An end to the mouse drama?

Last week the mouse in the office was successful in stealing the bread we left in the trap. On Thursday afternoon I was meeting with a few nurses in the office when we all heard a loud snap and then this high pitched squealing. Within a few seconds there was a banging sound that came from inside the cabinet and three very confused nurses in the office. After some coaxing, one of the nurses opened the cabinet to find the mouse trap up against the back of the cabinet, no mouse and no bread. And so we reset the trap and figured/hoped, maybe we injured the mouse.

Today, we had success. We checked the trap and this time our mouse wasn't so lucky. After a quick call to housekeeping the mouse was taken out to his burial grounds. The head of facilities has explained to me that this will not be the last time we have a mouse in the nurses office. But for now, I feel like it's nurses 1, mouse 0.

One of my sisters asked if she should include some mouse traps in a care package to me, I don't think we have reached that point... yet. But I am open to suggestions for how to keep them outside of the hospital, especially the nurses office =)

Happy Eid!!

Eid Mubarak! Yesterday marked the end of Eid, which is the 3 day holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. This holiday is celebrated by going to visit friends and family, eating and drinking tea. Children get gifts of toys and adults will get new clothes. The first day most of the visits are between family and the next two days are devoted to friends. There are lots of people out and about and many shops are closed. We were invited to two different homes on the last day of Eid; one from a current employee and the second from a former employee. It was really fun day.

Usually the men and women eat in separate rooms. I'm told this happens at weddings as well. I was invited to my first wedding and will be able to describe that in a few weeks. I'm not sure why they broke this custom but it might have been because we were the honored guests. In the second house, after we ate Jackie and I were taken into the other room where the wives of the men were. They were so sweet and between our limited Dari and their limited English it turned in to a very pleasant afternoon. One of the cousins was able to translate, she teaches english classes.

We all sat on the floor on these large cushions called toe-shacks (phonetic spelling). A table cloth is spread out on the floor and the "table" is set. Most of the food served is cookies, candy and various nuts. Since we were at one place during lunch they also served chicken and yogurt.

The conversations ranged from politics, work and various topics. Everyone was so hospitable and let us ask questions about how they celebrate Eid and what's it like to fast for a month. Ramadan is never the same time each year, and what I imagine as the hardest part is not being able to drink during the day when Ramadan falls during the summer months. Our hosts were equally as interested in our holidays and how many days we get off from work during those holidays. Most of their questions were about which American holiday was similar to Eid. We compared various aspects to Christmas and Thanksgiving, in some ways Easter.

The two holidays they were most interested in learning about were Valentine's day and April Fools. They loved that we have a holiday that allows people to play tricks on one another. Of all the holidays to pick, that's what they had the most questions about. It was really hard to explain that those aren't "real" holidays, that concept doesn't translate well. It's fascinating to hear and learn what people know about America.

Keep Smiling!

Eating for fuel

Eating has become more about fuel and less about pleasure. I broke down and have decided to support the local economy and hired a women to cook for me. She will cook two nights a week and the meals will be a combination of local dishes and some western dishes. She has lots of experience cooking for westerners and the meals are well balanced and much nicer then anything I have been cooking for myself.

Last week was the first week she cooked for me and it was heavenly. Typically I've been having a sandwich, soup or some version of breakfast food for dinner. Eggs for dinner have become a favorite since lunch is typically carb-overload and I feel like I'm developing a protein deficiency.

Cooking here isn't like back home, it's so much more involved. I have a gas oven and you have to use a thermometer to tell how warm the oven is. I have no idea how to cook this way. I did learn how to light it and used it last night to warm up a beef patty I bought at the french bakery. Maybe this weekend I'll take on the challenge of cooking chicken or something? Assuming I can get one that someone else kills, cleans and cuts it up in to pieces that look like something you'd find in a western grocery store. Lol, I'm not ready for learning those skills just yet.

Lunch is provided by the hospital. Everyone eats the same thing, there aren't options. It costs $9 a month to feed each employee at the hospital. There is always rice and usually enough on your plate to feed a small village. I have mastered the hand gestures to convey to the food service staff "half of that, please." The main food item has been one of these; beans, okra, small pieces of beef tips or some lentil chickpea mixture. There is always some piece of fruit, mostly melon this time of year. Then a piece of nan (bread) and for beverages its hot tea or water.

We have gone out to eat twice since I have arrived. One night we went to a BBQ place. I'm not a huge red meat eater and during grad school I had really reduced my meat intake. But I saw steak on the menu and couldn't resist, again I think its a protein thing. It was 12oz rib-eye and absolutely so good. As an appetizer we ordered nachos. They aren't the same as back home but they work. I attached a photo of them since words can't really describe what they look like here.

