Crystal’s Adventures

Conference report
I’m sure you’re all eagerly waiting to hear how my Contraceptive Technology conference in Boston went. It was an extremely interesting event! I learned a lot about the latest innovations in family planning technology, including new hormonal dosage standards and delivery methods, new IUDs, updates on STD Rx guidelines and much more. One of the funniest parts was the fancy luncheon on Thursday, featuring illustrious FHI researcher and family planning clinician Dr. David Grimes, who spoke about “Contraceptive Considerations for Obese Women” while we ate! By the end of the day on Friday, Anuj and I decided to skip one of the sessions so we could kick off our shoes and play Gin Rummy in the park outside the hotel.

I have new ideas for my own new contraceptive inventions, including “Condo-pants” – the solution for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) prevention. As you may know, condoms do not protect us fully from HPV and HSV because they do not cover the man’s entire genital area. Condo-pants, on the other hand, are latex underwear for men that would cover everything, with a special condom-like pouch for the penis and testicles. One advantage to condo-pants is that unlike condoms, men don’t have to wait for an erection to put them on – they can prepare in advance by wearing them under their clothes during the dinner and movie!

The food we sampled in Boston was exceptional. The first night, we visited Legal Seafood and ate delicious fresh wood-grilled fish, scallops and shrimp. On Friday I had a fresh albacore tuna sandwich and burned my tongue (totally worth it) on some scrumptious Boston clam chowder.

On Thursday evening, the conference offered an Old Town Trolley Tour of Boston. I invited my Peace Corps friend Jim along on this tour, which featured a hyper-enthusiastic driver who calls himself Mr. President. We learned very little about the history of Boston but had a great time. Jim and I ate dinner in Little Italy and I tried my first cannoli! Delicious! On Friday evening, the weather was beautiful, so we toured Boston on foot for about 3 hours and had cocktails on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower.

Our move
Arrived yesterday back in North Carolina, and my awesome husband and his friends moved all of our furniture and belongings to the new digs in Durham. It is so HUGE compared to our place in Chapel Hill, not to mention beautiful. We’ll post pictures of it once we’re finished unpacking. Send me an e-mail message if you need our new address.

Miscellaneous
Have you ever wanted to run a half marathon? Me too! I’m planning to train (starting in early July) for the “Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Half Marathon” in Virginia Beach, VA on September 3 using the 8-week training schedule by Health magazine. Download the free PDF!

Are you afraid that you or someone you know could be at risk for getting HIV? There is a national HIV hotline you can call to find testing centers in your area and HIV prophylaxis if you may have been recently exposed. 1-800-232-4636 provides 24-hour information, 7 days/week.

Check out “Buy me a drink. I’m Gabonese” and other Gabo t-shirts available from Amazon.com.