Miss us?

We're in Wales.

Look it up on a map.

We're exhausted but have much more to do today.

Have sporadic contact with my three loves:

Swell
Dr. Pepper
Internet

Leave tomorrow.

Will probably lose contact with two of my three loves.

We'll see.

Back in Nome on Saturday (Friday night actually).

Will write more then.

Haven't missed us I see.

The Bread is Fresh...

So we're at the endish of our first week. It has been extremely challenging on many fronts.

First the good:
It has been awesome to be here with Swell. We don't see a tonne of each other during work but its nice to get home at a decent time 5:30-6:00 and sit and watch TV or DVDs together.

On Wednesday we were invited to go to the local Catholic Church where some Eskimo folks were "practicing their dancing". We weren't entirely sure what that meant but after arrving realized that we were experiencing one of the coolest things I've experienced in my life. It ranks up their with sitting on a roof top in Palestine listening to some locals play music (in '99). It also ranks with when I was sitting in the back of a truck in rural Honduras zipping along listening to the frogs croaking. On Wednesday we sat in this Catholic church and listened to three men play traditonal drums and sing. Whenever anyone felt like it they would jump up and do a dance associated with the song being played. What I found most interesting is that there were many young people there (12-14 years old) and would at times be the only person dancing. It was actually (for this bleeding heart) a very moving experience and one that I won't soon forget. I'll try to put some pictures up but that will require going to the pizza place and spending a bunch of money on lunch or dinner (this Sunday or tomorrow for dinner).

The patients here are very challenging. They people are beyond nice but they are a sick/old population (the ones we're seeing this week any way - remember that they are all diabetics this week). The previous optometrist was meticulous in her note taking and I would argue extremely conservative in her treatment plans. Swell and I, having worked in the worst of all situations, are far less likely to call something a problem. It makes it difficult to reconcile our findings with the previous optometrists. We were astounded by how much the previous optometrist did but have come to find out she was really only doing one exam an hour. We will be doing at least 2 an hour each.

The negatives are just things we have to learn to live with.

A lack of communication is a big one. There is no one "in charge" of optometry here. No one really seems to know how things work. There is no policy and procedures manual. We are going out to villages all next week and were told to make sure we had all the necessary equipment ready. Most of it was already packed away but we really don't know what we need as we've never done this before. If I were ruler of the world I would make a manual that states bring this and that for every village trip. No such manual exists. This wouldn't normally be a problem because there were two optometrists here but because both quit there is no senior OD here to guide the Jr. ODs (us).

In the villages we really only have enough equipment to be doing one exam at a time. We'll have to figure out a way around this.

We have to bring our own food and water to the villages. We only have one duffel bag and then a tourist style suitcase. We can bring as much luggage as we want but I don't think a four wheeled suitcase is going to work well in a small rural village.

Because they are without an optometrist we are pushing a lot of "special testing" off. Many of the charts have the notation to do a visual fields in a year, or photos, or someother non-regular testing. Well, a year is up but we can't really do this extra testing as we don't have the time. We tell them to come back in a couple of months and hopefully we will be here and able to do it or they will have hired someone.

A yet to graduate optometrist is coming by sometime this week or next to tour the facilities. They hope to hire this new grad. I couldn't have done this work right out of school but I hope that this new grad is willing because they really need someone.

Well thats that. We haven't been overwhelmingly busy because a couple of villages were snowed in and the folks couldn't make it into Nome.

I should explain that there are medics in many of the villages (these are well trained lay people who are able to prescribe some medications and take care of minor issues). They can also communicate with providers in the hospital and send pictures and questions for guidance. (Telemedicine at its finest).

Once in a while a specialist comes to Nome and all those requiring help from said specialist come into town to be seen. Physicians also travel to the villages on some set schedule.

It is a very public healthy set up and seems - albeit from the outside looking in - to be an efficient method of providing care to the local people.

We were in Safeway yesterday as a man took bread of the shelf he exclaimed: "The bread is fresh today!" He proceeded to thump it and explain how he knew it was fresh "Its still frozen!"

