Hi Everyone! Wow it’s definitely been a while since I last visited flickr (and I assure you I've missed it!) For those of you who don't already know pretty much everything about me, I'm now in South Africa (for the most part in Johannesburg although I'll be spending September travelling to 5 of the 9 provinces. At this rate I'll know more of this country than my own!). I'm doing a six month internship here with ICAP as part of my degree requirement and it’s already been almost six weeks! I’m not sure what to make of my experiences here yet. I live in an exceptionally quiet (read: dull and restricting) suburb right by work. I manage to run within the community but the gates are designed to keep me in and whatever is on the other side, out. I’m not used to this subtle segregation. I felt that New York had a tense underlying atmosphere but it’s even more the case here. Granted the history is much more recent and while it’s no longer automatically a matter of race, a dual citizenry definitely is sensed. I’m constantly warned of where to (and not to) venture. Being a pedestrian who thrives off of wandering this is obviously a stark contrast from the life I’ve had the luxury of living thus far. But it’s not all bad by any means! My work is fulfilling and the team is more than welcoming. The places I have been to are nothing short of fascinating. The experience is helping further galvanize my commitment to public health and in particular policy (even though I’m currently studying epidemiology and global health). I’ve come to realize that as long as our good intentions remain just that and don’t have the political clout needed to get beyond talk very little will come of them it seems. I also know that money talks, which is why I see myself gravitating towards health economics (fingers crossed—if you’re into that sort of thing). For some it may seem like I’m constantly changing my spots…. But for those closest to me, it appears that I’m just letting my true stripes show for the first time. I hope this finds you well and I’ll be back before you know it.

In July I started doing some extra work for the supervisor at my current job, I thought I wanted to learn about operations in a department, to build my resume to be a manager or just a worker bee in the field. I quickly learned that with no experience, I would not be able to match my current salary, and I didn't like it to much. But I needed to finish my degree, being one class away and with all the interruptions in the past. In August my co-worker had enough, she was done, and applied for a new job. I continued to do operations work in my off time, to make a better decision, if this is my was my future or not: health care admin. I can tell I realized it wasn't. But I worked with my best friend and we had a good time, and with the gym. I just continued to work and not care about moving onto something else. In September the University I am getting a master's through called me and asked if I plan on perusing a Doctorate Degree, and when I thought about it, NO I wasn't. I wanted to finish this degree and just get another job, I needed this change. In October, I began interviewing, and again asked about getting a PhD. I thought I would be happy with getting that Master's in Public Health i always wanted. Becoming a University employee I could for very cheap. In November I was at Drill, and I am ready to get out of the military. I was asked what I see myself doing in the future. I immediatley responded with: I hate my weekends being taken with the Army-with more rank more of my week will be taken. I want a University Job, so I can go back to school for a PhD. Dr. Dobberstein sounds so much better than CPT Dobberstein. Today, the HR man said sort of the same thing. Dr. Dobberstein does sound pretty neat, must be the Dr D. He also encouraged me to to that in something I become interested. Today I accepted a position at the School of Public Health. I am hoping to begin a PhD in epidemiology or general public health . So today and the next few weeks or years things are changing.