THE PLAN

WRITTEN BY REX

I LOVE TO WORK ON TRAVEL ADVENTURES AND PLANS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS AN ODD NUMBERED YEAR (07), AND FOR ME I'LL BE WORKING MORE AND PLAYING LESS. IN THE EVEN NUMBERED YEARS WE PLAN AND TAKE A THREE MONTH VACATION IN THE FALL OF THE YEAR. IN THE FUTURE YOU'LL BE READING A LOT ABOUT "BEACH-BUMMING '08". I'VE DONE A GOOD JOB THIS WINTER SAVING MY MONEY IN THE TRAVEL FUND FOR "BEACH-BUMMING '08" AND THE FUND IS NOW 40% COMPLETE, IT TAKES ME TWO YEARS TO PUT A TRAVEL FUND TOGETHER.

TODAY I WAS WORKING ON '07, AND NOW HAVE RESERVATIONS FOR MAY 1 - 3, AT TERRIBLE'S LAKESIDE RV PARK IN PAHRUMP, NV. I ALSO MADE MY RESERVATIONS FOR SILVER CITY RV PARK NEAR CARSON CITY FOR MAY 6 TH TILL JUNE 6TH.

IN OCTOBER I'M FLYING TO GREEN BAY FOR LAURA AND BARRY'S WEDDING AND I MADE MY RESERVATIONS TODAY FOR THE FLIGHT, BEFORE THE GREEN BAY PACKER SCHEDULE COMES OUT, IN CASE THERE IS A HOME GAME AND FLIGHTS BECOME DIFFICULT TO BOOK. I'LL BE ARRIVING IN GREEN BAY ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 18TH AT NOON FOR THE FUN PACKED WEEK-END!!!! THIS WILL BE MY ONLY CHANCE TO SEE MY FAMILY THIS YEAR AND I'M ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

TODAY IS THE LAST WORK DAY IN WEEK #5 AND ON OUR DAYS OFF THE PRIORITY PROJECT WILL BE SERVICING THE TRUCK AND WAXING THE TRUCK, THE LAST TWO ITEMS ON MY WINTER "TO DO LIST". THE NEXT WEEK-END WILL BE MARY'S BIRTHDAY, AND THE WEEK-END AFTER THAT HEATHER, MARY'S DAUGHTER, WILL BE HERE.

OUR WEATHER IS HEADED TO 90 DEGREE DAYS AND THIS TIME THEY WILL STICK AROUND FOR THE DURATION OF OUR WINTER STAY HERE ON THE LOWER DESERT.

THAT BRINGS YOU ALL UP TO SPEED ON "THE PLAN" FOR NOW.

Excitment

By Mary

Remember yesterday's post about having less than three weeks to get ready? Today's focus was all on coming back in May.

My daughter, Heather, is flying here to ride back to Wisconsin with me. It makes a long drive easier if you don't have to do it alone and Heather has made the trip with me before. We travel well together and I am looking forward to spend that much time with her without any distractions.

So now I have been wondering about the drive back to Nevada after my visit at home. I asked my other daughter about coming back with me but it wouldn't work out for her. So I decided to ask if my 13 year old granddaughter could skip school for a week and ride with me. This morning I got an e-mail saying yes!!! Cool!! This will be fun and a great adventure for her.

I got online to make her return flight reservation, oh-oh now we have hit a snag. My favorite airline, Frontier, has a rule. Unaccompanied minors can only fly on direct flights. There is no direct flight from Reno to Minneapolis. Wow now what?? So we checked for flights out of Sacramento, same problem....no direct flights. Rex, my problem solver, kept looking online and discovered that Delta will allow minors 8 to 14 years old to fly using connecting flights. Thank goodness!! I sure didn't want to be the one to tell a 13 year old girl...sorry you can't come. Not after she was all built up for the trip and excited about it. That would not be pretty.

Today I was able to chat online with Delilah, the 13 year old. We discussed the states we will be going through, some of the sights we will see, the weather, and lots of other aspects of her trip. She sounds excited and so am I.

