Randomness again

Some random unconnected thoughts:

·         Did I mention I miss my sweetie

·         Family Medicine is alive and thriving in South Africa from where I just returned having spent the last part of the week learning about the de-centralized model of resident (called “registrar”) education. There they place a resident in a rural setting and formally educate him/her on-line thus assuring a better chance that the resident will likely stay in the rural area post training.

·         I look forward to having a role in establishing the residency here. It will be the first here in Botswana! Wow, gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

·         “University of Botswana School of Medicine”, still a few administrative docs in a trailer, is moving along. The model they use is to employ current faculty in various and necessary departments to teach not just grad students but med students as well.

·         The referral hospital here, Princess Marina, is a monstrous, hide bound, disorganized, mess and unready for the role anticipated for it.

·         The district hospitals should do better as they transition to a teaching role.

·         Stellenbosch University School of Medicine is situated on the campus of Tyger Valley Hospital, a monstrous building that is 12+ stories high, over 200m long, two buildings side by side connected by corridors across the gap every two floors. Why? Apartheid. Now it seems ridiculous but when the place was built total separation was the rule. Less than two generations from now it (apartheid) will be a memory. Unbelievable that an entire country/culture can change that fast.

·         I will never get used to nor take for granted the shanty towns in the Cape area, each has more people in them than the entire state of Botswana.

·         In two weeks I hit the road for some rather rural areas out west of here. Places where we used to fly but with the economy and all….So the bummer is I get to drive out there and stay a few nights and teach in a little more intense environment. The things I “have” to do.

·         I’m sitting here listening to Bela Fleck, live is good. Listened to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me earlier. It’s only mentioned because I can actually navigate make my IPod  do this stuff

·         Got up, washed and waxed the car to the great amusement of the people that live here as NOBODY does ANY work on ANYTHING that can be hired out. Then fixed my bike, mowed the lawn and tied a ball to the ceiling of the garage so I now know how far in to park the car; a productive day.

·         Oh and a fat nap.

·         Talked with Aven and Eli. Heard about TJ and the now famous apple pie massacre, I got your back big guy.

·         Having Shannon, Amber, and Olivia in my life makes we even more blessed.

·         Facebook came along at a perfect time in my life. I know sounds kinda juvenile but there you have it.