Shanjean and Kelli's Thanksgiving Extravaganza!

I really have so much to be thankful for this year... in keeping with the theme, I would say as far as my Aussie life goes, I am oh so thankful to have found an American "mate" here, Shanjean, a Duke University Medical Student doing research here in Melbourne. Together, we have weathered the storms of awkward living arrangements, the Melbourne housing crisis, homelessness, and health care worker related culture shock. 

Even though we are quite content not in America right now, we knew we needed to properly bring a Thanksgiving holiday to Australia. After all, with English ancestry in all of us, we so have the common factor of being happy to be in our respective countries.

I now realize fully what goes into planning a Thanksgiving meal, and I am happy to report, we TRIED to go all out, but with lack of certain resources, it made for a slightly modified, better-than-the-average, Aussie style Turkey celebration!

What we wanted: 

Turkey, cooked, dressed, trimmed, and whatever else you do to the turkey made and baked by us. In two hours since it was NOT an Australian holiday and both of us had to work...

Gravy, also made from the turkey, homemade. 

Mashed Potatoes, freshly picked, mashed, and buttered to perfection. 

Sweet potatoes, only the recipe from Jean Snyders. And my favorite part of the meal...

Green Bean Casserole, keeping with the theme, homemade, with freshly picked green beans and onion...

Cranberry sauce, not from a can.

Pumpkin pie, yes- homemade crust, with homemade pumpkin as well...

Apple pie, same thing, only with freshly picked Australian Granny Smith Apples

Football: Would stream game online to have in the background and to nap to post-turkey

What actually happened:

Turkey, ordered from Rosie, the sweet African lady at the Victorian Market. A perfectly smoked, marinated to perfection turkey breast (turkey on a diet, not nearly as fat as our American turkeys!)..

Sweet potatoes: Yes, using Jean's recipe- never as good as mom's, but still, you get the picture...

Stuffing: homemade WITHOUT measuring cups, or taking into account the metric system... I think it worked....

Cranberry Spread: no, worse than cranberry from a can... but you get the idea. Had some dried cranberries on hand for those missing out on the flavor. 

Apple Pie bought from Woolworth's grocery store, heated up in pans to look like we made them... totally worked. 

Guest Appearance! My pet mice... they were also hungry, and since they can't show their face, decided scurry around the house like little rascals and make pests of themselves... oh those little shits.......

And it was all perfect! And I appreciate all our friends who came to the occasion and pretended they were celebrating Thanksgiving too! 

Also, would like to throw out a special tribute, to a special man- My Grandpa Jim, who turned 80 this week! Now for those of you who don't know his story, know that this man has given the world a great lesson on the resilience of the human spirit. He's a tough man, but a softie at heart. I am so thankful for his story, and for what his life has taught me about the true meaning of living. So thank you!

Medical Terminology/Slang

Australia vs. American Medical Terminology/Slang

Posturals vs. Orthostatics

Cannula vs. PIV(peripheral IV)

TOE vs. TEE (for Trans-esophageal Echocardiogram, who spells Esophagus, Oesophagus?!)

Gastro vs. Diarrhea

Panadol vs. Tylenol

Wee vs. pee

Mate vs. Sir

Bowel action vs. Bowel Movement

Registrar vs. Attending

Nasal prongs vs. Nasal Cannula

(Sorry for all the fecal references, part of my job!) 

Important Life Lessons 101

I am a firm believer that life experience will provide one with more lessons than any classroom can teach... so here is a list of things I have learned along the way- some good, and some- maybe not so good.

Housing Crisis: 

   Learned quickly that a flat/apartment complete with my own bathroom, bedroom set, and fantastic Australian flatmates doesn't appear magically. Therefore, many hours will be spent on gumtreee.com upon arrival into new city. 

Awkward Moments: see above. 

   Going into various stranger's homes, looking around.... but small chat does get less awkward after the 200th house....

Problem Solving:

   Dropping toothbrush, toothpaste, all contact lenses just bought from states, inhaler, retainer into hostel toilet isn't a total loss. Perhaps will meet a dashing Australian optometrist....?

Socialism:

   There are no more tears in the pyxis room at work. Everyone helps out. And no, that crazy lady in the hallway fingerpainting with her poo isn't just YOUR responsibility. 

Nutrition:

   It's not ok when you are homeless to eat lolli's for meals. Will result in nutritional deficiencies, leg cramps, and exhaustion.

Homelessness:

   Even Lonely Planet messes up sometimes with recommendations. Because the hostel they say "everyone stays here for weeks because it's so homey" may not be that hospitable. A park bench may be safer than some beds. And syphilis can be just as airborne as swine flu.... 

Patient Population:

   Neurological patients are the same universally. Inappropriate. Getting yelled at in English is one thing, or Spanish. But Italian and Greek may be different. Especially when other patient's can translate. "Um nurse, that patient just told her to go get stuffed..."

Accents:

   "What part of Canada are you from?" 

   "The Southern part. South Dakota. you know, the United States?"

Skin Care:

   A hole in the ozone layer does result in much higher levels of UV exposure. Never leave home without sunscreen.

New Life Motto:

   Work to live, don't live to work. 

Public Transportation:

   ... Is a game... and inefficient. Walking is much more time friendly.

Aging:

   As a result of walking everywhere: Swollen feet, sore muscles!  Must get TED hose... 

To be continued....