Cruisy Sundays

I love Winter days like today. For the first time in a while, it felt like a 'real' Queensland winter. For the last few weeks we've been having temperatures in the minus/close to zero ranges in the mornings, and it's horrible when your houses aren't equipped for it!

So today after Church we decided to take advantage of it. Another of our little 'windowshopping' ventures - this time to James St in the Valley.

There's some great shops out there - I'm a big fan of homewares/kitchenware stores, so I was in my element. And it was fun checking all the menus out at places like Harveys and Cru Bar. We never go to these places (none of our friends do), but it's always good to keep them in your back pocket.

Ended up grabbing some Lick! icecream at the Merlo factory outlet and just wandering around in the sunshine. Very nice!

Recap of the week

Seeing I've been so darn lazy the last week and not typed a thing, I'm now in the position of writing out key points indicating the highlights of the week.

So here goes!

Tues 24 July: Had an allocated day off. Went shopping, hired out 'The White Masai' from video store and played with Vox. Hubby came home and whisked me off to see Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix. VERY much liked, and again reinforced decision to read the books asap. Still think Snape isn't as evil as Rowling loves to make him appear to be. Great fun!

Wed 25 July: Worked from 8-4:30pm. Thus began the days of caesarian sections. That night came home to compete in our regular home contribution to Adam Hills' "Spicks n Specks" the good ol' ABC. Still love it - just wish Glass House wasn't axed. Now THAT was a great Wednesday!

Thurs 26 July: 6:30-3pm shift. Poor Vox thought his mother grew another head, waking him in the middle of the night for breakfast! Was not very keen on going back outdoors before sunrise either (don't worry mate, I don't like it either). In the caesar theatre again - lots of girls (I think our ratio is even-ing up!). Had a meeting with Peter (minister) in the afternoon which was very good. Have some plans for small groups next year - must stay quiet til get full approval! Did a lot of shopping after that with hubby, only to miss life group for the sake of an early night.

Friday 27 July: 6:30-3pm shift. Didn't have the heart to wake Vox from his slumber, so had an extra big meal that night. Again in the caesar theatre, with again having a large slew of girls appear!

Friday night 41 people from Church came to see 'Amazing Grace' - the story of how the slave trade came to be abolished in the United Kingdom. Although not quite as fun as Harry Potter earlier in the week - the message was far more important for this day and age. Especially once you consider slavery still happens - although now it is more wellknown by the title 'human trafficking'.

And today we helped friends move house in the morning, before watching Brad play soccer in the afternoon. A loss for them, but he scored a goal which was VERY exciting!

My stepsister is up from Melbourne for 2 weeks, before she leaves on a big adventure overseas. Hopefully I will see her sometime this week.

3 day "weekend"

It was nice to have the 3 days off from Thursday-Saturday.

Did a few little things - housework, took Vox to the dog park, watched a couple of movies, that kinda stuff. Nice to relax and kick back.

We've been busy the last couple of nights - Thursday night we have the 'Generosity'small group at Church; Friday night we had a marriage seminar; and Saturday night was our debrief on the marriage seminar.

Saturday was busy too - had a baby shower in the morning, took the dog to the dog park mid afternoon, and then had a late afternoon coffee with my mentor for Rwanda. Was nice to get out a bit - I have a tendency to 'hibernate' most of the time.

Sunday I was back at work from 9:30-6pm. Only had one case, so really only did set ups and caught up on policies and what not.

This week should be nice - going to try and get to Harry Potter at some point, life group on Thursday night, and then going to see Amazing Grace on Friday night.

Time in Sydney

We had a lovely time in Sydney, albeit short and a few issues with our hotel.

We arrived down there late Thursday night, only to find that despite booking a queen room (queen bed) on a non-smoking floor - we were allocated 2x single bed room, on a smoking floor. Apparently that was all that was on offer for the evening, and the assumption was (we found out the next day, after a very bad sleep) we had been allocated a room with 2 queen beds. After much discussion, we were upgraded to a king sized room with spa bath on a non-smoking floor. Needless to say, we won't be staying at that chain of hotels again.

All day Friday was spent with my brother-in-law, his wife, their new baby and toddler, as well as our parents-in-law. Took their toddler out for a walk (ending in a nice cafe run), played with the baby, and had a nice roast dinner before sitting down to watch the Socceroos get humiliated by Iraq.

Saturday we were dropped off to a train station, in an attempt to get to The Rocks for the markets and lunch. Unfortunately Sydney is having a heck of a lot of train work at the moment - so this also required an hour's bus drive to get to a station that WAS open.

Finally we got to The Rocks, and had a lovely walk through the laneways, as well as sampling some chillis and chocolates at the markets. Then off to lunch, before taking the train back to my brother-in-laws. Just enough time to hug the baby and toddler, say goodbye to the parents, and race off to catch the plane home.

It was a nice break though.

Since then we've spent some time with my parents and our dog on Sunday afternoon, racing around Shorncliffe Pier, and enjoying the sunshine.

