2011 Update and Recap

Hi Everyone!

At this time I am back from a six week stay in the States and through block week of my last semester of classes. We'll come back to classes, as I want to first write an update about the end of 2011.

My visit home was absolutely amazing but a complete whirlwind. I was busier than I was all year, visiting friends, which included trips around NJ and to Philly, D.C., and NYC. It was phenomenal to see everyone. I think that seeing everyone gave me a better understanding of where friendships in my life stand. I am incredibly blessed to have so many "best" friends that will be life long--whether I see them once a week or once a year.

While home I was also busy working. Planned Parenthood was wonderful to have me back working in the clinic! I can't even express how much I have missed working in direct service healthcare. PPAMA staff, new and old, are still some of my favorite people in the world. Additionally, I was doing an internship with New Jersey Citizen Action. My internship supervisor was fantastic and taught me so much about the legislative process and politics in NJ. I am thrilled to have had the experience, especially going to the State House in Trenton (even when we had to wait over an hour for session to start, ack!).

Working at PPAMA and learning about the policy world at NJCA helped me do a lot of thinking about my future and where I would like it to go. My top job path at this point would be to work in some type of health center or hospital in an admin role--preferably in such a way that I still have some chances to interact with patients while also doing higher level management.

However, research could win me over this year. Ladies and gentlemen, after a YEAR of not finding public health related work in Cape Town, I finally got a part time gig as a project coordinator for a study. I'm working with Landon, the same doctor I worked with briefly at the end of last year. We'll see how it goes!

Being back this year has already highlighted for me how much happened in 2011. Moving here was challenging for a long time--trying to figure out which friends you meshed with best, not finding work, trying to use time productively, enjoying the sights and balancing school...it's much easier now that I am more established here. Already since I've been back, I've spent a lot of time with friends. I'm so glad I didn't have to start all over somewhere new again this year! Thomas was also home for most of January, which was absolutely lovely. We finally got a bookshelf for our bedroom which makes it seem much more homey in here.

So, that is the quick update. More coming soon!

Love!
Kristen