October 2010
5 posts
Never. Going. To. Leave.
(Sorry in advance for all the typos- I’m writing quickly!)
So, it has been ages since I’ve updated. Sorry all. To say life has been crazy is an understatement. This city has grabbed a hold of me and isn’t letting go- not that I’m really resisting :)
Life has been GREAT! I’ve been making some amazing friends, experiencing new things and different cultures, enjoying life in a metropolitan...
What? Katelyn Embarrasses Herself? Shocking.
So, first day of school- woop! I’m a big kid on campus, not literally. Today was my first day and I was ready to dive in. I only had two classes today, an hour in International Organization and two hours in Research Methods.
Just my luck, there was a tube strike today so all the undergrounds were closed. That caused a major problem for two reasons: 1. That is how I have been getting to school and...
Holy Royal Horse Poo!
Ok, quick update because I’m so excited I could literally pee my pants. So, this morning I was determined to wake up and go for a run. I have been here for well over a week and haven’t run a mile. If you know me, you know this is insanity. Between classes, apartment hunting and walking for blocks in the rain….I figured I have paid my respects to the workout God’s enough.
So today, Saturday...
Cheers From London
So, surprise surprise, I’ve been slacking big time on the blogging. Have no fear, Katelyn is back. The last 9 days have been full of crazy adventures, to say the least. I feel like I have been here for 12 years, not a mere week and a half.
Mom and I arrived Wednesday morning- luggage in tow and ready to go (sweet rhyming Katelyn). With rain pouring down and wind going crazy, we decided to head to...
September 2010
1 post
Cheers, London.
So, the adventure starts yet again. I’m off to London today to start a year long Master’s program at UCL. I will be studying International Public Policy…amazing. My mom is heading off with me to get things set up and help me keep my sanity. As soon as I get setteled in, I will update more but just wanted to send my love…from across the pond.
Much love from (Seattle-San...
May 2010
2 posts
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze...
As the last six weeks have transpired, I have (obviously) realized I never fully concluded my story. Actually, I don’t even think it is over. A few people have often asked about the final part of my India trip- and I think not only to my own selfish satisfaction, but to all the people who have followed my journey, I want to add a few more blogs about the trip that literally, changed my...
March 2010
5 posts
Back at Sooch- Back at Home
Well, life at Sooch has been busy as ever. By the time I got back from my adventures in Delhi, I had roughly 4 weeks to enjoy being with the children, house moms and staff before I flew back to America. Talk about a whirlwind!
On the 18th, a group of 17 American college students were coming to volunteer at two of the homes. While they arrived in India at the beginning of the week, they didn’t end...
Call Me Princess Katelyn
Well, with Austin’s arrival approaching and Jasdeep heading back to America- Jasdeep and I headed back to Delhi to part our ways. Since a few meetings needed to occur beforehand, we left a day early. Lucky for me, Jasdeep’s Aunt lives in Delhi and I was invited to stay with them for the night.
All the meetings were fine and dandy, it was the shopping that sparked my interested to write this blog....
Chef for 40 (Part II)
So, as I promised I needed to finish the second part of my travels with Jasdeep! As we returned from Rourkela on Sunday, we had two days to spend in Sooch. We arrived in Ranchi and boy, talk about testing your patience.
After having very little sleep and spending the morning battling the crowds at the train station, we headed to downtown Ranchi to pickup some notice boards (tack boards) for all...
February 2010
12 posts
Bring it, potholes!
So, what an adventure this past few days has been! I have officially managed to become quite a ‘roadie!’ Since the past week has been such a whirlwind- I think I will break this blog up into two sections- save you from reading a small novel.
So, Thursday I left Sooch to pick up Jasdeep at the Ranchi airport. Yay! I heard she was quite the travel partner so I was super excited to see her. I left...
Let's Talk Power Rangers
So, as I’ve become accustomed to living around people mostly under the age of 10, I’ve picked up on a few things. It is faster to eat with your hands, recess is the equivalent of gold, and really- who needs shoes when you can run around barefoot?
Yesterday, I spent the majority of the day going from cottage to cottage taking photos and getting information on all the housemothers to import to the...
Spot- Run- Twirl- Kisses.
