Viruses Galore

August 29th, 2011

The process of getting vaccinated has been the most frustrating and stressful check on my to do list so far. It first started off with figuring out which vaccines I needed for the trip. For Thailand, the CDC recommends the Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, and the Japanese Encephalitis vaccines. Travelers should also be up to date with all the routine vaccines like measles, mumps, and Tetanus.

The problem was that I didn’t know which vaccines I had gotten in the past. Aimlessly getting all the shots would be silly since these vaccines can get pretty expensive when added up. I was also on a bit of a time crunch since a few of these vaccines were a series of shots that required at least a month in between. And I only have 2 months left.

I called my former pediatrician to try to get my vaccination records. But they couldn’t find my results because apparently they discard medical records that are over 10 years old. I called another one of my pediatricians who told me that my vaccination records were never turned in to them.

Next, I called my university’s health center. I was confident that they would have my records since all colleges require vaccinations before attending college—since college kids are pretty nasty these days, right? A nurse told me that my vaccination records (and all other medical records) were not available since they accidentally slipped through the cracks of their system. I guess I came in at the perfect time—a time in which the health center was switching from a paper system to an electronic system. My paper record was never transferred over to the new system and was discarded as a result.

Let me point out, I cry a lot. I am uber sensitive and get frustrated very easily. This process of trying to find out which vaccinations I needed was stressful. So consequently, I cried.

I called both of my high schools to obtain my records but they explained that after two years of graduating, they dispose of any student medical records. Then, I was able to reach my elementary school and they were able to scan my results. So Polio, Measles, Meningitis, Hepatitis B, Rubella, check! The only problem is that the most recent date of my vaccinations on this document was 1995. So any records of vaccinations received after the year 1995 has been lost. I was somewhat pleased with the situation but I most likely cried as well.

By using the process of elimination, I assumed I needed the Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. I decided not to get the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. When talking to an alumnus who went through the program last year, she told me that she decided to risk it and not get the vaccine because of the cost and the time required for the shot. I figured I’ve never heard of the virus before so I was confident I wouldn’t get it.

I made an appointment with a local doctor to get these two vaccinations and a standard physical. During the appointment, I waited an hour before the doctor came in and told me that I needed to get the Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. She even wrote it down on a piece of computer paper and gave it to me—like I didn’t know already! Then she told me to have a good day, without any of the vaccines or the physical. I asked her if I can get my physical and she explained that since our appointment lasted too long, there wasn’t enough time for it. I walked out of the office so confused and then angry. I was going to be charged the co-pay and a lot of money for information I already found out myself. I called the office back and asked what I was going to be charged for. They told me that I was going to be charged for the co-pay (because I took up the doctor’s time), a facility fee (because I stepped on their scale and they used a pencil to write down my weight and since I sat on the cheap paper bed covering), and for counseling (because she told me about the vaccines I already knew I needed to get). I shared my concerns about the fees (especially the counseling fee...pshh, that wasn't counseling!) to my insurance company and they took care of it—I think. I was glad they didn’t charge me for the physical since those exams can be expensive! But even so because of the exhaustion, I cried again. Then I had to go to work. What a mess!

I found out from another doctor (and my own acclaimed research) more about the Japanese Encephalitis virus. The Japanese Encephalitis virus is spread through mosquitoes (who absolutely love me). It is an incurable virus that swells the brain and if contracted you have a 30% chance of surviving. If you do survive, all you’ll have is moderate to severe brain damage—that’s all! And they recommend it to travelers planning on staying for more than 30 days (check ✓) and living in a rural town (check ✓). The simple decision would be to just get the vaccine, right? But it’s 600 dollars! It was definitely way over my budget and I didn’t know what to do.

I unfortunately had to do the inevitable. I called my parents. This was the last thing I wanted to do especially since my mom was still upset with me leaving and still believed I was going to ask her to fund my trip. I tried to find a clever way of bringing up this financial drawback. This is how the conversation with my mom went:

Me (stating at very rapid pace): So there is this virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, who, by the way, love biting me, and it’s a virus that swells the brain. A lot of people die from this virus and if they don’t they usually have pretty severe brain damage or slip into a coma. Oh yea, it’s also incurable. But I probably won’t get the vaccine.

Mom: Umm...why not?!?

Me: It’s too expensive.

