Quit-Pitt-Shit

I am done. Done. And I'm never going back.

Until the beginning of January. But it will be even more short lived than this little obsession that brought me here. I hate (as in, absolutely) this college. I took my last final today. I did terribly. Just one of those things you know off the bat. The reason you know it is because you never knew it; I don't think I learned a damn thing this semester. The things that some of these "professors" attempted to teach the class were wrong. And I am aware of this misinformed knowledge because I've ALREADY LEARNED THIS STUFF IN COLLEGE!!!

The texts are outdated (usually something I normally wouldn't mind due to my desire to use cheaper older editions, but my god, things in the health realm do change if FIVE years pass). My Informatics book cited Wikipedia. WIKIPEDIA. One of my professors sounded very adamant when telling us that men have atypical chest pain during a heart attack, whereas women have that very strong, heavy, crushing feeling when the heart infarcts (ummmm, I think most of us--non-health people included--learn in middle school that this is in fact not the case). They try to teach us to do a nutritional assessment by having us keep a 3 day food diary OURSELVES (and why not do an actual assessment on someone else, like you would on a patient, that makes far too much sense). These are a few things that have really irked my bones the past 4 months in regards to the curriculum/program content. Don't even get me started on the positioning of the soap dispensers in the bathrooms...

I can honestly say I've never been more let down by such a huge life decision in my, ahem, life. Ugh. This education ain't cheap.

Disappointment such as this has led to a bit of a turn: I'm quitting Pitt (with the exception of a disaster management course just for kicks) and transferring to Ohio University. It's going to be so much more wallet-friendly as well as less time-constraining (as far as my ridiculous night-day-night-day swing shift schedule goes). It's an online program. I've always felt a little funny doing internet classes in the past, but I'm much more excited about this than paying 6 G's a semester to listen to incompetent professors rattle on...

Also exited, I might add, to be reunited with G Town peeps (word to my mother) even if only briefly...THIS week!!!

gNarly November

Mom turned 28 this year and Brent and I arrived in town to briefly celebrate with some cheesecake, say hello to the folks who had just returned from a 6.7 year journey out west, and gorge ourselves on all the free (sort of) samples we could manage at the Fabulous Food Show. Fabulous, indeed.

Next stop, Jamaica?

Halfversary

I turned 22.5, which means I've been here 6 months, I had my first evaluation at work, a student nurse is going to shadow me briefly next week (role shock!!!), and I found this lovely gussied up hospital frock on the table in the locker room...

Ridic

It's [H1N1] flu season and...

There is a national shortage of masks.

I work on a respiratory floor with immunocompromised patients.

Bah!!

Blast from your past

It's been one helluva Team Grodek month. Maj and Paj were here. We did the typical tourist forays: Cemetery tours, Cemetery lunches, Strip walks, Strip teases, Thai treats, Incline seats. They were going to come here last month for Little Italy days, but Maggie, Liam, and I went to Maryland for the Renaissance Festival the same weekend. I think my favorite part of that was seeing my vegetarian friend Maggie take a whopping mouthful out of a giant red roasted turkey leg.

Presently, I'm in Chicago with Selena while she alters a sunshine yellow three dolla bill ya'll trench coat for me. We just dropped off the rest of the sibs in their respective transportation mode stops. Getting here was more difficult than that, and more difficult than I wanted it to be. Danielle and I BOTH missed our flights, hers from Columbus, mine from Pittsburgh. Funny enough, after our standby status was confirmed and passed, our flights were miraculously delayed and perfect in timing in that we arrived in Chicago minutes apart.

Brent had never been here before. The occasion was a 1000th show spectacular from one of my favorite bands. We couldn't remember the last time we'd all been to a show together. It was magical and sweaty, much like this New England day in 2005:

Annapolis, MD

with the Magster

I'd take G4 any day...

Most people I speak with back home haven't heard of the G20. Here, it's affecting most everyone's lives for a few days. Adversely. 'Cept those school kids...almost all of the colleges have closed their campuses today and tomorrow. 'Cept Pitt, cause is sucks, so I'm learning.

I've been receiving these long, drawn out emails from my unit director at work. If you live on the east end (which I do), please schedule yourself to work Thursday and Friday. Why? If you live anywhere else, it will take you 3 times the amount of time you usually take to drive to get to work. If you work 7a-7p today, you are welcome to stay at the hospital overnight. Why? You won't be physically able to leave. Why? There will be a 0.5-1 mile radius closed around the Presby campus. Phipps Conservatory is the scene of some big dinner this evening. No buses, no cars, and you better carry two forms of ID at all times in case you get accosted by the police.

