Yes, I can kill my own dinner.
This pic was taken during my pre-service training in Dedza, Malawi.(Dec.2008)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Peace Corps Memory
Yes, I can kill my own dinner.
This pic was taken during my pre-service training in Dedza, Malawi.(Dec.2008)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
It's that time of year to give thanks...
Hello all-
I hope this finds you all doing well as we approach this holiday season. I am at work and the ladies that are here are resting so figured this would be a good time to share with you all what I am thankful for. This will be my 4th Thanksgiving celebrating away from family and friends. I will be at the shelter I work at spending the holiday with 25 women who have no family to go to for the holiday. As I reflect on this, I realize that even though I will not be with those that I love and care about, I will be right where I am needed. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the holiday with my larger family at Calvary Women's Services and in addition to being thankful for this....
I am thankful daily for being able to wake up and take a breath
I am thankful for my family who support me throughout all my various adventures, who deal with my transitions, lack of patience, and absence
I am thankful for my friends, spread all over the world, who have encouraged me when needed, provided a listening ear, and a good laugh
I am thankful to be a student pursuing a degree in a field I am passionate about
I am thankful for a job(s) to go to and a home to come home to
I am thankful for the women I work with who inspire and give me hope every time I walk in the door
I am thankful for good health for myself and those that I love and care about
I am thankful for my freedom and power of choice
I am thankful for those that give gifts to the world that I may or may not get to enjoy
I am thankful for having you as a part of my life. I hope your holiday is spent right where you're suppose to be, with those you choose to share it with.
Many blessings to you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope this finds you all doing well as we approach this holiday season. I am at work and the ladies that are here are resting so figured this would be a good time to share with you all what I am thankful for. This will be my 4th Thanksgiving celebrating away from family and friends. I will be at the shelter I work at spending the holiday with 25 women who have no family to go to for the holiday. As I reflect on this, I realize that even though I will not be with those that I love and care about, I will be right where I am needed. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the holiday with my larger family at Calvary Women's Services and in addition to being thankful for this....
I am thankful daily for being able to wake up and take a breath
I am thankful for my family who support me throughout all my various adventures, who deal with my transitions, lack of patience, and absence
I am thankful for my friends, spread all over the world, who have encouraged me when needed, provided a listening ear, and a good laugh
I am thankful to be a student pursuing a degree in a field I am passionate about
I am thankful for a job(s) to go to and a home to come home to
I am thankful for the women I work with who inspire and give me hope every time I walk in the door
I am thankful for good health for myself and those that I love and care about
I am thankful for my freedom and power of choice
I am thankful for those that give gifts to the world that I may or may not get to enjoy
I am thankful for having you as a part of my life. I hope your holiday is spent right where you're suppose to be, with those you choose to share it with.
Many blessings to you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
YWomen Awards Movie
Here's the movie that was made about the honorees of the YWomen Award including me!
Enjoy :)
http://www.ywcae-ns.org/y-women-2010.html
Enjoy :)
http://www.ywcae-ns.org/y-women-2010.html
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
De-funking.
I realized that i've been in somewhat of a funky mood lately. I'm not sure I can pinpoint when this came about but I would say sometime around September after the newness of being in a new place wore off and I was brought back to reality. I was no longer in Malawi and now needed to get my mind back into the reality of what my situation is...now. I'm not sure if it was the best idea to jump into grad school right away but then again my reason for leaving Malawi was to begin grad school so that I can find employment so that I can do similar work to what I was doing in Malawi. This is what I wanted, but for some reason, until today, I had let myself forget that. Oh wo as me, look at poor Courtney. Yeah, right. I have nothing to complain about and I have nothing to be unhappy about. This is the life that I have chosen and now that it's happening I need to let myself enjoy this choice.I was unhappy for no real reason, at least not in mind now, and now that I have allowed myself to realize this, its good to say i'm back. I spent a lot of time writing about my experiences and lesson learned in Malawi and yet those lesson I learned, seemed to have escaped me. I re-read my blog from Malawi and a rush of memories came, these memories have allowed me to remind myself just why I wrote those words in the first place. I'm in DC now. This will be my home for at least the next 5 years and no anger, sadness, or displeasure will change that. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED, and now i'm allowing myself to have it. I didn't make it to Malawi overnight, I didn't make it to grad school overnight, and the future I envision for myself is not going to happen overnight.
I realized that this funky mood has caused me to isolate myself from those that I care about, isolate myself from getting to know those around me, and isolated myself from living the life I know I deserve and was meant to live. I have been blessed to have the friends and family that I do have and even though I don't get to see them daily, weekly, or monthly, I shouldn't be afraid that the relationship will end. They have stuck with me thus far and unless something out of the ordinary and drastic happens, I don't forsee any of these relationships changing.
Today has been the first day I have found myself smiling for no reason and all I keep thinking is that it feels good to be back to normal(or normal by my standards).
Now its time to take advantage of everything that has been offered to me and is available.
I realized that this funky mood has caused me to isolate myself from those that I care about, isolate myself from getting to know those around me, and isolated myself from living the life I know I deserve and was meant to live. I have been blessed to have the friends and family that I do have and even though I don't get to see them daily, weekly, or monthly, I shouldn't be afraid that the relationship will end. They have stuck with me thus far and unless something out of the ordinary and drastic happens, I don't forsee any of these relationships changing.
Today has been the first day I have found myself smiling for no reason and all I keep thinking is that it feels good to be back to normal(or normal by my standards).
Now its time to take advantage of everything that has been offered to me and is available.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Half the Sky
Recently I had the pleasure of reading a book that has profoundly touched me in ways i'm not even sure how to explain. Now being a grad student there is not a whole lot of time to read books for pleasure, but I could not put this book down and essentially read it every chance I could get. This book, Half the Sky, has reaffirmed what I already knew...that educating a girl can be one of the single most important things we can do and can truly be the missing piece to changing this world. This book revitalized me and my vision for my future work.This book has helped me put my burn out on hold and re-introduced me to a cause that I am so passionate about. Being that this is my field I found the book capitivating and i'm sure for those of you who may not have the same interests as me will find it just as interesting and capitivating as I have. This book first introduced to me through a TED talk I watched in my Comparative and International Ed. class, intrigued me. I began seeing it pop up more and more and finally I broke down, walked into the Barnes and Noble in Union Station and bought the book. The book captured me on the first page and wouldn't let go. Now as I work on plans for what I hope to become my Capstone(Thesis) Project, I have a clearer vision of what to look for in my own research. I have sound information on programs that have worked and those that have not and why they haven't. I'm not going to much in this program, I just strongly recommend that you read this book for yourself and find out for yourself what it is I am talking about.
