I don't know if this blog is even worth writing. I wasn't going to blog today but I figured that some people are checking my blogs daily and if I didn't blog... than you may think something happened. So, just to let you know... all's fine.
I feel really bad because this week I feel as if I've been so lazy. I woke up this morning not feeling the best, and i'm worried about coming to work/volunter with anything mild knowing that just last week two of the paients passed away because of a fever. I didn't want to come and risk their health because of my own health. So this morning when I woke up I was in differences about whether to go or not, I figured... maybe i'll just sleep it out and by the afternoon I'll make it to the afternoon shift instead. So I slept in and had breakfast at Tirupati; I had rice porage. Afterwards I called Caitlin Stone knowing that she's preparing to leave to Kolkata in a day or so... which means it won't be long for me until she arrives... I'm sooo excited! Then I got to talk to Sara for a bit and had went to Tirupati and ordered veg. noodles to go. I bought a 2 litter of 7up, to lower my fever if i had one, which seems to be pretty mild and I can feel it at times. But after lunch I got really tired and ended sleeping instead of going to my afternoon shift. I feel asleep from 1pm till 7:35pm... MID DAY! I couldn't believe it! I think I would of slept even longer but I made myself get out of bed to get some dinner. I don't know what's up with me, but I think it's due to weather changes that i feel so off. I know there are several of the volunteers in my hotel that are feeling the same way i am; or worst. So I'm just going to wait it off/sleep it off.
I had dinner at JoJo's again today and got some fried momo's.... I don't think anything fried was the best option for me today but it was good. I got a ginger/lemon/honey tea which was freak'n amazing! i don't think i've ever had a tea so great in my life. I loved it, and it just hit the spot for me. I sat for an hour or so at Jojo with one of my roommate, Brendan (he's from Ireland). When I finally left Jojo's I figured I should do a little something before I head back to the Paragon and sleep AGAIN! So... I figured, maybe I'll blog.
On my way over to the internet cafe there were two European girls at the end of an alley, helping a begger that we often see on Sudder. He seemed sick and was laying in the corner of the alley. I was walking about 100ft back from a group of 8 Indian guys. They saw the two volunteers and walked over to the corner, corning them in yelling and cheering something. Either way... it didn't look very good to me. I noticed one of the girl was really shocked/nervous about 8 guys surrounding them and signaled for them to leave them alone, so i hussled on over. I got into the center of the corner between the two volunteer and begger and the guys that surrounded them, standing right in front of the guy that was yelling the loudest and stared him down. "What's the problem here, boys?" I asked him with an absolute blank stare (I know some of you have seen my pissed-off face, but it has absolutely no expression and it's all within the eyes). "No problem" he answered as he tired to smile it off. Acouple of the other guys that were with him chuckling at him and I only turned to stare back at them to silence their giggles. "No problem, no problem" he said again, he patted my arm. I looked over at where he was holding my arm and he quickly let go. I heard a little murmuring and soon after the guys dispersed from the corner and quickly walked down the alley. The two girls that was there, looked extremely relieved and got up and said thankyou and went back towards their hotel. I went on in the same direction to the internet cafe, which happened to be in the same directions as the group of guys.
I don't know what it is but it pisses me off when I hear/see how the white skinned girls get looked at or talked to here. I know a lot of it has to do with the horrible media that is protraying the western civilization and europeans; I see it everywhere here... and if you thought the US is bad for portraying sex in media... here it portrays the same but of course it's with the American girls or European girls. It really protrays girls as being "easy" and an object of gratification, but to me that doesn't it cut it as an excuse. I know all these men here know they can't treat the women in their culture like that, but they just see what's on tv and think it's okay in treating europeans or westerns girls like how they see. Needless to say, I take it offensively and personanlly whenever i see it around me. I take everyone of these volunteers as my own sibblings... and I don't know if any of you know how protective I am with my younger sisters, but yes... it's not pretty.
Anyways, i didn't do much today besides sleep and I didn't think i had anything to write about... until i was walking towards the internet to blog and... i guess that's your story for the day. Anyways... keep me and my health in your prayers; I really want to be able to return to work at Daya Dan tomorrow. I feel really useless being here and feeling so tired on and off this week and not being able to work at Daya Dan. I really miss the children and I know that the sisters asked one of the other volunteers about me today. So hopefully I feel good and going tomorrow. I actually feel perfectly fine to do hard labor, I'm just afraid anything mild can relay over to the patient and that worries me more. So for all those who may be worried about me.... (Mom/Sara); quit your worrying.
7 comments:
Hey Anh Tuan,
Hope your feeling better and for sure i will keep you in my prayers and just to let you know parents can't really understand you blogs cause it's in english but i made sure to translate it for mommy. And when i sat down to tell her your story last week she was just smiling the whole time soo probally today i'll have to tell her this week story. Thank you soo much for helping thoughs european girls if i was them i would be sooo scared! luckly they had a tuan to help them!! and for our 4th of july we went to ocean shores and i went "tubing" on the waves it was fun but this year it seem that you had a better 4th of july then i did cause our family had to leave early cause parents had work the next day. i love you always and forever!
- Mimi
Way to be, Tuan!
It's a really sad fact, but as a woman there are really frightening moments when your virtue and physical well-being are threatened. Huge props to a man who won't put up with it.
Hey Tuan,
first time checkin' out your blog. I hope you feel better soon. I don't know if you're wearing the masks, but if you're afraid of passing stuff on that might be a good option. Also, don't worry about feeling lazy and taking a day of rest when you need it. God needs you to be strong for his people! You're in my prayers, I wish I could be there with ya. Say hi to Sr. Karina for me.
UIOGD,
Val
Anh Tuan.
Very sorry to hear that your getting ill. Hope you get better soon. I'm so proud of you (helping those european girls) hehe I could actually imagine you making that face to those guys. I know your protective and thats why your such a great brother. Well I love you Anh Tuan. Get better soon.
Anna says she misses you. And she hopes you get better very soon wait never mind she says she hopes you get better NOW.
Hey Tuan,
You are worrying me my friend. Be careful down there! Not just with your health, but with locals:-) Make sure you get your rest and fluids...now is abou the time in many peoples visits when the charcoal, crazy hours, walking, etc start to wear down the immunity system. I am glad you got some rest, your body must be telling you something. You are still in my prayers every night, and I wish I could be there to share some eggplant penne at jojos, or kimchee fried rice. Keep up the good work inspiring everyone up here to take up their crosses. Any chance you could start posting what it says on the chalkboard in the stairway at the mother house? I think many of us would benefit from mothers wisdom:-)
Blessings, Michael G'
M.G.
i'll be sure to start writing down what it's been saying on the chalkboard at the Mother house.. if I remember. yeah, something is coming over my stomach, it's just not happy. But there's no longer a fever just ... this upset stomach constantly.
I know numberous of the locals here, and these guys I've never seen around before. Just a bunch of teenage guys that were getting their kicks. For surely, i try to side on the safe side/ non-violent side. So no worries. This time it was just a little sketch for me to care, plus it was just around the corner of Paragon.
Well Michael G, know that you've really been in my thoughts and your family has been in my rosary. I hope all's going well this summer for you! Take care. God bless
Hanh and Mimi,
Maybe you shouldn't tell mama about my little incident; either way... just to let you know, no future boyfriends will have it easy when I'm in town. You better look into a religious life order as a possibiliity. If not.... i have one already planned/suggested ; Missionaries of Charity sisters? Come on, you'd love it.
Post a Comment