The second place we went out to was a government party. The organization that hosted the evening is here training the national lawyers in how our legal system works with the goal of improving the legal system here. They have training centers in several of the providences and their work sounds fascinating. Every other week they have a dinner and we were invited to attend. The food, amazing - hamburgers and shrimp on the grill. I have to figure out how to get invited regularly. Rumor has it that sometimes they even have ice-cream!

Twice we have ordered take-out. Once was from Pizza Brazil and the second place was Indian food. The pizza was thin crust and not bad. Again similar to home but not really the same. Indian food was pretty good and generally that isn't something I tend to eat.

There is the French Bakery and in addition to beef patties they have some great desserts. Sometimes on the way home from work we can stop there. Its a cute little place and they have different types of bread, cookies and donuts. They also sell eggs, yogurt and milk. I believe the owners of this place train nationals how to cook the food items that are sold in the bakery.

I think until I get a better handle on the language, cooking will be a challenge. Fruit and vegetables are sold in the smaller roadside stands, English isn't their strength and Dari isn't mine. Last night a few of us walked to a stand around the corner from our apartment and I was able to get bananas. Between not understanding the language and how to order the fruit in kilograms, its stressful. Everything is weighed in kilograms and I know 1kg = 2.2 lbs but how does that translate into paying for 3 bananas? Also depending on when you get to these stands, the quality of the fruit and veggies varies.

We make it work and no worries I'm not starving. Plus I'll start language lesson next month which will be so helpful.

Keep Smiling!

Transitions

I was recently asked what the biggest transition or adjustment is. After some thought, I told them there isn't one big thing, its that everything is different. Nothing is the same and its the lack of consistency of the small things that are the most draining. I miss those creature comforts; mostly consistent Internet, water pressure in the shower and paved roads. I miss family and friends too but having Internet is what keeps me connected and possibly sane =)

I am very thankful to have Internet, I don't know how people lived out these type of adventures without it. I am trying to adjust to the fact that it doesn't always work when you want it to.

Another adjustment is security. There was an incident yesterday on the other side of the city and as a result we are restricted as to where we can go. Thankfully no one we know was hurt. I don't envy our security director, he has to make some tough decisions. I am bummed because on Fridays we go grocery shopping and all the grocery stores are on the other side of town. I won't starve but I really look forward to these outings. I know its pathetic to be disappointed that you can't go grocery shopping but getting out during the week is unusual.

There are a variety of reasons why we don't/can't do these things after work. One is the stores are on the other side of town and traffic is terrible during the work week (Sun - Thurs). Traffic here is unlike anything I have experienced, it makes Chicago or LA traffic look like smooth sailing. Cars, bikes, motorcycles, goats, people walking, donkey pulled carts and then the unpaved bumpy roads, makes for an interesting commute.

I'm not complaining about the security restrictions. I prefer that our security director be on the conservative side of things. Its just another transition learning that your schedule isn't really your own. I am just hoping that while we are off for the holiday these next few days, that some stability will return to the area and we can go across town. 4 days in the house will make me a little stir crazy and lonely.

This morning as I was getting ready, I heard what I thought was a child moaning outside. I thought someone was hurt and rushed to the window to see what was going on. I was surprised to see a herd of goats walking down the road. I had to laugh. Guess this is just another transition.

Keep Smiling!

Compassion or Policy?

I have been very thankful, the last two days at work have been good ones. I'm learning a few more names and am getting lost a less. The hospital is a large square so if you go the wrong direction, eventually you end up where you wanted to be. Since I haven't been able to run, I don't mind the extra steps. I have taken to jumping rope on our roof in the evenings for some exercise. Tonight I was a little desperate and did suicide drills. I quickly remembered why I hated them during basketball practice. The roof isn't large probably comparable to half a basketball court, at least the part we can use.

Today was a long day, there were a lot of little human resource (HR) issues to deal with. Most of them minor things. My day started with an inservice in one department to discuss professional behavior and the importance of treating our patients and other members of the healthcare team respectfully. There were two complaints last week in this department that we used as "case studies" to see how they could have been handled differently.

However there was one HR issue in particular that I can't shake. I am struggling with balancing compassion and adhering to policy. As a nurse, as a women, as a public health professional I want to help this staff member. They have valid points but as a Director if I make allowances this time, don't I have to do the same for everyone else? As a leader, I know I can't make an allowance for them. We met as a leadership team to discuss this event so I know I have the necessary support but it will break my heart tomorrow to tell them I can't allow them to do what they want. Things are complicated and everything isn't black or white. The scenarios are unique and the challenges that are hard to describe. But we make a decision based on the information we have at the time and let's hope its for the best.

