slowly losing track of the days

So I'm not exactly sure how long I've been here now, but I am starting to get into a groove and adjusting.  Not fully of course.  I don't think I'll ever fully be able to adjust.  There are some parts I don't think I should get used to, but that part comes later.  Eid went fairly well (made about $40) so I've a little more wiggle room with my expenses now that I'm broke; broke I tell you.  While it was great to visit family, feast like a king, and just plain celebrate the day I just couldn't get over what I saw in the morning after prayers.  I'm not a real religious person although I would like to believe I am a spiritual person, I've just never been a devout follower.  I chose to go to prayers because it was just the thing to do and while it wasn't anything amazing, it was just awkward to come to terms with what I saw after.  There were lines and lines of women, children and the elderly begging for money.  They were malnourished, hardly dressed and emotionally beaten.  I think we all know about poverty and agree it's a bad thing, but to see the level of poverty in the morning was eye opening.  I struggled with what word best described how I felt and eye opening seems right, but not the perfect choice.  I'm not sure what word I really mean because the level of poverty is nothing new, I've seen it before, but I had managed to forget it.  My mind amazes me at times at what it chooses to remember and what it hides away.  I've chosen to mostly remember the good things and forget about the faults and despair that is present in Bangladesh.  Today I went to the village where my mom grew up and on the ride there I saw a dog limping across the road.  Most of you know I'm a dog person and I wanted to do something, but then realized if people are half clothed and starving then what chance does a stray mut have?  I don't know how I'm going to reconcile or even react to these continuing situations I know I will face, but I'm glad I've become more aware of them.  I came here to hopefully do some good and that is what I hopefully will do.  In the mean time I hope you all are o.k. and doing well.  I'm a little hurt by the Raiders losing, but let's face it, it's the Raiders; losing is what we do best.

Last note: I've decided to post up songs once in a while since I'm getting plenty of alone time with my ipod.

Song: Stars
Artist: XX

"Stars"

Where Can You Get Coffee For 9 Dollars?

Hello! Hola! Bonjour! 

I'm alive!

So, I made it here in Dhaka without much hassle.  I mean I did think my luggage was stolen for the half hour I was waiting in the baggage claim spot to get my luggage, but other than that not so bad.  But, like I said the trip overall wasn't that bad.  Chris came to pick me up around 12:30, then went to Dolphin Bay with Anson and Chris and got to LAX around 2 for my flight.  Check in was a breeze and the plane ride was fairly smooth.  The six hour layover in Dubai was the only downside, it's also the place where I paid 9 dollars for a grande caramel frap from Starbux. 9 dollars. 9 dollars. 9 DOLLARS! Never again.  In the end I finally got to Bangladesh around 9 AM local time, came to my aunt's house where I prompltly passed out.

I have been doing that a lot these days.  I'm running on a schedule of 4 hour nap sessions, not sure if 4 hours qualifies as a nap, but for now I'd like to believe so.  I start my internship on the 15th so I still have a few days to get accustomed to the time difference.

Also, tomorrow is Eid.  It's a pretty big celebration here, kind of interested in how it goes since I haven't actually spent a real Eid (one that I remember anyway).  I hope to rake in some lost revenue (about 18 years worth) from the relatives on Eid money;  I mean I am a poor grad student.

That's about it for now.  Hopefully, I won't get run over or run anyone over tomorrow when I go visit random relatives.  Driving/Roads are here like something most people have never experienced.  I'll try to take pictures later.

-Mahbub

Numero Uno

So this is the first post.  It's currently 12: 45 AM and I'm 90% done packing.  This is pretty exciting, I'm not going to lie.  I mean I still have some loose things that I need to tie up cancel my cell phone, saying goodbyes, and whatever thing pops up at 4 in the afternoon, a hour before my flight.  But, yes I'm creating this blog so if you were ever curious what I'm up to you can just check up on your own.  I'm not sure how stable my internet connection is going to be, but hopefully I can update at least twice a week or so.  I also hope to make it fancy and put up some pictures, but don't hold your breath on that one.  So, yes that's pretty much it, for the first post. Actually no one more thing, if I've tagged you on this, know that I miss hanging out with you and will miss hanging out with you, but I will see you in a few months!

-Mahbub "Protik" Sarwar