It's Official

Sooo...it's official.  I'm no longer using this blog site.  If you hadn't figured that out already, here is the formal annoucement.  I've relocated to http://asmu.tumblr.com/.  Feel free to check out my current updates there if you feel inclined.  Flip Flops & Ferry Boats---is now retired!

Jambo!

I have officially accepted a job with Church World Service in the Nairobi, Kenya OPE office.

CWS Nairobi is the overseas processing entity (OPE) for Sub-Saharan Africa.  They contract with the US State Dept. to process refugee resettlement cases.  The position is called a Pre-USCIS caseworker, which means that I will conduct interviews and prepare casefiles for refugees applying for resettlement in the U.S.  I will not be making decisions about who goes or stays, but instead just getting things in place for the US State Dept. (USCIS) to come and assess the files, conduct interviews again, and make determinations.  There are four different interviews that a Pre-USCIS caseworker conducts, and two of those interviews must be conducted by US citizens.  "Quality assurance" is the catchphrase for this job.

The job requires travel throughout Sub-Saharan Africa on circuit rides.  During a circuit ride, you will travel to a location (like a UN compound) to conduct interviews.  Your day is pretty much spent listening to refugees tell their stories and gathering the specific information needed for the casefiles.  Some common criticisms of this job is that it can become monotonous conducting interviews over and over and the issue of having to travel to remote locations.  Sometimes the accommodations are nice hotels, other times they are more primitive.  Some of the circuit rides are in Nairobi so travel is not guaranteed, but as needed depending on the refugee populations and the focus of US resettlement activities.  Overall, I'm pretty excited about the job and think I'll really like it regardless of the downsides.  I think it will be a great way to learn about the international side of resettlement, see refugee situations on the ground, hear personal stories from refugees and make contacts with INGOs doing refugee work.

The crazy thing is that this job starts on Jan. 4th.  That's less than a month away (and I just received the job offer today)!  In addition, I still have to finish my independent study research paper, take finals and hopefully receive my Masters.  I will be completely finished with school by Dec. 17th.  Then, starts the traditional crazy Christmas family festivities!  It's going to be a busy time of visiting people and packing up.

We had to make a quick decision because they wanted to know by...the next day.  The whole process started in late October when I applied for the job.  I had my first interview in November, then had to wait four long weeks for them to contact me again for a second interview.  After the second interview, I submitted references and received a job offer within a week.  We've had time to think about the possibility of moving to Kenya so we felt good about saying yes.

Justin was a bit upset with me for posting the announcement on Facebook just a few (or less) hours after I found out.  I'm sorry, but I just get too excited and lack patience. I want everyone to know at once, immediately.  Justin wants to be much more intentional and relational.  Let's call everyone individually and have a two hour conversation about it.  I don't disagree with that method, but when you're in the last two weeks of your graduate program, time is something you have an abundance of.  In fact, I probably shouldn't be writing this blog right now, but I just finished my reading for tomorrow and decided that I probably wouldn't be too productive trying to start something new since it's after 11:30 pm.  My mental functioning drastically declines as I get tired.

The hardest part of leaving will be saying goodbye to family and friends.  It's hard to leave.  It's hard to be away.  We don't take moving overseas lightly.  We value our relationships and community.  While it's exciting to go somewhere new, you miss out on so much.  Life goes on without you.  Keeping in touch can be challenging, but we hope to be intentional about maintaining friendships and connections.  We don't know how long this move will be for...6 months, 1 year, 3 years, indefinitely.  Justin still wants to get his PhD eventually, but you never know how things will turn out.  We're open-minded and plan to follow the best path before us.

Anyway, that pretty much sums up my crazy day.  Now I am waiting to hear back more details and logistics about how relocation process will work.  Already, I have been running thru to do lists and questions to ask.  I've made an appointment to get vaccinations and found a friend to loan me Swahili language learning cds.  I just LOVE planning.  I get really psyched up before a big event or new life phase and start obsessively planning and learning every possible thing I can about every facet associated with said event/life change.  My enthusiasm can verge on the point of scary, but I usually calm down and adjust to normal upon commencement of the event.  And I've never really suffered any negative effects from being over-prepared, so I have no real incentive to change my behavior.  But, I somehow have to channel my energy back into school for the next week and a half.  I can do this!

Church World Service

I am a Humanitarian

So, I've started a new blog on Tumblr.  It kind of turned into a way to make studying for current events for comps fun, but I'm planning to keep it going.  I'm still debating about whether to keep this as a more personal blog or merge them into one.  We'll see.  The goal now is to finish school.  There are a few more dates/projects that have to happen before that time.

Tuesday @ 11am---Oral Exams with Mingst, Hillebrand and Farley
Tuesday evening---Group Project for PA 661
Friday Dec 10---Graduation
Monday Dec. 16---Independent Study Paper Due
Tuesday Dec. 17---PA 661 Final
Wednesday Dec. 18---French Final
Friday Dec 17---Finals Over & Papers Due

In the midst of this, I have applied for a job in Kenya and am waiting to hear back.  I should know something within the next two weeks.  Here's the info for the job.  It could potentially start in early to mid-January.  Which could mean some big changes for Justin and I in the coming weeks.  Right now, I just feel like everything is in LIMBO.

Life Update

I am still here.  I am still alive.  I am still really busy with school.  This semester began in a whirlwind and it is only picking up speed.  Weekly stressing out over Geo-Political Modeling Homework.  Intense debates in Socio-Culture Dimensions of Economic Development.  Battling thru Notre Dame in French.  Crafting a business plan for Fin. Mgmt of a NPO.  Plus, Interviews with Refugees for my Independent Study.  COMPS, COMPS, COMPS!  Oh, and work at KRM!

