Tea Time

Upon waking from a wine-induced slumber I thought to myself... I need a cup of tea.

On the surface, this ain't no big thing.  But, when I thought about it, I came to the realization that I have officially begun assimilating myself into the norm of my surroundings (there is a lot of tea drinking that goes on in New Zealand). That's pretty cool.

This also got me thinking about the differences between studying abroad here and the first time I studied abroad in England nearly 10 years ago.  It seemed like a semester in Oxford was a long time to spend away from home and now, after three months, I couldn't imagine packing up and leaving for New York (yet).  Despite what I now realize was a blip in time, I'm still amazed (and thankful) that I was able to make such great friends back then.  The Oxford Girls, as I affectionately call them, were my posse of party/travel buddies.  To some degree they still are - we've managed to meet up in Vegas, Phoenix, New Orleans, Chicago, and even my little hometown to reminisce about the good old days and celebrate (we've traded in dancing on table tops at bars and clubs for busting a move on the dance floor at weddings).

Last night, some girls from Abbey College and I had a night out on the town.  The five of us got gussied up and headed down George Street to the Octagon for a glass of vino and some dancing.  It was a blast!  Yes, there are stories that we'll be talking about for ages to come, but nothing that was bad enough to land someone in jail.  I think it's the beginning of friendships that will endure time and distance, just like the ones I formed in Oxford.

I'm looking forward to more times out with them, even if the morning after starts off a little rough.

M'mm MInT-y!

I have a job! Yay!

Today was my first day as a research assistant for the MInT (Motivation Interviewing in Treatment) study.  Not only is it a relief to finally have $ coming in, but I'm also excited to work with the families.

The children in the study are overweight.  Some families will receive "special" treatment by a multidisciplinary team to help create behavior changes to improve weight status.  Basically, I book 12- and 24- month follow-up health checks.  During the checks, children between the ages of 4-8 come to have anthropometric measurements.  These include height, weight and waist circumference.  Then I plot their measurements on a chart to give to their parent/guardian and go over the results with the parent/guardian.  The goal is to compare weight outcomes of children in the special treatment group to the "usual" care group.

I shadowed the other research assistant for the first appointment.  When we plotted the child's measurements we noticed that they fell in the "normal" range - this is an improvement from 6 months ago.   The next child I measured by myself and my hands were freezing... the poor kid had to endure the cold measuring tape and my cold hands while I measured waist circumference.  Brr!  When I plotted the measurements they ended up being off the chart.  I was reluctant to go over such results with the parent, but my mentor assured me that it'd be okay.  And, it was.  I go back on Friday to schedule appointments and continue doing more measurements.

I finally feel like I'm starting to get a routine - it feels great!

Video Update

Hi folks!  It's been a long time since I posted my first video update.  Sorry!  Also, apologies for the thumbnail that YouTube chose.  What is with that?!

Stuff this!

We did it!  There are over 1,300 "Lifestyle, Eating Habits and Your Wellbeing" surveys currently making their way to women ages 43-53 all across New Zealand.  What a feat to get the job done!

If you thought that stuffing surveys would be easy. Think again!

Follow these simple steps and you, too, could achieve a nearly 80% response rate.

1. Handwrite each participants name on the "Dear ___" line of the cover letter.  Next, handwrite signatures for both students named as the researchers.
2. Bandage paper cuts.
3. Stick a pen to each cover letter.
4. Bandage paper cuts. Complain about fingers being sticky.
5. Make sure each survey has all of its pages.  
6. Bandage paper cuts.
7. Fold a free post envelope around each survey.
8. Bandage paper cuts.
9. Match cover letter identification numbers with survey identification numbers.
10. Bandage paper cuts.
11. Paperclip cover letter to survey.  Slide a tea bag into paper clip.
12. Bandage paper cuts. Take a break for a cup of tea made from a "reject" tea bag.  
13. Stuff into envelope for mailing.  Place in mailing flats. DON'T LET ANYTHING GET OUT OF POST CODE ORDER!
14. Bandage paper cuts.  Flash the evil eye to other students who look like they are about to place a survey out of post code order.
15. Locate envelopes for randomly selected women to receive small monetary token of appreciation.  Insert $.
16. Seal all envelopes.
17. Bandage paper cuts.  Complain that back hurts from bending over to seal envelopes.
18. Package mailing flats by buckling covers around the flats.
19. Call mail room guys to pick up the bundles of joy.  
20. Breathe a sigh of relief and mutter, "Goodbye and good riddance" as the bundles of joy leave the office.

