Week 11 + Chris's Birthday

This past week was pretty eventful, but long and draining. Chris got back from the 'States on Wednesday after her first NWA flight was cancelled due to a lack of "crew," which might have been helpful to fly the plane. Anyway, it was good to catch up and it's great to have her back. She starts work on Thursday (8/28), so things are going to pick back up and get a little more hectic, but at least she has some time to relax beforehand. Saturday, for Chris's birthday, she had her life-long friend, Laura and one of her close friends/ex-student's Ashna over for dinner. I had met both before, Laura (kind of) when she came to C+F's wedding in America 21 years ago and Ashna, when I came to visit in the spring (with Jess, Taylor, Brennan). It was good to catch up with both of them and for Laura to see me, 21 years later. The evening was filled with the traditional birthday festivities, good conversation, and good food!

I had a really interesting meeting this week with the Deputy Chief of OEP (emergency preparedness). My supervisor talked to her previously about me and suggested that I meet her. She is a really interesting American, who served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and than moved on to work for various NGO's/World Food Programme in a handful of African countries. OEP is a very interesting division, in that they liaise with meterologists, politicians, and citizens alike to get information about the situations in countries (and predictions). They act on these signals (be it a hurricane or civil war) to distribute food to those most in need (or redirect aid)... It was really worthwhile for me to venture and see other divisions, their operations, and how it all fits in with the global objectives of the World Food Programme.

Anyway, It's tough to believe that I only have two more weekends in Rome and I'm sure the time will fly by (as has the last 10 weeks). Fortunately, I changed my flights yesterday so I get in on the afternoon of September 14th....before I had a 11 1/2 hour layover in Amsterdam (11:00 pm - 10:30 am --not the best time to go out and see the city, haha). Take care and have a good week!