You're Right

 

 

It's Tuesday and officially "hump day" in Bangladesh!

It has been a while since my last post and I've got to admit, I've been somewhat timid to write a new one. I feel as if my day-to-day grind throughout the last 3 days or so has been quite mundane compared to my first weeks here in Dhaka. As well, I'm getting very accustomed to the sites, smells, and sounds that previously left me speechless. Though I am getting very used to the culture of Bangladesh, intermittent shocking images never fail to present themselves! 

Walking back to my flat from Lavender this past Saturday afternoon I was left with more irreversible images. On the side of the road in front of me, I happened to see a man with elephantiasis that sat begging for money. Elephantiasis is a tropical disease, scientifically known as Lymphatic Filariasis and is most commonly recognized by side effects of abnormally enlarged body parts. The disease is transmitted by mosquitos that are infected with active parasite larvae which are then deposited into the host and travel to the lymphatic systems where they grow into adult worms. I previously learned of this disease in a global health course and was speechless to see a textbook image come to life in real time right before my eyes. Since I've been in Bangladesh, I have had many experiences similar to this where textbook images are suddenly right in front of me. I must say, these sights leave me close to utter disbelief at what my eyes are telling me. 

About a mile down the road, another interesting sight was observed near my very own street. I rounded the corner to road 70, one that intersects mine, and was shocked to see a shirtless elder woman in a drive way about 10 feet from me taking her pants off. I didn't know how to act! It's frowned upon for a woman to show her legs in this country, yet an elder woman was walking around almost completely naked right in front of me!! What in the world... I wish I had some reasoning to share with you all, but I have none. I walked right on by trying not to notice, just like everyone else, as I searched my mind for answers that never came. Maybe she had a mental illness? A skin rash that needed immediate relief? God only knows!

 

At the Center, Most of my time has been filled with hours in the air conditioned library on the fourth floor working on my case study. Since I am leaving the country earlier than I initially planned, the process of completing my "mini-study" has been in full swing this week. I have collated all of my questionnaires, growth charts and information on each child into a Word document and will begin the writing process later today. I plan on finishing the written section by tomorrow and will turn in the final copy to Dr. Sayeeda for review Thursday morning. I'm looking forward to finishing my first (somewhat) official case study!

 

I constantly surprise myself with the amount of information I've become so familiar with while working at ICDDR,B and I am incredibly thankful to be here each and every day. I'm baffled when I look around, for I am surrounded by world renowned researchers, doctors, scientists, epidemiologists, and humanitarians from all corners of the globe. The plethora of information at my fingertips is mind boggling and I never thought I'd be intrigued by SO many things!

 

When I decided to study Global Community Health and Nutrition this past year at George Mason, I had confidence in the ideas I had of what my future may look like and where this unique major could possibly lead me throughout my life. On the contrary, I've come to realize I withhold such few tangible perceptions as to what I want to do with my professional life. My inconstant and unfixed cognizance has left me overwhelmed and at a loss of presumptuous direction.

Initially I felt quite uneasy about this disorientation of thoughts, but after parsing my mind and having wonderful conversations with fellow global health colleagues at icddr,b I am quite content with my confusion. Nick, my roommate, gave me some wonderful insight from personal experience and mentioned the value of not having sure direction and being interested in an array of topics. After all, I'm only 20 years old. 

 

Though many people may closely relate my young age with my feelings of invincibility, I assure you it comes purely from my attitude and perception of life. I know I am capable of doing anything I wish and I plan on following my heart and passions no matter where they may take me. After all, the mind is the driver behind the wheel of life. Thoughts are manifested and made visible in the actions you take, so when you put restrictions on what you think is possible those restrictions become your reality. Where your mind goes, your life will follow. Stu once said, "You create your own potential", and I couldn't agree more with him!
 

 

 Enjoy the new day and go do something you once told yourself you couldn't!! It's exhilarating when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.

 

Much love,

-C.