change in plans

well, i feel like i am making these entries about ME when really they should be about the research i have the opportunity to do here. however, since research is rather slow to start-up, i guess conversation about my research will be slow to start as well.

good news and bad news: the bad news is i am still sick. that's not really bad news just bothersome, for me in particular. stomach bacteria?? still there as far as i can tell (i don't think even cod liver oil could cure that one--- thanks though, halli). body aches: check. sore throat: check. occasional cough: check. massive headache: check. fever off and on: check. cool, everything is in check.

the good news is that i will be able to start my research soon, just in a different location than planned. i am going to stay here for a while and do some archival work from the UN Tribunal to begin with. since they deal with the rwandan genocide, they have quite a few experts on hand(including people working with the rape victims from the genocide who have appeared in court) AND have contacts in Kigali. but... as it is already towards the end of the week, i am going to start things at the beginning of the week with interviews at the Tribunal here because people are so scattered over the next two days. so i'll be extending my stay here 'til around may 3rd/4th, depending on what day i can actually get out. i believe the flight with precision air leaves on the 4th, so beggars can't be choosers. that leaves me three weeks to divide between kigali and goma.

not quite the time i was hoping for there, but i have a feeling it's still plenty of time. in the meantime, i'll just get done as much as i can from here: archival data collection, possibly a few interviews (with victims from the genocide who are here to take the stand in court), interview some of those who have worked with some of the victims, get some sound contacts through the Tribunal here for Kigali, etc. nonetheless, i am sure it will all work out. at this point, i am wondering if i am going to have too MUCH info. i'll gripe about that later though.

part of me wonders if i am taking the easy way out with this. sure, it's easier to "tweak" my topic to fit circumstances here. or am i being smart and just doing what i can with the situation? because to be honest, it DOES cause me a bit of nerves to think of going to kigali without sound contacts and then over to goma, where i haven't been able to get ahold of anyone for nearly two weeks. nerves are cool and doable, but am i letting them dictact my plans and actions here? after all of the preliminary work, i hope not.

there is still much to accomplish with 3 weeks between Kigali and Goma, which i plan to get done. i am just trying to roll with the punches here, i only hope i am rolling the right way. there i go talking about myself again...

basically, i just hope i do this research justice. feeling better would be nice as well, but i won't complain about losing a few of the guinness lbs which have managed to find their way on my body over the past 8 months.