At some point my friends we have to come to terms with why the Admiral & the Skipper have travelled to this far off land. Yes, it is sunny and 30 deg C outside, while there is snow at home - but it wasn't the weather that brought us here. And yes, we were comfortable and settled, with good friends and close to family, very easy to stay rooted. But at this "young age" (the skipper anyway) time was flying by at an alarming rate, with no end in sight for full time toil, and what of those adventures? A reminder of those lines from Pink Floyd ("Time") "You run and you run to catch up with the sun / But it's sinking".
Not a nice thought, but reality. So things were shaken up, with its attendant anxiety and pain - and the life routine changed. Again a reminder of another musical quote "Second verse same as the first" (Herman's Hermits, "I'm Henry the VIII I am") - is that what we wanted?..... Hard to know, but here we are reflecting, and reflecting some more, before the upcoming holiday season. However being grateful that to date, although there have been some bumps in the road, along with some big potholes that we worked through, that things have worked out pretty well. We have much to be thankful for.
Anyway my friends, enough of my reflections, so off we go to our present "salt mine".
A view along the side of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre - Jeddah. The large expansion project is planned to start next spring with a doubling of its size. It's been interesting having input with the architects & engineers (an American firm) with respect to the part related to the new oncology center.
A closer view - marble and glass, with the requisate palm trees. Parking garage and services building on the right.
The entrance to the outpatient clinics beyond the palm tree.
Inside the entrance to the outpatient clinic area - no not a Timmie's but a Starbucks - have to do with my "skinny Latte" in the morning. Complete with chairs and couches, as well as the usual merchandise for sale. And yes those are marble floors throughout all the common areas, not linoleum.
I know, another view of Starbucks (two locations in the hospital), but an important ingredient to me getting through the day - remember all my Timmies? Starbucks in Arabic is written a little longer, the crest in English the same as we know.
Starbucks again - Joy had a day off and was visiting, seen here with the dietition for Oncology (an American) and a Saudi ward clerk.
Oops!
A branch of the local bank where our paychecks are deposited - on the ground floor of the hospital - the tellers are closed at this time being prayer time. But the ATM is just off on the right.
Oops again - not sure why the extra "add on", twice now? But the bank is important, as is the source of coffee.
On two sides of the building on every floor (this is the fourth floor where the Department of Oncology is located) there is a walkway along the edge of the building with an outside window view. Again marble floors.
Unfortunately my office is on the inside with no window! Yes I did bring some of my diplomas from home. The work day here starts at 0745 every day during the week with either meetings or educational events - they all start on time and everyone gets there on time! Clinics start at 0830 or 1pm, and again everyone gets there on time! There are three medical oncology tumor boards that I attend each week - breast, GI, and lymphoma, all attended by respective specialists, a radiologist who shows the images, and a pathologist who reviews the path on the screen - good educational events. The mound of paperwork however is another story, although I will endeavor to try to keep a clean desk policy. The administrative activities have so far been an interesting challenge, along with actually keeping up with my daily e-mail. Maybe zebras can change their stripes?
The departmental secretary has a little more congestion! This is adjoining my office with the entrance to the outside world in front of her.
Finally "home" and putting together the Blog - a wireless internet connection that is not always speedy, as the picture downloads can be a long process, making each episode a several hour event.
Before we end this episode, and in case people have forgotten, Joy likes to start decorating for the season early, with seasonal decorations up before the end of November. All this and lights mixed with the branches courtesy of the Ikea store here. Although we won't have a white Christmas we should remind ourselves that the Holy Land is just a little further North and will share the same sunshine, sand, rocks and date palms. Will return with another episode around the seasonal event. Masalama for now.
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