Rain rain

The wet has been pretty impressive. I was able to get to work yesterday morning without boots. It was muddy but, I managed to play my own 'professional' version of hopscotch to make it through the nastiest sections and stay relatively clean. There was a flaw in my plan. Lack of foresight bit me again and with the steady rain all morning and my growling stomach combined I became (not Captain Planet) swamp thing? I tried to keep dry for the first fifty yards or so and then decided that it was just time to dive in and I trudged through the river that was previously Vubu Road. I got home, changed, had a cup of tea, and hit the road again to IAVI where we had Management Meeting (have I mentioned that I deplore/abhor/despise, [deorspise] these?). I survived though and even seemed to go a little more swiftly than usual. Maybe because all I could think about is how that would be my last management meeting of the year!

Tuesday was training day. It actually went very smoothly and I dare say that I even had a little fun. Kahler and I each presented a few SOPs and then had the techs present the other six or so. We made it through these bad boys in record time. Before lunch we had run through all of the procedures that they had tacked us with for the entire day. It was a good thing too as Kahler and I had to be in front of a computer for a conference call at 4:00 and there were two very involved SOPs that we needed to get through that were not on the list which we were able to accomplish. Always fun when we can let the guys go a little early too, which we were also able to do.

There are some really sharp folks in the lab and a few of them understand my American English well enough for me to crack a joke here and there and get a little chuckle. I just pretend that they would have absolutely lost it but, because we were in a professional setting they were forced to suppress the outburst.

There is nothing left to set up for my homecoming. My car is all set, I have a phone, I have a ride (or two) home from the airport, I have my tickets printed... I suppose I have to pack a few things but, that will take all of eleven minutes tops.

Today was soggy again but, I slipped on the 'ol 'gum boots' (rubber boots) and took off through the deep stuff on purpose. There is something fantastic about defying nature. Maybe why I like driving so much too. We are not supposed to go that fast but, I can when I am in the car. It was a good day, dreadfully slow though. I talked to Mr. Theo this evening and I will going into the immigration office tomorrow morning to pick up my (drum roll) employment permit! It is finally 'on the books' and I will get to rescue it into my custody. This should minimize any complications that could arise with my re-entry... in about three years.

Oh man! critter update, there are five inch slugs cruising around all over! These are dark gray/black with a yellow stripe running right along their dorsal bi-symmetry. I have a couple of pictures of them, I will get them loaded in soon.

To all a very blessed day! All is very well