November already

Where does the time go???Isn't that what old people say all the time? Lots has happened and it seemed like it was time to unload a bit. Of course the highlight of September was the occasion of my "retirement" My last day of work was particularly satisfying as I spent it in PAR, and the day was especially enjoyable. They had a pot luck luncheon that day, as they always do when people leave, and this day was no different. Lots of people including the docs came by to eat of course(they'll do anything for food) and say good bye. Like they've seen the last of me. No such luck. I have every intention of continuing to work, just on my terms, when and where I want. On the Monday was my retirement party, a dinner at the"Curry Pot" in downtown Vernon. It was well attended and I felt very special. For a retirement gift, I received a gift certificate for painting lessons from Maureen Krause, a very talented acrylic artist whose work I have respected for some time. Also I was given a certificate for supplies which will augment what Bob and the kids had given me for my bd. So that was all pretty cool.
Then the jaunt down to Vancouver and back, for a visit with Joan, my best friend from training, at her home in Maple Ridge. We had lots of fun; whenever we get together it feels like we are girls again, giggling about the same immature stuff that we did when we were 20. Harry made himself scarce, which was nice, as I certainly don't have much in common with him. He is a very successful business man who spends every spare minute watching sports on TV. However Joan seems to like him just fine(She works full time plus, so I suspect they don't spend a huge amount of time together, that would make him more tolerable I guess...)
Spent part of one day with Larry, my old buddy from ER days, who is aging quickly and seems to have given up on looking presentable for the ladies(or men, I'm not quite sure) His mother proving to be a terrible albatross around his neck, is totally dependent on him and is insistent that she and he move in together(his father died a year ago)She is quite young, in her mid sixties i think. He seems at his wits end, but thankfully it is not my problem. I hope that just my listening helped him sort out things in his head.
On the Saturday night, Joan and I went to our 35 yr reunion, at Deer Lake Restaurant in Burnaby. There were 28 of us there, mostly the same ones that have been there at previous reunions. It was quite fun but the party was over early, attesting to our advancing ages, and progressively less tolerance to alcohol and sleep deprivation.
After a Sunday quietly spent with Ruth, my bosom buddy, while Bill was at work (I had the world's worst head cold) I headed back home on the Monday. We changed our mind about going to Edmonton as I didn't think it was kind of me to share my virus with my brother or great nieces(their mother would never forgive me) so we spent a pleasant week together, pretending we were both retired, as Bob was on vacation. I procrastinated about packing for Indonesia, thinking I had LOTs of time. Did some shopping (Value Village for appropriate clothing to wear in a Muslim country) and had company over for Thanksgiving dinner on the weekend. Our anniversary was in there as well, spent it quietly and we elected to have dinner at home, Bob cooked Toast and Eggs(his specialty) made all the more special by the cheese he grated over all! What a guy!
Then on Tuesday, upon direction of my travel agent, I tried to confirm my seat with Singapore Airlines, only to find that they rejected my passport, as it was set to expire in less than 6 months. That started a chain of events that saw us rushing down to Vancouver for an emergency passport application and all that it involves. It was a pretty stressful time but on the positive side it took my mind away from the actual trip. It was tempting to throw it all into the wind and say, gee it wasn't meant to be. But that would have been a cop out, because I was SOOO tempted to do just that. The rest is history and can be found to a certain degree, in my travel blog, www.bobana.travellerspoint.com
So now I have been home for 5 days. By the end of the trip, I was exhausted , having been up an unprecedented 28 hrs prior to my arrival home. I did, perhaps, have one or two half hour naps during the long flight, but invariably was awakened by one of my seat mates needing to pee. Sheesh. I was also unbelievable cranky, and was increasingly irritable with my roommate Linda, whose chronic cheerfulness really started to grate on my nerves. I am SUCH a bitch sometimes, it is surprising that I have any friends at all!
In hindsite, the trip was an amazing experience, although not the least bit fun, nor even THAT fulfilling. I do hope that I, as part of the team, contributed somewhat to the health and well being of some of the people.
The Christian aspect of the project seemed empty and insincere, in my perception. Every morning there was a rushed"devotion" in the time period after breakfast, before the bus arrived to take us to Klampok. Mathias was particularly disappointing to me, it seems he talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. His testimony conflicts with the cold way he treats people, especially his aloofness with the people who we were there to help.Some of them just wanted to shake his hand and thank him after the surgery and he acted as though it was a hardship to take the time to do that. It was always rush rush rush, as though nothing was as important as numbers. If Ione and I got to sit for 15 minute for our lunch it was a miracle, he would already be pacing, waiting for us to get back into the OR. I thought this experience would make me warm up to him (as he has been my ophthalmologist for 8 yrs) and I would see a softer, warmer side of him, but alas, it appears he doesn't have one...
The positive aspects of the experience were the Indonesian people, who were largely friendly and welcoming, and very warm. The scenery was spectacular, and I was only sorry I didn't get more chances to photograph it. My roommate was sweet and unbelievable tolerant, and chronically good natured; Pollyanna would be amazed. The weather was actually pretty nice, what we saw of it. Luckily the rainy season had started otherwise I think the heat would have been intolerable. It was extremely humid some days, and I was very thankful to be working in the air-conditioned OR. The group was a good one for the most part, although we were pretty isolated from them during those long days in the OR. Evenings I had no energy left to stay up and socialize after supper.
I am working on making a book about my experience, and am hoping I will get some photos sent to me from other group members. And of course I hope some of the others will want to buy a copy of the book so I can start making some money with my Heritage Makers business... At which point I must point out, that in December's Oprah magazine, she lists Heritage Makers as one of her all time favorite things!!! That should be good for business!
There, that is that. I am still unbelievable happy to be at home and with my Bobby. I missed him more than ever and continually would think about what he might be doing. I kept track of what time it was at home which was 15 hrs behind the time that it was in Indonesia. Isn't that pathetic for someone who has been married to the same man for 34 years???
Well, this wasn't exactly a rant, but just verbalizing some of my feeling. Boring as it may have been for other readers, for which I am sorry. Til next time!