Fresh Start - 8 Jun 2010

Started today at 11:30am, I walked in the main entrance to the office at 11:28am coz we were kind of lost trying to get here. I received a warm welcome from Brian Hui, the Center's Project Coordinator who introduced me to Lupe Fifita who is the Patient Navigator. These two individuals were just too nice that right there and then I felt like I was at home. Had a little one-on-one chat with Brian just trying to get acquainted and see what I will be interested in doing. However, because Vanessa who is the Outreach Coordinator for the Center was still in a meeting, we waited till she gets back for the remaining of getting to know each other. I was led into the opposite office off Brian's office where Lupe and Vanessa and I will be working most of the time. Had a nice chat with Lupe and love the fact that speaks Tongan fluently so that when I have trouble trying to explain something she will be able to help me along on the side.

Vanessa came in a bit later after her meeting and just meeting her for the first time made me realize that this was really REAL. The office was kind of what I expected it to be, small with a lot of files, books and papers around. We had a quick meeting, just introducing myself and letting them know what I am interested in doing, what I have been doing in school and classes that I've taken. For one of our projects for SIFE and for English I had to read to the elementary kids for a semester and so the idea of my project came up to try teach TONGAN to elementary level kids throughout the summer and ofcourse alongside help with whatever's there that I can do to help with everyone else is working on.

Our little meeting ended up in a Vietnamese Restaurant with just me and Nessa and Lupe because Brian had to run to a meeting. It was a good start and a very nice kick off for an exciting and yes! hopefully a successful summer. So far, I'm already loving life as an intern.