I apologize for my complete lack of posts over the last 3 months and more importantly, as pointed out to me by one of you, for the fact that the image at the top of my page this whole time has been of cockroaches! oops. I don't really have any exciting pictures to post, but will try to summarize some of the highlights of the summer without boring you entirely.
I guess one major change -- or gradual development -- is that life feels really normal here. When I first came everything was different, overwhelming at times, and full of new experiences. But now most things that used to frustrate or fascinate me, have become commonplace. And as I come up on one year in Delhi, that was the thing I think I was most anxious for when I first arrived -- for things to feel normal. It's a really nice feeling to be comfortable and settled, and allows me to see and appreciate new things about this experience now that I'm not jumpy and panicked every time I cross the street, lonely, or irritated by something that at home would take 15 minutes taking 3 hours.
Speaking of being jumpy while crossing the street, one of the more entertaining things I've done in a long time was going on Old Delhi by Cycle in July when friends from IHME were here visiting. This is a possibly disastrous idea that entails a group of tourists being led around on bright orange bicycles through the narrow, crowded alleys of Old Delhi. It was an obstacle course of humanity. I was--not always successfully--dodging cows, carts, trash, barking dogs, people, walls, moving vehicles of all varieties, children shouting greetings, pots of boiling food, butchered animals; annnd sweating like crazy in the heat! I would never do it again but I am really glad that I did!
There were a lot of goodbyes this summer, including my roommate and several good friends, but that, too, I've realized is just part of living here and meeting people from all over the world, who, inevitably, are likely to return home. I got to go back to Seattle and Alaska for two weeks in August, which was wonderful. I think my biggest moment of culture shock was being on a quiet lake in Alaska, with mountains rising over the still water, and only a few people and cabins in sight. I could see so far!
I've kept up Hindi and yoga, which I continue to really enjoy. Gradually I am able to utter a few more sentences with confidence... And lately have been busy studying for the GRE and exploring graduate programs, since I've decided to apply for a PhD in global health policy/public policy/international relations for next year. It's a lot of work but I am really really excited about it and continue to become more sure that this is what I hope to do next. Advice welcome!!
And finally, the weather has gotten better! The extreme heat is gone, the monsoons are over, and although I never expected to call 90 degrees comfortable, I am loving it!
Miss you all and lots of love.
I guess one major change -- or gradual development -- is that life feels really normal here. When I first came everything was different, overwhelming at times, and full of new experiences. But now most things that used to frustrate or fascinate me, have become commonplace. And as I come up on one year in Delhi, that was the thing I think I was most anxious for when I first arrived -- for things to feel normal. It's a really nice feeling to be comfortable and settled, and allows me to see and appreciate new things about this experience now that I'm not jumpy and panicked every time I cross the street, lonely, or irritated by something that at home would take 15 minutes taking 3 hours.
Speaking of being jumpy while crossing the street, one of the more entertaining things I've done in a long time was going on Old Delhi by Cycle in July when friends from IHME were here visiting. This is a possibly disastrous idea that entails a group of tourists being led around on bright orange bicycles through the narrow, crowded alleys of Old Delhi. It was an obstacle course of humanity. I was--not always successfully--dodging cows, carts, trash, barking dogs, people, walls, moving vehicles of all varieties, children shouting greetings, pots of boiling food, butchered animals; annnd sweating like crazy in the heat! I would never do it again but I am really glad that I did!
There were a lot of goodbyes this summer, including my roommate and several good friends, but that, too, I've realized is just part of living here and meeting people from all over the world, who, inevitably, are likely to return home. I got to go back to Seattle and Alaska for two weeks in August, which was wonderful. I think my biggest moment of culture shock was being on a quiet lake in Alaska, with mountains rising over the still water, and only a few people and cabins in sight. I could see so far!
I've kept up Hindi and yoga, which I continue to really enjoy. Gradually I am able to utter a few more sentences with confidence... And lately have been busy studying for the GRE and exploring graduate programs, since I've decided to apply for a PhD in global health policy/public policy/international relations for next year. It's a lot of work but I am really really excited about it and continue to become more sure that this is what I hope to do next. Advice welcome!!
And finally, the weather has gotten better! The extreme heat is gone, the monsoons are over, and although I never expected to call 90 degrees comfortable, I am loving it!
Miss you all and lots of love.
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