Rainy weekend.  Today we took a Sunday afternoon drive to explore more countryside.  Missed a turn and spent too long on a narrow windy gravel road with one lane bridges.   pics (no bridges) at https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/TheCountryRoad?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Saturday evening, we had a very nice dinner with a couple from Austin.  Jim is a radiologist.  I met Jan at the gym.  They are half way through their year here (different locums agency).  We compared experiences.  Rich and Jim shared hospital frustrations.  They have a more comfortable house.  I'll be home alone for a couple days, as Rich will be working in Gisborne Tuesday and Wednesday.

Who has heard of the Holden?  It is a popular car here.
Expressions this week:
-when asking about a triathlon group, I was referred to some people who might be keen to train with me
-asked someone for an appointment, and they said they would check their diary
-our secretary's husband was made redundant (lost job due to a lay off, which they call a redundancy
-news article about docs to vote on industrial action
-friend said he was going to the park tomorrow arvo (Ausralian slang for afternoon)
-patient hurt arm when shifting the furniture
Meds I had to look up this week:
Losec - omeprazole
Imigran - sumatriptan
Ovestin pessary for HRT
Savlon - topical antiseptic cream (one active ingredient is chlorhexidine)
Anusol wasn't subsidized, so found Ultraproct and Proctosedyl
forgot that Quetiapine is Seroquel
domperidone used for nausea, vomiting and gastroparesis
bendrofluazide - diuretic
Quinapril - ACEI
Mebendazole for threadworm AKA Vermox for pinworm
note: expressions and medical practice info was requested by blog readers
Please share thoughts and post comments on the blog.  Happy weekend.
No more public holidays off together.  Rich is on call on the Queen's Birthday.

Dogs:  On Monday, we joined the Feilding Dog Training Club.  They offer obedience Monday night, RallyO Tuesday, flyball and sledding Wednesday, and we're going to go to agility tonight, Thursday.
Our first experience Monday was interesting.  After a month of no training (sorry Evi), Rx finally did some heeling and did some sit stays where he tried to check out the kiwi dog to his right.  However, the classes are different (there are 4 levels of CGC), and the exercises are done just a little bit differently (for a recall, the handler walks away in a circle, and faces away from the dog until the judge says to stop), so it was a bit frustrating.  Instead of scent articles, they use pieces of cloth, and they don't do gloves or directed retrieve; and 90% of the dogs seem to be at a beginning level.  The class is really just club members (a small club) getting together to practice, so it was very loose.  I see it as a place to go to work on obedience exercises with Rx and commit to a schedule.  I won't change the way we do the AKC exercises.  I want to get Rx's CD at VVKC in October.  I'm looking into the Tararua dog club (out of PN, but obedience only), because they may have more structured classes.  They meet on Tuesday nights.  More dog pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Dogs?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Rx LOVES swimming.  In these pictures you can see the infamous lagoon where Rx didn't see the sign that swimming is only for the wildlife.  Watch the videos at the end of the album to see the dogs enjoying a stream in a park where dogs are allowed off leash.  New dog mates are Pippin, the Shaw's dog; and Biko, Kelly's new puppy.  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Walks02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Look at the website for the B&B www.kopanga.co.nz and under contact, see hosts' names.
I thought we were having a winery in our retirement, but maybe a bed and breakfast?

"LEST WE FORGET"

"Anzac Day occurs on 25 April. It commemorates all New Zealanders killed in war and also honours returned servicemen and women.

Anzac art 1916

The date itself marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles, the gateway to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. At the end of the campaign, Gallipoli was still held by its Turkish defenders.
Thousands lost their lives in the Gallipoli campaign: 87,000 Turks, 44,000 men from France and the British Empire, including 8500 Australians. To this day, Australia also marks the events of 25 April. Among the dead were 2721 New Zealanders, almost one in four of those who served on Gallipoli.
It may have led to a military defeat, but for many New Zealanders then and since, the Gallipoli landings meant the beginning of something else – a feeling that New Zealand had a role as a distinct nation, even as it fought on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire.  Anzac Day was first marked in 1916. The day has gone through many changes since then. The ceremonies that are held at war memorials up and down New Zealand, or in places overseas where New Zealanders gather, remain rich in tradition and ritual befitting a military funeral." 

