Leaving

The final hours before I ship off to the land of goats and gers has arrived. Luckily, I received my passport, with an official looking Chinese visa, on Thursday, so I'm clear to leave the country. All that worrying sure was worth it (NOT!)...

Speaking of worrying, I made a remarkable observation about myself today. I really don't consider every angle of my choices until the last minute. For instance, today (the day before I leave) I began to freak out about how I am going to get around Beijing once I'm there. I can't speak Chinese, I don't own a map, I haven't read a guidebook. I'm going to die. But, with a few deep breaths, I calmed myself, realized that there is nothing I can do at this point, and prayed to God that everything will turn out OK. I guess this delay of nervousness helps me. I'd never leave my house without it!

I packed my bags (25% clothing, 75% pharmaceuticals) and everything fit fairly easily. Ironically, this issue, which is normally my biggest problem with traveling, went smoothly. Confucius says: A good omen this is!

Many people have told me that they are sending positive vibes and plenty of prayers my way for a safe journey. I really want to thank all of you for this. I know that this trip will yield productive research and great memories. I'll be sure to share my photos and stories when I get back (here and in person).

For now, I'll leave you with this photo (courtesy of this website) of Lake Hovsgol, where I'll eventually be staying. Enjoy!

Yea for Science!

To start things off, my passport arrived in the mail from Jen yesterday! I'm off to get the visa tomorrow. Also, the Red Wings are now the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions! An exciting series should lead to an exciting parade downtown. Want to join me?

Anyone who knew me in high school would probably be surprised to know that I am now a biology major. I shunned calculus, dreaded chemistry, and made AP Environmental Science my third and final science credit. Somehow, that class convinced me to give environmental studies a shot. But I quickly realized that I wasn't going to understand much besides public policy unless I dove into biology headfirst. To further push me past my fear of hard-core science, I read a New York Times article about how deficiency in understanding science negatively affected our nation's policies-- on issues from stem cell research to global warming.

So I was really excited to read this article in the New York Times on Sunday by Brian Greene (who was on NPR's Talk of the Nation last Friday). Besides talking about the urgent need for better science education, he talks about the wonders of really understanding science.

"But here’s the thing. The reason science really matters runs deeper still. Science is a way of life. Science is a perspective. Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that’s precise, predictive and reliable — a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional. To be able to think through and grasp explanations — for everything from why the sky is blue to how life formed on earth — not because they are declared dogma but rather because they reveal patterns confirmed by experiment and observation, is one of the most precious of human experiences."

I couldn't agree more. Ever since I really got into my science classes, I've looked at everything (life, religion, fact, habits, etc.) differently. This does not discount the value of literature, art, and the social sciences, which are also important to understand. But none of those subjects ever transformed my world-view like this. It's liberating.

Plus, science is taking me to Mongolia!

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Prepare... or not

As part of the Mongolia trip, the Penn Biology department offered to extend our layover in Beijing-- at no cost to us. Of course I said yes! Who would turn down five days in Beijing, the month before the Olympics? Brian, one of my roommates who is also going on the Mongolia trip, agreed to come, too. We figured we would only have to pay for the Chinese visa ($130), the hostel ($9/night), food, and admission to museums.

I didn't figure in the cost of the Chinese travel gods, though. And they, apparently, don't want me in their country. First, I didn't know to bring my bank statement with me to the consulate. Then, my name wasn't on the hotel reservation. Now, I'm still waiting to get my passport back from my friend who took it to New York for me the second time. Once it comes in the mail, I now have to pay a document service to take it to Chicago for me. It better come soon...

The Junior Year in Munich program is trying to get us to prepare for living in Munich, too. Current students in Munich will sell us their pots, pans, and printers, and at a pretty good price. Now I have to choose what exactly I want, how much I want to spend, and make my decision soon.

In summary, I am a little overwhelmed right now (which probably has something to do with my job, too). The frustration is definitely worth it, and I am sure everything will turn out well.