Currently as some of you may know, I am working on research that explores adult education programs, particulary literacy and life skills, that target Sudanese women living in refugee camps. My hope and what I have put countless hours of research, reading, and writing into is a proposal for funding to allow me to actually travel to Chad and do on the ground research of the above mentioned topic. I have always had this itch to work with refugees, but prior to now never quite figured out how. I realized that my work in the Peace Corps has exposed me to just how I am going to work with this population and has helped me figure out why I would want to do this work. I don't think you can fully understand just how the impact of an education can have on a girl until you see the impact for yourself. I had the wonderful opportunity of having two beautiful girls, Chisomo and Martha, who happened to be my students, live with me while in Malawi. Seeing their transformation from before to after really confirmed in my mind that an education can change a life and even if it seems like an insignificant change. I have always found myself working with marginalized populations and now find myself doing research and hoping to work with one of the most marginalized populations- refugees. I have copied and pasted one of my research proposals to give you a brief but hopefully substantial idea of what we are up against. What is even more troubling is that most of the male population has either been killed or recruited to join an army, leaving women with a burden of responsibility to care for the welfare of the family and community. Despite this, there has been a lack of funding placed in education programs for women, these women who have been left behind and marginalized, are now expected to rebuild and develop their country post-conflict. Please tell me how to build a house without hammer and nails? My point exactly...
Exploration of Adult Education Programs for Sudanese Women Residing in Refugee Camps in Chad
Sudan has been intermittently occupied by civil wars on since independence in 1956. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have been murdered, millions displaced. A civil war ignited in Darfur in 2003 has contributed to this displacement; 262,194 people have sought refuge in 12 camps located throughout eastern Chad. Fifty-six percent (56%) of the Sudanese refugees in these refugee camps are women; approximately sixty percent (60%) are children, 18 and under (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2008).
Of the 100,000 children enrolled in type of formal schooling in the camps, only one out 100 girls can expect to complete primary school (Education Partnership for Children of Conflict). The result: a growing illiteracy rate among and an intensification of all the ills associated with women’s illiteracy. Budgetary constraints account for only 12% of the 296 million dollars allocated by the United Nations and other NGOs for refugee camps in service to educational initiatives. Limited dollars translate into targeted and limited educational offerings. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) have found it necessary to target primary school-aged children as the principal beneficiaries of the limited funds. Only a small percentage of the funding supports adult education. The illiteracy rate of women will continue to increase and related social ills will take an ever increasing toll on the displaced populations.
Access to literacy and life skills programs can have a profound effect on a woman and their children. Schooling that improves literacy for women contributes to lower fertility rates, lower the infant and child mortality rates, lower maternal mortality rates, increased protection against HIV and AIDS infection, increased woman’s participation in the labor force and development initiatives, and increases in intergenerational education benefits. These positive outcomes underscore the significance non-formal education initiatives that target women and illuminate the great need for literacy and life skills programming in the absence of opportunities for formal education.
Currently as some of you may know, I am working on research that explores adult education programs, particulary literacy and life skills, that target Sudanese women living in refugee camps. My hope and what I have put countless hours of research, reading, and writing into is a proposal for funding to allow me to actually travel to Chad and do on the ground research of the above mentioned topic. I have always had this itch to work with refugees, but prior to now never quite figured out how. I realized that my work in the Peace Corps has exposed me to just how I am going to work with this population and has helped me figure out why I would want to do this work. I don't think you can fully understand just how the impact of an education can have on a girl until you see the impact for yourself. I had the wonderful opportunity of having two beautiful girls, Chisomo and Martha, who happened to be my students, live with me while in Malawi. Seeing their transformation from before to after really confirmed in my mind that an education can change a life and even if it seems like an insignificant change. I have always found myself working with marginalized populations and now find myself doing research and hoping to work with one of the most marginalized populations- refugees. I have copied and pasted one of my research proposals to give you a brief but hopefully substantial idea of what we are up against. What is even more troubling is that most of the male population has either been killed or recruited to join an army, leaving women with a burden of responsibility to care for the welfare of the family and community. Despite this, there has been a lack of funding placed in education programs for women, these women who have been left behind and marginalized, are now expected to rebuild and develop their country post-conflict. Please tell me how to build a house without hammer and nails? My point exactly...
Exploration of Adult Education Programs for Sudanese Women Residing in Refugee Camps in Chad
Sudan has been intermittently occupied by civil wars on since independence in 1956. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have been murdered, millions displaced. A civil war ignited in Darfur in 2003 has contributed to this displacement; 262,194 people have sought refuge in 12 camps located throughout eastern Chad. Fifty-six percent (56%) of the Sudanese refugees in these refugee camps are women; approximately sixty percent (60%) are children, 18 and under (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2008).
Of the 100,000 children enrolled in type of formal schooling in the camps, only one out 100 girls can expect to complete primary school (Education Partnership for Children of Conflict). The result: a growing illiteracy rate among and an intensification of all the ills associated with women’s illiteracy. Budgetary constraints account for only 12% of the 296 million dollars allocated by the United Nations and other NGOs for refugee camps in service to educational initiatives. Limited dollars translate into targeted and limited educational offerings. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) have found it necessary to target primary school-aged children as the principal beneficiaries of the limited funds. Only a small percentage of the funding supports adult education. The illiteracy rate of women will continue to increase and related social ills will take an ever increasing toll on the displaced populations.
Access to literacy and life skills programs can have a profound effect on a woman and their children. Schooling that improves literacy for women contributes to lower fertility rates, lower the infant and child mortality rates, lower maternal mortality rates, increased protection against HIV and AIDS infection, increased woman’s participation in the labor force and development initiatives, and increases in intergenerational education benefits. These positive outcomes underscore the significance non-formal education initiatives that target women and illuminate the great need for literacy and life skills programming in the absence of opportunities for formal education.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Homeless Walkathon!
Dear Friends and Family,
On Saturday, November 20, I am walking in the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall and I would like to ask you to support me with a tax-deductible donation.
Did you know that nearly 12,000 people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area are homeless? That total includes families, children, and veterans. These hard economic times are making matters even worse—with 1.35 million children experiencing homelessness in the United States each year.
You and I can help. The Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program is the largest effort in the nation to raise money and awareness about homelessness. More than a hundred nonprofits will benefit and 100 percent of the money we raise goes to these Help the Homeless beneficiaries. The Walkathon on the National Mall on the Saturday before Thanksgiving has become a Washington, D.C., tradition. I plan to be there and your donation can make the walk even more meaningful.
All you have to do is select the "Click Here to Sponsor Me" button. If you prefer, you can mail contributions in my name to:
CFNCR/Help the Homeless Program
1201 15th Street, NW
Suite 420
Washington, DC 20005
My personal fundraising goal is $100 (I have donated $25 already) but i'm hoping to surpass this goal. In addition, the staff member who raises the most amount of money gets a paid day off! Please help me and help the women served by Calvary Women's Services.
Thank you in advance!
