Learning Curves...

Got a case of the giggle-loop on that title (thanks, Saki;), I'm so immature. Ah, I can't believe it's been nearly been 2 weeks in the ATL. The time has been spent adjusting and acclimating to the little changes which, when compared to other moves, has been really minimal..It seems America has turned into one giant continent of "Linen N Things", "Targets", and "Burger Kings"..a bit depressing but the little twists here and there do spruce up things. Sitting in traffic I muse at my sadist tendencies towards living in cities with notoriously bad traffic and little public transport to boot. But, empty roads means empty towns, no people and boredom. Oddly enough it's when I'm the most lost, the most confused, the most frustrated, the most tired, that I feel the most alive. I like that I haven't settled into a "routine" and that everything still seems fresh and new.

As I said, the infrasture of the city seems the same, and it's a reality check realizing my social network is basically through a computer...but that is quickly calmed by the fact that in the back of my mind I've already accepted that this place will become home, and things just take time. Just enjoy it. I won't lie, life is easier here than in LA, parking spots galore, cheaper prices (although not where I live), and things generally moving a bit more slowly (save work) etc etc but what most strikes me is the people. I'm so impressed with the people and how warm everyone seems to be. Very friendly. That said, the scenary is not Southern Cal (even though the weather has been almost picture perfect-70s and abundent sunshine since I've arrived) and occasionally I find myself missing the ocean and palm trees, but I've found my Robeks and Trader Joes, so I'll survive.

The CDC office is a complete 180 turn-around from my LA office. The stress was like smog (brilliant LA analogy), so thick you could cut it with knife. In retrospect it was good, I learned not to take harsh and sometimes unwarranted criticism so personally. Sometimes you gotta take a bullet, choose your battles carefully, fight, and move on. Here the office is much more functional and you can always hear people laughing and teasing. I really think it all has to do with the mission and employee's motivation to meet the goals of that mission. The more clear the mission, the more direct the impact, the more satisifed and hard working employees will be. I'm excited to be working in the International division as an employee under the GAP (Global Aids Program), which is partned with the PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) which is the "largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease -- a five-year, $15 billion, multifaceted approach to combating the disease around the world." The GAP is but one of the program offices that we're dealing with, which are currently doing work in 25 countries that desperately need help. So far I've been assigned to about 10-15 projects. It's a lot to get your head around, TB/AIDs in Russia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Pakistan, etc etc...and other contracts that are sending scientists all over the world to help combat AIDs. There's so much to learn and get caught up on that I haven't even pushed the travel part, but our chief did say we'd be sending people to Botswana, Kenya, S. Africa, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Tanzania. Haiti and Guyana want some people to come down too but I guess one CDC employee woke up with guns pointed at his head in Guyana and another was kidnapped for awhile in Haiti, so they're trying to get it moved to Trinadad and Tobago. I told them I'll go anywhere but Iraq and Afghanistan:). We'll see how long it takes as I'm the "new guy" and I may have to switch careers/departments before I get to see some real action. I'm like a bloodhound. The Government is so secretive and convoluted in the way it functions..absolutely no transparency, but I smell blood...

Jam flies in tonight at 1130pm, we'll have dinner and be off to the airport by 7am, to spend Christmas with my family in Michigan. While blizzards are sweeping the country, it appears that the most Michigan will get is some rain. Damn global warming, I wanted some White Christmas action. That and seeing family are about the only things I really care about around this season. All the consumerism makes me sick quick frankly. At any rate, if you're celebrating, Merry Christmas!