This week has been especially interesting.  Two flat tires on my bike leaving me stranded at different times.  I spent an hour or so the previous night learning to patch the flat only for it to fail this evening.  Also, a mouse has just been discovered in our kitchen.  This required a mini freak-out on my part and then moving large amounts of food off our lazy susan.  For tonight, we are trying to catch it humanely by the toilet paper roll and trash can method.  Another frustrating occurrence this week is we lost our car insurance because of an unfortunate "accident."  I got the envelope and money ready and put it on the counter to be mailed.  It was gone in the morning so I assumed Justin had mailed it.  He assumed I mailed it.  All the while, it was sneakily hiding under a pile of school papers.  We found it a day before the due date and sent it in, but it arrived a day late.  Now, KY Farm Bureau is telling us we have to pay DOUBLE to get our car insurance reinstated.  I understand late fees, but DOUBLING your price is CRAZY.  So obviously, that's not going to happen.  Although, they already took our money even though the insurance was cancelled.  I'm trying to use my negotiating skills to broker a deal, but so far, no luck.  On top of everything, Rand Paul from the Tea Party was just elected as a KY Senator.  This is very unfortunate (in my opinion) and quite scary for KY.  Anyway, that the past few days wrapped up in one crazy paragraph.  Needless to say, I feel a bit exhausted.

On a happier note, I had an interview today for a job in Nairobi, Kenya with CWS/OPE.  The job would be conducting Pre-USICS interviews to record information for refugees applying for resettlement.  It also requires circuit rides throughout Sub-Saharan Africa visiting camps and UNHCR compounds to conduct interviews.  I pretty excited about the opportunity, but trying not to get my hopes up yet.  I should find out in a week and half if I am chosen for a second interview.  The position will start sometime in Dec. or Jan.--which is only 1 1/2 or 2 months away.  The thought of moving overseas that quickly seems so crazy.  I keep having to stop myself from starting "to do" lists.  Justin keeps threatening me about getting too excited and diving into planning mode--which can lead to a spiraling, obsessive tendency to organize every aspect of some future event that I am super psyched about just so I can spend large amounts of time thinking and looking forward to it without feeling guilty.  I still don't think this trait is so bad because I don't really care about how the plan actually goes down and I become extremely knowledgeable about every alternative mode of travel/place to stay or eat/activity to do/visa option/travel tidbit/etc. and that usually comes in handy along the way.

So that pretty much provides an accurate update on my life.  Just trying to battle the storm of grad school, comps, work, job searching, flat tires, mice, insurance cancellations, and political frustrations.  And enjoy Lexington, family, friends, Communality, learning, fall weather, potential job opportunities and life as much as possibly.

Caving--not spelunking.

I was recently watching the Daily Show and John Stewart interviewed this guy who had recently written a book about caving.  I don't remember the guys name, but I do remember the part where he said that spelunking was not a respectable term in the caving community.  Caving--not spelunking is the correct term.  I mentally catalogued that piece of info into my brain because I was getting ready to head out for my first caving experience that weekend.

I was pretty stoked about the Wild Cave Tour at Mammoth Cave--six hours of crawling, climbing and exploring off the main trails.  Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world.  It's a maze of tunnels and trails.  And I was going to explore it.  I love adventures and am usually up for most things.  But, I do suffer a tiny bit from claustrophobia.  I still have memories from my childhood when a friend wanted to zip me up in a suitcase and carry me around.  Weird I know, but it seemed like a fun idea at the time.  I got in and she started to zip me up and I started to freak out when the zipper was nearing the last corner.  All I could think about was her brother (who wasn't a fan of mine) finding me defenseless in this suitcase and throwing me down their long flight of stairs.  Not likely, but it could have happened.

So when I read these reviews online, I started to git a bit anxious about the trip.  Pictures like this...didn't help.  To prepare the night before, Justin and I tried to crawl through some tight spots around the house.  I got stuck trying to crawl beneath a wooden chair.  My hips just wouldn't let me through.  Slight panic.  What would I do if I was in the cave?  Stay calm and take a deep breath.  Now cry.

Justin, Tyler and I met at the visitor center around 9:30 am.  ETD--10:00 am.  They suggested wearing shorts and a t-shirt because they would give you coveralls, kneepads, gloves, a bandana, a helmet with a light and a fanny pack (if needed) to carry things.  I felt completely dorky walking around in running shorts and hiking boots.  People on the normal tours looked at me strangely.  Yes, I know I look completely ridiculous.  Thanks.

I used the bathroom twice before we left because I have the smallest bladder on earth.  Later, I found out the guides carry convenience bags in their first aid kits in case of bathroom emergencies.  Apparently, they aren't very convenient though.  Thankfully, I didn't have to test them out.  There was also a bathroom at the Snowball Cafe where we ate lunch in the cave.  But, I digress.

Bare Hole

We jumped right in to "test" out our caving skills and to weed out any people that might not be able to handle the hard stuff.  We wiggled our way through to short but tight spots--bare hole and some other spot I can't remember the name.  These were actually two of the tightest spots on the tour and I felt a bit nervous about them, but they were short so it didn't bother me too much.

We climbed, canyon walked, stoop walked, jumped around and explored the caves but didn't do too much belly crawling after the bare hole and the ??? spot.  We skipped over some sea something that the guide said was a lot of crawling and wading through water.  It sounded kind of cool, but we weren't even half way through with the tour so I didn't want to overdo it.  Crawling around on stone floors with low ceilings utilizes very different types of muscles than I normally condition and really stresses your knees.

