off to the airport i go...really hope i didnt' forget anything.
i also realized it's winter there...hopefully i packed enough clothes--one suitcase for two months? even i think that might be too little...
i was sitting on the porcelain throne taking my last dump in the states for awhile and i remembered to check the direction of the swirling water, just to check the myth that the water spins the other way in the southern hemisphere for myself...will let you all know what i conclude :]
although this website apparently says that it has nothing to do w/ location in the world, but the design of the water spigots. buzzkill.
will update in atlanta most likely due to my looooong 10-hr layover
here we go!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
t minus 2 and first news of activities!
two days. i leave on sunday night.
haven't even started packing yet. instead, i'm doing this shit and making ramen. with eggs though, so its a bit more legit.
got my semester grades, and it's the worst i've done since freshman year and that's saying a lot.
but hey, keep lookin forward yea? at least i'm done with all science classes so i can load up on business classes and electives :]
i accidentally got an issue of "the journal of the american medical association" because the mail guy fucked up [fate?]. i think it'll make for a good read on the 24+hour traveling schedule i have.
the itinerary:
phoenix to atlanta: depart 11:40pm sunday and arrive at 6:07am ET on monday. 4.5 hr flight
then, a lovely 10hr layover as my flight to cape town departs at 4:10pm monday. this is going to be an extremely miserable time for me, so...text me, call me, love me please do anything to keep me sane. what the fuck do people do for that long in an airport?
total flight time from atlanta to cape town=17hr 40 min--the longest flight i've ever been on. its only like 14 now i think from LA to korea.
the flight stops in dakar, which is in senegal...i don't know anything about this country except that it's on the coast of west africa.
the time difference will be 9 hours from phoenix, 6 hours from pittsburgh.
i hope you enjoy that drawing, cuz it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to edit it, save it, upload it to the site and paste it in here. im computer illiterate i know. you would think i'd be better after 3 years at carnegie mellon.
i'm really fucking nervous right now (and excited). but i think i'm ready to leave and do this [save the world one patient at a time]. there's a few [one] people i don't really want to leave behind here at home, but well...i've had to do that many times now plus ill be back home in august anyway so i guess it doesn't seem as bad. sort of.
i also need to figure out how my brother's digital camera works so i know how to use it [again w/ the technology-deficient me] cuz the flash wouldn't turn on or something when i took it to the dominican republic.
i've hacked my iTouch [w/ help from my brother, technology-deficient ed pt. III] so i've got some games :] i've gotten quite good at the beer pong app.........
speaking of pong, playing it at sigep has really helped my skills at it a lot. the rules we have at sigep like open cup, no reracks, no finger/blow all that jazz really helps you to become a pong sharpshooter. aim, fire, swish. the rules here w/ ASU and UA kids are much less 'hardcore' and i'm thankful for the practice i've obtained. not to bash on their rules though! games go much quicker.
...i can't believe i'm talking about pong. wtf is wrong with me?
yesterday, i petted my friend's bunny. it was really fat. the fattest bunny i've ever seen. but as soon as i opened the door, it hopped out of its cage and waddled to my feet, stopped and arched its back so i would pet it. adorable.
.....im so gay sometimes.
there's going to be interns from the US, canada, england, ireland, even switzerland! and there's a buttload of people going from ASU and UPenn as well. something to bond over i guess.
i just got an email from the program directors about june's activities...check it out IM SO FUCKING EXCITED!!
----------------------------------------------------------
i love penguins. both the animals and the pittsburgh penguins.
they've also got surfing lessons, kayaking opportunities, the biggest arts festival in subsaharan africa, hiking, rappelling (spelling?), a crapton of bars and clubs reserved, african drumming lessons...jesus. it's going to be an expensive trip. where will i find time to work during all this? :]
haven't even started packing yet. instead, i'm doing this shit and making ramen. with eggs though, so its a bit more legit.
got my semester grades, and it's the worst i've done since freshman year and that's saying a lot.
but hey, keep lookin forward yea? at least i'm done with all science classes so i can load up on business classes and electives :]
i accidentally got an issue of "the journal of the american medical association" because the mail guy fucked up [fate?]. i think it'll make for a good read on the 24+hour traveling schedule i have.
