Sittin’ on the porch of my flat, wastin’ time

Imagine Otis Redding singing it, it's much better.

It is a Good Friday indeed. In that is more than enough hope to get through any trials that I might face here or anywhere.

The three day work week was much longer that the hours which made it up. An admirable amount of work was done That we have Tyronza from the Copperbelt has been great in that Kahler and I are now free to do other things that we know have needed attention but, just have not reached high enough on the priority list to warrant any focus. There is, of course, a learning curve and we will be bringing her up to speed on the specifics for the remainder of our time.

We completed a mock run for the vaccine trial, that we will begin screening for in a couple of weeks, yesterday. The lab did well and save not being supplied with the proper paperwork it was perfect. They used my blood, again, for the testing. I think the techs just get a kick out of stabbing the boss. Patricia was especially anxious and claimed the phlebotomy bench for this mock run. It was more bearable as this screening visit does not require PBMC isolation and thus did not require as much as the time previous. This time it was five only 5mL serum separator tubes and two 4mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes.

All was fine and dandy until on the last tube the IV clotted and I couldn’t handle the fishing that was going to be required to clear the needle so I asked her to pull it out and I got stabbed a second time in the opposite arm. She was unbelievably sad that she had to stick me again and I assured her that I was not angry. So HIV rapid testing was done, good news, I am negative, and blood chemistry and haematology results will follow next week.

This morning I awoke earlier than I had intended to help Ty shut down the liquid nitrogen plant that was screaming over at the IAVI site. Then I saw Kahler and Katy off as they are going on a little adventure to Lake Kariba with Ellen and her pup. At 10:00 I mosied down to the Emmesdale Market to get something for breakfast. It is interesting how much different that walk seems to me now. It is more a duty now than leisure though I still appreciate the uniqueness of the scene/s.

The lady that normally only grunts at me actually said hello this morning! That was a victory, I have no idea what was different but, I got a ‘good morning, how are you?’ for the first time ever. I picked up a few drinks and two little loaves of sweet bread and returned to the flat. Made a cup of tea, toasted a few slices of the bread, and sat down here on the porch to listen to The Tale of Two Cities and write you this little blog.

 This is what my computer sees right now. Easy ladies, I'm taken. haha

Praying that you are restored, refreshed, and re-hopend (that’s a new one) as we are thankful for the sacrifice and victory that was made for us. Not my will but, Yours Lord. There is much I have learned over here from being very ok with not taking a shower to allowing my naturally extraverted nature be content with a very introverted lifestyle. I have so much to be thankful for. Have a wonderful Good Friday and a blessed Easter.

Miss you all.