After lunch, we headed to another tight spot.  This is the part where I had a slight internal freak out.  We actually had to turn our heads to one side because the ceiling was so low that with our helmets on it wouldn't fit through otherwise.  This part was much longer than the other tight spots and it just kept getting smaller and smaller and smaller.  I could hear the guide giving instructions to the people in front of me and I just kept flashing back to getting stuck under the wooden chair at home.  Then, I started thinking about how embarrassing it would be to get stuck in cave.  All the people behind me would have to back up and Justin would have to somehow grab onto my ankles and try to drag me out.  These thoughts obviously did not help calm my nerves.  And this is around the time when I had a mini internal freakout.  BUT I held myself together.  Took a deep breath and pushed on through.  And.....I made it out.

Overall, the tour was really fun.  It was challenging, but not too challenging that it caused you to hate caving.  It gave you a taste of things and made you want more.  It was a bit "guided" but I would still recommend it to other people.  You do need to be in decent shape.  They say if you go back during the off season when groups are smaller it can be much more fun and you can cover more ground.  So, hopefully this won't be my last caving adventure.

We actually had to roll through one part.

The End.

Click here to book your tour.

Airport Extravaganza--part 2

It was a busy day at work.  We had just found out that day that a new family was arriving.  They had a medical emergency on their way here and one of the refugees had to spend a week in a New Jersey hospital.  Their caseworker just happens to be on vacation for the next three days.  So now we were trying to juggle two cases arriving on the same day and one with an absent caseworker.  Of course, the flights of the new arrivals weren't at the same time so that meant two separate airport pick-ups.  Another co-worker and I coordinated the KRM van schedule so we could both use it that night.

I had spoken with the staff member in charge of apartment set-up that afternoon and everything was ready to go.  The family was set to arrive at 9:20 pm.  I went home to eat dinner and relax until I needed to go to the airport.  As usual, my mind kept going through a mental checklist of all the things that needed to still be done--check the apartment, buy and prepare a warm meal for the family, check the flight status, go and pick-up the van, make sure there is an infant and booster seat inside, pick-up the family.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, I don't drive the van very often, but I know there are usually car seats inside or in the back.  I couldn't remember about the infant seat.  I decided to call the co-worker with the van who was now picking up the other family at the airport to inquire about the infant seat.  

Hmmm--no infant seat in the van.  Well, that means it's back at the office.  We recently moved buildings and our new location has a security system.  It makes me nervous.  You have to check the whole building to make sure no one else is inside before you set the system because it is motion-sensored.  I decided to leave early to make sure that I could find the infant seat and wouldn't have problems with the security system.  

Hmmm--I can't find the infant seat in the storage room.  Where else would it be?  I spend about 20 minutes scouring our office for an infant seat.  Nothing.  What do I do now?  I can't really drive the 3 month old child home without an infant seat.  Who do I know with an infant seat?  Luckily, one of our caseworkers is on maternity leave and lives close to the office.  Thankfully, she was coming home soon and was happy to let me borrow her car seat.  I decided to go and pick-up some food from Sav's since I was running short on time instead of preparing food myself.  

In a moment of genius, I had decided to sign up for flight notifications via text message for their flight.  Bing--Flight delayed until 9:42 pm.  Awesome.  Now I have time to run by the house and drop the food off before I go and pick up the infant seat.  I change directions and head towards the apartment.  Bing--Flight arriving at 9:16 pm.  Wait--What?  Which is it, 9:16 pm or 9:42 pm?  Bing--Flight arriving at 9:16 pm.  Really?  Bing--Flight arriving at 10:07 pm.  Ahhh!  At this point, I am totally stressing.  It looks like the family could arrive anytime between 9:16 pm and 10:07 pm.  If they come at 9:16 pm, I likely won't make it in time.  Thoughts of this tired and scared family roaming around the airport with their little children and becoming frantic when no one is there to pick them up starts running through my mind.  I dial Justin (who is about to have a skype interview for a job) and tell him to look up my flight info.  American Airlines says the flight is arriving at 10:07 but Bluegrass Airport says 9:20 pm.  Which one is right?  I am hoping that American Airlines is more up to date and I continue on my course, yet I still feel a bit nervous about their arrival time. 

I get to the apartment complex and start looking for their apartment number.  It's like a maze with no logical order.  I skip over one building that I can't see any numbers on.  Driving, Driving, Driving.  Where is it?  I loop around and on the way back I see it was the building I skipped over.  The numbers were on the back.  The plan is to drop the food off and do a quick check of the apartment to make sure everything is there and then race back to get the infant seat and then off to the airport.  Time check is 8:50.  

I go inside and everything looks good.  I drop the food off and do one more sweep.  Wait a minute--there are two twin beds and a double bed.  A three month old doesn't sleep in a twin bed.  A three month old sleeps in a crib.  Oh no!  There are certain requirements that each apartment has to meet before the family arrives and proper beds is one of the requirements.  I need a crib!  Where am I going to find a crib before the family arrives?  I don't know.....Panic.  

I call the caseworker on maternity leave again and explain the situation.  She is a lifesaver and donates her pack and play to the family so they can use it as a crib for a few days.  Okay, I am finally on track now.  I pick up the infant seat and pack and play around 9:00 ish.  Do I head to the airport now or ???  I am still anxious about the time of their arrival.  I better just get out there just in case.  I reach the airport around 9:30 pm.  The arrival screen flashes 10:02 pm.  I have plenty of time to spare now.  

