2 weeks

We had our final send off dinner and received our plane tickets today. Everyone's talking about what they're packing and when they're leaving, etc. But I still don't fully believe that I'm going though. It seems so unreal. I've never gone on a trip by myself before, not to mention that this is going to be in a totally different continent.
Ironically, even though it feels unreal, the waves of anxiety are coming back. Actually, the other day in church, I thought I was going to have a panic attack. We had some time for quiet reflection and prayer, but my mind was anything but calm. Things like packing, physiology exam, goodbye dinners, swine flu were floating through my head. Yes, I realize the necessity of faith in all of this and shouldn't be so worried. But, you know, sometimes it feels like I just can't help it.
Thanks for those who are praying and supporting me. I appreciate your encouragement more than you probably realize.

going bananas

I'm writing a paper on the banana trade in Honduras. It's about the role of multinational corporations on the development (or rather lack of development) in the country. The promo for Chiquita Bananas was a source of inspiration. [watch on youtube]

Chiquita Banana Song (1944):
I'm Chiquita Banana and I've come to say
Bananas have to ripen in a certain way.
When they are fleck'd with brown and have a golden hue,
Bananas taste the best, and are the best for you.
You can put them in a salad
(Me?) No, not yet my dear.
The greenish way you’re looking means that you are right for cooking.
(How ‘bout me?)
No no, when you are fully ripe my dear those little flecks of brown appear
(Me?)
You’re most digestible my friend; delicious too from end to end.
You can put them in a piiiiieee
Any way you want to eat them it’s impossible to beat them.
But bananas like the climate of the very, very tropical equator
So you should never put bananas in the refrigerator.
Bananas are a solid food that doctors now include in babies’ diet
And if they are so good for baby I think we all should try it.

It's interesting how a simple ad like this has lots of historical significance (which I may share if I ever stop procrastinating and finish the assignment!).

>> Essay COMPLETE! Below are just some interesting facts that coincide with things seen in the promo. This "analysis" was much more fun than my paper :D
-steamship: the great white fleet was iconic to the shipments of bananas that were held in their refrigerated compartments from Latin America to the United States (North America was the destination of 38% of the exports)
-Chiquita: brand name of Giant Cavendish bananas that were sold. The company used to be called United Fruit, which had a monopoly over the US market from 1900 to 1920. Historically, the Gros Michel variety was preferred, but it was susceptible to Panama Disease (outbreak in early 1900’s)
-branding: naming and boxing bananas was an innovative step for United Fruit because it made it into selling of a brand instead of just advertising bananas in general
-banana lady: inspired by Carmen Miranda, the Broadway icon which was the image of the typical Latin American woman
-best: when people were becoming urbanized in the early 19th century, the low price and convenience made it popular with the working class people
-cooking: liked by the “refined woman” because it was less mess and grease when compared to animal products
-ripe: originally warned against eating bananas before they were ripe because they believed it wasn’t digestible
-refrigerator: brought idea of middle-class homes able to afford the appliances which revolutionized the process of food storage and preparation
-babies: banana peel was considered germ-resistant and thus safe for babies and children to eat

and if you wanted to see the history of the banana stickers, click here

sources:
Pedro Arias et al., The World Banana Economy 1985-2002 (Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2003).
John Soluri, “Bananna Cultures: Linking the Production and Consumption of Export Bananas, 1800-1980,” in Banana Wars, ed. Steve Striffler and Mark Moberg (Durham: Duke University Press, 2003).

one month

We finalized our flight dates. I'm leaving in exactly one month from today. Toronto to Florida to Tegucigalpa. El Guante is about 2 hours drive from the capital.
Just wanted to say another thank you for those who are supporting me through donations (only $300 left to fundraise) or prayers or encouraging emails :D

green

I had never considered soap or shampoo as items to question on my packing list. However, during one of our prep sessions, we were told to consider the environment of the area we were going to. These people are going to be sharing their water supply with me - who am I to carelessly put whatever I want into it. Out of interest, I looked up all the ingredients on my shampoo.
To my surprise, it wasn't so bad: water (we drink it), ammonium lauryl sulfate (80% biodegraded within 15 days according to the 2002 "Human & Environmental Risk Assessment on ingredients of European household cleaning products"), sodium chloride (nothing wrong with salt), etc. But still, would I want use water with things like cocamide mea or cetyl alchohol floating in it if I had a choice?
The only thing of possible concern was sodium benzoate which can be carcinogenic with asorbic acid/vitamin C (FDA, 2007, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/benzdata.html) but it's not in high concentrations.
The point of this isn't to bash the preservatives and chemicals that we use. (Although I still went out and got a 100% natural and biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.) It's to be conscious of the consequences of what we do and not to take things for granted - soft silky hair is so overrated!!
My next goal: ensure my items have minimal packaging/waste.