Bad luck?

So, I got two letters on Friday: (1) a typed letter from MGH stating that I would be joining the WACC Outpatient team on Sept 4th and it gave me details concerning orientation and my salary, and (2) an email introduction letter giving me my clinical instructors name and hours. The main difference between these two letters was the outpatient clinic where I was to work. The first stated it was the WACC, or Wang Ambulatory Care Center, which is at the main hospital and where I really wanted to go. The 2nd said: "As you know, you have been selected to go to our Waltham clinic." Well, not only did I NOT know that, I had just received contradictory information. I called the coordinator of clinical education at MGH and she confirmed what I feared: that I was actually chosen to go to a site that is not accessible via public transportation, that has a smaller number of clinical specialists (1 vs 5+), and that doesn't have a large neuro population. The woman I talked to was sorry that I had received incorrect information and was surprised that I had been chosen for Waltham when I don't have a car.

This changes my plans for the year slightly, as I will not be able to get a dog, and will have to borrow Matt's car. We need to work out an arrangement where I will probably pay the bulk of his car insurance, gas and some maintenance to have the use of his car during the week. I guess I will be helping him out with financial concerns right now, which is good. And I just mapped the route and should be able to ride into work at least a few times a week. It's about 9 miles, and with my new road bike, it should take me less than 45 minutes. I just hope there is a shower there or some way for me to cool down before my shift. My hours are as follows...

MWF 7-3:30, TTh 10:30-7pm. The MWF shift is too early to take the commuter rail, which would be a 2 mile walk to work anyways, and I won't be able to bike in the winter. I guess I will figure it all out.

I thought I was going to be able to stay in Boston, continue commuting on my bike, and have a regular schedule. Apparently that was not in the cards for me... is ti bad luck? or perhaps a blessing in disguise? I guess I will have to wait to figure that out.

I get a raise...

So even though I have yet to start nor do I know the clinic where I'll be working, they have seen it fit to raise the hourly wages of the interns by an extra $0.90/hr. This means I'll have an extra $36/ week... perhaps enough to pay for a puppy! I'm already looking at dogs online, although I need to know exactly where I'm working (downtown or Waltham), my hours and my roommate's availability. Within the next year, however, I would love to have my own dog :)