Definition please?...

So it’s 3:00am on a Sunday night/Monday morning and here I am attempting to write yet another blog post. You’re probably thinking “dedication much?” Nope. Just insomnia.

Alrighty, so the topic of the day is none other than international development. Before you decide to click away because this seems too informative to be interesting, let me promise you it’ll be worth it. For those of you who consider yourselves my close friends or family, I think it’s about time you understood what I was studying (don’t even pretend you have a clue... I’m well aware that most of you don’t).

Ok so, at this stage in life, the most basic conversation starter is asking someone what they’re studying. Whenever I get this question thrown my way, I proudly announce “International Development” and usually get an “oh cool” as a response - which obviously means the person has no idea what I’m talking about. A more inquisitive person will ask which faculty I'm in, hoping to get the general gist. The really courageous ones will ask for an explanation.

That, of course, is rare enough that I haven’t quite mastered my response. I’m not quite sure how to sum up an entire program (and, realistically, a lifestyle) within just a sentence or two. I usually start by throwing out some key phrases:

1. Alleviating poverty.                              2. Reducing vulnerability.
3. Protecting the environment.           4. Empowering communities.

If they manage to keep up, I end with freedom of choice (yupp, Amartya Sen reference!)

Most simply put, international development is improving the quality of life for all human beings. The one-sentence definition, of course, doesn’t quite do it justice… so I guess it’s about time I gave you the real play by play.

Development is one thing as a concept, and another as a program.  What does it mean to be studying international development? I think a good start is by telling you about my fellow developers, i.e. my one and only classmates. 

2012, The Year for Resolutions!

I've christened 2012 as my Year for Action. This is the year I'm going to finally do the 1,234,567 things I've been putting off for what seems like forever.

Like most people, every year I make resolutions that I don't manage to stick to for more than a few weeks. New Year's Day, I feel in control of my life - like I'm going to take on the world - and then come January 2nd, I'm back to doing jack all. 

I hit me recently that I'm in my last year in Waterloo and there's still so much I want to do! That's why this year has been different; it's mid to late February, and I'm not doing too bad with my resolutions. I think it helps that they're realistic but, more than anything, I really just don't want to have graduated without having completed some of these. That means accomplishing most of them before I leave for Nepal, which gives me a solid 6 months.

Some were too explicit to post on my g-rated, family-friendly blog (HA.) but I thought I should share some of the others.

• (FINALLY) learn to drive. You don’t need to point out to me how ridiculous it is that I still haven’t picked up this life skill. Getting my G1 Driver’s License was more about having a piece of ID for going clubbing than anything else. I'm 21 so it's probably about time I figured out how to maneuver a steering wheel. This is most definitely something I want to accomplish before Nepal because I know, if I don’t do it now, I never will.  Mario-cart here I come?
• Loosen up & LIVE. I don’t know how else to put it except to liven up my life. Fourth year of university, and I can’t help but feel like I haven’t done enough. Yeah, I got the grades, I’ve had a part-time job forever, but I don’t think I’ve made enough memorable moments. I always imagined myself being 50 sitting around the dinner table drinking some chai, and laughing about the crazy things I did in university. I’ve been awfully responsible, and I think it’s about time I found a balance. It’s time to live it up! Here's to having no regrets!
• Learn Hindi (हिंदी सीखना). I know what you're thinking, "Why on Earth would you learn Hindi? Do they even speak Hindi in Nepal?" My answer: Yes and No... Nepali is the most commonly spoken language. I tried to learn it off of a website and, frankly, it was just too difficult! Also, more than anything, Nepali is hard to learn because it isn't too mainstream (it's not like I can take classes at Waterloo).
  Sooo… I decided to learn the next best thing, Hindi! I think Hindi makes more sense because, unlike Nepali, it is spoken in more than the one country. I figure enough of the keywords will be similar enough so I’ll still manage in Nepal (or so I hope.)
  I’ve been told the easiest way to do so is to watch Bollywood movies. I’ve made a date with a friend to watch one movie a week, so that should be interesting. I’ve seen some of the classics but I am far from familiar with Indian movies so I have no idea how I’ll manage the 3-hr sobfests// overworn plots, PS any suggestions? Let me know!

sooo inspiring!

She has somehow managed to change my outlook on, well, everything! Absolutely brilliant. Definitely worth the watch. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiPcxhJtuPQ

IDS Nepal it is :)

Alright, so it is officially official... I will be working with IDS Nepal this September!

The organization was in fact my first choice so this is great news, and I couldn't be happier. I was especially keen on working with IDS because of their focus on water & sanitation, and community development. It astounds me the number of people that die annually due to contaminated water, so I really look forward to working in this field. IDS also focuses on alternative energy, which isn't something I'm all to familiar with, but after some research, it seems pretty interesting!

I will provide more information on the organization and what I will be doing in the near future, but for the time being, please check out my (awesome) website or www.idsnepal.org. 

side note: I just checked and, according WHO, "115 people die every hour from diseases linked to poor sanitation, poor hygiene and contaminated water." That's ridiculous!

Here it goes...

September 2012. The beginning of my journey. It seems like it's a millennial away, but somehow still way too soon. I've been looking forward to this moment since I joined the program, and the last 3 years have essentially been a preparation for the field placement; it all comes down to this trip.

       
Seven months from now, I will be boarding a plane that will take me to Kathmandu, Nepal. I will be working there for the following 8 months, as well as exploring and traveling as much as I can. Anxiety and excitement don't even begin to describe the mixture of feelings I'm experiencing. I have no idea what to expect, but I'm obviously hoping for the best.

The purpose of this blog is so that I can share my journey with you. I should warn you though, blogging isn't exactly my forte. The idea of expressing all my thoughts and feelings for the world to see (or at least to the 12 followers I aim to have) is pretty daunting. Nevertheless, I'm up for the challenge.

I hope you enjoy all that I have in store for you this upcoming year. Happy reading!