But, by no means are we done yet.  We still have to send thank you/reminder postcards in a week.  Then, we'll send a replacement questionnaire to non-respondents about a week after that.  Then, we'll send a final reminder postcard.

Phwew!

Then, and only then, the real fun begins... after about two months the answers will be input into a database and the work of cleaning and analyzing data will begin.

And you know what? I can't wait!

Autumn in Aotearoa

The Mãori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, "the land of the long white cloud.” 

Fiordland trip March 2012

Lately, it seems as though that long cloud has been bringing cold, wind, and rain with it!  But, on a nice day like today, there is plenty of sun and just enough of a breeze to watch leaves softly floating to the ground.

Yesterday, I volunteered at the Lovelock Relay races, an annual event held to honor Jack Lovelock.  Lovelock was from New Zealand and a gold medal winner in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  

My job was helping Helen keep track of teams as they came across the finish line.  Hands down, the under 12 relay was the cutest event.  This little girl was on a team of other kids no older than 4 or 5.  

Last night, I attended a birthday party where everyone had to dress up as a famous person.  I tried dressing up as Lady Gaga, but only managed to pull off the hair. Sort of.

Still, it made for a fun evening!  There was a Katy Perry, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and even a Paper Bag Princess.  

It hasn't been all play, though.  I'm still working on a manuscript on the response rates to a mailed survey based on the type of incentive the women received.  I turned in a rough copy to my advisor, but I have some major work to do. Here's hoping I turn out something brilliant, or at least publishable, when it's done!

Warm Lovin' from New York

Today was one of those days where I was really doubting myself.  After a research team meeting, I worried about what would happen if my advisors discovered that I wasn't bright enough to be here.  I am not to the point where I can argue for against anything related to our research... it's not that I don't care - in fact, quite the opposite!

I just feel like the tee-ball player wanting to play in the major leagues.  I have the general idea of what I'm doing, but seriously lacking some skills.  It will come in time, though.  I'm "tough" as my dad would say and I know I'll catch up to where I think I "should" be.

I quickly was pulled out of my mini funk when my flatmate told me I had a sweet parcel waiting for me.

Lo and behold this fantastic masterpiece:

Angela, Diana and Jo sent me love all the way from New York!  How lucky am I???!!!!  I was THRILLED to find school stuff like Post-it notes, notebooks and highlighters, and yummy stuff like fig newtons (training food!) and Hershey's chocolate (post-training food!), and triathlon stuff like new running socks and, most importantly, a COWBELL.

You're jealous that I have a yellow BCTC cowbell, aren't you?

I may have teared up just a smidge when the TA patch fell out of the card.  Tammy was a good friend of ours that we met through the club and she is sorely missed.

So, ladies - thank you soooooo much for thinking of me!!  I am beyond overwhelmed at how thoughtful you were.  Visit soon!

Silver Peak Geeks

Wednesday was Anzac Day in New Zealand.  It's a holiday to remember/honor those who served/are serving the country.

Since the University was observing the holiday we didn't have classes or offices to report to.  So, a fellow Abbey resident organized a trip to Silverpeaks.

The area doesn't look like it's filled with intimidating tracks to hike.  But, unfortunately, the weather conditions are unpredictable and have lead to a number of rescues.

I wasn't expecting the stupid prickly gorse that was everywhere.  The paths were very narrow and it was hard to avoid having my exposed legs shredded.  If you plan on tramping in New Zealand, you would be very smart to pack gaitors with you!

Three of us completed the 5.9 mile walk in about 3 hours.  Luckily, the weather stayed nice.

No big hiking plans coming up in the near future because the weather is starting to cool down.  Guess that means I'll make LOTS of progress on the literature review for my thesis??