West meets East

There is a saying: "Always wear clean underwear, because you don't know when you will end up in the hospital."

I think they are very wise words. And thank god I wore clean underwear on May 23.

Without judging me for even being on a motorbike in Vietnam (I am a little bit stupid sometimes), it is one of the very few options of transport in a country that's population of motorbikes is larger than it's population of people.

It was really no surprise to me when my tour guide, Toan, drove over a nail, and we were thrown from the bike. I flew to the side of the road and slid along the gravel for a bit. I remember looking up when it was all done and saying "holy shit I'm still alive!"

Not to dramatize things at all, but soon the entire Vietnamese village was at my side, touching me, yelling things in Vietnamese. No one really took charge, or wanted to do anything other than look at this poor western girl who fell off the motorbike.

As a side note, I had extensively investigated my surroundings prior to getting on a motor bike and found NO one seemed to get injured on them, so I thought I was ok. Curse of the western blood, I guess.

So finally, someone in English said "Can you stand up?"

Well, I can try, I thought. Things can't get much worse from here, so I stood up and realized most of my body was intact, except for the layers of skin missing from my legs, bum, and arms.

No hospital, no car, no ambulance. No cell phone service. Great! The only way to get any sort of help (at this point I thought my best bet was to walk back to Ho Chi Minh, and get my own plane back to Australia.), was to get back ON the motorbike, and drive to another village.

Just go with it, I thought! I got back on as the village looked on. I can't imagine what they were all saying. "That's going to hurt." "Look at her lacy underwear, we should get some of that here!" "I wonder who she bought that from on the street."

Drove up to a ?hospital? i.e. Building with a bed. I stripped the remaining clothes left on me off, and the young woman in the building looked at me with a bewildered look on her face. She said something in Vietnamese and I looked at her really confused.

There would be no help at this palce, except for the older woman who kindly came into the room and tired to put my clothes back on me.

"No, no, NO!" I said harshly. I felt bad getting cross with the sweet Vietnamese, but for $#&%'s sake!

I went into panic mode, but realized that wouldn't get me anywhere in this situation. I got my mobile phone out and called my workplace, which is a Trauma center, for some advice.

With my head on straight, realizing I wasn't immediately dying, I decided I would need to get out of the system what I could.

That meant getting into a car (the only car in a 200 km radius) in my underwear to ANOTHER village where there was allegedly a hospital.

I think my Victoria Secret lacy underwear was either a blessing or a curse at the time. Either bringing more attention to my fair, burned, battered skin, or taking some of the attention from my wounds.

As I drove up to the hospital, I gained the attention of the entire 3 patients in the hospital, their families, all 8 nurses, and the cleaner. No doors on this hospital. Which just made the whole situation a bit more easier, because I knew there would be no hope for anymore dignity or privacy.

I'm not sure what a normal "emergency" situation is like in the hospital, but my tour guide told me they don't see westerners hardly ever. I got an impressive nurse:patient ratio of 8:1. THey all looked at me, and whispered words in Vietnamese to each other.

One young nurse did take my blood pressure, which he reported to me with a nod, which I am assuming is acceptable? They cleaned about 67% of my wounds with iodine, but left the one on my bum alone. Can't blame them, can you?

"What hurts the most?" were the only english words I understood.

My sternum, my chest.

Treatment? A left arm x-ray. Hey, at least it's something!

At the end, the "doctor" (who I never saw, I don't really think he exists) told my tour guide "It's all skin, no problems."

I was given antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory enzyme, and Mofren (Ibuprofen) and sent on my merry way. I think all of this costs $5USD.

So, lessons learned?

Always wear underwear appropriate for the culture you are in.

Appreciate western medicine when you have it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Indian Pacific Railway

What to do when one is lost? Get a bit more lost, maybe you'll get a sign- and then find your way?

That's usually my plan anyway. There's no better place to get lost than the Nullarbor. Which according to Wikipedia, is the "flat" and almost treeless stretch of land across the southern end of Australia! Great summary of the Nullarbor. I couldn't think of better adjectives myself!

