G'Day!!!! If you haven't already guessed by the two whopping great big clues in the photo - I'm in Sydney! Day 5 in Laura's Elective (said in a big brother stylE): Things are going well so far - apart from the fact that it's f*cking freezing (has been upgraded from bloody). I'm staying in the nurses place where I sleep in my PJs, 2 pairs of scrubs, socks (plus socks on hands as have to gloves), plus 8 extra blankets (may add more later...). So if anyone ever tells you that it's cold in Syndey in the Winter - they're a bloody genius. It's also p*ssing it down everyday so far. Apart from the weather, it's amazing. Am staying with some really nice student nurses who drove me up to Palm Beach (aka Home & Away's Summer Bay) one evening to hunt down the legendary Alf. Unfortunately it's dark by 6pm so we only just found the surf club & the beach. Stayed with my Unca T, Aunty Lindy & Nikki for the first weekend & enjoyed the good food & use of a bed - have recovered from my jetlag now! Hopefully going up to the Blue Mountains with them one weekend... Have got the money shots of the Harbour Bridge & the Opera House. Nice. Hand surgery is really good fun - have been let loose assisting & suturing in theatre - luckily the patients are unconscious! Amazingly most patients have problems with their hands - although we did an operation on a foot this avo (talk about Australian logic!). Last night a bunch of us electivers ventured oot onto George St to the 3 Wise Monkeys Bar. Cue hilarious dancing from all guys in the club - apparently the garden hose is a popular move out here - quite bizarre! Comedy f*ck ups so far - 3: locked myself out of my room on my first night at the nurses' place. Luckily was allowed back in 2 hours later. Keep desterilising myself after spending ages scrubbing up by touching stuff. Will hopefully get the hang of it at some point... Said something stupid about hand anatomy but managed to dub it out with some sound. So all is well so far! Have got a long weekend ahead & am trying to figure oot what to do with it! Hope you're ok & not missing me too much ;-) L Lauski Schwesti lAUra (or English bird as some nurses call me!) xx