Love,
Courtney
Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TR?px=1230297&pg=personal&fr_id=1370&et=8fQ49wY0zcMSo5dVrElfAQ..&s_tafId=6811
Click here to view the team page for Calvary Women's Services
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TR?team_id=10120&pg=team&fr_id=1370&et=aCOD_Y02U3_2mt223RAXyA..&s_tafId=6811
If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=2a706f6a1f1dea35ea7fe0c7c41c7f150612ff6397fe351052869c15ef04f318
Forward to a Friend | Unsubscribe | Update Profile
Follow the Help the Homeless Program
Copyright, 2010 Fannie Mae.
All rights reserved.
Fannie Mae is working with the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (CFNCR), who will assist Fannie Mae in the administration of the Help the Homeless Program. CFNCR is a tax exempt 501 (c) (3) organization (Tax ID# 23-7343119). Your donation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the fullest extent of the law.
On Saturday, November 20, I am walking in the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall and I would like to ask you to support me with a tax-deductible donation.
Did you know that nearly 12,000 people in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area are homeless? That total includes families, children, and veterans. These hard economic times are making matters even worse—with 1.35 million children experiencing homelessness in the United States each year.
You and I can help. The Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program is the largest effort in the nation to raise money and awareness about homelessness. More than a hundred nonprofits will benefit and 100 percent of the money we raise goes to these Help the Homeless beneficiaries. The Walkathon on the National Mall on the Saturday before Thanksgiving has become a Washington, D.C., tradition. I plan to be there and your donation can make the walk even more meaningful.
All you have to do is select the "Click Here to Sponsor Me" button. If you prefer, you can mail contributions in my name to:
CFNCR/Help the Homeless Program
1201 15th Street, NW
Suite 420
Washington, DC 20005
My personal fundraising goal is $100 (I have donated $25 already) but i'm hoping to surpass this goal. In addition, the staff member who raises the most amount of money gets a paid day off! Please help me and help the women served by Calvary Women's Services.
Thank you in advance!
Love,
Courtney
Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TR?px=1230297&pg=personal&fr_id=1370&et=8fQ49wY0zcMSo5dVrElfAQ..&s_tafId=6811
Click here to view the team page for Calvary Women's Services
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TR?team_id=10120&pg=team&fr_id=1370&et=aCOD_Y02U3_2mt223RAXyA..&s_tafId=6811
If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=2a706f6a1f1dea35ea7fe0c7c41c7f150612ff6397fe351052869c15ef04f318
Forward to a Friend | Unsubscribe | Update Profile
Follow the Help the Homeless Program
Copyright, 2010 Fannie Mae.
All rights reserved.
Fannie Mae is working with the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (CFNCR), who will assist Fannie Mae in the administration of the Help the Homeless Program. CFNCR is a tax exempt 501 (c) (3) organization (Tax ID# 23-7343119). Your donation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the fullest extent of the law.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Cracked Pots
This was sent to me by a friend in Malawi and I figured I would share it with you all...
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'” “That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back,you water them.'”
“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'”Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'” “That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back,you water them.'”
“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'”Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Life Update
I have a few minutes to spare so I figured I would update you all of my comings and goings. You may no longer be interested in my life now that i'm not living in Malawi, but hopefully I can provide just as much excitement for you based out of DC. :)
Life has been quite a rollercoaster since I moved here. The whole job application process I have learned is just not for me. I much prefer that someone give me a job because they know that I am a hardworker and wonderful person, but that is not the case and after sending off over 60 resumes, I was ready to give up. I didn't quite know how difficult the job market was until I HAD to go through the experience. And it sucks. If I had a job, no matter what the job was, how much I liked it, and whether it was a place where I can see myself in 20 years, I would be appreciative of it. I know that for me a person with some great experience under their belt and a college degree it was definetly a humbling experience to go through this process. It made me think more about how slim things can get especially for someone without the qualifications that I have. In the end, about 2 months after moving to DC, I became gainfully employed. I am teaching ESL at a program for international students. I was hired on as a part-time teacher, but when I saw that I was getting only 2 hours a day and then having to commute 2 hours roundtrip, I tried to quit. My boss wouldn't let me and put me as a part-time substitute guaranteeing slightly more hours in a week and longer work days. It was working out perfectly until one teacher quit and I picked up their full-time hours. So through next Tuesday I will be working full-time. I recently began my training for my other job at Calvary Women's Services, they provide services to homeless women. I am a Program Manager for their transitional living program. The transitional living program has a capacity of 10 women all who have some sort of mental illness or substance abuse problem. They stay at Pathways(name of transitional living shelter) for 2 years. Upon intake they are given a case manager who oversees their journey through the program. It reminds me of my work at The Campus for Human Development(where I was working prior to Malawi) except it is only women and a smaller population. I'm more excited about working with Calvary because it lies more with my interests and it has a stronger feel of community to it.
So i'm sure you're wondering what about school? I am still in school and it is going well. I'm going part-time this semester, which was probably the smartest thing on my part.Thanks to my Peace Corps experience I get 6 credits towards my degree, so that cuts my schooling down from 2 1/2 years to 2. My professors are passionate about what they do and very knowledgeable in their fields. Although their teaching styles I may not always agree with, they still get their points across and I am enjoying the challenge and being in an academic environment again. I'm sure folks are wondering what i'm studying and really its a mouthful, but here it goes. I am in the ITEP, or INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM, my track within the program is INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT and my focus is GENDER and LITERACY. Now i'm sure what you are wondering what I plan or want to do with this degree. I want to create and implement education programs, my target is women ages 15+ and focusing on literacy initiatives. Although that is what I want to do, as long as I have the opportunity to create education programs for anyone I would be happy. I would love to go into a community, learn about the people, the culture, the way of living, see the needs and then create an education program that meets the needs of those people with the resources available. Essentially I want to be a paid Peace Corps Volunteer. :) I have attached a proposal I have been working on for a project that I want to do, it will give you more of an idea of what my future work may entail.
I am no longer living out of suitcase and it feels good to be settled. After looking for places and having no success, I decided that it wasn't good for my mental health to keep getting these various rejections so instead of letting someone else deem whether or not I am good enough to live with them or within their space, I decided to turn the table and be the one to make that decision. I placed an ad on Craigslist stating what I was looking for and waited for the responses. It was nice to have my power of choice back and I made the choice to live a motivational speaker-Sylvia Baffour(look her, up she's a pretty interesting person). So far so good. We're both pretty chill people and have a good understanding of what a roommate situation entails. She is no Stacy and Shannon(my roommates prior to leaving for Malawi) but she will do just fine.
Now that I have all my ducks in order, I am making preparations to take off. I feel all that I am capable of inside of me, all of the things that I envision myself doing waiting to happen, and now that I have my feet firmly planted on the ground, I am ready to take this world on.
