Thankful in chaos

My first Thanksgiving in Africa was a much more exciting experience than I had expected. The ZEHRP interns were invited to the house of the CDC director for Zambia. His name was Dr. Larry Marum and his wife's name was Elizabeth, I think that she is a doctor as well. It seems to be the case that those couples that do research work in Zambia are both very well educated.

We piled into cabs and took off for their house which was in a much fancier part of town than our dear Emmasdale. After about a twenty minute cab ride we arrived and were escorted to the back porch where there was a great little spread of snacks and drinks. They had coke and fanta and brewskis and scotch. It was a wonderfully American place. Meryl, Jacquee and I took a seat and at that the party table was established. We had a great time talking about things other than work. Someone I got claimed a lot of attention when it got out that I might be talking to a little lady back in the states. It was a very entertaining pre-feast fellowship.

I think that I was the only one to pour a sip of scotch but, Elizabeth said that she was disappointed that no one was drinking the Johnny Walker, well, me being the giver that I am did not want to leave her like that if I could help it.

It was a fairly traditional buffet with all the goodies. Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes (which I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole), pumpkin pie, Apple Pie, and whipped cream. They are Catholic and read a prayer for health out of the Book of Common Prayer. It was a neat tradition that they have. Oh man, it was a very long meal though. I stuffed myself pretty ridiculously and had to try and keep conversation, it was a delicate business, staying interesting when all you want to do is take a nap. We were warned before the meal that we were going to go around the table and have everyone say what they were thankful for.

Friends and family and the way that being away gives others a chance to show how much they care about you were a few of the things that I said I was thankful for. I am truly thankful that I do have such a fantastic family that have supported me so thoroughly while I have been far away through care packages, prayers, emails, Skype calls and letters. It has all meant so much to me and I am so very grateful.

We left the Marum's around 9:30 and headed back for the flats. I got to good 'ol flat four and was gone by 10:00, fat and happy. It was a good day to be able to think back on because tomorrow would be pretty rough.

Yesterday and today were pretty hairy. Here is a little background:

We have been hearing little bit sand pieces about some substantial budget cuts that could be coming down the pipe but, we had yet to hear any specifics and really last we heard this was just a precautionary measure and likely everything would pan out just fine. Well we lost a research initiative through the population council that was to make up about 27% of next year's budget. 27% translates to 57 positions. The Program Management Group (PMG) did what I thought to be a horrendous job of explaining to the laboratory staff the situation. They said that there are nine in the lab right now and that seven would be eligible for contract renewal. The staff as well as the management (Kahler and I) are very worried that the lab will not be able to function given this decrease in workforce. Those that are left will be working that much harder and have that much morale stolen from them. We were looking forward to the opportunity to pick up another lab tech. This cutting two of them loose is a fair sized step backwards. Kahler and I had a quick meeting of the minds to see if there was any way that we might be able to clear up the news that the staff was just handed. I can't think of a worse way to go into the weekend than thinking that next week you may not have a job. When a job is lost here, it is just done, there is no benefit package or severance. We walked back to the lab where all of the staff were gathered and tried to explain that this was as much news to us as it was them and that we are going to the mattresses for them in every way that we are allowed. They did not have many questions but, I think they really just wanted to know that we truly are in this thing with them and want them to be part of the team. Moses, is our rock of motivation, he said 'we can do this!' several times which is exactly right. It is possible but, it will not be easy. Intern... got to be kidding me.

Kahler pointed out something interesting today when Dr. Kilembe (site director) came into my office. He came in and wanted to try and tell us that he knew that we could not afford to lose any staff. He wanted to tell us the two that he was thinking of if it did come to that. Kahler noticed that Dr. Kilembe really cares about what we think and knows full well that we control the feelings and morale in the lab regardless of how much terrible news they receive. Even though we have not been here for a very long time we have developed some neat relationships with the lab techs.

Oh man, yesterday was a train wreck. the PMG was scheduled to come in and meet with all of the staff at 10:00 and instead we had all staff of the entire project gathered only to be told that the PMG would not be coming and that they should go back to work. Every one knows that contracts are about to expire and most of them associate the PMG with bad news, how can anyone blame them.

