Abroad Down Under

Yesterday was a low key day, but I did find a Kmart and a Target to buy a converter and some goggles for the pool. This morning I had an interview with my business, Greenwood Dental. The woman who is my supervisor is Lisa and she was such a kind and understanding lady. She said that while my friend and I are there to work, I'm there to have fun foremost. She said that I can watch any special procedure and shadow all of the time. It seems that in my downtime I'll be in the sterilization lab. Lisa asked us to make a list of places we want to visit (because they'll try to help hook me up with travel deals), what I want to do in Sydney (because a bunch of the practice wants to do an activity with me), and what dental aspects I want to see (like if I want to watch an implant or sedation).

Greenwood is a huuuuuuge practice with 5 dentists. I met the three owners today, and they were so nice and funny. The staff is huge (at least 15 people), so I have some names to learn, but they are truly a family and team here. They plan activities all of the time, and it is the most highly rated dental practice in Sydney. Seriously, these dentists are the top of their class and even the hygienists and nurses are top notch. I have to get used to some of the lingo, so for example, an opertory or office is called a "surgery".

Also, the Australians have such a cheeky, clever sense of humour. They love to make fun of each other, and Dr. Obaid says I'll have a nickname in no time. So far everyone has been absolutely lovely and friendly. Overall, I'm really excited to start working. I even may finish a week early, since Lisa suggested it. That way I get 2 and a half days of spring break.

As for my goals, I want to go to Cairns and Melbourne for sure. I'm up in the air about New Zealand just because it's so expensive. But everyone in the office says that they can help me find reasonable flights if that's what I really want to do. One of the office girls is from New Zealand, and she offered to help me, too.

Oh, and what's even nicer about my work is that I don't have to dress fancy. Unlike everyone else interning here, I can go to work in normal clothes and change into my scrubs at work. Work starts a bit earlier than everyone else (8am) and goes later than everyone (6pm), but this is the reason I may finish a week early. I need 192 hours logged, and I'll have that a week earlier than everyone else.

Another thing before I go. Talk of the floods in Queensland are everywhere. According to everyone here, even Sydney is having a cold, rainy, miserable summer. Now I don't thing 75 is miserable, but folks down here think its horrible. In fact, this is the first time in years that Sydney is not experiencing drought weather. While everything is green and flowering now, it's normally brown and the country faces wildfires. This is why it's so strange that the country has flooding. The people here are very upset, and donations for Queensland are asked everywhere you go. Many people I've spoken to are visibly upset, and one person said to me that when one part of the country hurts, the entire population hurts, as well. Families are spread out here in Australia, so many people have relations in Queensland. The raining and flooding just won't quit. Not only do you have water-borne disease, but salt water crocodiles and venomous snakes are a huge danger as well.

I hope it warms up for everyone here just so some of the rain quits. I need to get my rays somehow.