To begin on a serious note

So what is this all about? Well—to put it succinctly—this blog is my way of connecting back to y’all (yes, I am going to miss the South) while I am traveling for the 2008-2009 school year. But, you ask, what is the point of the journey? I am traveling to perform an independent study and to simply gain life experience beyond anything I have imagined heretofore. Ostensibly, I will be studying the use of integrative medicine in various cultures, searching for a common thread as to why these cultures are more accepting of the performance of alternative health practices than America, why these methods were developed, their efficacy, and the cultural differences behind it all. But let's face it; I am going to be getting a worldy education in every topic under the sun, not only in my area of study.

In paraphrased definition, integrative medicine is the confluence of modern biomedicine and all the other methods of healing used throughout the world, whether they be Ayurvedic, holistic, spiritual, herbal, or really anything else. In true liberal arts tradition this study falls under the greater study of the alleviation of human suffering and it probable that my research will follow this path due to the differences in alternative medical methods in the different cultures I will be observing.

I cannot promise that these posts won’t be plagued with parentheticals and homesickness or that they will always be perfectly on topic. But I can promise that they will be real. They will be the best of my journals and the vignettes that strike me deeply throughout my travels. I will faithfully record the awesome and the insane; presenting the highs and lows of this trip for your perusal. I apologize in advance for my lack of journalistic ability, but please know that I shall try to be concise in all that is presented (present post excluded) and look forward to your comments and critiques to keep the blog focused on what you, my fellow Wofford student, want to know.

Remember, it is never too early to start beefing up your obituary. I plan on getting some awesome stories for mine.

And know that as long as I am posting I am still alive (Gosh, that came out a little more 'noir' than I anticipated...)

Comments

[Lindy]

If you don't get some cool parasite, I won't speak to you when you get back.

Just throwing that out there, for all to read.

My gentle little giant.

[Sue and Dave Amsden]

Huff,
Our thoughts are with you as you begin this amazing adventure. We will live vicariously through you every step of the journey. All the best. Happy (and Oh GROSS!) eating!!!
The Amsden Family