TODAY was my first live Netball experience--and let me tell you, I LOVE NETBALL! It is similar to basketball in that there is a basket (or "goal" in Netball) on each end of the court and the objective is to shoot the ball through the goal. I tried to watch netball on youtube before I arrived in Australia, but following the game without knowing the rules was frustrating. Some basic concepts:
-There are 7 players on each team.
-Each goal is worth one point.
-Play starts at "centre" court after each goal is made.
-Possession rotates between teams (every other start) regardless of who scored the most recent goal.
-Players may pass the ball to any part of the court, but may only take one step with the ball.
-Depending on your position, the area of the court in which you are allowed to play is restricted (the "goal keeper" may only play in the 1/3 of the court closest to the basket she is defending.)
-Only two designated players from each team are allowed to shoot for a goal.
-When you shoot you much keep one foot on the ground and you are still only allowed to take one step.
-When you are defending the goal, you must keep one foot on the ground at all times, you must not touch the ball or the opposing player until they shoot. If you do touch the ball or the player you must stand next to the shooter and do nothing while they take the shot.

and there are a bunch of other rules that structure the game too...if you are interested you can

read the real rules: http://www.internationalnetball.com/netball_rules.html

or watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxZOGU5DCvw&feature=related


This weekend has been really busy. We have a morbidity and mortality meeting with the hospital surgeons on Tuesday. In order to make sure we are adequately prepared, I went in today to analyse some data that we (the physio's) will be presenting.

Tuesday night I am also going to a simon and garfunkel concert! ahhh!

The hospital responsibilities and terms are becoming more natural for me. I am learning to use S's instead of Z's and the word "mobilise" instead of "ambulate"---although I still use the term "gait training" when specific instruction/teaching is required to "mobilise."

terminal knee extensions (open chain) or short arc quads are called "inner range quads"
quad sets are called "static quads"
eva walker is called a "forearm support walker"

I really like the hospital where I am working. We have been REALLY busy lately because there are few rehab beds available in the area. There is no rule to dictate what percentage of diagnoses are allowed into a rehab facilities in Australia. This is good because it allows everyone who needs rehab to get rehab. However, it is bad because people who need rehab are waiting in hospitals until a bed opens up. Personally, I don't mind this, because I have gotten to do some neuro rehabilitation.

Also important to mention. At Westmead private, every patient gets seen 2 times a day. I find this a wonderfully refreshing concept because all of the hospitals I have been in in the US give precedence to orthopaedic patients and then prioritise from there.

Just an interesting approach.

Anywho. Off to bed.

Thanks for reading. I know I am an awful speller. I apologise for all the grammatically annoying errors and typos. Also, let me know if you have any questions.