If you don't prefer to live at your workplace (but I can't imagine who wouldn't want to have a one night stand with C. diff and MRSA and VRE), then there's another option: pay 40 bucks and sleep at Family House. As for the 7p-7a shift tonight, it will take you between 3 and 6 hours to get to work. You bes be leaving yo hiz at 2pm (when you should probably be sleeping so you can actually take care of people tonight). Hey, maybe they'll have a few extra hospital beds for a pre-work nap. Thank something or someone I still have class today, and that I have my own two feet and two wheels to get me to work tomorrow.

There are 3 designations for the wounded:

West Penn (right next to me in Little Italy) for the tear gassed protesters
Shadyside (right next to me down Aiken) for the beat up coppers
Presbyterian (my hospital, 30 minute walk/15 minute bike ride away) for the pres and co.

Ha. Maybe 10D will get to meet a well known diplomat. Maybe not. If something happens to one of them, they come to Presby and they take over. Take over? That means there will be no use for us, ie. they bring in their own staff and we get tossed aside. Sort of like that old phone book somewhere on my shelf...

Consult: Dream Interpreter

Someone used my deodorant. And I was pissed. I mean, royally, royally, pissed.

Fatigued and elated...

is the name of this summer game:

filling up on groceries
canoeing the Youg
looking out the window nook to see the early morning fog
baking in an oven though its door never closes
community herb gardens and pink wedding roses
a full time job and a book of matches
exploring new 'hoods with June love catches
wine corks in the park
and half-price Indian food
killing with kindness those who are rude
getting new two-wheels and revamping the old
refraining from complaining when the climate's a bit cold
Quiet Storm shakes and cemetery strolls
friends making faces that make them look like trolls
washing masses of one-person dishes in a too-tiny sink
starting to like that sweaty cyclist stink
parking in the garage then checking the mail
inability to keep up with graham crackers going stale
collecting triple A maps
hammering holes in the wall
knowing this could only be so great after summer warps into fall

Catch up, Cats up

I wanted to mention this before. As in, just after this happened about 1.5 months ago. Thus far, this summer, 2/3rds of the Grodek clan has traveled to this lovely city.

With this

that

and the other

able to set aside some time to see this burglar of a burgh, it's been quite possibly one of the best summers ever.


Bethany, West Virginy was even kind enough to show me what it's all about for an evening. As it turns out, the answer is Not Much. (aside from a college and winding roads). Jay came for a visit, one that was filled with park strolls, eating, country wedding music in the durtaaaay south, and more eating.


Although many of the items on my Prior to Going Back to School Activities List were not crossed off in these past few months, I was able to manage the time to hang out in Ohiopyle for a few days. Anna and I broke our bodies on natural water slides, explored an abandoned house, got invited to soothe our "sore" muscles in a random hot tub, consumed possum sauce, slept on the porch of that abandoned house, watched the sun rise over the clouds, and pseudo-spleunked in the Laurel Caverns.

Here is the view from Bowmann's Rock. Sunrise complete with clouds above, clouds below.

Class starts tomorrow. Umm. Gross.

Out the house

Brent graduated. The last of us kids.



Work orientation is almost over, and it's quite possibly the scariest feeling in my entire life (next to believing that bee swarms will eat you in your sleep). I think it will be okay once I get accustomed to the inter workings of the hospital. And saving people. Oyyyyyyy. I could, however, really get used to this working 12 hours shifts. 4 days of non-working days a week???!! It's the reason why Selena and the Boy are able to spend so much time in the 'burgh with me over the next few days! Danielle, give up the west coast!!

MeNmyBirfdayCake

Bees for Breakfast, Owls for Brunch, Ricotta for Dinner (must've missed lunch...)

The carnage...there was plenty more where that came from!

Most darling bathroom in the history of bathrooms: The Zenith. Be sure to enter the one on your left.

Chocolate Ricotta Torte. Recipe compliments of my sweet cuz Lorelei: http://favoritefamilyrecipes.tumblr.com/

I was introduced to the most amazing eating establishment this past weekend. It involved a vegetarian brunch buffet. BUFFET! All the richest, most delicious cakes, salads, and tea one could ever want. The bathroom wasn't too shabby either...

