Saw lions, spent the night in the bush. Had a marvelous time!
Saw the falls again and got drenched. It was terrific!
Just finished my day before the day before at work. One more to go and nothing could be better.
I will be seeing your faces for real so soon.
There are folks here that I am going to miss but, these folks know those folks probably miss me too and if given the choice it is a given.
All is fabulous
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Service 'engineer'
Still cracks me up that they call people that have done something half-way technical at any point in their lives an 'engineer'. Today I called about a service contract. Normal thing, the Zambian voice on the other end says what before I am finished speaking and makes me want to scream but, I hold it together and finally get the information that I need.
Call Nchimunya... really? Can't believe that guy did not understand why I could not understand what the eff he was saying. Got that one mastered and gave her a call. Looks like the 'engineer' whose superpower is to bring a thin piece of wire and unplug the sample aspirator will nto be available until tomorrow or the next day. What that means is that they are on vacation for the next month. Oh well. Thought I would share that little story from my day.
I did get make some progress concerning the lab readiness for the GCLP audit which starts tomorrow and goes through Saturday. Also, I came home to a bed that was made up and a laundry basket full of clean clothes. Can't complain there!
Looking on the bright side and trying not to go blind! Hope that you all had a blessed day.
Everything's jake
Call Nchimunya... really? Can't believe that guy did not understand why I could not understand what the eff he was saying. Got that one mastered and gave her a call. Looks like the 'engineer' whose superpower is to bring a thin piece of wire and unplug the sample aspirator will nto be available until tomorrow or the next day. What that means is that they are on vacation for the next month. Oh well. Thought I would share that little story from my day.
I did get make some progress concerning the lab readiness for the GCLP audit which starts tomorrow and goes through Saturday. Also, I came home to a bed that was made up and a laundry basket full of clean clothes. Can't complain there!
Looking on the bright side and trying not to go blind! Hope that you all had a blessed day.
Everything's jake
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Winding Down
Per Jennah's wise council I will try to update more often though it may be less exhaustive.
The days are unbelievably busy of late. It is great, however, a bit exhausting. Dr. Hunter arrived last night. It is good though it is even more important to get things done now. I want him to know how much work we have poured into this place. It looks like things are on the upswing now as well. Good news is always more fun to deliver.
It is cooling off here. Wearing shorts in the evenings is a thing of the past. I do love the cool clear days though. Will certainly see the value in it when I hit the intense heat of my Texas. It doesn’t matter; I can’t wait to get back. I will melt with everyone else.
I get to switch gears from American food conservation and ration it out so that I leave nothing. Hello mac and cheese every evening this week. Beginning to take inventory as I look around my room. It is fun as I was pretty sure not three months ago that this time would never get here.
The guard at IAVI asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him to get another job. I told him I would however; I probably need to let him know that I can only reached to vouch for his character a little longer.
I got some encouraging feedback from the interview that I had this past Thursday evening. Looks like I might get to take the trip over there and interview in person not long after I get back stateside. Excited to see if that is the direction I will be heading next. It would be a long way from home if I had not spent the past year on another continent.
Total eclipse tonight over here in Africa. Will try and snag a picture and add to my post tomorrow.
A very happy Wednesday to all!
All is well
The days are unbelievably busy of late. It is great, however, a bit exhausting. Dr. Hunter arrived last night. It is good though it is even more important to get things done now. I want him to know how much work we have poured into this place. It looks like things are on the upswing now as well. Good news is always more fun to deliver.
It is cooling off here. Wearing shorts in the evenings is a thing of the past. I do love the cool clear days though. Will certainly see the value in it when I hit the intense heat of my Texas. It doesn’t matter; I can’t wait to get back. I will melt with everyone else.
I get to switch gears from American food conservation and ration it out so that I leave nothing. Hello mac and cheese every evening this week. Beginning to take inventory as I look around my room. It is fun as I was pretty sure not three months ago that this time would never get here.
The guard at IAVI asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him to get another job. I told him I would however; I probably need to let him know that I can only reached to vouch for his character a little longer.
I got some encouraging feedback from the interview that I had this past Thursday evening. Looks like I might get to take the trip over there and interview in person not long after I get back stateside. Excited to see if that is the direction I will be heading next. It would be a long way from home if I had not spent the past year on another continent.
Total eclipse tonight over here in Africa. Will try and snag a picture and add to my post tomorrow.
A very happy Wednesday to all!
All is well
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Ideal
Sweet Texas, great job, amazing family, Jessica Alba single and head over heels, shooting tin cans off a saw horse, Shiner Boch, Dad's venison, rooftop with my brother and sis, driving my car, three-day weekend vacations, fantastic PhD program, new friends, sausage egg and cheese McMuffin, Shipley's kolaches, fast internet, iPhones, old friends, people just magically understanding what this past year has been without me having to try and explain... That will work for starters.
Just the other day in the bus on the way to Ndola I looked out the window and realized, as if I had forgotten, I am in Africa. This is the place that people dream of visiting and it is where I live. I live in Africa. I have sen things and been a part of a more global community. I have shared life and laughter with these people.
I had an interview this morning for a job with the Shasta County Health Department in Redding, California (way northern Cali). It was a bit sketchy on the cell phone a world away and I don't know for sure how I did but, that they would even consider me for the first interview in encouraging. If I get the second interview it will not be until July 7th or 8th and they said that they would be happy to work with me there. That was encouraging though I am not holding my breath. The Lord continues to provide for me in the most perfect way.