There are these loud and obnoxious kids running around the airport.  They are literally screaming at one another.  It doesn't sound too crazy because there is a lot of background noise, but I am starting to get a headache.  Please little kids--stop screaming!  The parent looks overwhelmed and not in control.  The screaming continues.  

I now start to worry about communication.  The bio sheet said that the family spoke some English, but sometimes those files aren't very accurate.  It would have also been nice for the family to have a fellow national who could relate to their experience and culture to welcome them and answer questions.  I should have brought a translator.  I was thinking more about the logistical side of things and since they have some English I would probably be able to communicate with them.  I know worry about this until the passengers start into the baggage claim area around 10:15 ish.  

Thankfully, the family does speak some English and their bags arrive with them.  Yay.  I don't think I could have handled anymore drama this evening.  We head to the van.  

I am always awkward with car seats.  I gently put the baby in and then have to navigate the straps to their proper places.  The infant seats refuses to cooperate with me.  The family looks perplexed as I try to accurately restrain their child.  I am sure they have never used a car seat before.  We load up in the van and then the parents try to awkwardly utilize their seat belts for the first time.  Strapped in and secure, we hit the open road.  The baby starts to scream.  

We reach the house and I grab the pack and play.  A quick tour of the apartment.  I warm up the food and the show the parents how to use the stove.  Now time to set up the pack and play and go home.  I get the pack and play frame set up, but there is this weird mesh piece that I have no idea where it goes.  Awkwardness ensues again.  The father is convinced that it is a mosquito cover for the top of the crib, but I have my doubts.  Mosquitos and malaria aren't really an issue here.  Plus those mesh holes look big enough for mosquitos to fly through.  I decide to leave off the mesh piece.  The father does score a win when he finds holes for the mattress to velcro through in the floor of the crib.  Finally!  

The family has been picked up, apartment and all of the necessary housing items provided, answered questions and provided safety instructions, and warm food has been served.  My job is finished--at least for tonight.  Time check is 11:30 ish.  Whoa--I'm tired and ready for bed.  I'm glad that all airport pick-ups prove not to be this eventful!  Still you never know what to expect with this line of work.  Just another day as a refugee resettlement worker.  

Airport Extravaganza--part 1

I really enjoy my job.  I like my co-workers.  I love working with international clients.  I enjoy helping people and welcoming them to their new community.  BUT, my job does stress me out.  I often take work home with me--especially the mental aspect.  There have been mornings that I wake up and can't go back to sleep because I am thinking about all the things I have to help clients do that day.  There is A LOT of responsibility in being a refugee resettlement worker.  When refugees first arrive into the country, they heavily depend on the KRM staff.  Any problem that arises--sick child, no food, lost trying to find their way home on the bus route, bedbugs, can't pay their rent, etc. results in a phone call for help.

Refugees have many obstacles to overcome in their first year of resettlement.  They are expected to learn the language and culture quickly, find a job within 3-6  months of their arrival, and become self-sufficient.  For most, this goal is achievable, but there are clients that come who aren't as well equipped to reach self-sufficiency.  A pregnant single moms with no English and no work experience with several small children is not going to find a job as easily as a young, strong single guy with good English and prior job experience.  During the school year, my position focused on helping clients to find employment, a sort-of job hunter.  This proved to be quite a challenging task given the current economic situation.  This summer I have added some hours and have taken on some case management.  Casework involves everything from airport reception, medical appointments, applying for social security cards, getting financial assistance, home visits, orientations, etc.  I really like doing case management, but it is more time demanding and doesn't fit well with a graduate school schedule.

This past week I was given a new case to manage--a family of four from the DRC (mom, dad, and two small children).  Most of the cases I took on this summer where older clients so this was only my second case to manage from the beginning.  I was excited to have a new case and wanted everything to go smoothly with their arrival.  Instead, here is what ensued.....

To be Continued!

Climbing.

So this summer Justin and I have both dived into climbing pretty hardcore.  Now when I say this it doesn't mean that I am super buff now and able to pull up my entire body weight with just my fingers.  Some of those people out there are just crazy built with mad skills and a large ape index.  My transition into climbing has been much less dramatic and more tedious.  Still, I am loving it.

This fall and spring, I sporadically put in some time at the Johnson Center on the rock wall.  I originally got taste of outdoor rock climbing while living in Bangladesh.  When vacationing in Chiang Mai, the OneStory crew would head out to Crazy Horse with rock climbing gurus, Curt and Janna.  It was pretty awesome and I got the chance to learn basic skills and even lead and clean some of the climbs.

Now that we are living in Lexington close to some of the nation's best climbing, I have been wanting to get back into it.  Red River Gorge (the Red to climbers) or (the Gorge to locals) has some top-notch climbs, plus awesome hikes and scenery.  But Justin and I were a bit perplexed as to how to jump into the climbing scene.  I started accumulating some equipment by requesting gear on my b-day list and borrowing a friend's rope for the summer.  Now we just needed to find some people to climb with.

Justin's old college roommate, Jeff, was awesome enough to take us out for our first climbing trip to the Red.  It was amazing and everything I had been waiting for.  While we only climbed a 5.7 and 5.8, I feel like it was a good starting point for us.  It was challenging yet fun.  Jeff lead the climbs so Justin and I only climbed by top rope which I appreciated since it's been over 4 years since I last climbed outdoors.  Yet I definitely want to build up to leading some climbs and hopefully build up to some more challenging climbs.  And really master the safety techniques behind climbing.  Safety is key when you are dangling off the edge of a cliff.

