New job!

Hi people -

You are reading a post from Utah County United Way's newest employee!

I had the 3rd interview today, and must have really done a good BSing job, because they just love me and think I'm fabulous and offered me a FT position starting June 18th! The title is "Resource Developer." The office is less than 2 miles from our house, so that's a big plus.

So - if you end up employeed out in the big, bad corporate world.... remember - become a United Way sponsor!

Oh - Brian and I just returned from an awesome week vacation in Denmark. Had a blast. Little upset that they didn't have free water fountains or bathrooms though.....

PAHO: This just in....finally

Dear Everyone!!!!

I have been meaning to do this weeks ago. I am so excited about our MPH blog and say hats off to Grant for using his mad-technical skills to improve our lives, our program, and bring us all together during our summer adventures away. I echo Emily, that I miss you all. We really do have an amazing cohort and I miss seeing you every week, day, almost every night. I look forward to more good times in the Fall, but for now am so excited that we get to all have the time our lives in different corners of the world.

So Washington, DC and PAHO. Fantastic. I'll post pictures of the crazy PAHO building on 23rd street. Definitely wins the award for the most unique building design of the area. I think the UN or WHO have a special knack for that. Anyway, I work on the 8th floor with Chris and a bunch of other people. It is a place I affectionately call, "DC's little Latin world" because the people who work there all speak spanish (and working english), come from Latin American countries, and can spend their lives living and working in DC without having to speak much english. My cubicle is 827E, in case you want to come visit. Oh, and don't forget to check in with the security guard/reception table by the front door before getting on the elevator as I did my first day. They get all excited. ;-)

I spend my days doing research, particularly on Peru. I'm putting together a health profile of Peru, but which is more like a background-of-partnering groups for the LDS/PAHO Partnership which is coming underway. They plan to begin implementation of some IMCI projects starting in the Fall. I'm learning TONS and reading a lot in spanish, including the webpage for the Ministry of Health there in Peru. Sadly, I don't think I'll be flying there this summer for any related project, however, there still remains hope for possibilities during the school year. We shall see...

There are several other interns...mostly M.D.'s: 2 from Haiti and 1 from Nicaragua, and a medical student from Arizona in her 3rd year. Also, there is Andrea, another 1st year MPHer just like me, from Vancouver, BC. Actually, she is from Austria, but studied in Norway and Canada, and is hoping to get accepted to a medical school in the US. She's a lot of fun. Tonight we are going to a ballet together at the Kennedy Center, which is just a short walk down from PAHO after work. I'm excited!!!

Sight-seeing opportunities have been enjoyable. On Memorial day I went to Arlington Cemetery and heard the President speak. I went to a Poetry reading at the National Library of Congress. We've been to the DC temple!!! A group of ward friends went to Mount Vernon for an afternoon. I've toured the National Masonic Temple in Alexandria. Right behind my apartment building (and across the freeways) is the Pentagon and the new Air Force Memorial which we call "homebase." I've enjoyed a National's baseball game, and lunch at the World Bank. My roommates are really great. One works for Senator Harry Reed as a scheduler, one is from Ukraine, and one is trying to get into the Peace Corp or work for a non-profit organization. They're all amazing.Marin and I are in the same ward!! So that makes us very happy! I ran into Erin's brother on the Metro one Sunday after church! Crazy. And then Dr. Mirta Roses was at Tobacco Free World Day in Conference room A, which is when I got to take a picture with her. A day before there was a random firedrill and we all cleared the building and I saw her on the sidewalk talking to a man next to us. Random. She's pretty busy and travels a lot, so she's not always here at PAHO.

Well, there is so much to say but not enough time! I hope this gives you a glimpse into my PAHO internship! I'll post more later. Love you guys!

Christine

Thanks for posting and reading! Keep it up!

If case you wondered who all checks the blog, I have a report for you. People from all over the world (but mostly Provo/Orem) are reading this blog -- WAY TO GO! And we're just getting started. =DClick on the images to see the details.

This data was collected between May 20th and June 4th, so those who visited between April 27 (when I started the blog) and May 20th are not represented on the map.