It was a heck of a week, Thanksgiving and job responsibilities made it one for the record books. I do hope that you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and maybe even got to snag a few deals on Friday. Brother and Jennah, I am very impressed, that is a big deal but, check on appliances for the new place! I can't wait to see it. It was great to hear from Uncle Lee, so glad that all is well! Very much looking forward to seeing everyone here in a couple short weeks.

All is alright

Inconvenience

This is how I had it in my mind. I take the exam on Saturday and then I switch gears to focus on the audit and then I get to maintain until I hop on the iron bird. Well it did not quite work out that way.

23rd November 2010: Day one audit

7:30- awaken take shower and put on something a little more snazzy because the auditor is coming

8:00- at my desk wondering what time the auditor will arrive, I wonder to the back to see that things are in order and give a pep talk to the crew that are in.

9:00- it's not weird that he is not here yet, he could have gotten on a plane this morning

10:00- the CLS auditor, Charlotte, did not get here until 10:30, no worries

11:00- what is going on, I really expected some communication or explanation by now, begin calling IAVI contacts in an effort to track down some information on the fella that was coming to conduct the audit

12:00- frustrated, have not been able to talk to anyone but Charlotte and she is in Kenya

1:00- obviously the audit is not happening today, now the trick is to find out when?

24th November 2010: to be Day two audit

3:00- receive email from Kigali site with a message forwarded from Tim, the guy who was to conduct the audit, that read something like this:

Some things came up and we will have to reschedule the GCLP audit for the beginning of the next year. (here it comes) Sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused.

--

Come on! An audit is a huge deal. The thing the really burns me is that he knew that we were expecting it and he waited until the second day. The same thing had happen to Kigali last week as they were on the list to be looked at before we were. Jean, the contact in Kigali forwarded me the email from Tim as he said that my email was not accepting his message. I think that my email might be trying to filter the bad news for me, ha.

It is difficult when you expect to have something done with and it just gets pushed back a bit. I am anxious to have it over with but, I am I really doing my best to look at this from a positive angle. There are now a few things that we were going to have to try and explain or do our best to avoid that we might now have the opportunity to button it up more completely. The lab worked very well as a team to see that we were prepared for this audit. It was terrific to see.

Kahler and I have been trying to plan an outing for the lab folks to show our appreciation for all of their hard work. I think that even though we had planned to celebrate the completion of the audit we will try and take them out the first or second week of December because they really did make sure that we were ready for the audit and I am quite sure will keep things tight until the reschedule date.

I am on call again this week, so far nothing too out of the ordinary has occurred. It was not a great management meeting to have to take minutes in but, I can't complain. We are looking at budget cuts across the project and everyone is trying to protect their staff and it really can just get downright hairy/ugly among the interns. Kahler and I have come up with our statement and we are thankful that the project management group (PMG) recognizes the gravity of what the lab does and the value of the trained technicians that we employ. We remain hopeful that they will not require us to cut anyone. The truth is that we can not do so and remain viable.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am thankful for you all and hope that you have an absolutely fabulous turkey day. It looks like we will get away from work a little early tomorrow and go have a thanksgiving meal with one of the big wigs with the CDC. I am looking forward to it very much actually.

All is well, I am very blessed

This week ended today

Saturday Evening:

This week ended today. It was a long one. Kahler, Katy and I and a bunch from the flats went to the Mexican Food place to grab some good grub and drinks. It was a really great chance to unwind.

The GRE is done and all that is left is to wait for the results. I think that I did better than last time however, right now I do not have a great idea as to how well I may or may not have done. The first quantitative portion was sneaky and the end came much sooner than I would have liked. It is all done and I can’t do anything about it, so on to the next! The audit

The confidence of Moses is quite contagious as he has been through several of these audits now and believes that we will fair just fine. I find myself parroting his hypothesis. He is right I think in that we have done much to prepare for this audit and though Kahler and I will likely have to do some work this weekend we will be ready. It makes sense that the internet would be down as I write this post.