On a very different note, its raining here. We are actually having a thunderstorm. Who knew.

Keep Smiling

Grocery Shopping and Laundry

I am experienced at grocery shopping, have been doing it for years but not like this. There are a few stores that we visited to accomplish getting food. The first, is similar to a western grocery store its clean and has an array of items. It's not very large and some of the prices are higher then the other stores we visted. I didn't mind because it was clean and well organized. They even have grocery carts, but they are much smaller then the ones at home.

I was pleasantly surprised with the options available but was told this isn't where we buy fruits and vegetables. I bought canned tuna, canned soup, whole wheat pasta and sauce. All things I can make using the top of the stove, I haven't figured out how to light the gas oven yet.

The next store we went to was much more dusty and not as organized. The interesting thing at this store is the prices are negotiable. They also had food and household items. I bought a throw rug and paid $15. Not because I was good at negotiating the price, I didn't even think to ask if there was a "discount." One of the girls I was shopping with asked because she was also buying a rug. They aren't fancy but I needed something to put in the hallway. I am anxious to go to Chicken Street where we can get some hand woven Indian rugs. We haven't been allowed there on account of security restrictions.

The last place we went to was an open market known as the Obama Bazaar (last summer it was called the Bush Bazaar). This was unlike anything I have ever experienced. There are rows of shipping containers that have been transformed into little stores. If you are patient, you can find just about anything here. Knowing the language and being a good negotiator are key skills to posses in the bazaar. It's also important to check expiration dates since not everything is "new." I did get a t-shirt for $4. As we walked in to the area, freshly slain animals were hanging. I haven't had much meat since I arrived for two reasons. One, I haven't figured out how to light my oven and two, I can't bring myself to buy the meat. The second grocery store had frozen chicken which I'll get once I figure out the oven.

Fruits and veggies we bought at a roadside stand. The mango's are amazing. I didn't get any veggies and in hind sight should have. Either way the fruit and veggies need to be cleaned before you can eat them. This involves rinsing the dust/dirt off with regular tap water then soaking them in this bleach solution for 20 minutes. Once that is done they need to air dry on a clean dish towel. We can't drink the tap water but thankfully I have one of those water-coolers in my apartment.

Doing laundry also involves a learning curve. I had to have one of my apartment mates show me how, it's a bit humbling. I really don't know how to do anything on my own anymore. The machine is small, it resembles western machines but not really. It front loads and has a lot of buttons. One for selecting the actual temperature not just cold, warm or hot. One to select the speed at which you want the machine to spin, again an actual number and one for the type of cycle. That was the only button that was familiar to me. There were other buttons but they seemed a little high tech for my needs today. A wash cycle lasts an hour and a half.

I am very thankful to have a washing machine and it seems to do a decent job. There is no drier so after washing clothes, you have to carry them up to the roof (4 flights) to line dry. The roof is actually our patio. I'm not sure how it works in the winter. I suspect clothes dry in our apartments and I'll have to add drying rack to the list of things to get. I also need a laundry basket, thankfully an apartment mate let me use his. Community living does have its perks because I'd be lost with the help.

Everyone keeps asking if I brought warm clothes for winter. I think so? I'm getting the feeling that the winter will bring a whole new set of learning curves and adventures.

Keep Smiling!

Not in Kansas anymore

Not that I have ever been to Kansas but that expression pretty much sums up my first week. Our work week is Sunday - Thursday.

My first official day as Director I got in trouble with security. Very innocently I had left my camera in my bag and when the guard was checking my bag before I was allowed in the building, she confiscated it. I tried to explain that I was the new director of nursing and to call the head of security but I don't speak Dari and her English isn't great. So I accepted the id card and headed into the hospital for orientation. Thankfully the first person I met with was head of security. He was glad that I took the opportunity to test our security procedures. I appreciated his grace and that he was able to retrieve my camera.

After my security orientation I was taken to my new office to meet some of the supervisors. As I was being introduced a mouse ran across the office. I was a little startled and said to the two supervisors; "Um, oh, oh um was that I mouse?" I was trying not to have my first interaction with them be one of panic. They both smiled and said "probably." They must be pretty used to foreigners flipping out. No worries we don't have mice running around the hospital on a regular basis but it's not unheard of to see one every now and then. I appreciate that this one wanted to welcome me and that he wasn't in my apartment.

