4+ Weeks!

I've spent just over four weeks here in beautiful Singapore - a month from tomorrow, I was flying into Changi Airport for the very, very first time. I still remember a little bit of those first 24 jet-lagged hours: the confusion over whether or not I should tip the porter (if you're wondering, the answer is no), seeing our lovely flat for the very first time, and the late evening walk by the Esplanade, complete with blurry photos that I was too tired to frame better. I can't remember what I ate for lunch.

And now it's very, very nearly been a month and we've survived two weeks of school already. I'm quickly learning that working in a school is much, much different than working at a hospital - there are very few things you can predict, occasional uneventful hours, and other times when the office is invaded with chaos (or sixth grade boys).

If you ever worked with me on 8 North, let me tell you that I'm incredibly thankful for what my years with all of you taught me: how to stay calm when you're concerned, the ability to grab what you need and take off running, triage questions, the value of watching and waiting, how to appreciate a conversation, and how to wrap an ACE-bandage. ; )

In two weeks there's been plenty of excitement too: a bloody nose, allergic reactions, a couple bumped heads, and the usual variety of fevers, headaches, scrapes, and puke with a little local heat over-exposure thrown in. I pulled a tooth. I've called plenty of moms and dads. I'm basking in the delight of the short conversations about summer vacation, pink shoes, puppies, sports, and kids' lit, among other things. Today I got my biggest scare - if you're in the medical field, you know the words "come right now" are never a good thing. I don't want to downplay a broken arm, but let me just say I was relieved when I had to get a taxi instead of an ambulance!

It's also been a joy to be around kids again. I want to write so much, but I think "joy" sums the feeling up pretty sufficiently.

On a final note, I also got pranked today. I'd offer some advice on how to better convince me you've severed two fingers, but I'm a bit concerned someone would actually try to see if the methods worked. ; )