Work has gone fairly well this week. At the beginning of the week, we received feedback on our massive China chapter that we had written last week. Unfortunately, we apparently missed the mark and didn't do exactly what the president wanted us to do. That was frustrating, but there was nothing to be done besides roll up our sleeves, regrease the elbows, and get to work. I ended up doing four additional case studies: capital investment planning (CIP) for an aging population in Netherlands, CIP for disability services in New South Wales (Australia), Michigan Certificate of Need program, and Kentucky's Certificate of Need program. I also typed up a "Lessons Learned" section for each of the case studies. Phew, talk about a lot of research! :O I went from knowing absolutely nothing about service-based CIP, to knowing a fair amount (I wouldn't say I know a lot, but I surprise myself sometimes). Our document ended up being around 75 pages long.
I am confident that I will return to Xavier in the August with no problem adjusting to the workload, given what I have had to do this summer. :p
This week I have also helped with editing pages for Sanigest's updated website. I have enjoyed this a lot. I have always really liked reading and editing papers, and this is right up that alley. I've also made comments on the format and structure of the website. It has been cool to read about all the different projects that Sanigest has completed or is in the process of completing. Editing the website has helped me learn more about the organization (even though I have been here for a month and a half, haha). It's also soothing because it isn't terribly stressful! Very soothing after the extremely stressful China project. :)
Oh, happy to report, my appetite is back! While I've certainly been eating a lot less than normal, I am eating! On Tuesday, I made my blessed eggplant pizza. I have one eggplant left and, you know what? I may have eggplant pizza tonight, making that TWICE in one week! Treat yo'self, Haley!
I had a nice cultural experience last night. Apparently once a year, San Jose opens its museums to the public for free of charge, so Faye, Alex, another new friend Sandra (from France), and I hopped on a bus after work and headed downtown to see some art! It was also interesting because we got to see downtown San Jose in its prime hustle and bustle. Now, I have always enjoyed cities - I love my Cincinnati DEARLY and I have a ton of amazing childhood memories from Chicago. Cities, to me, really have that sort of romantic and chic coolness to them. You can't deny the magic of approaching a city skyline from afar. Alas, San Jose doesn't really manifest that "magic." Every travel book I have seen has suggested "get in and out of the city as quickly as possible," and I don't necessarily disagree. That being said, I am glad I took a stroll through the center of the city, just to see it. Also, there are A LOT of Subways and McDonald's here in San Jose. Too many McDonald's.
Anyways, the museum we saw was pretty cool. Nothing too special, and it only took us about an hour (maybe) to get through the whole thing. The art was from a lot of local artists, I think. I didn't take a lot of pictures - a lot of the art was super modern, and that kind of art doesn't really speak to me. I'm more of a Claude Monet kind of girl. Not that I'm an art expert or anything - the last art class I took was in the 8th grade, and I don't frequent art museums as often as I probably could or should. I like bright colors, but more natural, flowy kind of abstract work (I know, I know - my use of technical art terms makes me look very hip and educated). Sharp lines & contorted shapes just aren't really my thing. For example, there was a series of close-up photographs of hair follicles... yeah, not my thing. But, hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! The museum was also really loud and crowded - I felt very rushed to get through.
The only picture I took in the art section of the museum
Maximum security prison or museum? I may never know...
Besides this door, I was pretty shocked by the lack of security in the museum, especially in the gold part. I could have slipped my tiny hands under the glass and grabbed an artifact or two, and I'm not sure they would have known.
This museum contained gold work from indigenous cultures. It was pretty cool. I also practiced my Spanish by reading as much as I could of the descriptions. I was actually able to comprehend a lot - perhaps my Spanish has improved!
Hello, little gold people.
So, it was actually an art museum plus historical gold museum plus history museum all rolled into one little museum. Also, it was all underground the main square! That was pretty cool.
Indigenous people of Costa Rica
All in all, glad I had the experience, but I probably wouldn't go back. There is a Jade Museum that we were unable to get to, so I am interested to go to that, if time allows!
As for this weekend, I am going to Playa Santa Teresa. Here it is on a map:
¡Paz, amigos!
amdg.
I had all these comments ready and then I read about your surf lesson and I became very distracted!!! Ahhhhhh! So jealous! That is so cool!! I've ALWAYS wanted to surf! Good luck!! #Lilo&Stitch
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling better!!! Live like crazy the next two weeks!!
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