Today was an interesting day...truly an exercise in patience. I spent 9 hours at the Central Bank today pleading for a particular dataset of disaggregated state and local budgets. After a lot of back and forth, being passed around, schmoozing, begging, I have been told to come back on Thurs to get the data. We shall see but fingers are crossed! Besides, now I'm BFF with their statistics office!
I have a feeling that a lot of my trip will be like this...waiting, pleading, forcing myself to be patient. But I'll do it! And besides, that's extra time to catch up on fic ;)
Furthermore, I will never again underestimate the power of a letter of introduction. Two of my advisors wrote on my behalf and it has TOTALLY opened doors for me!
My faith in humanity is being restored. People genuinely want to help me, maybe because they remember what its like to be a student. I don't know, but it makes me feel good...like I will be able to get everything done that I need to.
*SIDENOTE*
1. So I took a taxi home from the Bank...traffic was nuts, rain pouring, lightening flashing. My cab driver had the idea to jump the curb and DRIVE ON THE SIDEWALK! He was beeping the horn at pedestrians like THEY were in the wrong. Simultaneously the craziest, scariest, funniest experience of my trip so far. I'm pretty certain I'll never have what it takes to drive in this country!
2. I had veuve clicquot for the first time tonight...very DELICIOUS! I think I'm starting to develop expensive tastes.
*SIGH* I doubt tomorrow will be as interesting...probably a trip to the hair salon then entering more data into spreadsheets. Definitely living the life ;)
Until later! x
Olufunmbi M. Elemo, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate Political Science Michigan State University elemoolu@msu.edu Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
No comments:
Post a Comment