My friend DJ came to visit me! She's my first visitor from back home. We indulged in a little IKEA shopping spree. Spent lots and lotsa dough on needless household furnishings, all her influence.

Please try the above-linked recipe for a chocolate ricotta torte! It's so easy and scrumptious. Brought it to a friend's BBQ on Sunday. Should have made an extra and designated it for my apartment. Dang.

Faith +1, Grodek Style

Last morning in G town.

The Most Treacherous Day in the 'Burgh Yet

Today I attended a grueling 8-hr non-stop speak-a-thon, ie. my first day of UPMC orientation. After a hard day's work of Pull-Off-Your-Ears-Listening-To-That-HIPAA-Junk-For-The-80th-Time-Since-You-Were-Born, I came home for a little well-deserved R&R to a swarm of bees who had taken over my apartment while I was gone for the day. They gave me no notice.

Bright Lights, Steel City

I am in Pittsburgh. I like it. Kind of.

Finally got cable today and hooked up to the internet MYSELF! That's right, I didn't even need to make one customer service phone call to my mom. Perhaps I should be working for Comcast. Ha.


Seems my "first" possessions that I acquired back in Ohio haven't boded well for me thus far.

My first:
china set, I wrapped back up and will give to my brother. Too many bowls and saucers to count.
piece of furniture, a big bulky TV cabinet, I put out in the yard in front of my apartment. Didn't fit.
appliance, a second-hand electric mixer, I forgot at home in G town.

Which leaves me wondering...do I need all this junk I brought with me in the first place?

Fotos Finally

Well, it took me only about 15 hours, but I've finally *successfully* uploaded photos for your viewing pleasure. Here goes:


Uncle Juanlu You Lied About Picasa's Quickness!

Home with Mixed feelings

I miss these little rascals already.

Yesterday

I accidentally went to 3 brothels.

BOINGGGGGGGGGGG!

I'm not sure why this trip is so filled with adventure sports. I'm not usually the type of person. First the paragliding and now the bungy. Did I mention that even busing in Nepal is an adventure sport (thanks Uncle Juanlu!)?

Yesterday, Jessica, Juan, and I woke up before the crack of dawn to head on over to the Bhote Khosi River. Jessica chose not to jump, but rather to accompany us for the ride. We didn't think we'd make it. I mean, literally, make it to the destination. It wasn't a question of guts. There was another strike on the way. We sat in the blazing sun (but of course!) for a few hours before the travel agency we were with told us we could choose to get off the bus, walk across the road block, and then another bus from near the Tibetan border would pick us up. We started walking not even for 3 minutes before being informed that tourists buses would be allowed through the blockage. Away we went!

The bungy jump...what to say? It was a 160m drop (second highest jump in the world, following Switzerland) down to the Bhote Khosi River. And it wasn't just the river staring us in the face, it was the massive boulders and trees below. Umm...is this safe?

I would totally do this again. After I arrived safely on the riverbank below, I thought I could not do it again. At least not for several more years. On the ride back to KTM, I started wishing I had done a second jump. Hmmm...next jump...Switzerland?

The 3 of us were supposed to go to the Tibetan border and stay the night last night. The site of the bungy jump is so close, so why not? We were going to go to the town of Kodari, where there are wondrous hot springs to give you a break from the Kathmandu dust. Going there yesterday, however, was not an option. Since there was the strike (this is the second day of this particular strike, might I add), no local buses were running. No border for us.

Tomorrow will be my last night in Nepal.

Sagarmatha: Thar She Blows!

I cheated this morning. And I'm not afraid to admit it. Since I didn't allot the time to do any major trekking, I did one of those "Everest Mountain Flights" the LP always talks about. I have no words:





Rs 20 to the first person who knows which is Everest!

Greetings from the Future

Happy 2066!!!

They have two different new year celebrations here. This calendar is used for most things, whereas the Mayan calendar (2009) to which we're all accustomed is used for birthdays and a few other items. Sure makes it difficult for a non-Nepali speaker to follow a patient's chart when she can't understand the dates!