Adelaide to Perth is approximately 2800 km. Between these two bustling very Australian cities (by Australian I mean clean and modern with some recently engineered scenic bridge and a China-town), is the three places we stopped: Cook, Rawlinna, and Kalgoorlie.

Cook-town, Pop: 4?: Not named after James Cook, the European who colonized Australia.... but one of the first Prime Ministers of Australia, Joseph Cook. Unsure if the population is still 4, because the only evidence we found of human life in this town was ghosts. A closed school and hospital are the main attractions, as well as a shop which sells soda and postcards only when the train comes through (2 times a week). Don't get left here, there is no longer water supply here, and soil has proven unsuitable for trees.

Rawlinna: Pop 6? There were signs of life in this town, in the form of 2 Outback Bushman, one on their way to a Buck's (Bachelor's) party in Perth. (only a good 12 hours away). What exists here? Horses, farming, and some fishing about 400 km's away (the local hobby/survival mechanism). This is also known as complete isolation. Only the strong can survive out here!

Kalgoorlie: Life signs! Inhabited buildings! People! Kalgoorlie is home to gold mining, consequently a great source of income for the country. The motto here: "Come here for a year, you'll stay for 10..." Not so sure about that.......... but a nice place for a 4 hour lay-over!

Moral of the story- there is a lot of uninhabited land out there. Not that it's all prosperous- but take care of our land now.... or you may end up living in Cook.

The Age of Aquarius...

Since I missed most note-worth occasions, Happy Thanksgiving, New Year, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Australia Day, Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah to all!!

I'd say 2010 was a bit of a "transitional" year, and while I'm still as lost as ever in my goals, I can safely say I have come out a bit wiser- I now know that if it weren't for that little thing we call "money-" I would have seen far more of this world! Alas now, it's time to concentrate on saving, planning, and dreaming of the next big adventure- while enjoying this one!

There's still far too much of this land to see, and I'm slowly checking things off the list- However, next month, despite the new "budget" I (sort of) placed myself on, the ultimate journey will be reached with a 3500 km train to Perth, Western Australia. Hopefully 36 hours in a train seat, surrounded by Australia's finest will give me an idea just what this country is all about...

In less exciting news, began work in the ED (Emergency Department, not Erectile Dysfunction) and now I can say "why do people complain so much about socialized medicine?!" I don't see a problem with breaking your hip and getting treated with analgesia, an x-ray, a diagnosis, maybe traction, and then surgery? And for "free" (so they say....) Or showing up to triage and saying "I want sleeping tablets because I'm stressed" and receiving exactly that and a home visit from a psychiatrist??

Someone please tell me the problem! The problem in taking care of not only one's citizens, but of human beings?

I can also safely say there are those who abuse the system- the drunk 30-something who wets their pants in their bed because they are so drunk, all while not being compliant to ANY advice given... Or the "I have had pain for two months, and now it's 3am and I need to see a doctor RIGHT NOW." But in the end, I enjoy treating and helping people who need it.

So for now, Cheers to 2011- for another fun, healthy, crazy year!!!!

Happy Re-Birthday!

Life has a funny way of moving forward, all at once!

It wasn't many weeks ago, I started to feel like I hadn't accomplished anything I wanted to accomplish in Australia, however what was I doing to make that happen?? Many many days of frustration followed, and asking for signs, anything to point me in the right direction!

This quote from the book "Eleven Minutes" made me stop dead in my tracks. I don't think it's just referring to meeting a love, but it refers to life in general.

"...I realize I didn't go into that cafe by chance; really important meetings are planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other. Generally speaking, these meetings occur when we reach a limit, when we need to die and be reborn emotionally. These meetings are waiting for us, but more often than not, we avoid them happening. If we are desperate, though, if we have nothing to lose, or if we are full of enthusiasm for life, then the unknown reveals itself, and our universe changes direction." -Paul Coelho

So my meeting came at Splendour in the Grass, a music festival in Woodford, Queensland. Seeing the natural beauty of Australia outside the city was breath of fresh air from the city life I have been living this past year! Three days of incredible music, inspiring artists, and great new friends showed me that Australia was going to be my home for a bit longer.

