June 2011
1 post
Light in the Dark
You know, sometimes it’s funny. I named this blog “Winds of Change”, yet I had no idea how much change they would actually be describing. For that matter, I didn’t even fully understand the type of change that I would experience—would it be something that I changed about the community I’m serving in or something more introspective or personal? Looking back over the last year (plus a little more),...
October 2010
2 posts
It Starts ...Again
This has without a doubt been one of the strangest parts of my entire life. At the end of July, I went to a training for Peace Corps, what we refer to as Reconnect, for two and a half weeks in Windhoek. I was reunited with my Peace Corps group, and despite the sometimes gruelingly long sessions, truly enjoyed being there. It was here that I realized just how important surrounding myself with...
July 2010
2 posts
Workaholic vs. Burnout
Life has been busy for me ever since I got here, which naturally, I really enjoy. There have been plenty of 12 plus hour work days, and many, many times that work comes home with me. However, I have also discovered that there is a fine line between being a workaholic and a professional burnout. Working hard for long hours is honestly what I like to do; however, without a life outside of work this...
Self Discovery
It’s official. I have figured out one of my absolute greatest needs. It is completely necessary for me to be on the move, yet have a place to come back to. All that this means to me is that I am a perfect mix of my parents. My mom is very much of a community person, who requires a place to call home, and friends which are a 100 percent support network. However, my dad is much different. He...
May 2010
8 posts
The New Normal
I have been at my site, which is in Gobabis, for three weeks now. Everyone warned me that I would be excruciatingly bored for at least the first little while, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have worked 10-12 hour days almost every day, and still have plenty to do by the time that I get home.
As a workaholic, I hit the jackpot. My would-be counterpart got a promotion, and...
March 2010
1 post
Overdue
I can’t believe that it’s already been a month. Emotionally, I feel like I have been dragged in every concievable direction, as if there was a roller coaster on a roller coaster. In this way, I felt partially prepared, but how can one be ready for culture shock on repeat? I have two host families in two very different parts of Namibia. In Okahanja, where I have been doing my training,...
February 2010
1 post
Talking Sheep
It’s down to hours. Honestly, writing is probably not the smartest choice at the moment because I have to leave for the airport in a very few hours, but whatever. I’m here, well for now at least.
My life at the moment is centered around one vital life source. My complete and utter hate of packing. Of course, I must say that this has not been such a simple task as packing the bags and...
January 2010
3 posts
Sneaky Style
In just over a week, as in on February 7, I’m leaving Houston. I’m driving back up to Seattle with my mom, and then will proceed to try and fit my life into two pieces of luggage that way 80 pounds together. Oh wait. I forgot to include the extra 14 pounds I get in a single carry-on. Basically this means that I have to pack, unpack, then pack again. On February 16 at 9:00am I leave...
Zero to Sixty
This will be my blog about my own personal journey, starting with my Peace Corps volunteer experience in Namibia. So I guess I should say something on the order of: “Welcome” or “Thanks for joining me”, but really, if you’re reading, you’re here because you want to be, thus invalidating the whole point of a cheesy phrase.
Anyway, it’s hard to believe that...