Coming Home

Mel is writing this post while in the middle of the Gulf Stream.  She rates the Gulf Stream today: 3 gingersnaps.  That is how many cookies it took to combat the tiny wave of nausea she had.  This is good.  Much better than the scopolamine patch and barf bucket level she was anticipating from all of the hype.  In fact, we are having the best sailing day we have had in a long time.  They should change the common knowledge about the Gulf Stream: “Never cross the Stream with winds out of the north.”  Right now, winds are out of the north, and Marvin is frolicking along at 9 kts with 15 kts of true, 19 kts apparent at 60 degrees off our starboard bow.  Waves are max 4 feet.  The better adage is: “Cross the Gulf Stream the day after a cold front blows through as long as winds are under 15 kts.  And do it on a beam reach in a Leopard 48.”

The kids are ecstatic, talking nonstop about all of the cool things they want to do and see when we get back to the US.  It’s crazy to think that we left Ft.  Lauderdale eight months, 1 day ago.  It feels like we’ve been to the moon and back.  After traveling over 4000 nm to 13 different countries, including the last 6 weeks in the Bahamas, there are a lot of things we miss.  As Allie says, “America is my favorite tropical island we’ve visited so far.”  Don’t worry, we are working on her geography.  Here is a list of things we have been craving:

1. We want to go to a real grocery store.  No offense, Bahamas, but a pile of congealed chicken wings in the bottom of a big, empty freezer is not our idea of a “meat department.”
2. We are going to see a real, Hollywood movie on the big screen that we haven’t seen before.  It will be a recent release, without subtitles!
3. There was no pizza in the Exumas!  Aaaaaah!
4. AMAZON PRIME 2 DAY SHIPPING!
5. No more data roaming charges!
6. Unexpired Coke Zero! Or any unexpired food!
7. Wine that is NOT from California or Chile and DOES NOT cost $30 a bottle!
8. Cheap water at marinas. Marvin needs a bath!
9. Target!
10. Fresh basil! Vegetables! Fruit!  Cuties!
11. Inexpensive spray sunscreen!
12. Buildings that are more than 2 stories high. Mel wants to see skyscrapers!  People with the latest wearable or portable gadgets!  Giant food courts in giant malls with food from all over the world!  Structured landscaping!  New cars!

Of course, there are tons of things we are not looking forward to, such as traffic and crime.  But we are staying positive.

Our family and friends may wonder: so does this mean that it’s over?  Is Mel ready to go back to work, to deal with all of the entities fighting to regulate her and tell her what to do, to deal with the insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, pharmacies, hospitals, medical administrators, stupid policies, medication reconciliation, grumpy colleagues, dissatisfied patients, really sick patients, phone calls, faxes, EMR’s, dictations, double bookings, ICD-10, MOC requirements…

Mel was just interrupted by a scream of, “Dolphins!” and went on the bow to witness eight dolphins leaping out of the water while they raced with Marvin.  Uh, where was she?  Oh yeah…

HELLS NO!

The Burnetts will cross the Atlantic, double-handed, in May.  Because that’s way easier than going back to work.

Don’t worry, Linked-In social network connections!  Mel has not abandoned all hope of having a career in neurology again!  She can hear a faint call from her love of neurology, her dear sweet patients, her desire to feel like an expert in something again.  She just isn’t ready yet to jump back into the pit.  She plans to be ready by September 2017.

Because that’s when the money runs out.