We've also joined Bluegrass Bouldering gym for the summer.  The love for climbing is so contagious there.  Brahm, the owner, has been so helpful in teaching us new techinuqes and climbing tips.  I'm working on flagging, gastons, and such.  I even appreciate the little things like the revelation that calluses on your hands are bad because they often rip off when you climb.  Yes, I know that creates a horrible mental image and I have been making sure to slather lotion on my hands after bouldering now.

Rock climbing slang is pretty ridiculous.  Grab that jug, put your foot on that smear.  I love it, but I feel like I am trying too hard to be a part of the "in crowd" when I use it.  And I am definitely not part of the "in crowd" yet.  Some people live and breathe climbing.  And they just look like a climber.  They move like a climber on the wall/rock.  Not me.  I am pretty clumsy looking when I climb and I learn new things all the time like using a cheat stick or the physics behind climbing. 

Justin and I haven't been back out since Jeff took us, but we hope to return the next time we have some free time.  I really like the mental challenge of rock climbing.  It's fun to figure out how to maneuver a route or master a technique.  And I am developing some killer upper body strength in the process.  Though I need to learn how to use my feet and legs better.  So if anyone is going climbing anytime soon, please take me.  I don't care if I just watch you climb for most of the day.  There's so much to learn and I am soaking it in.

Just a few more videos.  Is this really a 15a?  It looks so easy.  I mean, this guy is so graceful.  Here's another good climb.  Now this is just insane--INSANE and really dangerous. 

Now here's some pics.  Justin wasn't quite as generous (or obsessed) as me with the camera.

Wow. That was Hard.

Thank goodness this semester is coming to an end!  It has really been challenging, much more so than last semester.  My classes were way more demanding--especially Ag Econ.  I pulled a crazy amount of all nighters--5 in total.  Last semester, I think I had one late night finishing up a paper, but definitely not 5 all nighters.  Yuck!  I still have 1 project and 2 finals to complete before the semester officially ends, but I feel much better already.  I am really hopeful about maybe getting a 4.0 this semester but it depends on Mingst's class.  A huge portion of our grade was the paper that I turned in this week and the final next week so I don't have a good idea about what my grade will be.  I'll just have to wait and see.  Anyway, I basically survived and am so excited about summer.  I'll be working at KRM full time and doing employment and casework.  Since they have started the new system, I will actually have my own cases so I think I will like that much better than focusing on a specific area.  I have plenty to work on this summer to keep me busy--learning French, summer reading assignments, developing syllabus for my independent study, preparing for comps, etc.  But I am also hoping to relax, spend some time at the Gorge, visit friends and family and enjoy life.  Ahhh!  I can't wait for summer break.  :-)

PS.  Blog posts will hopefully happen more frequently over the summer.  I may also reinvent my blog a bit.  We'll see.

BUSY

I really wish there was more time in each day.  I enjoy grad school but it is consuming my life.  This semester looks like it is going to be lots of reading and several papers.  Hopefully I can battle it out.  KRM is also busy, but I am trying to stick to my "work" resolution by only focusing on employment and job development.  So far, I have been doing pretty good (about 80%).  Unfortunately, my goal to keep the blog updated has been less successful.  Oh well.

New Beginnings

A new year has begun.  Time for resolutions and self improvement.  It seems I always strive for the same goals....exercise more, eat healthier, buy less, be a better person, etc.  Still I can't help but silently vow the familiar resolutions again each time.  I guess the point is to keep on trying!

2010...I am currently 27 and will turn 28 in April.  My 30th b-day is creeping closer!  It has almost been 10 years since I graduated high school and 6 years since college.  I have been living in the US of A for a year and a half now.  Justin and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary in September.  No kids yet!  Time just keeps flying by.

I still feel very young and alive.  I love being active, spending time outdoors and embracing adventures.  I look forward to the future (sometimes impatiently so) but am genuinely content with my life.  I feel very busy but loved by many.  I am blessed.

To fully prepare for the upcoming year, I find it helpful to remember the past.  So here's a brief summary of highlights in 2009.

At the beginning of the year, Justin was working at the Salvation Army as the Volunteer and Kettle Coordinator and I was still in the Americorps VISTA program at KRM.  We lived at Brandywine Apartments on the South side of Lexington.  We were both becoming more involved with Communality and in the process of applying for graduate schools.  In the spring, we moved to the downtown area and were both accepted into the Patterson School.  Justin got a job at AASHE.  I enjoyed hanging out with the girls from Communality...Elizabeth, Marianne, and Theresa.  We occasionally would meet for dinner or a night out.  In June, I transitioned into a full-time KRM caseworker.  Justin and I both became biking fanatics and joined the Johnsons on the weekends for biking expeditions.  Rance and I braved the AT together and survived.  Later in the summer, Justin and I both completed a half-century bike ride!  I also ran in my first 5k.  We enjoyed the occasional drive to Winchester to hang out with Roger and Jessica, as well as get togethers will college friends.  In August, grad school began and things got REALLY busy.  Justin and I both switched to part-time work hours and a full-time school schedule.  We both enjoyed the first semester, but it was a bit stressful at times.  So far, we've been impressed with the Patterson school and like our classmates.  Justin and I have enjoyed attending UK football and basketball games--gotta love those student tickets!  In November, we headed up to DC to visit family, see the sights, and attend the Middle East Conference.  This was the first holiday season in KY that Justin wasn't working long hours so we got to enjoy lots of time with family and friends.  I attended my 10 year high school reunion (a month early).  Justin experienced his first trip to visit my family out in Prestonsburg.  We brought in the New Year at Kyle and Caitlin Miller's wedding!

