use, rather than just being a go-fer for others. 

Such was never meant to be my lot.

I must say... I may enjoy my time here more than I thought previously.  Despite the biting cold and the isolation, I do believe I have found something--rather, someone--who is worthy of my attention.

That said, they certainly do use me like a slave here.  I've only had time to work and then collapse for my eight hours directly after dinner.

I do apologize, Sasuke-kun.  I assure you, a knock on my door will wake me, should you seek my company.

I have never met a more rabid bunch of raving lunatics than those who work in Animal Therapy.  They're on par with the people who are actually here for valid psychological reasons--although being a complete nutter to the point of bestiality should be such an issue.  It's absolutely disgusting--and they don't even think the snake is the best of their animals.  If one is to be manic over an animal it should at least be one that is halfway interesting.

Alas that I am surrounded by idiots even here.

I have never experienced anything quite that cold, not even when I was taken camping into the uncivilized--and filthy--outdoors.  I suspect even the snake was warmer than Sasuke-kun and I combined; it seemed to sleep comfortably enough.  I would wake up cocooned in blankets, with my feet sticking out the end, as cold as blocks of ice.

I'm going to wear sweaters under my scrubs, I think.  I absolutely refuse to freeze to death before I graduate.

Now that the furor of unpacking has died down, I have at last begun my duties as intern.  Most of it is tiresome work--right now, I'm little more than a glorified go-fer and audience member, but the doctor I am working under promises that I shall be able to assist in certain procedures after I am more experienced.  I have a year, he says.  I should be patient.

Well, I am not.  I must learn what I can, and surpass the others.  I cannot simply be ordinary.  It will be a comfort, however, to know that there are certain people I can converse with here.

Speaking of, Sasuke-kun--how is our little friend?