I am not sure where to start! The last few months on the fellowship have bee remarkable. As a new fellow ( not so new anymore!) I am realizing at every step that this fellowship is an investment in me and no one else! Totally unique feeling to have but am slowly coming to terms with the idea of putting myself at the forefront of my “to-do” list. I presented at the International Conference on Women Leadership and Empowerment in Bangkok and then in Toronto and my paper was selected to be published in their journals. What an experience! Realized how the biggest threat to my growth as a leader is related to “fear of failure” and my attempts to make my journey “risk free.” This fellowship has taught me to take risks and be prepared to find the great and useful from the failures that might come into way. My classes at Humphrey continue to be adventurous! I am able to challenge myself to venture into the areas I could have never ever thought. Learning about the true spirit of civic engagement and engaging in reflective self-talk and then developing modes of reflective participation with the people I work for..all totally new experience. During the course of my work on sponsoring health equity internship with the students from India, I experienced a sense of solidarity with the people historically marginalized and disadvantage within the Indian society. I was able to use the fellowship resources to offer small stipends to these students and that meant a lot to me and to them. Interactions with my coach have been phenomenal and those interactions challenge the to talk take risks in my professional decisions and I am ready to move from the State to the County government to really implement the unique models of civic engagement I am learning through this fellowship. Last but the not the least, my fellow and past Bush fellows continue to reach out and form connections, providing an invaluable social and emotional connection to a new ( not so new!) fellow.