Varkala, babies and goats oh my

I promise I have not been lazy, just hot and busy! Yesterday there were 3 ladies in labor at the sameI time and all delivered within 4 hours! I caught 2!These are pictures of Angel and her baby and Jeya and her baby. Aysha didn't get into the camera yet so I can't let you see her yet. I do need to watch how many of those 13 hour days I work, though. They tend to gang up on me after a few.

The trip to Varkala was very interesting. Nice scenery on the way. Even saw a field of windmills. Nice pretty hills and lovely sunset from the train and beach scenes while there.

This morning I had forgotten to set up a ride to work so I walked in and there were goats in the median at the intersection with the light, waiting to cross. Mama and 2 kids. It was "only" about 93 degrees so I didn't die.

I may go to the local beach tomorrow for a change of scenery. Dr. Gigi may pick me up and let me go with her and her girls. Her oldest daughter was the mc for the program the other night. The whole family has been so friendly to me, along with all the other staff at the hospital. It has been a joy working here. From what I hear from other volunteers, I must have the best placement in the country. People have been very accommodating and have welcomed me with open arms.

I hope everyone is doing well back at home and those of you abroad as well! I miss talking to you all and will try to Skype when I can!

More babies, more heat

I just posted the pictures that go with the last post, so please scroll down and take a peak! I don't have many new photos, especially since I was not quick enough this morning to catch the lizard who was making his way across the wall of the scrub room and into the operating theater.

I was introduced to a new tool today: electric flyswatter. Used in the OR. Didn't see it in action, but I'm sure it is quite effective.

I have been able to observe several surgeries and several caesarian deliveries. Yesterday we had a cardiac patient in labor. Learned after the delivery that her mitral regurgitation was asymptomatic but was being observed and set up for instrument delivery because she was known to have had rheumatic fever. Delivery went fine and mom and baby perked right up after delivery.

I will post new pictures after the weekend change of scenery. Hope to have lots of beautiful shots. Also hope to get a nice ac room with a real shower!!! What a concept!

Everyone enjoy the "cool" weather you are having for me. I dream about it every night. Let me know how everything is going with all of you. I love hearing from everyone!

Until next week!

I have babies in India!!

Yesterday my new friend Jennifer gave me a big hug after I came all the way to India just to catch her baby boy. I was so happy to be able to get to be there! Syed Ali Fatima doesn't speak English but gave me a big smile when we were taking pictures of her with her new baby girl. Both moms did great and I have to hand it to my team, the delivery room nurses who have learned all the new-fangled American techniques in record time and are a fantastic help.

Today when I cam home it started to rain frogs(!) I took a picture of this one after he fell through the open window onto my shoulder and I corralled him back out the window.

I wanted everyone to see the mango tree outside my window, so I took a picture of that as well.


Things here are very different but very interesting. The people here are very friendly and are all helping me a lot, especially at the hospital. Dr. Gigi and all of the doctors and nurses who work with her are great. I am taking pictures of everyone and will post as soon as I can get the photos to upload.

I am using my landlady's computer right now so I will hurry and post. Will add photos as I can!!

Two weeks from this moment...

I will be in Chicago waiting to board a plane to Frankfurt, the 2nd stop on my 2 day journey. I am still collecting things together to pack (Where is my swimsuit??) and trying to organize everything. The knitting workshops both went well and I guess they are something I should continue when I get back. It was so nice to meet new people and new knitters and fun to watch Maya learn to knit while chasing Zhoie around. I think she still learned things.

Shown here are 2 wall hanging quilts that are made from batiked cotton. Each is about 3.5 by 5 feet. I am putting these up for sale separately. One is mainly reds, golds, purples and orange, the other is mainly blues, turquoise, green, purples. The best bid will win each and I will contact with payment details.

Below those are pictures of the Peacock spinning wheel that I am offering for sale. It has been repaired. The platform was cracked when the people in NZ didn't quite pack it for an overseas shipping, but it seems to work fine now. It has an integral lazy kate for 3 bobbins and is very pretty to look at. The white fur in the picture is not spinning fiber, but rather our attack mop, Charlie. He is not included in the sale. The last one of these that I saw on the Spinners' and Weavers' Housecleaning Pages went for $300, but since this one has been repaired, I would accept less.