At Long Last, the Lovely Lumbini

I finally made it!!! No bandhs this time, although we were told there was a good chance we wouldn't make it back to Chitwan because of an impending strike. The monastatic (someone please correct me if need be; is this a proper word?) zones of Lumbini are set up like small towns if you will, with a plethora of monasteries that each country has come to Nepal to build. We stayed at the Korean Monastery. They feed you breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have very nice dorms (complete with mosquito nets and hot water!!!) where visitors and monks can stay for a donation only. They have evening as well as morning worship which we attended at each opportunity. I was really impressed not only with the monks and nuns' ability to chant for an hour straight, but even with their ability to sit on their knees for a greater part of the time. I simply could not get comfortable. Actually, being uncomfortable seemed to be the theme for me in this Lumbini trip. I was the most sick I'd been the entire time since arriving in Nepal. I had to stay in bed for the entire afternoon on Wednesday, while the rest of my buddies went bicycling to the World Peace Pagoda (yet another!) and the various monasteries around. By the end of the afternoon, however, I forced myself to get up and go myself. I was not going to waste this beautiful opportunity!!!




View from the Sal tree, birth site of Lord Buddha.


This week concluded my health post in Chitwan. In our last days at the hospital, Jessica and I moved from the ED to the Labor & Delivery ward. It's funny. Here, I saw the only birth I've ever witnessed. And it's true what you learn in school. South Asian culture and births. Very stoic. I don't think that woman batted an eyelash, although I was cringing every second.

Now I'm back in KTM for my last week. Plans:

• bungee jump 160 meters
• eat cake
• go to the Tibetan border
• eat paneer
• visit Bhaktapur
• eat donuts
• get a Rs 500 pedicure
• eat more muesli with curd
  
• fly to Mt. Everest
• never eat daal bhat again

Actually, in terms of daal bhat, Rupa my host motha was like no otha. I think I got really lucky with her cooking skills.

Pokhara Part 2, Strike Part 2

Oy. Vey. Back to Pokhara to paraglide. And spend lots on overpriced food and drinks. It's super touristy there, so they can get away with jacking up the prices. The weather wasn't as clear, so we could hardly see the mountains. It was cloudy most of the time, so I was pretty thankful that I had seen Pokhara in a prime weather state the previous week.

Pascal, me, Jessica, and Shakar. Best pilots ever.

Jessica and I went paragliding on Friday. When I was there last week with Juan and Tariq, we happened upon a French gentleman named Pascal who was having scooter troubles. Some punk kids had jammed wood into the ignition, so we (but mostly Uncle Juan) tried to assist him in digging it out. Turns out that this man works for a paragliding company, so I contacted him this visit. Like I mentioned, the weather wasn't very nice, but the wind was, so the paragliding experience was quite invigorating. Wasn't something that was on my list of Top Priorities While In Nepal, but I'm glad I went.

We were on the bus ride back from Pokhara to Chitwan yesterday. First of all, the bus needed some maintenance work not even an hour into the journey. We pulled into what seemed to be a repair shop/repair field/junk yard and waited for a half hour while they fixed the problem (Jessica and I weren't even sure what the problem was, as English speakers are usually the last to know, if they ever know at all). Once we were back on our way, we were stopped again, this time by what ended up being another strike. A woman carrying a child in a remote village was hit by a bus. The bus driver took off. There isn't insurance here, and if you injure someone in a MVC, then you have to pay them a stipend for the rest of their lives (sidenote: if the victim doesn't survive, there is a "flat rate" which is usually less costly than injuring a person. Thus, there is speculation that many times a driver will go back and "finish the job" because it's cheaper. Ughhhhhhhhh). Anyway, there was an uproar in the village because this woman's family now wants compensation, but it was a hit and run accident. What better way to get what you want than to block the road with tree limbs and prevent anyone else from traveling? I can't think of a more proper solution.

We waited 5 hours in a village with no where to purchase water or go to the bathroom. In total: we had 1 litre of water and no toilet for what ended up being a 10.5 hour journey back. Thank goodness I have 2 kidneys.

Best Bandh Ever!

Plan #1: Pack your bags, you're going to meditate!
Plan #2: Bargain a better price for your bus fare.
Plan #3: Prepare your rear end for another bumpy journey.
Plan #4: Forget all plans, because this is Nepal and you simply cannot expect anything. Ever.

