and more waiting...

I'm supposed to be waiting for an email that will give me details for Staging. Until then I can't really do much. I've been canceling and transferring my accounts to my roommate, tying up loose ends in many ways, hanging out with people i may not see before I leave. I started putting stuff in boxes.

Getting stuff done

I went to Howard General to see about getting these tests done. I really didn't know what to do. A receptionist looked in a directory and directed me across the street to the medical pavilion. I went there and the receptionist there gave me some numbers and addresses of physicians. One was next door to my apartment, so I went there. I explained everything I needed and filled out some paperwork and wrote a check. 

The physician was a sarcastic old Indian woman who had a lot to say about China and how the Chinese were dangerous and taking over the world. I took my shirt off to do the EKG and lay down on the bed and she commented on my lack of chest hair while sticking the EKG tabs on me. "Makes my job easier... You know my husband? He's like a BEAR. We went on a cruise and there was a hairy chest contest... first place!" It was an interesting conversation to have while laying topless in a stranger's office while being poked all over. The device she hooked up to me was like some alien parasite and I half expected to feel electric shocks pulsing through my body. Then she ripped the tabs off of me "Imagine what that's like with chest har!" I didn't want to.

She referred me out to a radiologist and a blood lab. I read about good parenting habits in the waiting room for the x-ray. I got a CD... I was considering getting both the CD and the film, but the CD is just so much more portable. I got blood drawn at another office 10 minutes away. I've never had any issue with seeing blood, but for some reason I'm surprised every time to watch the blood squirt so forcefully up the tube. "Jesus..." I said as I watched. It's kind of impressive.

Today I looked at glasses... There are just too many frames to choose from. Feeling overwhelmed, I gave up to try again another day. 

I created an event on Facebook for my Birthday/Farewell party. I'm considering sushi.

Hunxue

I went looking for a term that means half-blooded in the sense of being half-Chinese.

In Thailand, everyone refers to me as a Luk Kreung. Actually I usually introduce myself as such when Thais are caught off guard by my ability to speak almost accent-less Thai (and the fact that at first glance I look mostly caucasian). They usually use the word "chat" when describing how well I speak, which has a meaning somewhere in the middle between "fluently" and "clearly." In Thailand, at least where I lived in Bangkok, luk kreungs are well accepted, sometimes even idolized. I'm sure this wasn't the case decades ago, and may not be the case in less developed areas or with more conservative Thais. But these days, foreign presence, especially American, is growing, widely embraced, and simply part of every day life in Bangkok. I've never had any issues being half Thai in the country. In fact, it has been a huge asset and I'm proud of it.

Technically, however, I'm half-Chinese. I don't have a drop of Thai blood in me. My ancestors are from China, somewhere around Fujian. My mother's grandparents on both sides immigrated to Thailand, and her parents lived and met in Thailand. She considers herself full Thai because of how little connection she has had to her roots in China. She was born and lived in Thailand her whole life before she met my American father. Thai is her native language, she is fluent in English, but knows very little Mandarin. Her mother, however knows Thai, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

I have no idea what Chinese attitudes toward Hunxue er (literally mixed-blood child) are where I will be serving. Until I get a good idea of what connotations come with the term, I'll refrain from openly referring to myself as one to Chinese people. I am, however, proud of it, and excited to learn more about my Chinese heritage that I know so little about. I am aware that the area around Sichuan where I'll be serving is in a completely different region than where my ancestors came from. And the turbulent history of China has churned up the social and cultural construct of Chinese society so that even if I were to visit Fujian, it would not be quite the Fujian of my great grandparents.

For now I'll use the word Hunxue because I like it.

More Medical exams?

This morning, bright and early, I went out to get some cough syrup for an annoying affliction i've developed in the last few days. I stepped on a UPS envelope that was under my doormat. "WHEN DID THIS GET HERE?" I'm amazed by the speed of these packages.

Inside there were more medical forms, which I had no idea I would have to go through post-invitation until last night while reading posts on the Peace Corps China 2011 Facebook group.

Required exams:
- Chest X-Ray (interestingly enough, you're required to keep the X-Rays and present them at Staging and have them on you when you arrive in China or they won't let you in)
- EKG
- Blood test for syphilis
- HIV-1 and HIV-2

And I have to include 2 more passport pictures.

These costs will be reimbursed by Peace Corps.

Sinking in

Visa Application and Passport Renewal Application have been mailed and delivered. I'm curious to see if the Peace Corps passport is going to look any different.

Working on my Aspiration Statement and updating my resume. Should be done by tomorrow if I don't get lazy.

I donated my first load of clothes today. Afterward was the first time I said to myself "this is actually happening." The fact that I'm leaving has been sinking in very gradually. I'm getting more and more excited. It also hit me the other day that I only have two months left in the US. Only one solid month in Maryland before I pack up my junk and move stuff to my parents' house in Florida. So much to do.