At this time tomorrow, I'll be on a plane headed to Berlin, the Poor But Sexy Capital of the World. Holy shit.
I won't ever be fully ready, but I'm as ready as I can be at this point.
This summer has been great--I only hope to carry that momentum with me on my journeys. I hope this doesn't stop.
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
8.24.2009
7.30.2009
Away We Go
After a long hiatus from the blogosphere, I'm reemerging, not with much more to say, but simply with updates on my life. My summer internship has been going well, better than I could have imagined. My mentors have given me a good amount of responsibilities, and I've had a great time doing onsite recruiting so I can experience both sides of the research world.
I've done some cool things, hung out with some good people. Overall, it's been a wonderful summer. I really couldn't have asked for much more.
Most importantly, I'm preparing myself for my semester abroad. I found out where I'll be staying and who my host family (or host mom, perhaps) is. Although I'm further from the "heart" of East Berlin than I had hoped, I'm glad to still be in the city. Heck, I'm glad to be going abroad at all! These are just minor details, but of course I would stress over them.
This is where I will be from Late August to right before Christmas. Don't stalk me, now. But send me mail if you'd like!
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6.09.2009
Internship @ APLA, update 1
I have officially started my summer internship at AIDS Project Los Angeles, the largest AIDS organization in the greater LA area. I work in the Community-Based Research (CBR) department, which is a program under the general umbrella of public health education. I work with Bryce and Tara, who are the study coordinators. Some of the studies that we are currently working on deal with the efficacy of treatment advocacy programs, perceptions of "sex drugs" (drugs that are highly correlated with sex, such as alcohol and meth), and social networks of men who have sex with men (msm) and its relationship to HIV risk.
Thus far, I would consider myself a pretty productive intern. I've done mostly database work, coding surveys and interviews, updated the references library extensively, and conducted some literature searches. Tomorrow, I will be learning proper protocol to contact physicians and interview etiquette. On Thursday, I will be attending an important meeting that will determine the fate of the treatment advocacy program at APLA. Due to (surprise) funding cuts, some aspects of the organization are getting nixed, and Bryce thought it would be nice for me to sit in (and possibly hold signs!). This is a full-forced rally (in my mind it is, at least). Not sure what to expect, but excited.
Thus far, I would consider myself a pretty productive intern. I've done mostly database work, coding surveys and interviews, updated the references library extensively, and conducted some literature searches. Tomorrow, I will be learning proper protocol to contact physicians and interview etiquette. On Thursday, I will be attending an important meeting that will determine the fate of the treatment advocacy program at APLA. Due to (surprise) funding cuts, some aspects of the organization are getting nixed, and Bryce thought it would be nice for me to sit in (and possibly hold signs!). This is a full-forced rally (in my mind it is, at least). Not sure what to expect, but excited.
6.04.2008
I <3 NY
greetings from the east coast.
i always introduced duke as on the "east coast." but it was essentially "the south" more than anything. it didn't have the sky-high buildings, the past-paced living, the OP (original prepsters) i have come to hate--and accept, of course.
right now, as i sit in my small double room, facing a window that peers into the muggy air that is suffocating with life, both unseen and seen, i am overwhelmed and empowered. i want to get up and do something. i want to get out there.
There: the vastless unknown.
everything in new york is more enhanced (read: on steroids)
the coffee is stronger.
the people talk louder. faster.
pedestrians walk quicker. impatiently. fearlessly, in front of moving cars. traffic signals are suggestions, not ultimatums.
stores are larger, brighter, more appealing.
buildings are taller, more majestic.
clothes are sharper, more fashionable, stiff--or nonchalant, whatever your style may be.
store personnel are less friendly. more annoyed.
there's more of everything--more restaurants, more starbucks (if that's possible), more energy, more honking, more materialism, more rich people, more homeless people, more awareness, more direction (or lack thereof).
however, people are nicer than i thought they would be. as i stood cluelessly looking at a large map of the subway system at 86th and lexington, a guy came up and asked me where i was going. i replied "i don't know yet." i just knew i wanted to go somewhere. so, we started talking. he'd been in nyc for 21 years now. he had a 20 year old son. he worked for the MTA, but landed the job unexpectedly and has been at it ever since. loves his job. loves life.
everything is unpredictable.
the strangest thing, though--he asked me if i was a journalist. i didn't say anything about me writing--all i had mentioned was i was majoring in public policy. i asked him how he knew.
"you're a good listener."
damn, people ARE more aware.
i traversed the downtown area, walking/looking/taking it all in.
went to borders and browsed through some NY books with places to hit up.
walked some more.
i wondered if i appeared to be an out-of-towner. wonder if they could tell.
i have orientation in 2 hours. till then, i'm working on internship stuff, listening to rilo kiley, and looking out into the ny scenery, wondering where the subway will take me next.
i always introduced duke as on the "east coast." but it was essentially "the south" more than anything. it didn't have the sky-high buildings, the past-paced living, the OP (original prepsters) i have come to hate--and accept, of course.
right now, as i sit in my small double room, facing a window that peers into the muggy air that is suffocating with life, both unseen and seen, i am overwhelmed and empowered. i want to get up and do something. i want to get out there.
There: the vastless unknown.
everything in new york is more enhanced (read: on steroids)
the coffee is stronger.
the people talk louder. faster.
pedestrians walk quicker. impatiently. fearlessly, in front of moving cars. traffic signals are suggestions, not ultimatums.
stores are larger, brighter, more appealing.
buildings are taller, more majestic.
clothes are sharper, more fashionable, stiff--or nonchalant, whatever your style may be.
store personnel are less friendly. more annoyed.
there's more of everything--more restaurants, more starbucks (if that's possible), more energy, more honking, more materialism, more rich people, more homeless people, more awareness, more direction (or lack thereof).
however, people are nicer than i thought they would be. as i stood cluelessly looking at a large map of the subway system at 86th and lexington, a guy came up and asked me where i was going. i replied "i don't know yet." i just knew i wanted to go somewhere. so, we started talking. he'd been in nyc for 21 years now. he had a 20 year old son. he worked for the MTA, but landed the job unexpectedly and has been at it ever since. loves his job. loves life.
everything is unpredictable.
the strangest thing, though--he asked me if i was a journalist. i didn't say anything about me writing--all i had mentioned was i was majoring in public policy. i asked him how he knew.
"you're a good listener."
damn, people ARE more aware.
i traversed the downtown area, walking/looking/taking it all in.
went to borders and browsed through some NY books with places to hit up.
walked some more.
i wondered if i appeared to be an out-of-towner. wonder if they could tell.
i have orientation in 2 hours. till then, i'm working on internship stuff, listening to rilo kiley, and looking out into the ny scenery, wondering where the subway will take me next.
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