Life has been quite a rollercoaster since I moved here. The whole job application process I have learned is just not for me. I much prefer that someone give me a job because they know that I am a hardworker and wonderful person, but that is not the case and after sending off over 60 resumes, I was ready to give up. I didn't quite know how difficult the job market was until I HAD to go through the experience. And it sucks. If I had a job, no matter what the job was, how much I liked it, and whether it was a place where I can see myself in 20 years, I would be appreciative of it. I know that for me a person with some great experience under their belt and a college degree it was definetly a humbling experience to go through this process. It made me think more about how slim things can get especially for someone without the qualifications that I have. In the end, about 2 months after moving to DC, I became gainfully employed. I am teaching ESL at a program for international students. I was hired on as a part-time teacher, but when I saw that I was getting only 2 hours a day and then having to commute 2 hours roundtrip, I tried to quit. My boss wouldn't let me and put me as a part-time substitute guaranteeing slightly more hours in a week and longer work days. It was working out perfectly until one teacher quit and I picked up their full-time hours. So through next Tuesday I will be working full-time. I recently began my training for my other job at Calvary Women's Services, they provide services to homeless women. I am a Program Manager for their transitional living program. The transitional living program has a capacity of 10 women all who have some sort of mental illness or substance abuse problem. They stay at Pathways(name of transitional living shelter) for 2 years. Upon intake they are given a case manager who oversees their journey through the program. It reminds me of my work at The Campus for Human Development(where I was working prior to Malawi) except it is only women and a smaller population. I'm more excited about working with Calvary because it lies more with my interests and it has a stronger feel of community to it.
So i'm sure you're wondering what about school? I am still in school and it is going well. I'm going part-time this semester, which was probably the smartest thing on my part.Thanks to my Peace Corps experience I get 6 credits towards my degree, so that cuts my schooling down from 2 1/2 years to 2. My professors are passionate about what they do and very knowledgeable in their fields. Although their teaching styles I may not always agree with, they still get their points across and I am enjoying the challenge and being in an academic environment again. I'm sure folks are wondering what i'm studying and really its a mouthful, but here it goes. I am in the ITEP, or INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM, my track within the program is INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT and my focus is GENDER and LITERACY. Now i'm sure what you are wondering what I plan or want to do with this degree. I want to create and implement education programs, my target is women ages 15+ and focusing on literacy initiatives. Although that is what I want to do, as long as I have the opportunity to create education programs for anyone I would be happy. I would love to go into a community, learn about the people, the culture, the way of living, see the needs and then create an education program that meets the needs of those people with the resources available. Essentially I want to be a paid Peace Corps Volunteer. :) I have attached a proposal I have been working on for a project that I want to do, it will give you more of an idea of what my future work may entail.
I am no longer living out of suitcase and it feels good to be settled. After looking for places and having no success, I decided that it wasn't good for my mental health to keep getting these various rejections so instead of letting someone else deem whether or not I am good enough to live with them or within their space, I decided to turn the table and be the one to make that decision. I placed an ad on Craigslist stating what I was looking for and waited for the responses. It was nice to have my power of choice back and I made the choice to live a motivational speaker-Sylvia Baffour(look her, up she's a pretty interesting person). So far so good. We're both pretty chill people and have a good understanding of what a roommate situation entails. She is no Stacy and Shannon(my roommates prior to leaving for Malawi) but she will do just fine.
Now that I have all my ducks in order, I am making preparations to take off. I feel all that I am capable of inside of me, all of the things that I envision myself doing waiting to happen, and now that I have my feet firmly planted on the ground, I am ready to take this world on.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Role Models.
Recently I bought an Essence magazine. Now if you know me, you know that I don't buy magazines. But this one caught my eye more than the others. There is a letter(in this month's edition) from Michelle Obama to the readers. Mrs. Obama, is my first role model outside of women I actually know. Next month i'll be honored with an award for my work in the field of girls education. The theme, "Lifting as we climb," really hasn't settled in until lately. Reading both the letter and receiving this award has left me in a contemplative state about role models that I have had throughout my life. Starting with my mom and going down the list to women who have been 'lifting me as I climb', all have made an impact on my life. My attitude and outlook on life stems from the support these women have given me, imparting on me the knowledge and confidence to conquer whatever lies in my way. These women have shown me how to work hard for what you want and to not stop until you get it. I have a hard time with the idea of getting an award for work that i'm passionate about, it is even harder knowing that there are plenty of women out there that may be more deserving of this award. I know with the acceptance of this award, I am assuming the responsibility of 'lifting others as they climb' . I can't force someone else to be a role model. I can't force someone to want to set a good example for those coming behind them, but I can lead by example. Given what I have been given in role models(there are many), it is because of them that I know I can wake up everyday and tell myself something that I love about myself. I'm strong and confident(perhaps overly confident). I no longer feel the need to be validated by others, I tell myself I am beautiful everday because I can't wait for someone else to tell me(that may leave me waiting). I take advantage of all opportunities presented and live life to the fullest. I set goals and meet them. I love openly. I listen before I speak. I'm observant and honest. Calm and responsible. Patient and kind. I am all of the above because of my role models and if I can instill these values, this confidence, and this love for self, in someone else, then I know have passed on what I have been given.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Blah blah blah blah
I've been in DC about a month now. No, I don't have a job yet but i'm slowly but surely getting adjusted to life here. It's interesting. People are friendlier, the happy hours are a nice way to cap off or start an evening, and i'm liking my classes so far. A lot of things have ran across my mind and i'm not sure where exactly to go with it. I'm liking the fact that i'm meeting new people, mostly folks on my wave length, some or many who are not(but that's ok). Although the competitive nature of life here is really not my speed, I like the options in my field available here.
School has been interesting....I definetly feel like a grad student when I see the undergrad scurry about, some oblivious to the larger world around them, some who i'm sure have a lot more on their shoulders and a lot more on their mind than the eyes can see. Seeing as I don't live anywhere near campus, I don't feel like a part of the student body. Which can be seen as a good or bad thing I guess. My professors are cool, one doesn't believe in the publishing industry so he printed out all of our readings. The other more green teacher has made us purchase our books and I believe I have printed off atleast 250 pages of reading(I guess its ok to make others kills trees when its not hanging over your head...or maybe I should just upload the electronic copy but I can't really comprehend without something I can phyiscally touch...i'm a hands on learner). Both professors are passionate about what they do and have information that will be applicable to my future career.
Jobs...i'm patiently waiting for something to come along. I have been meeting with the career center to better my resume and I have sent out 50+ resumes so far, I've gotten a few interviews and nothing has panned out so far but who knows what this week will hold.
I'll be in Chicago the weekend of the 16th for an honoree banquet for the award I am receiving(check out previous post for info.).
My twin brother is engaged!!!! I'm so excited for him and his new fiance. I love them both and glad that they will me making that larger committment to spend their lives together. She will be a great addition to the family. :)
I have the urge to learn french and arabic and hopefully once things are settled I can explore them a bit further.
I want to get back to my community service work and hoping that things can settle soon so that I can find a time to do so.
