Today I allowed myself to begin gathering my travel stuff and packing it up. I'm hoping to only carry-on for this trip, so I'm attempting to take as little as possible. This process also entails trying on all of my clothing to see what is India appropriate. Somewhere between hand washing my camera strap, and deciding whether or not to make a choli skirt out of old set of curtains, I realized I forgot to apply for my travel visa!
SHIT!
I don't know what happened here! I remember knowing I needed to send away for it before my trip, and even printing out the application form. But somehow or another it completely slipped my mind in the last few months. I like to think of myself as someone who is at least semi-savvy about these types of things. Apparently not...
Luckily for me, I have a friend who was recently traveling in India, and he gave me good news. I's not too late, but I have to get on that business asap. There is a consulate in Chicago, and I might be able to get it quickly through them. But, oh! The stress! I haven't thought about where my birth certificate is in a while. I think my mom has it, but making a copy would require an hour in the car. I could give her over-the-phone directions on how to scan it, but I don't want to go there. I'll get it done by Thursday at the latest.
In other news, doula training was awesome. The weekend was quite overwhelming, but awesome and I can't wait to get started. However, I don't think I'm going to contact the doula in India about tagging along. I got the feeling from the training that something like that would be inappropriate and unprofessional. I might change my mind in the next few weeks. We'll see.
Also! There's some important information that I am proud of. I've decided to lower my spending budget while in India, and pay off some of my debts before I hit the road. The more I thought about it, the more it didn't make sense to go to India for three months and blow an entire year's worth of hard savings. I've been putting off dealing with these bills for the last four years, and I now have the savings to make a significant dent in my debt. So I will, and it's such a good feeling to know I'm handling it like a mature adult, not an impulsive child.
Later gator(s)!
MCC
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A long-winded story....
Some of you may know, but most of you probably don't; in the last few months I've become very interested in, and have been researching the many aspects of birth. It all started with a medical anthropology class I had last fall. My professor was a lovely woman, seven months pregnant with her third child, whose area of expertise was childbirth in Russia. Her knowledge and passion for the subject of birth in different cultures opened my eyes to a subject I was previously afraid of and uncomfortable with. Since then, I've been reading books and watching movies to learn all that I can about childbirth.
It was during this class I was first introduced to what a doula is. A doula is basically a person who provides emotional and informational support to a woman in labor. According to the Doula Organization of North America (DONA), the use of a doula
I've found an organization in Ann Arbor, Doulas Care, that offers training classes to complete the first steps of obtaining DONA certification. The classes normally cost around $300 - $400, but scholarships are available for some students. I applied for the scholarship in January but it wasn't awarded to me. I didn't hear back from the organization for quite some time until Monday when I found a message in my email inbox offering me the training scholarship for the upcoming training session in May.
You're probably all wondering what this has to do with my trip to India, right? Well, before I received the scholarship award email, I was thinking of how cool it would be to attend some births while in India. Through a google search, I found an organization based in Delhi promoting natural childbirth in the region. The site had a list of doulas, educators and midwives working in Delhi. I looked at each profile, and decided I would email one particular woman in an attempt to make a connection. I wasn't sure what to write in my message. I didn't want to sound like I was some arrogant American traveler wanting an exotic experience seeing some Indian women give birth. But at the same time, that was pretty much what I wanted, minus the arrogance. I concluded I didn't know how to say what I wanted to say, so I saved the draft and tactfully decided to sleep on it.
I'm supposed to be working on finals and crap, but I'll probably finish the email and send it off in the next few days. Since I'll be completing doula training before going to India, I think I'll have a much easier time explaining why I am contacting her. I just keep telling myself that it won't hurt to ask. I've found that asking for things is the best way to get what you want. Sometimes I look back on the things I've asked strangers/family members/friends for, and subsequently received, and I'm amazed at my chutzpah! So, I'll write a well though out email asking if I can see how doulas work in India, and I'll get one of three possible responses. She could not respond, she could respond and tell me she's not interested, or she could respond with an interest in making a cross-cultural connection with an American traveler wanting to witness birth(s) in India. I've got nothing to lose!
Best,
MCC
It was during this class I was first introduced to what a doula is. A doula is basically a person who provides emotional and informational support to a woman in labor. According to the Doula Organization of North America (DONA), the use of a doula
- tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
- reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
I've found an organization in Ann Arbor, Doulas Care, that offers training classes to complete the first steps of obtaining DONA certification. The classes normally cost around $300 - $400, but scholarships are available for some students. I applied for the scholarship in January but it wasn't awarded to me. I didn't hear back from the organization for quite some time until Monday when I found a message in my email inbox offering me the training scholarship for the upcoming training session in May.
