Monday night--ready to go

Spent the day finishing up at home.  Packing,  a little running (30 minutes), a little last minute work stuff related to the NICU --will we be there still working in January, VON meeting prep, Sean prep, small bye-byes.  Then Ro and I drove up to Portland, met Hannah and Josue at Kell's for Irish dinner, baseball play-off watching, Voodoo donuts.  Still hasn't started raining this fall.

Have two suitcases both around 35-40 pounds or so.  Hopefully I will stay under 50 each for the long trip.  It may be close with books and all.  I may have to squish more into my backpack or sneak onto the plane as carry on.

Hazel is very happy to be here with us.  Off to Detroit in the morning.  Hannah is driving me!

Sunday things

Had the weekend off so did some trip prep and some NICU work and some odds and ends around the house.  Watched Oregon play Washington State, the Tigers eek out a win over the Twins (Ogden and Olive watched too; they are Tiger fans of course), ran at Bush Park and watched the Willamette Cross Country Invitational.  Payed some bills, did some bill arranging while I'm away.

Ogden

Olive

Ethiopia stuff that I can think of: headlight, flashlight, Pepto Bismol tabs, TD drugs, other drugs for breathing, peeing, antihistamines, Aleve, vitamins, baby aspirin, scrubs, cameras, bug spray/sun block, M&Ms, cliff bars, band aids, running stuff (shirts,shoes,shorts,tights, gloves, hats, socks), exercise stuff (bands, stretch stuff, massage things), digital books, paper books, clothes (pants, shirts, socks, underwear), soap, toothpaste/brush/floss/mouthwash, shaver, toilet paper, electric converter, charging things, work stuff (scrubs, stethascope, books, procedure magnifier, lab coats, more books, notes), things for the NICU (feeding tubes, bulb syringes), passport, some dollars. 

It's all piled in the living room or starting to be in suitcases.  I took our broken suitcase apart and fixed the handle so I can take it now instead of the clunker I got from Cindy!  I think I will be able to manage through the Portland, Detroit and Chicago airports.  I'm going to do cabs for Chicago and rent a car in Detroit.  A cab to the Portland airport also.  The logistics are worked out.  Next I have to figure out how to vote while I'm away.  Cindy said I can get my ballot by going to the County location.  

One of the hospitals in Addis is named Yeketit 12.  Evidently that's a famous date related to the Italian Fascists killing 30,000+ Ethiopians during WWII.  There's a monument/square and many buildings are named for that date.  I thought that was an odd name for a hospital and asked.  I really like the name and have ordered some Ethiopian history books to learn more about that event and also the Communist takeover in the 70s (I think) where anything bearing Haile Selassie's name was changed.  

I also brought home litter so Ro won't have to do that.  Those boxes are heavy!  

I've been reading some also.  Telegraph Avenue.  I did my Visa Bill reconciling today and was shocked at how many times I've downloaded books from Barnes and Noble in September.  I've got to get that under control!  

ethiopia prep

Cindy and I talked for a bit about the trip.  Then I reread the orientation booklet which is a bit dated.  Cindy has been chatting with others who have been there.  It's not clear what we should bring in the way of equipment but I went ahead and ordered a stethoscope and procedure magnifiers and a couple of short lab coats to go over scrubs.  Sitting in the Beanery now after doing that.  I think we will be doing Neonatology circa 1973 or so.  Lots of cold babies, premies who die from respiratory failure, some babies with birth defects.  I've ordered some texts that are being sent to Eric at his building in Chicago and have some here also that I'll either just carry with me or send later in a box and then repack there.

I also bought a smaller camera that I can carry around with me rather than the big one.  I think I'll take both though.  Set for plane reading if the battery stays charged.

Also trip logistics--money, other little things to carry perhaps.  We're getting some interesting advice on that--flashlight, toilet paper, cliff bars.  Current airport plan is that Rosie will drive me up on Monday night and I will take a taxi very early Tuesday morning to get the plane to Detroit.  Coming back, isn't figured out just yet but I'm guessing Ro will leave her car at the airport when she comes or Hannah may be able to get us.  I think we have ways to communicate back via skype and two other phone methods we can try.

There must be things I'm forgetting!

late night musings-ethiopia and more

Got up early this morning to exercise.  ugh though once I do it, I'm glad.  My warm up is with the phone roller and some active stretching, then a little marching, single leg balancing and a very short run up and down the gym.  Then the training begins.  A video would be better than just describing the little 3 exercise groups that I do.  But they involve jumping, a little weight lifting, balancing myself.  Just when I finally get half way good, there will be a new routine beginning next week.