I found the perfect place to live, buts it not available until Nov.1st. Still I want it....
Sorry if this bored you...my mind is pretty free of thoughts at this moment but stay posted.
School has been interesting....I definetly feel like a grad student when I see the undergrad scurry about, some oblivious to the larger world around them, some who i'm sure have a lot more on their shoulders and a lot more on their mind than the eyes can see. Seeing as I don't live anywhere near campus, I don't feel like a part of the student body. Which can be seen as a good or bad thing I guess. My professors are cool, one doesn't believe in the publishing industry so he printed out all of our readings. The other more green teacher has made us purchase our books and I believe I have printed off atleast 250 pages of reading(I guess its ok to make others kills trees when its not hanging over your head...or maybe I should just upload the electronic copy but I can't really comprehend without something I can phyiscally touch...i'm a hands on learner). Both professors are passionate about what they do and have information that will be applicable to my future career.
Jobs...i'm patiently waiting for something to come along. I have been meeting with the career center to better my resume and I have sent out 50+ resumes so far, I've gotten a few interviews and nothing has panned out so far but who knows what this week will hold.
I'll be in Chicago the weekend of the 16th for an honoree banquet for the award I am receiving(check out previous post for info.).
My twin brother is engaged!!!! I'm so excited for him and his new fiance. I love them both and glad that they will me making that larger committment to spend their lives together. She will be a great addition to the family. :)
I have the urge to learn french and arabic and hopefully once things are settled I can explore them a bit further.
I want to get back to my community service work and hoping that things can settle soon so that I can find a time to do so.
I found the perfect place to live, buts it not available until Nov.1st. Still I want it....
Sorry if this bored you...my mind is pretty free of thoughts at this moment but stay posted.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
round and round it goes...
I think today may have been the first day I truly felt like I was back in America. 1) I saw the White House! 2) I got to listen to Delilah on the radio(yes, I'm a huge Delilah fan...don't hate). I also think that today was first day I really missed Malawi. I miss my own little house and my space. I miss doing work i'm passionate about and passion for every aspect of life. I miss the laidback attitude of folks. I'm tired of dealing with uptight folks...I'm tired of not having anything to do that i'm passionate about. I'm tired of waiting around for some type of job to deem me good enough to work for them(although I know i'm good if not better, still some folks just don't get it). Guess i'm in a bit of a slump and thank God for classes starting this week because I'll finally have something that is challenging going on. Time to set some new goals for myself that way I have something to work towards.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Osataya Mtima!
After waiting anxiously to hear back from AGE on whether or not i've been selected for a follow-up interview, I was told that I was not selected for a second interview at this time. Talk about a blow to the ego, but staying true to my positive side, it is not the end and there is an opportunity out there waiting for me, just not this one. I feel like a punk for crying about it, but it was ideal or maybe I just made it ideal. Either way the search was ongoing so I don't feel like i've wasted time waiting. A million possible things run through my mind but honestly its probably the best thing at this time, with all thats going on with this transition and jumping back into academia, maybe I need something less challenging...who knows. All I know is its good to know their decision so now I know to aggressively pursue other opportunities.
Osataya Mtima!
Osataya Mtima!
taking it one day at a time
So I decided to take a break from my job search to write a little. This whole job application thing is not for be, but I guess it has to be for me seeing as I need a job. I'm not sure how many places I have applied to but my resume is floating out there waiting for someone to grab it and give me a chance. I try not to be too picky in my search, ideally I will find a position that lies somewhere along my interests, past experiences, or skills. I try to be hopeful in the sense that the right opportunity will present itself when its meant to be presented, but after being in Malawi and being in control of the opportunities presented, its hard to wait. I mean there if I wanted something to get done, I got it done. If I wanted to focus my energy on a certain project I could do that. Why isn't there something like Peace Corps in America? I mean give me some money and to seek out projects and work related to my passions and interests and watch me work. I know that if given the right opportunity then i'll be able show whoever just what i'm capable of. Coming to DC is a catch 22 i'm coming to find out. I mean non-profit capital of the world, endless opportunities, but just like my reasonings for choosing DC as my next place of residence, several others have as well, meaning more competition. I know, and maybe I need to take a step back, but I really can't, I know that i'm the sh*t. My experiences are diverse and what I can bring to any environment is unique from that of others.
I feel like i'm back in Malawi during my first few months. I live with a host family i.e my cousin, still trying to figure out where i'll leave my mark and what my focus will be in my upcoming work, and adjusting to life different from the one i'm use to. As long as I put it in that perspective i'm able to deal with the fact that i'm not good with transitions. Been there, done that...right? Yeah...right. Patience truly is a virtue and I know deep down that the position i'm meant for will present itself at the right but until then, a place holder will have to do...Starbucks anyone?
I feel like i'm back in Malawi during my first few months. I live with a host family i.e my cousin, still trying to figure out where i'll leave my mark and what my focus will be in my upcoming work, and adjusting to life different from the one i'm use to. As long as I put it in that perspective i'm able to deal with the fact that i'm not good with transitions. Been there, done that...right? Yeah...right. Patience truly is a virtue and I know deep down that the position i'm meant for will present itself at the right but until then, a place holder will have to do...Starbucks anyone?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ummmm...really?
What in the world?
I'm not sure if other folks have noticed, but it appears as if the economic climate has something to do with waist size. Now, let me put a disclaimer on this...if you are on the heavier side its ok as long as you're healthy. Not everyone's body type is meant to be skin and bones.
Ok, so since i've been back I have realized just how the economic crisis has impacted people...well, their mid-section. I'm surprised to see the gross amount of overweight and unhealthy folks there are. You may not be hung up on being healthy for vanity purposes but you should be hung up on it for longevity purposes. Come on now...heart disease kills and if prevention means skipping out on some fries and taking a walk, I think its worth it. My goal when I arrived back stateside was not to lose weight or maintain the weight i'm at, its to maintain and adopt the more healthy eating and exercise lifestyle I had in Malawi. Why? because it makes me feel good(and look better). The crap we put in our bodies is going to come out our bodies in some negative way. My rule of thumb is moderation. Do everything in moderation and it always balances out.
I plan on running a marathon next year, no i'm not a size two but my body and heart will be strong and healthy enough to withstand that type of pressure. I think everyone should set some type of health related goal, I mean we have no problem setting them when we want to make money, and stick to it. I mean just think how good it will feel when you reach the goal and know you're healthier because of it.
back away from the whopper....just once or twice can make a difference.
OK..so my next observation has to deal with men. Oh, Lord, Jesus, what is going on there? If you found a good one, you should consider it a great accomplishment. Now, some of the things I have noticed and heard may or may not be true for all. Again, please do not take what I say as generalizations of a entire population. So, i've been living in DC a total of 9 days now with 2 of those days spent in NYC so far. I'm fresh, i'm new and i'm trying to learn the ins and outs of the city. I never knew that I would get so many warnings about the behavior of the men. From guys who don't know you feeling through your hair just to check and to see if its real, to men on the serious "down low" tip.
