A little more light

It was an interesting Sunday to be sure. Church this morning at South City with a 'bring & braai' afterward. Needless to say, this was my first bring & braai. I did what I figure any good Texan would do and loaded a chunk of cow and a bag of chex mix in my pack and hopped in Ellen's Everest (a much more solid version of a Ford Explorer, made in Taiwan which I realize does not make a whole heap of sense but, that is beside the point) and headed for the church.

The message was really good. It concerned tithing, priorities, and faith. It is an interesting phenomenon that the more you have the less you are likely to give. This of course is not true for all but, for the majority, the trend is undoubted. After the service there was a baptism and coffee before we headed over for the BBQ/braai. The South Africans wanted to think that they had something on the those southerns from the states. Kahler and I put them where they belong and there was no more questioning our skills with the kill and the flame.

We set up a little picnic area and had a feast. It was an interesting experience. Definitely worth it though and it gave us a chance to meet a few more folks at the church.After finishing up and saying our goodbyes we headed back to the flat for a little nap before we took a trip to Dr. Conkling's house for some American Idol, a soccer match, lasagna, good coffee, and some great conversation. I learned some pretty exciting things actually. I will tell you what I mean if it comes to fruition. For now just know that there are some new opportunities.

We were missed at Hand and Foot tonight, naturally. It was really good to get to catch up with Dr. Conkling though. I got to chat with Heather, for a bit before I finished up this little discourse.

ZEHRP is just as crazy as ever but, I am smiling. I am happy and I am digging thinking about what the Lord has in store for my future. I am enjoying being in Lusaka just as much as I did when I first landed; back when all things were new and interesting. Realizing how important it is to capture all the memories that I can of this place because I will be back soon and regret having not hung on the the good times more carefully.

I have started a little devotional that Mom and Pap sent in this past parcel. It is a neat take on Lewis's Narnia tales and Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is a part in all of us that wants a challenge, that wants there to be a place where you can see your foe and do battle. For Christians the final battle has already been won but, we still wear the armor because the aftermath left a lion seeking those for whom he may devour. I am looking forward to the rest of the book but, I thought that little bit about the fight/journey (because it is never easy to get where you actually want to be) being compared to the believers walk was pretty neat.

Nothing incredibly noteworthy has happen at work save the usual business of trying to keep one's head above the rising tide. Your emails, prayers, packages, and Skype conversations have been my pontoons and I thank you so much for them.

 

This is a picture of all the goodies that I got from my amazing fam. I'm gonna live!

Red Espresso: Made from rooibos tea, not nearly as exciting as I had hoped but, still something to check off the list.

ZamWelder: This thing was a piece of work. Main thing is, just give it some room.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and are ready to start this week like it was on purpose. Miss you all and will try very hard to keep in touch better. All is fine and dandy like sour candy

BRB

I have not forgotten, I do miss writing and telling what is going on. Promise to catch up soon. Know that all is well.

Brother & Jennah: you guys are amazing, I have a picture of my treasure trove of goodies that you and the folks have sent me. Miss you guys a lot

Mom & Pap: the packages made it, thank you so much. You guys are making my time here or at least my diet, 100% doable.

Contracts and Audits

It’s been a while. My apologies. I think that is a word that I have gotten to type/speak all too often lately. I’m sorry… it can mean so many things. In this case in means that I regret I have not had time to write and keep the people that mean so much to me up to date on the happenings here in Zambia/Lusaka/ZEHRP/…

I am going to try and go back to where I left off and bring you back up to speed.

The IAVI visitors came last Thursday and Friday. It made for REALLY long days from, 8-7ish. It was the best kind of long it could be though, I think. The techs benefitted very much from the sessions that were presented and it gave Kahler and I a chance to see the areas that we needed to work on so far as staff training. I am sorry that we were not aware before.

There are some things that I forget are so intuitive to us as Americans that just do not jive with the staff, especially when it comes to technology. It made me wish that I knew nothing about computers watching a couple of the guys fumble through even the most basic functions (i.e. creating a folder, moving files, fie typing). It looks like a little fundamentals personal computer session is in order. I am sorry that I didn’t recognize the electronic data organization issues sooner.

