Peace by Piece

Remember those prompts that you had to write about in elementary school?  It went something like this: "Who do you look up to?".  Just so you know, this is not going to be an all out love fest for my well loved parents.  While I still request their advice weekly and look up to them in so many ways, there are a plethora of opportunities for mentors in life.  I stopped to consider recently why my cup runneth over in mentorship and I imagine it is due to my avid reading of self help and self discovery books coupled with genuine curiosity and desire for personal and professional growth. What spurred these thoughts of people I look up to?  I have been working at a Homework Center with a woman that both inspires me and lifts me up.  After only 3 short months, it is time for me to move on.  Even before my time was up, I knew that I had to soak in the presence of Gaea during our time together.  When I first met Gaea, I had no idea that she would become a part of my collection of st

It's interesting having a new educational lens with which to experience life.  Once a graduate student....how long will I still act like one?  I feel like my education has just begun. Being a substitute teacher seemed like a hardship when I was jumping through the hoops to land this $12/hour job.  And if you think students can be tough on teachers just try being a sub.  I am a non-person, a place holder.  Well, the job itself isn't so bad but when I first started the process it was (and still can be) quite trying.  First off, the sub system is on an automatic dialing system.  Since I was a new sub, I was at the bottom of the pile.  I didn't get a call for the first week.  Then, when my phone starting ringing with assignments, it did so at 5:30 in the morning!  Yup, subs get calls from 6 at night until 10pm and again from 5 in the morning until 9am.  I woke up in a frantic frenzy and one time I couldn't even operate the key pad and get my sub number dialed in before th

Busy busy.  As my mother always said, "Grass will not grow under your feet".  No sooner did I land in Colorado then I had several interviews.  I arrived on a Friday and by Monday I was knocking on doors for the election.  My first job was with Working America.  It's like a union that working class people can join to increase their political strength through numbers.  They tackle issues such as workplace rights, corporate accountability, health care, quality education and retirement.  Their approach to elections is to research the issues and/or  candidates and support whomever/whatever is best for the working class.  This election Working America supported both President Obama and Congressman Ed Perlmutter on the Colorado ballot. As I said, I knocked on doors for working America.  Yup.  I showed up on Monday, met the 9 other footmen, was given a briefing on dialoguing topics and loaded up into a van to hit the streets.  We did some cheers along the way and discussed wh

My sister-in-law chatted on how fun and exciting it would be to be able to pack up and just drive across the United States over our last dinner together in Ohio.  So many of my friends and acquaintances held similar sentiments.  Over frozen yogurt with my college roommate, spaghetti with an old friend and on the RTA in Cleveland with a new friend, I tried to see my life through other's eyes.  It is full of excitement and mystery.  Jumping seamlessly from one adventure to the next.  Not getting the job at Northwestern necessitated drastic measures.  I had to move!  Why I had to move I'm just not sure.  I love my family, loved being with old friends and new friends but just didn't FEEL right in Ohio.  I so often do things based on feelings.  Intuition is another word for that.  How this new chapter ends, well we just don't know but I can take you through the prelude. Yes, I have been extremely fortunate in the adventure department and many other realms that made those

A new era spawns a new title for my blog.  I am still in the business of peace, or at least trying to break in; which actually doesn't sound very peaceful.  Today I butted up against the question of "why should someone have to look so hard, try so hard to find a place that will allow her to grow, learn, contribute and make a difference?"  For as long as I remember, I have believed that I was meant for something great in this world.  I want to inspire, to change, to love, and to make a difference.  My laptop sticker reads: "Given a cape and a fairly nice tiara, I could change the world".   The thought has dawned on me that since this sticker exists on the mass market, I must not be the only one that feels this way. We all have purpose.  Many people seem to believe this.  I believe it.  When I found out that I did not get the job that I thought was undoubtedly designed just for me and that all of the stars and planets were finally in alignment