So, in a little over 2 weeks I expect to start posting pictures from India. Please let me know what you are interested in seeing and I will try to look for things.

Jhansi has told me that her mango tree is producing fruit so I will be eating fresh mangoes soon. I will be sure to take pictures of the tree and the garden. I also think I will bring her some seeds to try growing along with the other groceries. She has promised to help me find yarn so I am glad to bring her things she can't get at home.

Sorry for the choppy post, but I am getting a little frazzled with planning and prepping... Hope to hear from and write again to everyone soon!

38 Days and Counting

Another of Jeremy's pictures. Can't wait to get there and take some of my own. This one is the main temples at Kanchipuram. I really expect to be overwhelmed by the sheer number and size of the temples I see.

I have been doing lots of homework on the culture and environment in India and am amazed at the diversity and history of the place. I am incorporating some of what I am learning in the talk I will give tonight at the library in Cascade. There were some very enlightening statistics on the economy, growth of personal wealth, health care providers balanced against health care consumers, education levels and the like. I hope my audience finds it all as fascinating as I do.

I ran the sari that Jeremy brought back through the wash yesterday so that even if I don't have time to sew my other outfits I will have something appropriate to wear getting off the plane and onto the train for the last leg of my journey to Tirunelveli.

I got terribly brave last week and emailed the Indian Minister of Maternal and Family Health. Her name showed up on an official website as having given a talk related to International Women's Day (March 8) so of course I couldn't help myself. I had to see if there is any kind of project going on near where I will be situated where I could offer my services training rural birth attendants. That was one of the things I have read they are trying to focus on. One part of their plan is to reduce the Maternal Mortality rate of over 300 per 100,000 live births (about 1 every 7 minutes). It seems that it is rare for any woman to receive more than 3 prenatal visits during any pregnancy. I will have to see if I can skew those numbers a tiny fraction.

I am amazed at how quickly my departure is approaching. Will I have time to do everything I need to do or will I have to relinquish control and let other people help? Stay tuned and find out!

D minus 47 and counting

One more shot and I will have all of my inoculations! Now All I have to do is give my talk, teach my workshops, make three outfits, sell a spinning wheel and get packed. Sounds simple, right? If anyone has still not signed up for the knitting workshops, there is still time. The first one: Knuts and Bolts Knitting, which will include 7 ways to cast on, 3 ways to end plus increases and decreases will be on March 10 at 1 pm at the Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade. The only prerequisites are knit and purl and I can probably help you with that if you are rusty. The second workshop will build on the first and will cover how to read charts and how to re-engineer a pattern to accommodate different yarn or change to sizes that are not included in the pattern. The date for this workshop is March 31, same time, same place.

My talk Woman to Woman: One Woman's Journey, will be held at the Ute Pass Library on Monday, March 12 at 7 pm and will include a brief review of my experience in Afghanistan in 2002 after the Taliban was removed from Kabul and will then cover the things I am looking forward to in India.

I have been assigned to my family in India with whom I will be staying. The postal address is:
17 C/1, North Highground Road
Near Chinmaya School
Tirunelveli
Tamil Nadu
India

I should be there by April 21. The house sounds very nice and I will be sharing a bedroom with another volunteer, Jennifer from Vermont, I believe.

Mrs. Jhansirani and I have been emailing back and forth for a few days now. She seems very friendly and I have already been given a short shopping list of groceries to bring with me which are not found in the local markets. So far, I am to bring with me: Cheddar cheese, soft brown sugar, 2 bars of white chocolate, penne pasta and gummi bears. Sounds do-able.

I have also been assigned my workplace. The picture at the top of this page is where I will be working: the Annai Velankanni Nursing Home in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. The chief doctor is Dr. Roy and his wife and mother are both also practicing physicians at the hospital. I will have a 6 hour work assignment every day, Monday through Friday. I just hope I can adapt to the heat quickly so that I can keep up at work. The hospital I am told is a 10 minute bicycle ride from where I will be staying. Since I don't think I will have room for my bicycle in my luggage, I think I will have to rent one when I get there.

I am trying not to get overwhelmed by how quickly my departure date is approaching and all that I have to do to get ready. If anyone remembers something I seem to be forgetting, please give me a holler before I take off, okay?


Until next time, then.