Ok days

6/22/10
Today was an ok day. It was about 90 degrees which was incredibly unpleasant. I am not made for hot weather. I was able to get quite a bit done before lunch, but after lunch my productivity drops dramatically. I am convinced now more than ever that I will not be able to sit at a desk all day. My brain cannot handle it. This is goings to make my job search quite difficult. Even at grassroots organizations like the Red Cross has to deal with so much paperwork and reports and funding issues. I just want to help people without all BS.

This afternoon representatives came from the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance came to meet with MRCS. They are in UB performing a risk assessment on earthquakes. They wanted to know about the earthquake project at MRCS. It was good to hear all about the project to get a bigger picture of what is going on at RC.

I had to do a bit of grocery shopping today too. There are two grocery stores that are pretty close. Well when you walk through the market and can’t read anything that the labels say, and then you see something familiar you have to buy it. So guess who got beefaroni and Pringles? Don’t worry I got fruit too!

Random notes: It hurts me on the inside that there is no recycling here. Also I have a strong desire to go swimming and go to a concert.

6/23/10
This morning at 8:30 I got a text from Zoloo saying come in at 930 (I am supposed to start at 9). Ok fine. So I show up at 930 and who is there…no one. Finally at 10 the other lady who works in the office showed up and then Zoloo at 1010. Sometimes I am not sure why I show up on time. And this is in life in general, not just here.

Another very hot day today. A few sprinkles in the morning. I would have been nice to wet the ground so it wasn't so dusty. FACT: Lip gloss attracts dust/dirt like a magnet. Do not use in dusty locations.

I spent most of the day in the office alone. Zoloo had to go to the airport to pick up the Swedes/Swiss, can’t remember which one, who are want to make a documentary about the dzud disaster. Which I am a bit pouty about since I can’t go along….pssh silly camera equipment taking up my space in the car. Bold wasn’t in and the other two ladies were in and out. Sent out a couple emails for more info and still plugging away at the proposal and PfCC document. The power went out this morning too. This is the third time the power went out since I have been here, but first time in the office.

I have been struggling a bit with the feasibility of a climate change program here. Zoloo is in charge of the EQ project, Bold the CBDP project, and they are hiring 4 new people to work on the Hay project which they just got 1 million turogs of funding for. I think my best bet is to try to work something into the CBDP project. I just don’t think they have the capacity to work on another project right now. But hopefully once I get through some more of this report stuff, I can chat with them before I make my final recommendations and hear their thoughts about how possible a project is. I don’t have much time left here. There is the rest of this week and next week. And starting next week the Australian Red Cross will be here, which will take up loads of time. But I did find out I should get to go on site visits with them  Then July 4-7 we will be going to one of the western provinces that was hardest hit by the dzud to check on the progress there. Then that is two more days in the office. Still working on my exact departure date, I am trying to stay for Naadam. I found out it will be no problem to change my flight, so I just have to find out about the hotel and the exact activities of the festival. So it’s crunch time.