After chatting with Delilah, I chatted with her Mom. We talked about the 1,800 mile trip that will take at least 3 long hard days especially since I will be the only driver. Then my daughter says...did you know Delilah gets car sick? NO I DIDN'T!!

It's Getting Close Now

By Mary

This week I had to turn in my LOA (leave of absence) letter. Sure makes me realize that I have a LOT to do in the next less than three weeks before I leave for WI. The list is long but I am sure it will all work out.

I am not alone...everyday more and more of our winter neighbors disappear. A sure sign of spring! Yesterday a toy box with a bike rolled in, they are early for "biker" weekend which is an annual event the last full week end in April. We usually get a few bikers in our RV park and we are on the road to Oatman, one of the stops all the bikers hit. The last week end in April can get really loud here!!

Another problem we have to work on before I leave is to figure out how to secure the desk and desk chair. Light stuff has a tendency to fly around if it isn't secured. Will also have to add a few things to our "preflight" check list. Like pilots, we have a check list so we don't forget the important stuff, such as crank down the antenna. That could be a costly oversight. I feel bad that Rex will have to do all of this stuff by himself. And I will be a nervous wreck until I know he has landed safely in Carson City!!

We had a reader the other day mention that typing in caps is considered shouting. So once again I will address the reason Rex types in all caps. He is one of those "hunt and peck" typist and it is easier for him. He doesn't have to stop and put capital letters at the beginning of sentences and anywhere else they are needed. I suppose you could say it is slightly lazy. Anyway that is why he types in all caps, to his way of thinking it is just simpler. And he is just a "simpler" guy.

In case anyone is wondering, I do like the new setup in here with a desk instead of a very uncomfortable sofa sleeper. Now I feel like I should find a way to make money in our new office. That would be nice......any suggestions??

EXERCISE ROUTINE

New exercise routine. If you're over 50, you might want to take it easy at first, then do it faster as you become more proficient. It may be too strenuous for some.
Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program!
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That's enough for the first day. Great job.
Have a Beer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELILAH !!!

TODAY'S DELILAH'S 13TH BIRTHDAY, AND THE BLOG ENTRY IS WRITTEN BY MARY'S DAUGHTER NIKKI, FROM LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN. THANKS FOR THE ENTRY.

By Nikki

OMG....I have a teenager...yikes!! Boy do I feel old....Maxine and I made Delilah a birthday cake this morning making a huge mess but its all good. Delilah has plans other then hanging out with her family on her birthday......she is having a birthday party (probably her last one until she turns 18) this weekend at the Super 8 with a double room and 8 other teenage girls spending the night..that should be great fun;)

It has been wonderful weather here the last few days and now they say storms. Maxine sleeps real good after a few hours of playing outside. We have been on lots of stroller walks also........its kinda windy today but she took her doll for a walk around the block in his stroller today.

I am having Xanthelasma removed from my eyelids on April 23rd......cannot wait......the cost is $597.00, so I started a donation can and so far there is close to $40.00 in it! At that rate I might have to wait until next April to have them removed! They bother me so much and I cannot wait to have them gone! The Dr said, she cuts them out and stitches it up......all in 30 minutes.....my mom will be home to go with me......can't wait for her to get home!!!! Of course she will be the only one on vacation......oh well such is life! .....

"Cloudy and 70"

TRAILER TRASH

BY REX

DID YOU SEE THAT PICTURE I PUT UP YESTERDAY OF THE COUCH SITTING OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO? I'M GONNA GET JEFF FOXWORTHY, THE CABLE GUY, AND BUBBA TO COME OVER LATER AND HELP ME JACK UP THE HONDA ON CEMENT BLOCKS TO FINISH OFF THE "TRAILER TRASH" LOOK.

ANYWAY, THIS IS HOW REARRANGING THE LIVING ROOM TURNED OUT. A NEW COMPUTER DESK AND CHAIR FOR MARY INSTEAD OF THE COUCH. I WONDER HOW SHE'S GONNA CURL UP AND WATCH CSI ON THAT NEW COMPUTER DESK?

IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE MONDAY, WITH WAXING COMPLETED, MARY'S INCOME TAXES FILED AND A SUCCESSFUL FURNITURE SHOPPING TRIP. OF COURSE IT'S MONDAY AND TACO DAY AT HOOCH'S!!!

REARRANGE THE LIVING ROOM?

BY REX

SUNDAY AND MONDAY ARE OUR DAYS OFF, AND IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY ONE!!! FIRST OFF, I HAD TO DRINK MY POT OF COFFEE AND READ MY NEWSPAPERS AND BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. MEANWHILE MARY STARTED THE LAUNDRY. WE ARE LOSING OUR MINI MART ON APRIL 1ST, AND EVERYTHING IS ONE HALF PRICE, SO WE DID OUR SHARE OF CLEARING OUT THE INVENTORY. WHEN WE WENT TO CHECK OUT, THE OLD GUY COUNTED UP THE NUMBER OF ITEMS AND MULTIPLIED TIMES .50 CENTS. SWELL, A BAG OF STUFF FOR $7.00. I'M SURE GONNA MISS THE STORE FOR ICE AND BEER.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA WAS TRAILER WAXING. I DID PRETTY WELL AND GOT THREE OF THE FOUR SIDES DONE TODAY. I NEED TO GET UP EARLY TOMORROW AND GET THE WESTSIDE DONE BEFORE NOON. MARY WAS AS BUSY, CLEANING ON THE INSIDE.

AS LONG AS I WAS UP ON THE ROOF I THOUGHT I'D TAKE A PICTURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YOU.

WE HAD COCKTAILS SCHEDULED FOR LATE AFTERNOON TO CELEBRATE THE NEIGHBORS BIRTHDAY, AND WHILE WE WERE SITTING ON THE PATIO WAITING FOR WAX TO TO DRY WE DECIDED TO REARRANGE THE LIVING ROOM FURNITURE. MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A BAD TASK AT YOUR HOUSE, BUT THIS IS A CAMPER. JUST MOVING THE COUCH OUT THE DOOR WAS AN INTERESTING CHALLENGE UNTIL MARY DISCOVERED THE BACK OF THE COUCH JUST LIFTS RIGHT UP AND OFF, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO FIT THROUGH THE DOOR.

ANYWAY THE NEIGHBORS WERE SURE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS WHEN THEY SHOWED UP FOR COCKTAILS AND HAD A LIVING ROOM COUCH TO SIT ON OUT ON THE PATIO?

SO TOMORROW MARY'S GOT QUITE A LIST TO WORK ON: GETTING HER TAXES TOGETHER, WALMART RUN, AND NOW FURNITURE SHOPPING? I'LL BE READING MY NEWSPAPERS AND WAXING THE SHADY SIDE OF THE CAMPER.

YOU KNOW IF WE ALL GOT TOGETHER AND PILED UP OUR PROBLEMS AND TROUBLES FOR AN EXCHANGE, I'D GRAB MY PILE BACK!!!

"SUNNY & 80"

SURE SIGNS OF SPRING !!!

WRITTEN BY REX

I KNOW YOU'RE ALL ENJOYING SPRING, EXCEPT UNCLE HANS, THE EVIDENCE IS IN THE PICTURES I'VE RECEIVED THIS WEEK IN MY E-MAIL. LUCKY FOR US WE'VE RETREATED FROM THE 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURES BACK TO "SUNNY & 80" JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT.

O'SHAGER AND O'LOONEY TOASTING A GLASS OF GREEN BEER ON ST. PATTY'S DAY. A SURE SIGN OF SPRING !!!

AUNT KATHY RUBBING ELBOWS WITH LONG TIME DEFENSIVE END GREEN BAY PACKER, NUMBER 94, KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA.

THE GREEN BAY GRANDMOTHERS ENJOYING THEIR CORN BEEF AND CABBAGE. ON THE RIGHT UNCLE NEIL'S MOM, AND ON THE LEFT AUNT KATHY'S MOM.