the itinerary:
phoenix to atlanta: depart 11:40pm sunday and arrive at 6:07am ET on monday. 4.5 hr flight
then, a lovely 10hr layover as my flight to cape town departs at 4:10pm monday. this is going to be an extremely miserable time for me, so...text me, call me, love me please do anything to keep me sane. what the fuck do people do for that long in an airport?
total flight time from atlanta to cape town=17hr 40 min--the longest flight i've ever been on. its only like 14 now i think from LA to korea.
the flight stops in dakar, which is in senegal...i don't know anything about this country except that it's on the coast of west africa.
the time difference will be 9 hours from phoenix, 6 hours from pittsburgh.
i hope you enjoy that drawing, cuz it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to edit it, save it, upload it to the site and paste it in here. im computer illiterate i know. you would think i'd be better after 3 years at carnegie mellon.
i'm really fucking nervous right now (and excited). but i think i'm ready to leave and do this [save the world one patient at a time]. there's a few [one] people i don't really want to leave behind here at home, but well...i've had to do that many times now plus ill be back home in august anyway so i guess it doesn't seem as bad. sort of.
i also need to figure out how my brother's digital camera works so i know how to use it [again w/ the technology-deficient me] cuz the flash wouldn't turn on or something when i took it to the dominican republic.
i've hacked my iTouch [w/ help from my brother, technology-deficient ed pt. III] so i've got some games :] i've gotten quite good at the beer pong app.........
speaking of pong, playing it at sigep has really helped my skills at it a lot. the rules we have at sigep like open cup, no reracks, no finger/blow all that jazz really helps you to become a pong sharpshooter. aim, fire, swish. the rules here w/ ASU and UA kids are much less 'hardcore' and i'm thankful for the practice i've obtained. not to bash on their rules though! games go much quicker.
...i can't believe i'm talking about pong. wtf is wrong with me?
yesterday, i petted my friend's bunny. it was really fat. the fattest bunny i've ever seen. but as soon as i opened the door, it hopped out of its cage and waddled to my feet, stopped and arched its back so i would pet it. adorable.
.....im so gay sometimes.
there's going to be interns from the US, canada, england, ireland, even switzerland! and there's a buttload of people going from ASU and UPenn as well. something to bond over i guess.
i just got an email from the program directors about june's activities...check it out IM SO FUCKING EXCITED!!
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect-123 Drinks Night @ Asoka
Tuesday 11 June
Drinks night this week will be held on Tuesday at Asoka Son of Dharma, a really trendy bar/club on Kloof Street where they do fantastic cocktails. The Restless Natives, a great jazz band play there on Tuesday nights and it makes a great addition to the regular Long Street crawl. Come and check it out and catch up with everyone.
Details:
Time: 8pm
Tuesday @ 68 Kloof Street
Cape Town Book Fair 2009
Saturday 13 June – Tuesday 16 June
If you’re a bookworm or aspiring writer, you might be interested in The Cape Town Book Fair 2009, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Attended by more than 50,000 visitors last year, this is the largest book related event in Sub-Saharan Africa.
There are a myriad of panel discussions, book launches, seminars and workshops to attend and lots presentations and exhibitions to see. The skills of writing, proof-reading and copywriting will be taught by well-known local authors and those who are interested can even learn to weave Zulu baskets.
Details:
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
Entrance: Adults - R50 per day; Students - Free
Opening Times: Saturday to Monday: 13 - 15 June 10am till 6pm; Tuesday 16 June: 10am till 4pm
Armin Van Buuren Live in Cape Town
Monday 15 June
Armin Van Buuren is set to ignite Cape Town at the Godskitchen event in June 2009, which could see the whole of Cape Town set alight with the flames of the best dance music in the world!
Armin van Buuren has been named number one in the prestigious DJ Top 100 poll twice in a row (in 2007 and 2008), voted for by over 350,000 people across the world. This is a strong indication of the prolific status as a DJ and a producer that he’s built up over the last 10 years.
Details:
Venue: Bellville Velodrome
Location: Bellville, Cape Town
Time: 20:00
Price: VIP R290 / General R190
Connect-123 Outing to Cape Point and Boulders Penguins
Saturday 20 June
We’ll be visiting Cape Point and on route stop at Boulders Beach and visit our smelly penguin friends followed by a delicious brunch at Boulders Place, overlooking the ocean, continuing onto Cape Point.