We went to the Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph.  Unlike our Memorial Day activities, the holiday here is a solemn time.  People show real appreciation for their freedom and for the sacrifices made by others.  The program (after the parade) included an address, songs, prayers, wreath laying (all the armed forces, school groups, etc), and firing of volleys.  The New Zealand National Anthem was sung first in Maori and then in English.  Everyone then marched back to the RSA for morning tea.  The Returned and Services Association is our VFW equivalent.
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/AnzacDay?authuser=0&feat=directlink

                View of Craggy Range Winery and the Tukituki River from the top of Te Mata Peak

After a short walk in Napier, we drove south and had lunch at the Black Barn Bistro.  Food and setting was like Napa.  As you can see, I switched my drink to sparkling feijoa, but I do miss lack of artificial sweeteners for my tea.  Had a delicious friand for dessert.  The winery has an amphitheatre that hosts outdoor events during the summer.  We then tasted wine at Craggy Range.  There are 35+ wineries in the area.  Lee, we stayed at a lovely B&B in Havelock North.  After a drive up to Te Mata Peak, we spent the evening with Jody and Matthew.  Jody and Matthew now live in Haumoana after emmigrating from Albuquerque last November.  Jody is an oncologist and is employed by the same DHB (District Health Board) as Rich; she works at the hospital in Hastings, but drives to PN 2x/month for meetings.  Sunday, we went to Cape Kidnappers.  Ethan, Caroline, and Nathaniel - do you know the story of James Cook and the boy that was "kidnapped"?  The area here has the world's largest mainland gannet colony.  We didn't see thousands of birdslike you do in the early part of the year since the chicks migrate to Australia, and all the birds are gone by May.  We did see a lot of interesting things and learned a lot of geology.  Check out the last picture, a short video capturing a chick feeding.  Dennis and Lee and any other golfers, check out the Cape Kidnappers golf course on line.  For all the weekend pictures - 
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/HawkeSBay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Schreibers - look at the pics from the cruise; there is a picture of Marta, Maureen and me on that peak.  The tractor trailer trip left from next door to where we saw the sheep shearing and herding.  Winery tour was this area as well.

The kea: the cheeky bird New Zealanders love to hate
Reading this article about the kea reminded me of the baboons eating picnickers' lunches in
South Africa.

On Saturday, we left the dogs at home with a sitter, and drove to Hawke's Bay.  Every place seems to have a Maori legend attached to it; lakes we saw in Queenstown, the country of New Zealand itself, etc.  Here is the legend relating to Hawke's Bay: "Maui is well-known as one of the most famous gods in Maori mythology and perhaps his most famous accomplishment was fishing up the North Island of New Zealand.  The story begins with a day out fishing with his brothers. The brothers weary of Maui’s antics refused to give him any hook or bait so he used his own fishhook made from the jawbone of his grandmother. He then punched himself in the nose and smeared his blood on the hook to act as bait. Before long Maui caught a great fish that turned out to be the North Island of New Zealand.  The fish hook, according to legend, became the cape which now forms the southernmost tip of Hawke Bay. And here in Hawke’s Bay our coastline viewed from above still looks like the fish hook.  Hence the name for this part of New Zealand; 'Te Matau a Maui', the 'Hook of the Fish of Maui'."  Check out the area's contour on a map.  The drive out was beautiful, but we didn't stop to take pictures.  The roads were narrow and winding, and we were anxious to get to our destination.  So just picture sheep, cows, sheep, and more sheep on verdant rolling green hills and flat pasture land.  Definitely postcard views.  I love the rich green color of the land!  Also liked the road sign that said "slippery when frosty".  We passed by the villages of Norsewood and Dannevirke, and learned that Danes and Norwegians apparently "stepped in when the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s discouraged immigration from Britain." (Will have to brush up on NZ history).  It was about 180 km to Napier.  Yes Lee, we took route 2.  Napier is known for it's Art Deco architecture; the town was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.  Pictures are uploading, slowly.  To be continued.....