MARY'S DAFFODILS, JUST BECAUSE IT'S A DESERT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T GET SPRING DAFFODILS FROM OUR LOCAL SAFEWAY STORE.

MAGNETIC INDUCTION COOKING

WRITTEN BY REX

WRITTEN BY REX

I THOUGHT I’D BLOG ABOUT OUR NEW HOT PLATE FOR COOKING TODAY. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, SO I COULD TEACH YOU ABOUT MAGNETIC CONDUCTION FOR COOKING. IT’S WAY OVER MY HEAD AND I DON’T UNDERSTAND IT? PRETEND YOU’RE THE FIRST ONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET A MICROWAVE, AND NOW EXPLAIN TO ME HOW IT WORKS. WHY DOES THE FOOD GET HOT? DUH!! THAT’S HOW OUR NEW MAGNETIC INDUCTION COOKER WORKS.

THE UNIT IS PORTABLE SO WE CAN USE IT ON THE COUNTER, TABLE , OR EVEN OUT SIDE NEAR THE PLUG IN ON A TABLE. IT’S VERY EFFICENT, AND CREATES NO EXTRA HEAT WHILE COOKING, WHICH IS NICE ON THE HOT DAYS FOR NOT HEATING UP THE INSIDE OF THE CAMPER. YOU CAN TOUCH THE TOP OF THE HOT PLATE AND IT’S NOT HOT, BUT WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE PROPER METAL PANS THE PANS HEAT UP AND DO THE COOKING.

YOU KNOW WE BOTH LOVE TO COOK, BUT WITH THIS SYSTEM WE ARE LEARNING ALL OVER AGAIN JUST HOW TO COOK ON THE NEW HOT PLATE WITH OUR NEW COOKWARE.

WILL HEALTHY EATING FOLLOW? NAW….. I’M STILL FRYING MY BREAKFAST EGGS IN BUTTER.

Evolution of math

Last week I purchased a burger and fries at McDonald's for $3.58. The counter girl took my $4.00 and I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies. While looking at the screen on her register, I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.

Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s.....

Teaching Math In 1950, A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960, A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970, A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980, A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990, A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)

Teaching Math In 2007, Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?

It's My Turn...

There was a note on the table when I got home from work.. "Mary, blog for tomorrow". That little note really puts me in a panic.

Rex is a really good writer, I often think he is a frustrated teacher. He is also very entertaining in his very unique way of looking at the world. He usually sees the humor in most situations. I, on the other hand, am a very factual person. I tend to write about what I did today and most of my days are, frankly, not very interesting. So, is it surprising that I oftentimes feel intimidated trying to compete with his blogs??? I do...but I will give it a go.

Today was my early day at work. I went in at noon as opposed to 4PM. My job today was the collection the money and sign up players in the AVI's blackjack tournament. To do this job, I get to sit in a chair, not the usual position of a dealer. Being done by 8PM was the icing on the cake.

This is week four for me, I will be done working on Saturday April 14th. I am really looking forward to having a break from work, and I am very anxious to get home to see my Mother not to mention my children. I am worried about how little time I have to get everything done before I go. Actually I have three lists going, "take to WI", "bring back from WI", and "to do be4 I go". These lists keep growing!!

This past week was a great "toke week". That means our hourly tip rate was very good, in fact the best rate we have had all winter, including New Year's Eve. I can't begin to express how surprising that is.

OMG, here it is 11PM and Rex just got home, guess that means this blog is done!!

HE IS EARLY!!

Rex has asked me to add the following post script:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE HANS!!!!!!!!

MOHAVE VALLEY (PART 8)

NAW...... I'M KIDDING!!!

THE MOHAVE VALLEY SERIES GENERATED MORE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK IN COMMENTS AND E-MAILS THAN ANY OTHER BLOG PROJECT TO DATE. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO THINK OVER THE NEXT HISTORY SERIES A LITTLE BEFORE I START. I REALLY WANTED TO DO SOME PROJECTS ON THE MEN OF NEVADA, ESPECIALLY THE ONES MY DAD'S AGE: BILL HARRAH, HARVY GROSS, ETC., THAT PROJECT HAS HIT THE BACK BURNER FOR NOW. MAYBE I'LL LET "UNCLE HANS" DO THE NEXT PROJECT WITH CHAPTERS ON HIS VIEWS ON MEDICINE IN THE AMERICAS TODAY?

