Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Unanswered Questions
Last night we threw a party! Sad to say but my first day
here I slept most of it away. I still had jet lag and could not stand long in
the operating room. When I awoke it turns out we had 3 hours to throw a party,
invite about 80 people and coordinate games! Thanks to working as a camp
conselor for many years I knew plenty of games for children. But there weren't
many children! So we improvised and did the best that we could but by the end of
the night they somehow talked me into singing karoke. I had to sing Sade from my
namessake, and it reminded me of my mom. But with my bad voice I doubht I did it
justice. The party went alot better than expected. It seems to be in India you
just let things flow. I learned about Indian time which is at least an hour
later than the time you say. Our party was supposed to start at 8 and most
people did not arrive until 9:30-10. I was just happy someone showed after
waiting so long. </P>
<P>My luggage still has not arrived but luickly Dr.Henry is working hard on
getting it back. The one thing he reminds everyone is don't worry. Seeing him in
action I see why he has to give the reminder to be worry free. Whenever there is
any problem it comes to him, from collecting payments to retrieveing lost
luggage. Not only does he have to be a stern business man and collect something
from every patient he also to has a huge heart. Most of the patient can not pay
much and other business men would turn people away is they could not pay a full
bill. Seeing as I'm interested in the business side of psychology I am very
interested in seeing how Dr. Henry runs his business with so much compassion.
Maybe there's another lesson to be learned to pass along.</P>
<P>Today was my first full day and I have seen many sick people. Including burn
victims, cancer patients, sick babies and many others. I actually was in the
surgery room as they cut the cancerous woman open and cut her stomach in half to
rid her of her cancer. The people that come here are on their last limb.
Oftentimes they at first went to a witch doctor to try to get healed. The
doctors here point out the branding that the witch doctors performed. With my
face mask and hair cap on some of the nurses tell me I look Indian. I guess it
is true. When Rihanna, Bryan, and I stand in a circle looking on a sick patient
they look to me first and speak Hindi, hoping I understand. But I am not Indian
nor a doctor so all I can do is offer a kind smile for their troubles instead of
the magical healing words or medicine they hoped for.</P>
<P>To bring this to a close I would like to discuss something that has been on
my mind. Currently I am reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,
In the book she says when she was a child the Civil Rights Movement had not yet
taken place. At their church revival the Pastor preached that it was easier for
the black people of those times to make it to heaven than their white
counterparts. This was due to the blacks having less and having to endure being
a second class citizen. The Pastor used the biblical phrase "It is easier for a
camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to make it to
heaven." Well it just made me think compared to America the Indian people are
living in the worst conditions. No adequate healthcare or clean water even
America somewhat provides these things. So the question that has been on my mind
lately is this: Since some of the Indian people are suffering so much is it
easier to make it into heaven? They aren't rich they are trying to make it on
with what they are dealt. So are the smaller sins they commit not looked on so
harshly? I could forgive someone for trying to get some extra of my money to
feed their family. I don't have much but it is a little more than them. So would
my sins count as more since I have more and have easier acess to doing right?
Would there sin cup be less full than mie because they have to fight to survive?
These are questions I just don't know the answer to.
here I slept most of it away. I still had jet lag and could not stand long in
the operating room. When I awoke it turns out we had 3 hours to throw a party,
invite about 80 people and coordinate games! Thanks to working as a camp
conselor for many years I knew plenty of games for children. But there weren't
many children! So we improvised and did the best that we could but by the end of
the night they somehow talked me into singing karoke. I had to sing Sade from my
namessake, and it reminded me of my mom. But with my bad voice I doubht I did it
justice. The party went alot better than expected. It seems to be in India you
just let things flow. I learned about Indian time which is at least an hour
later than the time you say. Our party was supposed to start at 8 and most
people did not arrive until 9:30-10. I was just happy someone showed after
waiting so long. </P>
<P>My luggage still has not arrived but luickly Dr.Henry is working hard on
getting it back. The one thing he reminds everyone is don't worry. Seeing him in
action I see why he has to give the reminder to be worry free. Whenever there is
any problem it comes to him, from collecting payments to retrieveing lost
luggage. Not only does he have to be a stern business man and collect something
from every patient he also to has a huge heart. Most of the patient can not pay
much and other business men would turn people away is they could not pay a full
bill. Seeing as I'm interested in the business side of psychology I am very
interested in seeing how Dr. Henry runs his business with so much compassion.
Maybe there's another lesson to be learned to pass along.</P>
<P>Today was my first full day and I have seen many sick people. Including burn
victims, cancer patients, sick babies and many others. I actually was in the
surgery room as they cut the cancerous woman open and cut her stomach in half to
rid her of her cancer. The people that come here are on their last limb.