Thats Nome in a nutshell. Fresh bread is still frozen bread put out on the shelves.

Its been fun.

Day 1

I'm sitting in the smaller of our two offices here at the hospital. It is quickly approaching quitin' time.

The end of a hard day approaches.

Not hard because we were so busy. Not hard because the patients were so complicated.

Just hard because its always hard to start a new job.

Not knowing where things are. Not being familiar with policies and processes are always difficult.

They were especially difficult today simply because we are working in a hospital.

Mounds of paperwork.

No simple drawer full of new supplies, rather one must go to the pharmacy or supply room to obtain replacement drops or things.

New equipment is always a little difficult in the beginning. While it is true that everything works the same it just takes a little while to get used to where this knob is, and that button is.

My exam lane is the smaller of the two. Smaller simply because it is filled to the brim with extra equipment that isn't used regularly. I've really been struggling more than Swell I think.

I was getting more and more frustrated as I tried to figure out why it felt like I was moving in slow motion and everything just seemed really difficult.

It finally dawned on me.

I'm working in a left hand room.

Everything I'm using is on the opposite side of the room that I'm used to.

Not a big deal but its throwing me off. Physically and mentally. Just being in a weird room is causing everything to be just that much more difficult.

I'll get used to it but its going to take some time.

Nice weather today. Very warm, although we won't really experience it as we're here all day and then have a short walk home tonight.

There is no place like Nome

So we are sitting here in Airport Pizza just waiting for the waitress to bring Swell's Latte.

Needless to say Swell is ecstatic that she has the availability of Lattes, Cappuccinos, and Espressos.

Airport Pizza is one of many restaurants in Nome. It is, however, the only one we've tried thus far. We've now eaten here twice.

Our first meal here was a lunch where we got a very expensive, yet yummy, pizza. Believe it or not we had Reindeer sausage pizza.

It was quite good. We felt like doofus tourists ordering it but I've come to find out that it is actually quite popular.

Today we each had a burger. I had a true beef burger whereas Swell had a Garden burger. Both were quite good but, again, expensive.

Everything is extremely expensive here. We were expecting expensive but were still a little shocked. Swell is going to write down the prices of some of the things at the grocery store to share our shock. To give you some idea I'm looking out the restaurant window at the nearby gas station - $4.29/gallon. And we're told that's very cheap for Alaska standards.

Our little apartment is warm. That's really all it is but we're not complaining. We are warmer indoors than we were this time last year.

Much, much warmer.

Outdoors is another story, though.

Anyway our apartment is a two bedroom one bath complete with washer and dryer - yippee - but is filthy.

Disgusting filthy but not the kind of filth that can be cleaned. Its just the type of place that has seen many different tenants - I believe its owned or rented solely for the use of the hospital. Stains of unknown origin on the carpets and walls.

Rickety furniture.

But its fine. We're treating it like a camping trip.

Scrounging for food.

Sleeping in sleeping bags.

We haven't done much the last few days. We're just trying to acclimatize and get used to the time change.

We've been watching TV (they have provided us with cable) and DVD's (on my computer). We did venture out a little bit each day.

It is a very small town. Population ~3500. Everything worth going to is in a short distance from our apartment. Front Street is the main drag - complete with bar after tavern after watering hole - and is right on the Bering Sea - which is, of course, completely frozen.

The temperature has been very bearable. We think it was actually much colder in Edmonton over Christmas. We, of course, also have much better/warmer clothing here.

We start work on Tuesday. This week, as we've already mentioned, is simply diabetic eye exams. No set schedule. Folks from around the Norton sound area will be coming in for their annual diabetic meetings with the nurse, physician, and dietitian. At some point they will drop by the eye clinic where we will check their eyes for any diabetic complications. So we'll be busy in spurts. No big deal. It should be fun.

We have internet at work and then here at the restaurant so we'll be in touch this week but out of touch next week.

