Thinking of those in Chile affected by the 8.8 earthquake. Amazing.
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201002/r522251_2904303.asx

Can't believe March is right on our doorstep. It's been a fairly hectic 2 months already in this new year of 2010.
Yesterday was eventful - first of all, to wake up at 10.30am was absolutely AMAZING. Unheard of for me, then had final rehearsals for exercise class which was done this AM - seriously, seeing yourself on camera really sucks...
Spontaneous BBQ y'day night was pretty sweet despite 5th-wheeling and 7-wheeling :P I think Jane Lai owes me - what ya reckon? I was freezing in my tee and shorts and no one to hug 'cept for Sarah Wong LOL All good - even the awkward threesome linking/hug-round-the-body and the hangin' with the Daddy. Good times (Y) Though I think what I really love is talking in the dark in cars and just saying what you wanna say without having a second thought knowing the person on the other end is going to understand where you're coming from :) I like being who I am and not someone else. I mean, who can't resist with a face like this?

So at lunch at Deakin, Cheryl showed pics of her 4-week old grandson and SO CUTE. She said she didn't really want to show many people 'cos she had pre-selected only good photos in the little album and was worried others wouldn't think he was cute. I said that Asian babies are the ugliest to which everyone laughed to, but then on a more serious note, she said he was HALF-asian to which I replied - now that is different - they ARE cute. Heather then brought out photos of her kiddos - the boy is blonde with blue eyes 'cos her hubby is Swedish :) Jealous. Then Liz showed her pics of her twins. The conversation then turned to not washing your baby for two weeks because of the presence of special oils on the baby's skin. Heather then added you do have to wash them a bit because of mucousy membranes which become hard and gooey - perfectly timed as I was eating my curry rice. Cheryl quietly asked me if I have a boyfriend to which I giggled like a stupid girl and said 'Nah I don't'. She said I could tell her if I had one so I said I would IF I had one...she also mentioned she could introduce me to which I replied 'Nah it's all good - I think I'm quite busy and stuff especially this year so maybe can't commit all that much?' and she nodded :)

Caught a lift up with boss-of-the-day Sarah and she asked me to come to her birthday party at Donvale FC on March 20 (she's turning 36 according to FB) so I said yeah I'll try to make it :) That got me thinking I now have an excuse to invite 30-somethings to my 21st....Later on after hours of marking, I'd finish but everyone was still going. Jodie said to give her a neck massage so I did and she liked it so much she was giving yelps of satisfaction. Massaged Cheryl too, then Heather, then Gemma. They were lining up - ha! Soon enough I was off - visited pet shop on way, bought $6.95 Miffy food and got home only to realise my mum had bought it already earlier today. Ho-hum.

It was a somewhat eventful week.
Even more mingling at BH CNY celebrations complete with lightsabers.

Tuesday Bollywood night and eateries at Ghin Khao. But more importantly POKEBALL, no?

A week of undressing and hands-on practicality complete with boob jokes.

Southland exploration, SpecSavers, fail KFC Krusher, Maccas cookies and 'I love Daddy' books.

Meeting Sonal & Connie's new addition to the family, Georgie.

Work tomorrow - possibly last full day shift in months as I try to scale back a bit. Got a heap to do over this weekend already...

The last year or so I've probably been battling myself more than anything, just realising it isn't easy not knowing if what you're meant to be doing in life is what you are doing, if that makes sense. You watch other people do it so easily and translate things into practice like it's no issue at all, whilst you kinda struggle and learn the hard way. Sometimes there's just so much doubt in my mind that it takes so much to get through it. Sometimes I just want someone to say I'm on the right path, to comfort and reassure me, so my mind is at peace. Or maybe I figure out that myself.
So this is my life for the rest of the year:

Orthopaedic Placement - Royal Talbot - Starting 8th March
Cardio Placement - Austin - Starting 12th April
Neuro Placement - Austin - Starting 10th May
Gerontology Placement - Repat - Starting 7th June
Paediatrics Placement - Yooralla Belmore - Starting 12th July
Block 6/7 - One free, One elective

Not much of it really.

Changed layout :)
Happy CNY peeps for tomorrow.

Another week passes - just like that. Got nothing too much to report apart from new TV, manipulating the spine, more assignments, more group work and more naked, intimate practicals. Physio is such a dirty profession, I swear. Anyway, I think this guy is really cool. He's our tutor/lecturer who used to work as head physio for the Carlton Football Club back in the 80s and now has his own private practice. I don't know why he's cool - he just is. I even googled him and came up with this:


And this is the new 46-inch Samsung LCD TV. And yes that is a box fan (Y). And a pig from Vanuatu.
What's in the box?

