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.
I pray that your travel documents will be in order for your Christmas trip home. :) xxooxx
ReplyDeleteAh so Grasshopper. You are learning the ways of the administrative power struggle. Recall the ways of the elephant. Smush 'em.
ReplyDeleteLove
Uncle Bill
Eeps! I hope Mr. Theo helps get everything in order real quick - he seems pretty legit.
ReplyDeleteThe SOPs sound even worse when you add in trying to work with other sites...lame. Hang in there, yo. You can do it.
Mmmm, please don't go walkin' on fire for a mile...you might not have any feetsies after that! Although, I suppose then you could have some wicked awesome peg-legs ;)
And, yay Christmas!!!!!! Soon!
~MW
I will defer to Uncle Bill's comment and add that when and elephant shushes something, it first plants a foot onto the thing being (needing to be) smushed, grinds it in a little then does a mastadonian head plant to finish the job! With the mastadonian head plant, the elephant has the strentgh of it's back legs, the front legs preventing reward escape the unbreakable skull pinning smushee to the ground and two massive ivory swords on either side to impale anything that tries to escape to the left or to the right...it is quite a thing to behold I am sure. I bet you can master it! Hope you have a chance to get your package soon.
ReplyDeletehope we can Skype tomorrow when you get off work.
Smush the class of '07 H E C K outta all of 'em!
Whoooahhhhh
Love you a bunch
pappy
Matriculate, matriculate...
ReplyDeleteStarts off with communicate...
Then you pray for grace....and wait.
The waiting part is not easy, but necessary. There's a lot of it in life, too, but the prize is almost always worth it!!
Love and hugs from home, Honey. :) xxooxx