                                                          Adieu 2009....Bonjour 2010!

2009 Winter Festivities To Do List

*Hit the slopes

*Relax in a cabin

*Read by a warm fireplace

*Tour the Bourbon Trail

*Get crafty (photos, sewing, crocheting, home decorating)

*Make some wassail

*Sing hymns and carols

*Contemplate Advent

*Play some pounce and settlers

*Learn to speak French

*Sip hot beverages of all kinds (cider, tea, wassail)

*Bake some awesome food

*Relish in Christmas festivities and traditions

*Spin around on the iceskating rink

*Enjoy some quality time with friends and family

Why not, USA?

There are somethings I don't understand about my country.  For example, why our country and Somalia are the only countries in the world to not ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.   As if it wasn't bad enough to be in the same category as Somalia.  Now Somalia has announced they will soon ratify the bill.  Great.  Here's the response from Ian Kelly, US State Dept. Spokesperson on Mon. November 23, 2009:


QUESTION: Somalia announced that it’s going to join the Convention on the Rights of the Child. And if they do so, the United States is going to be the only country that hasn’t ratified the treaty. So I’m wondering what’s the position of this Administration on that treaty?

MR. KELLY: I’ll have to find out.

QUESTION: Could you take –

MR. KELLY: That’s a taken question.

QUESTION: Yeah. Can you do a similar on the landmine treaty? There’s going to be the conference in Cartagena next week.

MR. KELLY: Yeah, that’s right.

QUESTION: And what’s the U.S. –

MR. KELLY: We actually have some guidance on that. I can’t recall it off the top of my head.

QUESTION: You don’t have it with you?

MR. KELLY: No, I’m afraid not. But we do have guidance on that that we can send out to you, yeah.

I guess this issue didn't make it to the top of the list in things you bring with you to the press briefing.  But seriously, why not, USA?  Why do we not want to protect the rights of children from capital punishment, military involvement, pornography, and prostitution?  Don't we agree that children have rights and must be protected from abuse and exploitation?

Well, I do.  And I hope the USA (lone super-power and defender of democracy, freedom and justice...maybe a hint of sarcasm) will also come on board (like it should have in the 1990s) to support and ratify this bill.  Come on Obama!

And while we are at, let's also review the Ottawa Treaty (to ban land mines) and consider joining the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Whirlwind D.C. Extravaganza

Justin and I hopped in the car and headed to D.C. to attend the Middle East Institute Conference with some fellow Pattersonite classmates.  It was a whirlwind tour of visiting the Renwick art gallery, the State Dept., the classic D.C. monuments, attending the MEI conference, and hanging out with family (all accomplished in 3 days...and that includes driving time).  It was fun but now I feel tired and a bit behind on just about everything.  Though I did have a crazy time at the grocery store tonight.  I don't think I have ever bought that many groceries in one visit.  My goal is to not go back until Thanksgiving.  Alright....now it's time to start typing some papers.  But first, PICTURES.

Forsaken

I haven't been very nice to my blog recently.  Quite neglectful actually.  I really like writing but lately grad school has overwhelmed my free time.  So starting now, I am trying to be more diligent in exercising sound time management skills.  This includes exercising, blogging, and finishing my reading assignments on time (and not a week late--that was a bad habit that I am now regretting).  We'll see how long it lasts.

I have some very exciting new things to document.  My fall allergies have started....aaccheew!  I haven't taken any pictures in the last 5 months.  Maybe that isn't exciting but very unusual for me.  I feel like my life has a big black hole in it.  How will I remember the summer and fall of 09?!?!  This is serious.  I am determined to start documenting again.  Next week, Justin and I head to D.C. for the MEI conference so that should be a good time to bust out the camera.

School Update.....So far, I have received A's on my grad school midterms.  I can't even describe how happy and amazed I am.  I should get back my DIP 777 mid-term soon and I am keeping my fingers crossed that my good luck continues.  I am still worried about that 15 page paper in Int. Human Rights class that is coming up.  I hear Mingst is a wizard with a red pen when it comes to grading papers.  Khazam!

I also registered for classes this week.  My Spring 2010 schedule will be.....

AEC 626 Ag Econ Development with Skees.....the syllabus looks awesome
PS 737 Transnational Organizations with Mingst....the required class for Int. Dev majors
DIP 600 African Development Challenges with Staples....continuing the African focus
FR 101 or 102  Elementary French....hoping to get into 102, we'll see.  placement test coming soon.

I am enjoying school a lot, but go through periods where I get really stressed out.  Working and school and being involved with communality and having friends and hosting couch-surfers and visiting family is A LOT.   Whew.  I feel tired just thinking about it.

Well, my break is over.  Time to hit the books or really just some articles.  Regardless, time for some reading.

Oh, one more thing......my picture famine is officially over.

 

 

Hot tea is good for sore throat due to fall allergies.

