21 May 2011

Barren

The walls are bare. The cupboards are sparse.  The floor is littered with clothes, and the garage with boxes and bubble wrap.  The koalas on our Australia wall calendar stare us down, reminding us that just under two weeks of school lie ahead of us. And then, only just a week until we board our 13 hour flight to Melbourne!!

As our impending departure arrives, I am increasingly joining Chad in his nervousness. It seems like there is still so much to be done, and so much to square away before we leave: making sure medical bills are paid off, getting our utilities shut off, making sure all paperwork for financial aid and student loans is signed – the t’s crossed and i’s dotted, getting everything boxed and cleaning all the nooks and crannies, cleaning the carpets, finding accommodation in Melbourne and Adelaide... OMG there is so much!!  All while still trying to make it through our class lectures and labs, and making it to all of our rotations at the hospital. I find it hard to believe that the other students are having nearly as hard of time getting their moves sorted.

For the record, Baldy’s BBQ in Bend was delicious, and I for one had my fill of crepes to last me until I can find a new delicious cafĂ© that serves them.  Our Easter weekend was a lovely little trip to remind us that we might never be back to this area… at least not for years to come.

My wrist is doing rather well after surgery.  I panicked a bit when my cast was removed and I couldn’t move my hand at all.  The PA said “make a fist”, to which I stared at him helplessly and said “I can’t”.  “Well,” was his response, “most people don’t need therapy after this type of surgery.  But you’re the exception.”  It is beginning to get eerie how many doctors say those words.   So, I’ve been in therapy for a while now, and am making good progress.  My pain is getting under control, and the bulging nodule that was once there is sufficiently smaller.  If you feel in just the right spot, you can detect the little flap of the tunnel they cut open, which I find neat, but makes Chad cringe.

Our last big stepping stone is getting the big items sold – the couch, loveseat, washer and dryer, bbq, etc – and getting them out of the house. If you know anyone looking for those things in the Klamath Basin, send them our way!  In the meantime, we will continue hoping to find SOMEWHERE to stay in our future city BEFORE we get there!

Oh - and keep an eye out!  As we make our transition abroad, our blog will be transitioning with us!  We will also be adding a photo album so you'll be able to wallow in jealously with the rest of our family!!  Not really - winter will just be starting when we get there, so we'll have to go through it ALL OVER AGAIN!!  But the pictures will still be nice (: