Tuesday July 12-Thursday 14th 2011

Last night the rain fell like cats and dogs and the cat meowed the whole night while hiding inside my windowsill. I felt so bad but I’m not sure what diseases this cat carries and I don’t want to find out. I would wake up periodically and it would be purring but once it sensed that I was awake it would meow and rub against the window. I want a cat so bad now. In the morning while I readied myself for surveying I left some food for the cat and we left.

Our first meeting was with Dr. McKay. She is really set on us achieving only 100 houses. So today I presented my case, we have enough time to get a little more. Finally after 10 minutes or so we both compromised. I agreed not to include the last houses in the back of San Martin which we have titled Zone 3 and that it would be beneficial for us to at least complete all the houses in the main part of San Martin. I think this is a good compromise that way we don’t use a lot more surveys than intended and we also get a better number. Dr. McKay’s office will be giving us another 30 surveys however Mrs. Pate has indicated that it may take much longer than a day to get survey copies and to return in the afternoon.

When we returned in the afternoon the surveys were not yet made. Roberta had also just arrived from her internship in Belize City and I felt really bad since she had taken time out of her day and we were not going to be able to accomplish much.  In the evening we decided to eat at the mom-and-pop establishment across from Ice Point, we then headed back to our house where I taught Roberta Epi-Info . After Epi Info Suzie and I went running in the community behind our house, which was a welcomed adrenaline rusher. Wednesday was very similar to Tuesday, however I have began to notice that women from the surrounding countries are more likely to use contraceptives than women from Belize. Very interesting.

On Thursday we were able to complete all the sections in San Martin, which means all households have been visited at least once and we need to revisit some of the households that did not have a family member present. To award myself on Thursday night I watched “the Blind Side” which is a great feel good movie. My spirits were definitely lifted.