First, its extremely offensive to put your hands in anyone's hair if you don't know them and don't ask for permission. Second, if a girl wants to wear weave or whatever it is her head, on her body, and her choice. Pro-choice is not just for reproductive health anymore...Third, if you the dude trying to feel for some realness mess up the weave are you willing to pay for it? I didn't think so...remember you break you buy. Don't touch things that do not belong to you, save the hair check for a legit date or something of that nature and ask. Or be man about it and ask! If you don't like a girl with weave then leave the girl alone, she is not doing anything to bother you.
Second, "down low" men. Its played out...Yeah, thats right, I said it and will say it again...ITS PLAYED OUT!!! Be honest and real, you running around living a double life and hiding is not cute nor is it real. Be a man and be honest. If you love your ladies but enjoy being with a dude every now and then, be honest. You are more judged when you hide and lie then being upfront and truthful. We are in the 21st century, I believe we have become a bit more progressive and can handle it better. Now, if someone can't then its their choice not to, but really, do you want to associate with people that won't accept you for you? Keep it real.
Third, what ever happen to the common courtesy and manners? Damn, folks, i'm tired of dealing with rude people when i've been kind and respectful. There is no reason for you to take your anger out on the world. Simply take a deep breath analyze the situation and keep it moving. If you can't change it, doesn't make sense to ruin a day over it. Stop being so selfish, you never know how a smile or good morning can cheer someone up. For example, every morning I walk my cousin's dog past this garage place on her block and every morning i'm greeted by the same group of workers with a "good morning" then a "have a good day" so simple but it starts the day off right. Small things like that can have a great impact on how a person's day goes...don't be afraid to smile...it will come back to you.
I'm not sure if other folks have noticed, but it appears as if the economic climate has something to do with waist size. Now, let me put a disclaimer on this...if you are on the heavier side its ok as long as you're healthy. Not everyone's body type is meant to be skin and bones.
Ok, so since i've been back I have realized just how the economic crisis has impacted people...well, their mid-section. I'm surprised to see the gross amount of overweight and unhealthy folks there are. You may not be hung up on being healthy for vanity purposes but you should be hung up on it for longevity purposes. Come on now...heart disease kills and if prevention means skipping out on some fries and taking a walk, I think its worth it. My goal when I arrived back stateside was not to lose weight or maintain the weight i'm at, its to maintain and adopt the more healthy eating and exercise lifestyle I had in Malawi. Why? because it makes me feel good(and look better). The crap we put in our bodies is going to come out our bodies in some negative way. My rule of thumb is moderation. Do everything in moderation and it always balances out.
I plan on running a marathon next year, no i'm not a size two but my body and heart will be strong and healthy enough to withstand that type of pressure. I think everyone should set some type of health related goal, I mean we have no problem setting them when we want to make money, and stick to it. I mean just think how good it will feel when you reach the goal and know you're healthier because of it.
back away from the whopper....just once or twice can make a difference.
OK..so my next observation has to deal with men. Oh, Lord, Jesus, what is going on there? If you found a good one, you should consider it a great accomplishment. Now, some of the things I have noticed and heard may or may not be true for all. Again, please do not take what I say as generalizations of a entire population. So, i've been living in DC a total of 9 days now with 2 of those days spent in NYC so far. I'm fresh, i'm new and i'm trying to learn the ins and outs of the city. I never knew that I would get so many warnings about the behavior of the men. From guys who don't know you feeling through your hair just to check and to see if its real, to men on the serious "down low" tip.
First, its extremely offensive to put your hands in anyone's hair if you don't know them and don't ask for permission. Second, if a girl wants to wear weave or whatever it is her head, on her body, and her choice. Pro-choice is not just for reproductive health anymore...Third, if you the dude trying to feel for some realness mess up the weave are you willing to pay for it? I didn't think so...remember you break you buy. Don't touch things that do not belong to you, save the hair check for a legit date or something of that nature and ask. Or be man about it and ask! If you don't like a girl with weave then leave the girl alone, she is not doing anything to bother you.
Second, "down low" men. Its played out...Yeah, thats right, I said it and will say it again...ITS PLAYED OUT!!! Be honest and real, you running around living a double life and hiding is not cute nor is it real. Be a man and be honest. If you love your ladies but enjoy being with a dude every now and then, be honest. You are more judged when you hide and lie then being upfront and truthful. We are in the 21st century, I believe we have become a bit more progressive and can handle it better. Now, if someone can't then its their choice not to, but really, do you want to associate with people that won't accept you for you? Keep it real.
Third, what ever happen to the common courtesy and manners? Damn, folks, i'm tired of dealing with rude people when i've been kind and respectful. There is no reason for you to take your anger out on the world. Simply take a deep breath analyze the situation and keep it moving. If you can't change it, doesn't make sense to ruin a day over it. Stop being so selfish, you never know how a smile or good morning can cheer someone up. For example, every morning I walk my cousin's dog past this garage place on her block and every morning i'm greeted by the same group of workers with a "good morning" then a "have a good day" so simple but it starts the day off right. Small things like that can have a great impact on how a person's day goes...don't be afraid to smile...it will come back to you.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Don't forget
If you want to read about my experience in Malawi, you can always go to my other blog:
www.courtneyinmalawi.blogspot.com
www.courtneyinmalawi.blogspot.com
And i'm back!!
Hello all!
After a wonderful 22 month experience in the Warm Heart of Africa, I'm back in America gearing up for grad school in the nation's capital. There's a lot to fill you in on from my first month back stateside, so sit back and enjoy!
Making my way stateside...
Let's see...where to begin?
If you don't know, well now you will. I ended my contract early with the Peace Corps to pursue my Masters. It was an extremely difficult decision for me just because I love(d) living in Malawi and I enjoyed the work I was doing. It ultimately came down to the fact that I would need a Masters in order to continue working in the field of work I was doing in Malawi, so best to get it out of the way sooner rather than later. I made the decision to leave in March, which gave me plenty of time to prepare for my departure. I figured a month and a half was a good amount of time in between Peace Corps and grad school, yet some days I feel like I should have given myself a bit more time to transition back into American culture.
I was surprised that I didn't cry a lot when leaving Malawi. It all felt surreal until I got on the plane bound for South Africa. When we took off, I shed a few tears because it all became real. But, lucky for me the airplane served wine, so I got a bottle, drank it, and took a nap to take my mind off of what I was leaving. I had a four hour layover in South Africa which was uneventful but it felt weird to be in an airport of that size again. I hadn't been in a large airport since we arrived in South Africa 22 months prior. I wandered about for a bit before sitting by the gate to my next flight. There were tons of World Cup fans(assuming a majority American because my flight was full) and they were interesting quite a few "backwoods" type of people(I guess living in the back woods allows you to save some money to afford a trip to World Cup, still having a hard time understanding the whole financial crisis with that one). One girl got mad because she didn't get a receipt for her duty-free booze and the guards were getting ready to confiscate it. I guess the moral of that story is always get receipts for your duty-free booze.