There were three visitors, Sunita, Parry, and Tony. They were all very nice and know a lot about what they do. Tony looked like Javier Bardem, Sunita looked a little like an Indian Drew Barrymore, and Parry looked like that I imagine Apu from The Simpsons would look like in real life. They all said that I look like… well they didn’t’ really but, you all know who I was going to say, haha. They were fun to have around though and a very welcome break from the monotony. I’m sorry they don’t come more often.

After wishing safe travel to our guests, and we shut things down on Saturday, we headed off to Mike and Lindy’s house where we settled in for the weekend. Kahler and I have nearly beat Mario Brothers and have done nothing but hum that catchy tune all week. It could be worse I guess… Spice Girls? I am sorry that I now have ‘If you wanna be my lover, you got to get with my friends, make it last forever, friendship never ends…’ dang it.

We had an audit this week and the whirlwind of preparation ensued as expected. There is so much to get done and so many things to make sure are in order before these audits that is just about dizzying to think about. We took some pretty hard knocks and the majority of it was due to things that are completely out of our control. It is not fun to feel like your hands are tied and there is a gun to your head saying you are linked to malagrugrous [your welcome, Heather ;) ] workmanship. There is a bit more that I would like to say here but, I will save that for a less public forum. I am sorry that I can’t find the silver lining in these situations.

Kahler and I stayed in the office until 9:30 or so on Tuesday night (Charlotte, the auditor was due Wednesday morning). Kahler was working on the temperature records and tying up some other loose ends while I was doing battle with SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) to see that the manifest for the 31 box heterosexual transmission shipment, set to go out Wednesday morning, was ready. We managed to get things close to where we wanted them and shut the lights off. I am sorry that I don’t like working late.

Charlotte, really Is delightful to work with. She did the previous back in September/October. She did find a good many findings though none were classified as major. That is always a relief when you can make it through an audit with no major breaches. However, there is more than enough for us to clean up over the next few weeks before the next auditor makes his rounds. I am sorry that I could not make the hard work that the technicians do look better for the one time where we have our quality quantified.

Now, the audit is done and there is a day between myself and the weekend and I am pretty sure that I am going to make it. I have lots to look forward to. There are at least two boxes from brother and Jennah and maybe a couple of parcels from mom and pap as well as one from Mrs. C! I am pretty pumped. I am sorry if I do not make it clear how much those packages mean to me. Thank you so much.

I went out this evening to the new restaurant/coffee shop, called Mugg and Bean, in Manda Hill with John and Jen. They met up with some other folks there to talk about a trip to Mozambique during the Easter break. I just went for some coffee and a little social exposure as that is something I miss more than I can relay. I got questioned a few times about how many times I have been to Mugg and Bean because the staff there all knew me. Katy, Kahler and I had been there one time before last week and I talked to a few people but I had no idea I made such an impression. John pointed at a girl that was wearing a Texas shirt that walked in just behind me. It was Megan, fightin’ Texas Aggie class of ‘06! She and Claire had run away to chill at the new ex-pat hang out too. I sat and chatted with them for a while. It turns out that I might have a chance to travel with them to JoBurg during the long Easter weekend and enjoy a little holiday at a really nice hotel down there that Megan was able to get rooms in through a former employer, for free!  I am sorry that I am not able to hang out with these people whenever I want, big bummer not having transportation.

I am sorry that this has rambled on for so long! I pray that you all are well. We are looking at just a touch over four months before I make that sweet walk on the tarmac to the little plane bound for home. To take me to my brother and sis, my folks, to the C’s, my friends, girlfriend, and the TBD PhD program.

Oh ya, got offered my opportunity to stay a second year… not sure how I want to break that yet. The decision is made I just want to deliver it the right way.

Have a blessed weekend! Miss you all but, I will see you soon

Getting around

There has been a lot to do at the project this week with Dr. Allen around. She is trying to make sure that the site is running as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, one week windows don't always allow you the time necessary to understand the system and why it has come to a given point or end.

The Embassy of Ireland in Lusaka was great! Met Mrs. Nickoli Brenen and spoke a bit about the project. I, unfortunately, did not get a chance to meet Mr. Cotter, the Irish ambassador but, maybe next time. I listened more than anything as the piece of the project that was being discussed is not one that I am terribly familiar with. Just sat back and enjoyed a cup of coffee and try and keep the practicing of my fake Irish accent internalized as best I could.

