vaccines and student loans and malaria

15 days left to go! Yikes. Today I went to the doctor to discuss vaccines and malaria prophylaxis. I am not completely pro-vaccine, but I opted to get the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Neither are exactly kosher with my strict vegetarianism, but I did it more for peace of mind. I would like to be able to experience the local food without having to worry about hep A and typhoid. My arm is surprisingly sore considering my last intramuscular vaccine (tetanus) didn't hurt at all. I got a prescription for Ciprofloxacin (just in case) and Chloroquine for malaria. Needless to say, my bank account has taken quite a hit so far this week. The doctor visit plus vaccines was $220 and a year's worth of Chloroquine will be about $250. I'm fairly certain that I won't be filling the Cipro script and I haven't quite decided on the Chloroquine yet. I'll be taking a lot of deet lotion and spray to ward off Dengue fever and other miscellaneous mosquito-transmitted diseases anyway; I'm not entirely sure I can afford both (don't forget you can donate and help me out with my preparations by clicking the button on the right!)

I found out last week that my student loans have been deferred until February 2011! That's a definite relief and a reassurance that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

I've still got a huge list left of things to do before I leave. Sub-tropical clothing needs to be bought (anybody know where I can find rain gear that doesn't cost a small fortune?), medical donations need to be picked up (thank you!), various items to be purchased, car to be sold, packing, studying, etc etc etc.

No fun pictures this post but I do have a link - my friend Valerie is leaving the same day as I am to go to Kenya for 3 month to work with HIV education efforts. You can visit her blog if you're interested in hearing about her trip! valnafrica.blogspot.com

plane tickets!

It's been a while since I've last updated, but I've been busy busy... well, mostly. I bought my plane tickets yesterday and I will be headed to San Ignacio (to your left) on January 13th. My car has not yet been sold, but there is a back up plan in place. I won't find out for a couple of weeks as to whether my student loans will be deferred or not, but I decided to go ahead and purchase my tickets and hope for the best. Speaking of, don't forget that 'donate' button on the right hand side of my blog. Anything you can donate would be appreciated to help offset the cost of my trip so that I can help these birds!

Speaking of birds, many of the species that CASA rehabilitates are parrots. I currently have no experience with parrots so I'm researching all that I can in order to be prepared. I've included some pictures of a couple of species they are currently rehabilitating. A white fronted parrot (right) is one of the several species

of parrots that are presently at CASA. From what I understand, there are quite a few parrot species that come in during the baby season. Let's hope they don't sound like finches! There are some species of birds in Belize that are also found in South Carolina... for example, there's the wood thrush to your left (via USFWS website). They're up there on my favorites... look as those spots!

I've gotten a short wish list for those of you who have access or know somebody who has access to veterinary or medical supplies. I'll be posting an updated list sometime in the near future.

Equipment: opthalmoscope, refractometer, centrifuge

Supplies: square gauze, 1 cc syringes, small gauge needles (25G, 26G, etc), parrot hand-raising formula with no preservatives (Harrison's is ideal), good quality cat and dog food.

I'm starting to become overwhelmed with all that I have to do before I leave. Luckily, I've recruited my friend Stephanie to speak to me in only Spanish from now on to help me out in that aspect. At least I'll have two languages of the many to help me get by.

If anybody has any avian / parrot rehabilitation books to suggest, let me know!

oh, the stress!

My main hurdle right now is selling my car. I've posted it on craigslist if you want to wander on over and check it out. Make sure to pass along the link to friends and get the word out! She's been a good car, but if I don't sell her, I can't afford Belize.

I feel like I've done a million things but nothing can be crossed off my list. In fact, it keeps growing longer and longer. Within the next couple of days, I hope to have that list of needs that CASA has for its rehabilitation center. I can even pick up the items if you have the ability to donate! I'll be contacting some veterinarian offices to see if they can help out in any way at all.

So the more I research the area in which I'll be living for a year, the more excited I get! Did you know Belize is only an hour behind EST? No jet-lag is awesome. Some of you know that I'm kind of a history nerd... I have a little infatuation with all things old (particularly Egyptian and Mayan / Aztec related topics). Great news for me... there are Mayan ruins within walking distance of where I'll be living! I've inserted a picture of said ruins that I've shamelessly "borrowed" from some page on the internet. Above would be the Cahal Pech ruins. There are even more amazing ruins about seven miles outside of San Ignacio.. maybe I'll do a day hike out to those. Or maybe I'll just drag my sister along when she comes to visit (you know you liked it when I dragged you up that South Korean mountain, you even went back for a second dose of punishment!). FYI: start prepping now so you'll be all set to do 14+ miles in a day.

Above is another borrowed picture of Casa del Caballo Blanco. Jealous yet? Just kidding.. but look at what you'll be staying in if any of you decide to visit! I'll have my own private room and bath (and thankfully internet access).

I've set up a Paypal account if any of you want to donate. Just click the button to the right and fill out the necessary information (thanks, Scott!). It's easy and secure and beyond appreciated!

Next blog should hopefully be good news about the car and a wish list of medical supplies for the birdies!

the beginning

Many of you know that I recently moved from Columbia to Charleston, SC in order to figure out what direction my life is supposed to be taking. While I had initially thought I was supposed to be vet-teching, my recent unemployment has given me plenty of time to re-evaluate my life. Any of you who know me know that my passion is conservation. The amazing thing about all of us being different is that we all have specific roles in this life. I have come to the (re-) realization that my calling is to help protect and save the environment in which we all live. Without our diverse ecosystems, none of us would be able to survive or enjoy the beauty that our world provides.

Yesterday I was offered, and accepted, the Avian Clinic Manager position at CASA, a non-profit avian rehabilitation center in San Ignacio, Belize. The facility is on the outskirts of San Ignacio; I've included a map so you have a general idea of where San Ignacio is located.

Since CASA is a non-profit organization, funds are in short supply. I will be receiving a stipend of approximately $40 a month to cover personal expenses in Belize (thankfully, CASA will be providing my housing and meals). Before I leave, I will be working my hardest to sell my car and defer my student loans so that I will be able to afford this amazing opportunity. If you feel led to donate to my Belize fund, I would be grateful. You can email me at natinbelize AT gmail.com for details. The facility is also accepting medical supplies for the rehabilitation of these beautiful birds. I will be posting a list soon of these items if you have the ability to donate in that aspect.

I will be posting often to keep you all updated on my progress. I have a lot to get done before mid-January.. selling the car, deferring student loans, studying up on my Belize birds and avian rehabilitation, and not to mention finding out if I need to partake in prophylactic malaria treatments.

I would like to thank all of you who have helped me get to this point in my life. It's a huge leap of faith, but I wouldn't be able to do this without the support and experience I have received over the past few years. Thank you especially to DFAH for supporting my decision to move to Charleston, albeit I'll have only been here for a few months. The training you provided me as a veterinary assistant will, no doubt, prove invaluable in Belize.

If any of you are interested in visiting Belize while I am there, CASA is actually part of the eco-lodge Casa del Caballo Blanco. It's just another way to support the program and enjoy all that Belize has to offer!

Stay tuned for more updates!