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- August 28th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Back from the Tag Grave
Due to my status as an adjusting ex-pat, my blog life hasn't been quite as active as it's been. I am touched and gratified that people (Manggy in particular!) continue to visit and comment despite my being so delinquent. As a way of saying thanks, I'
- August 21st, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Spring Promises
The mornings and nights are bloody cold, but numb toes are a small price to pay for the fine, sunny days and clear cloudless blue skies. Mild mid-day temperatures and a brisk fresh breeze accompanies winter as she gracefully exits stage left and give
- August 17th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
On Flying Solo
Breakwaters at Cottesloe BeachI hit my 2 month mark abroad this week, and it's beginning to sink in that this is not a mere vacation ending in a few more weeks but my "real life." As I settle into the routine, sometimes I wonder if by coming here in
- August 13th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Keep Left!
photo by Roger C.Learning how to drive on the left side of the road with a right-hand drive car pretty much encapsulates the experience of adjusting to life abroad. It's all about having to concentrate hard on doing things that you used to do without
- August 9th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
The More Things Change...
In the few weeks I have been here, one question that's often asked of me is, "What made you come here?"I find that it's easier to tell them about the dismal working conditions, the laughable salary, and the feeling that I am getting nowhere fast on m
- August 2nd, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Comfort Food
my miracle rice!Thanks to one of my co-residents, I've finally found the one thing that has cured me of my aversion to cooking rice for one... a microwaveable rice cooker. Just measure the grains, add water, pop into the microwave for 12-14 minutes,
- July 26th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Car Dunce Seeks Car
one of the models i'm considering: a mitsubishi mirageI admit it - I am the quintessential lady driver. You know, the kind that most (chauvinistic) males drivers roll their eyes about and in whose presence they wonder (aloud) why women were ever allo
- July 22nd, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Not Cooking for One
Adobo on rice *sigh* This photo by River RatsOne of the things I miss the most from back home? Hot, homecooked meals. I may be living in a house with a kitchen, but it just takes too
- July 18th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Nosebleeding in English
Yes, I have been raised bilingual. Yes, I have been instructed in English since I've been old enough to read. Yes, I have used it in academic discussion for just as long and everyday conversation for even longer. And, yes, I probably read and write b
- July 14th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Walking the WOC
See one, do one, teach one.There is only so much medical knowledge that you can glean from reading the books. An internist's clinical eye can only be developed by actually seeing. A surgeon's hands can only gain their skill by actually doing.And for
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
A Rainy Taste of King's Park
Any fine day in winter is too precious to be wasted, especially on a day off. So, undeterred by a dysfunctional camera, the lack of a car, and my growing pile of laundry, I decided to spend my Friday exploring one of my adopted city's most famous lan
- July 12th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
R.I.P.
For some weird reason, all of my gadgets have started acting up on me ever since I flew them over here. Just last week, my CD drive suddenly disappeared from my laptop... my Palm PDA refuses to hot sync with my computer at the worst possible time...
- July 9th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Lucky Country
the healing hands fountain in front of the hospital where i work (photo from flickr)I've been working here just a over week, and I still can't get over how lucky "public" patients here are. I know that all medical systems have their flaws, and Austr
- July 7th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Blue Monday
those i'm friend-sick forPeople warned me it would catch me unawares. And just like that, it did.I've had a bad day at the hospital today. I can't go on a comfort shopping spree because there's nowhere open after five. I can't watch a movie because
- June 28th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Did You Say Walking Distance?
photo of Minnawara Park (in the summer) by ClarionI've been in Armadale for almost a week. It's a very picturesque and quiet area, and being into the whole "beauty of nature" thing, I am drinking everything in. But one thing I'm learning very fast i
- June 23rd, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Here Goes Nothing
my cousin Jazz and I at St. Kilda BeachThis is the last few hours of my reprieve in Melbourne, and reality is finally sinking in. By this time tomorrow, I will be completely be on my own.It's been a good visit to my family in Melbourne; and being aro
- June 20th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Into Winter in a Day
photo of foggy Melbourne in winter by deezmonI'm here!After many obstacles overcome and a seven hour flight, I am finally in the southern hemisphere. From the muggy, humid tropical heat of the resurgent summer in Manila, I am now shivering in the fog
- June 13th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Mission Impossible
This is not even half of it...It was hard enough packing up three years of my life away in the callroom last December, when all I had to do was throw things in my car and drive them to storage at home.So how does a sworn pack rat like me figure out w
- June 11th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Disasters and Miracles
This past week has been a whirlwind of activity - what I get for being a pessimist and putting off everything that needed to be done until the very last minute. Exactly one week to my fly day, and there's still so much to be done. And that doesn't ev
- June 5th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
You're Putting WHAT in my Mouth?!
photo by megnicolActing on the wise advice of everyone who's gone an a long trip away from home, I've been spending the past few days (apart from fixing my papers and embracing my new role as an OFW) catching up on my dental work.Much as I like my de
- June 4th, 2008
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drclairebear has posted a new entry on: Chronicles from the Middle of Nowhere
Hitting Panic
photo by KrystenI already have a flight date, almost all of my papers are in, and it seems as if all systems are really go. I've completed most of my shopping, and I have enough time to finish sorting out my stuff before I leave if I start doing it n
