one month down, already???
ok, i really cannot believe how fast the past month has gone. here i thought that i would move to malawi and the pace would slow down a bit. and in some sense, it has i suppose, especially in the fact that my late nights are very, very few and days not so scattered about.
i feel like my adjustment is coming along really well. things at work are still somewhat vague, mostly because in the last 4 weeks, i have been out at meetings, etc (in fact, i have only been in 5 full days) and so i haven't had time to fully clarify my roll. the upside of that is it has been a great way to become oriented to Lilongwe and Malawi and to meet the people that i will be working most closely with. i have started helping with sample collection for an HIV threshold survey, and its already posed some interesting challenges in terms of always making sure that samples are properly identified and processed. i am working with two fabulous women on that (in addition to my normal CDC crew), Nellie and Kundai, and so it keeps it fun. this is definately a side of a fence that i have not been on before, so i am learning lots.
i finally got a car, which is already making life so much easier. i can come in early or stay late if need be, which will help with communication. i can cart myself and others around instead of having to always coordinate. i JUST got it, and so i am looking forward to exploring what this extra freedom can mean.
my favorite experiences so far have been the one on one time getting to know folks here. my favorite conversation, there is only one word in Chichewa to express both need and want. So it would be entirely correct for me to say that i NEED m&m's from the US. actually, thats a misuse of the concept - in my mind, it seems to emphasize that really no one here lives an excessive life. no one asks for too much. yet everyone is so giving... it really is a beautiful thing. on the same lines, there is only one word for like and love. i'm getting closer to figuring that one out :).
so things are good. i've had a few rounds of home sickness, to be expected i suppose. i wish i could share a few more photos, but my flashdrive is at home. soon, keep checking...
out to dinner with some friends, and possibly out of town this weekend (its a 3 day weekend for us). take care and be in touch,
b
i feel like my adjustment is coming along really well. things at work are still somewhat vague, mostly because in the last 4 weeks, i have been out at meetings, etc (in fact, i have only been in 5 full days) and so i haven't had time to fully clarify my roll. the upside of that is it has been a great way to become oriented to Lilongwe and Malawi and to meet the people that i will be working most closely with. i have started helping with sample collection for an HIV threshold survey, and its already posed some interesting challenges in terms of always making sure that samples are properly identified and processed. i am working with two fabulous women on that (in addition to my normal CDC crew), Nellie and Kundai, and so it keeps it fun. this is definately a side of a fence that i have not been on before, so i am learning lots.
i finally got a car, which is already making life so much easier. i can come in early or stay late if need be, which will help with communication. i can cart myself and others around instead of having to always coordinate. i JUST got it, and so i am looking forward to exploring what this extra freedom can mean.
my favorite experiences so far have been the one on one time getting to know folks here. my favorite conversation, there is only one word in Chichewa to express both need and want. So it would be entirely correct for me to say that i NEED m&m's from the US. actually, thats a misuse of the concept - in my mind, it seems to emphasize that really no one here lives an excessive life. no one asks for too much. yet everyone is so giving... it really is a beautiful thing. on the same lines, there is only one word for like and love. i'm getting closer to figuring that one out :).
so things are good. i've had a few rounds of home sickness, to be expected i suppose. i wish i could share a few more photos, but my flashdrive is at home. soon, keep checking...
out to dinner with some friends, and possibly out of town this weekend (its a 3 day weekend for us). take care and be in touch,
b
posted by bethany at
9:08 AM
