I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me

Entry #14

May 14, 2014

   I am so thankful for all of the studying we did last night. Because of it, we were able to identify specific lung sounds and had a much easier time reading EKGs, which we spent most of our clinic hours working on. It is still extremely difficult to diagnose a patient from an EKG, but I am now able to make educated guesses about what a certain condition's EKG would show. We were able to answer many more questions today and also ask more detailed questions ourselves. We are helping one another through the material and with such difficult concepts, have a study partner is extremely beneficial. We were taught how to perform an EKG by observing Dr. Gandhi's staff. We then each performed two on our own.

   After clinics we went shopping again. I spent quite a bit of money again and I am sure I will need to use my debit card. I do not regret my purchases because I have accomplished 100% of my shopping list aside from tea boxes and a tailor for my saari. Mrs. Mehta says she will contact her tailor for me.

   I emailed Corbett today after failing to reach them via phone all week. Mayank came to visit us tonight. We decided that Greg and I will travel to Nainital Saturday morning and stay the night. Sunday morning we will drive to Corbett Park and do the elephant safari. We will need to book a private elephant through a government window somewhere on the way to Nainital. Mayank then arranged train beds to and from Amritsar. They are not set in stone, but I am not worried because these things usually have a way of working themselves out. Not to mention, my mother claims I am the luckiest kid alive. Based on my history, I believe her. Worrisome matters simply fall into place for me.

   I forgot to mention last night that I made Greg and I get lost on the way to Dr. Gandhi's clinic. As my mother would expect from my luck, I asked the correct stranger for help because he offered to drive us there on his motorcycle! We arrived just in time and I can now cross "ride a motorcycle" off my bucket list. I realize this may concern some readers, and Mayank was not thrilled, but it was honestly a short, kind, innocent lift on a motorcycle that didn't exceed 35 mph. What is the point of life if we don't take small chances and try new things? I feel a trip to India by oneself is far more risky than a 0.5 mile ride on a helpful stranger's motorcycle.

   On the walk to the market, we were asked to pose for a picture. Soon our one pose attracted another larger group who took pictures. I silently stood and smiled as strangers pointed cameras in my face and unabashedly snapped away. The strangers who have taken pictures while we have been here have been mainly focused on me and not Greg because a) I am a female, b) I have a darling, perfectly straight smile thanks to braces and mouthwash, and c) I have red hair. 

   I do not necessarily mind and can get over the feeling that I am a zoo attraction; however, I can barely tolerate the candid photos. There have been multiple and probably many more that I have not noticed. First off, I look absolutely dreadful in all candid shots, I promise. Secondly, I would never ever deny posing for a picture if someone asks nicely. What bothered me the most was that a patient's family snuck photos of me in a very obvious manner while I was trying to work and focus on the patient's lungs. I would have posed for a picture if asked to, but I felt that candid photos made me appear unprofessional and caused me to lose focus while working. At least I was still able to hear fine crackles!

   I am very upset to have only two more days left to work with Doctors Joshi and Gandhi. I am learning so much and admire both men a great deal. I wish I would be able to sit and pick their brains forever; a week is simply not enough! There is a pretty slim chance I can work with the neurologist, but I still hold some hope.

P.S. Greg flinched more than I've seen anyone flinch in my entire life–it was more of a jump–because of a very intimidating (wait for it) butterfly! I was at least two feet from his face! Cracked me up.