Cape Kidnappers

Just came home from an amazing weekend, but I am too tired to write about it now.  Will write details when I'm off Wednesday for Anzac Day.  The PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is gorgeous here too.

Joined a gym this week.
We'll each be paying about
20 NZD fortnightly.

my workday experiences (for the clinicians):
Zopiclone is the drug used most for insomnia-related to Lunesta
US has lots of ACEIs, but here I prescribe Inhibace (cilazapril)
Roxithromycin-macrolide, doxy for sinusitis - no Z-paks subsidized here
Tilcotil (tenoxicam)-NSAID,  Champix for smoking cessation,
Bleph-10 sulfacetamide soduim eye drop
Flixotide-fluticasone inhaler, Mometasone cream-Elcon, Quetiapine-Seroquel, flucloxacillin, phenoxymethypenicillin for pharyngitis
Salamol CFC free inhaler,  Zetop (cetirizine), qd (od) ibuprofen
fusidic acid cream-topical antibiotic, crystacide-hydrogen peroxide
otrivin and drixine are OTC nose sprays
range for lipid eval:  triglycerides <1.7 mmol/L, HDL>1.0,  LDL <2.5 primary prevention,
<1.8 secondary prevention;   diagnose diabetes if HbA1c is >50mmol/mol , glucose>7.0
visual acuity "6/12" for driving (6 meters is 19.685 feet)
computer wouldn't take my peds referral until I typed it Paediatrics
no provider in PN does newborn circumcisions
stay tuned for scenery pictures; we're going to Hawke's Bay this weekend

Fall is in the air.  The leaves are changing color and falling. 
Should I get a flu shot?
Will the dogs stop shedding?  Molt less, as they say here?

Rich didn't do the sticker shock blog that he talked about; and although PN green beans aren't much more than in NYC, I'll mention that new paperback books at the stores cost $35.
I didn't bring money to work today, so when the coffee man came by, Roz, the receptionist, shouted me a drink.  I said thanks for the treat, and she told me that to buy food or drinks for others is a shout (colloquial).

Just came back from the store - forgot the fly swatter.  Bought round beans for 6.99/kg (how much are green beans now?), hydroponic lettuce, sultanas; passed on the courgettes; dogs are trying to use only NZ products as well.  For a few more product pics, and for those who live to see more dog pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/NZProducts?authuser=0&feat=directlink

After checking out the Tararua Wind Farm, we walked part of the Manawatu Gorge Track.
It reminded me of hiking La Luz, but with more lush vegetation.  Check out the pics at
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/ManawatuGorge?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Always looking for places to walk the dogs.  Fortunately there are many city walkways here.  Will check them out as time allows.  The Riverside Walkway (Bosque equivalent) is the prettiest, and has numerous access points; but has dogs off leash, joggers, and cyclists.

There is the Pit Park, which is a small Open Space equivalent without the bird wildlife;

 and the around the block in the neighborhood, where curious George checks out all the yards, and is taunted by cats.

 

My medical practice:
should DNAs be billed?  no shows are referred to as did not attend
who has heard of ordering a faecal calprotectin to check for inflammatory bowel disease?
Nikki, why does Novartis market Reclast here as Aclasta?  the infusions are done in the GP office
reps usually come on Thurs, which is my day off; I can go with Rich to Wanganui next month.
I bring my own patient to the room.  No routine weights or vital signs are done.
So doc rooms patient, but nurse takes the initial history for NPV
some meds I've encountered include tranexamic acid for DUB, Pimafucort, Viaderm, cetomacrogol for eczema, chloramphenicol eye drops as drug of choice for conjuntivits.
sigs are different with mitte as quantitiy, od instead of qd for daily, etc.
I see lots of Peds, order EBV titiers for glandular fever, and ultrasounds not MRIs for rotator cuff tears.
Vaccine regimens are different with Tetanus boosters at 45 and 65.  Pneumovax only for med indication.
No subsidy for Zostavax
I do enjoy the patient care and the people that I work with.
Life in Palmy:  They don't know what a screen is here; a flyswatter is on our shopping list.  The postman delivers the mail on a bicycle.