Then off to a couple of meetings at the hospital and day of seeing babies in the NICU.  We aren't too busy and the babies are always fun.

Got a haircut also and talked with Sara who is on her way back from Jackson Mississippi via Charlotte.  Caught up on her recent adventures so have talked with everyone the last couple of days

Cindy Davis has been busy with our Ethiopia/Turkey trip arrangements.  We've got plane seats, a place to stay in Addis--the Red Cross--a place to stay in Istanbul and even in Chicago at the end.  She is much more organized than I would have been so I'm studying her approach for next time.  We've also moved along with our work and teaching plans.  I've ordered a few books that are being sent to Eric at his hotel in Chicago.  I may send along a large suitcase as well so I don't have to lug it to Detroit and Chicago first.  We have emails from others who have gone and a call with Jeffrey Horbar to discuss plans next week.  It's only 3 weeks until we go!

And there is still no definite plan for what I will be doing come January.  Ben Bernaki was helpful though with the fed plan to buy up mortgages and keep interest rates low.  that may help with a house sale in Salem if it comes to that.  Downsizing I hope.  I have packed up my hospital office and will move out later this month.  I will have to take a photo before I go.  Also cleaning up computers so I don't leave anything useful behind.

I've also been  loading up my Nook (and Kindle) with books.  Read, Read.  Currently "the things they carried" by tim o'brien.  Just finished a mediocre one, Kennedy, 1936.  Don't go there!  I have enough to get to the end of the year and well into next.

another Sunday

We are sitting up in Portland with Hazel.  Saw Ira Glass tonight with the Lewellans after a small dinner.  I've had a nice weekend at the beach Friday night and then here last night.  Also went to the farewell dinner for Dave Goodwin who is on his way east starting Tuesday.

Current state of Ethiopia:  Cindy has made our hotel reservations for Turkey and Chicago on the way back.  We have a little better idea what we will be doing.  It's definitely getting closer...will that's obvious.  But it's also feeling like it's getting closer!

I have some nice pictures from the coast.  Here are a few.

Nye beach from the parking lot

a cormorant at Depot Bay, my favorite town on the ocean to drive through

Depot Bay shops

Current job state:  OHSU has made an offer for me to stay and work in Salem.  This week will be some heated discussion about the same.  That creates a little angst for this guy!

Back in Salem

We made it back to Salem this afternoon after stopping for lunch at Suttle Lake just this side of Sisters.  A lovely spot and we didn't overeat too badly (that is, we split dessert).  We've unpacked seen the kitties who are thrilled to have us back, done some wash, opened some mail, made a few calls.  I'm back up tomorrow but hope to not get called.  The real work starts on Tuesday!  Well, Monday night call.

Also did some xmas and Ethiopia planning and vacations for next year!

Here are a few photos from today, via iphone.

the Lake from the outdoor dining area

Colette

Bruno

Burns to Bend and part way to South Sister's Peak

We made it to Bend yesterday in time to drop Hazel at the Bend Vet for an overnighter.  Then to the Riverhouse for the night and prep for the South Sisters hike.  Prep meaning an expensive stop at REI (water bottles, snacks, some clothes) and a slightly less expensive one at Whole Foods for dinner, early AM breakfast and some more hiking food.  

Then out to the trailhead at 0530 at Devil's Lake for our trek up the mountain.  We managed to find our way with only one scary moment of feeling lost.  We were the only ones on the road but when we got to the trailhead, we had trouble finding a parking spot!  We were the first in our group, but the line of people heading up could have been a queue for a London City bus!  

I immediately ended up in the water, the only one who couldn't walk the two logs across a small stream at the start.  But that was the only mishap for me.  Ro fell once on the way back down but no serious harm to either of us.  We ended up going up slightly more than 4 miles and 9 altogether.  There were spectacular views of many Oregon peaks and some valleys, well worth the trip up though it was a steep climb and we both felt our ages.  

We are safely back with Hazel in the hotel and we also celebrated with two burgers and fries in downtown Bend.  Here are some photos of the last couple of days.

most of the hikers at the start.  a few were up ahead a few still coming along!

South Sisters!  I don't think you can actually see the top but still we are far awaay

Mount Bachelors--hot spot out here

Martha Nelson--Michigan raised Neonatologist who loves to hike in Oregon 

one of the spectacular views--my camera lens doesn't do it justice

Ro and an Alpaca at an unusual roadside stopover off the highway on the way to Burns

the other Alpaca

important Alpaca information!