April 2011
2 posts
Back in the States...
Back in the states at last and let me say reverse culture shock is a crazy thing…
After I catch up on sleep, grab hold of my emotions, and process all that I have experienced since February, I’ll write like I have never written before…
For now, I shall continue to search for cows in the streets and recover from the jetlag after days of travel.
* Please check out the link...
Update at last....
Aloha to all of my family and friends who so kindly take the time to read my blog. Please forgive me for taking so long to write and provide you all with updates about my adventures and travels here in India.
Between each cup of ginger-infused chai tea, inhalation of rickshaw exhaust, tour of city palaces and forts, and three hour camel rides, I struggle to find a spare moment to simply...
March 2011
23 posts
MARCH 22nd: Patience....again
Patience—the reoccurring lesson
Another day of field research. Another day of unexpected change in plans. Another day of long group discussions. Fleshing out ideas. Fine-tuning details. This morning two of our group members were feeling physically exhausted. I took it upon myself to revive the energy so we could have a productive day. Speaking slowly to my India peers, utilizing facial...
MARCH 20TH: Excited.
Today, our schedule was once again packed with class and activities. Sarah and I had a great day of research yesterday and have brainstormed quite a bit about our project solution.
As I have mentioned again and again, the choice to focus on HIV/AIDS presented us with many challenges in terms of research in the community. Our group has done an excellent job and today we made a final decision to do...
MARCH 16TH: Failure is the Best Opportunity of...
Failure as opportunity!
Today was an extremely bust day chock full of field research. Our group visited a range of sites, and overall gather quality research which we are anxious to link together. Though research has been going well, we are experiencing some frustration. Many other groups in class seem to have their solutions (for the social issue) completely worked out. Our group has a...
MARCH 15th: HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE
HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE
Following a busy day of class and research, yoga is what my body craves. The days here in Hubli are getting longer and longer! We were quite fortunate to find a fantastic yoga instructor who has classes in her home, which is just a twenty minute walk away from the hostel we are staying in. The instructor is absolutely fabulous and yoga classes with her are like no other yoga...
MARCH 14th: MAKE TIME
Although it may be more convenient for me to claim I do not have time to do things, the claim is dishonest. In my eyes, convenience simply cannot take precedence over honesty.
I have time to brush, floss, and rinse with Listerine each day. I find time to run and stretch in the morning. So this week I will make time to read the paper, go to yoga, and…AND….post my blogs the day after I write them!...
MARCH 13th: RIDE A CAMEL
RIDE A CAMEL.
Ride a camel.
And when you do, forget your camera.
No photograph can capture the essence of the experience.
That’s all : )
MARCH 12th: ENJOY
ENJOY
Enjoy the wind in your hair.
Enjoy natural laughter.
Enjoy wisdom.
Enjoy excellent conversation.
Enjoy homemade food.
Enjoy being immersed in a body of water at night.
Enjoy the twinkling of the stars.
Enjoy every moment spent with a quality friend…
…especially if there are guavas involved.
If there is just one thing to enjoy in life…
If there is...
MARCH 11th: TAKE A RISK
TAKE A RISK
My father always reminds me, “If you are not living life on the edge, you’re taking up too much room”. Taking risks and living life on the edge is thrilling. I live for it. The motto, “go with what you know” has value, but through many experiences the choices I have made to explore the unknown dark caves, to take a risk and jump off the seacliffs, and the like have been the most...
March 9th: INTERNALIZE WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS
More Dr. Suess…
March 10th: HAVE COURAGE
HAVE COURAGE
Presentations. How frightful being up on stage can be. Beady eyes stare at you the minute you open your mouth. The butterflies flutter in your stomach. You pray your rapid heartbeat will calm. If you run out of the room right now, will the consequences be that bad?
Some people may fear public speaking, but I secretly enjoy it. The reason I love it remains arcane even to me. Today was...
MARCH 8th: BE YOURSELF
Short Story: As I sip my warm chai tea from the traditional tin cup, I enjoy the fifteen-minute morning break with the company of my Indian friends Jagadeesh and Mahesh. Standing on the gray stone patio, heated by the bright sun, is just bareable. The flavor of the tea and the animated facial expressions of my companny is worth it. After sharing some laughs, we wander back to class. An elderly...
MARCH 7TH: CHERISH GOOD HEALTH
From the pungent spices in each dish to the smooth texture of warm Indian breads, my fellow students and I have embraced this new, local cuisine. The food we consume each meal is always an experience in itself. I enjoy the light, fluffy texture and mildly sweet taste of a banana lassi. The crisp flavor of fresh sugar-cane juice freshly pressed and the revitalizing coconut are my two favorite...
MARCH 6th: SMILE
The chai was rather tasty…
Walking through the campus…
We Northeastern students enjoy the smiles and enthusiasm of the young Indian children as they show off their math and English skills.
[Once I figure out how to post a video, I shall surely do so]
LOVE LIFE
Today, was another exciting day. 6:45 a.m. run…breakfast at the canteen….Day 3 of the Global Corp Practicum…a delicious lunch…an excellent group reflection session…Day 2 of yoga on the roof of a local Indian woman’s home…a walking tour of another side of Hubli…satisfying Indian dinner…a hug from a good friend…and now the internet is...
“Do the best you can, given the time you...
“Do the best you can, given the time you have”—Lori
Throughout my time as a human services major, I have come to appreciate concepts and ideas that apply to life outside of the classroom. During my service-learning experience at BCT I was challenged in a variety of ways. When I reflect on my experiences during the implementation of my capacity building project, I am reminded of...
So You Want to Race?
So, you want to Race?
I awake to the soft beeping of my Timex watch, an alarm clock that is barely sufficient. 6:30 a.m. The sun is up and I suppose I should be too. Knowing my running buddy is expecting me at 6:45 in the courtyard area outside our bedrooms, I force open my eyes and drag my body out of bed. Today, I am just not feeling it—my legs are slightly fatigued and my energy is not high as...
When a Nalgene Meets Indian Sewage
When a Nalgene Meets Indian Sewage
Nothing in India has happened so slowly. As the Hubli sun beats down on me, I walk along the uneven stone sidewalk to lunch with my newfound friends. Hoping to avoid sweat stains on my emerald green tunic patterned with ivory flowers, I loosen the straps of my smoky gray backpack to create space for ventilation. Great conversation and ab-tightening laughs...
February 2011
2 posts
2nd attempt to post Blog 2 : )
DESCRIBE My service-learning experience at BCT has evolved greatly over the last couple weeks. We began with field-work and now have done a lot of work “behind-the-scenes” so to speak. The field work truly immersed us in the Indian culture—the rural villages, the chai, even the bus ride to get to service learning. The “behind the scenes work” has consisted of typing up case notes and...
Be Patient!
Blog One: Interactions with my Community Partner-BCT (Foster Care Center)
My service-learning experience at BCT (Bhoruka Charitable Trust) Foster Care has been absolutely incredible thus far. I never could have imagined clear articulation of my experiences could be so difficult. Going into the homes of local Indian villagers has made the level of my learning extremely high. The hospitality each...
