One Geek

This trip has been much more difficult then my trip in 2004. Living in Delhi without a real sense of community, seeing few tangible outcomes yet from my work, and having not seen anyone benefit from my work so far come to mind immediately. There is something about doing work in the administrative side of things, which is nicer to do at the unit level. Where one can see physical outcomes of the machine you are a cog in, when patients receive their treatments. I did though get to visit Nagaland, which was good but hard.

Also hard has been that my friendships back home were really close when I left. Some great new friendships, and some old friendships that have became much closer. I love the way everyone keeps growing and journeying on. Anyway I have been really missing the depth I have in my Sydney based friendships. Then again I have been keeping in touch a lot.

On the more positive side of things, I am finally starting to get some outcomes out of my work. After a lot of meetings with vendors and research I am getting my budget together. It has been an interesting cross-cultural experience meeting with vendors, and seeing how differently some stuff happens here. At times it’s been rather frustrating, as people don’t get back to you when they say they will. All in all though it’s been fun.

I have a few side projects and I have been to a cool group of people who are working on both preventing the spread of TB and HIV/AIDS, and care for people who have HIV/AIDS or TB. In that group I also heard the personal story of two people who had suffered from TB. I’ve setup a lot of wireless routers this trip, and tomorrow I am setting up a new server for the Delhi Office of EHA.

I have read some interesting books, eaten some good food and spent a lot of time in coffee shops. Wes and I have had conversations on all manner of topics. I have also had some rather funny conversations with Moonie the woman who comes twice a week to do some domestic work for us. She only speaks Hindi, but she can get quite animated sometimes. Particularly about my socks but that’s another post. I have also had two dosa making lessons from Victor and Sarah.

I am finally starting to make some friends at church, which is good. There a few people from Nagaland there and their insights have been interesting. Though after church each night is worse then after church at St Pete’s. We always go to the same coffee shop but it takes so so long to actually leave to go there.

I am looking forward to coming home for the wedding of fun. I have a feeling it’s going to be rather intense but good. I have to try and work out how much work I need to do to keep balls moving back here on my job here. I also need a holiday so I shall not do too much work.

Less then 8 days until I am home. Yay!

I forgot my Mum’s birthday today, well actually I just thought she was born a few days later. This would normally not be an issue but living in another country then your family it becomes easier to make these kinds of mistakes.

So I am sorry Mum and will try to be a better son in future.

Today is Independence Day here, celebrating India throwing off the shackles of the British Empire.

I’d love everyone to be around when everyone is chanting something like “Down with the Empire!!!” Unless I am the leader of the Empire, then I expect the following chant “The Leader is good, the is great. We love the leader!!”. I think perhaps the world needs a new independence movement, but that is a post for another day.

Entries for competition close Friday 11.59 Eastern Standard Time(EST).

It was a very wet day today. Reminded me of the song Buckets of Rain.

Buckets of rain
Buckets of tears
Got all them buckets comin’ out of my ears.
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,
I got all the love, honey baby,
You can stand.

I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.
Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby,
I’ll be here.

Like your smile
And your fingertips
Like the way that you move your lips.
I like the cool way you look at me,
Everything about you is bringing me
Misery.

Little red wagon
Little red bike
I ain’t no monkey but I know what I like.
I like the way you love me strong and slow,
I’m takin’ you with me, honey baby,
When I go.

Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I’ll do it for you, honey baby,
Can’t you tell?

Bob Dylan

So, maybe advocacy might just work.

The first prize is a candle holder, I think that’s what it does anyway.

Prize 2 a napkin holder.

Prize 3 a hangable notepad/message pad.

The winner gets to choose one of these fantastic prizes. Also note that these prizes were made by people with disabilities.

I am looking to live vicariously through others. In an effort to do this more effectively I am opening up a little competition for the best description of the Helen and Jon’s wedding. The winner receives an Indian souvenir from me.

Conditions.
Entries may be submitted as a comment, on your own blog or in an email to me.
I am the sole judge of this competition and any decision made by me is final.

Why do I even bother making plans?

I have a decision that I need some help with from people, should I continue drinking Coke in India when it has reportatedly got dangerously high levels of pesticides in it? One state Kerala has baned all Coke and Pepsi drinks from being sold. A part of me wonders whether all this controversy is just political, maybe someone didn’t pay a bribe or something. Anyway let me know what you think.

This census I am not going to be counted. It’s a little sad. I wish I was being counted as part of Australia this census. I want my chance to put down jedi knight as my religion, but no just because I am in India I don’t get to be part of it. Dogs!

Last month wasn’t very pleasant but this month so far has been great.
God’s timing is far better then mine.
News that a little while would of caused me much anxiety and stress if I found out earlier I am now fine with.
I keep on finding out lots of little pieces coming together in rather nice ways.
Many extra little surprises that I can only attribute to God.
I have got through lots of my work and now it’s a bit over 2 weeks until I am home now which is exciting.
In fact I am feeling a little like a child around Christmas which is fantastic.

Isn’t it funny how a few words in an email can dramatically impact on your plans in life.

Though as I am enjoying listening to them there is a sadness in my heart. There really are so many things I am missing out on this year. I am getting my share of new things myself. I have a feeling the really rewarding bit of my work will been when the hospital actually opens and people start using the systems.. I hope I get it right.

I still feel sad though. I wish I could be there for the 2 concerts and 3 weddings I am missing.

In other news about 3 weeks until I am home now. Really looking forward to the wedding of fun.

Does anyone think there is any redeming features to jealousy?

I look around and I can only see it causing damage. I have seen many relationships ruined through its influence, literature is filled with examples of its destructive power. And it’s not just romantic jealousy either there is much damage also caused by what I guess would be envy. I wonder what it would take to live a life without any hint or jealousy. I think the main thing is probably just to be secure in yourself and your identity, not sure though. Need to go and read the Road Less Travelled again.

Although I am always a bit worried about the bit where God says his “for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” in Exodus 20. I assume that would extend to a married couple and their being some right to be jealous if one partner cheats on them. Not sure about that.