I am sorry that I have not been in touch. Between Dr. Allen being here, the new students, and my job consistently asking more than I can give I have been distant. Know that I do miss you and I can't wait to get back. There are a few things that might bring me back here short term. It is possible that I will be able to work a consultant job with the Zambian Pop Council. Jacquee, my old flatmate, may need a laboratory rep for a training that she will be involved with. It will be a fun, CV building job, most importantly ZEHRP-free.
Will try to keep you updated. There are things that I see on a daily basis and think, I should write about that but, I don't. My goal is to bring together the little tidbits that make the experience more real to you guys and make for more complete memories for me later on down the road.
May be headed to Cape Town in a couple weeks! Pretty pumped about that. It is a heck of a trip but, I am confident that it will be well worth it.
All is well. Hang in there just a few more weeks. There are only four links left on Katy's chain, one burns tomorrow.
Just the other day in the bus on the way to Ndola I looked out the window and realized, as if I had forgotten, I am in Africa. This is the place that people dream of visiting and it is where I live. I live in Africa. I have sen things and been a part of a more global community. I have shared life and laughter with these people.
I had an interview this morning for a job with the Shasta County Health Department in Redding, California (way northern Cali). It was a bit sketchy on the cell phone a world away and I don't know for sure how I did but, that they would even consider me for the first interview in encouraging. If I get the second interview it will not be until July 7th or 8th and they said that they would be happy to work with me there. That was encouraging though I am not holding my breath. The Lord continues to provide for me in the most perfect way.
I am sorry that I have not been in touch. Between Dr. Allen being here, the new students, and my job consistently asking more than I can give I have been distant. Know that I do miss you and I can't wait to get back. There are a few things that might bring me back here short term. It is possible that I will be able to work a consultant job with the Zambian Pop Council. Jacquee, my old flatmate, may need a laboratory rep for a training that she will be involved with. It will be a fun, CV building job, most importantly ZEHRP-free.
Will try to keep you updated. There are things that I see on a daily basis and think, I should write about that but, I don't. My goal is to bring together the little tidbits that make the experience more real to you guys and make for more complete memories for me later on down the road.
May be headed to Cape Town in a couple weeks! Pretty pumped about that. It is a heck of a trip but, I am confident that it will be well worth it.
All is well. Hang in there just a few more weeks. There are only four links left on Katy's chain, one burns tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Life is Now
It has been far too long. With Kahler and Katy leaving, then with the new Summer students coming to the project, and work as usual I have not used time to blog as much as I should. I want to remember the things that are happening now. I have actually had an amazing time with the Summer students from Emory. Even if I
1. Kahler and Katy left
a. This confirms my earlier suspicions that there is no way that I could have made it this whole time without them.
2. Summer students came from Emory to work at the project, some for practicum/thesis work and others just because they can.
a. Has been a great time meeting these new people.
b. Much needed social option while Mike and Lindy are gone.
3. The weekends have been a party, has been nice to get out and shut the ‘ol noodle off for a little bit.
a. First, house party with Chad and John
b. Second, News Café with Hannah and John
c. Polo Grill with John, Nancy, Lasha, Meryl, Hannah, and Paul
d. Fourth (last night), Paint Party at Mr. Pete’s.
4. Kahler gets back
This week should fly by as we have Jana in from the HIL again and there is yet much to be done in the way of preparation for the GCLP audit.
I will be visiting Ndola next weekend just for fun. Really looking forward to the change of scenery and getting to hang out with new folks.
I have lots more details on all of this but, the main thing to note for now is that all is well and I (apart from ZEHRP) and enjoying life!
Miss you all very much.
Jennah: I still want to hear about Aberdeen
Ma & Pa: what do you think about Stella?
Brother: I can't wait to get back there
You might have heard me dream once or twice before, I tend toward imagining the perfect situation. It is definitely me but, I realize that looking a few years ahead can keep you from enjoying the now. Now on to making the most of now
1. Kahler and Katy left
a. This confirms my earlier suspicions that there is no way that I could have made it this whole time without them.
2. Summer students came from Emory to work at the project, some for practicum/thesis work and others just because they can.
a. Has been a great time meeting these new people.
b. Much needed social option while Mike and Lindy are gone.
3. The weekends have been a party, has been nice to get out and shut the ‘ol noodle off for a little bit.
a. First, house party with Chad and John
b. Second, News Café with Hannah and John
c. Polo Grill with John, Nancy, Lasha, Meryl, Hannah, and Paul
d. Fourth (last night), Paint Party at Mr. Pete’s.
4. Kahler gets back
This week should fly by as we have Jana in from the HIL again and there is yet much to be done in the way of preparation for the GCLP audit.
I will be visiting Ndola next weekend just for fun. Really looking forward to the change of scenery and getting to hang out with new folks.
I have lots more details on all of this but, the main thing to note for now is that all is well and I (apart from ZEHRP) and enjoying life!
Miss you all very much.
Jennah: I still want to hear about Aberdeen
Ma & Pa: what do you think about Stella?
Brother: I can't wait to get back there
You might have heard me dream once or twice before, I tend toward imagining the perfect situation. It is definitely me but, I realize that looking a few years ahead can keep you from enjoying the now. Now on to making the most of now
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