Adjusting to work is easier for me than a new home routine.  After so many years, it is hard to get used to not having Nellie.  I don't miss TV (Rich does).  I thought there wasn't a lot to watch in the US, but the shows here are 100 times worse/really ridiculous; not to mention that we have an old set with a rabbit ears antenna and poor reception.  We did find a great oldies station on the radio that entertains us.  Heard more coverage of the Masters here than I would have heard in Albuquerque.
I love the device that they have for rapidly heating water.  Why don't we use them?

Kaylee rules the family room from her roost on the dog bed next to the TV.
Rx found his spot watching life go by from the guest room at the front of the house.
Have to go, megabytes are ticking away.

Instead of sheep, we passed lots of cow pastures on the way to Foxton Beach and Himatangi Beach.

Unfortunately, there were lots of little children and little dogs running around at the particular time and place we stopped (school holiday, warm weather and close to parking lot), so we couldn't keep the dogs off leash; Rx definitely loved the place though.  We'll go back and find a quieter spot after we master 4 wheel drive shifting and driving in the sand.
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Beach02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
for all the beach pictures.

Saturday, we left the motel, and set up at the house.  Go to https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/FeatherstonStreet02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
for pictures of checking things out before we unpacked.  Note Rx looking at the cat on the fence.
Rx dog walking challenge has switched from rabbits to cats (almost every yard) and children out on scooters.  The above pic is the motel.  The dogs slept in their crates before we left NM.  Even keeping the doors off, they want nothing to do with crates now.  Kaylee is happy on the floor on her mat (used to spend the day on Nana's bed).  Here, Rx is the one that wants to use beds.  
After Feilding, we went to Bulls Domain to check out an agility trial.

 So it's not just medicine where all the terms are different.
Instead of a clean run, people talk about their clear rounders.
Classes and how to move up is different.
When I asked about jump heights, I was told that my dogs would have to jump maxi.
How many inches is micro, medium and maxi?
A ribbon parade is a type of breed show.
Next blog post will be checking out the nearest beach!

Went to check out a gym, and when I asked if I could look around, I was told to have a wander.
I tell patients to ring if they're not better.
Used the trolley to load food at  the grocery store. 
Everything is more dear (costly) here.  Rich is going to blog this weekend about our sticker shock re cost of living being dearer.  One example now is that we knew it was going to be expensive to bring the dogs here, but didn't know that it would be expensive to keep them here.  Went to buy a bag of dog food:  $135 for the same brand we bought at home. It is NZD, but that is still 2 and 1/2 times what I paid for the same size bag at Pet Smart.  So Kaylee will have to live with less rawhides, and Rx will get less toys to destroy.
lay by         lay-a-way
footpath      sidewalk
chilly bins   coolers
carpark
There are some red kiwi orienteering courses at the Esplanade.
segway to pictures in that park on a nice day
https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Esplanade?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Activities from last weekend:
Went to neighboring town Feilding (where I'll probably go for dog training).  Drove there for the Friday farmers' market, which was actually held on Thursday that week because of the holiday.  Between the 2 towns 

http://www.gmedical.com/newsletter/2012-03-30
check out this article about another doc working for Global Medical Staffing
how do I make these URLs highlighted so you can just click on them?

Rich walks to work.  It is .6k.  His department does not have EMR and there is a lot of paperwork.
Today he is off to Wanganui.  Instead of seeing Navajo patients in Gallup, he will see Maori patients.
I just learned the term Pakeha.  Saw it first in the race classification section of the medical record. Basically, white New Zealanders of European descent.  My surgery is only 1K away, but I hop in the car for the 2 minute ride because I am out walking the dogs 3x/d and I don't want to get caught in bad weather with work clothes and bag.  Will write more about work later.
Foods:  We're trying to buy only NZ products and we're trying new recipes.
Check out some pics at https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Food?authuser=0&feat=directlink  Rich is drinking a large flat white.   I had feijoa juice and also tried a jaffa milkshake.