Work has been particularly chaotic - had a few cancellations and delays yesterday, which I think will impact on today. Have a late shift (12:30-9pm), so that meant a nice sleep in, and time to walk Vox again.

And after tonight, I have 3 days off before working again on Sunday.

Busy afternoon

I swapped my shift with another woman from work, so I worked from 12:30-9pm, instead of 6:30am-3pm. And I didn't STOP between that 12:30 start and 6pm. Running from theatre to theatre to tea relieve and set up the cases; followed by a couple of emergency c-sections.

The morning was a run around to. Returning videos, doing dishes, organising the house for our trip to Sydney later this week - I'm quite tired now.

I'm in the process of finally uploading our wedding photos from our videographer to our hard-drive. Once that's done, I'll have them up on photobucket again. There's a few really nice ones that are taken from different angles than our photographer did - so it's nice to see them! I've never actually taken a proper look at them, so it's good to have some time set aside to rifle through.

Another 12:30pm start tomorrow. And again the morning will be filled with organising our Sydney trip.

15 minutes of fame

A friend of mine was helping someone build up a wedding website - and needed wedding stories.

So I figured why not, and put mine up.  Got a free present out of it, so that's pretty good.

Check my story out here

Yes I'm a media glutton!

60 hours I won't get back

All that stress for nothing.

Turns out our first case didn't finish til 12ish, and due to anaesthetic delays the 'big' case I was talking about didn't start til 2pm.  So after all that worrying, I ended up transferred to another theatre.  Simply because my shift finished at 4:30pm today, and there was no point me being in a case that long, for so short a time.

And then I ended up involved in an inservice for over an hour - so there went MY afternoon!  Talk about stressing for no reason!

But on a funnier note, I'm going back to yesterday.

Ended up meeting friends of ours at Nudgee Beach for some 'off-leash' time for both our dogs.  Dot is a Kelpie x Jack Russell, so about the same size as Vox but with a lot more effervescence.  So off they went for about an hour and a bit, driving each other crazy, getting hideously dirty in the process of finding out they BOTH hate water, and going to check out every other dogfight going on in the vicinity.  Lots of fun!

I got told off for being a 'helicopter' (being too much involved with Vox's interactions with other dogs), so I sat and pretended not to be stressed over my poor little doggy getting harrassed by much bigger, much more excitable canines.  Ah well - at least we know Vox and Dot will get on whilst they live together for the 2 days we're in Sydney.

Here's hoping Vox and Dot don't work out their 'anatomical differences' in that timeframe - God knows we don't need puppies!!!

One day break

Worked a 1415-2245 on Friday night (one case), got some sleep, went back and worked yesterday (Saturday) from 9:30-6pm.  Had twins at 10am, but that was it.  Not fair when the 2pm staff come on and say 'geez it's a gorgeous day out' - yeah, thanks for that considering I won't get out til it's pitch black! LOL.

Did a lot of set ups for Monday - we have a huge case on Monday (in the theatre I'm assigned to), and I'm stressed about it.  Two scrub nurses are needed, almost positive one will be me for part of it (it will take about 6 hours or so), and it just makes me tired thinking about it.  

Was on call last night too, and I was CONVINCED I'd get a call in, owing to how quiet the last 3 days had been.  So watched Harry Potter and talked myself out of the nice glass of white I could have had.  Had a very disrupted sleep due to being afraid I'd sleep through a phone call.  And DIDN'T get called!  So I COULD have had that wine - very disappointing!! :(

So woke up in a grump.  Also thought it was Saturday due to working yesterday, so came down in a thump when realised only got the one day before going back to work.

Got to have a facial as a bonus part of my wax this morning though, which was nice.  Very soothing scalp/neck and hand massage too.  Might have to do that again!

Ntuyahaga sentenced by Belgian court

Bernard Ntuyahaga was sentenced earlier today to 20 years in prison by presiding judge Karine Gerard.  Although acquitted of the murder of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and killing civilians in the Butare district, he was found guilty of the murder of 10 Belgian peacekeepers which began the Rwandan genocide of 1994. along with an unknown number of Rwandan civillians.

The public prosecutor had asked for a life sentence to be his punishment, however a more lenient sentencing was given, in the hope it would lead to further reconciliation in Rwanda.

Ntuyahaga has expressed no remorse for his actions, instead claiming he has been used as a scapegoat and had merely passed the Prime Minister's residence that day and had offered the peacekeepers a ride in his vehicle.

It is expected Ntuyahaga will appeal on procedural grounds.

Rwandan General found guilty of peacekeeper murders

From www.timesonline.co.uk, as reported by David Charter in Brussels



A former Rwandan army major was found guilty yesterday of murdering ten United Nations peacekeepers in a planned attack that many believe helped to trigger the genocide that claimed more than 500,000 lives in the African country.

Bernard Ntuyahaga was convicted of luring the ten Belgian soldiers away from their guard on the Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana, who was then herself butchered by a machete-wielding gang.

