I was going to update my blog and write about NYC and London but now those seem to pale in comparison to Uganda. I will save my NY and London stories for when I return.
It is currently 9:30 pm Monday. The last time I woke up was 10:00 am Friday. I am so tired I am shaking. I also haven’t showered or changed my clothes since Friday either. I know that I will shower tomorrow night but I won’t be able to change my clothes since the last time I saw my luggage was at JFK airport on Friday. I don’t really care though. I am so dirty along with my companions that we seemed to have all accepted our funk. I’m assuming that my luggage will eventually make it ☺
On the final leg of the trip I had the pleasure of sitting next to an amazing Ugandan man. He told me stories from the “conflict” years and described how when schools were destroyed the children would congregate into any open space to continue their education. It is such a stark contrast to the motivation of American students.
As our flight descended the view was like nothing I have ever seen, large expansive green fields, a massive lake, and a clear sky. It was so breathtaking.
Today we spent the day getting acclimated with our new surroundings and finalizing last minute things. We went to the Embassy to discuss the role of foreign aid (very enlightening conversation but I am to beat to explore it here today) followed by a school tour. We topped our evening off with dinner in the city.
I have only been in Uganda for 10 hours but I already know that there is something very special about this land and the people that inhabit it.
The few things that I have already learned about Ugandans
1. They are very soft spoken but also great story tellers
2. They are physically beautiful
3. They are an intimate group- it is not uncommon the see boys holding hands
Sleep now...more later
Sorry for the bare bones blog and lack of spelling/editing but I NEED to sleep.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
On a side note…
For most, the current year is still in full swing, only nearing its halfway point but for educators their year is coming to a rapid close. When I speak in years I think of 08-09, 09-10, September to June with July and August neither belonging with the year before or the year approaching. The academic calendar is my calendar.
The end of every year always evokes a range of emotions and this year has been no different. This year I looped with my students; I followed them from 9th grade to 10th grade. Looping transformed the classroom dynamics, I abandoned any need to feel authoritative and embraced my role as that of facilitator, guide, and model. I established profound deep bonds with many students and found that teaching from a place of love, respect, and empathy could accomplish miracles. I close this year saddened and optimistic. Saddened to no longer have the honor and privilege to spend my days with an amazing group of teens yet optimistic that many of those teens will grow up to become amazing adults.
I am also saddened by the departure of my colleague turned friend, Jill Brownlee. Jill, after committing well over a decade of her life to education decided to take a leap of faith and walk away from all stability to purse a career in film and production. Jill is an amazing person with unsurpassed drive and motivation. I do not doubt that Jill Brownlee will become a household name for creating phenomenal films.
Over the course of our work relationship and friendship Jill challenged my beliefs and pushed me do the “tough hard” thinking and for that I am a better educator and person. Whether we were discussing student work or personal issues, Jill was always able to guide my thinking and help me see what I wasn’t able to independently. I hope that in the future I will have an opportunity to work with her again.
Besides the last few emotional days, my year has been one of triumph and success. I was so concerned with turning thirty having accomplished nothing that at the start of the year (September) I committed to crossing off a large chuck of items from my “do before I die” list. This year I have:
1) Paid off all credit card debt (October, 2008)
2) Skydive (November, 2008)
3) Get Healthy (January- work in progress)
4) Quit some really nasty habits (February, 2009)
5) Obtain a Masters (May, 2009)
6) Go on an adult vacation alone (June 24th, 2009- NYC)
7) Do something important and meaningful (Summer 2009- Africa)
8) Bungee Jump (August, 2009 over the Nile River)
Since I tackled so many things this year, thirty was a lot less scary! I am really optimistic for next year (09-10) and believe that I will return from Africa will a new perspective on life and a new set of goals for myself both personal and professional.
I leave for my adventure and experience in one week. I will try to update and post pictures as much as possible.
Thank you again for all the support and encouragement.
The end of every year always evokes a range of emotions and this year has been no different. This year I looped with my students; I followed them from 9th grade to 10th grade. Looping transformed the classroom dynamics, I abandoned any need to feel authoritative and embraced my role as that of facilitator, guide, and model. I established profound deep bonds with many students and found that teaching from a place of love, respect, and empathy could accomplish miracles. I close this year saddened and optimistic. Saddened to no longer have the honor and privilege to spend my days with an amazing group of teens yet optimistic that many of those teens will grow up to become amazing adults.
I am also saddened by the departure of my colleague turned friend, Jill Brownlee. Jill, after committing well over a decade of her life to education decided to take a leap of faith and walk away from all stability to purse a career in film and production. Jill is an amazing person with unsurpassed drive and motivation. I do not doubt that Jill Brownlee will become a household name for creating phenomenal films.
