A Worthy Cause for Worthy Humans...

Something I've been interested in for some time is taking a missionary trip/volunteer trip to a foreign land (be it Mexico, Brazil, Australia, or India, as this entry is about).

With my responsibilities at home (school, children, single-parent status), and the fact that I actually am a responsible human and don't intend to abandon any of the above, plus taking care of my home has prevented me from caving into my wanton desire to serve fellow humans and throw my proverbial hands up at U.S. society at large. BUT... being the internet troller that I am, it doesn't stop me from dreaming. Besides, they say (whomever the "they" people are in reference to this quip): 80% of goals that are written down are achieved.

So take that and put it in your happy cap. And check out this organization!

Educational and health awareness activities with slum kids in Goa

Link: International Volunteer Work Camps in India

Goa August 10 - August 23, 2009

Volunteer project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea), lies this small touristic state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India. It is one of India's most cherished and prominent places for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise.
Groups of international volunteers along with a local group of specialists have been part of an awareness program all throughout the state for several years. This year again a volunteer project will be conducted but with a different theme.

In the first week of the project, the volunteers will be visiting the schools and rural settlements of the region to present the importance of health and hygiene awareness and the need of education among the adults and the children. The volunteers need to be very creative in designing the exclusive orientation for the people of this region. Volunteers who participate in this project need to bring materials and ideas for the program, after which the whole group will settle on a plan of action decided by the team.
The place where volunteers will work is the largest slum in Goa, where most of the inhabitants are migrants and whose children do not have access to basic education. The international volunteer project aims to provide basic education to these children. The program will be mainly in schools/orphanages where the management will invite the parents and the surrounding villagers to visit and absorb the message given out through the presentations and plays.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa. Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 10,000 Indian Rupees (about $193 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project

I am a Neutered Psychological Stud

I'm not a boy -- let's get that out of the way before people get confused by the title... and on with the sponsored message of the day; brought to you by TONS of Diet Pepsi and a whopping truckload of frustration.

This quarter of college can best be described by one word and one word only: UGGGGH.

Trying to remember what I'm doing in 10 seconds has taken a backseat to providing edible meals for my offspring and fielding attitude-inflected comments from the elder one. So has paying rent (and of course electricity -- who needs lights going out in the middle of a study-session already on the brink of ending as soon as it begins?) I have even overlooked calling my landlord to inform him that the cooler has gone on strike, a second blow to having my neighbors constantly slowing down to see what I'm doing in the kitchen because he's neglected to provide window coverings for that window after the umpteenth request (okay, maybe only three, but c'mon! Gimme a break! I finally took dark curtains and made a stand-in that will work for now, even if I can't see my hand in front of my face during broad daylight hours.)

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm Brain Dead -- officially. After much internal debate over what I must be missing in my diet or lifestyle by clearing my head of the obsession that the answer was on the internet, I came up with three posts from different blogs and websites that indicate that I'm either already checking off the mental checklist of remedies as we speak, or some version thereof. Here goes the list, given by Google and read with rolling eyes and a sneer by me:

Diet Changes/Focus: "Brain Food Helps students Power through College Finals" http://www.askstudent.com/health/brain-food-to-help-students-power-through-college-finals/

Stress Reduction: "Finals stressing you out? Try meditation"
http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/using_meditation_to_rid_yourself_of_anxiety_05062009942136/

Things I misled you all and I actually have NOT done in any way, shape, or form (i.e. sleeping enough, not worrying, etc.): "Tips for Taking College Finals"
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips_for_Taking_College_Finals

Okay, so I lied about doing all three and actually stretched the truth a bit on the second -- who has time to meditate when you have children and 14 units? But I did try deep breathing (just to clear my conscience). It's not that I expect anyone to read this, but if you are, I'd appreciate some feedback...