Details:
Leave Perspectives at 9:00. Drive in convoy in own cars.
Brunch by 11:00
Cape Point nature reserve gate fee: R55per person
Boulders Beach Penguins gate fee: R25pp.
Petrol to driver: R40
Brunch/Lunch: Own expense.
i love penguins. both the animals and the pittsburgh penguins.
they've also got surfing lessons, kayaking opportunities, the biggest arts festival in subsaharan africa, hiking, rappelling (spelling?), a crapton of bars and clubs reserved, african drumming lessons...jesus. it's going to be an expensive trip. where will i find time to work during all this? :]
Sunday, May 24, 2009
insomnia --> ramblings
can't sleep.
it's now almost exactly a week until i leave for the airport on the longest flight of my life to the farthest place i've ever been in my life. alone. completely alone. i mean, there's about 60 others in the program but i know no one.
this will be a whole new set of challenges for me. at least i don't have language barriers to worry about too much like i did in the dominican republic. trying to communicate there was really tough with the limited spanish i knew.
however, i have no idea what to expect as far as culture goes. perhaps it won't be all that different as cape town is more or less pretty westernized i think. but when i travel around the country doing different things, what then?
it also got me thinking...i'm really fortunate. i mean i've had to fork over a lot of money for this trip and my dominican republic trip last winter, but i'm so glad i was able to find ways to fund this endeavor. i'm living my dream of seeing the world. i never thought that coming into college, i'd have the opportunity to travel to the carribbean let alone AFRICA to do research.
speaking of research...i guess i should write down what it is exactly i'm going to do for two months, cuz unfortunately, its not all fun and games.
the email i got was as follows...
i do realize now that my actual laboratory research background won't really be utilized i think, which is rather unfortunate but the daily interaction with professional doctors and patients is much more valuable i think. i mean...the whole point of being a physician is to diagnose and recommend a course of action right? that's exactly what i'd be getting to do while focusing on AIDS/tuberculosis treatment research on the side.
and the best part is, if i can conclusively finish those initial tasks, i'm free to pursue whatever research i feel would be pertinent (with the consent of my advisor that is). i've never done independent research before...we'll see how this goes.
and now, the reason i started a blog in the first place since i haven't done that since my high school days. i don't even own a digital camera in this day and age. well, i do but its pretty much nonfunctional and has a fully charged battery life of 10 seconds. i dont plan on buying one anytime soon either--i need the savings to get a new computer actually. the only pictures i have during my dominican republic trip was those i leeched from everyone else through facebook.
i want some way to preserve my memories...and i figured a friend of mine (tom lewkowitz in palau!) is doing a blog and i thought it was a good idea. my other friend annie did a similar thing during her stay in new zealand. so now it's my turn. ed oh in south africa baby.
if anyone wants a diamond, let me know. ill see if i can smuggle some back ;)
2:30am. not tired one bit. fuck
it's now almost exactly a week until i leave for the airport on the longest flight of my life to the farthest place i've ever been in my life. alone. completely alone. i mean, there's about 60 others in the program but i know no one.
this will be a whole new set of challenges for me. at least i don't have language barriers to worry about too much like i did in the dominican republic. trying to communicate there was really tough with the limited spanish i knew.
however, i have no idea what to expect as far as culture goes. perhaps it won't be all that different as cape town is more or less pretty westernized i think. but when i travel around the country doing different things, what then?
it also got me thinking...i'm really fortunate. i mean i've had to fork over a lot of money for this trip and my dominican republic trip last winter, but i'm so glad i was able to find ways to fund this endeavor. i'm living my dream of seeing the world. i never thought that coming into college, i'd have the opportunity to travel to the carribbean let alone AFRICA to do research.
speaking of research...i guess i should write down what it is exactly i'm going to do for two months, cuz unfortunately, its not all fun and games.
the email i got was as follows...
|
Dear Edward,
I am very excited to inform you of a great offer that was extended to you, by the Tyberberg Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Clinic. Congratulations!
As basic background, it’s a very well known hospital and the University of Stellenbosch's teaching hospital. The Infectious Diseases clinic caters for HIV, TB and other patients. They continuously have research projects on the go.
