Rosie being cute

The pictures on the right are of Rosie tonight being her adorable self. She was waking up in here cat bed after a nap. Below is a pic from a few days back where she decided to curl up in the garabage bin.

The Big News!

On Tuesday, I received a phone call, offering me a JOB FOR NEXT YEAR!!!

 This takes 10 tonnes off my mind, and means that we no longer have to plan for multiple outcomes. WHEW! Thank you, Jesus!
I will be starting work at Mackay Base Hospital January 14, 2013.  My position is that of an intern. (North American med students move directly into fellowship programs, so internships don't happen there)  I will be doing 10 week rotations in medicine, surgery and emergency medicine, plus 2 electives (haven't decided yet).  There is also 5 weeks vacation rostered in!
Mackay is a city of approximately 80,000 that services a population of the wider area of 160,000.  It is 1000 km north of Brisbane, in the Tropic of Capricorn. It is also adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef and several National parks.  It's actually far enough north that we will have saltwater crocs in the river and box jellyfish in the ocean.
Unfortunately that means leaving our amazing church at Windsor Road, and Rob will again have to find a new job, and we will need to find a place that will accommodate our pets.
There are still close to 230 medical students waiting for jobs in Australia upon graduation. If you've been praying for us (and so many have- THANK YOU ALL!) please remember them. A big thank you for all the cheering and support we've received over the last 4 years!
I will happily post more when we know more!

Want fries with that?

Barb received a letter today and this was the stamp; a seagull with a french fry (or chip).  If you have every been anywhere near a fish and chips shop this makes complete sense, but it is a odd choice for a stamp.

Beach lunch

Today I am up the Sunshine Coast to do an install at 1:00. If you are stopping for lunch it might as well be somewhere with a nice view. Spring is here now, so the breeze blowing in off the ocean is quite warm. I really enjoy spring and autumn in Queensland; not too hot, not too cold.

Time Once Again for Procrastabaking!

Ah yes. it's that time again.
Time to avoid reality by doing delicious Chemistry.

I find it interesting that butter is measured by weight (g) in Australian recipes, and  by volume (cups or mL) in Canadian.  The best solution to this is a converter I found at traditionaloven.

The first recipe is one of Rob's favourites that his mom used to make for him with fresh garden rhubarb. I got a copy of the recipe, and so this is what is in the oven presently:

Rhubarb Cake:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup melted margarine or butter
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb

combine and bake in a 9" x13" pan at 350oF (180oC) for 45 minutes



The second recipe is from from my mom, which she got off the radio when she was a young lady. It originated in WW2, when eggs, milk and butter were strictly rationed.   I've also had it at a dear friend's (Dionne M-S) wedding. She baked it due to the fact that it was vegan friendly.  It's so good that it's been the Klassen family birthday cake for years.

Crazy Chocolate Cake:
3 cups flour
8 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt

Combine and make 3 wells in the dry mixture: one big and two little. In the big well put 10 tbsp canola oil; in the smaller put 2 tbsp vinegar and 2 tbsp vanilla

Pour 2 cups cold water over everything and beat until smooth.  Bake in 9" x 13" pan at 350oF (180oC)  for 30 minutes or toothpick comes out clean. Because that's why they make toothpicks, right?

Sort of 13

It is funny how some people try to avoid 'unlucky 13'.

Almost time for MOAR EXAMS!

Paediatrics block is drawing to a close. I can't say it's been my favourite block. But I have learned a lot.

which means yet more exams.....
Must study.......

Can I do it like this?

 

 

But, then....

My goodness! I might get Rob to lock me out. He usually will dis-enable me when I ask him....

Just a small but important P.S.:  Any pictures you see of patients or conditions on this blog are not my pictures. They are not my patients.  They are gleaned off the internet (thanks Google).  I personally believe it is a gross breech of confidentiality to post pictures of anyone you are caring for.  So wonder no more about the poor little guy with the fork in his nose.

Tea Time is Awesome Time

I've noticed some neat-O tea paraphernalia about. It makes me miss our favourite place for tea, Glenn's Tea House on the QE2 Highway between Edmonton and Calgary. They have over 200 types of tea! They also serve these awesome sugar cookies with tea in them. So good.

 It 's right on Gasoline Alley.  If you haven't tried it, you should.  And if you haven't been in a while, go for us, eh?

 Enjoy:

Robot Tea

Sea Diving tea

No matter what you do, you'll never be as relaxed as this guy.

Death Star Tea

"Tea- Rex"

I think I can endorse almost anything with space invaders.

Angel wing tea cookie cutters. Assurance you will always have TWO cookies!

Origami

super practical

Not as practical.

Tea shirts

My personal favorite.

Don't mix these up. Tobacco tea would be horrid, methinks.