I wish that I could talking to you. Alas, the technology here will not allow. I am just about ready to switch gears for the break. Just need to get through the 24th and then my mind will get a head start on my body in retreating to the Lone Star State. The boldest and grandest, withstanding every test...

I got to try something new today. I ate a caterpillar, it is a traditional Zambian dish that was actually pretty tasty! It surprised me a little how good the little fellas were. The guard was cooking them up and asked me if I would like to try, how can I say no, right? I am glad that I accepted his offer. Katy should be posting pictures soon as she tried them too!

It has been an insane week but, having weeks like those behind you gives a little more energy to face the next; because if you could make it through that then it must be down hill from there. I had no idea how much that exam was weighing on me until I was done. It was magical.

I am going to finalize a few applications this weekend and begin working on abstracts for conference in the states. A free trip and time off work, who wouldn’t jump at the chance? There is one in Maryland in May and one in Rome mid-July just before I come home. I think it would be a blast to visit Rome and right now even Baltimore feels like a really big deal, haha.

The clock to seeing my sweet motherland continues to tick and I am anxious. It is going to be fantastic, I want it to last forever. I look forward to seeing many of you. I am in very good health and am going to pick up running and working out a little next week. Sincere thanks for all of the prayers, I am blessed to have you all in my life.

All is well.

Sunday Morning:

WHOOP! Listened to the fourth quarter of an amazing game on WTAW internet radio. Well done Ags! 9-6

What is going on

I feel redundant in starting another blog with an 'I am still alive' but, I think I owe you all that. As best I can understand it I had malaria and was sure that it was not licked however, my blood analysis today showed no critters though my lymphocyte count was quite high. So my body is fighting something, my guess is I picked up some opportunistic flu-type virus. Good news is that I took a nap after work today which was great. I feel pretty good!

Work has been very kind this week. Moses has been taking care of IAVI like a champ in my stead. There are those people in an organization that you cannot afford to lose and he is most definitely one of them. Kahler has also picked things up and run with them, there are many things yet to be finalized before we are all set for the audit. Today I walked in the lab and Moses was standing on a chair dusting the top shelf that must be ten feet off the ground. I feel pretty good.

Heard that my bro and sis got a sweet new roof! I can't wait to see it. The countdown has started in my mind and though I haven't moved past the gre and audit it is just that I have a mental escape from over-whelmed shut down taking over now. I was telling Heather the other day that it is just the simple things like green grass the absence of trash every where that get me excited about seeing that Texas paradise again. I feel pretty good.

Things are going together quite well with doctoral applications and I am very hopeful. There is no way around these applications taking a great deal of time that I have yet found. Other then recycling things like Statement of Purpose and Research Interest. That 'Research Interest Statement' has been a bit tricky for me. I received an email from a dear mentor Dr. Chuck Huber at SRPH (a brilliant statistician) that made external all the things that I have been feeling about this research thing. Uncle Bill (keenest, most hungry intellect I have ever known) told me the same thing early on. It is difficult to use a hook that you are not passionate about to get on in a program. On the other hand, I am going to leave room for a passion to develop. I think that there is enough room to scoot around a bit and tailor the dissertation to something that I can be enthusiastic about. I feel pretty good.

That is all I have for now, I hope that you all are at least pretty good as well. I will see you soon!

Story Time:
My memory today was riding to the immigration office... again, with Mr. Theo. He didn't mention marrying a Zambian this time. I think he is done chasing that after I told him last time that I am not really on the market. He dropped me off and I walked into this house of confusion and disorganization with hopes of procuring an important official document... what was I thinking? I sat in a chair across from the place where the contact I was told to see should be seated. No worries, what else is there to do, right? I can wait this thing out. About fifteen to twenty minutes later the officer saunters up and begins on paperwork pretending that I do not exist. I have learned to fight fire with fire and pretended to be nodding off. Worked like a dang charm. She asked how she could help me and I told her what I needed, she, of course, acted put out and sent a runner to fetch the document. I resumed my annoyed and drowsy demeanor and waited for the result of the search. It came back with nothing. I believe that the lady then realized that I was the guy who's employment permit they had just flat out lost. She was a bit more cordial and I had a little leverage. She tried to say that there were pending requirements. I asked her with an amount of impatience why I, as the owner, was not notified of these documents? She had no answer and requested that I bring another photocopy of my passport. She did not go so far as to apologize but, I sensed some serious embarrassment and hope that this net submission will be expedited with a speed not yet seen in Zambia. Ok so the latter is just wishful thinking. We will see, my temporary permit stands valid until Dec. 15th when I leave. I am not worried at all. I mean if I can't get back into country that is not my problem, oh dang, ZEHRP figure it out I will be in Texas doing pretty good.