EVEN THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK IS FEEDBACK, AND THE "COMMENT QUEEN" MARY GETS QUITE A CHUCKLE OUT OF ME GETTING SO FEW, AND SO NEGATIVE COMMENTS.

THANKS FOR CLICKING ON OUR ALMOST DAILY BLOG, AND CHECKING US OUT.

AWNING WASHING

WRITTEN BY REX

CROSS AWNING WASHING OFF THE LIST!! ACTUALLY THIS ISN'T NEAR THE JOB IT USED TO BE. YEARS AGO WHEN WE WENT TO THE MIDWEST FOR THE SUMMER WE HAD THE AWNING STAKED OUT ALL SUMMER AND CLEANING IT ONCE WE GOT BACK HERE WAS A TUFF CHORE. THIS YEAR WE HAD IT OUT AT BRODHEAD, AND STAKED OUT A MONTH IN LA CROSSE AND IT WASN'T NEAR AS DIRTY. HERE IN THE WEST WE DON'T HAVE THE AWNING STAKED OUT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE WIND, WE JUST PULL IT OUT WHEN WE NEED IT, WHICH ISN'T VERY OFTEN CAUSE THE TRAILER FACES NORTH AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF SHADE IN THE AFTERNOONS WITHOUT THE AWNING. AT LAKE TAHOE WE DO THE SAME, ONLY THERE IT ISN'T WIND IT'S THE PINE SAP FROM THOSE HUGH PONDEROSA PINES THAT WE CAMP UNDER FOR THE SUMMER.

SO THE "TO DO LIST" IS GETTING SHORTER, WAX THE TRUCK, WAX THE TRAILER, AND TAKE THE TRUCK INTO FORD FOR THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE IS ALL THAT'S LEFT. THEN IT WILL BE SUMMER AND NO LIST!!!

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A COLD SNAP BEGINNING TUESDAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS TO DROP DOWN TO 79 DEGREES.


NOW WE'RE OFF TO HOOCH'S FOR OUR MONDAY .50 CENT TACOS AND BEER & WHISKEY.

THE DESERT TURNS GREEN

WRITTEN BY REX

YESTERDAY IN OUR VALLEY THE TEMPERATURE GOT TO 99 DEGREES!!! WITH THE WARM TEMPERATURES COMES THE CACTUS FLOWERS, PICTURED ABOVE IS MY FAVORITE.

AND SPEAKING OF "GREEN" YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT THE LOONEY BLOGS, TERESA AND BARBARA, FOR FULL ST. PATRICK DAY REPORTS.

I ENDED UP PUTTING MY CORN BEEF IN THE NEW CROCK POT AFTER WORK LAST NIGHT AND LET IT SIMMER ALL NIGHT, IT TURNED OUT PERFECT, NICE AND TENDER. WE'VE DECIDED TO SKIP THE CABBAGE, CARROTS, POTATOES, AND ONIONS, AND MOVE RIGHT ON TO THE GRILLED RUBEN SANDWICHES!!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY !!!

BY REX

I SPENT 25 YEARS WITH AN IRISH WIFE, AND CAN SAY, I DO MISS THE WAY THE LOONEY'S CELEBRATED ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!! I EVEN REMEMBER A YEAR WHEN GLORIA STARTED FROM SCRATCH AND CORNED HER OWN BRISKET OF BEEF. SHE HAD THAT PIECE OF MEAT IN A CROCK DOWN IN THE BASEMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY I'LL BE WORKING, BUT MARY HAS A PIECE OF CORN BEEF IN THE FRIDGE AND WE WILL BE COOKING IT ON SUNDAY ALONG WITH TOO MANY BEERS TO DRINK. I HAVEN'T DECIDED WHETHER TO COOK IT ON THE BIGG gASS GRILL, OR PUT IT IN MARY'S NEW CROCK POT.

