Okay so it has been quite the few weeks and I've pretty much left you all in the dark! Here is what I've been up to…

1.Recovering from a massive ear infection.Yeah it was a lot of fun (catch the sarcasm?) but it happened at a good time because I was working out of Julie's house for my internship.

2.Finished the internship!I learned so much and feel really qualified in getting a public health job.I basically did a qualitative research protocol for a rapid assessment of the Nutt Community in Bihar, India.Sounds really hardcore…well…it was! Ha!This is what I did….

Purpose of the De-Briefing:To update Apne Aap Women Worldwide on activities that took place during my public health summer internship, June 9 - July 4, 2008.Terms of Reference for June 9 - July 4, 2008Overall Objective:Research the public health perceptions and practices among the Nutt community of Uttari Rampur Panchayat in Forbesgunj, Bihar, India. The research will explore the following areas:nutrition, common illnesses, available treatments for illnesses (both traditional and modern), substance use, health care costs, maternal mortality rate, access to health care, and overall awareness of childcare and health.Internship Emphasis: Develop and test a qualitative research protocol with instruments which could be implemented by Apne Aap in Forbesgunj.As agreed with Apne Aap, the limited timeframe of this internship does not allow for implementation.Progress Achieved and Lessons Learned·Obtained an excellent orientation to the issue of intergenerational trafficking.Reviewed the following:o"Selling of Innocence" DVDoRed Light Despatch publicationsoConfronting the Demand for Sex-trafficking HandbookoUN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (2000)oWHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women·Participated in Apne Aap's annual retreat in New Delhi.·Conducted a desk review of existing health literature and statistics which are relevant to the internship objectives·Contacted and interviewed key stakeholders to collect information on the health situation in Bihar (e.g. Packard Foundation, Pathfinder, Integrated Development Foundation, USAID, CARE, etc).·Developed data collection instruments. ·Obtained the opportunity to interview members from a trafficked community·Tested and adapted draft data collection instruments in partnership with 2 Forbesgunj community members and other Apne Aap staff.·Compiled priority health statistics (included within the research protocol)·Compiled a comprehensive qualitative research protocol document

It was such a great experience. I'm truly blessed to have worked with this organization.I got a lot of positive responses to my work from Ruchira Gupta and my supervisor CK.I'm happy! Julie and Kendra were so helpful! I couldn't have done it without the pubic health ladies!!

3.Amritsar! We went for a weekend here to check out the northwest and to see the Golden Temple.This place was amazing! Hot, humid…but awesome!The temple is Sikh- a really interesting religion- that I have a great deal of respect for.The passion, kindness, devotion, and desire to give back was so strong I could feel it.

Sikhism is basically a branch off of Hinduism.They believe on only one God.They have "5 Keys of Sikhism" that includes 1) Not cutting your hair- having a natural look 2) Carrying a sword for courage (the ones I saw where not sharp) 3) Wearing a metal bangle for protection andto remind you of humility, service, and contentment for God not selfish gain.It's called "Seva"- like volunteer work.Not for themselves but for God.Most of the people who work at the temple are serving others out of the kindness of their hearts- for God. 4)Wearing a Turban.I have never seen so many different colors on men's heads! It was beautiful seeing all of them with bright- different colors of turbans!5) Wearing a beard (I kinda lost count of the last key so this may or may not fit here)Its part of keeping your hair natural.

Part of my Seva I made chpathi (flat Indian bread) in the back of the temple.It was a lot of fun rolling it out.The women were rating my bread compared to Juile's.I won!! Ha!

So the atmosphere of the temple.You first drop your shoes off at "the massive shoe locker" and walk towards the temple.You first wash your hands with water at this large sink.Next you walk through a little moat-like area to wash your feet off.Then you walk DOWN the stairs.It's like the only temple that is built into the Earth.The Golden Temple is surrounded by holy water that people are bathing in.The whole place is white marble except for the temple…its golden…hence the name.Ha!There is live singing from 330 am till 11pm.The music is beautiful!You walk with your right hand facing the temple.Get in a "ticket line" its actually a offering line to pick up this sweet oatmeal food in a leaf bowl (after you take your offering- on the way out they give you a portion to eat- its your "blessing".The temple is two stories and the live singers are on the bottom floor.There are also people reading the Sikh text all day.You can just sit and listen and sing along (which is a major part of Sikhism…singing and listening).

The people at the temple were from all over the world because it is "The Pilgrimage Site" for Sikhs.The temple is breath taking..so beautiful and has great energy! We went both during the day and at night.Stunning!!

4.Going to the border of Pakistan and watching the border ceremony that takes place EVERY night!It was really interesting.I was on the India side sitting on concrete bleachers watching women dance to Bollywood songs in the middle of a street that runs through the border!Men, women, and children filled the stands and waving flags.You can see the India military guards standing around in their colonial looking uniform.It was like they had a huge fan on their heads!Just a few feet away was the border and you can see the same style of seating on the Pakistan side only the men were on one side….the women and children on the other.No dancing in the middle of the street!I was glad I was partying on the India side.Then the chanting began.It was like each side had a head "cheerleader" who was on a microphone getting the crowd pumped up!Then the military guys yelled in the microphone and marched REALLY quickly to the gate.The Pakistan side did the same.It was like a big race.Then they opened the border and shook hands with each other.The military guys (India and Pakistan) changed the flags at the same time with the ropes crossed.They do this to symbolize the relationship the two countries share…the past…present…and future.When the two countries were split there were a lot of fights…lot of lives lost…so its also a way to remember and honor those who had died.

5.I'm a movie star…didn't you know?After the border ceremony I was bombarded with people begging me to take "just one" picture with them.I should be use to it…because the same thing happened in China…but NOT to this degree!It was totally overwhelming.I bet I took like 20 pictures with individuals and entire families within 5 minutes.I was glad to make it back to the car!On the way back..after all the pictures…we saw Indian flag colored snow cones! Well kind of…more like dirty shaved ice on a stick…with colored syrup…and flies over the syrup bottles! True India style!

6.Went to "The Well".During Gandhi's life he sparked many discussions among the people.One was being held in Amritsar and the British came with tanks and guns and shot all the India people without warning!There was no way to escape because they were trapped so many people jumped into the well to try to save their lives. Hundreds of people were killed here.They turned it into a memorial. You can even see the bullet holes that were left in the brick walls.It's really sad.

7.Went to a Punjab cloth store.You basically sit on the floor in a back room- get free drinks- with A/C (thank God!)- and fabric starts flying! They whip out everything they have to show you and you grab things ya like.It's a process.The fabric is so beautiful…handmade…hand stitched.

So I think this is enough for one blog!I've written a small book…so I'm not proofing it…deal with the crappy grammar! Ha! I'm having issues with uploading pics so I think you'll have to wait to see the amazing pictures until I get home.

More to come.I'm going to be home THIS Sat morning! I can't believe the end is almost here!I'm excited to see you all….but I'm really going to miss it here.