Monday, June 14, 2010

Swimming in the Irish Sea






As my time in Ireland winds down I am starting to think about things I want to do before I leave.  One of them is to swim in the Irish Sea.  My friend Honor is hardcore and swims in the Irish Sea all the time so I joined her and another friend Erin for a dip today.  The high today was 64, a typical summer day for Ireland.  I have no idea what the water temperature was.  Suffice it to say that getting in the water up to my neck and staying in for a few minutes was a very impressive feat.  The Irish say you will start enjoying the water as soon as your body is numb.  I stayed long enough for my legs and upper body to be numb but my arms felt so strangely cold that I got out after a few minutes. Anyway, I am quite satisfied that I did it and even happier that I lived to tell the tale!

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

What is a Perfusionist?!


I have yet to come across a single person who, when they ask me what my husband does for a living, actually knows the answer I give.  Even when I explain it to them they still look lost.  So for all of you out there who want to know what it is that Matt does take a look at this short video. I've asked  Matt if I can go on a "ride-along" with him at his work but after seeing some more videos on what he sees at work I don't know if I could handle all the blood and general gore of the OR.  I guess that's why he's the perfusionist and I'm the lady of leisure!

As of right now Matt performs his  sweet perfusion  skills on babies at the children's hospital here in Dublin.  It's been a good gig but it is time for us to return to the land of plenty.  I am dying to know where we will end up.  How bout a clue, Lord?!