ANOTHER MEMORABLE ST. PATRICK'S EVENING WAS SPENT DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS, WITH HANS AND WENDY, THE CROWD WAS SO LARGE THAT YOU COULDN'T GET DRUNK AND FALL DOWN, IT WAS SHOULDER TO SHOULDER PEOPLE.

WHAT EVER YOU DO TODAY BE WEAR'IN THE GREEN AND HOIST ONE FOR ST. PADDY!!

Botswana (part 2)

............We recently graduated our 2nd class in November. This picture is getting dressed up in full graduation regalia. The dark-haired guy is Dr Gill and his secretary Nancy (like most systems, we have a nameless, faceless woman does all the best work and receives no credit for it). We will have our third graduation in June. We got our lender back yesterday and will pick up about 15 transfer students because our name and reputation is starting to recover and students want to come into our 3rd and 4th year clinical rotations because they are now well run, thanks to Dave. The students have been patiently waiting until they could borrow. The "closing"or sale is important because it cuts our ties with the Serslands, who remain our friends but have become associated in the business with dishonesty (because of the mud-slinging hostile takeover) and our business will do better with them out. We avoided all of that by being "silent" partners and will probably stay in the background shadows. We are now equal partners with Dave Gill................

...........This picture is of Jeff Sersland signing the diplomas at the graduation. A proud and touching moment as these students are now training in American residencies and will go on to successful practices. Not that many kids finish in this crooked and shoddy system, so every graduate that gets a residency (some "graduate" only to fine out they can't get a residency slot, there is no state where their school is licensed for them to train or practice) is a victory. ...........

............This was the graduating class in November. Several are missing, with conflicts such as honeymoons and overseas travel. On the left is Jeff Sersland, in the back is Dave Gill, I am the one you cannot see, and next to me on my left is Dave's son, who is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and interested in being part of our school some day. So the school is slowly turning around and has new ownership and a new direction. Wendy and I are currently "out" a million dollars (with the interest we will pay before we have the debt paid off, I am now working in SIX hospital, Hayward is back). Gill is "out" about the same amount. The cash flow is trending toward positive. The "closing" is soon, allowing us to look forward and not backward. What does this have to do with Botswana? Well, Dave was part of a Caribbean school a few years ago (St.Eustatious, I am not making this up) that had a contract with the Botswana government to educate doctors for that stable and prosperous South African country. The contract expired and was not renewed after Dave left that school when it lost it's academic integrity in favor of the quick buck. The Botswana's have contacted us to negotiate a contract with us because they like Dave's style. We will start with at least 50 student in the fall and the government there pays in advance for a whole year. That will definitely straighten out our finances. There is actually money to be made here. There is also fun to be had, and the sense that we are making a difference in educating doctors to take care of people. Also, the Belize government recently tried to give us the new hospital in San Pedro as they are so corrupt and inept that they cannot make it work. So maybe Wendy and I will achieve our original goal of finding something fun and interesting to do in retirement in a tropical paradise. Time will tell.........





................our little corner of paradise. We are going down April 11-16 for the first time for fun in a year. We are staying in town at Coral Bay, not here. We will undoubtedly spend an afternoon or two "by the pool".....

Botswana (part 1)

by Uncle Hans

Wendy and I started going down to Belize in 1999 in search of something fun and interesting to do in retirement. Many of my colleagues do volunteer work in the third world and I thought it would be fun as well, just in a beautiful paradise setting, not in a jungle where someone is shooting at you (duh). We went there several times without success in finding volunteer work for either of us, but we had to keep trying, at least twice a year. It was a painful sacrifice on our part, all that sun and Belikin beer, but that is just the kind of people we are. In 2001 we met a young couple from North Dakota who owned a medical school on the island where we go. The government was building a small hospital there, but very slowly. We figured we had our best chance of finding our niche with the medical school as it grew and students became involved in the small hospital when it opened.

