Long and tiring, but successful dog show day.  Rx got 2 ribbons in obedience.  He did his sit and down stays in three different classes.
Handler error for the first two agility runs, but we ended the day with a "clear round".  Rx placed 5th, but that is out of all the jump heights, mini through maxi.  I"ll post the video, but if it becomes unavailable, check out the picassa site.  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/DogShowDay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Pics of lake and ducks are from when Rich and Kaylee took a break from the trial grounds, and checked out some Wanganui sights.  They had a walk on the volcanic ash beach where river & sea meet.

Had a nice evening meal with Marilyn and her flatmate Mary (ICU nurse), local teacher, and ICU doc.  Came home and watched the movie Boy.  It is supposed to be a "hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson".  It was filmed around Waihau Bay, and showed the poverty of Te Whanau a apanui, the Maori iwi in the Bay of Plenty.

I'm on mailing lists for US as well as international locum tenens companies.

As I've turned this blog into a personal journal, I decided to include the following listing from a recruiter.  It's a reminder of how jobs are negotiated here.  It doesn't list tea breaks (on my current schedule).  BTW, this pay is more than double my salary.

$450+GST per session

Parking

Accommodation and travel negotiated

The hours are decent, 8.30am to 12.30pm with paperwork time allocated for 12-12.30.  The afternoon session runs from 1.00pm to 5.00pm with the last patient seen at 3.50pm and the remainder of the time allocated for paperwork.

 If you can help out for 1 day or 3 days or the whole week please let me know a.s.a.p on (04) 894 3321 or 0800 4 62473.
The IRS here is the IRD (Inland Revenue Department).
Instead of an NPI #, I have an HPI (Health Practioner Index).
Patients have an NHI # .  The National Health Index number is a unique identifier that is assigned to every person who uses health and disability support services in New Zealand.
Just gave the dogs their Drontal; recommended three monthly.  Didn't need to bring the Iverhart; only caused problems at customs.  Vet yesterday recommended oral Comfortis, since Frontline is so irritating to Rx.

Dessert and pourra time.  Kiwis eat a lot of ice cream, and Tip Top is the most advertised brand.  Popular flavors are Hokey Pokey and Jelly Tip (haven't tried them yet).  Anyone hear of a NZ singer-songwriter and guitarist named Kimbra?  Reportedly high on the charts in the US.  Her father is a GP, and she grew up in Hamilton (same town as Murray).
Today I took Kaylee to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.  (The appointment cards say "My pet goes to University").  I'm going to see what they have to say about her ortho issues (and get her tooth fixed).  Today I also bought tickets for an All Blacks game in Wellington in September.  They'll be playing Argentina.  So I have some time now to learn a little bit about rugby.

Relating to where we took the Kiwi Rail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acPX_00M9Q&feature=em-share_video_use

Headline in the Manawatu Standard:   Large quake rocks Manawatu
     I was reading in bed, and heard a rumble that I thought was a truck going down the street.  Then the dresser started to jump, and the mirror above it started moving.  I knew then that I was experiencing an earthquake; didn't know that they felt them in Palmy.  Worried about having go outside with pajamas on.  The dogs ran to the front door.  They didn't do anything beforehand; animals reportedly sense disasters ahead of time?  At the office the next morning, Murray said that this was their way of celebrating The 4th of July for me; a shake instead of fireworks.
NZST Tue Jul 3, 2012  10:45
Richter magnitude 4.6
depth 230 km
70 km south of Opunake (drove through there the weekend we went to New Plymouth)
kiwis have web sites on their favorites such as:
geonet.org.nz
christchurchquakemap.co.nz

Newspaper articles regarding last night's earthquake:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/7215017/Large-quake-rocks-Manawatuhttp://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/quake-wake-up-call-for-city/1442599/

Talking about disasters, last night we watched a movie called Tangiwai (I check out mostly NZ movies).  It is about the train crash where cricket player Bob Blair (who was in South Africa at the time) lost his fiance.  "At 10.21 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1953 the Wellington–Auckland night express plunged into the flooded Whangaehu River at Tangiwai, 10 kilometres west of Waiouru in the central North Island. Of the 285 passengers and crew on board, 151 died in New Zealand's worst railway accident".  The movie is actually about their romance.  We drove through this area on our way to Rotorua.

If you liked the gumboots song, check out another kiwi folk song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvMeT2GC14

I'm learning more about the 1944 Polish children's camp in Pahiatua.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/wairarapa-news/5239435/Refugee-recounts-invasion-in-book



A wigwam for a goose's bridle means mind your own business/none of your business.

Scotch mist is:

• An idiom which in the United Kingdom means a cold and penetrating mist that verges on rain
• In the United Kingdom an idiom meaning something that is hard to find or doesn't exist (something imagined).
• Scottish term given to a persistent drizzle with poor visibility, especially on moors and out at sea (also called smirr). which poses risks of hypothermia to walkers, and of navigation and collision danger to sailors.
• Humorously, to refer to drunken confusion.

