We've been asked a lot over the past couple of years exactly what we're thinking. So maybe I should start his whole blog mess with a little background on how we ended up on the other side of the world.
First...a quick note about blogs, and social media in general. I've been a little hesitant to start a blog for fear of becoming one of those people who begin a long descent into narcissism by posting pictures of the "best.apple.pie.ever." each time they sit down to eat. But since no one can read my hand writing and I don't have the patience to write letters anyway, this is, I suppose, the best way to keep family and friends informed. But I pledge to you, no pictures of my food. Unless it really is EPIC.
This whole thing probably started during med school, when the idea of traveling and practicing medicine sounded exotic and fun. Whether or not it could be reality was a different matter. Then during residency, I started getting a daily barrage of post cards promising great practice opportunities across the country. A few of them were from locum tenens agencies advertising overseas post. I was mostly throwing them away until Liz saw one with a picture of Australia or New Zealand and said, "Can we really do that?"
To which I said, "Sure, we can look into it."
Inside, I was saying, "I have the best. wife. ever."
We looked mostly at Australia initially, but then started liking the looks of New Zealand. We loved the idea of such diversity of climate and landscapes all within a small area that we could explore with our boys.
We talked about the idea with a few friends. The Didiers (Tom, Michelle, Noah, Emma, Elijah) and the Jenkins (Adam, Ashley, and now Seth!) were pretty excited about the idea. We prayed over plans and began gathering as much info as we could. The vagaries of medical licensing were a little overwhelming, but we began getting things sorted. Adam and Ashley were blessed with Seth in the meantime, and Adam was also offered a critical care fellowship post; God seemed to be leading them to stay state-side. We were saddened that they wouldn't be with us, but excited for the adventure God had planned for them.
Tom and I continued looking for placements. Anesthesia jobs seemed a little more scarce than ER, and we didn't really find any posts together. After about a year of what seemed like very little progress, Tom secured a job in Gisborne, and I got an offer from Taupo. I took a 6 month contract in Taupo with a possibility to extend to 12 months. Apparently impressed enough with Tom, Gisborne wanted to interview me for a job as well. Still not sure what will become of that yet.
So that brings us to here. We know that we will be in Taupo for the next six months. Beyond that, nothing is set in stone. Our plan is to give it at least 18 months in NZ and then decide what to do next. The details of getting a family of four and 400 lbs of cargo transported around the world are another adventure in themselves; more to come on that later.
First...a quick note about blogs, and social media in general. I've been a little hesitant to start a blog for fear of becoming one of those people who begin a long descent into narcissism by posting pictures of the "best.apple.pie.ever." each time they sit down to eat. But since no one can read my hand writing and I don't have the patience to write letters anyway, this is, I suppose, the best way to keep family and friends informed. But I pledge to you, no pictures of my food. Unless it really is EPIC.
This whole thing probably started during med school, when the idea of traveling and practicing medicine sounded exotic and fun. Whether or not it could be reality was a different matter. Then during residency, I started getting a daily barrage of post cards promising great practice opportunities across the country. A few of them were from locum tenens agencies advertising overseas post. I was mostly throwing them away until Liz saw one with a picture of Australia or New Zealand and said, "Can we really do that?"
To which I said, "Sure, we can look into it."
Inside, I was saying, "I have the best. wife. ever."
We looked mostly at Australia initially, but then started liking the looks of New Zealand. We loved the idea of such diversity of climate and landscapes all within a small area that we could explore with our boys.
We talked about the idea with a few friends. The Didiers (Tom, Michelle, Noah, Emma, Elijah) and the Jenkins (Adam, Ashley, and now Seth!) were pretty excited about the idea. We prayed over plans and began gathering as much info as we could. The vagaries of medical licensing were a little overwhelming, but we began getting things sorted. Adam and Ashley were blessed with Seth in the meantime, and Adam was also offered a critical care fellowship post; God seemed to be leading them to stay state-side. We were saddened that they wouldn't be with us, but excited for the adventure God had planned for them.
Tom and I continued looking for placements. Anesthesia jobs seemed a little more scarce than ER, and we didn't really find any posts together. After about a year of what seemed like very little progress, Tom secured a job in Gisborne, and I got an offer from Taupo. I took a 6 month contract in Taupo with a possibility to extend to 12 months. Apparently impressed enough with Tom, Gisborne wanted to interview me for a job as well. Still not sure what will become of that yet.
So that brings us to here. We know that we will be in Taupo for the next six months. Beyond that, nothing is set in stone. Our plan is to give it at least 18 months in NZ and then decide what to do next. The details of getting a family of four and 400 lbs of cargo transported around the world are another adventure in themselves; more to come on that later.
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