Friday, the 29th I met the girl who I will be traveling with on my journey to India, her name is Taylor and to put it bluntly I am SO happy she is not weird! She is awesome, and I can already tell we are going to have a blast together. We may even have a little too much fun- she is outspoken, I am outspoken, she likes to shop, I like to shop... this could be an explosive mixture! YES, exactly what I was hoping for. However I have much more than corner street markets to be excited for, she is going to India for polar opposite reasoning. She is studying public health at Oregon State (yes, she is a beaver) and wants to gain experience in the public health and alternative medicine aspects of our journey. I expect it to be a huge learning experience for both of us. It will be nice to travel with someone who will be paying attention to, and mid-banking completely different details than I will. We sat down and chatted for a few hours and even with our different career goals and expectations from the program, we both recognize how much of an impact this internship will have on us, and our future aspirations. Overall we want the same awesome experiences- and I expect nothing less than that.
Fast forward 24 hours...
Saturday, the 30th was my official graduation party. It was a wonderful night filled with laughs, friends, 'special watermelon' and good times. I couldn't have asked for a better day, even if I did indulge in a little too much turkey and cake. Thank you to everyone who attended and even to those who couldn't make it. I seriously cannot be more thankful for all the well-wishes. I have noticed the more I fixate on my graduation, and reflect on the past five years, completion is quickly becoming more of a reality. It is especially becoming more real with every passing "congratulations" and the ever so pressing question: "how does it feel to be done?" What is my answer to the question you ask.... well, technically I am not done because I have India to look forward to. Therefore, until I return on December 20, 2011 I am STILL a student who is living the dream one day at a time.
So now its Monday, August 1 and crunch time begins, in T-minus EXACTLY 2 months I will be touching down in India, beginning my three month journey... WOW! I had a passport, but needless to say, through the numerous moves, vacations, and several required proof of identity times over the years-- it has been lost. Not good. So of course, now I am on the path to getting a new one, I shouldn't have any problems, but they don't make this easy. I am going to turn in the paperwork and get it expedited on Wednesday. I am not so worried I wont have it in time, but still not having it in my possession makes me slightly nervous. After I get it back in the mail (about 2-ish weeks), it is time to apply for my India visa, and then its time to PURCHASE MY AIRLINE TICKET!!!
As far as recent events goes-- that's about it.
Upcoming events-- so much more.
I will be heading down to Eugene to begin my vaccinations this Friday. After talking with so many people about side effects, regional prevalence, usefulness and my personal favorite, cost ($1700 total to be exact, if I get them all) I am still in the process of selecting which vaccinations are right for me. I am slightly torn on a lot of them.
Example: Japanese encephalitis
$750 for a three shot series
low prevalence in the areas I will primarily be in
vaccine side effects: none or myocarditis, nausea, vomiting, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few
disease symptoms: death, coma, seizures, permanent memory loss, brain damage
I certainly don't need any more brain issues.... so you see my dillema?
For now though, I have a week to make up my mind, many more people to consult, and much more research to do. I will be sure to keep you updated about my decisions.
That is all the randomness I have for now, as departure still seems so far away...
-Shelane
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