Saturday morning, Lisa from Ireland and Emmi from Finland and I departed for Lumbini to become enlightened. Even though we heard there was a bandh, or strike. This time, it's due to the student elections. Strikes are very common here. Sometimes they block the road for days. One time in particular, Juan and Tariq were stuck in KTM for 11 days because the protesters don't let up until some sort of agreement is reached. Anyway, we talked to the bus driver and he said he'd drive for as far as he could. We got halfway there and were stranded amongst Km upon Km of stagnant trucks and buses with people sleeping on blankets on the ground beneath them. We didn't know when the bandh would let up, so the options were to wait it out or wait for a bus back to Narayangath. We decided to eat some daal bhat so we could think clearly about what to do. Back to Narayangath for us. We got a hotel and took the bus in the morning to nearby Devghat, perhaps the most sought after Hindu mecca in all of Nepal.

Devghat...how wonderful. I don't think we could have had a better change of plans. We met this amazing family on the bus who took us to their home for COLD soda and delicious daal bhat with buffalo meat (which is a treat when you can get it) and also took us on a walking tour of the village. We boated across the river after a very peaceful afternoon in such a serene area before returning back home. I couldn't believe we stumbled upon such generous and welcoming company!

As for the health camp last week, we saw a variety of patients from around the Rampur village. I took vitals in the pediatrics ward. There were also medical and gynecological wards as well as a medication distribution room, all free to the public.


I was back at the hospital on Sunday, now with Jessica who is an EMT from Indiana. It's a lot more fun having a buddy in the emergency room to change dressings, clean wounds, and complete admission work.

Speaking of Jessica, she wants to go paragliding in Pokhara (as she's never been) so I think I may tag along on Thursday...



Patients waiting at the health camp in Rampur.

Escape from Bharatpur

My daaiharu-older brothers-and I ventured out to Pokhara this week. It's about a 4-6 hour rollercoaster the entire way there. The roads here are so torn up, and it sure doesn't help one's rear end when you're in a 1973 mini tour bus with no shocks. Nevertheless, I think I'd make the journey again. The 3 of us agreed that it's one of the best places we've seen in Nepal so far. It's got everthing, with a very beachy feeling, as we sat right next to Phewa Tal, or Fewa Lake. It's surrounded by hills and mountains. The first morning, we woke up at 5 am to catch a taxi to Sarangkot, a small town a few Km away and is known for its striking views of the Annapurna mountain range. Lonely Planet says seeing it at sunrise is a bit of a religious experience. They may be onto something there.

We had 3 days in Pokhara, so with the rest of our time, we boated to the mountain where the World Peace Pagoda lies, and hiked a mighty walk up to see it at the peak. There's something called Devi Falls a ways away, so we hopped on a bus and decided to see what the fuss was all about. Not much. I think we were all under the impression it was going tobe something majestic, but it looked like something from Hocking Hills. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but LP really talked it up. Luckily, we were able to cross the street and go pseudo-spleunking in the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. It was very dark and peaceful there. They have a temple inside the cave. I love how religion here is just so darned incorporated into everything here. After that, we stumbled upon a Tibetan Refugee Camp where a tipsy local attempted to show us around. All in all, best vacation inside a vacation ever!

Tomorrow, there's a health camp in Rampur, a wee little village about a half hour tuk-tuk ride away. After that, I'll leave with a few other volunteers to spend the weekend in Lumbini, birthplace of Siddartha Gautama. Perhaps I'll become a Buddhist over the weekend ;)

Pheri bhetaula-see you again!

Not quite the Cleveland Clinic

I was able to borrow a nurse's apron from another volunteer who is now done with her health project. So, I went to Bharatpur Hospital today via rickshaw and felt pretty useless. Well, sort of. I think the first day is usually pretty tough. You're new, you don't speak the language, you look different, your uniform isn't exactly the same...I'm sure there are other differences. I did rounds with the doc who was very friendly and informative. There are about 4 medical wards, each with 8 beds, and then a few cabins, that house 2 beds each. In the male wards, there were thin mattresses on the floor where they put more patients. There is one sink per ward (and I didn't see a bar or a drop of soap anywhere!) and what seems to be a med cart that they push from ward to ward. The doc said to me, Have you seen many HIV patients? To which I replied a hearty, No. He then tells me that there are about 3 in the ward we were in. There's also tuberculosis (and they stay in the same room...once he told me that, the air in the room suddenly got real thick to me...ahhhhhh), cirrhosis, poisoning, and a fair amount of COPD. There was a man who looked to be in so much pain and he sorely needed some comforting. It's pretty amazing to me how much good friendly gestures can do, even if you can't verbally communicate with the person.