New day

Well here I am just shy of 36 hours after being told that I have a nasty little critter in my blood and I feel fine. The meds that I was given must pack a good wallop. I went into work this morning and made it til about 4:30. Got a few SOP duties wrapped up and shipped which was a great feeling. Kahler took on the management meeting like a tank and I walked through the delightful little shower that we got this afternoon to the flats.

I walked into the lab this morning and the techs looked at me like I was a ghost. They were all quite surprised that I was out of bed much less at work I think. Moses told me later that it was very good for me to be there and for the techs to see someone come in even with a solid excuse to be absent. He said that 'nobody' (now by this he means my people which means mazungus) is back the day or even week after sometimes. I just told him that I knew that there was a lot of work to be done and I did not want to dump it on him, Kahler, or the other techs. He told me that I was strong. I told him that it was only because I had lots of folks praying for me. He said 'oh yes, the Hand of God was on you for sure'. Other than being an amazing lab manager Moses is a pastor.

Just a touch of a headache is all that I am suffering from and if that was really bugging me I would take something... ok that isn't really true but, it's not that bad. So I am thinking that I finish up the tablets that I have at 60 hour and I suspect that all will ship shape. Going to have to try harder than that malaria! But, please don't.

So my next post will likely conclude my malaria incident and I can check that off my list.

-Plasmodium in my blood: check

Man there is just not that much left to do, ha. Have a great day all of you fantastic people. Thank you again for all of your prayers!

All is well!

Not to worry

I am not dead. I rested a good deal of the day and started a malaria drug called Lonart which I have been told is the best treatment for the strains of malaria in this area. I know that some of you are very worried, I just wanted to do what I can to assure you that I am ok and plan to have this thing shaken real soon. You prayers are very appreciated. Thank you all so much.

All is well

Something new

Today was pretty exciting.

I got to see a blood smear positive for malaria. Unfortunately, that slide was mine. The techs in the lab tell me that this is Zambia's way of welcoming me. I have not been feeling quite up to snuff the past day and a half or so, turns out there is a good reason. So I am drinking lots of fluids and I just started a malaria treatment regimen. Hopefully, I will have it licked soon.

I hope that you are all well. Have a fabulous day!

Plasmodium falciparum

One hundred three

I have been away from my beloved Texas now for 103 days. Usually I can look back and say 'wow, time flies' but, today certainly is not one of those days. I felt everyone of those days apart from my home. I am doing my best to see the beauty here. Regardless of the overwhelmingly fantastic opportunity this is I must confess I am at a low. I like to think that there are not too many things that can knock this guy on his tail, false.

A bit of good news now to balance my downer opening. There is an instrument called a Vi-Cell in the immunology lab at the IAVI lab. This sophisticated little gem counts the number of viable cells in a given dilution. This machine has been a bit of a spaz lately showing counts even on a blank run (background noise). We had an engineer come take a look at it a few weeks ago and he replaced the 'flow cell'. The flow cell is a thin, flat, hollow glass horseshoe of sorts. The camera shoots pictures as the sample volume is pumped through this portion to arrive in the waste bucket at the end. There is a dye that live cells will take in that florescences given the special light beneath the flow cell. So Kahler called the manufacturer and they gave some basic instructions on what might be the issue.