Sorry for the rambling but it is difficult for me to write fast and entertainingly at the same time.

Some pictures to end the post.

Nome began due to Gold Rush



Front Street


Tourist Center


Iditarod finish line - They pull it out at the end of the race but it sits outside all year long


We could walk to Siberia - we could if we were crazy.

Nome Sweet Nome

Here.

Not that cold.

Apartment is...interesting.

Orientation half day tomorrow.

Long weekend due to Presidents Day on Monday. Start working on Tuesday.

Later.

Cold?

We are sitting in the Anchorage airport waiting to board our last flight of the day. We will fly to Nome via another town so we have two more takeoffs and two more landings to go, although it is only one flight.

Lots of snow outside. Doesn't look too cold here but we have a long journey North yet.

Uneventful day thus far if you discount the ticket lady in ATL, the big guy squishing me on the second flight and the SCREAMING kid sitting right behind me.

All those who read this and are sick you better get better immediatley. All those who read this and are being silly with your lives better cut it out immediatley.

Ok that's it. My thumbs hurt and I don't like not having a spell checker.

We're on our way

So we will be leaving our house via cab (or more accurately "luxury sedan" - same price as a cab and way more cooler) tomorrow morning at 6. Our flight is at 8:30 am and we arrive in Nome, via Seattle, via Anchorage at 8:30 pm. 16 hours of travel time (remember the time change people) and we'll be in Nome.

Here's hoping our flights are on time and without incident.

Swell is excited by the fact that there is a 100 degree Fahrenheit difference between Nome and our holiday location of Maui. That will be a shock to the system.

We've already been asked to make this a year long deal.

We'll see.

I don't know how much access we'll have to internet but I get all my emails pushed to my phone immediately so you can stay in touch that way.

I'll also try to update here via phone if the internet is not working.

Later Gators.

Put it out of its misery

Before I start this post I want to explicitly state that we love our car and are very grateful for it. It was a gift Swell's parents gave her for Optometry school graduation a number of years ago. Since then I have purchased it from her. (Click here for a reminder as to how this car became my property)

That said this car has become more trouble than its worth over the last few weeks.

As the car approached 115000 miles we figured it was oil change/tune up time. No problem. I could take it in on a Monday or Thursday. Mondays both Swell and I had off but we're often out and about doing errands, shopping,etc. Thursdays Swell worked but I had the day off and could drive her and then head back to the car place and they would drive me the mile or so back to our place where I could do my weekly cleaning. (Of the house, not of me. I clean myself monthly whether I need it or not.)

Hating talking on the phone I had Swell phone to make the appointment. She tried a couple of times but their phone just kept on ringing. After learning of this non-answered phone business I did what any sane individual would do.

Find a new garage?

No. Book an appointment on line.

The next Thursday.

Me: Bye Swell. Have a nice day. I'll see you later.
Swell: Let me know if they find anything wrong with the car.

Twenty minutes later.
Me - on phone: Ummmm...Swell... I don't think they're open anymore.
Swell: What! They're not open?
Me: Correct. They are not open anymore.
Swell: That's strange. I guess we'll have to do it another time.

Three days later
Swell: When are you going to take the car in?
Me: I don't know where to take it... I'll have to search on the internet for another Ford dealer.
Swell: Why don't you just take it into the dealer we always take it.
Me: FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, DO YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME!
Swell: What?
Me: Remember? I was taking the car in last Thursday and I phoned you and said they weren't open?
Swell: Well, of course I remember that. What does that have to do with taking the car in this week?
Me: I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TAKE IT! I'll have to look for a new dealer online or something.
Swell: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU CAN'T JUST MAKE A NEW APPOINTMENT AND TAKE IT WHERE WE USUALLY TAKE IT.
Me: Oh my goodness! You really don't listen. I just told you that they were closed.
Swell: Its not like they're closed forever, stupid.
Me: It's exactly like they're closed forever. All the cars that were for sale are gone. Its just a big empty lot now.
Swell: Oh. I thought you meant they were just closed last Thursday.
Me: That doesn't really make sense does it?
Swell: I didn't think it made sense but you said it and most of what you say doesn't make sense.
Me: That's true.