Over the course of our work relationship and friendship Jill challenged my beliefs and pushed me do the “tough hard” thinking and for that I am a better educator and person. Whether we were discussing student work or personal issues, Jill was always able to guide my thinking and help me see what I wasn’t able to independently. I hope that in the future I will have an opportunity to work with her again.
Besides the last few emotional days, my year has been one of triumph and success. I was so concerned with turning thirty having accomplished nothing that at the start of the year (September) I committed to crossing off a large chuck of items from my “do before I die” list. This year I have:
1) Paid off all credit card debt (October, 2008)
2) Skydive (November, 2008)
3) Get Healthy (January- work in progress)
4) Quit some really nasty habits (February, 2009)
5) Obtain a Masters (May, 2009)
6) Go on an adult vacation alone (June 24th, 2009- NYC)
7) Do something important and meaningful (Summer 2009- Africa)
8) Bungee Jump (August, 2009 over the Nile River)
Since I tackled so many things this year, thirty was a lot less scary! I am really optimistic for next year (09-10) and believe that I will return from Africa will a new perspective on life and a new set of goals for myself both personal and professional.
I leave for my adventure and experience in one week. I will try to update and post pictures as much as possible.
Thank you again for all the support and encouragement.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
On April 25th Invisible Children organized a 100-city, 10-country rally called the RESCUE, to demand attention for the plight of children abducted and forced to fight as soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
The RESCUE event was meant to simulate what life was like for the child soldiers abducted by Joseph Kony. Participants gathered at an “abduction” site where they marched together in groups of thirty to a LRA camp where they were held “hostage.” While held hostage at the LRA camp participants wrote letters to political leaders in an effort to petition our government to make this unseen war a visible priority. Participants also committed to remaining at the LRA camp until they were “saved.” In order to be saved a political figure or celebrity needed to come out and commit to using their influence to aid in freeing the remaining child soldiers.
Yesterday, at the San Diego RESCUE I acted as a volunteer event coordinator. It was a very exciting and exhausting day. The coordinators arrived hours before the participants to set-up camp and ensure the day ran as smooth as possible. I was on the abduction site team, which required that I sign in participants and guide them to the campsite.
Once all the “hostages” were taken to the LRA camp the participants began settling in for the night, waiting to be saved. Around 9:00 our very own Charger, Vincent Jackson, saved San Diego.
San Diego is a large city and we knew ahead of time that we would be saved but smaller cities throughout the United States are still currently waiting. In order to support the smaller cities, saved cities took busses of participants across the country to increase the number of participants. The concept stems from the freedom riders of the 1960s.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
10-week countdown...
Shots, final payment, confirming itinerary, and meting colleagues
Today I received my vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio, and meningitis. Shots have never really bothered me but they were expensive!!!!! I hadn't considered that my health insurance wouldn't cover the expense. But now I am pretty much invincible, I'm just like super woman minus the leotard and big hair.
I submit my final payment to Invisible Children on May 1st making my volunteer trip confirmed and official. I would like to thank everyone who helped offset the cost by making a donation to support my venture. If you wanted to make a donation but are a super procrastinator (like myself) you still can but please do so by April 30th. For more information regarding how to donate see previous posting below. Also read my posting from January 27th to find out what wonderful *things* you will be rewarded with for your donations.
For the most part, my itinerary has been confirmed. I arrive in New York June 24th and will be spending a few days exploring the city before heading to Uganda. I think that I am more afraid of navigating New York alone than going to Uganda. I leave JFK Saturday, June 27th at 10:30 PM and arrive in Uganda sometime on Monday. I leave Uganda August 10th and arrive back in JFK late in the evening on the same day. I am still fascinated with international travel and time change (I am easily amused). I still have no clue to how/when I will get back to San Diego. I'm hoping that I can get on a flight that night but I am afraid that I might have to wait until Tuesday morning.
While in Uganda Invisible Children has arranged for a couple mini weekend excursions, I will go on a rhino trip and weekend safari in July. At the end of the trip the entire Invisible Children group will raft down the Nile River. At first I was very excited about rafting but I learned that there are crocodiles in the river! I'm not afraid of much but I have never liked the idea of being submerged in creature filled water- I don't even like to go into the San Diego Bay because of sharks!
I also recently received an email packet with short biographies and photos of the other participants. There are fourteen participants in my group, eleven women and three men. One woman is even from San Diego. Many of the volunteers are returning for their second summer. The returning participants have been an invaluable resource answering all my asinine questions.
Between now and June 24th all I have left to do is figure out how I, an obscene over packer, can take all my massive amounts of "necessities" AKA crap :)
Today I received my vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio, and meningitis. Shots have never really bothered me but they were expensive!!!!! I hadn't considered that my health insurance wouldn't cover the expense. But now I am pretty much invincible, I'm just like super woman minus the leotard and big hair.