So I have to apologize- it has been well beyond forever since I last blogged. With a few trips to Ranchi and Elizabeth being here, I’ve struggled to find time to sit down and write a blog!
So, things have been hustling as usual. Today has been my first “slow” day in about a week. So to catch you all up, I have successfully managed to create a running path along the outside of the soccer field...
America, Is That You?
Wow- so what a difference a mere 24 hours can make. I have gone from feeling like (and mostly likely) the only American within a 60-mile radius – to feeling like I am in New York City. Yes, it is possible.
So, two days ago Elizabeth came to Sooch to start interviewing for a position here at the Village. I told my mom, I forgot what it felt like to have an in-person English conversation. Elizabeth...
We Are Family
Note: So I had a little mishap- for all of you wondering about The Miracle Foundation, the website is www.miraclefoundation.org (not com). Woops!
So, I have officially reached day 14 of my trip here in India. 2 weeks- woa! I have seen, heard and experienced so many things- it might take my senses a bit to catch up. I have spent the last few days at Sooch doing miscellaneous things to send back...
January 2010
12 posts
I’ve Opened a 24 Hour Fitness…
So, home sweet home – back at Sooch! Yesterday was a long but great day of driving. Everyone keeps assuming that I hate the drive but I really and truly love it! I felt like a dog with my head out the window. It was the perfect day and with the windows down and driving through towns that were blaring Hindi music, continual whiffs of fresh samosas, children screaming while playing tag- Yes, I’ll...
Stuart Little Never Hurt Anyone...
Cheers from Rourkela!
So, I have moved from my humble abode in Sooch (Ranchi) to BRMP - or, if you are brave, Birmitrapur. Yesterday, Pummi and I came by car to BRMP to do some work in Rourkela. Pummi was explaining that most the volunteer’s prefer going by train but if I wanted to go we were going by car. Always up for a “challenge” I said I’d go- especially since I needed to get some videos of...
Happy Republic Day!
What a day to be in India! Today they celebrate Republic Day (Basically like our Fourth of July). It has been quite an event filled day!
The children went to school for only an hour – said the national anthem and did miscellaneous other things for the holiday. They were then bused back to the village to have “holiday” for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile- Susan told all the house moms to wear the...
Ah, the Power of Observation
You know, I have been tested in many ways in my lifetime- physically and emotionally. I have traveled to Africa, I have pushed myself in my studies, I have run a marathons….I don’t think, however, anything will compare to this experience.
So, my first day in Ranchi: 4;30am – WIDE awake. I’m not sure if I was nervous, not tired or excited but I’m going to assume it was a good combination of the...
Walked Thru Hell and Ended in Heaven
So, I finally made it to Ranchi. Halleluiah! Paramjeet and I set off from Delhi on Sunday. Because of the horrific fog recently, most planes have been delayed at least 6 hours. When I say horrific fog – I mean I couldn’t even see out my window horrific. It’s nuts! So, in typical fashion, at around 9:30 Manjeet said “no delays, we leave at 10!” Ah! I packed my bags quickly – threw on my new Indian...
Yes, They Do Serve Breakfast Tacos in India
So, it has been my last day in Delhi. I leave tomorrow for Ranchi (on the eastern coast of India) to live at Sooch Village for the majority of my stay here in India. (Check www.miraclefoundation.com for more information on the Children’s Homes I will be working with.)
This blog will be fairly brief being that I basically did nothing today. Hurray! Jetlag set in big time last night- so when I woke...
Indian Apparel, Sikh Temples and McDonalds...
Hello from New Delhi! As I have promise I would continue to keep you all updated. I’m sure once I reach Sooch tomorrow afternoon, my internet will be significantly slower making it much more difficult to update. However, dedication is a major quality I possess…so I will make it happen- even if I have to trek to a top of a far away mountain to get a signal (kidding mom, don’t worry….)
So, my first...
Namaste!
Warning: there are probably a massive amount of typos due to quick writing because of the internet here – sorry ahead of time!
So while I am currently 3 days into my journey in India – I only have time to update a little. So, I will start with my travels- always an interesting topic when trying to get into a third world country. I left San Antonio at 2:30 in the afternoon. No cell phone, no...