It is Wednesday morning at 6:11 am and I have just woken up from sleeping for 10 and a half hours. I pretty much hit the sack right after arriving home and did not even “take dinner” as it is called here. My shirt is cold and damp from sweat, and my back feels like it is being pulled in a million different directions. It seems that all I do in my day here is try to survive work and make it till 6pm without feeling sick, and then get back home to get as much sleep as I can. I’ll be honest when I say I’m at a point where I feel bad health will plague me the rest of my trip, but hopefully that will not be the case and all I will have to do is stay positive.
So yesterday started off well. When I woke I felt a lot better than the day before when I experienced heat exhaustion, and I was very excited to give work another try now that my bosses would be in. In the three long hours in the morning between when I wake up at 6:30 and when I go to work at 9:30, I did some yoga enthusiastically, apparently too enthusiastically because I pulled my lower and mid back and am now paying for it. After another sweet bike ride, the workday started again with a prayer and a presentation, and this time it was translated to me. The summarized version of the story goes as follows:
A man gets angry all the time, so his father says every time you get angry, drive a nail into a plank. He does this and finally after the plank is full, the son does not get angry any more. He feels he is cured so he tells his father that he now knows how to divert his anger and not become so upset anymore. After hearing that his father replies that from now on, whenever he would have gotten angry and does not, he needs to go to the plank and pull out one of the nails. The son obliges and after a while, all the nails are out of the plank and all that remains is a plank littered with holes. He goes to his father again to tell him the news and his father replies, “ Son, every time you get angry, the damage will not leave you. It will create a hole in you, so do not get angry.”
After the story, everyone is supposed to provide feedback. They asked me what I thought. I said that in my life at home it is easy to get stressed over the little things, but I have to remember what’s important. Looking back, I can say that without a doubt I have had trouble with this concept and that my health is a key indicator of this. It is very obvious that right now I am littered with holes that will never go away- once you live unhealthily you cannot get that time back. What I can do is promise myself that I am going to stop drilling nails into myself, stop creating holes, and stop being unhealthy. I don’t know what it will take for me to get that balance into my life, but it will definitely start with losing my perfectionist attitude. I need to be more understanding of myself, and that a little of everything is better than having all my eggs in one basket.
Anyway, back to my day. After the presentation I was then served breakfast and chai and able to connect with people on the Internet. Around 11am I had a great meeting with Ranvir to discuss what I was going to do during my stay. His office is air-conditioned and feels really good. What doesn’t feel good is leaving it. It is only at that point that I do realize how hot the room I’m working in is. It has fans moving around the air, but it does not really cool things down much. In the afternoon when it gets hotter, they usually turn on their air conditioner, but it is not very powerful. After I left that meeting I again felt sick. I drank two liters of water and had gone to the bathroom like five times that day- I was afraid of being seen as a weirdo, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
At lunch I could not eat a lot, and my co-workers kept offering me food and I kept trying to respectfully decline. At three I had another meeting with Ranvir and I started to feel better again once in his office. I had prepared my expectations for both my professional development as well as personal, and we had a great time coming up with what I am going to do. After the meeting I began working with a co-worker, whose name is slipping my memory, on writing for their new website. They were very shocked to see I use office 1997 and thy want me to upgrade myself into the 21st century. I will have that done this morning.
As the day wounded down, I gave my home a call on Skype. My seven-year-old sister Grace, very unemotionally answered, and after taking the message that they should read my blog cut me off and said, “Thanks for calling, I’ll pass on the message, goodbye!” Ok, Miss Independent, I’m sorry your sister half way around the world is interrupting your morning cartoons! As funny as she is, I am happy that it was not an emotional conversation and that she did encourage me to feel homesick emotions that are counterproductive. Regardless, I hope when I get to work today I have an email from home.
-Your CV,
Lauren
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
First day!
Wow. I have just finished cleaning all the files on my computer! It was a gigantic task- because it is three years of my disorganization needing undoing. Luckily, I was able to do it today, because Sunday is a holiday in India, and I had very little other obligations.