Anyway...
Once on the plane, I sat in the middle seat between some asian dude and a dad. Neither were all that friendly and for the 19 hours we were on the plane we did not speak to eachother once. I enjoyed watching some movies but mostly t.v shows just because I was in and out of sleep. I would watch the little plane tracker map thingy they have and once I reached America I cried again, knowing that I really was no longer in Malawi. My flight made it to Atlanta at 6:30am and my connecting flight was scheduled for 7:30am and the customs lines were LONG...But I figured I already waited 22 months to see my family, what's another few hours if I miss my flight? I get through the line with 30 minutes to spare and after being scrutinized by security for my absence from America for 22 months(just a safety precaution I guess) I made it through security and to my gate. As soon as I got on my flight I went to sleep for the remainer 70 min flight to Chicago.
Sadly, I arrived in Chicago and no one was there to pick me up!!! How rude! Just playing, I didn't tell anyone when exactly I was coming home because I wanted to surprise my mom. So I grabbed my bags and headed for the train. Ahhhh, the CTA. You never quite feel like you're back in Chicago until you get on the dingy CTA train with disgruntled riders. I get off at what I believe to be the right stop and wait for a bus. Unfortunately, that bus would not take me where I needed to go so I had to get off that bus. But I really didn't know where I needed to go. So, thanks to Peace Corps and their small travel allowance(a whole $32) I was able to catch a cab home. I showed up and surprised my mom! Yay! It was successful.
My first thoughts upon entering Chicago were 1. There's a lot of cars. 2. Where are the goats? 3. What type of pizza should I indulge in? 4. Welcome home Me!
Summer is my favorite season and seeing as it was winter in Malawi I believe coming home in late June was a good idea. I haven't done a good job adjusting to weather under 75 degrees, so coming home during winter may have been a huge problem for me.
Readjustment...
Readjusting to American culture has had its ups and downs. Some days are better than others, some days are more overwhelming than others. My plan was to give myself two weeks to bum around before doing anything related to any type of work. Oh, how quickly that changed. Seeing as I had to move to DC, I really couldn't invest 2 of the 4 weeks I had to lay around being a bum. I had a total of 2 days, and I guess that will have to be good enough for now. It was nice to see my friends and family in person. To see how much my nieces have grown and to see how the city I grew up in has changed. Its interesting, as large as Chicago is I felt like I have outgrown it. I don't know if its because I've been gone so long or if my new global perspective is larger than a city one, all I know is that Chicago will always have a spot in my heart but its not where I need or suppose to be at this point in time. And on a side note, what the hell is up with all these folks shooting eachother there? Damn...get it together. Anyway, I think the most overwhelming thing is personal time and reconnecting with people. I have spent the past two years for the most part living in my own little bubble. I mean from 6pm-6am it was all personal time. At first it was hard to have so much me time but then I realized that I do enjoy being with myself from time to time. Coming back and living with my mom was difficult just because I'm not use to sharing my space with anyone. I'm not use to having someone around a majority of the time. Sometimes I just need to be in my own mind and i'm starting to see that its quite difficult doing that here without neglecting folks. Reconnecting has been interesting. For the most part I have been able to pick up with my friends where we left off, but its hard to not want to talk about Malawi all the time(I'm sure y'all are bored by now) and its even harder to understand some of the problems that seem pretty trivial to me after my experience. I'm not going to go too much into my perspective on immigration, financial crisis, people or the government, just know my thoughts around these topics have been shifted due to my experience in Malawi and for me to hear some of the things going on here after some of the things I saw there, makes it hard for me to relate.
Not a day goes by that something doesn't remind me of Malawi. I miss it dearly and some days I wonder if I made the right decision by coming home early. I know I would have to come home at some point but...life in Malawi was just easier and I miss that. I miss my community, my house, my friends, the lake, the goats, all the adventures on the minibus or other public transport, hitching(yes, I hitchhiked and there have been several moments while waiting for a bus here that I've been tempted to stick my hand out and try it here...except folks are crazy!) , I miss the friendliness of people, the Peace Corps staff, the nsima, the children, my girls, I miss everything...
Making moves...
I landed in DC on Friday August 6th. It was hot, it was weird being on an airplane again. After a 24 hour flight from Malawi to Chicago, I wasn't really looking forward to being on a plane again. But you have to do what you have to do, I guess. I spent my first nights hanging out with friends, including D'Lynn, a volunteer and friend who served with me in Malawi. It was nice being around someone who could relate to what I am going through. I've been making my way around the city and getting adjusted. I'm getting use to the metro and how the city is split up in quadrants. I'm getting use to the fact that you have to pay 5 cents for a bag in stores(I know...i'm still tripping but I guess its all a part of being green. It does remind me of Malawi though..) People here are friendlier than folks in Chicago, there's a lot to keep me busy. Its compact but not too compact where folks are on top of eachother. Its diverse and I love meeting people from all over the world. Besides galavanting around the city, i've been trying to find work. I have my breath held for one position. AGE(Advancing Girls Education) in Africa a non-profit organization that focuses on girls education in Malawi is looking for an executive director. If you know me, then you know this is right up my alley and my dream job. I'm a bit worried that they're concerned with how the position will interfere with my graduate studies, but i'm going part-time and when I have something to get done and i'm passionate about it i'll get it done. I've been thinking about what I could do for this organization to bring it to the next level, If I could get paid for my thoughts then I would be making bank right about now. I'm excited to be in the running for this position just because I want it soo much.If for some reason I don't get the position, well, i'll have a heart attack..naw, just kidding. If I don't get it, I know this wasn't the right time in my life for this position, but will give me something to strive for since I have more of an idea of what is expected for this type of position. Either way i'm going to keep hope alive, but it keep it moving too. I've applied to all types of jobs even for an organic gelato shop, so i'm hoping something comes through soon seeing as my funds are disappearing.
Ok. I believe this is enough for now, feel free to post questions or comments!
After a wonderful 22 month experience in the Warm Heart of Africa, I'm back in America gearing up for grad school in the nation's capital. There's a lot to fill you in on from my first month back stateside, so sit back and enjoy!
Making my way stateside...
Let's see...where to begin?
If you don't know, well now you will. I ended my contract early with the Peace Corps to pursue my Masters. It was an extremely difficult decision for me just because I love(d) living in Malawi and I enjoyed the work I was doing. It ultimately came down to the fact that I would need a Masters in order to continue working in the field of work I was doing in Malawi, so best to get it out of the way sooner rather than later. I made the decision to leave in March, which gave me plenty of time to prepare for my departure. I figured a month and a half was a good amount of time in between Peace Corps and grad school, yet some days I feel like I should have given myself a bit more time to transition back into American culture.
