You're the voice!

So to start off, I omitted something from my last post that I meant to you all about. Feb 13 was "Sorry Day". The new PM Kevin Rudd gave a formal apology from the Aussie gov to the Aboriginals for some of the things that have transpired over the last century or so. To begin, the indigenous people think of white people colonizing as stealing there land. Which they did....anyways, around the start of the 1900s, some one in gov't decided to enact crazy and ridiculous laws. (For example, Australia had the "no whites policy" until 1980. You couldn't immigrate there...unless you were white. And even after that it was much tougher for non whites until about 10 years ago.) They thought that the aboriginals were doing themselves harm in the way they lived and treated their kids. The Aussies started stealing kids from communities and putting them in homes or boarding schools to Westernize their life. It sounds terrible, but as Rudd (the PM) eloquently put it. It was done with the best intentions and probably did improve the health, SES and lifestyle for many - but it wasn't what they wanted or decided to choose. Anyways, Rudd gave a really nice speech. The opposition gavea soso speech that angered some. Anyways, this was a really really big deal here. Described as one of those times in history where everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing when it all went down. The apology is nice, but really does nothing. Its just a first step to hopefully many more things. We just finished a week on indigenous health. It's brutal. Worse than the Native Canadians. Their average life span is 17 years lower than the average population. SEVENTEEN!

I always have all these ideas of things I need to write down on my blog and then when I get here.... my mind goes blank! We had last friday off, so I went with some Aussies to a local lawn bowling club. It was surprisingly fun! Lazy day in the sun playing curling/shuffleboard on grass... with cheap beers. I think we were the only people there under 65. Also, game 2 of the cricket trinations finals is in Brisbane on Tuesday. I'm probably going to head to that. The series is between Aus, India and Sri Lanka. Aus - India finals. I'm told its a cultural experience. Cricket is a wonky game that I only half understand. But sometimes it goes for three hours and sometimes 5 days! They only stop because the sun goes down.....I'm also joining a touch rugby league. It should be good. I'm supposed to be on a team with Aussies, but some Canadians are putting in a team and actively trying to recruit me (since no other canadians play rugby). I might play both if the schedules don't overlap.


In school, so far the major topics we've covered are shock, acne/abscesses, indigenous health, hepatitis, parasites. And all angles and issues related to those. Our patient in the parasite week had giardia....aka beaver fever....only the pbl tutor knew it by that name. Apparently there is some research now saying it isn't passed through contaminated water.... and more direct physical contact with contaminated feces/soil, despite years and years of thinking its the water. We've done lots of anatomy and microbiology labs and pracs, they have some cool physiology software. Also, me and some other canadians ordered our stethoscopes online....from the USA! It was cheaper to get a nice steth (Littman Cardio 3 if you care) than to buy the average one in the stores here. I'll have to post the standard pic of me posing with it! Anyways time to go!

PS You're the Voice is a song by John Farnham Aussies most hyped singer......

Well I'm now 4 weeks into medical school. The pattern of how things work is finally becoming apparent and regular. We are also now beginning to add in procedural skills and clinical coaching. I talked to my first patient, which was weird but fun at the same time. It was weird because I really had nothing to offer him. I just found out why he was in the hospital and what they had done but couldn't help. My shoulder feels wonderful. I've begun doing the lame, but important rehab exercises. I can't wait until I can be fully active again. And surf. Everyone is quite friendly, so there are lots of opportunities to do things. Like I played in a random pickup soccer game. It was pretty tough, not because people were good but because it was 4 in the afternoon. Some days the humidity gets over 85% It's insane. Normal people sweat a lot, so I'm just like a human shower.

In other news, my weekend started early (thursday at noon). Because tommorow is supposed to be the most fun day of the year. Its known as sports day. And involves a torch run across town. The 4th years start at 830am at the hippocrates statue and say the hippocratic oath. They then run off to various bars and collect the 3rd years, then 2nds years then the first years. And everyone ends up on campus for various games and "sports". The only requirement is that you are wearing scrubs. Everyone gets the day off - including those on rotations anywhere in queensland. I've heard a rumor that even the profs participate. They don't really tell us first years much more than that, but anything that involves 1000 people going to pubs and bars before noon and then rendezvous'ing at a huge bbq/games fest on campus can't be bad! Tommorow is also the opening game of my new favourite team, the Queensland Reds! So I get to have an afternoon of mayhem and then an evening of rugby. I couldn't be more excited.

This is mostly pointless babbling, so I should probably stop. I posted a photo album for all of you to check out! I keep forgetting to bring my camera around to take pictures of things. But I haven't been out of the city much (besides a trip to the coast) because of my arm. Hope you enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/MattSolomon85/AustraliaTheBeginning