Chai Chai Garam Chai

Yaawwnn. It's a rainy Sunday morning. Instead of the normal cup of English Breakfast, I spent extra time brewing up some chai (black tea with milk, lots of sugar and some cinnamon sticks, cardamon and cloves). I sit snuggled under a light blanket on my couch. I hear the swishing sound as cars race through puddles past my house. I even hear a train whistle. My mind drifts back to Bangladesh and the monsoon rains. The hot, humid weather. The palm trees and rice fields. People everywhere always. Bright saris and plaid lungees. Beeping horns, yelling from various wallahs on the street. It's a romantic, exotic place in my mind. I miss the one road village that I lived in for the last part of my stay in Bangladesh. What an intense yet simple place. The women had such a tight community and the kids were a little "naughty," ever so curious and inquisitive. The ahzan would be going off about now. In fact, I glance out from my balcony and see men leaving the temporary black-market tea stall set up for Ramadan in the fenced in empty lot beside our house. Nazma comes up to me with a tired look on her face. "Oooooo Sister. I am so tired today. It is so hot. I don't know if I can do any work today. My back is hurting too much." Melodramatically she sprawls in the floor as if she has just collapsed. Heather and I have have the most dramatic house helper who you have to threaten in order to get her moving. And we still spoil her way too much. Her son Razul comes in from collecting metal and plastic bottles from trash piles with dirty feet and hands and starts touching the walls. Little maroon hand prints spot our blue and maroon walls, apparently the maroon paint doesn't stay dry in the wet season so it rubs off onto everything. Heather and I tried to get Razul into school, but he was so much older than the other kids in his class and so behind that he dropped out again. I miss Nazma and Razul. Lucky our language teacher comes by in the afternoon to practice language and teach us more about the culture. She tells us stories and we listen intently. Going to the market can be an all day event. Negotiating for prices, vying for rickshaws, finding stores that have what you need, going to other stores because no one has what you need, people staring at you, people not always understanding your funny accent. Time moves slower in Bangladesh. Afternoons visiting friends. Sitting on the one large bed in the one room house. Drinking tea, singing, decorating with mehendi (henna). Asking questions and sharing secrets. Understanding the different family structures in this strange and unique culture. Bangladesh, Bangladesh, Bangladesh. So mysterious and illusive. So vibrant and audacious. I miss you.

I like to READ

So I have been in grad school for one week and have suddenly discovered that I like to read A LOT. Especially lengthy, detailed books about history, economics, and case studies. Or at least that's what my professors believe. Seriously, reading will soon take over my life. Thankfully I do like reading. Unfortunately for me, I enjoy a mix of novels and non-fiction. It looks like novels will be a distant memory for most of the semester only to be remembered during school breaks. Well, time to start turning pages.

The Patterson School

I have just finished day 2 of my Patterson School Orientation. I feel professional. I am a graduate student. In 3 semesters, I will have a Masters in Diplomacy and International Commerce. It's exciting to start a new program and get to take classes about things I am very interested in, like human rights and international relations. I have been meeting fellow students with similar interests (obviously) and it's really refreshing and slightly intimidating. These people sound so smart when they talk. Thankfully I feel that the Patterson School focuses on comradeship instead of competition. This is especially important when you are married to another student. Surprisingly, being married to someone in the same program hasn't felt awkward yet, but maybe that's just because most people haven't figured it out yet.

One thing that I have going for me is that I am old (aka I have experience and I have traveled). I have roughed it out in the real world. And I am ready to learn again. I do feel that my experiences bring a lot to the table. I know I have a hard time shutting up about forced migration or refugee issues. I really don't want to be that pompous student that keeps going on and on about what they do or where they have been or blah, blah, blah. Refugee resettlement is just so interesting and important that it's hard to keep my mouth shut. I need to learn better social skills.

Today, I met with my advisor Dr. Mingst and we went over my class schedule. I am still waiting to see if I can get into one class or not. My classes will be: PS 711 International Human Rights, DIP 777 Theories of International Relations, ECO 672 World Trade and Commercial Policy, and either ANT 431 Cult/Soc Subsaharan Africa or DIP 755 Middle East Politics. Pretty sweet, huh.

Well, classes start Aug. 26. More to come then.

Life on the Trail

My first AT experience proved to be challenging and reflective. Since I haven't done much long distance hiking/trekking, I didn't really know what to expect. I definitely overestimated my enjoyable hiking distance level, especially since I did absolutely no physical preparation for the trail. I didn't reach my 80 mile goal, but I feel I gained valuable trail experience and still have the urge to go back. Here's a recap of the trip:

Day 1: Amicola Falls Visitor Center to Stover Creek Shelter (11.6 miles, 2,082 ft. in elevation)
Packs around 30 lbs.

Rance and I started off enthusiastic and ready to conquer, but we made a rookie mistake, starting at the visitor center. We got to walk through the stone gate at the sacrifice of climbing over 700 hundred stairs past the waterfalls (that we had visited the previous day). Nevertheless, the first day we made good time and distance. We were pretty talkative and excited about being on the trail. A light rain dripped through the trees but didn't impede our pace. Unfortunately, by the time we reached Springer (the official southern terminus of the AT) we were tired and wet. The view was a foggy blur. We debated about staying but decided to press on. As we rested our feet at the Springer Mt. Shelter, we met some fellow travelers. Roger was around 70 years old with a long white beard and hearing aids. As a part-time caretaker of the AT, he had been living in a tent on top of Springer since February. Wow. Looking back, we probably should have stayed at Springer because my feet started pounding the last 2 miles to Stover Creek. Since it was raining we decided to stay in the Stover Creek shelter. It was a little crowded with 3 young guys from TN, a German couple and a homeless guy. After we learned the set up of Stover, we used the privy, filtered water, cooked, dinner, hoisted our food, and got ready for bed. We arrived a fairly late so there wasn't much time for relaxation. And the temperature got surprisingly cold (we think in the 30s that night). Between the homeless guy's loud and crinkly sleeping bag (aka plastic tarp), the cold, and the German's loud snoring, I didn't get much sleep. We also had a mouse running around (later we learned the homeless guy kept a bag of trail mix, honey and chocolate in the shelter). It was hard to get out of my sleeping bag but my small bladder finally won over and I braved the cold to find the privy.