Tomorrow is a holiday, as are all Saturdays. I'll be back to work on Sunday, hopefully with more to do since I'll get there at the beginning of the shift, which is 7 am to 1 pm. Off now to celebrate Juan's birthday. A lot of the other kids have come all the way from KTM just to wish him well!

My name is Triskett, and this Is my Real Job

Went white water rafting on the Bagmati on the way to Chitwan. Very nice, a bit chilly, and the rapids weren't as large as I'd have liked. I noticed a few differences between rafting those West Virginy waters and the Bagmati...

Instead of:
fishermen
trout
herrons
wooden bridges overhead
wide trunked trees on the shores
grass & greenery

You have:
stone miners
catfish, silverfish, and sardines
cows lining the shore
rickety scaffolding on a pulley system
massive, massive boulders
landslide paths

While in Sauraha, Chitwan, we also had to climb a tree to escape a mother rhino and her baby (may have been the first time I had a need to run for my life), canoe with crocodiles, visit museums, see the Tharu people's captivating dance, get used as a napkin by a 6 month old elephant, and ride an elephant throught the jungle as well. I'll never do that again. So beastly, too much even for me.

Arrived in Bharatpur, Chitwan yesterday morning. The family is very pleasant and Tariq & Juan, the other 2 volunteers with me, have been helping me acclimate to the area quite well. I can't start working in the hospital until Sunday because I'm having a uniform made. Total came to Rs 275, or about 3 USD. Not too shabby for a tailored dress. Not sure of the placement yet, but I think I can rotate throughout the hospital. They have medical/surgical, pediatrics, OR, maternity...the regular stuff. Can't wait!!!

This internet/power situation is so terrible. The power went out on me twice just now, after I had written two, count TWO, posts for this thing. I can't stand to retype another book.

If it weren't for Team Grodek...

...and Mt. Albert, I probably would have never made it up the "hill" I almost passed out on today. They took us to Lamatar, a quaint little village about a 45 minute drive from KTM. We stayed with a very pleasant gentleman and his family. He took us on a stroll about his community, showed us the orphanage (I must mention how refreshing it is to see such happy little faces who are more than content just practicing their English with visitors), fed us daal bhat (lentil soup with rice, taken twice daily in Nepal), took us for tea and cookies, and set up a program where we got to see native Nepali dancing. It was so wonderful to escape the city for a bit. This morning our host, Sulav, woke us up at 6 am to go on a five hour hike. I know, I know, it's no Everest Base Camp, but I think we did roughly 1000 vertical meters. You must believe me when I tell you it was dang tough!

Friday, we went to another little happy town called Chobar. It lies a bit outside of the city and has the Bagmati River running through it. We had a very knowledgeable guide who knew all sorts of trivia about the area. After we gazed at the beautiful, bountiful fields, they took us for tea on a rooftop cafe. The tea here is probably one of my favorite parts of the day.

Tomorrow, we leave for Chitwan. We'll spend until Wednesday rafting, riding/bathing elephants, and spotting one-horned rhinos (I hope I'm so lucky)! That will conclude my cultural orientation, and I'll begin my project as well as move in with the host family. I really, really can't wait to get into the hospital.

Hawasta!!

Happy Holiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Still getting along. Even with all the smog clogging my nose. Luckily, I haven't been stuck with any maladies during my first 5 days here. Quite a lot of kids here (other volunteers) have been ill. Stomach problems, tonsilitis, colds...but no malaria yet!! Yay!!

Tuesday was Holi, the Festival of Colours. It celebrates the monsoon season, which is not until the summer. Kids and adults all over throw hand made water bombs at each other. Probably the only time that activities of this calibur would not be considered assault. Although, I must mention, I was pegged pretty good square in the back twice in a row from a little twerp who was standing about 3 feet away from me. Cheap shot. This water is colored with tika (powder for the little markings on Hindus' foreheads) dye. Hot pink, mustard yellow, puke green, cerulean blue. It's really quite amazing. Chris, thanks for the Tide, which my roomies and I used to get all the smut out of our clothing the next morning.

Today we went to Swayambu (Monkey) Temple, Pashupatinath (where all those crazy doped out sadhus reside) Temple, and Boudha Temple, which is a World Heritage Site, and is speculated to be the first Buddhist temple in the area. The other kids and I had great fun.

It's a little difficult to pick up the Nepali, but I know bits and pieces. Today our teacher went with us on our sightseeing tour, so he quizzed us a bit. Tomorrow, we have language again in the AM and then we're off to Chobar after lunch!!