Mom: How much is it?

Me: 600 dollars.

Mom: …dial tone...

Big mistake! Despite my disrespectful and thoughtless idea to manipulate my mom, I was very nervous about the virus and did desperately needed help to pay for the vaccine. I told some of my co-workers and they suggested a mini-fundraiser at our restaurant (I’m assuming as a joke). If the makeshift fundraiser to help bring a former employee back across borders didn’t work as well, I doubt my pathetic plea for vaccination money would sustain as anything.

Eventually, my parents ended up helping me out with the Japanese vaccination money. I am very grateful for their support. Now I feel more comfortable about my personal and health safety in Thailand…I guess except for the Thai rapists, traffickers, muggers, lady-men (which I may be a target for since I look and dress like a 12 year old boy according to my friend Chris). So to avoid any other safety issues and hopefully build myself more of a backbone--next step self-defense classes!

Fast forward: Sept 16^th, 2011

I finally got my vaccinations! First, I had to get Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tdap all in one day. After calling several travel clinics, the Orange County public health office definitely had the cheapest prices. They were also very nice. I received food to replenish my virus-afflicted system, an informative packet about the vaccines, and a free shot (Tdap) because I’m a teacher. The Tdap vaccine hurt especially. I couldn’t move my left arm for a couple of days.

The next day, I got the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. Finding a clinic that had the vaccine but also provided it for an inexpensive price was rather difficult. I called over 20 clinics in both Orange County and LA County to find out their vaccine price. Most places charged a hefty office fee as well. After mulling it over for a while, I found a great place called Eddie’s Pharmacy in LA. They charged me a standard office fee and the cheapest vaccination price I found. My visit also included an extensive and intensive tutorial in traveling to Thailand by a very helpful and receptive pharmacist. Their office was just a bit out of my way. So I decided to spend a fun filled day in LA with one of my friends. On a less positive note, my day also included several hours of traffic and getting incredibly lost in the ghetto of LA. I tried to be optimistic during my extremely long and frustrating drive. I tried recognizing the more positive aspects of my drive like involuntarily exploring Filipino town and the exuberant proposition I received from a very muscular drag queen.

At the appointment, the pharmacist gave me a lot of enlightening information about all the viruses and bacteria I will be encountering. She also let me know about the day to day diarrhea and mosquito issues and remedies I am even more afraid of encountering. Then, she gave me the painful and most expensive shot I’ve ever gotten and will ever get.

Within 2 days, I was sore from an 8-mile hike, had 4 viruses injected into my arms, and had 6 warts burnt off my body (I swear, it's not what you think). My body has been taking a terrible beating. I felt awful and disease-ridden. I couldn’t move my arms and my face and hands looked slightly mangled (mostly my face). I looked especially silly at work as I hobbled over to my tables, unsteadily carrying their ice teas and Pepsi drinks. One of my tables was wondering why I was having such trouble distributing their drinks. I thoughtlessly replied, “Oh, I just got several vaccinations," as I looked feverish and in pain. They all looked at me with disgust (as I am the one serving them their food and drinks). After realizing my mistake, I reassured them by stating, “Oh don’t worry, I don’t have a disease or anything. I just had to get vaccinated for my trip to Thailand.”  They showed signs of relief and nervously laughed off my somewhat comforting response. Unfortunately, I have had even more awkward serving situations than this one. I usually tell my customers good job as a response to them liking their meal or I try to reassure them that I’m not creepy when caught staring relentlessly at their food.

Nevertheless, I am now vaccinated! And I didn’t even cry.

Booked My Trip!

August 16th, 2011

I have always wanted to travel to Thailand. But I knew that in order to live somewhere and be able to embrace the culture entirely, I would need some money. Though Thailand is known for its inexpensive living standards, it was still crucial for me to be able to financially support myself during the trip and ideally be able to save a little along the way. So I planned to find a paid teaching job for the duration of my trip. Nevertheless, money wasn’t a big factor or a significant motivator. I mainly wanted the teaching experience. I figured since I am taking another year off of school, I should probably build up my experience in the field I presumably would want in the future. Especially after spending tens of thousands of dollars, costing myself a year and a half of sleep, and causing my immune system to deteriorate because of all the diseased kids I encountered, it might be a smart idea to continue to invest my money and time in this same direction.