We visited the school and the Serslands each time we went down, bringing medical journals for the library. Occasionally I gave a lecture to the classes. Then, in 2005, we got our ”break”. They were expanding the school and involving Harvard Medical International. HMI is a foundation run by Harvard Medical School to further medical education in the world. They expressed an interest in the Belize school as the students from there had done well in their training after leaving the school and HMI wanted to see how this was achieved. In order to do this, the school needed money and we invested. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

...........This is a picture of the school. There are 30 "offshore" medical schools catering to mostly American students who can't get into American schools because they are too old or have grades only fair or good instead of excellent. There are only 5 of these schools that even own their own buildings, the rest rent space. It is a fly-by-night business. Our new partner, with 25 years of experience in 4 schools is writing a book on his Caribbean school adventures. He calls it "Pirates of the Caribbean". Anyway, we thought the Harvard thing lent an air of respectability to an otherwise unsavory business. Not really. Our school, Medical University of the Americaus Belize, turned out to be just as shady as the rest.


................this is a picture of the Harvard visit in Feb '06. Our partners, the Serslands are on the left and the rest are the review team from HMI. It was an exciting time, those people were fascinating. I was down there to be part of it. We learned a lot about medical education. We were in the process of moving the administration office of the school to Spooner as all of these schools have an American office. All the recruiting and business aspects of the school are more easily done that way. Our school was at a disadvantage, not having an American office. Then disaster struck. We heard of a school in London that was losing it's charter and failing. There were lots of students involved, all of whom stood a chance of losing their records and everything they had worked for. We came in like the white knight, standing to gain a lot of students and a branch location. We got the government of Belize to OK this and it looked like the proverbial "something-for-nothing" deal. The owners of the failing school saw it differently. They were originally grateful for us saving them, then realized they could fight to get the charter for London and ours as well. We entered a hostile takeover battle. The resulting mud-slinging caused us to lose our student lender as they were nervous about some of the charges made by our opponents on Internet chat boards and forged e-mails. Once you have no lender, the flow of money dries up and recruitment grinds to a halt. Only the rich kids can attend and there are not many. We fought and won, keeping the London campus and the bad guys went away, but at a huge cost in money. Wendy and I borrowed in every way possible, since the Serslands had no standing or credit rating in the USA and no borrowing power here as a result...........




................This is the histology lab, those tables are for microscopes and students learn to identify different tissues and diseases by microscopy. The lender finally reinstated us after a 6 month battle but our school had lost it's reputation and recruitment was flogging because students suspected us of being dishonest and shady. The reinstatement was for 90 days only. Then our situation was to be "reviewed". We continued in a death spiral. We could not pay our faculty, and they tired of going weeks without pay. Some students transferred out to other schools. It looked like the end...................

As part of the hostile takeover, some staff from the failing school jumped ship to us. One such guy was a Harvard-trained psychiatrist named Dave Gill. He had been kicked around the "offshore" school business for many years. His interest is quality education, feeling that that will be a draw to better students and eventually long term financial success. Several schools had installed his ideas, at least for a while to make a fastbuck, and he would move on in discouragement. The failing school was the last example. He joined us and could see an opportunity for himself. His problem is that he had never been an owner, just a consultant. Here was an opportunity to be an owner and install his ideas without interference form greedy short-sighted dishonest owners. He offered to buy out our original partners, the Serslands, who were burned out and ready to leave..................

………… This is in the office of the Prime Minister of Belize . He is the short white-haired guy. Now, this seems very impressive, but remember, more people live in St. Paul than Belize and the only thing more crooked than the typical Caribbean medical school is the typical Caribbean government. Anyway, Dr. Gill has a lot of great experience, a lot of academic integrity, and (like us, before we got started in this) a healthy retirement fund. He has been taking over the reins of running the school from his home and office in Gardiner, Massachusetts , 50 miles out of Boston . The lawyers are drawing up the “closing” papers making this all official (more official than ever before) and we are changing the name to Franklin-Grill College of Medicine. (Gill and his extensive ivy league family of doctors are descendants of Ben Franklin)………………….

PART 2 TOMORROW