Week 2

Week 2 in Hobart is almost over… After a busy week at work it’s nice to have the weekend off.

Done lots of surgery this week as well, and seen some very interesting cases (adult demodex mange, anaemia with a PCV of 8 (!!), tail amputation, blocked cat), in addition to quite a few routine appointments such as vaccinations and stitches out.

Went shopping for some work clothes last weekend. Lots of new shops to discover. The vet clinic is just a few minutes walk from the biggest (doesn’t say much!) shopping centre in Tasmania called Eastlands, so it is easy to drop by to do some quick shopping and get something nicer to eat in the lunch hour. The Boss is very good at making sure we all get an hour for lunch every day, great to have a nice break in the middle of the day.

My living situation has still not changed. Still living with the vet, her husband and the two dogs, but went to see a flat on Wednesday. Was a nice (but dated) flat just next to the seaside with a nice view on in the neighbouring suburb to the vet clinic.

I could picture myself in the flat, even though it would be too big for me (as it has two bedrooms), and it has no furniture. And it is too far from work to be able to walk on a daily basis.

Got an offer to stay put where I am now (i.e. at the vets) for a while more, and pay them rent. That way it is a win-win situation; with me saving money for big buys such as a car and furniture, and them gaining some money as well.

Have been going for walks with the dogs to make up for being there. The Jack Russel Terrier is perfectly behaved on the lead, but the 3 month old Old English Sheepdog puppy definitely need some lead training. He is also very keen on chasing passing cars! Will try to work on that. Not too keen on having him come to the vet clinic as a RTA (= road traffic accident).

Did one of the proper Hobart tourism things today. Went to Salamanka market in downtown Hobart. Got a lift over and explored the market stalls and all the shops for several hours. Saw lots of nice little possible gifts and some amazing UGG boots (=Australian sheepskin boots) with proper soles! Considering it is now spring in Australia it is no use buying warm boots, but maybe when the winter comes (aka…. Next may!).

Other touristy things I want to do:

- climb/ drive Mount Wellington (the mountain just behind Hobart)

- go to Port Arthur (where the convicts were kept)

- travel to Bruny island

- see some native animals

I’m sure I’ll manage to do some more when I get more and more used to living here. Definitely want to get a car though, so I can discover areas further from Hobart without relying on a lift from the people I live with.

Yesterday was a big day in the house where I live. It was one of the semi-finals in the Australian Football League with the team they support. Unfortunately “The Dockers” lost terribly, but they were the underdogs from the start so not such a big surprise really. Better luck next year, Dockers! Australian Football is much bigger than Rugby or normal football (soccer) down here. I would say it is very similar to rugby (I am sure fans would disagree!), but there is 4 goal posts, where you get 6 points if you get the ball between the middle 2 poles, and one point if you get it between the outer ones. Also not allowed to just throw the ball…. You have to “handball it” aka. Hit it with your hand, a bit like volleyball I guess. Rugby on the tv tonight though, between New Zealand and Australia I think… time will show if I stay up to watch it.

Have started knitting a sweater to pass the time when watching all this Aussie rules football. It will be red with some white and brown… hopefully I will manage to finish it, and hope it fits! Or it will be a waste of time!

Good luck to all of the other Dick Vet graduated going to interviews! The perfect job is out there!

Making “boller” aka. Norwegian sweet buns tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a success!

PS. Beklager at alt til nå har blitt skrevet på engelsk. Send spørsmål hvis det er noe du lurer på. God trening i engelsk for alle sammen tror jeg :)