I submit my final payment to Invisible Children on May 1st making my volunteer trip confirmed and official. I would like to thank everyone who helped offset the cost by making a donation to support my venture. If you wanted to make a donation but are a super procrastinator (like myself) you still can but please do so by April 30th. For more information regarding how to donate see previous posting below. Also read my posting from January 27th to find out what wonderful *things* you will be rewarded with for your donations.
For the most part, my itinerary has been confirmed. I arrive in New York June 24th and will be spending a few days exploring the city before heading to Uganda. I think that I am more afraid of navigating New York alone than going to Uganda. I leave JFK Saturday, June 27th at 10:30 PM and arrive in Uganda sometime on Monday. I leave Uganda August 10th and arrive back in JFK late in the evening on the same day. I am still fascinated with international travel and time change (I am easily amused). I still have no clue to how/when I will get back to San Diego. I'm hoping that I can get on a flight that night but I am afraid that I might have to wait until Tuesday morning.
While in Uganda Invisible Children has arranged for a couple mini weekend excursions, I will go on a rhino trip and weekend safari in July. At the end of the trip the entire Invisible Children group will raft down the Nile River. At first I was very excited about rafting but I learned that there are crocodiles in the river! I'm not afraid of much but I have never liked the idea of being submerged in creature filled water- I don't even like to go into the San Diego Bay because of sharks!
I also recently received an email packet with short biographies and photos of the other participants. There are fourteen participants in my group, eleven women and three men. One woman is even from San Diego. Many of the volunteers are returning for their second summer. The returning participants have been an invaluable resource answering all my asinine questions.
Between now and June 24th all I have left to do is figure out how I, an obscene over packer, can take all my massive amounts of "necessities" AKA crap :)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
12 Weeks...
Over the past few months the plans for my trip have started to come together.
On March 1st I signed my life away (submitting all the official paperwork) and made my first payment toward the total fee. I will make another payment on April 1st and my final payment on May 1st.
I have also been supplementing my usual fiction reading with meatier texts. Invisible Children provided the volunteers with a recommended reading list to ensure that when we come together in the summer everyone has a foundational knowledge of the issues surrounding developing countries. I am halfway through reading, Confessions of an Economic Hit man, a very interesting read about the corrupt ways in which the United States has intentionally destroyed the economies of developing countries. When I finish, I will crack open The Pedagogy of the Oppressed; Pedagogy focuses on issues surrounding education.
Other than reading, I have been slowly starting to buy/collect items from the "what to bring" and "what to wear" lists. I was informed that I should bring massive amounts of Wet Ones; I am guessing that showers are few and far between. My hippie phase from high school will finally pay off- I had lots of practice not showering or washing my hair.
The clothing requirements have been causing me far more mental anguish then I think it should. It is not culturally acceptable for anyone to expose skin above the knee so I have been on an endless search for longish (just past the knee) skirts. I have had little success, finding only micro-mini and ankle length hideous skirts!!
Other than hitting my friends and family up for money, reading, and shopping I am just counting down the days.
Thanks again for all your support!
On March 1st I signed my life away (submitting all the official paperwork) and made my first payment toward the total fee. I will make another payment on April 1st and my final payment on May 1st.
I have also been supplementing my usual fiction reading with meatier texts. Invisible Children provided the volunteers with a recommended reading list to ensure that when we come together in the summer everyone has a foundational knowledge of the issues surrounding developing countries. I am halfway through reading, Confessions of an Economic Hit man, a very interesting read about the corrupt ways in which the United States has intentionally destroyed the economies of developing countries. When I finish, I will crack open The Pedagogy of the Oppressed; Pedagogy focuses on issues surrounding education.
Other than reading, I have been slowly starting to buy/collect items from the "what to bring" and "what to wear" lists. I was informed that I should bring massive amounts of Wet Ones; I am guessing that showers are few and far between. My hippie phase from high school will finally pay off- I had lots of practice not showering or washing my hair.
The clothing requirements have been causing me far more mental anguish then I think it should. It is not culturally acceptable for anyone to expose skin above the knee so I have been on an endless search for longish (just past the knee) skirts. I have had little success, finding only micro-mini and ankle length hideous skirts!!
Other than hitting my friends and family up for money, reading, and shopping I am just counting down the days.
Thanks again for all your support!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Blogtastic!
I have officially become blogtastic (aka- an expert blogger) by adding an option to my blog that allows you to subscribe through email. Why would you care? Well, now you have the option to have an email sent to you every time I update my blog. I know each and every one of you can't wait to read my updates (did you catch the sarcasm?) and now you won't need to constantly check my blog. In all seriousness I am really excited to participate in something so exciting and genuinely want to share the experience with my wonderful friends and family. The subscribe by email option is located at the bottom of the blog page.
With love,
Michelle
With love,
Michelle
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