Now, back to the fact that I am living in India! So today I was pretty much left alone to manage- I did not have anyone holding my hand throughout my day. I am living on the top floor of a family’s home and currently sharing the room with Dharmistah. We are getting along very well, and she has invited me to go to her home with her after her exams and meet her family. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I will be able to take off work, and I am sad she will not be my roommate all summer. As for where she lives, I could not tell you because it is very hard for me to understand people saying Hindi words because they say it so fast for my ear. Other observations that I have had is that when wearing my gold costume jewelry today, I felt very self-conscious because I realized that most likely their jewelry is real gold from special gifts. The fact that I am wearing large jewelry would appear that I would have lots of money to afford so much gold- obviously I know I got this cheap a** s*** at Claire’s but I need to be careful because I don’t want to give off a pretentious message. Another interesting thing about living here is something that I would never imagine myself doing in my wildest dreams- and that is that throwing out your trash simply means that literarily, you throw your trash out your window. Trash is everywhere in these urban settings, and in my mind it is unfortunate that they do not do something more organized with their disposal for both aesthetic as well as sanitation reasons. Since I have toured the Rumpke dump, I find it interesting that we complained that it was in our “back yard” when referencing the dump being within miles away. That definition has completely new meaning here because your trash really is in your back yard, as well s on your doorstep, on your way to work, in your meeting spaces- everywhere! The issues with dumping is very much more visible here, but it is interesting to note that Rumpke still has environmental issues, and just because it is more hidden does not make it better. I find India’s authenticity refreshing.
On another note, drinking water has become a minor issue. I am not sure whether or not the water that I am drinking out of bottles is in fact bottle water, or tap water bottled. In terms of recycling, it is great that Indians reuse things- something Americans have failed to learn- but in terms of my health, which is vital for the success of this trip is that I need water that my body is used to. Unfortunately that separated me from native Indians- creates a slight barrier, and makes for me to seem rude when I have to turn it down. I have explained to Dharma, and will to the family when the time is right. Hopefully that should clear up any miscommunications.
Another thing is that I am constantly served more food than I can eat. Since I am trying to cut back this summer, it is even more difficult because it probably seems confusing when I say I love India food, yet I do not finish half of what I am given. Regardless, I am enjoying the food very much and the spiciness has not been a problem. I hope to learn how to make some foods. When I went downstairs to get water, I saw my host mother and Monika making chapatti and it smelled like spicy pancakes. Reminded me of home- but not really the spicy part. My mom hates spice.
For most of the day I have been in my light, pale pink room that has textured water stained walls, lizard guests, open windows with horizontal bars and balcony with ornate design handrail. The ceiling fan sounds like there is constant rain on a tin roof, but there has not been any rain so far in my stay. While I have not left the house today, I feel it is nice because my room opens up nicely to the out of doors.
I was invited downstairs two times throughout the day to meet my host family. There is a grandmother and two children, two spouses, and two grandchildren living here. They are the Thavrani surname. Later in the day another son, his wife and two grandchildren along with a great niece and great uncle came by. They all live in Dahod in other homes. Everyone sits around and talks and enjoys their day off. It is very lovely to see such a close, friendly and welcoming family who is so proud of each other. Only the grandson who is probably 24 and studying medicine in University speaks variable English. They all learn English in school and do their studies in it, but they are not as strong conversationally. Plus my accent throws them off a little bit since I am not from the UK. Some funny things that occurred during the time I spent with them was that I was not from Germany. For some reason that is where they were told I was from. Next, was that they couldn’t believe I was 20. Everyone thought I was thirty or something. We laughed that Indians look young for their age too. Another coincidence is that Monika and I have the same birthday and she is 18. We are practicing English conversation for her and Gujarati for me. Dharmistah is also helping me. Tomorrow at 8pm I will meet with Dumah Thavrani to teach her English and practice conversation. Indians have a very strong ethic to learn and value education. Most Indians that I am meeting have advanced degrees such as masters, and likely more.
I am very excited to start work tomorrow, and I know it will bring many challenges. Things like using the bathroom in a crouched position, showering with a bucket, chucking my trash out the window, and eating with my hands have been a difficult to adapt to, and not knowing what is going on in conversations in Hindi or English, but as I know this is about unlearning old habits, and learning a new way of life. It is the ultimate test of survival. I can do it. Also, I am looking forward to emailing my family and friends tomorrow and will be very disappointed if I do not get the chance to do that. It is difficult not having any way to contact them over the past two days. Even though we are not together physically, I am reliant on technology to connect me to them. After all, my roommate is always texting or calling her friends that are far away. It would be a lot less painful if I was able to do that, but I know that this is not about having a pain free experience. In a sick way, that is what I am after, so I can grow the most.