I first started searching online for teaching programs that would help get me a job in Thailand. I found that a lot of these programs required you to have a TEFL or TESOL certificate in order to be able to teach English as a second language. This certificate is very expensive to get but it can help you gain that extra boost against rival teachers when applying for jobs. I found a couple TESOL programs that would train and certify me with this certificate while accommodating my stay and a teaching job in Thailand. I picked the American TESOL Institute not only because it provided accommodations and a paying job, but because it had good reviews and alumni video feedback. The training program starts in November and my teaching contract goes from November and ends in March. Unfortunately, this timeline completely disrupts my potential to be a world traveler this year. Before I planned to travel to Brazil, Japan, and Taiwan, along with the Thailand trip. Oh well.

It was tough pitching the idea to my parents. My dad was skeptical about the country’s security because of recent religious discord between Buddhist and Islamic extremists. My mom thought I was going to rob her of her money in order to fund my trip (which was never my intention). But most of all, both my parents were scared for my well-being. My dad persuaded me to take self-defense classes. He also emailed me some funny 'what to do' scenarios he came up with. Sorry dad:

1st Example: you are going to be robbed by someone with a knife. 1) Take the sacrifice money out quickly (a few bills). 2) Drop some on the ground right away by the attacker. 3) He'll be surprised, take advantage! 4) YELL and break the hold and run towards crowd or store. 5) Drop some more as you run until you are safe.

2nd Example: you are getting robbed by 2 people on opposite sides, blocking your escape. Grab sacrifice money in two hands and throw money at both attackers. Run between them.

3rd Example: Make your money a weapon. 1) Fold the money around a razor blade, tape it to the money inside, leave the blade exposed 1/4 inch but hidden by outside layer. 2) When you get attacked, hold the folded money, pretend to put in attacker's hands. 3) Slash the open hand! Attacker will draw his hands toward his body in pain and surprise. 4) Keep your weapon and RUN but prepare to use it again. 5) YELL!

Better to not look weak. Even wear a belt with a knife holster (without the knife, the attacker will wonder: "What hand is holding the knife?")

The image of throwing money at my attackers (though it may be effective--I don’t know yet) seems kind of funny when picturing it. It would be even funnier to wear a knife holster around on a daily basis. I would look like a gangster in my small rural town. No one would want befriend me either because I’m intimidating or weird-looking. Thanks for looking out for me Dad!

My mom is especially nervous about this trip. After denying that I was even going on the trip and not speaking to me for a while, she tried to convince me to go teach English in a safer country. I rudely joked around with her by saying, “ So you want me to teach English in a safe country like Canada or England? Oh, that would be productive!” By the way, Thailand is considered a “some risk” country according to the travel warnings devised by the U.S. Department of State. This is the lowest level a country can be and the United States and Canada are countries placed on this same level. But she is still convinced that I will be killed, kidnapped, or will love the country so much I would never come back again. I have tried to convince her that I will be fine traveling alone by providing resources and relaying my own knowledge of the country. I accidentally let it slip that Hangover II was based in Bangkok and now my mom is convinced that I will be bargained for money, my finger will be severed off, or I will be kidnapped by pirates or an underground mob. Well fortunately, if teaching doesn’t work out in Thailand, I heard their human trafficking business is pretty top-notch. Just kidding!

For this particular program, there was only one more spot left for the TESOL training in Bangkok and I had to put a lot of money down to reserve it. After a couple of long talks with my dad, who gave me in-depth advice about potential regrets and encompassing experiences, I put down my deposit for that last spot. I’m actually an avid online shopper but pressing the submit button for this purchase was more substantial than I’ve experienced. I am used to purchasing books or furniture but I was purchasing the next 6 months of my life and that was major. I think I waited by the computer with my cursor placed on the submit button for over 30 minutes while my patient dad talked me through it the entire time.

Now after booking the trip, I am extremely nervous. At this point, I have probably asked dozens of people to go on the trip with me (some of whom I’ve just met). I am excited about the trip but worried to do it alone. I’m afraid of being lonely and lost in a country I have never been to and don’t know too much about. I am also scared for my safety. After hearing about the political unrest and the multiple bombings at public protests, I am afraid to get caught up in the wrong crowd or a particularly dangerous place. When serving at my restaurant, I had a conversation with a guest who lived in Thailand for a couple of months. She told me to watch the movie The Beach because it would tell me all I need to know about Thailand. Big Mistake! Now, I am afraid of getting brutally killed by Thailand’s drug and marijuana cartel, eaten alive by sharks, and forced to drink blood as my initiation into the Thai culture. Do not watch The Beach when planning to travel to Thailand!