PS. It's a little difficult to post photos, but I will do so when I figure out how and can commit enough time in these darned internet cafes!!

Alive and Super Well

Hello gang. I made it. On my own. With no problems. Except I almost missed my flight to Delhi, but that's besides the point. I was real scared about something malfunctioning, especially with all the mayhem Danielle experienced. I had lovely seatmates for all 4 legs of the trip here, and sat by the window each time!

During my what-would-have-been-excrutiatingly-lengthy-layover-if-I-had-not-been-permitted-to-leave-the-Heathrow-airport, I figured out what to do during my brief visit to London. Thank goodness there are security personnel/police everywhere; I had to stop them multiple times to figure out my bearings. I was able to: mind the gap, walk through Buckingham palace, view 3 demonstrations, get photographed in front of Big Ben, check out the London Eye, eat fish and chips, and tour the Natural History museum (which was freeeeeee, might I add)!

Last evening I was picked up at Tribhuvan airport, along with 2 other girls from England. We made it to the hostel. There are roughly 15 volunteers there and we eat together, sleep together, take language classes together, drink tea together...hmmm what other basic functions am I missing? They are all so friendly and I'm really having a great time with everyone.

Plans for the next several weeks changed. This week I'm starting the language classes, next week I'll go to Chitwan to save the world, and the last week before my departure I'll have a whole week to bungee jump, fly to Everest, and the like. I'm super pumped.

KTM? Overwhelming initially, indeed. People are JUST EVERYWHERE. Stray dogs, smoky smoggy air, scooters galore, ridiculous traffic. That sums up a good lot of it. The internet down the street from the hostel is cheap, but frustrating because it is so slow. Right now, I'm in Thamel, which is a pretty touristy region of KTM. Internet connection is much faster, hence, this post. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to keep up, but, family, I am okay.

Tomorrow I start the classes. So, I should be FLUENT in Nepali in a few day's time ;)

Namaskaar.

T - 24 hours

I leave so soooooooooon. I've finally decided that whatever junk I've so thoughtfully tossed into my luggage should be sufficient. We're having spaetzles tonight for dinner. The Last Supper. I'm thinking that I may later regret not choosing something more elusive to Nepal. Like cow. Lots and lots of cow. I think it's okay that I won't be seeing it for awhile. I've never been much of a steak fan.

Here's my flight itinerary:

Depart: 7:55 pm Cleveland

Arrive: 8:30 pm Chicago

Depart: 9:55 pm

Arrive: 11:30 am London

Depart: 10 pm <====== yes, that's right chillun, a ten hour layover

Arrive: 11:45 am Delhi

Depart: 1:15 pm

Arrive: 3:15 pm KATHMANDU!!!!

Perhaps the most frightening thought of this entire trip is that something may go wrong with the flight/transit. Danielle had problems with her luggage and flight cancellations. I guess it wasn't the end of the world, but a remarkable inconvenience, nonetheless. Oh well, I should be fine.

How I spent my pre-vacation vacation

Over the past few months (and especially after passing that blasted NCLEX), I've tried to make the most of my time here in good ol' Grafton, OH. These are some of the things that have been occupying my last weeks here.

Ear candles??!! What a wonderful little invention!! They are even more invigorating when done in the best of company. Jen left the drone of Athens to celebrate her birthday at home and to ensure I didn't ignite my hair when it was my turn to do the candling.

This is my new home!!!!!!! Dad and I went to Pittsburgh last week to find a lease I wanted to sign. Found it. Turns out I'm going to be a mere block away from Rachael, my childhood friend who is going to the University of Pittsburgh as well beginning this summer. The irony!! I'll be moving in the weeks following my return from the east.

I've spent some of my favorite times in the past few months with my best gal Jenny. We've celebrated many birthdays recently (her sister Megan, cousin Travis) and spent several nights engrossing ourselves in late night episodes of Top Chef and various Discovery Health programs. I'm pretty sure there's not a better time I could ask for :)

I had the opportunity to visit Selena, Jay and Molly in Chicago. This megabus trip was, by far, the best bus ride ever of all the many times I've been to the windy city. We ate at The Ethiopian Diamond and hand-fed each other lovingly with injera, the pancake-like bread you see lining our platter.

Jay, a few weeks ago, was featured in a Columbus/international art show fittingly entitled Sugar Craft. It was full of delectably sugary pieces, both edible and non. He's seen on the left in his hand-sewn bear suit.