Upon returning to Melbourne, I decided also for the first time in a year to make a career-based decision rather than a "what is the most fun thing to do?" decision. So Emergency Department here I come! New hospital, new position, new experiences. Time for my career to experience a rebirth!

But, none of this change will come before a flash trip back to Dakota, where it all began! I cannot wait!!! :) :) :)

I have to say:
"Good for you, Minnesota!"

Minnesota, my liberal neighbor in the United States, has always been a bit more progressive in some areas of politics. I have to say the news of 12,000 nurses protesting working conditions in Minnesota disturbs me, however it's about time the needs of nurses and patients are looked at closely. I cringe to think who was looking after the thousands of patients in Minnesota hospitals on June 10.

It's unfortunate it takes nurses walking off the job for administrators to take notice. Nurses are the heart of health care across the world, and things simply do not work if nurses aren't there.

We all love our jobs, otherwise we wouldn't be there. It's not about money, but rather patient safety. (And our own sanity!). And our patients deserve proper nurse:patient ratios just as much as nurses deserve better working conditions. The worst feeling as a nurse is walking away, two hours past the end of your shift, and realizing you couldn't even complete tasks which were meant to be completed because you didn't have time- and you didn't even have a break all day!

So people who think our system is fine- you're wrong! People who think our large "not-for-profit" hospitals, aren't "for-profit-" I urge you to look at your facts. Anyone who walks into a US hospital and sees the lobby with a grand piano and staircase and thinks that is OK is misguided. The most basic patient care needs aren't always met.

So I'm not happy that nurses were away from their jobs June 10. And I'm even more disturbed it took more weeks of negotiations to come to an agreement. These are YOUR family members we are looking after.

I hope people of the USA realize that we are in trouble if things don't change. Obama's plan will not solve the problem. But something has to change. Let's insure more of our citizens and promote primary prevention- catch diseases before they turn into multisystem problems. Make our population a little healthier. That will ease the burden of the healthcare system just a little.

WE CAN ALL DO OUR PART!!!!!!!

Oh the comforts of home....

Things I can NOT get down under.......

Mama Jean (not in human form, only skype form)

Taco Bell

Old Navy clothes for $5

Fast food (well i can, but it's socially unacceptable)

Bud Light

 - on that note, a beer for under $8

Summer in June! :) 

Orbit Wintergreen Gum

Target without a period at the end of it. (Look up Target Australia)

What I can get instead:

Lots of emails and skpye from Jean 

Umago Mexican Pita

Not-so-cheap clothes.... 

Macca's (only allowed when ill or hungover)

Little Creatures for $9 a pint

Winter in June!

Extra Gum

Target Period. 

Oh the simple things in life!

Hello winter- and welcome to the Southern Hemisphere!

Well I survived the worst illness I have ever had. Ever. Thank you, K. Rudd and the rest of Australian's government, for your generous sick leave. 

Now, I am back, better than ever. Ready to take on Mebourne's winter....

Notable points of an Australian Autumn/Winter:

- Lack of central heating. Layering of clothes X4 necessary. 

- Absence of snow. What is a winter without snow? Amateurs... 

-  Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain, 5 minutes of sunlight, Rain Rain 

- Notable increase of stroke patients presenting to Royal Melbourne....

- Ugg boots... they really are needed in Australia. Who knew you'd need more than Haivaianas?

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around a cold, dreary July... 

Antidotes for Winter:

Festivals 

Gumboots

Coffee

Arcadia Cafe Eggs

Nights at the pub followed by 8K "Fun" Runs

AFL, or "Footie"

Rugby

More nights at the pub....

However... Mark my words. The next Australian summer, I will be oceanside! 