Oftentimes they at first went to a witch doctor to try to get healed. The
doctors here point out the branding that the witch doctors performed. With my
face mask and hair cap on some of the nurses tell me I look Indian. I guess it
is true. When Rihanna, Bryan, and I stand in a circle looking on a sick patient
they look to me first and speak Hindi, hoping I understand. But I am not Indian
nor a doctor so all I can do is offer a kind smile for their troubles instead of
the magical healing words or medicine they hoped for.</P>
<P>To bring this to a close I would like to discuss something that has been on
my mind. Currently I am reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,
In the book she says when she was a child the Civil Rights Movement had not yet
taken place. At their church revival the Pastor preached that it was easier for
the black people of those times to make it to heaven than their white
counterparts. This was due to the blacks having less and having to endure being
a second class citizen. The Pastor used the biblical phrase "It is easier for a
camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to make it to
heaven." Well it just made me think compared to America the Indian people are
living in the worst conditions. No adequate healthcare or clean water even
America somewhat provides these things. So the question that has been on my mind
lately is this: Since some of the Indian people are suffering so much is it
easier to make it into heaven? They aren't rich they are trying to make it on
with what they are dealt. So are the smaller sins they commit not looked on so
harshly? I could forgive someone for trying to get some extra of my money to
feed their family. I don't have much but it is a little more than them. So would
my sins count as more since I have more and have easier acess to doing right?
Would there sin cup be less full than mie because they have to fight to survive?
These are questions I just don't know the answer to.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Comments to Curlywavystraight
Sorry to curlywavystraight it is not letting me comment on your comments. Also, who are you it will not let me click on your profile either. Internet here comes and goes. :D The program that I am in is the Ronald Reagan Leadership Program. The program helps to pay for your education and allows you to travel the world to see different areas of the field you are interested in. I believe the people of the program are smarter than anyone thought. I once read a quote that went like this "When I was young I knew everything. Now that I am old I realise I know nothing." When you are young you have so many ideas bubbling in your head and you want to do them all. Through the program I have realised what I actually want to do as a profession, what I am good at, my downfalls, and what I actually like. I am just thankful they were patient enough with me to allow me time to discover things along the way.
Lessons Learned So Far
I am going to try and make two posts today. I day make it here thank you Jesus becuase it has been along trip. First to comment on the way getting over here and the things I noticed while being on my own in India. If any one knows me really well then they know I put on a tough exterior but am warm on the inside. Like Shrek the ogre said "Ogres are like onions they have layers." So I guess I am an ogre now : ) Also, I love to travel and to see new things. On the other side traveling and seeing new things on my own scares the h-e-double hockey sticks out of me. Weird huh? I have always been a different child so I guess loving something I fear makes sense to me. When I went to London I clung to Dr. T and his wife until I felt safe. Well this time I was all alone in India, kind of lost. I missed my flight because another flight was added that I did not know about. Then my bags where lost. Great, after the inital tears and giving myself an enternal peptalk I oulled it together ordered another flight and flagged down taxi to go to a hotel for the night. I didn't leave the hotel much but when I finally was on my flight to Raipur I tought everything would be fine. Well in India it is Monsoon season and my ride was late and I had money or telephone. Luickly an engineer helped me to call Dr. Henry and I was picked up safely.
But my escapade so far has affirmed some life lessons the strong women in my life have taught me since I was a child. 1)Most people do not care about your problems. Therefore you have to take charge and take care for yourself: This became apparent when I missed my flight and all of the airline women could say was what do you want me to do about it?
2)Most things in lfe aren't free: Everywhere I went to ask for help no one spoke english but everyone knew the word tip.
3)Everyone is trying to survive: I understand the people of India think all foreigners have lots of money. Compared to their standard of living we do. But being that I am an American student by American standards I am poor. Therefore, I did not want to pay the overpriced charges they were giving me. But try as I might no one would let me talk them down.
4)Lots of people are trying to be something other than what they are: I could understad this from how hard I saw people trying to make some money off of me. Who doesnt want to better their situation? This also became apparent as I got to watch tv the night I was in the hotel. There were advertised creams to keep your face bright and lotions to keep your underarms bright. It just reminded me of how in the African American culture many want to be brighter or not get any lighter. Only it was strange to me in a country where most people of brown color want to get lighter. it may be because I am light that I believe that brown skin of all shades is beautiful. I have members of my family that are yelow like me, and some that are very dark but they are still beautiful to me. I guess somethings are the same in every country.
5)People are afraid of new things: On my end this was completly true. This was my first time being completly useless and stupid since I was a child. Stuck in a country with hardly anyone that speaks the language and not knowing anything. This was also confirmed by the Indians in Raipur. An engineer helped me to phone Dr. Henry and looked after me and men, a friend of his and even a policeman came up to ask him what does she want? Why help her? Is she going to pay you? He kindly told them she is new here I was new here once she just needs help. He told me "It is the village way of thinking. They do not know new things."