Passover
To the best of my knowledge, there is NO Jewish population in Palmerston North.  I brought 2 small Haggadahs from home, planning to make our usual meal.  However, due to it being moving weekend (one more pack and unpack), and not having a chance to go to Wellington to get Matzah, we looked into other options.  A Presbyterian Church here has an affiliation with a Messianic Jewish congregation in Tel Aviv.  They have being having seders for about 8 years.  They want to teach their congregants about Jesus's roots.  There was a printed paper Haggadah.  Shortened version, but all the parts included.  It was all in English, no Hebrew.  The seder plate and traditional foods were there (the leader did mix up charoses and moror), 4 questions, Elijah's cup, etc.  The only question the leader asked me was how to pronounce afikomen, and if there was a special significance to the children removing it.  The food was good.  Lamb was the meat.  The only thing lacking was matzah balls and chicken soup.  The new things for me were blowing a shofar to start, the woman leader wearing a head shawl, and doing urchatz at 2 different times??  After the seder was complete, the pastor came up and led some Christian readings.
Well, at least I had matzah, and felt like I had a seder meal.  See the link Mike sent.  Virtual seder online next year?   WSJ.com - Matzo Ball Soup, Check. iPad, Check. For Passover, Jews Try Techie Seders*

G'day mates,
     Still struggling with home Internet setup.  Had to go to the park in the "square" which is the town centre.  The plaza here is the indoor shopping mall.

 for more pics, copy and paste https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/TheSquare?authuser=0&feat=directlink
terms of the day:  jandel - type of footwear like a thong/flip flop
panel beaters - body shop mechanics
chipolata - a type of sausage; what I bought when I was looking for hot dogs for dog training treats
It is easy to settle into Palmy.  I do miss creature comforts, the bells and whistles I have at home; but we don't miss the large house.  To me, the atmosphere here is like a working class town from the '50s.  High School girls wear uniforms that include white ankle socks and Mary Jane shoes.  I'm used to new, large, and state of the art; here, it's not as clean and organized as I'm used to; things are dated and small.  But everything is done in a relaxed manner, and we feel less stress and anxiety.  People are generally warm and helpful.  No screens on the windows; adjusting to humidity, flies, and some large mosquitoes.
The internet is so slow, that's all I can do now.  Andy, I'll write about the seder soon.  What did the Jason-Fischers eat in Israel?  What soup/meat?

Gidday,
We finished our first week at work.   We started off with short weeks because of the 4 day holiday weekend.  Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays.  Not the best time to move into a new house when stores are closed.  More pics from my "surgery" at https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/AHC?authuser=0&feat=directlink  The 3 women are the 2 receptionists and the office manager.  In the break room you'll see Dr Vanja and nurse Jan.  The 3 women docs are Vicki, Vanja, and now Vivian.  I enjoyed seeing the patients.  My head felt like it was going to explode at the end of each day because of all the different things to learn once I had my assessment and had to order, prescribe, refer, find supplies, etc.  All to be expected.  Rich's orientation week was a bit more boring and he'll be writing on the blog about his observations.
He had his Ortho consultation; no pinning of the oblique compressed fracture for now.
It's Saturday morning.  The sky is blue, and I wish I had had the camera when we went on our AM walk.  We went through the park (to get out of the wind).   The palm trees were beautiful.  Saw the rose garden, aviary, conservatory, and lots of winding paths through trees.  Wondering where we're going to walk tomorrow AM in the new neighborhood.
So we have to check out of the motel now.  See pics at  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/PavillionMotel?authuser=0&feat=directlink
I had been worried about spending a week here with dogs, but it was great.  After seeing the house when we got the keys the other night, we thought it would be more comfortable to stay here.  One of the cleaning ladies took the dogs out one at a time mid morning and mid PM when I was at work.  People here like the "American Rotties" (except for one woman who thought Rx scared her bloody cat).
future blog entries will include drug rep visit, dog club, and our Passover seder at a Presbyterian Church.

preview picture
dog friends, who has heard of the crossover (instead of the dogwalk)?  