Nurses make the worst patients...

A bad throat infection (Streptococcus) exacerbated by pre menstrual symptoms is not a good way to start the week. One could say I finally got a taste of my own medicine- a little Augmentin, Dr. Peter promised me would kill the pus ulcers that had invaded my mouth within 24 hours. "You need 4 things: Rest, fluids, Panadol, and this antibiotic."

Now, 43 hours later (yes, I am counting) I am waiting for the magical antibiotic to gather up enough strength in my body to start killing those WBC's....

In the meantime, I will sustain myself on Nurofen, Panadol, Callipo Pops, and bananas....   

Nurses really do make the worst patients!

And to my fellow Americans:

With the passage of the Healthcare Reform, I urge you to consider all angles of the bill. I also urge you to be happy we can extend healthcare cover to 32 million more deserving Americans. 

This is going to be a long, long process. It won't be perfect after 5, 10, or even 20 years. This bill may not be the answer. However, if healthcare continues to run the way it does, we will all be broke, sick, and unable to provide for ourselves. 

Everyone deserves healthcare. Even the "bum" who sits at home and doesn't exercise. It's not your job to change him. It's your job to worry about yourself. It's your job to take care of yourself. And to be greatful you aren't the bum on the couch!

I don't know if this is the answer. What I don't like is that hospitals in the US are becoming more like hotels, and less like places where people's basic and complex healthcare needs are met. 

So please, let's just open our minds, and realize this is a long process. And the healthcare workers of this country will never ever let there be a time where good medicine is not practiced!

Best of Both Worlds?

I have determined I have a love/hate relationship with nursing in Australia. And the same with nursing in America. Don't know if I will ever reconcile the two, and I don't know if we can ever have the best of both worlds... but we could try??? A little Aussie... A little Americana.... 

Nurse:patient ratios- appropriate and safe.   +1 Aussie

Bank staff, on-call. All the time. No one works short.    +1 Aussie

6 weeks (or more paid annual leave)         +1 Aussie

FREE continuing Education +1 USA

Scrubs, no skirts +1 USA

Forward thinking attitude, APRN involvement: +1 USA

"Team Nursing" -1 Aussie (sorry)

Patient focused care +1 Aussie

Appropriate use of protocols +1 Aussie

Inappropriate/Overuse of protocols -1 USA

Fun Medical Slang +1 Aussie

Use of Technology +1 USA

Overuse of Technology -1 USA

Underuse of Technology -1 Aussie

Aussie.... 4

USA.........3  

Tough call....

Lessons of the South Pacific... continue

In order to keep things brief, I will jot down a few more things I have picked up on "in the future:"

- South Dakotan's have poor table manners. Or maybe just I have poor table manners. Somewhere in my development I missed out on a proper way to hold a fork and knife, as well as the proper placement of forks and knives to communicate with wait staff. yeah, I think that was just me who missed out....

- Growing old, does NOT mean growing up. Only if you let it. And you can regress in maturity. 

- Some things in life do not get easier. When I say that I refer to many aspects of my job. (See past blog posts)

- Vitamin D is a great deliverer of happiness for many who get to see it. 

- You can fall in love many times a day- with a place, with a song, with a soft bed to nap on, with air con, with the ocean, with an animal... there is no limit.

- Cadbury Cream eggs do not mend a broken heart. But they sure do help. So does ice cream. 

- There are far more people in the world from Asia than I ever imagined!

- Cure for a hangover: Anything which starts with an 'S'

   Swimming

   Saltwater

   Showers

   Slushies

   Sleeping

Imperative for living. There you have it!    

Age is JUST a number....

I must say, I think I was born in the wrong country because turning 25 in the Southern Hemisphere was just pure magic.

Woke up in Apollo Bay, a tiny coastal town along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. Enjoyed a bad coffee and brick toast from a dodgy side-of-the-road cafe, stood with the 12 Apostles (which is actually 9, thanks to nature and time), ate some McDonald's along Torquay Beach, followed by a dip in the ocean along one of Victoria's best beaches. Returned to Melbourne and had some Afghan food "on the floor" (our Sunday night tradition), surrounded by some of my best friends from South Dakota and Australia.