P.S. I'm psyched about Winter Olympics :) but miss the Li Chen :(

This is what I'm studying at the moment. Very educational.



Back to the whole-body mirror to practise. Don't lie - I know you were joining in to that class.

This week has just kind of flown by quick. Let's see...it was a week of:

• 4th year formal welcome and introductory scare
  
• IELTS 'Training' aka bitch-talking, Mentos-stealing amongst 40-yr old women
  
• Sweaty necks and hair during cervical PPIVMs and mobilisation
  
• "I need more receptors along the lateral surface of my index finger"
  
• Loving the Guy Zito
  
• BRAN NUE DAE with the Sarah Wong and John Lee. Wants a KOMBI VAN and NOT one of those trees...
  
• Dr. Sherburn playing pole-dancing music (her fave) then parading in front of 80+ soon-to-be physios demonstrating how an exercise class should be carried out. Getting us all up to join her in her antics. Clapping to the beat of the music.
  
• Realising there are a hell of a lot of assignments to get through these 5 weeks - global assignment, exercise video, exercise assignment, ethics essay, reviewing an ethics application, MCQ stats test - and that I may not have a life yet again
  
• More group work.
  
• 8am prac classes again
  
• My new phone sock
  
• 3-hour ethics and psychology seminar. THRIVE, do not
  languish.
  Dr. McLeod telling us to look after ourselves before others. Self-care is important. Alone time too.

If every week was like this, this year, I would be happy. Though I know things are only going to get tougher. Get through this year and graduate, but be happy and thankful for the things that happen along the way - after all, which other course has a crazy 50-year-old woman deep-squatting, arms waving and stepping to the tune of pole-dancing music, reporting that her shin nearly gave way, but kicking along anyway, for a demonstration at 11 in the morning. Welcome to final year physiotherapy.

:)

First of Feb came round pretty quick. That is, first day of the final year of university. Started at 9.30am but met with Chels bit earlier to buy manuals which cost all up of $69.95. Eftpos pls. Saw some jocks before and hid opposite the lift so I wouldn't see them. HA HA. They just seem to get tanner and buffer every year *ahem*

We had a formal introduction to fourth year, then went through the norm administration stuff. Need to re-do my police check again, but no worries, I am a good girl :) Louisa then showed us a photo of the most recent graduates and said that she all hoped we all would be there at the end of the year. Plus, graduation was "looming" apparently. Say what? Dec. 4th. On a sad sad note that I did not know before, Melbourne Uni does not do the MORTARBOARDS for undergrads! Huzzzahhh...that is the only reason why I'm graduating, duhhh!!?

At 10 we had some chick from Fitwise Physiotherapy lecture us on pilates vs clinical pilates. She rocked up in her gymwear with her Cat Cheah-like Nike water bottle. I thought it was funny. She was quite passionate and got on the floor to readily demonstrate such techniques. I was like, wow, good on you Mum you're actually doing the right thing when you are flapping like a bird whilst watching TV. Clap clap. Had a 2hr break for lunchies so headed to the North Court that I have not set foot on in MONTHS. It was just so peaceful and nice weather. Conversations & laughter about slapping on a heat pack for 1/2 hr that people pay $60 for, Chels' gastro in Cambodia where she ended up herself in hospital on a drip with 5 unknown drugs and random people crowding her bed, club foot casting, Osler's contract, tennis, how we miss Mel's high-pitched voice and the year ahead. Soon enough, it was time to head back to Berkeley. Had Guy Zito's lecture on VBI and manipulation precautions. I really like the guy - not in that way of course. Lucky enough to have him for the 2hr prac after that where we practised our "spiel" on how to gain informed consent prior to manip. Plus carried out active and passive VBI tests. Boxes ticked off (Y).

Took 201 bus back home and argh John got on - uber-gay Asian fellow physio student who doesn't actually take my bus, but since I was there and he wanted to TALK he got on the same one. Found out he doesn't like travelling. Who DOESN'T like travelling? Weird people. Anyways home at like 5.10pm. Enough time to munch on BBQ pork rice which I soon regretted as there was a STACK of food waiting at Deakin where I had a 3hr training session on impostor detection and image quality. Lets see - triangular sandwiches, spring rolls, pies, those ricotta pastries and coffee&tea. Sat at the very back with my fellow four 40-something ladies and watched on amusingly. Stashed Mentos Mints further into the evening and got caught red-handed by Liz but she was all for it (Y). Then I went to open my little Mint whilst the Dept of Immigration & Citizenship dude was speaking and the freaking Mint BOUNCED OUT of the damn wrapper onto the table and made a very loud CLUNK and dribble - I quickly snapped it and popped it into my gaping mouth whilst the ladies beside me giggled. Laugh. Sigh.

All-in-all an above average day for me. Likes.