May-hem 2009
June 8, 2009
Hmm May in review…
May started off with a trip to Dimla to check 170 some odd heifers for repro problems. Then on the 7th I took the GRE. It was as I expected; a ridiculous standardized test which probably doesn’t tell people much other than I am slightly worse than others at taking standardized tests. I did ok on the math but terrible on the verbal, which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that I have spent the past 3 years trying to use small English words and large words in 2 different languages. I am not sure how I did on the writing portion, because they don’t give you that score right away as it must be sent to humans for grading. The quantitative and verbal scores are given to you right after you take the exam, as it is computer based and scores you as you go along. It took 4 hours, after which the proctor of the exam tried to talk me up. He asked if I minded if he asked what score I received. Being that my brain at the time was a bit mushy from overstimulation I responded, “huu?.” I went on to ask what a good score was and he said “around 1200. Did you get over 1200?” I was close but not quite over that mark, so I shook my head. To which he responded, “oh then that is not very good.” I cringed rolled my eyes and took my things from the locked locker they had given me. Then the ostentatious proctor proceeded to ask me if he could have my phone number (which he actually could have just taken from my info page). WTF!!!! First you tell me I am an idiot, then you ask for my number?? I scowled, rolled my eyes and walked out. Afterwards, I had paneer and gelato. That always makes me feel better. Anyway, the universities I am looking at only require an 1000 score. I am over that. Plus I have a little bit of experience.
Ok, what next… I did some work and in perfect time made a chocolate cake. I made it right b4 I found out Lena would be leaving. We spent 2 nights in a row chit chatting and eating chocolate cake for dinner. Then on the 22-23rd I went down with Dave, Lena, Phill, Sarah and Paul to Comilla to visit Shyam-Da’s family. That was good fun even if it was 41 C and 99% humidity. We got to see the WWII cemetery, Bangladesh Ag Research & Development Center(?) (BARD), and some other touristy places down there. We also got to take a boat on the way back. That was great. We didn ‘t get a seat, but I sat for a long time on the ledge around the outside of the boat. Of course as a white lady alone sitting in a place where only poor men sit, I had my pack of spectators, but I was able to stop them from asking questions when I got annoyed. The view was magnificent!!!
The next wknd I stayed home and maybe left my house once. I read an entire 500 page book in 2 days!!!! I am not much of a reader, but I had time and a desire to finish. I also spent some time that wknd cleaning out Lena’s place, which was sad, scary and like Christmas all at the same time.
At work, I am finishing up the final draft of my Salt Mineral Block video and my training cow. They are coming along. The cow is going slower than I hoped, because I only work on it until the sweat covers my glasses and then I stop…it doesn’t take long these days.
Other highlights:
Trip to Dimla with Betty (Canadian Food Grain Bank officer in MCC)
Cutting Nate’s hair in mullet then Mohawk then buzz cut…see what comes next.
I am going to cheat and move into reporting on June activities, because they are fresh in my mind. Andrew is back in Bogra giving Bangla tutoring. I still stink and am terrible at studying, but it is helpful that he gives homework. This past weekend I went to Mymensingh for orientation. It was a really great weekend. I was surprised (not that I thought Robin would host a bad orientation, its just I didn’t think I would be so refreshed by it.) We took a boat ride, visited a botanical garden and the agriculture university. We ate great food cooked by Rauton, Scott and Jojo’s new cook (who actually used to work for MCC long ago.) We went to Taize prayer which was nice and visited other partners there. My favourite place we went was CCH which works with handicapped persons. Growing up I was always afraid of/anxious around mentally handicapped persons, but I think the joy in there smiles was so infectious. In comparison to the stark depressed/hopeless look of most Bengalis, it was a fresh breeze that hit like a ton of bricks (but in a good way). Well, I think that is all I will write for now. Will update again next month
Peace
jodi
Hmm May in review…
May started off with a trip to Dimla to check 170 some odd heifers for repro problems. Then on the 7th I took the GRE. It was as I expected; a ridiculous standardized test which probably doesn’t tell people much other than I am slightly worse than others at taking standardized tests. I did ok on the math but terrible on the verbal, which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that I have spent the past 3 years trying to use small English words and large words in 2 different languages. I am not sure how I did on the writing portion, because they don’t give you that score right away as it must be sent to humans for grading. The quantitative and verbal scores are given to you right after you take the exam, as it is computer based and scores you as you go along. It took 4 hours, after which the proctor of the exam tried to talk me up. He asked if I minded if he asked what score I received. Being that my brain at the time was a bit mushy from overstimulation I responded, “huu?.” I went on to ask what a good score was and he said “around 1200. Did you get over 1200?” I was close but not quite over that mark, so I shook my head. To which he responded, “oh then that is not very good.” I cringed rolled my eyes and took my things from the locked locker they had given me. Then the ostentatious proctor proceeded to ask me if he could have my phone number (which he actually could have just taken from my info page). WTF!!!! First you tell me I am an idiot, then you ask for my number?? I scowled, rolled my eyes and walked out. Afterwards, I had paneer and gelato. That always makes me feel better. Anyway, the universities I am looking at only require an 1000 score. I am over that. Plus I have a little bit of experience.
Ok, what next… I did some work and in perfect time made a chocolate cake. I made it right b4 I found out Lena would be leaving. We spent 2 nights in a row chit chatting and eating chocolate cake for dinner. Then on the 22-23rd I went down with Dave, Lena, Phill, Sarah and Paul to Comilla to visit Shyam-Da’s family. That was good fun even if it was 41 C and 99% humidity. We got to see the WWII cemetery, Bangladesh Ag Research & Development Center(?) (BARD), and some other touristy places down there. We also got to take a boat on the way back. That was great. We didn ‘t get a seat, but I sat for a long time on the ledge around the outside of the boat. Of course as a white lady alone sitting in a place where only poor men sit, I had my pack of spectators, but I was able to stop them from asking questions when I got annoyed. The view was magnificent!!!
The next wknd I stayed home and maybe left my house once. I read an entire 500 page book in 2 days!!!! I am not much of a reader, but I had time and a desire to finish. I also spent some time that wknd cleaning out Lena’s place, which was sad, scary and like Christmas all at the same time.
At work, I am finishing up the final draft of my Salt Mineral Block video and my training cow. They are coming along. The cow is going slower than I hoped, because I only work on it until the sweat covers my glasses and then I stop…it doesn’t take long these days.
Other highlights:
Trip to Dimla with Betty (Canadian Food Grain Bank officer in MCC)
Cutting Nate’s hair in mullet then Mohawk then buzz cut…see what comes next.
I am going to cheat and move into reporting on June activities, because they are fresh in my mind. Andrew is back in Bogra giving Bangla tutoring. I still stink and am terrible at studying, but it is helpful that he gives homework. This past weekend I went to Mymensingh for orientation. It was a really great weekend. I was surprised (not that I thought Robin would host a bad orientation, its just I didn’t think I would be so refreshed by it.) We took a boat ride, visited a botanical garden and the agriculture university. We ate great food cooked by Rauton, Scott and Jojo’s new cook (who actually used to work for MCC long ago.) We went to Taize prayer which was nice and visited other partners there. My favourite place we went was CCH which works with handicapped persons. Growing up I was always afraid of/anxious around mentally handicapped persons, but I think the joy in there smiles was so infectious. In comparison to the stark depressed/hopeless look of most Bengalis, it was a fresh breeze that hit like a ton of bricks (but in a good way). Well, I think that is all I will write for now. Will update again next month
Peace
jodi
posted by Jodi Crossgrove at
1:26 AM
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