The final leg

Happy Thursday! My week has gone well so far. Nothing too crazy, which is not a bad thing - now that I am in the final leg of this journey my motivation is not what it was 7.5 weeks ago... ;) If I'm being honest. I'm still working hard, but at the same time, it is hard to focus with my time here dwindling down.

I've done a variety of little projects this week, including some more additions to the big China chapter. Other than that, nothing too strenuous - basic data analysis, visual aid redesign, website edits, and some other odd tasks. I've been doing a lot of document translations lately, which is fun! I did zumba today, too. :)

On different note, I have been working on a bigger project, unrelated to Sanigest, more for fun & for the Fellowship itself. I haven't talked much about it to anyone, because it kind of stresses me out haha. I'm attempting to do a study on universal health coverage (essentially what I tell everyone my Fellowship is about.. "Oh, you know, healthcare..."). The study I am trying to do aims to examine whether or not universal coverage in North America really benefits those living on the margins, focusing on those living with HIV/AIDS. I've done a lot of research on HIV/AIDS at Sanigest, so I wanted to pull that into the additional research I am doing. When I have free time, I am doing a lot of reading, researching, and typing for this research. I find it really interesting, but it has kind of been a thorn in my side - I'm on the computer alllllllll day at work, so working MORE on my computer at night really kills my eyes. 20/20 eyesight, begone! Other than the computer thing, I am really excited about this research. It will help me develop some new skills, as I am planning on doing some statistical analysis with the data - something I haven't done a lot before this! Yay, new skills! Also, I think it will give me something a bit more concrete for my Fellowship. The intangibles of growing as a person & the journey of self-discovery are what makes the Fellowship so special, but I do want to have SOME physical proof that I learned something. ;) A very kind professor from Xavier has offered to help me with it, so it is nice to have that additional support. 

Other than that, not much new to report! I only have 9 days left in Costa Rica, which is absolutely insane. I cannot believe it!! My fellow intern Faye has left Sanigest, so I will have 6 days in the office alone. 

I'm excited to go back to the US, but I am certainly sad that this part of my life is coming to a close - it has been a crazy adventure, and I have learned so much about myself. What an opportunity! Go Brueggeman Fellows. :) 

As for this weekend, I am doing what I had planned to do the weekend that I got sick - I am headed to Manuel Antonio! I will be by myself. Not a super big fan of taking buses & cabs alone, but I'm definitely more used to it than I was when I first arrived to Costa Rica! Tomorrow I will head there right after work & get settled. Hopefully it doesn't rain! I am looking to go into the national park early early early on Saturday for a little hike & some wildlife interactions. :) Hopefully a lot of good pictures to come! 

¡Ciao!

amdg.