 3/29
Back to Palmy via Christchurch.  Visited an excellent Antarctic Exhibit across form the US Antarctic Center.  Kathy, you would have loved all the penguin info, not to mention the live ones. 
Flying is so pleasant; shoes stay on. 
Rich got his car, a Honda Jazz. 
3/30
Lots of errands:  got library cards, joined auto club, checked out pet stores, gyms, etc.  Should have ordered phones, but didn't know which company/what plan yet.  Saw my office, laid back atmosphere.
3/31
dogs from quarantine :)
I can't make the smile large enough to show how happy we all were.  Kaylee made a crying noise I never heard before.
clocks fall back
4/1
can't find anything (keys, particular clothes needed); frustrated with suitcase living
had nice hike with dogs off leash; enjoyed their freedom!
took great walks around motel;  AM - river (like bosque trail), PM -  park gardens
see pics  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/ReleaseFromQuarantine?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Sorry I don't have a picture here, but look up pounamu, a green stone also known as NZ jade.
There was a picture of it in the Queenstown pics (kiwi park), but that's what is used for one of the types of jewelry sold here (a lot of necklaces).  The other popular jewelry is made from the paua shell.
Mon 3/25:  bus ride to start of Routeburn; saw sheep, cows, deer.  Sheep population is down from 40 million to 34 million.  Had a stop for scones and tea.
The hike was more challenging than I anticipated.  I felt badly that I was always last (Rich called me Aunt Adele).  I told people that I was just taking time to enjoy the scenery.  Other excuse was that we were the oldest people doing the walk.  We did enjoy meeting the others in the group (24 total).
Of course the scenery would have been better if it didn't RAIN all day Tues.  That made the rocks slippery/very dicey; and for those who haven't heard, Rich fell while letting someone pass, hit his left hand on a rock, and broke his 5th metacarpal.  He hiked for about 2 hours until we got to the lunch hut, where we learned that the guides had basically no first-aid supplies.  We improvised by using a spoon for a splint.  Rich could use it to stir his tea.  No ibuprofen until we got to the lodge for the night.  Glad to take off the WET clothes and sloshy boots.
The walk was easier Wed with more downhill and less rocky terrain, but my toes and calves were painful.  The sun came out as we were leaving the park, so the pictures of the lake from the bus are nice.
Went straight to the Queenstown A&E to get an X-ray.  As Lauren said, we couldn't wait until Monday, our first day of work, to start learning about the Kiwi healthcare system.
Hike pics:   https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Routeburn?authuser=0&feat=directlink
After casting the hand, back to the French restaurant for dinner.
Today's expressions:
it's not study abroad,  students here go for OE (overseas experience) 
sorry I didn't ring last night
that's brilliant
Foods:  who's used vegemite spread?
most delicious apples!!
fresh OJ lacking
ginger beer is a popular drink
We're trying to eat local products
I have not been successful in giving up diet Cokes, and Rich is having a little withdrawal from house hunters.  TV is really bad here.

continuing on 3/23
observation:  Kiwis are hearty.  Whatever the weather, they wear T-shirts, flip-flops, and shorts (I'll be wearing a fleece).  We don't think any of you would be impressed with the fashion sense in the provincial towns here.
expression of the day:  let me have a wee look and check for you,  just a wee bit
words:  rubbish for trash, chemist for pharmacist
dinner at Nero's for Rich's bd;  remember that one if you come to visit (excellent)
Kathy, please tell Mr. Benjamin that I'm using the book that he gave me; and I want to thank him again.
You can give him the blog site if you would like.
Sat. 3/24
no airport security on the PN domestic flight
whenever I see and hear Kia Ora (welcome), I hear "what time is it" in Spanish in my head
Air NZ safety briefing is a crazy entertaining Richard Simmons video
arrived in Queenstown and the most notable feeling of the day was carrying just one bag after a week of organizing and moving all the gear we had
Walked in the rain, tried to figure out the internet gigabyte system
Sun 3/25
more walking in the rain, of course we met a man in the hotel that was off to play golf
still adapting to no free wifi/limited wifi when we did get it.  you even have to pay at Starbucks
I'm now over my i phone/pad/cloud withdrawal
tourist weekend; great french breakfast, WARM new Merino and possum sweaters (buy one if you come here!), steamboat and farm
pics for Queenstown are at  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Queenstown02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
watch a short clip of sheep shearing (I should have deleted all but one, but just uploaded all the pics)
This was a tourist demonstration, but I'm told that professional shearers complete a sheep in less than a minute.  The Haka show seemed touristy.  We saw a better one in the Auckland museum when we were here in 2008.   Great exhibits there as well.
Went to the briefing for our "tramp" and visited the Kiwi Birdlife park and learned about NZ birds and kiwi conservation programs.

