Check it Out

My dad and I set up a different blog for Bhutan. Check it out at http://oobhutan.blogspot.com

Bhutan

I have internet access but it is pretty slow, so I can't get pictures to download. Right now I am in Thimpu the capital of Bhutan. I have been learning and working in the OR and orthopedic ward/clinic with my dad. It is definately different than US medicine. It is neat to see how they utilize limited resources. For example we bring our own scrubs, mask, and hat to the OR. Nothing is disposible and if they take out hardware from one patient and it is still good, they will sterilize it and use it again on another patient. The hard thing about third world medicine is the rate of infection. almost every patient seems to get osteomyelitis or infection of the bone which is pretty rare in the US. And the other thing is the rate of tuberculosis. It is so rare in the US and here there are so many young patients with spinal TB. Dad is teaching me how to suture in the OR and I get to scrub in, so hopefully I will learn lots.

India and Bhutan

We made it to Bhutan and will be starting our trek through the Himalayas today on the Jolmahari or snowleopard path. Yesterday we hiked all up hill to the amazing Tiger's nest monastery, I will eventually get pictures up but it is so beautiful and is built right above a huge rock cliff. Unfortunately on the way down Ryan got sick and was puking. I felt fine until we got to the restaraunt and then i barely made it to the bathroom before I started throwing up. It was a rough night but we feel at least okay enough to trek today. I think it was something we ate in India. India is another story of its own. Absolute chaos and poverty. People sleeping in the streets or really anywhere. 117 degree weather and the driving is something you have to experience first hand to really understand. No traffic laws, the street is shared by animals, bikes, cars, trucks, tuk-tuks. They can cram 13-15 people in a rickshaw or tuk-tuk which I believe is only really suppose to hold 5 people. they drive on either side of the road, I mean crazy. The Taj Mahal was vast and majestic. We also visited the Agra fort and the market place where you are lucky to get out of without getting your feet run over by motorcylces. Oh and they will fit an entire family, husband wife and 2 kids on a small one person motorcycle. Well, we got to get going but hopefully in a week or so I can get some pictures posted. Love you all.

Hulls Gulch

So, new stuff for us! Ryan accepted a new job at Micron as a financial accountant and I am very excited for him. We will both finish school at the beginning of May, Ryan for forever and me just for the summer. We are getting ready for our big trip to India and Bhutan. We have been mountain biking a lot to get in shape for our trek and just because we like it. Today we took a break from the bikes though and hiked in the foothills to make sure our trekking boots are comfortable. May will be such an exciting and adventure filled month!

Sun Valley

Made it to Sun Valley for the first time for spring skiing. It was a beautiful sunny day, but the worst snow I have ever skied on, where there was snow!

Ryan on the top chair lift going to the bowls.

This is me wondering if I should have brought my mountain bike instead of my skis.

We found this Peruvian restaurant that was either in an old train cart or bus, but it was delicious and very authentic!

Brundage for my 25th!

I am 25!!! I don't know if I feel older, maybe more responsible since I have school, work, and a mortgage, but I love where I'm at. Ryan took me to Brundage for my birthday, a ski mountain up in McCall. It was so awesome. We skied until 4:30 and found some awesome runs. It took me until after lunch to find my "mojo" (as mom likes to say) but after lunch we ripped it up. Afterwards we went to the Gold Fork Hot Springs to relax. It was all so nice. I love skiing for my birthday!

Hair Cut?

Before and after Harley's first hair cut. He was so cute, but he could never see with his hair always in his eyes, and there is no way I can brush him everyday so I attempted to groom him. It was traumatic and from now on he will be going to the groomer. I accidentally cut him with the clippers, which I didn't even know was possible. I felt really bad, so now a professional groomer can give him his future hair cuts. Also, we buy these puppies when they are brown and black and after a couple hair cuts they turn light colored.