With a Leatherman tool (thank you Uncle Bill) and a pair of forceps and the attitude that 'well this thing isn't working, what is the worst that could happen?' I used the screwdriver on the handy tool and we removed the shroud and located the flow cell. It was a bit like taking apart drum brakes that are well past needing to be changed. No sooner do you get the rotor off then spring start firing every direction and then you get to search for twenty minutes. NOW you have to try and figure out where they go, ha. While Kahler depressed the arm that supports the flow cell we removed a little hellion of a spring creation that uses two little steel bars that are to slide through either end of the stretched spring to keep springy pressure on the piece of brass that held the flow cell in place. This hole that the spring is supposed to go through is just so you can barely get the spring through much less see what you are doing.

Finally, we remove the flow cell and wipe some Trypan Blue stain off the lens side face and go about the nightmare of replacing that ridiculous spring contraption. With the help of the Leatherman needlenose and a pair of angled forceps we were able to piece the mechanism back together. Moses the lab director was quite impressed and some how it seemed to increase morale that we were able to do something to help the lab directly. I wonder what it takes to be a Beckman Coulter engineer. I am thinking I might just look into it.

Looking forward to taking a trip to the post office tomorrow to pick up a package from my folks. Then looking at completing a final gre practice exam so I can devote some focus to those areas that I am still lacking in.

The sunset this evening was beautiful and the smell of rain is heavy in the air. The thunderheads and the winds spread the tails of red sun elegantly in the western sky. It sprinkled a little around mid day today.

No time change for us here in Zambia making the time difference between us eight hours.

I hope that you all are very well and that you have a restful and blessed Sunday. I am going to try and figure out my next moves. No worries, even though everything around me is in flux He is faithful and constant. The rough times remind you of all the good that you have. I will talk to you again soon.

Still here

It has been a while. I am trying to think of something interesting that has happen since the last time I have posted. I got called a 'boxer' this morning while taking my pre-work jog. Apparently running for no reason over here is indicative of hand to hand combat, at least that is my best guess.

Talked to Mr. Theo a little bit today about my permit status and it looks as if everything has been filed and approved but, they just flat lost it? He assured me that he would do all that he could to find it and encouraged me that they would either locate the one floating in phantom space or expedite a new travel document request. For now I am quite legal. I am however, quite anxious to have the more permanent status.

Work has been fairly quite with the exception of this biennial practice of reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Being part of an organization that is split between several sites (Lusaka & Ndola Zambia, and Kigali, Rwanda) means that no matter how expedient you are in taking care of your piece you are only as quick as your slowest member. We reviewed 14 SOPs better than a six weeks ago and we have yet to hear from Kigali. Two days ago I received an email from that site with nine SOPs attached. That they had the nerve to ask that we review and make any revisions by this Saturday just abut boiled my blood. Here is what I see happening. Kigali holds out to approve the SOPs redone by the other sites until we have returned edits to them and then they finish the race to get them to Emory first even though we have been on the ball. I it is a tricky business communicating this sort of failure for a group to work as a team. Still in a bit of a stale mate as it stands.

I feel right now as if I could complete a mile long fire walk so long as I know that I am going to get to see loved ones here in a short five weeks or so. It is more like six I now but, that last week I discount because it will be right there and well, nothing will be able to touch me.

I hope that you are all enjoying the cooling weather for me! I do miss this season change, it is definitely my favorite. Aggie football, that long walk up to the second deck of Kyle Field, screaming until you were beyond hoarse. Then the bare trees and that smell of a little fire some where in the distance. It is a fantastic time.

I cannot wait to drive my car. Am a little worried about re-learning that picky clutch on my driving machine but, I am quite ready to give it plenty of practice. The GRE is coming up here in a few weeks (Nov 20), I feel like I am getting near as ready as I can be. Just today I printed off a few letters to professors that I would like to study under at several different schools. I am hoping that perhaps I can hook them with the HIV lab experience. Just praying that they do not already have a doctoral student to take care of. There are a few other options that I have but, the most attractive is to be accepted and matriculate fall 2011. We shall see.

Speaking of that beast of an exam I am going to hit the books for an hour or two before getting some sleep. I hope that you are all very well. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to seeing you. Have a fabulous day. All is as well as it can be here in Lusaka.