Day 2: Stover Creek to Mt. Justus (9.6 miles, elevation--up and down a lot)

After we finally got going, we fell into a slow, silent pace. Spent a lot of time staring at the ground and thinking about each step. Felt the reality of hiking. Being a very impatient person, I struggled with not seeing much progress. "How much further to the next gap or mountain" seemed a constant thought. The weather was nice but we didn't really see any good views that day. Stopped near Hawk Mt. shelter to fix lunch and wash up a bit. Realized that cooking lunch was a huge impediment to distance on the trail (which pretty much threw off the food supply we brought). Still we had a nice break at a creek. After lunch, it was slow going. We realized we weren't going to make it as far as we hoped and started looking for camp sites. On the downhill parts, my feet were painfully aware of each step. We made it to Justus Mountain around sunset and set-up camp with two Auburn students. They were quiet and not very social so we pretty much kept to ourselves. I was too tired to cook so I ate a cliff bar and helped Rance hoist the food (which took a while since we didn't have the handy bear cables like at Stover). We collapsed in our tent exhausted, but I still didn't sleep well (a common theme for me on the trip). Next time I will have to pack some Tylenol PM.

Day 3: Mt. Justus to Woody Gap (7.6 miles, up and down)

Rise and shine, it's morning time. Got the food down while Rance struggled to wake up. Feeling dirty and longing for some real food but ready to get on the trail. Unpacked my I-Pod and enjoyed some tunes on the trail. Scaled back our goal and decided to only go about 8 miles today. Good plan. :-) Enjoyed this pace much better and thought the trail seemed more enjoyable. Glimpsed some pretty mountain views. Spirits were higher. Woohoo. We're on the AT. Made it to Woody Gap earlier and contacted the outside world (needed to let everyone know we're still alive, don't worry). Found a great campsite a little past Woody's Gap. Made a campfire. Cooked some food, actually burned some food. Yummy. Had time to hang out with my brother, read and play cards. Slept a little better but it was really windy and the trees made creaking noises that kept waking me up.

Day 4: Woody Gap to Neels Gap (10.5 miles)

Since it was warmer, we got up earlier and hit the trail around 9 am. Today we were going to hit our highest elevation at Blood Mt. And at Neels Gap, a warm shower and ice cream awaited. Motivation to get going. We kept a good pace and made good time. Starting to adapt to life on the trail. Had a nice lunch and filtered water at Wood Hole. As we started climbing Blood Mountain, it got hot and sunny. The trees thinned out and I actually put on sunscreen for the first time on the trip. When we finally made it up to Blood Mt. there was a sense of triumph and accomplishment. And also some GREAT views. Took some pics, but we were also eager to get to Neels Gap. The descent took FOREVER and it was a hard descent. The trail was rough and rocky. My feet and knees started hurting. We kept meeting day hikers that said "oh you're getting close." It's funny how a mile on the trail seemed in my mind about 3 regular miles. Maybe I am just not good at estimating distances. We made it to Neels Gap before 5 pm (impressive). Had a hot dog and icecream. Yummy. Took a shower and washed the grime away. Feeling really stiff and sore. Hobbling around to do laundry. Decided to stay at the hostel there because we weren't supposed to camp because of the bear encounters. Apparently a bear had been grabbing people's hoisted food the whole week from Wood Hole to Tensantee. We met two guys at Neels Gap that had their food taken by the crafty bear. Met our first thru-hiker (who was getting a late start). That guy did 2 20 mile days and had the blisters to prove it. Intense. Our little group watched a movie and then headed to bed. Still could not sleep--what is my problem? I alternated between extremely hot in my sleeping bag to cold outside of my sleeping bag.

Day 5: Neels Gap to ??? to Neels Gap

The next morning we got up early and packed up. Started on the trail but my motivation was really low. Eating food and showering at Neels Gap was a great enticement to trudge along. Now I had four more days of pounding feet, blisters and shaky knees. Sweating and no showering. Rain in the forecast. Getting home right before I had to start work again. The terrain didn't hold any challenges (like Blood Mt.) and seemed to be monotonous. As we continued on, my knee started getting worse. Not really enjoying myself. Sooooooo....I made the call to stop early. I debated not reaching my goal, but in the end, decided I had a good experience and didn't want to ruin it by pushing myself too hard. We turned around and headed back to Neels Gap to be picked up. I got the chance to talk to some of the workers at Mountain Crossing who had thru-hiked. It was great to learn more about hiking and the trail. It got me excited to come back and a little sad that I didn't push on. But, I am really glad to have 4 days to relax and get things done around the house before I head back to work. I think I made the best call for my situation. And I know Justin wants to experience the AT so I am sure we'll see those white rectangles again soon.

Total time on the trail: 4.5 days and 4 nights Distance: 45 miles
Traveled: From Amicola Falls to a little past Neels Gap (and back) in Georgia

Pictures to come soon. They're on Rance's camera so I don't have any at the moment.

Hiking the AT in GA

In less than two weeks, my brother and I will hit the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Unfortunately, we don't have the time to do a thru-hike so we'll be doing the 80ish miles from the southern terminus into North Carolina. And hopefully do more later. I am looking forward to being dirty, getting blisters, eating crappy food, and getting away from the real world. Neither of us have done any serious backpacking so we don't really have any idea what we are getting into. I hope to meet some bears and mosquitos along the way. And my anti-social brother should be able to keep the conversation going for hours. I don't really understand the appeal of camping but I can't help but want to experience the wilderness. Survive the elements. I am having serious adventure withdrawal.