Reflection Week #9

This week was honestly a wild ride.

From the get go, the simulation was so much fun! I think simulations provide a really interesting opportunity from which to embody theories and other things that we talk about in class, so I was super excited for this one. As someone who also enjoys theater, I do enjoy taking on different roles, and potentially expressing differing beliefs towards certain topics. As the International Rescue Committee, I actually ended up completely agreeing with all their work and their stance on the topic of US involvement in Nigeria, so it was a great opportunity for me to bring my background knowledge of international development into play. I also love lobbying, so I felt I was able to use some of that experience to help us craft our proposal and presentation.

Unfortunately, I didn't end up participating in the second half of the simulation because my ear decided to reject my newish piercing. I woke up on Wednesday with a swollen left ear and no earring in sight. That triggered many calls to my parents and the student health center, until I finally went to see my actual doctor and was sent right along to the ER. So off we went to Children's National Hospital, which is, in my point of view, the best hospital in the DC area. I know that's a strange thing to say, but back in 8th grade when I had a bit of a health crisis, Children's came to the rescue after Holy Cross really did nothing for me. Since then I've had a particular loyalty to Children's. Once we got to the ER it was about a couple hours of waiting around until I was finally called, taken back to a room, and a doctor came in to make the decision that my ear had to be numbed, so that the whole earring could be taken out of my ear. Not being the most comfortable with items being essentially yanked out of my body, I was quite nervous but, as per usual, Children's did a great job and quickly sent me on my way with care instructions.

Honestly I don't know how I would've gotten through Wednesday without my parents. It's moments like this when I really realize how much of a good decision AU was in terms of being close to home. I was definitely worried about it, but I'm glad I still have such a stable support system so close to me that I can rely on whenever I need it. I really am so privileged to have such a stable and loving family life and I love that my family is so ready to care for anyone and everyone. That's why, if you're reading this, please let me know if you can't go home for Thanksgiving and don't have any plans because my family would love to have you! Don't worry, I'll message everyone about this in the Facebook chat as well (:

Something else that I kind of forgot about but realized I wanted to touch on, is how much of a Desi weekend I had. For all those that don't know, Desi is basically a term South Asians use to describe each other, specifically outside of South Asia. In a previous reflection I mentioned how being a quarter Indian sometimes creates this inner identity conflict, but this weekend I started to feel more at home with the South Asian DC college community. Having a roommate who's also South Asian has been a big plus for me because it's really given me someone who I can relate to and go to South Asian events with. Nadia and I took a group to Desi Prom last night at GW which was super fun. The highlight of the night was dressing up (because Indian clothes are really the bomb.com) and dancing to Desi music because that's something I've really missed and haven't done in a while. Then, today was Diwali, which is essentially the Hindu New Year and our Festival of Lights. I'm not avidly religious, but my family always celebrates Diwali and Holi so I thought it would be a nice thing to celebrate it on campus as well. So tonight, I took Nadia to the Hindu Student Association's Diwali Festival and had a fantastic time! It was honestly the first time where I truly felt at home with the South Asian community on campus and I think it's because it really just reminded me of home. Participating in the puja and singing the aarti really just transported me back to my Nani's (great aunt) living room when she would hold these ceremonies and it was such a heartwarming feeling. Nadia and I even made another friend!

So, in conclusion, there was a lot that happened this week. Physical lows and emotional highs galore, I'm honestly excited to see what the future holds in terms of World Politics and my involvement with the South Asian community on campus and in the DC area. Here's to the future (: