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