From our previous placements with them, our pre-med students had the opportunity to shadow doctors in the clinic, attend ward rounds but most importantly work on very pressing research projects which revolved around observational studies as to the changes, improvements, and general status/health of patients before and after treatment.
1. 1) Creation of patient friendly identification treatment chart
2. 2) Characterization of patient subgroup referred to the Infectious Diseases for antiretroviral treatment at an advanced stage
3. 3) Three patient case study of TB immune reconstitution disease causing dysphagia
4. 4) Investigating upper right quadrant pain and/or tenderness in patients with immune reconstitution disease to determine incidence and associations.
now the first thing sounds like complete bitch work...which is why i asked about it and found it's already been completed so i don't have to do it :]i do realize now that my actual laboratory research background won't really be utilized i think, which is rather unfortunate but the daily interaction with professional doctors and patients is much more valuable i think. i mean...the whole point of being a physician is to diagnose and recommend a course of action right? that's exactly what i'd be getting to do while focusing on AIDS/tuberculosis treatment research on the side.
and the best part is, if i can conclusively finish those initial tasks, i'm free to pursue whatever research i feel would be pertinent (with the consent of my advisor that is). i've never done independent research before...we'll see how this goes.
and now, the reason i started a blog in the first place since i haven't done that since my high school days. i don't even own a digital camera in this day and age. well, i do but its pretty much nonfunctional and has a fully charged battery life of 10 seconds. i dont plan on buying one anytime soon either--i need the savings to get a new computer actually. the only pictures i have during my dominican republic trip was those i leeched from everyone else through facebook.
i want some way to preserve my memories...and i figured a friend of mine (tom lewkowitz in palau!) is doing a blog and i thought it was a good idea. my other friend annie did a similar thing during her stay in new zealand. so now it's my turn. ed oh in south africa baby.
if anyone wants a diamond, let me know. ill see if i can smuggle some back ;)
2:30am. not tired one bit. fuck
Thursday, May 21, 2009
pre-departure #1
blog is a funny word...wonder who came up with that?
final preparations for the trip are almost done...just need to make sure they're going to pick me up at the airport and double-check customs stuff. also, deciding if i should split rental car costs w/ a few others and carpool or risk the public transportation where robberies happen on a daily basis.
hm.
really glad i recovered my music from my fried computer. AND i got the new dream theater album off leaks...but no worries, i've already pre-ordered the triple disc special edition box set the day it was available so it's not like i'm robbing them. i support dream theater fully :]
its absolutely incredible. i think it's their best since scenes from a memory in 1999. only 6 tracks with the shortest clocking in aroud 6 minutes, but not a boring moment. there's times when you get your eardrums rocked and other times, the melodies are so catchy and strong that they'll stick for days.
and don't even get me started on petrucci holy shit. the guitar lines and solos are well done and his tone and phrasing gets better and better. the end of 'best of times' [which is about portnoy's dad's death :(] seriously makes me weep like a japanese schoolgirl cuz it's so beautiful and heart-wrenching.
i'm glad i have this new album for the trip...
i fucking love dream theater. fucking love them.
final preparations for the trip are almost done...just need to make sure they're going to pick me up at the airport and double-check customs stuff. also, deciding if i should split rental car costs w/ a few others and carpool or risk the public transportation where robberies happen on a daily basis.
hm.
really glad i recovered my music from my fried computer. AND i got the new dream theater album off leaks...but no worries, i've already pre-ordered the triple disc special edition box set the day it was available so it's not like i'm robbing them. i support dream theater fully :]
its absolutely incredible. i think it's their best since scenes from a memory in 1999. only 6 tracks with the shortest clocking in aroud 6 minutes, but not a boring moment. there's times when you get your eardrums rocked and other times, the melodies are so catchy and strong that they'll stick for days.
and don't even get me started on petrucci holy shit. the guitar lines and solos are well done and his tone and phrasing gets better and better. the end of 'best of times' [which is about portnoy's dad's death :(] seriously makes me weep like a japanese schoolgirl cuz it's so beautiful and heart-wrenching.
i'm glad i have this new album for the trip...
i fucking love dream theater. fucking love them.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
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