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
You had me at "winding down". Praying for your last couple of weeks there, that your separation will seem seamless, and that your sweet memories of the good will be a fragrant joy for years to come.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to welcome you home, Sugar. Love you!
momma :] xox
I can visualize 4 stacks of stuff:
ReplyDelete1. Definitely leaving in Africa
2. Defineitely not leaving in Africa
3. I can probably sell this to one of the newbies
4. I might need this if/when I come back
Stack one: lots of clothes
Stack two: some clothes, leatherman, computer, backpack, violin, treasures, books, manuals, photos and assorted dust catchers, this lamp, this ashtray, this paddle ball, my dog and that's ALL I need, wait, I need this chair.... (Steve Martin as Navin Johnson in 'The Jerk')
Stack three: inverters, electronics which can be purchased ANYWHERE in the states,
Stack four: Same as stack 3..... (why should I leave this stuff, nobody left me anything...and that is exactly why you will leave it!)
I remember your excitement packing to head to Africa. I can only guess that the packing to leave will be as exciting, yet the closer it gets it will become difficult and bittersweet. The lab techs, the gate guard guy, the lady at the store who finally made eye contact, the folks on the street, the two guard dogs, and even the newbies and grad students you have recently met will all be missed. Something about people makes you enjoy or hate a place...
I think you said something similar to that in a previous post.
It is hard to imagine that the things we take for granted here: clothes, pots and pans and gadgets, mechanical pencils, tools steady electricity and clean water are a bona fide sign of affluence where you are now; and you will change lives with your gifts in leaving as you have changed lives with your gift of knowledge, work ethic, interest and vision of what could be.
16 days left...
I can hardly contain my excitement. Plan on embarrassing moments at Easterwood, your parents will be out of control!
pap
That "good news to deliver" is the result of your intense work.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
And it always helps to remember that even if your work is not appreciated you can hold your head high with the knowledge that you gave it your very best.
Good job, indeed.
Love
Uncle Bill