Do we use so many expressions in the US?

The ferry ride was relaxing and we had a smooth crossing.  We didn't get to the wineries in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, but we did see a good chunk of the top and central South Island.  It was great to get away and have this trip.  Enjoyed seeing new places.  Enjoyed the bathtub in the Christchurch motel (felt like I hadn't had a relaxing hot bath in a decade), and Jan, the room there was actually warm!  (a new motel).  Didn't enjoy all the time I spent thinking about what I should do work wise in the fall - explored many options and thoughts.  Didn't look forward to returning to 411A Featherston, but the dogs gave us a great greeting, so it was OK.
A few last random pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Travelling?authuser=0&feat=directlink  Didn't get a picture of the Palmerston North taxi that brought us home from the bus stop.
Busy at work.  Lots of colds and flu.
#3 major difference in my practice here:  GPs see patients for their surgical post-op needs.
For paeds, I ask about poos and nappies.
For chest exams, I ask the patient to take off their jersey.
Asthma inhalers are referred to as either the controllers (steroid) or the relievers (albuterol).
Terms I hear:  chesty cough, spot on, he's unwell, grizzly (irritable/cranky), not so flash, he came right, good on you.  I'll remember Tuesday morning hot chocolates, and Jan making the morning drinks (hot tea).

The major disadvantage to winter touring isn't the temperature, but the short days.  On the drive from the seals, we were too late to see the Buller Gorge Swingbridge, but had to navigate the winding mountain roads in the dark.  On the road to Abel Tasman in the early AM, we again had winding roads in the dark, with the added challenge of black ice.  The cold empty motel in Murchison reminded me of the motel in Durango that we stayed in one winter when we had snow chain difficulty and couldn't make it to the condo in Purgatory.  The drive Saturday AM reminded me of a 180 in the Audi on the way home from Angel Fire.  Rich did a great job driving, and got us safely to Marahau.

After an informative ride, we were dropped off at a beautiful beach, and walked to our pick up spot at another beautiful beach.  For those on multi day walks, there are huts and campgrounds along the way.  We walked from Bark Bay to Anchorage.  Took the low tide route, but missed low tide by a couple hours, so had to take our shoes and socks off while crossing the estuary.  Brrrrr.
Don't skip these pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/AbelTasman?authuser=0feat=directlink

Driving to Picton, we took the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive instead of the state highway, which turned out to have more twists and turns in the dark than ever.  The motel had electric blankets, and the bed was close to the heat pump, so we were comfortable.  Motels in NZ have kitchens, and you're given milk at check-in (regular or slim).
In restaurants, be sure to go up to the counter when you're ready to pay, or you'll be waiting at your table for the check for a long time; and don't forget that there is no tipping.

On Thursday morning, Kelly dropped us off at the airport before taking the dogs,  The great thing about flying domestically here is that you can show up 5 minutes before boarding, and take whatever liquids you want with you.  Shoes stay on.  No security line.  Nice service on short flights.  We picked up a wee map from the i-site, and went on a walking tour.  Visiting Christchurch reminded me of visiting New Orleans after Katrina when we were there for Jeff's graduation.  It is sad to see the damage done to a beautiful city, and sad to hear about the people in temporary housing.  Interesting to read about all of the insurance issues.  The most damage occurred during the second earthquake in February 2011, but there are still intermittent shakes happening.  Many things are not open, like the Canterbury Museum.  They are using these pods for stores in the CBD.  We had a lovely anniversary dinner, and received a bottle of wine from the motel manager.  For Christchurch pictures:  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Christchurch02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

The weather for our trip was Brrrrr  cold, but we had NO rain, and beautiful clear blue skies for most of the touring.  Friday morning, we boarded the train and headed west over the Southern Alps.  It was a nice relaxing ride with stunning scenery.

For all the train to Greymouth pictures:  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/TranzAlpine?authuser=0&feat=directlink   Lake Brunner (above) is the largest lake in Westland and is "renowned for its excellent trout fishing".

We picked up a Thrifty rental car and drove to Murchison stopping at the pancake rocks and the Tauranga Bay seal colony near Westport.  No time to go south to Hokitika to buy pounamu and ruby rock jewelry. 

better pancake pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/PancakesSeals?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Will finish writing about the South Island adventure next time.  Rich is packing to go to Gisborne, and I have been at the computer for too long.  I will say that Abel Tasman National Park is the most beautiful and serene place.  We had challenges with the Routeburn trek, but really enjoyed the Abel Tasman Coastal Walkway!  I feel lucky to have been able to do at least part of the coast walk, one of New Zealand's "Great Walks".