All signs are pointing to a fantastic year.

'Oh the weather outside is frightful....'

Believe it or not, I chose to live in the most unpredictable, extreme climate in Australia. Just like my home state, the weather motto around here is "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it's sure to change." I can attest to that now....

Christmas Eve: 'Rain Rain Go Away'.... Our mission to the 11pm Christmas Carol Service required jeans, and a jacket. There was no white, but we're feeling the Christmas magic....

Christmas Day in Melbourne: a crisp 70 degrees F- perfect for carrying out Australian Christmas traditions: Bon Bons, BBQ at the park with fellow Christmas Orphans (hot dogs, Budweiser, and chips and dip), followed by a free tram ride to the square for drinks.

New Years Eve: Unapologetically hot. I think I took 3 showers that day. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. My Tina Turner dress and dress-up mullet did not help the situation. I learned of my true ability to "sweat like a pig" and "smell like a dog." 

New Years Day: Back to long sleeves and pants. The 19 hour heat wave over, I shower off last nights sweat and rain, and embrace what I have decided is the year of the ?-Mark

11 January- Turns out we made history this day. Hottest night in over 100 years. Don't think I slept at all that night. Walking into handover at 7am on the 12th, I could tell by the look of everyone the difference in who had air con, and who didn't.... 

12 January- Out for drinks at the local warehouse bar, back to jacket and jeans..... 

And I just wrote a blog entry based on weather... what is my life coming to????

Socialized vs. Private??

I have wondered how to word this entry, because I don't want to come off as political, or "unpatriotic." Rather, I just want to point out some differences in a socialized vs. private healthcare setting. There are certainly positive and negative aspects to both. 

If there's anything I have learned working in Australia, is preventative medical care is key. 

Will result in less co-morbidities, healthier families, and less stress about hospital visits. 

Should healthcare be included as a basic human right? I do believe so. It should not just be for those who can afford private insurance, or for the employed. But who should be responsible to ensure everyone is cared for? That begs the real question. 

I do believe personal responsibility is the next key. People need to know their bodies, know their General Practitioner, know their family history, know their medications and why they take them.  

The first part is actually much easier- insuring everyone. Whether it's the government, or another form of money, if everyone is insured the easy part is done.

I think the next part, the most challenging thing for America will be changing an entire state of mind. Educating people that healthcare is a team effort- with players including medical staff as the coaches, and citizens of the world as all the players. If one player or coach doesn't pull their weight, then all members fail. 

The next best lesson I have learned is: that healthcare integrity is universal across the ocean. I count myself very lucky to have worked with an incredible team of healthcare professionals in the United States, and also to work with an equally smart, honest, hard-working group of professionals in Australia as well. All work for the common good of society, and all practice good medicine. 

Pest control in a world full of them...

I have indeed met my match.

Not many things scare me. In fact, more things should frighten me. Not the bungy, not skydiving, and certainly not moving to Australia (the people are entirely too friendly here for it to be scary at all!)

The MICE. 

Those little shits. 

They are little, but fast and furious. And sneaky little buggers. And they cause me to have chest pain. I can't sleep, I can't relax, and every time the wind blows I think the mouse is going to jump on my face. 

I tried to nicely shoo them away. Who am I kidding? Besides for a brief moment of consideration of the humane traps, I have been trying to rid my house of these evil beings for 2.5 weeks now. Now it's time to bring out the big guns, the Navy Seals of pest control. 

Maybe then, I won't have to sleep with the lights on, with shoes near my bed so I can throw them at places before I step on them. 

I suppose this is something I should get used to, living in Australia? No? 

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....

New Levels of Bravery... or Pathetic?

