Beginning of the End

To all my active readers, this is goodbye.

Commence the tears - Bridget Coila

Today will be my final post in my series of Random Acts of Kindness. You may have expected some extravagant project or deed from me, but I am sorry to disappoint. For starters, I have experienced the busiest (and fastest) two months of my life. Also, this blog was never meant for extravagance or glamour; it was meant to inspire others to appreciate the small things that others do for them on a daily basis. But today we will focus on me. Ironic that my final "Random Act of Kindness Post" is about me, huh?

Let me just start by saying that today does not feel like a Thursday. Your Thursday is my Tuesday this week. I took a bit of a long vacation; I was home most of Monday and Tuesday this week. At home? How was I able to spend almost two full days at home when I have a full schedule of classes? Ha! You're asking me. I did not necessarily want to go home. However, it was pretty much a life or death situation (whaaaat?) I promise I'm not dying guys.

As some of you may know, I will be traveling to Kenya this summer. I will be doing independent research alongside the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship program here at Penn State. I have been doing research with the Kijenzi start-up business ventures for two semesters now, and I am finally getting the opportunity to see my work in action. I have been developing my CAD skills, coding, and 3D printing expertise to make this trip. While in Kisumu, Kenya, I will be printing and redesigning biomedical devices for local doctors in both urban and rural hospitals. I will also be introducing 3D printing to local businesses that may benefit from our work. 

Kijenzi printer in action

This trip sounds cool and all, right? Right, BUT! Initially, I did not realize how much work I would really have to put in to prepare for my trip. I thought the bulk of the work would come from my technical skills and tangible products. Wrong. The hardest part so far has been getting all of my sh*t together to make sure that I don't wind up on the side of the road in the middle of the desert. 

Although I already had a travel appointment and thought I had all of my immunizations and medication lined up to go, I was yet again wrong. Just a few weeks ago, I was able to take some time to visit UHS for a nice typhoid fever shot and malaria pills (that are honestly big enough for a horse to choke on). I'm really grateful that I'm most likely not going to die, but I think the nurse was trying to scare me to death. I can't drink the water. I can't eat the food. I can't touch any bats (like I was planning on it anyway?!). I can't swim in any body of water. ever. period. I honestly had to ask what I could do without risking keeling over with useless, infected vital organs. What they did tell me, though, was that I should probably get a yellow fever shot. Well yeah, anything that has fever, I don't want that. 

But there's a catch... There is a shortage of yellow fever vaccines in the United States, and there is a select number of facilities that can administer the vaccine AND the vaccine has to be imported from France. Are you freaking kidding me? So moral of the story, I had to take a trip home to schedule (and pay for) yet another travel appointment. 

I was already a little pissy about this trip home, so when my mom arrived on Monday afternoon (after I had attended eight hours of classes straight, sigh) I was not having it. Truly I just wanted to lay back in the car and pass out. Lucky me though, since getting my driver's license, I have developed an inability to sleep or do anything else for that matter, in the car. Against all odds, though, we had a wonderful drive through the scenic valleys of Pennsylvania. My mom and I (who have truly been disconnected by a lack of communication lately) had a long, sweet conversation about all of my family members and how they are doing. I was filled in about town gossip and church news. By the time we arrived home, I was unexpectedly feeling a cloud of bliss. Not to mention that when we pulled up to my house, my dog ran at me ready for all the love I could provide.

My photogenic prince

Now, when I walked through the door, the sweet smell of mom's home cooked meals filled my nose. Chicken and waffles all ready to eat, just waiting for me in the kitchen. Major swoon. After dinner, I was feeling fat and happy (and honestly ready for a nap). However, that nagging voice in the back of my head said, Hey. Heyyyyy. HEYYYY. Aren't you supposed to be studying for your exam Thursday? Yeah, yeah. I could study, but honestly, for me it's family over everything and it was eleven at night before I even opened my backpack. When my dad got home, we had a nice family meeting (actually nice, not the "nice family meeting" you're probably thinking of). We talked about vacations plans for this summer and how I couldn't believe that I was almost done with my freshman year (gasp). 

The next morning, my mom and I got up early and headed for the bank. Ugh the bank. I thought this trip would take ten thousand years. Again, I was wrong. We went into the bank, asked all the questions I need, and got my card registered for international travel. Quick. Easy. Done. 

My mom and I spent the rest of Tuesday shopping. Hmm I missed girl's day out with my mom more than anything in the world and I didn't even realize it. Some retail therapy was really all I needed. And to spend that time with my mom? All the better. We had some time to spare and decided to sit down for lunch. I decided on Cracker Barrel, which is pretty much a family favorite. My late grandma (my mom's mother) used to take us to Cracker Barrel any chance that she got, so the restaurant always has a special feeling for us (and the food is so good, so what is there to complain about?) We each got our sweet baby carrots and steamed broccoli (weird things to be excited about, I know), and things were all right in the world. 

By three o'clock, it was time to head to my appointment. Once the nurse got me situated in my room, the travel clinic doctor came in to give me all the important information about my shot. She slid in a small comment that thirty to fifty percent of people who get yellow fever die. I think I choked before she finished her sentence. The yellow fever shot is only recommended and not required. I had considered not getting it because it was such a hassle. Boy, I am glad I am protected. 

Packet of Kenya Scaries

By the time we got back to State College, my mom and I were talking like best friends again, just like we talked before I left for school. We talked until we had nothing to talk about and then talked some more. When she was finally ready to leave, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get out of the car. I had missed this time with my mom more than anything and I hadn't realized it until that moment. My mom took two entire days to drive me around and fix all of my problems. She made sure I had everything I needed and the I was ready to take on a trip halfway across the world. Although she won't admit it, I'm sure she would rather I just unpack my bags and stay at home with her for three weeks. 

My mom has always been my best friend and my greatest supporter and I am blessed to have her in my life. College tends to blur some of the relationships, especially when you don't see the people you love across the dinner table every night. Even though I am growing up, I am also learning that I will never be too old to need my mom.

Love, always