5)There is still some good out there in the world: I can't leave such a bad impression on India just because I was scared to death. There were good people everywhere I went Like the Chrisitians who helped me to get to a safe hotel. Or the woman who sat next to me on the plane and explained Indian food. The engineer who helped me to phone Dr. Henry and helped me from crying. And lastly the people here at the hospital who have been nothing but kind and patient as I learn my way around here.
But the last lesson I have learened so far is one that still stands globally. Dr. Henry told me this is India you have to fight for what you want and stand strong. People will run over you. I believe this is true everywhere. So this ogre will keep the fight going. Have a great day.
But my escapade so far has affirmed some life lessons the strong women in my life have taught me since I was a child. 1)Most people do not care about your problems. Therefore you have to take charge and take care for yourself: This became apparent when I missed my flight and all of the airline women could say was what do you want me to do about it?
2)Most things in lfe aren't free: Everywhere I went to ask for help no one spoke english but everyone knew the word tip.
3)Everyone is trying to survive: I understand the people of India think all foreigners have lots of money. Compared to their standard of living we do. But being that I am an American student by American standards I am poor. Therefore, I did not want to pay the overpriced charges they were giving me. But try as I might no one would let me talk them down.
4)Lots of people are trying to be something other than what they are: I could understad this from how hard I saw people trying to make some money off of me. Who doesnt want to better their situation? This also became apparent as I got to watch tv the night I was in the hotel. There were advertised creams to keep your face bright and lotions to keep your underarms bright. It just reminded me of how in the African American culture many want to be brighter or not get any lighter. Only it was strange to me in a country where most people of brown color want to get lighter. it may be because I am light that I believe that brown skin of all shades is beautiful. I have members of my family that are yelow like me, and some that are very dark but they are still beautiful to me. I guess somethings are the same in every country.
5)People are afraid of new things: On my end this was completly true. This was my first time being completly useless and stupid since I was a child. Stuck in a country with hardly anyone that speaks the language and not knowing anything. This was also confirmed by the Indians in Raipur. An engineer helped me to phone Dr. Henry and looked after me and men, a friend of his and even a policeman came up to ask him what does she want? Why help her? Is she going to pay you? He kindly told them she is new here I was new here once she just needs help. He told me "It is the village way of thinking. They do not know new things."
5)There is still some good out there in the world: I can't leave such a bad impression on India just because I was scared to death. There were good people everywhere I went Like the Chrisitians who helped me to get to a safe hotel. Or the woman who sat next to me on the plane and explained Indian food. The engineer who helped me to phone Dr. Henry and helped me from crying. And lastly the people here at the hospital who have been nothing but kind and patient as I learn my way around here.
But the last lesson I have learened so far is one that still stands globally. Dr. Henry told me this is India you have to fight for what you want and stand strong. People will run over you. I believe this is true everywhere. So this ogre will keep the fight going. Have a great day.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
A Bump In The Road
So the airplane added an extra stopping location that I was not told about. Because of that I missed my flight out of Kolkata. After a few tears, and some luck I pulled it together. So I had to book a new flight for the next day. Man was it hectic finding a taxi after that. As luck would have it I shared a taxi with a nice couple who not only was Christian but spoke English. They helped to direct to a safe area. Pray for me and have a nice night.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Leaving Day
Hey guys,
As the title says I do leave today. It's going to be a long way there but I guess every good thing is worth the wait. Have a good day everyone.
As the title says I do leave today. It's going to be a long way there but I guess every good thing is worth the wait. Have a good day everyone.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
First Post
Hello all,
I am not in India yet but I thought it would be a good idea to learn how to work this thing before I go. This is my first blog. Also, I was never good at keeping a journal as a child. With that being said I hope my few readers will forgive the mistakes I make on here.
With my apology out of the way I will speak on my future trip. I am traveling to India through the Reagan Leadership Program. They have helped me set up the entire trip. While on the trip I will be volunteering at a Christian Hospital in Mungeli, India. I don't have much medical experience to offer but I am willing to help in any way possible.
I am very nervous so keep me in your prayers. Dr. Anil Henry is my mentor and is a very nice man. So at least there will be someone I know there. I am excited to meet all of the people. Hopefully things go well. Have a great day.
I am not in India yet but I thought it would be a good idea to learn how to work this thing before I go. This is my first blog. Also, I was never good at keeping a journal as a child. With that being said I hope my few readers will forgive the mistakes I make on here.
With my apology out of the way I will speak on my future trip. I am traveling to India through the Reagan Leadership Program. They have helped me set up the entire trip. While on the trip I will be volunteering at a Christian Hospital in Mungeli, India. I don't have much medical experience to offer but I am willing to help in any way possible.
I am very nervous so keep me in your prayers. Dr. Anil Henry is my mentor and is a very nice man. So at least there will be someone I know there. I am excited to meet all of the people. Hopefully things go well. Have a great day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)