Crunch Time

As the year closes in, all of the work I have been doing is culminating and it has been satisfying to move past some considerable milestones. I've been spending a lot of time out in the provinces training midwives for one project and teachers for another. There is still so much to do over the next month, I can't help thinking of all the barriers that could rise up and make things dIfficult. Thankfully, at the moment we have been able to maneuver around any major obstacles and I feel cautiously optimistic. 

The mother-baby project (Cambodia Smile) that I'm working on is my main focus and so it was really amazing that I was able to get a scholarship to Melbourne to smash out a PhD on the topic. The advantage of doing a PhD is that it provides a legitimate vehicle to receive input from some well established public health/paediatric dentists so the program will be more robust. Also, with that comes a useful network and a solid base for potential corporate sponsors. In terms of how I spend my time as a result, I'll be split between Melbourne and Cambodia and I'll increase my time in Melbourne as I close in on 2017 to do the home stretch and final write up. 

What I'm really torn about though is: which folding bike should I purchase to brave Melbourne's well established cycle network? A Brumpton, a Dahon, or a Tern... At this stage I like the Tern P24h for the 20inch wheels but I'm not convinced about the folding time.... Such a dilemma...

Anyway, I'd like to finish by reflecting on how grateful I am for everything that has happened this year. When I first arrived I thought I had a job lined up at the university. I was initially disappointed when it fell through but the result was that I am now in a much better position to make a bigger impact with my time. I am grateful that things don't always go to plan... They go much better than I could ever try to plan. 

One of the things that is difficult about being here is that I miss out on doing 'life' with my dear friends, I miss out on baby cuddles and outrageous laughter and cycling together and chilling out together, and helping you paint your house or move your stuff and patting your dogs and forcing you to listen while I talk continuously (hehe) and... I just miss you guys. I am so grateful for all the messages and the likes on face book and the phone calls... You have sustained me. For me there is no back-up plan. I don't want to be anywhere else. This is it and I can't do it without you. Merry Christmas everyone and I look forward to seeing those of you in NZ during February! Tour dates TBA.