I was surprised that I didn't cry a lot when leaving Malawi. It all felt surreal until I got on the plane bound for South Africa. When we took off, I shed a few tears because it all became real. But, lucky for me the airplane served wine, so I got a bottle, drank it, and took a nap to take my mind off of what I was leaving. I had a four hour layover in South Africa which was uneventful but it felt weird to be in an airport of that size again. I hadn't been in a large airport since we arrived in South Africa 22 months prior. I wandered about for a bit before sitting by the gate to my next flight. There were tons of World Cup fans(assuming a majority American because my flight was full) and they were interesting quite a few "backwoods" type of people(I guess living in the back woods allows you to save some money to afford a trip to World Cup, still having a hard time understanding the whole financial crisis with that one). One girl got mad because she didn't get a receipt for her duty-free booze and the guards were getting ready to confiscate it. I guess the moral of that story is always get receipts for your duty-free booze.
Anyway...
Once on the plane, I sat in the middle seat between some asian dude and a dad. Neither were all that friendly and for the 19 hours we were on the plane we did not speak to eachother once. I enjoyed watching some movies but mostly t.v shows just because I was in and out of sleep. I would watch the little plane tracker map thingy they have and once I reached America I cried again, knowing that I really was no longer in Malawi. My flight made it to Atlanta at 6:30am and my connecting flight was scheduled for 7:30am and the customs lines were LONG...But I figured I already waited 22 months to see my family, what's another few hours if I miss my flight? I get through the line with 30 minutes to spare and after being scrutinized by security for my absence from America for 22 months(just a safety precaution I guess) I made it through security and to my gate. As soon as I got on my flight I went to sleep for the remainer 70 min flight to Chicago.
Sadly, I arrived in Chicago and no one was there to pick me up!!! How rude! Just playing, I didn't tell anyone when exactly I was coming home because I wanted to surprise my mom. So I grabbed my bags and headed for the train. Ahhhh, the CTA. You never quite feel like you're back in Chicago until you get on the dingy CTA train with disgruntled riders. I get off at what I believe to be the right stop and wait for a bus. Unfortunately, that bus would not take me where I needed to go so I had to get off that bus. But I really didn't know where I needed to go. So, thanks to Peace Corps and their small travel allowance(a whole $32) I was able to catch a cab home. I showed up and surprised my mom! Yay! It was successful.
My first thoughts upon entering Chicago were 1. There's a lot of cars. 2. Where are the goats? 3. What type of pizza should I indulge in? 4. Welcome home Me!
Summer is my favorite season and seeing as it was winter in Malawi I believe coming home in late June was a good idea. I haven't done a good job adjusting to weather under 75 degrees, so coming home during winter may have been a huge problem for me.
Readjustment...
Readjusting to American culture has had its ups and downs. Some days are better than others, some days are more overwhelming than others. My plan was to give myself two weeks to bum around before doing anything related to any type of work. Oh, how quickly that changed. Seeing as I had to move to DC, I really couldn't invest 2 of the 4 weeks I had to lay around being a bum. I had a total of 2 days, and I guess that will have to be good enough for now. It was nice to see my friends and family in person. To see how much my nieces have grown and to see how the city I grew up in has changed. Its interesting, as large as Chicago is I felt like I have outgrown it. I don't know if its because I've been gone so long or if my new global perspective is larger than a city one, all I know is that Chicago will always have a spot in my heart but its not where I need or suppose to be at this point in time. And on a side note, what the hell is up with all these folks shooting eachother there? Damn...get it together. Anyway, I think the most overwhelming thing is personal time and reconnecting with people. I have spent the past two years for the most part living in my own little bubble. I mean from 6pm-6am it was all personal time. At first it was hard to have so much me time but then I realized that I do enjoy being with myself from time to time. Coming back and living with my mom was difficult just because I'm not use to sharing my space with anyone. I'm not use to having someone around a majority of the time. Sometimes I just need to be in my own mind and i'm starting to see that its quite difficult doing that here without neglecting folks. Reconnecting has been interesting. For the most part I have been able to pick up with my friends where we left off, but its hard to not want to talk about Malawi all the time(I'm sure y'all are bored by now) and its even harder to understand some of the problems that seem pretty trivial to me after my experience. I'm not going to go too much into my perspective on immigration, financial crisis, people or the government, just know my thoughts around these topics have been shifted due to my experience in Malawi and for me to hear some of the things going on here after some of the things I saw there, makes it hard for me to relate.
Not a day goes by that something doesn't remind me of Malawi. I miss it dearly and some days I wonder if I made the right decision by coming home early. I know I would have to come home at some point but...life in Malawi was just easier and I miss that. I miss my community, my house, my friends, the lake, the goats, all the adventures on the minibus or other public transport, hitching(yes, I hitchhiked and there have been several moments while waiting for a bus here that I've been tempted to stick my hand out and try it here...except folks are crazy!) , I miss the friendliness of people, the Peace Corps staff, the nsima, the children, my girls, I miss everything...
Making moves...
I landed in DC on Friday August 6th. It was hot, it was weird being on an airplane again. After a 24 hour flight from Malawi to Chicago, I wasn't really looking forward to being on a plane again. But you have to do what you have to do, I guess. I spent my first nights hanging out with friends, including D'Lynn, a volunteer and friend who served with me in Malawi. It was nice being around someone who could relate to what I am going through. I've been making my way around the city and getting adjusted. I'm getting use to the metro and how the city is split up in quadrants. I'm getting use to the fact that you have to pay 5 cents for a bag in stores(I know...i'm still tripping but I guess its all a part of being green. It does remind me of Malawi though..) People here are friendlier than folks in Chicago, there's a lot to keep me busy. Its compact but not too compact where folks are on top of eachother. Its diverse and I love meeting people from all over the world. Besides galavanting around the city, i've been trying to find work. I have my breath held for one position. AGE(Advancing Girls Education) in Africa a non-profit organization that focuses on girls education in Malawi is looking for an executive director. If you know me, then you know this is right up my alley and my dream job. I'm a bit worried that they're concerned with how the position will interfere with my graduate studies, but i'm going part-time and when I have something to get done and i'm passionate about it i'll get it done. I've been thinking about what I could do for this organization to bring it to the next level, If I could get paid for my thoughts then I would be making bank right about now. I'm excited to be in the running for this position just because I want it soo much.If for some reason I don't get the position, well, i'll have a heart attack..naw, just kidding. If I don't get it, I know this wasn't the right time in my life for this position, but will give me something to strive for since I have more of an idea of what is expected for this type of position. Either way i'm going to keep hope alive, but it keep it moving too. I've applied to all types of jobs even for an organic gelato shop, so i'm hoping something comes through soon seeing as my funds are disappearing.
Ok. I believe this is enough for now, feel free to post questions or comments!
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