Peace by Piece

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 w...

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 t...

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...