a new home

On Monday I moved. The new place is so much better. I got my own little bathroom. I can really close the window and I don't hear any cars anymore!!!! Once I close the door to my room I can actually stay inside and if I don't want to I don't have to meet others anymore. I even got a little kitchen Area and a TV to watch - so I actually get some news now. But the best: I got internet access and don't have to stress about how to get online access to check email and chat anymore. I am feeling so much more comfortable here!

On Monday I also got to assist Charlie during his last surgery. That was pretty cool. The anesthesiologist also let me practice how to intubate patients and I got to practice putting lines in! Being in the private hospital with this team is so much better, because I actually get to do something beside must neurosurgery. That day one of German Neurosurgeons had his first day with Charlie as well. That made watching surgeries a lot better as well, because he did explain quite a lot in addition to all the things Charlie always explains and he also pointed out difference to how they do it at our hospital in Greifswald. So that was really great! That night we also met for drinks. I really enjoyed the company and I was really glad to go out and actually know the people and know that we got things in common. Meeting new people is always exciting and interesting, but it is very different and less relaxed.

Tuesday was a regular day at clinic, but I was allowed to take history on some patients. I really enjoyed that - Patient interaction! I hope I can get to do some more next week. Charlie then took all of us out for dinner to a really really great chinese Restaurant. Since there is a conference for endoscopic neurosurgery this weekend Charlie has invited Neurosurgeons from all over the world and we had dinner with a Neurosurgeon from Italy and one from America. It was a very nice group of people. And the dinner was amazing! We went to that restaurant that served very fresh seafood. They caught the crab, the fish and the muscles freshly from their tanks and then showed them to us before preparing them.... really cool! The dinner had about 5 different courses. Amazing and really tasty.

After rounds I went to the theater and once again was allowed to intubate and catheterize the patients. It is really nice that I get to do things. The anesthesiologist also questioned me on some anesthesiology topics. So I don't just get asked about surgery and brain anatomy, but also about anesthesiology and that makes it a really great experience, because it's not just one subject I focus on.
Now we just got back from dinner at a Thai restaurant. The German Neurosurgeon took me and his sister out to Coogee. That was really nice. We ate at this little restaurant where the big front window was opened all the way and the window seal was turned into a sitting bench. I really love those little restaurant. It's like sitting outside, but still being protected from wind and rain....really great.

Overall it has not been a praticularly exciting week, but still a good one with lots of nice little experiences.....