(no subject)
So, as it turns out, it is a pain to prepare for blood work to be done on a 3-month sojourn to Uganda. This is largely because I need to bring my own needles (and syringes, which is currently causing the problem) with me because, hi, AIDS. On the one hand, I want to give Uganda the benefit of the doubt. I hate that I sound like a typical white person who thinks Africans can’t keep their needles clean. On the other hand, I don’t want to take any chances with my own health. It only takes one non-sterile needle or syringe.
Occasionally in this annoying process, I have thought to myself: “Self, it is only two or three needle sticks. Perhaps you can just have faith that things will be okay.”
The response has generally been along the lines of: “Self, that is the kind of thinking that will land you with a shiny new HIV infection and a desperately sobbing mother. Kindly shut up.”