So after that fateful misunderstanding I said something to someone once about not posting personal stuff (like fights) in a blog so I just want to reiterate that I exaggerate our disagreements although the underlying story is true. It is very true that we had a complete misunderstanding of what "They are closed" meant. It was quite funny. I searched and searched for another Ford dealer.

The nearest one wasn't really all that near. About 7 miles from our place, which is a long way in Atlanta.

So one fateful Thursday I dropped Swell off at work and made my way to the new Ford place.

Upon arriving I was impressed with the customer lounge, not so much with the neighbourhood.

After telling the garage dude that we needed i) an oil change ii) an inspection to look for any problems and iii) an explanation as to why the car was idling poorly at stop lights I went looking for a place to hang out.

Me - on phone: Swell, I'm a little bit a feared. This place is in the ghetto, and not the ironic cool ghetto I mean the actual ghetto and its freaking cold out today.
Swell: Don't care.
Me: Well ok then. I'll call you when the car is done.

I eventually found a place to eat. Who would have expected to find a Chik-Fil-A in the ghetto? (Ok that was crossing the line I know. It wasn't really a ghetto. It was just a rundown part of the city with a lot of shady people hanging around. And truth be told where isn't there a Chik-Fil-A in Atlanta?)

After my nutritious lunch I walked back to the garage and sat for five hours watching Scrubs on my computer.

Oil Change? Check!
Explanation for poor idling? Check!
Fix idling problem? Check?
Cheque? $600
Check the brakes? No. Although they were supposed to. Its on the sheet. The just marked. Didn't do.

Why would the brakes be important?

A few days later.
Swell on the phone: Ummmm, dear husband of mine. Remember when you took the car in. I told you to make sure they checked the brakes right?
Me: I know. They were supposed to. How am I to know that this new garage just ignores that part of the multi-point inspection?
Swell: BY TELLING THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES!
Me: Sorry. Are they worse?
Swell: If you consider a combination of an ear splitting screeching and a headache inducing grinding worse, than yes they are worse.

The next Thursday I was on my way to yet another Ford Dealer.

My long walk this time led me to a Wendy's followed by 4 or 5 hours of The Office on my computer while waiting in the not as nice customer lounge.

Brakes fixed? Check!
Cheque? Another $600

One day later toward the end of a very long Friday.
Swell - on phone: I'm on 400 and the car doesn't sound right.
Me: What's wrong?
Swell: I don't know. It just doesn't sound right.
Me: I'm sorry. Drive slowly and try to get here. I can't really do anything else from here.
Swell: Ok.

Ten minutes later
Swell: It sounds even worse now and its not going very fast.
Me: Maybe you should pull over.
Swell: I'm on 400
Me: DON'T PULL OVER!!!!

Ten minutes later
Swell: I made it. I'm in the parking lot where should I go?
Me: Just find the nearest parking spot.
Swell: I think maybe the tire is flat.
Me: Just find the nearest parking spot.

Ten minutes later.
Me while looking at the huge piece of metal in the tire and the blown sidewall: Well, you're lucky you're not dead.
Swell: You're not supposed to drive on a flat tire?
Me: No dear.

20 minutes later.
Swell You'll stay open for us? We're almost there. We're just driving on a doughnut now and we work tomorrow so it would be great if we could get it fixed tonight.

2 hours later.

Tire fixed? Check!
All other tires ok? Check!
Cheque? $250.

Since then? So far so good.

Don't Phone Us

Well we got rid of Sprint. They hosed us a little and we weren't able to port our numbers. So don't call us. After living in Atlanta for over 3 years we finally have local numbers... just in time to move away.

If you don't hear from us in the next couple of days via email or phone and you want our new numbers drop us a line. For the next day or two we'll be going through our contacts and trying to figure out who needs our numbers.