A few other noteworthy endeavors:

• becoming RN licensed in PA
• securing a position at UPMC Presbyterian on a medical stepdown unit
• FINALLY, at long last, patronizing a Grafton Township pancake breakfast with Kelsey, my craziest friend by far
• being treated like royalty at a NY spa compliments of Tita Terry...I will never again drink water without cucumbers floating in it!
• learning of the wonders of Skype
• saying goodbye to my fabulous coworkers at Welcome Nursing Home...I'd forgotten how difficult it is to say so to great groups of people

As for this pre-vacation, well, it sure wasn't spent exactly like Wallace Bleff's, but similar, maybe?

This makes me reminisce of the days when I finally gave in and opened a facebook account...

Sheesh.  Never thought I'd do this.  But much like my Moroccan counterpart, I have a Chitwanderful mother who likes to read of her daughters' travels on the world wide web.  Here's to you, Maj!!!

It was supposed to be Liberia.  Liberia, that just ended a 14 year war.  But they are doing okay.  They have a new president and are trying to rebuild their country.  I already had arrangements to stay with the founder of an organization that helps kids in community projects in order to keep them off the streets.  Sounded like a good idea.  The wonderful people of HealthCare Volunteer were gettin me the hook up!!  I already bought my plane ticket.  My family, however, did NOT approve of my choice in geographic location, and luckily I didn't have a problem with getting the money back from the airline.  Actually, it was a very distressing time.  I was going to be HealthCare Volunteer's VERY FIRST volunteer to Liberia!!  A journalist was to contact me later that week for an interview!!  This was something I decided to do in January of 2008.  Where the hell was I going to go now???!!!

I have something in the ballpark of 23 days and 17 hours until I depart for Kathmandu, Nepal.  Yes, this is a real place, not just one of Bob Seger's fantasy destinations.  Here it is:

I did lots and lots of research into different volunteering organizations and found that the Institute for Field Research Expeditions (IFRE)/RCDP Nepal (its Nepalese sister organization) was the best fit for me.  I leave on March 6 and come back to good ol' Cleveland on April 20.  It's a 35 hour flight.  I'll be taking plenty of strolls up and down the aircraft aisles--no DVTs for me, thanks!!!  

The first week I'm there, I have no idea what I'll be doing.  Whatever my little falsely brave heart desires, I suppose.  Week 2, Culture & Language classes with other IFRE volunteers in Kathmandu (KTM).  We stay in the RCDP hostel where we learn basic Nepali (although, a great portion of the urban areas speak English; I was told I'd have no problem during the first week when I won't know very much Nepali at all), a bit about the culture (Nepal is about 80% Hindu and 11% Buddhist), and the surrounding areas (we'll be checking out some of the stupas, or pagodas, and nearby towns).  Weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6, I'll be moseying on over to Chitwan (home of majestic elephants and elusive one-horned rhinos) to volunteer at Bharatpur Hospital as a nurse.  Good thing I made it through nursing school alive.  I think I'll be finding, however, that this is a whole other peach tree...

Nepal is currently experiencing SCHEDULED power outages.  12 hours daily for now, but I was told that by the time I get there, there could very well be power for only 6 hours daily in Chitwan.  Thus, I am unsure of internet access, ATM access, charging capabilities, and a whole slew of other feats that I might normally be accustomed to accomplishing in Grafton.  Or any part of the US, for that matter.  

I keep joking with friends that I'm going to be a vegetarian by the time I get home.  Or at least lose *hopefully* some unnecessary thigh/waist/hip baggage.  I'm expecting to eat rice for 3 meals of the day.  Actually, they don't do much of a breakfast there, from what I hear.  Sweet tea in the am.  Then a later breakfast, what we'd probably call brunch, just not as large as a brunch.  Dinner comes closer to bedtime.  Generally speaking, anyway.  I'm not sure how my host family does it.  Speaking of...

There are 6 members of the family.  Shyam, who is the principal of Kantipur Medical College, his wife, their little girl and little boy, and Shyam's parents.  There are also 2 other volunteers staying with them.  Tariq, who is from the UK, and Juan, who is from Spain.  They've been there since September and both will be staying until June.  Hopefully they can teach me a little about bathing elephants in the river, or dealing with traveler's diarrhea, whichever.  I'm not usually a picky person.

Until next time, namaste.

PS.  Thanks Anna, for your ever-present creativity!!