Sunday, November 30, 2008

Well......








I am not sure where to begin. At this stage, I am in Bangalore and will be here for a few days before heading to Delhi on Wednesday.

First, let me address the recent events in Mumbai. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for any of the people directly affected by the attacks. My heart is with them. As a foreigner, it is difficult to feel safe anywhere here. Any time someone asks me where I am from, I say Canada. I am tempted just to try and play a slight accent and say Chandigarh, but with a backpackers pack strapped to my back I think it's a dead giveaway. The first reaction I got earlier today when I told someone who asked me where I was from that I was from Canada was, "Lovely place- peaceful people and lots of natural beauty". I thought to myself, yes my friend that is exactly what i was going for - PEACEFUL place. No Bush administration, no "war on terror", none of the ridiculousness that now comes with being an American.

I am posting a few pictures from Chennai. I am so sorry, I am not writing more, but there is a lot going on and time is short.......more later - I promise : ).

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Adventures of Emma & Eddie Eyeball



Allow me to introduce v.1.0 of my newest friends......

Yeah, they're cartoons.

No. No, I'm not having early onset jet lag....

And yes, I made them up. Sure, you can call them my imaginary friends, but they have a purpose - to educate children (maybe even a few adults) about eye health and eye diseases in India. My hope is that Eddie & Emma will successfully accomplish their goal and maybe even have fun along the way.

Sooo, enough about them. I'm leaving in a few hours for Chennai!!! I almost can't believe it accept for the fact that I've been running around all day taking care of last minute packing and random errands (yes mom, I really do need to worry about zits still and yes, I did spray my socks with mosquito repellent : ) ).

I've come to learn that there is an internet cafe right across from the place I am staying in Chennai.....so, dear reader, that means you and I have time to get better acquainted.

Lucky you.

'till next time, from Chennai (by way of Air France)......

Sunday, November 2, 2008

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take....you know the rest : )

Imagine that you are moving to a tropical island far away from home and you only have 50 lbs worth of "stuff" that you can take with you - what do you bring?

Wait. That's actually happening....

Here's my mother's list on my behalf:
Scrubs
bikini
sublock
and your damn windsufer that's been sitting in the garage for years and since you can't take it on the plane, how about sail it there wearing the bikini with the scrubs over it and the sunblock on your face/in a little bag strapped to your back with some water....have fun kid !!

Crap.

Seriously, everyone has these long lists of things that you are supposed to take that you either can't get on the island at all or are in short supply and guaranteed to run out if you are not one of the first five callers so to speak. We're talking:

bedding
extension cords
ethernet cable
DEET
surge protectors
binders
highlighters
Netter's Anatomy Flashcards
Colored pens/pencils
Printer
Ink Cartridges for above referenced printer
ream of paper for afore mentioned printer
flashlight
toiletries in large supply
Brita
Filters for above referenced Brita
pots & pans

Shall I go on ? I am sure we are well above 50 lbs here and I haven't even listed any clothing or a hair dryer.....hmmmmm.

This is where you guys come in : ). Ya know how you keep mentioning how great it'd be to visit me down there ? How about we make a deal? You come visit and stay in my teeeeeny tiny dorm room free of charge and in exchange bring moi some supplies! You like ? I like.

72 days until I am officially "Marooned".....