Leaving Again for New Zealand

Celebrating my 63rd birthday with family

For the third time since 2010, Fayne and I are headed back to New Zealand. The first time, April 2010-March 2011, was essentially on a whim. We had no idea what to expect, at work or at play. We loved both. The second time, March 2012-August 2012, we came back this time to Auckland, specifically so I could qualify for a permanent medical license, or registration as it is called here. I wanted the flexibility to come and go to work more freely, and split time between US and NZ work.
 For the last 18 months, we have been back in Fort Bragg, California, and I worked full-time at Mendocino Coast District Hospital as a hospital doctor. Like many small rural American hospitals, the place I have worked since 1984 was in great financial peril, and filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Over the last year and 1/2, many key people have left or been fired, the workers have been coerced into a 5% cut, and yet if anything things are more tenuous. The Hospital Board Chairman called the November 2013 finances "dire", and another board member told me he learned that bankruptcy doesn't solve anything, it only delays the inevitable.The best hope seems to be that some outside institution will sweep in like a deus ex machina, and take over.
Work is so much more fun in New Zealand. Hours are shorter, vacations, holidays, and educational leave are all paid for, as well as registration fees. More importantly, I get to work daily with young, bright, enthusiastic doctors who feel I have something to teach them. In the US, find myself spending at least half of my day with drudgery, paperwork, computer entry. I have virtually none of that in New Zealand.
These factors have led me to a momentous decision: for the foreseeable future, I will be working in New Zealand. It is difficult to think about being so far away from so many of our beloved family and friends, especially our daughter and grandchildren. We also will dearly miss our beautiful Fort Bragg home, and our aging cat Saturday.

But I still really enjoy being a physician, and hope to work for another 5-10 years, if circumstances allow it.
When I decided to return to NZ, I first contacted Timaru and Auckland City Hospitals, the two places I worked before, and I was very gratified to see that they both would welcome me back. Timaru offered a contract which specifically states that I can return to the US at least twice a year to see family. Also, 3 of the 4 other doctors I will join were colleagues of mine from the first stay. So it was a done deal. We will give it a try and see how it goes, knowing the future can be impossible to foresee.
I learned that deeply and personally when my elder sister Angela died abruptly after a sudden catastrophic illness in early November. We had a lovely memorial/tree-trimming part for her one month later. May she rest in peace, and we know the two kidneys she donated live on to give life to others.

Sisters Athena and Margaret addressing the large memorial crowd

I am so glad she made it to see me in New Zealand in 2010.

We tried to see as many as we could in the months before departing. For the first time ever we spent Christmas time with Fayne's sister and brother in Albany and Syracuse , New York, respectively.

Laura Fayne Hedden and Ryan Brennan

The Brennans

We of course made time to sample the local fare, including the semi-famous "Funk 'n Waffles" in a basement near the Syracuse U. campus (featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", thanks to a tip from Sofia)..

The Jive Turkey: Waffle made of stuffing with all the trimmings

All Shook Up: An homage to The King with bacon, bananas, PB, & honey

I had to make time for a Holiday meal with the heart of my long-time office staff, Judy and Linnea (Terry couldn't make it),

and with my surrogate family, the Nestlers.

The Holiday season is even more special than ever as we celebrated Kimarra's 4th birthday,

 

Isaiah's 1st birthday with Sofia and Marquise.

[NOTE: Many of my prior blog-followers urged me to resume a blog in order to keep in closer contact across the thousands of miles. I am not quite sure what shape it will take, but will update it when I feel I have things to share. I am open for suggestions.]