I long ago realized that I did not post the commencement address that my friend and classmate Blessing and I gave at our graduation ceremony.  Graduation came and went and life just carried me away.  It was such an exciting time!  New friends, new degrees and new hope for our collective futures and the future of our world.  Days all melted together as we worked furiously on our theses, applied for jobs and had all too many teary-eyed goodbyes.  The blur continued for me as I was flown to Denver for an interview, finished my thesis, took a post thesis vacation, worked my summer job as a guide, came home to Ohio, interviewed in Chicago and visited my friends in Canada.  Optimism fueled by fresh ideas and hustle and bustle coursed through my veins.  Recently, it feels like it all stopped. I have considered myself fortunate to see the bright side of things and be sickeningly optimistic in the face of poor odds. I have also had my share of difficult and trying times but somehow I knew thi

This blog post was started, not quite finished and never posted!  I decided it was worth a go around and that you might enjoy it..... Well, the work has started.  Gone are the days tied to my computer, riding the bus to campus, vacationing on the beach and my daily smoothies.  Saturday I moved out of my sleepy home to my temporary home in San Jose where I am based for the upcoming Global Works adventure with 18 wily teenagers.  Oh Colon, how I have grown to love you!  It was sad leaving and I am still nostalgic.  I actually set up 2 dinners for my group in Colon so that I don't have to say goodbye for good just yet.   My new mantra has become 'I love Costa Rica'.  And I do.  It took me nearly a year to appreciate all that Costa Rica is and has to offer.  Many who come here from Guatemala and Nicaragua complain that Costa Rica lacks culture.  Well, it's culture isn't as distinct or indigenous as the aforementioned places but Costa Rica most certainly has cul

I guess maybe I haven't had the time to write this blog entry or maybe it's the desire.  Admitting that my time here is coming to an end is well, here's a list of things I've been feeling: sad, exited, terrified, ready, uncertain, lighthearted, stressed, grateful, love, happy, melancholy, adventurous, free....I really can't keep track.  The people I have had the good fortune to meet and spend a year with are definitely what makes this year worth it.  I would do it again, if I were asked.  I wouldn't give up any of them.  Now that they are in my life, I need them there.  Their contribution to my learning both in and out of the classroom was exceptional and their friendship is a treasure.  How else could we have met?  Under what other circumstances?  Beautiful, loving friends from Nigeria, Israel, Rwanda, India, USA, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, South Korea, Canada, Spain and so many more places.  It's overwhelming, really.  So is the love that I feel. Th

I've never been on stage so many times in one year as I have here at UPEACE.  And here's the crazy thing - my community keeps letting me do it!  Not only do the students and faculty let me get on stage to rant, dance and even sing; they also encourage and support me!  It's really amazing.  I wonder how this will play out in the real world.  I now enjoy coming up with acts to perform and am currently writing a skit for our graduation festival.  How will I be received at local coffee shops and poetry slams when I get the urge; out there? Yes, I said it: GRADUATION.  This Friday is our graduation ceremony.  Granted, I don't actually get a degree yet. I still have to finish my thesis; but this Friday we'll have all of the pomp and circumstance.  Myself and my friend/classmate Blessing will be representing Peace Education for our speech and after all of the formalities and brunch, students will have a chance to perform one last time in our informal graduation festival.

It came and went.  Months of preparation, sweat, tears, rolled ankles, bruises, bonding and fun that can only come from an all out team sport like soccer, and it's over so suddenly.  New friendships blossomed and old friendships grew deeper.  Smiles cast while passing by on campus communicate shared respect and pride.  It was for something. A group of UPEACE women got together in January and decided to enter the United Nations Soccer Tournament in Nicaragua this April.  We practiced every Saturday morning, played games on Monday, and held team runs on Tuesday and Thursday.  Bracelets were sold, bake sales held, and an amazing fashion show event produced all to raise funds to send us on our way.  The whole university and a good part of Ciudad Colon was behind us.  It was a busy, stressful and tiring couple of months but I loved it.  I loved it when I pried myself out of bed for practice, I loved it when I was limping, I loved it when the ladies rallied for and put on an amazing fa