But this fear (hopefully!) will help challenge me to the fullest. Exploring the country alone will only make my experience an actual experience.

Giving Up For New Direction

August 1st

I am a stress ball. I've tried so hard not to be but when I have weak moments, I can't get myself together. A couple of years ago, I had a lot of difficult situations I had to encounter making me both very sad and high-strung. This wasn't the life I wanted. So I made the ultimate plan: I was going to become a hippie. I know, its the anti-hippie thing to do: plan. Anyways, I tried to embody the spirit of a hippie by changing my physical appearance. Yes--growing out my hair EVERYWHERE, using natural deodorant and showering less, and attempting to make my own clothes and jewelry by hand. I even picked up painting as a hobby, which I ended up eventually loving.

A important reason why I went through this hippie phase is because of the amount of burdens I was taking on at the time. I was having a hard time dealing with a breakup, family problems, and felt incredibly lost and lonely in my life. I wanted to change my outlook and my surroundings. This included taking on the hippie spirit and eliminating selfish friends and inanimate and destructive things in my life. But even these things didn't solve my issues and didn't made me feel better. So I challenged myself and took an adventurous and spontaneous trip to Taiwan.

In Taiwan, I experienced so many challenging and wonderful events. I was able to live and work with the aboriginals of the Paiwan tribe and attend a Paiwan wedding in traditional garments. I was a caretaker and English teacher to students in a special needs facility. The students at the school were amazing and I learned so much about myself and about life from them. I also learned the language quickly and well enough to be able to communicate with the community members. My work was even published in newspapers and video taped for television as they thought it was so strange that a supposed "white" girl was volunteering at a special needs organization. Lastly, I received at least three boba milk teas a day. My favorite!

I also faced some challenges along the way. There wasn't anyone who spoke English in the community so I was pretty much silent for awhile. I ended up making up my own sign language using gestures and my facial expressions to communicate whether or not I wanted bread or goat milk in the morning. By the way, I drank goat milk everyday for my entire trip. I filtered the milk myself through a makeshift strainer. It made me strongly dislike the smell, taste, and look of all types of goat products for years after.  Most of all, it was challenging because I was lonely.

Throughout this experience, I was able to become the hippie I always wanted to be. I rarely took showers (mainly since once you stepped out of the shower, the humidity made you dirtier and sweatier than you were before showering). I cultivated my own food. Since the facility wasn't as financially stable, they had a farm in which we essentially ate from. And I was able to gain a sense of peace in my life. I had so many lonely and quiet moments during the trip that I had time to think and reflect. I realized the person I wanted to become and the direction I wanted to take my life. An experience like this was definitely more influential than attempting to make my own hemp jewelry.

These last couple of months have been tough. While finishing up the last of my Master's program, I was confused about not knowing what I was doing after graduating, trying to mend a progressively weakening relationship, and dealing with my confidence and beliefs in my adequacy as a teacher. I was applying to dozens and dozens of schools, visiting school districts in LA and pestering all the superintendents and human resources personnel, and emailing all the public and charter elementary school principals in LA and Orange County with a pathetic "I can do it!" story and attached resume and cover letter. By the way, I sent out over 100 emails--there's too many to count at this point. I was tired. I was practically crying and moaning every day--I wonder why my boyfriend thought I was irritating to be around sometimes?

After profusely stressing out about my job situation along with other issues, I decided to stop all together. I am not looking for a teaching job in the U.S. anymore. I gave up! But I gave up for an even better purpose. Instead I am traveling to Thailand to teach English to elementary school kids. Since making these plans, I have felt happier and have gained a sense of accomplishment for my forthcoming year. As a full time teacher, when do you have the time to travel for 6 months straight? I guess you may have time if laid off but once your foot is in the door, there is less motivation to leave the country.
I know I was meant to travel. This trip may help me understand my direction, build up my knowledge and experience, while giving the adventure of a lifetime. And at the least, it beats working at a restaurant.