Lovely Weekend

Ah I feel much better about everything today. I think mostly because I can finally start getting on with stuff, rather than just worrying about it.

I had a look at my paper yesterday, to see whether I really have planned it well enough to come bck to in a few weeks and if not, do some work, but is actually rather good. I can't do much more. And I am not in such a pickle as I thought I would be, deadline wise, so it'll be ok. I am not taking any of it, or any reading to do with it, to India. I also looked at my situ with the RA and realised that it needn't be so bad. If we have two groups to talk to intially that is something (shall have to ask him more clearly what he means by his 'friends' when he talks of the group. Hardly a representative sample is it?!), then maybe with some explanation and chats we will work out that he can talk to at least a couple more people for me. I need to come away with about 60 respondants which can then be supplemented by about 20 reports/newspaper articles/NGO docs which provide a notion of what local people feel happened with the aid effort, An impression will suffice (have to suffice!). So, could be ok.

I also looked at what to do in India, my first steps. I wrote out a few contacts I shall make (when I am there, much easier when you are in 'the zone' and I will have my India mobile too) asap, and also realied that a couple of different interview templates would be great. I just worried that I woul have to walk into interviews and make it up as I went along - like I was doing before - but realised that I have come on a bit since then (yay!) and can actually write out about five prompt questions which will work as something to help me when I am nervous (all the time!) and also something to hide behind and scribble on. It also means I will have a clear start to the interview, explaining what it is, saying thanks etc, and a clear end when I put the paper away, and then I leave! Excellent! This put my mind to rest no end. I shall do these templates (two, one for aid workers and one for local people, along with the third for villager group meetings) tomorrow when I have got some printer ink.

Today I am going into town to buy things for India, wash stuff, sort out the house and get clothes out to pack. I need to find out when my 20 week scan is when I get home, and get some accommodation and airport transfers! (Sounds far more glamourous than it is in reality!)

Plan for India so far:
I am planning to get there and just chill for the weekend, find some decent cockroach-free accommodation and acclimatise a bit. Then on Monday I shall start work. My plan tomorrow is to refine this a bit. Can't believe we are off on Weds!

x J