"To Do" List

1)Resign from job.
2)Obtain Indian visa.
3)Start packing.
4)Get clean bill of health.
5)Figure out how I'm going to watch LOST while I'm overseas!

Any suggestions?

"Be prepared to change your plans."

So here's the deal, folks. As it turns out, my job description in India has changed slightly. The Oasis India project called Priceless, my original placement, is changing their focus toward community outreach and health education. Since my entire Hindi vocabulary consists of “my name is Rachel” and the numbers one through ten, I won't be able to contribute much to this new direction. So, instead of living and working in Mumbai, I will now be spending most of my time in beautiful Igatpuri, a hill station about three hours outside of Mumbai.

Igatpuri is the location of Purnata Bhavan, which means “House of Wholeness.” It is a residential facility for women and children who have either been diagnosed with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Many of the residents come from Mumbai, and have either come out of trafficking situations, or have been removed from other situations which place them at risk, or cannot provide appropriate care. I get to use my nursing skills and assist the PB staff in managing medical care for the residents.

So, the next six months will look a little different than I originally planned. But I am excited to spend time outside of the crushing crowds and heavy smog of Mumbai. I can't wait to trek in the Western Ghats, to breathe the clean air, to live in a place where true hope and healing thrives every day.

The downside is that I won't have internet access as often as I would in Mumbai. I still plan to post pictures and update this blog as much as possible, but it may be less than I originally planned. But please don't be offended if it takes me a week or two to respond to your email. Because you are going to email me, right? There are lots of little details that I just don't know yet, but be prepared to hear all about it!

Here's some trivia about Igatpuri: according to Wikipedia, most outdoor scenes in Bollywood movies are filmed here. And according to this article from the Hindustan Times, drug peddlers are now storing large quantities of drugs in Igatpuri and nearby cities due to heightened security measures in Mumbai. I'll be happy to discover that the former is true, but I don't plan to investigate the latter!

So long, South 4!

The night shift staff at Martha Jefferson Labor and Delivery love any excuse to party. So, on the occasion of my last night at work, we celebrated. Folks, we ate all. night. long. From Linda's famous lasagna to a sumptuous salad and decadent espresso truffle cheesecake, this party was amazing. You can see the unbridled joy in my expression.


Here Linda and Jeff crack a smile for the camera.


Cathy and Bethany, hard at work in the nursery. At least that's what they want you to think!


Elaine's expression in this picture is priceless! Its the face she makes every time Mei-Ling presses the foot-bar on her stool, making her drop toward the floor unexpectedly. Its usually payback for a comment about the smell of the eggs Mei-Ling ate for dinner!



Leaving South 4 is bittersweet. Despite the eager anticipation of my trip to India, I've shed some tears over leaving these wonderful coworkers. They are some of the most capable, caring, and talented staff in the world. Who else could you possibly want to deliver and care for your babies?

Thank you to all of the OB staff for teaching me how to stay awake at night, what to do in a twins delivery (right, Michelle?), how to do a quick PKU, when to wake a sleeping doctor, how fast to run for a crash c-section. You've taught me to love childbirth, and all of the accompanying adrenaline, sweat, and tears of joy. And to everyone on all shifts, thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement. I will miss you!