So moving to a new city of 3.3 million is a little more of a daunting task than my South Dakota mind had grasped upon leaving the midwest. I mean, you have to find friends, accommodation, a "usual" coffee place, a place to cut your hair, etc. It's not as if you land in a new country, go home to a furnished, organized flat in the most beautiful part of town, close to your work, because you don't have a car....

Haha, so goes my life in Melbourne... I wish I could report I had a home, a usual coffee place, and a great hairdresser. Haha what I have found is this city is pretty damn amazing- anything goes- people don't judge here (except for the homeless woman who asked for money while I was on my run, and when I say no, she told me I needed to wash because I was smelly...). 

Week 1 in Melbourne consisted of flat hunting... yeah that's about all it entailed. It came to the weekend, and my two friends in the city were working, so I decided I would try something new.... go to the bars alone.

I have nothing against people who go to bars, movies, restaurants alone. However when I do see them sometimes I ask them join me, because sometimes even bad company is better than no company. Luckily I felt comfortable enough in Melbourne to experiment...  if it was a disaster, then I would just never show my face again...

New travel tradition: Christen the town by going to the Irish Bar. There are plenty of Irish Bars in Melbourne, so off to the finest Irish Bar in Fitzroy, a funky suburb of Melbourne. I immediately spotted a Bulmer's - a sure sign- ordered it, and quickly scanned the place for the perfect place to plant my feet... "no spots at the bars... no open tables... I will have to join someone else's... ok... this is awkward... just walk over.... ok I'm here, talk to me!" I realized I was the only one in the bar not nearing retirement, and the men at the table by me looked at me strangely. So I did the only awkward thing I knew how to do, and pulled out my travel journal. I acted really busy ( I wasn't) and chugged the Bulmer's and sped my way out of there. 

As soon as my feet in the outside pavement, I started laughing at myself... "that was soooo awkward." But I was determined....

Next place: Wine bar down the street. Got good vibes walking by. Lots of people inside. Spots at the bar. Perfect!

I quickly ordered a wine- A New Zealand wine for luck- sat a table by the bar, scanning the crowd. There were couches and people working on laptops, so I figured the journal was more appropriate now. 

By the end of the first glass of wine, the bar was filled with couples. Yes, it was date night (Friday!) and I was the creepy girl in the corner. What the hell though, I will just have another glass of wine... 

By the end of the second glass, no one was looking approachable, unless I wanted to get advice on dating in Melbourne. Apparently I was not approachable either... time to move on! 

Last bar of the night. It had a lot of people, and I could just blend in... or stick out like a sore thumb. I walked in, marched right up to the bar and ordered my Bulmer's.... and waited, and waited.... scanning the crowd.. .maybe I'll just have to go talk to them. 

Finally someone looked approachable. A nice engineering student from RMIT. I wish I could say there were fireworks, or butterflies... instead it consisted of some nice conversation about record players, engineering, and really bad music. 

Lesson of the night: Be careful who you meet when you are desperate for company.

And the adventures of the South Pacific continue everyday! It's a beautiful life.... 

The End of an Era...

well kids, another day has dawned, another era has ended in the traveling world of Kelli and Kelli.

Haha, before we get too sappy here, let's remember the fun we had, and all that lies ahead....

My New Zealand chapter ended on Thursday, not regretfully, but with some tears, some consideration that "what if I just got a job here and lived here." Now we all know that would be a terrible idea, being that the ultimate goal, the big GEM was always Australia, and I have to go....

SO HERE I AM!!!! Not to assume that I don't want to be here. It just took getting on the plane to realize it is where I am meant to be. I am grateful for every single second I had in New Zealand, woudln't have done ONE thing differently- even the fines listed below.

So the chapters close, for now, but are never done, because as we all know, people may be in your life at one point, and just when you think you will never see them again, they appear.

Now begins the true test of my love of the South Pacific! We all know I can holiday out here and adore every moment- but can I live, work, and be a PRODUCTIVE member of society?

I think the answer is yes!

I will let you know how that goes on Monday... or perhaps my new co-workers will....