Change of Plans and Observations

So, I have had some changes in my plans the last few days. Today (July 8, 2013), all of the interns abroad were required to submit an abstract detailing our personal work and our proposed results. I wrote a rough draft, but as I was writing, I found it hard to find a hypothesis. As it turns out, my work did not have a hypothesis. My work was a research study to gain knowledge about a species that is not well known in Africa. As a Borlaug Ruan International Intern though, your research must be to solve a problem dealing with food security. Thankfully, what I was currently doing and my new work relates closely, so I am not set back by too much.

Now, I am studying the impacts of various sugar water solutions on the Hypotrigona gribodoi species of stingless bees. It is also a study that has never been done.

In addition, my plans to travel to Kakamega on Wednesday have shifted to Friday. This is more accommodating for me though, as it will give me more time to collect data. I am also currently planning another trip to Kakamega later in the month, and a trip to Mombasa (it’s a coastal city that is very cosmopolitan) in early August. So even though I will be missing Czech Days, I will be walking the white sands of the beach!

So now that you are updated on all of my plans, I thought I might just mention a few other things I notice here!

So, have any of you ever watched the movie “Eloise” or read the books? It is about a girl who lives in Plaza hotel with her Nanny, and basically runs the motel. She knows the staff there, her way around, and the best things on the menus. Well, sometimes, I get a similar feeling here in the guest house. I have been here longer than any of the other visitors that have stopped by. I know the schedule and the best food, and I talk with the staff often. So, I am like the grown up Eloise, but less sassy and less mischievous!

When I was at orientation with all of the other interns, we were shown a graph that details Culture Shock. It had a series of very drastic highs and lows, detailing the “honeymoon era” and also when we might experience depression. While I have experienced culture shock, it was definitely not as drastic. I am not depressed, and I was only missing meals while I was still adjusting to time change. (Somehow my naps always landed on dinner. Needless to say, I went through my fruit snacks pretty fast.) However, I definitely have my times that I miss home. I enjoy being here though. I like the work I am doing, I have a lot of friends that I can talk to and hang out with, and I have the ability to go to a church that focuses on the teachings in the Bible. (This keeps me from getting confused. The miracles and parables are the same in every Bible.)

I also really look forward to how people see me when I get home. Will I be different? Will I act different? Sound different? Will people think I am more conscientious? Will I be more mature? We shall see…

I will keep you all updated as much as I can!!