Stressy.....

Just heard from Nigel today. It appears he does remember what to do, but also remembers why he took a break from dentistry!
It seems that students haven't quite got the experience or expertise to perform at a level of competence he would expect!!
So, he has spent a lot of time taking out broken roots, snapped teeth, sewing up bleeding gums, and generally patching up other peoples work........urrgggghhh. He sounded very stressed, but very challenged by the whole process. He is loving the environment, and Phil's preaching, and forming great relationships but- how amazing that the US use different instruments, different forceps, and even number teeth differently, making the whole thing slightly disorientating.....
To add to the stress levels, we are finding open phone lines almost impossible to get, and even text messages do not get through. So, here I am trying to sell property here, and flying to Sheffield with the kids on Saturday, an offer already on a house I haven't seen!! ( BUT I totally trust John and Liz Lovell who have viewed it for me........) and I may well get into sealed bids without being able to communicate with him!!
Definitely a time to trust in our strengths, and abilities, and let the waves just roll over us both!!

Celebrating victory with honor!!!!

We went to an ice hockey match at the weekend. Our friends' girls were on the 'cheer team' who were performing during the game, and we bought the tickets through the school, who advertised the evening under the above title. We were excited to be part of the atmosphere, and duly filled our boots with popcorn, hotdogs, nachos and ice cream (and a little bit of wine for me!)

So, we were somewhat surprised when things turned violent!! I didn't quite catch the rules of the game, apart from the fact there seemed to be about 40 players on each team! (most of them sitting out on the bench in reserve) Any time they got disgruntled they beat the **** out of their opponents!!! They took each others helmets off and repeatedly punched them in the face while the 3 referees looked on. As far as I could work out, this was fairly normal and expected- the crowd roared and cheered and shouted 'fight fight fight!!!!!!' The refs only got involved if there were more than 5 punches in a row from one player- and that poor soul got 2 minutes of penalty on the bench (but there were another 39 on the team so it didn't seem too detrimental!!)
See player no. 5 to see what I mean.
Fortunately, Emily was still ill, so we had to leave early, but it certainly was not a game I would call 'family friendly'!!

I wonder if he can remember what to do.....

Nigel flew off to Ecuador yesterday with Phil Kelly and 40 dentists and students from Charleston dental school. They have gone armed with tons of equipment and will be setting up a city clinic this week, and one in the jungle next week, and offering free dental care to the locals. Nigel has had some amazing conversations with Bill (who is organising the whole expedition) and is hoping that the relationship will lead to joint ventures in the future- Nigel taking students from Sheffield and meeting up with the annual trip from the USA.

He would really value prayer from any of you who feel able, and I can feel an alliteration coming as I write!!

Family- we have all been taking turns to be ill for the last 4 weeks, and it is beginning to drag. As we were getting ready to drive to the airport, Emily promptly vomited all over the carpet and is now running a fever.........urrgh ! (we are looking forward to some resident doctors arriving to care for us soon!!)
Fitness- Nigel has had a bad back for the last week, and although better as he left, he is concerned about the long flights and dubious accommodation.
Fuller-whilst his term at college is over for 2 weeks, he still has a 3 hour exam to take 'online' before friday. They would not release the paper before he left, so he has to find an internet cafe in the next 5 days, in order to qualify for 20% of his course.

I am sure he would also apreciate some fun, and good food, and feel free to add your own.....

Still fruity

Well, I decided to do the grocery shopping this week by trying to only buy local food, but it is harder than it sounds by a long way! For a start, it took me over 1/2 hour longer than my normal shop as I had to keep looking at the labels. And some of the items were easy to discard- bananas from Ecuador, and kiwi fruit from New Zealand..... but how about an apple labelled 'product of the USA'. Is that local? Did it come from the East Coast? Where do they grow these apples?

Was I right to buy the USA apple and discard the Mexican melons? After all, we can get to Mexico in 3 hours.......

The problem with trying to make informed decisions is made more difficult by not actually getting all the information!! I guess the point is that at least I was trying, instead of being in denial.....

Nigel is now seriously worried that I am going to go all 'beanie' on him, wear 'vegetarian' shoes, and buy an allotment!!

Watch this space!