Sylvia's Journal

I started the day handing out Ghanaian chocolate bars to the people who had contributed to our trip’s success behind the scenes. Then I put my computer in the computer hospital for observation. It seems to have gotten rid of the nasty virus by itself and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I received a ‘loaner’ and am now using this. Everything is more complicated with a loaner because I have no access to my files, remembered passwords and such. It leaves me with a set of good intentions, like New year’s resolutions, to never be so affected by computer switches again. But this has happened before and, I do know myself. this is likely to happen again.

The landing at work was more like a ‘touch and go.’ It appears that I am off to Ehtiopia in less than 2 weeks. It is one of a few countries in Africa where I have never been and therefore I am not fazed by the short turnaround. MSH has a new project in Ethiopia. It is in start up mode; a period when much about process has still to be sorted out. I like this phase because it is about setting patterns for the future. Such foundation-building work may not be very visible or satisfying but it is of great importance. If you set the patterns wrong you can end up wasting much energy, time and goodwill later.

I went to physical therapy (ankle) and Julia remarked on the progress. She took measurements of angles by bending my foot in various directions. She noted that in some movements my right foot is doing better than the left one; this is probably because of all the exercises and attention my right foot has received over the last few months. She is ready to discharge me (or rather the ankle) from further care. Tomorrow she’ll do the same for the neck and shoulders. I think the physical therapy days are coming to an end. The crash is fading away slowly and the return to normal, so longed for in August, is here, at least for me. Axel is not quite there, and neither is Joan, according to Morsi.

This morning I will see the aviation doctor to recertify my body for another two years of flying. I also have to make an appointment for my 709 checkride at Hanscom airfield, a FAA requirement for pilots who have been involved in a major accident. Given my travel schedule this may not happen anytime soon.