You're probably all wondering what this has to do with my trip to India, right? Well, before I received the scholarship award email, I was thinking of how cool it would be to attend some births while in India. Through a google search, I found an organization based in Delhi promoting natural childbirth in the region. The site had a list of doulas, educators and midwives working in Delhi. I looked at each profile, and decided I would email one particular woman in an attempt to make a connection. I wasn't sure what to write in my message. I didn't want to sound like I was some arrogant American traveler wanting an exotic experience seeing some Indian women give birth. But at the same time, that was pretty much what I wanted, minus the arrogance. I concluded I didn't know how to say what I wanted to say, so I saved the draft and tactfully decided to sleep on it.
I'm supposed to be working on finals and crap, but I'll probably finish the email and send it off in the next few days. Since I'll be completing doula training before going to India, I think I'll have a much easier time explaining why I am contacting her. I just keep telling myself that it won't hurt to ask. I've found that asking for things is the best way to get what you want. Sometimes I look back on the things I've asked strangers/family members/friends for, and subsequently received, and I'm amazed at my chutzpah! So, I'll write a well though out email asking if I can see how doulas work in India, and I'll get one of three possible responses. She could not respond, she could respond and tell me she's not interested, or she could respond with an interest in making a cross-cultural connection with an American traveler wanting to witness birth(s) in India. I've got nothing to lose!
Best,
MCC
Monday, April 5, 2010
Finally!
This morning I had an appointment with another political science department faculty member to discuss classes for Fall 2010, when I begin my graduate level classes. For those of you who don't know, I'm on a plan known as a 3/2 program, meaning I earn my bachelor's and master's in five years - three years undergrad, two years graduate - instead of the 6+ years it may normally take a student. Since I already feel like a dinosaur due to all of the time I spent on my past adventures (read: transient, degenerate college drop-out), I think it is a great idea to combine things and get 'er done quickly, and move on to bigger and better things.
Back to my story. I was meeting with another adviser on grad school stuff and he asked about my internship plans. I explained I had something lined up in India, but my other adviser wasn't keen on accepting it as an internship. Instead he would approve it as an independent study, and override my requirement for an undergraduate internship. My graduate adviser then said that he thinks that would be a great idea, and since I would be doing an internship in my graduate level coursework anyway, so an internship during my undergraduate portion of the 3/2 isn't really necessary. I then mentioned that I had all of my coursework done, and actually had more undergraduate credits that I needed. I asked that since he was ok with overriding my internship requirement, would it be necessary to do an independent study during my time in India? He said no, it wasn't.
In case that didn't make sense, I'll explain what this decision means to me, personally.
Internships and independent studies earn university credits. For the opportunity to earn credits, a student must pay tuition. This particular 3 credit internship would end up costing about $1000 in tuition and student fees! On top of my tuition, I also have to pay a fee to work with the program ($1010 for ten weeks) and I recently spent over $1300 on my plane ticket. This whole trip is being bankrolled by my savings, and I was worrying a little bit on how much actual saving I will be able to do. This is a override takes a huge, HUGE load off my shoulders and I couldn't be more relieved with this news!
So there is a stellar update for you, my dear audience. I am relieved and excited! My newest adventure is officially coming together quite well. Thank you for reading. :)
All the best,
MCC
Back to my story. I was meeting with another adviser on grad school stuff and he asked about my internship plans. I explained I had something lined up in India, but my other adviser wasn't keen on accepting it as an internship. Instead he would approve it as an independent study, and override my requirement for an undergraduate internship. My graduate adviser then said that he thinks that would be a great idea, and since I would be doing an internship in my graduate level coursework anyway, so an internship during my undergraduate portion of the 3/2 isn't really necessary. I then mentioned that I had all of my coursework done, and actually had more undergraduate credits that I needed. I asked that since he was ok with overriding my internship requirement, would it be necessary to do an independent study during my time in India? He said no, it wasn't.
In case that didn't make sense, I'll explain what this decision means to me, personally.
Internships and independent studies earn university credits. For the opportunity to earn credits, a student must pay tuition. This particular 3 credit internship would end up costing about $1000 in tuition and student fees! On top of my tuition, I also have to pay a fee to work with the program ($1010 for ten weeks) and I recently spent over $1300 on my plane ticket. This whole trip is being bankrolled by my savings, and I was worrying a little bit on how much actual saving I will be able to do. This is a override takes a huge, HUGE load off my shoulders and I couldn't be more relieved with this news!