3/22  warm welcome from Murray and Jennifer.  Murray Shaw is the GP (they don't use the term Family Practice) owner of Amesbury Health Centre) - even if we did have 12 bags to fit in their vehicle;  vegan meal - rockmelon and stonefruit for dessert.  It does seem like everything is called something else here, not just meds.     Russell and Pip very helpful at our pet friendly motel.  Still need to take a picture here - moving out tomorrow.
3/23  got our petrol at 157.9 cents/liter and drove to Levin to visit the chiens
In the pictures you'll see arriving in Palmy, visiting the dogs in quarantine, first of many sheep sightings, view of the rental house and the lovely well kept property, our street, my car (Suzuki Grand Vitara), the hospital, leaving for Queenstown - no security at the airport, downtown Palmy on one of the 2 sunny days after returning from the South Island.  You can see the city council building and an old hotel.
so cut and paste again https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Palmy?authuser=0&feat=directlink

copy and paste https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Auckland?authuser=0&feat=directlink to see our pictures from Auckland
please comment, and let me know if there is a better way to blog

https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/OnTheWay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
copy and paste this site to see first set of pictures
be patient, I WILL send New Zealand scenery

Time for a brief diary of the start of the trip.  Wish I could figure out how to insert a picture next to a comment more easily.  We'll see how the pics upload.   3/17/12  off we go! 

3/18  family birthday dinner in windy LA,  90 years combined (Mike and Rich), dogs got new toys - stuffed sheep.
3/19  crazy day getting dog's ready for USDA vet appts.  Lauren helped tire them out before their long confinement.  Kaylee looked scared/worried in her crate.  Rx hopped in and got comfortable.
Great flight on Air NZ.  Economy plus definitely worth it.
3/20  didn't happen
3/21  arrived in rainy Auckland, visited the Maritime museum.  Thought of Jeff when we went through the sailing exhibit and learned about the life of Sir Peter Blake.  Learned that dogs aren't allowed in some state parks in NZ because they chase the endangered kiwi birds.
3/22  Medical Council Interview.  Received book on practicing medicine in NZ.  Best chapter is the one on slang terms.  Went up the Sky Tower and tried the kiwi pavlova dessert.

First day of work.  My drive in was OK.  Adjusting to sitting on the right side of the car is harder than driving on the left side of the road.  I turn on windshield wipers when I need my turn signal.
NZ is an English speaking country, but EVERYthing is different.
refills are repeats, the problem list is called classifications, allergies are warnings, ROS meant suture removal; not to mention expressions and accents.
Elaine, I'll eventually tell you about the nursing education and QA procedures, etc., but first I'll have to learn their EMR click locations.  Hardest new thing today was that Paps (called cervical smears) are done with the patient on their left side.  Rich needs the computer.  Cheers, Viv
PS  I'll back track to the trip in and our tourist week when we get into our house, but thought I'd mention that we couldn't wait until starting work to learn about kiwi health care.  Rich fell on our hike and fractured his 5th metacarpal.  It was raining, and he stepped aside on a slippery rock to let someone pass.
Dogs are happy to be out of quarantine.  Found a dog club.  May be doing obedience Mon and agility Thurs.