Away

Went this morning to Emmasdale Baptist. Got there at ten so we could grab a seat away from the fly swarm. I had a bad experience. We were successful and found a place in front in the comfortable chairs. It was much warmer today than it has been making the zephyrs through the new stain glass windows absolutely priceless.

I didn't get a ton of sleep the night before but, I wouldn't have traded that for anything. It did however, make the service feel a touch longer than usual and those prayers... man there is a dude that prays before the sermon that should be in contention for the longest public prayer badge. It is beautiful but, man it takes some focus to listen and keep up during the prayer. My mind moves much faster than his words and it takes some effort to keep my mind on track even when it should be just about dead from sleep deprivation.

The message was on the family. We have been on this subject since we first visited the church. Ninety-nine percent of the message was addressed to the husband. He did a good job of outlining the responsibilities of the man in the married relationship. It is a daunting list however, the whole thing can be boiled down to love. That is, of course, over simplified as the entire Bible can be wrapped in that command but, it was good to see this consistent do this because of love or don't do that because of love. It is love that makes the sacrifice possible. Humble sacrifice has to be one of the most difficult things in the entire world.

Work this past week was a little more like a blur than five individual days. There is always something to be done but at times finding the place to start or setting up the meeting take so much more time then you thought it ever would or should. I know that many of you can relate here. It is the pieces of the job that you expect to be rough that you expend your energy and find the items that you had written off as too simple choke the machine.

I am catching some of the 'he is new, lets see what we can get away withness'. What I have found effective so far is asking questions and never making an on the spot change to the whole system. There are certainly things that need to be changed however I have to catch myself and ask why this process or system set up how it is. There may be a little catch underneath that is not obvious on the surface. This is when the folks that have been with the project for years are absolutely invaluable. Just Saturday a fella wanted to alter the system for my QC of the laboratory requisition slips. His point seemed valid enough. It turns out though, after a talk with the senior, Mr. Macuacua, that the system works just exactly as it should because of the second round QC for which the medical counselors are responsible.

Today looks like a good day to go grocery shopping and get some gre studying done. It is very nice not being on call. I am not so sure that the little zoo place is going to make it to fruition. We had a soccer game scheduled for yesterday. Kahler and I got suited up and mosied over to the main clinic, where the bus was to pick up, but a little chat with the guard confirmed the, already steadfastly grounded, idea that organization is found wanting in when it comes to ZEHRP football. I came back and had a nap instead, I must say even though I was disappointed, that little snooze was pretty sweet.

I have been looking a bit more at my institutional options for my PhD program and was able to send an email to the assistant dean (after having been in the academic realm in a capacity other than a pupil, I know that an email to the deans or associate deans will never find their mark as they are filtered through secretaries or pushed to the rear of schedule, which is synonymous with being indefinitely marked as unread). We will see what kind of response I get, that is if I get one at all. I will, as always, keep you updated. 

It was wonderful getting to talk to my family yesterday evening. I miss you all very much and can't wait to see soon. Until then know that all is well and that after the weekend of October 23 you should get to see some African animals as that is when I am planning to head to the great Livingstone and see Victoria falls! Hope that you are all off to a great week, I know that I do not always get to respond to the things that you write or post but, please know that it means so much to me. So thank you