So there is a stellar update for you, my dear audience. I am relieved and excited! My newest adventure is officially coming together quite well. Thank you for reading. :)
All the best,
MCC
Friday, March 5, 2010
Planning.
Hi world,
The saga continues. Sometimes I'm not quite sure why I'm already writing in this blog; I'm still in the U.S. and my travel plans aren't for a few months now. I suppose it's the venting I find therapeutic. So, write I will. Also, I think it would be nice for the people who start reading later to have some incite to the planning aspect of my adventure.
So, where do I begin? I got an email from travelocity this morning explaining my flight reservation had changed, and to call the customer service line as soon as possible. The email sounded urgent, so I called and sat on hold hell for 25 minutes. I was then connected to someone in, wait for it... INDIA! Ha! So, I was trying to work something out regarding my flight from India to the U.S. with a customer service representative in India. I thought that was funny. In the end, the booking problem was not solved. But I was put on a call list to have someone else contact me with alternative travel plans. I guess we'll see how things develop.
In other important news, I still don't have approval from my adviser on the internship. I think he's given up on contacting people to verify the program, and instead he's leaving the rest up to me. I think this is complete nonsense, since he's the one who is impossible to please. What else could he possibly be looking for? I've gotten emails from one past volunteer, and he's contacted two past volunteers! Last summer he was so quick to approve my internship to Ghana based on some sheets of printed information from the organization's website. This is really annoying!
Woo Hoo!!
MCC
The saga continues. Sometimes I'm not quite sure why I'm already writing in this blog; I'm still in the U.S. and my travel plans aren't for a few months now. I suppose it's the venting I find therapeutic. So, write I will. Also, I think it would be nice for the people who start reading later to have some incite to the planning aspect of my adventure.
So, where do I begin? I got an email from travelocity this morning explaining my flight reservation had changed, and to call the customer service line as soon as possible. The email sounded urgent, so I called and sat on hold hell for 25 minutes. I was then connected to someone in, wait for it... INDIA! Ha! So, I was trying to work something out regarding my flight from India to the U.S. with a customer service representative in India. I thought that was funny. In the end, the booking problem was not solved. But I was put on a call list to have someone else contact me with alternative travel plans. I guess we'll see how things develop.
In other important news, I still don't have approval from my adviser on the internship. I think he's given up on contacting people to verify the program, and instead he's leaving the rest up to me. I think this is complete nonsense, since he's the one who is impossible to please. What else could he possibly be looking for? I've gotten emails from one past volunteer, and he's contacted two past volunteers! Last summer he was so quick to approve my internship to Ghana based on some sheets of printed information from the organization's website. This is really annoying!
Woo Hoo!!
MCC
Monday, February 22, 2010
ORD (O'Hare Intl. Airport)
I said this in an earlier post; for some reason I thought it would be cheaper to fly to Delhi from Chicago than my home city airport. To be honest, I have no idea if this is true at this point in time. Booking my plane ticket was a draining task that involved multiple search engines, varying departure times and dates, and a few different nearby departure cities. These shenanigans were all in an attempt to find the lowest airfare available. All I can say at this point is that I think flying from Chicago was the cheapest option, but that may or may not be true.
But after speaking to my close friend/past co-worker/previous first floor neighbor/birthday twin, I think flying from Chicago was meant to be. She's moving to London with her beau in March, and planning on coming back to Chicago in August to have her wedding. Guess what weekend in August? Yep, the weekend after I get back from India!
For the last few weeks I was thinking about how I should have just paid the extra money to fly in and out near my home! I was dreading the 25 hour flight back to the states by itself, not to mention spending another five hours in a car! Add to that the bickering between my divorced parents over which one gets to see me off in Chicago, and which one gets to pick me up. No thank you...
But this option works out so amazingly well. I'll fly back from India midweek, witness the coolest couple promising a lifetime of love and commitment to one another, party like the retired rock star I am, and then take the bus back home. Bellissimo! I love it already! :D
But after speaking to my close friend/past co-worker/previous first floor neighbor/birthday twin, I think flying from Chicago was meant to be. She's moving to London with her beau in March, and planning on coming back to Chicago in August to have her wedding. Guess what weekend in August? Yep, the weekend after I get back from India!
For the last few weeks I was thinking about how I should have just paid the extra money to fly in and out near my home! I was dreading the 25 hour flight back to the states by itself, not to mention spending another five hours in a car! Add to that the bickering between my divorced parents over which one gets to see me off in Chicago, and which one gets to pick me up. No thank you...
