More Food and Fun

a

Angie and Elaine, I never failed to impress

them with my admin skills! Jenny, Anne and Natasha "the Organisers"

thanks girls

Another Do!

We had yet another lovely celebration for my trip to Malawi. If ever there was a good multidisciplinary meeting we had one today. There was someone from every department in the building. The highlight was Lesley singing she even did an encore. The goodbyes continue, it does not get any easier. I've had so many lovely cards, I'm going to take them all to Malawi and read them in my time of need. More presents too, everyone has been so thoughtful and supportive. Many thanks to everyone.

The A team

Meet the others going to Malawi to train nurses:

Kate on the left, a real nurse tutor from Brighton University; Ally next to me an A&E and AIDS nurse; Clare, tropical diseases nurse. Apart from Kate who is the real thing when it comes to teaching the rest of us have a teaching course and a great mix of experience.

Ally and Clare have been placed together near Thyolo, the tea plantation area. they have had to sign the pledge, no booze, no jewelry, no make up. Kate is going to the university in Mzuzu. Which all means I'll have plenty places to visit.

More Thanks!

From scalpals and sunblock to a chicken husbandry book and reading glasses the list goes on of very generous and useful gifts that I have been given to help me on my way. Lunches and dinners, drinks and desserts, it does not stop. I'll end up having withdrawals when I get to Malawi.

Rhona gave me the whip round on Friday. It was exceptionally generous. With the whip round and the money Fiona gave me I have purchased a camcorder. Its the best piece of technology I have ever seen. It has an "easy" button. Once its set it does the rest for you. Sony must have had me in mind when they made it.

Many thanks to everyone that has sent cards, donations and gifts. They will all be put to good use in Malawi. This photo was taken by Jan a photographer from the Alloa Advertiser. He kindly sent a couple on to me. thanks Jan.

Where am I?

Click here here to see a map of the area I will be living in. I'll be about 25 miles from Zomba, 2,000 feet up mount Molosa at St Luke's Hospital. I'll also be 30 minutes from Zomba Plateau and Liwonde National Park in the other direction.

Picture This

Some photos from the night out. We had alovely meal, good company and a few wines. We had to, its in the job description. thanks to all the girls and james for coming along.

I've had my 15 minutes of fame. It was really only 15 seconds on Central FM. I was interviewed about going to Mallaway so they had to edit most of it out. Now the photographers are queuing up to take my picture. I had to put them off today because I didn't have make up at work. I think at least one is coming tomorrow and that could be particularly dodgy because its my night out tonight. the Fife courier, The Dunfermline press and the Alloa times all want to do something on me going. News must be short this week! NHSfife are also putting something in their newsletter.

This is me! Well it was me down the canyon in2005. It demonstrates what it feels like just now. Jumping into the unknown. 11 days to go, 7 leaving lunches/nights out that I know of and I've still not decided what shoes to take. I hope its like sitting an exam, you get all hyped up and anxious about it then you realise you can only do your best and chill out and get on with it. I think I'm due for the chill out. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

I know that going to Malawi for a couple of years is a bit different. I could never have imagined the support that I was going to get from friends, family and even complete strangers. I'd like to thank so many people who have helped me on my way. JB my husband has been there all the way with me through the application process, the ups and downs and the packing and unpacking, the shoping, the paperwork and the goodbye dos.

Fiona a GP from Leven who I had never met before contacted me to offer support. She also sent a very generous cheque to purchase something to take to Malawi. Ann and Dave Hatton gave me money to purchase gardening tools and seeds to plant a garden. James and Ileene Anderson gave me information and support with medcines that I might need when I'm away. Rhona has really supported me with time off for training and preparation. Elsie bought me a wonderful backpack. Spencer got me a laptop for teaching in Malawi. And of course Mike for setting up the website. The list goes on. I have been given so many things to take out such as blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes, fob watches, memory sticks, pens, torches, tool cards. I've also had extra training from colleagues that will be very useful. There's too many to mention. All support has been really appreciated, all the good wishes and cards mean a lot. I think its often easy to forget how many good people there are around but they are there all the time.

So a great big thanks to everyone!

Carol vists Calecom for Tutorial

Who thought I couldn't setup a website? You were quite right. Mike O'Donnell set it up for me. Mike, otherwise known as Lesley O'D's husband, has been providing a service for the girls in room 101 for sometime. I should add that this has been encouraged by Lesley. Any IT problem we had we asked Lesley, if she couldn't answer she would phone Mike who never let us down. So a big thanks to Mike. Not only has he set this up for me he has used a system that I could use after 30 minutes. He is going to back it up with an idiots guide which also shows how perceptive he is. Mike is director of Calecom in Dunfermline.

My New Home

This is not a picture of my new home but there is nothing wrong with dreaming. I'll post a photo as soon as I can.

I've been told that I'll have a house in the hospital grounds. I should have basic furniture provided and VSO give a grant to purchase necessary household items. I should also be given a fridge and water filter. I'm really looking forward to seeing it and getting settled. If everything else is tough having a nice wee home will bring some comfort.

In Preparation of Departure

Most of the preparation has now been done, although it dosen't always feel like that. I've done my training with VSO, I've had my jabs, I must remember to start my anti malarials at the weekend, and I've got my flight tickets. My packing has been done and redone and no doubt will be done again. I've sold my car, got enough antibiotics to last a lifetime and I've got the house turned upside down with things all over the place.

I've had my psychotherapy to address my snake phobia or should I say my ex phobia. I'm working through my goodbyes, which is probably the hardest part, and I'm think about tidying my desk at work. I'll have to invite people into the office to see it when it is tidy or no one will believe me.

I've still to do odd bits of paper work including ordering my newspaper and organising insurance. I think I'm getting there.