Today was actually very productive. Kahler and I went through a file that has been needing some attention for quite some time now. It will be the beginning of next week before Kahler and I take posts at our respective sites (main clinic and IAVI). I don’t know yet the schedule in which we will alternate site though it is likely that it will be every month. It will be good that we can cover the areas that the other may have overlooked or forgotten.
The debate at the World Bank today was fantastic! Not only was the conversation great but, they fed us well. I am proud of the way that the PI of our site handled herself despite some pointed remarks. The fella from Harvard, though he may be brilliant, was not adequately equipped to serve any constructive opposition. Apparently he sent an email burning Dr. Allen on something and forgot to take her name off of the recipient list.
*Lesson: Either say nothing critical of anyone or learn how to work the computer machine.
I missed the chocolate covered doughnuts today. I really am not so sad as I thought I would be though. The morning was very productive and the idea of running for to grab a doughnut did not cross my mind. We left very early for the World Bank, which is an impressive structure in downtown Lusaka. I grabbed a cup of coffee from the little Yo Café in on the first floor and wandered up to the third floor conference room. Shortly after gathering in the conference room we were invited into the kitchen area where they served an energizing light lunch. There were some scheduling confusion and it was not until an hour or so later that the debate was actually under way.
We arrived back at the flats around 5:30. I got to chat with some very important people in the States and help Kahler try to figure out a laptop that refused to acquire the Internet proxy automatically. That gets me to here where I am looking forward to a bit of reading and some shuteye.
The confusion is starting to motivate exploration and follow up rather than the previous over-whelmed bewilderment. All is well.
I wish I had a great metaphor for your observation regarding motivation, but your description is metaphor enough. You have been way beyond admitting the problem(s); the where to- or how to- start AND forcing yourself to NOT ask: "How did it get like this?" is the beginning of the solution. Wondering HOW to eat an elepahant is not the solution, rather just haul off and take the first bite gets the task of eating the elephant started! (I hear that elephant goes down better with Port wine or a dark draught beer!!! Maybe coffee would be better during working hours.
ReplyDeletelove you
pappy
Hahaha, wow, the Harvard guy actually sent his roast to your PI?! Impressive Fail.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, wow...I'm watching the news as I watch this, some couple got married at the Minnesota State Fair today...oh Minnesotans...
Good tip about the computer thingy.
ReplyDeleteWell sounds like an exciting day! I like how you did not say whether or not that coffee was any good??
ReplyDeleteGuess even harvard people mess up emails. People do that fairly frequently in business... I've read a couple of really big mess ups already, where I work!! Not from our side though fortunately!