Christmas in JULY!!!!

Rob and I have purchased a Christmas tree. We were actually driving to a fabric store (which would make your brain explode, it has soooo many different bits and baubles) (Second parenthesis: My husband OFFERED to take me to a fabric store. Proof positive he is nuts, or loves me, or both) and low an behold, we observed a large inflatable Santa on a low set building. This required investigation, as Christmas is a fairly big deal at our house. an hour later, we escaped with a seriously reduced price tree, and some lights and decorations. Now we need a tree topper. But I have 5 months to obsess over that.
And WAYYY to late, it was reported that I went to a conference in Mackay, QLD. This is actually true. It's just taken me this long to get around to blogging about it. About a dozen UQ med students were funded to attend, and I was one of them. This was asuch an amazing opportunity, as my budget generally doesn't allow for $1000 weekends. I had a chance to engage the Minister of Health (also the Deputy Premier) Paul Lucas, had coffee with the AMAQ president, created a press release with the RDAQ president and generally rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers in QLD rural health. In addition, I had a chance to room with my good friend Rachel Norton, who is part of "The Sanity Crew" as we 6 or 7 students call ourselves. The sessions were on current issues in rural practice- emerging diseases, Indiginous health, maternity centres, etc. The entertainment was wonderful, and we even had an impromptu party in our suite with members of ALL the QLD med schools' delegates (I took a picture of the contents of the fridge, but will not publish them as it was full of booze- even though I was not). All in all, a fantastic weekend. Many thanks to Dr. John Hall for sponsoring my place there.




More photos



Oh, and via my friend Kiva-Marie: "Neuroanatomy on Monday morning is like tequila shots on an empty stomach. Seems like a good idea at the time. 'What's one shot of tequila?'/'What's a little neuroanatomy?' Lol. Fortunately, tequila goes quite well with salty & greasy food - and SO DOES NEUROANATOMY. It is amazing how much better something gets when combined with chips and aioli!" Just thought I would leave you with a small picture of where my life has devolved to.

Abbey Medieval Tournament Photos

The photos are up on the website now at http://www.eh-team.net/photos/2010-07-Abbey/index.html

Canadian Stash

Well, this morning I dropped off my costume from this weekend Abbey Medieval Faire .  I will be putting up some photos on the website and will talk more about that next blog.

Also this morning I picked up our order from www.OCanada.com.au.  We now have a little stash of Canadian things to eat.  For lunch today Barb is making President Choice White Macaroni.  It seems weird but it is somehow comforting to see French & English on the box.  Dinner's almost ready, so gotta go.  Abbey Faire photos should be up later today.

Happy Birthday Barb

Well, today is Barb's 35th birthday.  She had only one class this morning. We went out for celebratory Whoppers at Hungry Jacks. And are planning on seeing a movie tonight.Tomorrow we are going to a Renaissance Faire the Abbey Medieval Tournament.  Here are what our costumes look like.  More info about it tomorrow.

Job FTW

Those of you on Facebook already know this, but I am no longer an unemployed bum.  I got a job doing tech support at a girl's school on the south side of Brisbane.  It is a temp position for two months while the guy that is currently does it goes and sabbatical with his wife to the USA.  (She's a prof).  It is for 8 weeks in August & September.  I have already worked there for  three days doing a video for a new school they are starting.  I am excited that I have a job and it's even something I think I will love doing.  HURRAY!!!

O’ Canada

Found a store here is Brisbane that sells Canadian stuff.  They have real KD mac & cheese,  Canada Dry ginger ale,  Root beer, & Cheez Whiz....

We just ordered 90 bucks worth of stuff.  To be fair, most of it is groceries.  Should be ready for pickup tomorrow or the next day.  This also means Barb has access to a local source of Tim Horton's coffee.

Oops… Link fixed now

Sorry everybody.  Two posts back was supposed to be a link to a story that ran in the local paper about foreign medical students.  Unfortunately the link didn't work then, but now it does.  Here it is again.

Canada Day & sort of a job

A couple of blogs ago I mentioned I had a job interview a at girls school.  I still haven't hear if I got the job, but they called be in last Wednesday to make a promotional video for a new school they are starting.  On Monday I am going in to do some more computer work.  Not sure if I have the actual job, but obviously they don't hate me too much.

On Canada Day we had a bit of a party here.    We watched the Olympic men's hockey game and then an episode of Corner Gas.  We barbecued, Barb made some poutine and Naniamo bars.  This is quite an accomplishment as we have been unable to find cheese curds (used soft Mozzarella) or graham wafers  (used cookie crumbles).

We thought about getting some Canuck beer.  I even found a company in Perth that imports Molson Canadian, but they wanted $90per case plus $30 shipping.  I figure $5/bottle is a bit much, but then again I case would last us months and months.  Either way It would of never of made here on time.

Barb was very giving and shared some of her Tim Horton's coffee stash.  I am informed that Timmies uses Colombian coffee, whereas most of the coffee here is Arabica.  I am told this makes a difference.  Although I actually enjoy the smell of coffee, I just think it all tastes like burn beans.