But this option works out so amazingly well. I'll fly back from India midweek, witness the coolest couple promising a lifetime of love and commitment to one another, party like the retired rock star I am, and then take the bus back home. Bellissimo! I love it already! :D
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Updatezzzzz.
Hello world!
I am still at home, but I thought I'd update my nonexistent audience on the details of my developing adventure. My professor is continuing to seek out contact with a university that has had an experience with the organization, and can tell him if it can support an international intern. So far, he has heard from three individuals who have worked with the organization, but it still isn't good enough for him. Right now we are waiting for a response from a university in Canada. Once he's received a response from a faculty member there, he will give the green light on the internship.
On my end, I recently purchased my travel health insurance, and booked two nights stay at a hotel in Delhi. When I went to Kenya I flew by the seat of my pants, and somehow managed to get a room the night of my arrival. Using the web, I was able to find a hotel with decent reviews, so I went ahead and prepaid for my stay. It'll be one less thing to worry about when I arrive, so it feels quite good to have it settled.
I've also started a highly disciplined savings plan. It's completely self-imposed, but I can show impressive amounts of self restraint when needed. I did the math, and it appears that if I plan on doing any sort of additional travel while I'm in India, I'll need a hefty chunk of dinero. So be it! From here to my departure date, I have vowed not to buy any new clothes, any useless crap, any semi-useless crap, and no eating out. It kind of sucks; but keeping in mind how much $30 can go in India compared to $30 at the bar here in U.S., I think I can bring myself to stick to my plan.
India is going to be so awesome. It's also going to be ridiculously hot, I'm not going to speak any of the languages, I'm not going to understand the customs, and I might offend some people. But in the end, it is going to be awesome.
I am still at home, but I thought I'd update my nonexistent audience on the details of my developing adventure. My professor is continuing to seek out contact with a university that has had an experience with the organization, and can tell him if it can support an international intern. So far, he has heard from three individuals who have worked with the organization, but it still isn't good enough for him. Right now we are waiting for a response from a university in Canada. Once he's received a response from a faculty member there, he will give the green light on the internship.
On my end, I recently purchased my travel health insurance, and booked two nights stay at a hotel in Delhi. When I went to Kenya I flew by the seat of my pants, and somehow managed to get a room the night of my arrival. Using the web, I was able to find a hotel with decent reviews, so I went ahead and prepaid for my stay. It'll be one less thing to worry about when I arrive, so it feels quite good to have it settled.
I've also started a highly disciplined savings plan. It's completely self-imposed, but I can show impressive amounts of self restraint when needed. I did the math, and it appears that if I plan on doing any sort of additional travel while I'm in India, I'll need a hefty chunk of dinero. So be it! From here to my departure date, I have vowed not to buy any new clothes, any useless crap, any semi-useless crap, and no eating out. It kind of sucks; but keeping in mind how much $30 can go in India compared to $30 at the bar here in U.S., I think I can bring myself to stick to my plan.
India is going to be so awesome. It's also going to be ridiculously hot, I'm not going to speak any of the languages, I'm not going to understand the customs, and I might offend some people. But in the end, it is going to be awesome.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Ticket? Check.
I met with my internship coordinator at the university today. Although things didn't go exactly as I planned, I left the meeting knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to India, and proceeded to walk to the library and promptly booked my flight. I then texted several of my friends, emailed my parents and updated my facebook status.
So. I'm going to India this summer. :D
My flight is booked to leave Chicago O'Hare Airport at 4:00 pm on May 26th, and arrive in New Delhi the following day, May 27th at 10 pm. I'll be staying for 11 weeks, leaving Delhi for the USA on August 11th. I booked my flight through Chicago because there was a price difference that seemed substantial at the time. Looking back, it might have been worth the extra, but the ticket can't be changed, so I'm not going to worry about it.
But! I'm going abroad?! How cool is that? I've been dying to do more traveling since I got back from Kenya two and a half years ago, and I finally have something planned!! Now it's time to pour over books and websites, completely get my obsessing on.
So. I'm going to India this summer. :D
My flight is booked to leave Chicago O'Hare Airport at 4:00 pm on May 26th, and arrive in New Delhi the following day, May 27th at 10 pm. I'll be staying for 11 weeks, leaving Delhi for the USA on August 11th. I booked my flight through Chicago because there was a price difference that seemed substantial at the time. Looking back, it might have been worth the extra, but the ticket can't be changed, so I'm not going to worry about it.
But! I'm going abroad?! How cool is that? I've been dying to do more traveling since I got back from Kenya two and a half years ago, and I finally have something planned!! Now it's time to pour over books and websites, completely get my obsessing on.
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