Just Another Manic Monday

To say it took Lindar and I a while to get started this morning would be an under exaggeration. From the time I arrived at the office until we started was probably about two hours. Everything that could hold us up on a Monday, did. First, when Fabian went to unlock the doors to the lab, his key broke in the lock. With the lab assistants in the field, we were left to looking for alternative people who had keys. After a while, we found someone able to let us in. Next, the computer wouldn’t turn on. Fabian was somehow able to figure it out. However, a computer turned on is no good when you don’t have the password to access the documents we were working on. We called multiple people trying to get the password from the guy in the field. Then, Lindar had forgotten her flash drive with some helpful pictures on it, so she had to get a cable to get the pictures off of her phone. Finally, we settled down and started.

Our day consisted of the same exact procedure that took place on Friday. We would dump a vital, look at the specimens under the microscope, identify them, and repeat. I’m finally able to identify some without the materials and going through the diagnostic process. Therefore, the process today went faster, but was still incredibly tedious. My eyes have adjusted to looking through the microscope, and I think I am finally getting the hang of things. Even with our faster pace, we have not yet to reach the halfway point.

Walking out of work today, I had an interesting conversation with Karen regarding social media and how people perceive body type in Kenya and America. Since I have been here, I have noticed people aren’t very concerned about their weight. They eat what is set before them. By doing this, many people in Kenya are average. I don’t see extremely skinny people or those who are obese. This difference is definitely cultural and how our social media portrays people. In Kenya, the same “figure” is portrayed in the media, but I don’t think as many people pay attention to it or it’s not as big of a deal. Also, healthy food is cheaper, so people tend to eat those over unhealthy ones. These little things, amount to big differences.

 
Tomorrow, I will hold my Focus Group Discussion in Huruma. When I left the office today, everything seemed to be in place and ready to go. Fingers crossed everyone will show up and participate.