Many people are confused when they hear about the University for Peace.  They may wonder, "What happens up there?"  It sounds mystical and brings to mind images of hippies and tree huggers convening in some kind of utopia.  I can assure you, we are enrolled in graduate school and as you know from me, are kept quite busy with our studies.  That being said, some of the most important learning does not take place in a classroom. We are 180 students from over 50 countries.  It sounds interesting, no?  A lot of fun, right?  Yes, it is but it is also a perfect place for misunderstandings and conflict.  We are essentially practicing peace in a microcosm of the world.  Globalization is as real as it's going to get.  Our economies are all tied together and so is how we manage our daily lives, not only because of our economic effect on others, but also our environmental impact on our global home.  In order to reduce some of the injustices of the world caused by globalization, w

Spring break.  Florida.  It's not your typical college student Florida beach spring break but it's just what I needed.  My first real foray into society since beginning my graduate school career has landed me with my family for a relaxing vacation at my parents condo.  There are many reasons why I am lucky.  While my parents generosity has made the list for quite some time, my family's patience and unconditional love are ranking high.  In discussion with my friends at school it was conferred that we might need to tone it down upon re-entry to general society but this trip quickly proved the point. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  In graduate school we are bombarded with it and then asked to examine it, go deeper and virtually live in a world of continual testing and theorizing.  At first, it was tiring at times but lately I have come to cherish Saturday morning breakfasts at the market where groups of students gather to off-handedly discuss government policies, education,

Well, telling you what my vagina would say seems a bit personal here.  If it could go on vacation, it would go to Manuel Antonio to bask on the beach and explore the jungle.  It is actually going to Florida to visit with family over Semana Santa, which it is also very excited about. I was a part of the Vagina Monologues at UPEACE.  The show is put on around the world by various groups and organizations to support VDAY, a global movement to fight violence against women.  The Monologues are a series of women's stories from around the world.  They are about suffering, liberation, freedom, sex and what it's like being a vagina.  Women interviewed were actually asked "If your vagina could talk, what would it say?" and similar questions.  The result is a show that is provocative, informative, sad and funny. Auditions were in December and the show took place last weekend, March 23 & 24.  The process was long, exhausting, fun and very worthwhile.  Indeed this has been

Why is food so important?  Why do I keep bringing it up?  Sooo many reasons.  Food is more than sustenance it is an experience.   It can help us lead healthy lives.   We celebrate with food, gather the family around food, and make it the center of social events.   We should  be conscious about our food, where it comes from and how we experience it.  Many diets claim that conscious eating and being aware of how food looks, smells, tastes and feels in your mouth will help you gain satisfaction from your eating experience and therefore eat less.  But think about it, eating takes up a great deal of our time.  We have to do it several times a day.  Why not enjoy the process? Fresh strawberries at the market. This is how I opened up my workshop on the importance of eating local last week.  I took part in the Occupy Our Food Supply movement on February 27 by presenting a workshop on campus.  I prepared a plate of local foods for each participant and walked them through a mindful ea

Friday, February 17 marked the UPEACE second open mic night.  UPEACE provides an incredibly supportive environment which makes this event truly successful.  Since promoting happiness and laughter is a part of my personal mission statement,  I decided that I would put together a stand up routine.    I was nervous and really unsure of what I would say.  As the night became closer, I was more excited than nervous because I realized that whatever happened, my community would support me.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could all go out on a limb and try something new because we lived in a safe place?  Having a supportive community allows for creativity.  When we have support, we are more likely to take risks. "Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."  Frederick Wilcox "Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is."   Jimmy Carter It was fun AND I got a lot of positive feedback.  I am definitely an amateur bu

I n Telluride, Colorado, the town I was lucky enough to have lived in for seven years, you see bumper stickers proclaiming: "Come for the winter, stay for the summer" or "Come for the winter, stay for the library".  These are fun and have some truth to them but I believe that a bigger broader statement can be made: "Come for the skiing, stay for the community".  Telluride is blessed with all kinds of wealth.  It is an incomparably beautiful mountain town where you can walk to ski lifts, waterfalls and to amazing high alpine hikes and climbs.  It combines the majestic mountains with inspirational festivals such as Mountain Film, Yoga Festival, and the Compassion Festival.  Peaceful, fun, sustainable communities are built upon music such as bluegrass, jazz and blues and then dispersed without a trace.  It is a place of many wonders but most special about Telluride is the community that not only hosts these events and is the steward of natural