Took a ride to the other side of town and visited the Scandinavian Embassy next. These embassies are so nice! It was a really great experience getting to see the grounds and talk to others far away from their home to be here in Zambia. It was strange. The representative that received us through the gate recognized me immediately and said that we had met at a World Bank debate. It could be that I am just that memorable (i.e. Brad Pitt) or I really look like somebody who really gets around in Lusaka. Maybe the same guy from the chemist? So long as he keeps a clean reputation this is pretty awesome.

I don't know what it is but, it really seemed at both embassies that, the representatives were talking to me more than Dr. Allen and Yi-Ling. I have no idea what it was. Maybe they were just more comfortable talking to me or they thought that I was more important than I am? Who knows, it was just worth noting.

After the embassy visits all of the interns traveled with Dr. Allen out to Lilayi Lodge just south of town for lunch. A few of us hopped on a Land Cruiser for a ride to see some animals. Got to check off a few critters that I have not seen yet. A wildabeast, dyker antelope, and a casabe antelope were among the others that I have seen before, zebra, impala, warthogs... Kahler, Katy and I ran away from the group for a little while to play on a swing that we had seen on the way back from the truck. It was a fun afternoon despite getting stuck in some pretty horrific traffic on the way back.

It was a good thing that we got some fun squeezed into the weekend because the lecture we got last night (Dr. Allen's de-briefing) was a stab in the eye to all of us that feel like we are running ragged. It was a 'do you job' because this place is falling apart talk. I just wanted to stand up and say well, we you didn't have to come over here to learn that tidbit, any of us could have told you and saved you the trip. She did bring up a few good points and we will give her suggestions a shot to be sure however, we all feel a bit like we are drowning and her speech did little to encourage any of us to sign on for another year.

Today was training day so Kahler and I put together a program and left it to the techs to make it happen. We checked in on them a few times and found them doing a fabulous job as usual. I wish that she could have seen these guys in action. It makes you want to scream when someone pokes their head in and demands that everything change because of what they have been seeing in the past eleven minutes. I am not bitter, just a little frustrated with work. I am home now however and all is well.

 I think that I have a few bits of footage from the game drive, I will try to get those cleaned up and posted soon. Well, I am off to see if I can make this violin sound less like a dying banshee and work on an abstract or two. Hope that you read this and find yourself in the middle of a favorable work week. You folks in Texas stay warm!

All is well

As promised

A few photos:

The beautiful Heather and I at the airport before I began the longest trip of my life back to Zambia

Sunrise at hour 11 of 13 in the Johannesburg Airport. Brutal layover, I was so happy to see the sun.

 They were obviously playing Carl Douglas's eternal classic, Kung Fu Fighting and I was helping.

One of the data techs, Obby. Guys hold other guys hands here. Don't know if I can get used to that one. I convinced him to go Bond with me here instead of the hand hold.

 Sorry, no video Alyssa... but then, I am not THAT sorry :)

It was a train wreck

The owner actually brought us back in to sing We Are the World. Glutton for punishment.












Should have a few more pictures soon but, this took forever so I am going to end it here for now. Irish embassy and Lilayi lodge tomorrow. Will check in and let you know how it went.

I will get the tearing of the chain link in the next one, Pap. Happy Sunday!

All is well, listening to great tunes- about to head to Mike and Lindy's to house-sit

Up and down

It has been a wild ride this week. Work has been a battle and having Dr. Allen in town makes things a bit more tense. It has been busy and boring at the same. Busy in the sense that there is so much to be done, boring in that it is the same thing that always needs to be done and it feels like my week is a loop of the same activities. On the one hand I am certainly thankful that there are pieces of this job that I now understand and for the most part I feel comfortable with my knowledge of the lab and it's basic operations. It took long enough, ha.

The monotony was broken a bit by a program management meeting on Friday. They are dreadfully dull but, the food is pretty tasty. I think that meal might be all that gets any of us through sometimes. It is a very important meeting however; I do not think that as much gets done as it should. Typical meeting with lots of talking and good ideas with no follow through.

Another little break in the routine happen last night (Friday night). One of the interns is moving to the site in Kigali, Rwanda so the group decided to have a little going away shindig. A few of us went to a restaurant called Triumph Le Dolphin. It is known for it's karaoke on Friday nights. The playlist is a little dated but I can't complain.

After a slow start we slowly built the courage to get up on stage. To make a long and embarrassing story short I owe Mr. Bon Jovi an apology for Livin' on a Prayer. It was called Livin' on a Player in the song list. I think we all got a little chuckle out of that one. It could have been worse... I think. I could have done a Chili Peppers song... in costume.

Tonight I went out with some of the interns to a new-ish Chinese place. We kid about eating dog in the states, I have a feeling they don't laugh at that joke here. It was a good time though and I got to meet some new folks. They are going tomorrow to hunt warthog and impala and when they found out that I am a Texan I was automatically in. I am a little wary to be around this bunch with rifles but, how much worse can it be than Boy Scouts?

I know this is brief but, it is late and I am going to get a little sleep so I can stay alert tomorrow. hope all is well and that you all are having a fabulous weekend!

Off to the races

February is a packed month as far as work is concerned. Dr. Allen is here this week. Next week there is an audit by Clinical Laboratory Systems (CLS) as well as a visit from some of the IAVI folks. Then I have arranged that the GCLP audit, that was scheduled for that same week, be rescheduled for another time later this month of early March. It has been unbelievably frustrating working through the inventory issues in the lab. Support from the Emory side is non-existent. I guess they think those, 'can you tell me why this wasn't done' emails are helping? False

My Applications, that had been held up in a most ridiculous third party application site, were finally mailed to schools today. That is a relief and at the same time nauseating. I do hope that they favor with my application.

Mom and Dad sent a couple a packages in the mail a couple of weeks ago so Kahler and I decided to go on a hike to go and pick them up yesterday. It was a nice walk to the south end of Freedom Road where we have time to talk about things other than work. Though walking along the great north the traffic noise makes it such that we are really just yelling at one another.

We got to the post office and I handed the fella one of my old SRPH business cards on teh back of which I had scratched down the tracking numbers that Pa had emailed. After about ten minutes a man walked in from the back with two packages. He sat them down and the woman that we normally deal with had us open the boxes in front of her. Uncle Bill's leatherman made quick work on the packing tape and I feasted my eyes on a bounty of delicious American food, mac and cheese, granola bars, gummy worms, and lots of other little goodies. Once she said ok, we walked over to the other counter, paid the 6500 holding fee. We walked over to the benches and repacked the content of our packages in our backpacks and headed out.

I would like you to notice something very important here. Do you recall the time that I made that trip to the Post office twice? It was because I forgot my passport. We were not asked at any point for our passport this time. Thanks, Zambia, I guess I needed the exercise.

When walked out of the post office and turned north to head home we looked into a dark sky that promised that we were not going to make it home dry. It made good on that promise and for the better half of our trip we were two drenched muzungus making our way back to Emmasdale. My water proof bag held up like a champ and even though I was soaked to the teeth my goods were safe and sound. Thanks again mom, dad, and Becca! Those packages do stacks (South African for lots and lots) to get me through over here.

Tonight I went to a small group at Clay and Erin's house. They are the ones with the munchkins that think that my body is a jungle gym. It was very interesting. I think for now that is all that I can say. I don't know that the leader, a fella names Manie (said with a long 'a' like, Monie), and I are on exactly the same page. I will give it another go though and see where we land. The next topic should be pretty revealing.

It is February, I honestly didn't know if January was ever going to end. I will be talking with Dr. Allen this week about future plans and whether or not I am going to renew my contract. Those of you that know me are well aware of my answer there. I need to get crackin' on this PhD stuff. And, of course, I miss family and loved ones very much. Next time I take a year contract overseas I will be dragging someone else along with me.

I am sorry that posts have been fewer. Going to try and get back on the ball, writing blogs helps me focus on the good things, even after those days where everything seems to have gone wrong.

I hope that you are all very well! I am managing just fine over here though it will be a rough couple of weeks ahead, I can't rely on my own strength to get me through. Week's like these are a wonderful reminder that I need to lean on the Lord for guidance and wisdom.

All is pretty ok