ready to go.....

Sitting in the Vancouver BC airport waiting to board the plane to Hong Kong and then Bali. We will spend Fri, Sat and Sun in Bali and then on to Timor. Everything is a finished as it can be at home with work and family. Always more that could have gotten done but all the critical things are done for now and a new vista of work is emerging through the cloud of issues that is in front of me. We have appointments to make and keep with key people as soon as we get there. The pivotal issues of how data driven vs how 'qualitative' the project will be is still a major issue ahead of us. The level of cooperation from the health ministry and other key partners will not really be know until we are there and have talked with those key player in the process. As always Sierra and Sean have already and will continue to be critical to our success. Small nations are always so interesting because you can see how the power structure works so much more clearly. The same things go down in the US government we just do not get to see at because we are so far from the leavers of power.

It is so exciting to get out on the trail. I feel sorry for those still at home. Jiasong most I think, she loves so much to travel and it is really hard on her to have me out there and her at home. I really do appreciate how supportive she is and how organized and helpful in making this (and all the projects I do) possible. TaiMing was great tonight at dinner speaking three languages and being so polite and thoughtful far beyond his 6 years. He really enjoys speaking Cantonese and is expanding his vocabulary and takes the tonality of nine tones in his stride. The waiter and waitress were smitten in a wonderful way with him. I will need at some point to improve my Tetun (easy to do as I am moving up from nothing).

Wonderful to have two great kids in Timor before me. The more I learn about Matthias' projects the more impressed I am. Sierra just keeps cranking out amazing work too. Sean has been having more fun and doing more travel and organizing than ever. One proud papa her all the way round.

Well just checking in before getting on the plane. Hope you will stay in touch!

Frank