Ntuyahaga was cleared of murdering the Prime Minister and will be sentenced today.

The murder of the ten soldiers has haunted Belgium because it led to the withdrawal of its peacekeepers from its former colony, leaving Hutu gangs free to carry out the genocide.

Relatives of the slain Belgians heard gruesome details in the Brussels court of how the peacekeepers were tricked into giving up their weapons and driven by Ntuyahaga to an army base. At the Kigali camp, the prosecution said there was a stage-managed revolt by Rwandan forces under Ntuyahaga’s command. The Belgians tried to find refuge in a hut, but were captured, lynched, beaten, slashed with machetes and shot.

The ten peacekeepers were due to take Mrs Uwilingiyimana to a radio station to make a broadcast appealing for calm after the plane of Juvenal Habyarimana, the Rwandan President, was shot down. Stripped of her escort, she too was killed and the mass killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.

Ntuyahaga’s defence argued that he was a political scapegoat, who had only passed the Prime Minister’s residence by chance.

Christine Dupont, the widow of Christophe Dupont, one of the peacekeepers, said it was “a day we have been waiting for the last 13 years”.

Joseph Frederick

We have a new addition to our family.  My brother-in-law and his wife have their gorgeous second baby!

Name: Joseph Frederick
Weight: 4200g (9lb 2Oz)
Length: 52cm

Mum and bub doing well.  Planned caesar, so she'll be in hospital for a few days.

Frederick is the name of my brother-in-law's (and husband's) Grandfather.  He is very proud that they remembered him.

We will be down visiting next weekend (they live interstate), and I can't wait.

ps.  I'm particularly chuffed that I had it right!  Sex AND size!

Night duty part two

Done and dusted for another month.

Arrived on the scene to hear there had been 4 caeasars since 5pm, and it was my turn to scrub in for the one on the table.  Also had an ectopic going on next door - so our on-call girl and our level 3 from downstairs had to stay on to complete that.   Was also told we were probably going to follow immediately on with another caesar.

My caesar went all right - and then went over to relieve the scout in the ectopic.  Was expecting a very long night in there, but all turned out pretty easy.  Relieved that patient in theatre, and finally got to have something to eat (about 2am at this stage).

At each 2 hour check the other lady was looking less and less likely to need to come to us.  So down to the recliners for a quick nap whilst we could get it.

Twenty minutes later, off goes the phone.  Same lady, going to be about 30 minutes due to anaesthetist being run off his feet.  Ended up bringing her straight away, just so that we were ready for when the anaesthetist could get back.

From there to actually prepping/cutting was 2 hours!  Anaesthetist caught up doing a spinal; registrar having to go monitor a PPH; epidural top-up not working effectively on this lady.  I think I was scrubbed for about 90 minutes before I actually did anything (having all my sterile equipment opened meant I am unable to leave the room, and things change so quickly there's too much risk in unscrubbing).

So that took me to the end of the night.  Quite happy to see bed after that!!

Night duty part one

It still doesn't quite sit right, this waking up mid-afternoon! I know I've just 'rearranged' sleeping time, but I don't think it will ever feel 'normal'.

Last night wasn't too bad.  Just pottered around setting up the theatres at first, then had a caesar patient in the unit from about 1 til 3am (covering anaesthetic and recovery time as well).   Always cute having the bubs around - I like it when they can stay and don't need to go down to Special Care or anything.

Managed to get a few minutes of shut eye around 4-ish, and then just had a quick post-labour repair which finished up the shift.

Still trying to get the energy up to go to the video store and return stuff.  It's not working! LOL

Sunday - not always a day of rest

Ended up going to Church in the morning.  Most of the 'regulars' were all ready down at Hillsong, so we had Seema preach.  Felt like a flashback to the types of sermons I grew up with in my Pentecostal background - so I had to really fight to not get caught up in my own prejudices.

I'm still struggling a little with the whole concept of "Church".  Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out more for the home/organic style of Church (so small group chats with dinner and more 'personable), rather than the great big infrastructure that so often defines the traditional concept of Church.  I still don't quite know where I fit.  I love my Church community - but I just don't seem to connect so well amongst the 'traditional' construct (praise and worship/sermon/go home/etc etc).

Afterwards we went off to Festitalia at the showgrounds.   To be honest, this was a bit of a letdown.  The way they advertised the event was not quite how it was in actuality.  It was advertised as having lots of opportunites to taste great Italian food and drink  - but there was only one 'taste testing' stall (olives).  Not that I'm complaining - but we were expecting a bit more pasta/pizza tasting, along with wines and cheeses.  And the food was, as always happens, highly overpriced.  Left early, and went across the road to work to eat.

Worked from 2:15-10:45 last night.  Was very slow for the first 5 hours, and then had 2 caesarians to end the night.  Helped us get over that 'bump' that is that final 3 hours or so, that so often drags.  

Back there again for night duty.  Would prefer not to have a repeat of last month's nights, so we'll see how we go.