April 29, 2009
Hi everyone! Finally giving this blog thing a try, so we’ll see how it goes…
Well, I’ll go ahead and introduce myself. My name’s Erin, and I am a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and Spanish. When I’m not at UD, I live in Toledo, Ohio with my mom, dad and little sister Claire, who’s going to OSU next year (yay, monkey!). I have only been outside the US twice, to Canada, but I’ll be in Nicaragua over the summer working on the solar autoclave with Dan, Maria and Nathan. I have been so overwhelmed with exams, final projects and term papers, but now I finally have time to think about this summer, and I am extremely excited.
Me (on the left), Monkey, Dad at the Demolition Derby
Sarah, Leah and Me skiing at Alpine Valley, MI
I’m a little concerned about missing my family, my friends, and my boyfriend just because eight weeks is a long time to be away, but I can’t wait to go exploring, meet everyone in the entire country, and see some freshwater sharks. Don’t worry, I’ll take pictures. The State Department sent my shiny new passport, I’ve got a plane ticket, and I bought a raincoat. Totally ready, right? Also, we haven’t been told who our “families” will be in Sabana Grande, but I really hope I’ll get some little brothers and sisters.
I’ve also been thinking about what I could do for a little project I could do down there while we work on the solar autoclave. I took a class on Latin American history in the 20th century, and my research paper was on the health situation in Nicaragua, and my concentration is biomedical engineering. Basically, I’m trying to think of a project that would do something to improve community health using engineering (besides the solar autoclave, haha…), and ideally involves hanging out with little kids. Let me know if any of you out there have an idea…
Ciao,
Erin
Comments
9 Responses to “Getting Ready :)”
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Yay for blogging! Welcome aboard, Erin!
That’s awesome that you’re keeping your eye out for another little project. While it wasn’t health-related at all, but definitely involved hanging out with kids, I actually taught a ballet class once a week while I was there my first trip. My class ranged in age from 5 to 20, and it was so fun!
Welcome aboard the website, Erin! If you have any questions or curiosities of a technical nature about blogging, send an email to support@saluddelsol.org and I will get back to you promptly. And, from time to time, I will touch up the blog entries to keep them consistent.
By time you get to Nica, I hope to send out information about how to blog via email. That is, you will be able to create a email and send it to a special address and it wll post automagically.
Mr. Young (aka, Anna’s dad)
Hi Erin!!
Welcome! It is fantastic to see read your post, your enthusiasm about this summer is contagious
I’m so excited you are part of the Salud del Sol team!
Along with a raincoat, make sure you have a water proof means of transporting your computer… and I say that from experience… tangents are not waterproof.
You will love the kiddos in Sabana Grande, and they will be so eager to participate in any health related project that you take on. The teacher at the grade school in the community is very willing to work with volunteers, her name is Rosamalia, you should get in touch with her once you get to the community!
hey ernie! i miss you very much…you’re so far away! I hope you’re learning a lot. Ma says hi. i’ll teach her how to comment tomorrow maybe. i hope youre not sunburnt yet and you’re having a great time. dad’s begun the going native project. lord help us. sean and mark miss you as do all of us but you’re learning so much. we all love you very much and are thinking about you all the time
be safe. sorry this is a really long comment. whatevs you’re my sis i’m allowed. same with mom. now its even longer
Well hey there sweetie,
Git us some updates yo!
Hows your Nica family? Hows the humidity?! Hear its a little rediculous this time -o- year (a lot less so in February). It is impossible to, nor should I ever want to stop thinking about you. I love you con todo mi corazón. Work hard, stay safe, love life and keep in touch.
Lovingly as always,
Sean
Hello Erin-I am so glad you arrived safely and are doing good works. You are in my prayers. Have a wonderful experince.
Hi Sweetie!
I miss you! Learn a lot, stay safe, get into the culture… really take the time to drink every aspect of this experience. You’re one special young lady… make the most of it!
Sean’s Mommy
Erin,
So glad to hear that all is going well. I must be an exciting adventure. You’re doing work you should be proud of. Please take a look in the southern sky about 45 deg’s above the horizon. You will see the “tail” of Scorpius making a small “hook.” At that point, you are looking towards the galactic center, deep into the Milky Way. How do the stars look? Could you describe them? They must be magnificent. You should have a great view at your latitude.
Best of luck, and keep us posted,
Mr. Kaschak
So glad you arrived safely! Sounds like a great adventure. I am impressed that you killed a scorpion! I hope you are taking lots of pictures!!!!