-Your CV,
Lauren
Now, back to the fact that I am living in India! So today I was pretty much left alone to manage- I did not have anyone holding my hand throughout my day. I am living on the top floor of a family’s home and currently sharing the room with Dharmistah. We are getting along very well, and she has invited me to go to her home with her after her exams and meet her family. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I will be able to take off work, and I am sad she will not be my roommate all summer. As for where she lives, I could not tell you because it is very hard for me to understand people saying Hindi words because they say it so fast for my ear. Other observations that I have had is that when wearing my gold costume jewelry today, I felt very self-conscious because I realized that most likely their jewelry is real gold from special gifts. The fact that I am wearing large jewelry would appear that I would have lots of money to afford so much gold- obviously I know I got this cheap a** s*** at Claire’s but I need to be careful because I don’t want to give off a pretentious message. Another interesting thing about living here is something that I would never imagine myself doing in my wildest dreams- and that is that throwing out your trash simply means that literarily, you throw your trash out your window. Trash is everywhere in these urban settings, and in my mind it is unfortunate that they do not do something more organized with their disposal for both aesthetic as well as sanitation reasons. Since I have toured the Rumpke dump, I find it interesting that we complained that it was in our “back yard” when referencing the dump being within miles away. That definition has completely new meaning here because your trash really is in your back yard, as well s on your doorstep, on your way to work, in your meeting spaces- everywhere! The issues with dumping is very much more visible here, but it is interesting to note that Rumpke still has environmental issues, and just because it is more hidden does not make it better. I find India’s authenticity refreshing.
On another note, drinking water has become a minor issue. I am not sure whether or not the water that I am drinking out of bottles is in fact bottle water, or tap water bottled. In terms of recycling, it is great that Indians reuse things- something Americans have failed to learn- but in terms of my health, which is vital for the success of this trip is that I need water that my body is used to. Unfortunately that separated me from native Indians- creates a slight barrier, and makes for me to seem rude when I have to turn it down. I have explained to Dharma, and will to the family when the time is right. Hopefully that should clear up any miscommunications.
Another thing is that I am constantly served more food than I can eat. Since I am trying to cut back this summer, it is even more difficult because it probably seems confusing when I say I love India food, yet I do not finish half of what I am given. Regardless, I am enjoying the food very much and the spiciness has not been a problem. I hope to learn how to make some foods. When I went downstairs to get water, I saw my host mother and Monika making chapatti and it smelled like spicy pancakes. Reminded me of home- but not really the spicy part. My mom hates spice.
For most of the day I have been in my light, pale pink room that has textured water stained walls, lizard guests, open windows with horizontal bars and balcony with ornate design handrail. The ceiling fan sounds like there is constant rain on a tin roof, but there has not been any rain so far in my stay. While I have not left the house today, I feel it is nice because my room opens up nicely to the out of doors.
I was invited downstairs two times throughout the day to meet my host family. There is a grandmother and two children, two spouses, and two grandchildren living here. They are the Thavrani surname. Later in the day another son, his wife and two grandchildren along with a great niece and great uncle came by. They all live in Dahod in other homes. Everyone sits around and talks and enjoys their day off. It is very lovely to see such a close, friendly and welcoming family who is so proud of each other. Only the grandson who is probably 24 and studying medicine in University speaks variable English. They all learn English in school and do their studies in it, but they are not as strong conversationally. Plus my accent throws them off a little bit since I am not from the UK. Some funny things that occurred during the time I spent with them was that I was not from Germany. For some reason that is where they were told I was from. Next, was that they couldn’t believe I was 20. Everyone thought I was thirty or something. We laughed that Indians look young for their age too. Another coincidence is that Monika and I have the same birthday and she is 18. We are practicing English conversation for her and Gujarati for me. Dharmistah is also helping me. Tomorrow at 8pm I will meet with Dumah Thavrani to teach her English and practice conversation. Indians have a very strong ethic to learn and value education. Most Indians that I am meeting have advanced degrees such as masters, and likely more.
I am very excited to start work tomorrow, and I know it will bring many challenges. Things like using the bathroom in a crouched position, showering with a bucket, chucking my trash out the window, and eating with my hands have been a difficult to adapt to, and not knowing what is going on in conversations in Hindi or English, but as I know this is about unlearning old habits, and learning a new way of life. It is the ultimate test of survival. I can do it. Also, I am looking forward to emailing my family and friends tomorrow and will be very disappointed if I do not get the chance to do that. It is difficult not having any way to contact them over the past two days. Even though we are not together physically, I am reliant on technology to connect me to them. After all, my roommate is always texting or calling her friends that are far away. It would be a lot less painful if I was able to do that, but I know that this is not about having a pain free experience. In a sick way, that is what I am after, so I can grow the most.
-Your CV,
Lauren
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