The rest of the week has consisted of meeting various department heads and learning how our departments interact. It's budget time and we had a very interesting meeting today to discuss salaries and performance evaluations. The average nurse here earns between $180-$300 a month. Night staff work longer hours then day staff because they need to be at work before it gets dark. There is very limited public transportation at night.

The nursing department consists of 104 people; 60 nurses (mostly male), 24 midwives (all women) and 20 patient aids. We are hiring nurses if anyone is interested =)

I am very thankful that we have had steady city power in the evenings all week, my shower drain is unclogged and that each day I learn something new. I am looking forward when I'm not learning so many new things but till then....

Keep Smiling

First few days

I arrived in country early Wed morning. It seems for this trip all of my flights required leaving for the airport at 4am. That's not really my finest hour.

Leaving for Boston on Sunday morning was so hard, not only because of the hour but because I really had to say good-bye. Michele and Betsey were taking me to the airport not my parents, which worked out well. They are great friends.

On Wed, I had grabbed a banana at the guest house before we left, hoping to get a bite to eat at the airport. I remembered from last summer that there was a small coffee stand inside the gate. I was so surprised to see that they had made some renovation's which included expanding the coffee shop, adding a McDonalds and a new smoothie stand. I figured may as well have the McDonalds. In an odd way it seemed fitting to eat McDonalds, especially since I hardly even have it in the States. It was so funny because they didn't have breakfast stuff; I opted for a cheeseburger, fries and a coffee.

When I arrived in country, the terminal had also been renovated. After customs and passport control, you have to complete a visitor registration card. I'm not clear as to the purpose of this card but it's something else to carry with you. Basically its another photo id card.

I had no idea how I was going to manage all my bags when I arrived. I don't think they had those baggage carts in the airport the last time I was there. While I was filling out the visitor card information, the porters put all my bags on the cart and brought it out to my ride. I didn't even ask them! The expected fee for this is one-dollar a bag. It was totally worth it, I had 3 very heavy large bags, a small roller and a backpack . It's a long walk from the arrival terminal to the parking area.

I arrived, dropped my stuff of at my new apartment got a quick tour and then went to the hospital. I had lunch there and spent most of the day with the Executive Director. She arrived a month ago. We chatted for a few hours and at 2:30p went back home to nap before dinner.

I'll have to save another entry to talk about the amount of dust here. I like to have the window's open in the evening because there is a cool breeze but the downside is the dust that blows in. It is unbelievable how dusty it is. Even with the windows closed it manages to find its way in. I have never washed my hands as much as I have here these last few days.

Jody has assured me that you can keep things clean but let me just say that you have not seen dust/dirt until you have visited here.

Getting my visa

Getting my 6-month multi entry visa was an interesting experience. Being in a new country, even if it is pretty modern and not really understanding how the process worked and having to do it alone just wasn't something I was excited to do. I knew I could do it, I just didn't want to do it alone. But as it turned out, I didn't have to. While staying at the guest house, I met another guy (Brian) who needed to get one as well. There were several other people in the guest house who had gotten their visa's the day before, so they explained how it worked.

We had to bring a map with us because the majority of taxi drivers aren't familiar with where the embassy is. We needed a second map for on the way home so we could tell the taxi driver how to get to the guest house.

When you walk in the gate, the first building you enter looks like a shed. Inside you pay a small fee so the man behind the counter can organize your paper work and staple a passport size photo in the proper spot. Then he gives you a number and sends you back out the way you came to another room. This room has a bunch of chairs and to the left of the entrance is the processing center. The processing center is behind a sliding glass window, it looks a lot like a drive-up bank teller.

Here the man behind the counter tried to talk me into getting a 3-month visa instead of a 6-month visa. I guess everything is negotiable? After several times of telling him "no, I need a 6-month visa," he finally relented. I paid my money and then he explained there was an additional small fee for paying in US currency. I didn't have the correct change and so he "waived" it. I'm not really convinced this fee was required but either way I was thankful he waived it. After he took all my paper work, he told be to come back at 1pm. It was 9:45am. Since they are celebrating Ramadan, the office was closing at 2pm.

We had been advised not to leave incase the office decided to close earlier. My flight left the next day and I didn't want to mess up my first assignment. Without my visa I would not be allowed to enter the country. A lot of people were waiting, there had to be about 50 people in the waiting room. At 12:30p we noticed other people who had paid before us had gone up to the window, got their passport back and their visa. They never called names or anything, people just went back up to the window. In hind sight, we probably could have gone up earlier but .

The oddest part was what people did while they waited. I brought a book, which prior to this I thought was pretty much what people did. Well, some people brought their nail clippers and clipped their toes. I can honestly say I never thought to give myself a pedicure while waiting for something.

Keep Smiling!!