Part two finally

Happy Monday readers, it is a fresh month and I am in the mood to say something super corny like, 'it is yours to make just as awesome as you want.' Done now but, I do pray this post finds you well. I am going to try and jump back into the hair-raising adventures of yours truly on the mighty Chobe River! Not such a great start… but, I am going for it anyway.

Shortly after arriving at the truly fabulous lodge there on the Chobe waterfront we hopped a little boat with our guide, Charles. He was a younger however, knowledgeable fella who had been working as a navigator on this little river for three years or so. Before he ever steeped toward the captain’s position at the rear (stern, avast matey) on the little craft he pulled out a small trunk of sorts and declared it tea time. He prepared a cup of coffee for me. The instant ‘Ricoffy’ that they have here is not for the faint of heart or for those that are more accustomed to that beautiful fresh French Press b, who’s camp I would have previously identified with but, I am making it just fine, I’m not really a complainer. A mug of hot coffee and a muffin/biscuit/scone-esque thing staved off any hunger. After providing the four of us our beverage of choice (tea or coffee) Charlie took the helm and we were off to see what was to be seen.

You have already seen a bit of the elephants. This happen to be our very first encounter on the river. These great beasts were so neat to watch. We cruised on and came upon a pod of hippos around which the driver gave liberal space as they are quite defensive and not shy about starting, or rather ending, a fight. The island that I had discussed before supported the Cape Buffalo, a number of elephants, water monitors, crocs, and a huge variety of birds.

We saw all there was there to be seen on the river and flew back to the lodge for lunch. The food there was delicious. They had these little deep fried balls of vegetables with a little soy on them that were so tasty but, it did not hold a candle to the grilled impala. That is one most thoroughly palatable critter. It was amazingly tender and was made up of perfectly lean scrumptiousness (makes me miss the whitetail venison back home, I am glad that you bagged one pop). Top that off with my skittish but, deliberate scoop of chocolate avocado ice cream and it was a delightfully well rounded day of ‘firsts’ for me.

Our driver whom had taken care of us earlier returned and we hung on for a look at the more inland animals. We had our fingers crossed for a lion but, I am afraid that will have to wait for next time. I did get to see zebra, a few little black-faced gibbon, giraffe, sable, kudu, impala (so close you could touch), more elephants, a set of fisher eagles (word is that they mate for life, pretty neat) and a bunch of baboons.

In a way, I wish that I could space out all of these really neat sightings. Of course, I am very glad that I got to see them all and I know that there are many more to be seen but, it feels as if I was too spread out to fully appreciate each fantastic creature for all that it was worth. It was a tremendously concentrated reserve of animals and there was rarely a time when I did not have some uniquely African wildlife to watch.

The dusk crept closer and it was time to go back to the ferry before it quit running for the day. Not that it would have been the worst thing to get trapped in Botswana for a few days but, this was not the plan and Teresa likes plans, a lot (sounds like some other people I know, haha). I found myself secretly hoping that an elephant would take a run at the land cruiser or that a hippo would just give us a little bump but, I reluctantly report that it was an extremely safe adventure in every way, I mean other than that ice cream.

This past week back was a busy one. I say that as if the others are not however, this week was that week when you dread opening Outlook because you are one hundred percent confident that there will be at least three bombs in there awaiting diffusion. I am happy to have no major disasters to report. There is a bit a work to be done this weekend yet but, not now, not now.

Getting a bit of studying done for the GRE, the analytical portion can surprise you without the right tactics to tackle it. I am not saying that as one who has learned the tactics but, as one who is now more aware of another arena that will require some preparation.

I spent this afternoon at Kilimanjaro Cafe studying for the GRE and writing the majority of this blog post. I met a couple of Belgian chicks that were on their way to Livingstone. It was fun to be able to explain a bit about the falls to them and talk to someone that knows less about this place than I do now.

Sincerely hopeful that you are all off to a fantastic week and that you all have a travel agent website bookmarked for planning that trip to Vic Falls. I miss you all and am doing my best to live the day here and now and look forward to walking off that plane at George Bush Intercontinental.