a melancholy evening

not sure why, just one of those days.

So I'm back in Atlanta, for another training. (Will it never end? :) This is actually a useful one, on current polio surveillance and control strategies. Slow, but consistent steps are being taken towards eradicating polio, and I think it might actually happen in the next few years. Although, the constant influx of money and personnel resources it requires are beginning to get somewhat tapped. Any of my medical and/or public health colleagues interested in doing STOP(Stop Transmission of Polio)? It doesn't pay, but all your expenses are covered for the three months of your placement and you get to visit cool places like India, Nigeria and Indonesia. If you're interested, check out the STOP webpage

I still don't know where I'm going in India, and probably won't know until I get there. They're pulling various surveillance people from the south and central India to help with the more intensive eradication activities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, so that leaves gaps in the surveillance network. Theoretically, that will be my job when I get there (to fill the gaps), but who knows. Flexibility is the key here.

I'm definitely excited about going, but I always get nervous before doing things like this. (Don't we all?) At least I've done enough international travel at this point, that I know the phases I go through:
2 weeks of feeling fine, stressed, but excited and enjoying it
then a week or so of acute homesickness, which gets better
then a month of really settling in and enjoying myself again (more relaxed, less stressed)
then a another week or homesickness,
then good for another 6 weeks or so.

I haven't ever been out of country for more than three months, so my predictions stop at that point. And this is only a two month trip, so I won't get to expand my timeline.

I'm not leaving for another 6 weeks or so, but my schedule is ridiculously busy until then (two conferences, a poster, a presentation and a community meeting). I'm a busy bee. buzz. buzz.