Don’t want to get too caught up in the details, but sufficed to say, I’ve struggled getting situated, moving in, getting furniture, finding a productive space. Even at work I don’t always have internet access. It’s crazy how much we rely on the internet! There is only one coffee shop that is open till 6pm! (Aahahahahah! I am coffee shop queen and this alone may just drive me insane!) Aberdeen is a hole as far as any kind of culture or entertainment goes, unless you like dive bars and subway. I may exaggerate a little, but its pretty bad! Which I am trying to turn into a positive, by looking at is as way to do those things I don’t….like art, reading, cooking, studying, etc…. when I am too excited and busy doing things in town or with friends. But without the proper means, it becomes a bit frustrating. (I’m happy to say that I’ve subscribed for internet at my apartment and should be connected by Tuesday. Yay!)
Am currently tuning out a huge group of kids playing every possible instrument they can get their hands at the birthday party at the ONE coffee shop in town. My headphones are as loud as they can go! I find it funny and fitting of my Aberdeen experience.
There is no doubt this is a tremendous learning experience and opportunity for A LOT of growth. This I am counting on. Already there has been so much time and experience ripe for self reflection and for that I am grateful, despite all the fucking frustrations (of which there have been MANY!)
On a more positive note, I just got back from a statewide Americorps conference where there were some really good workshops and I made some great networking contacts☺. I also received a full scholarship to attend the EEAW (Environmental Education Association of Washington) conference in mid-November. I had an incredible time, even though very brief, in DC visiting my dear friend Jonas (from Ivory Coast, who I met in Netherlands, who is now working for the World Bank in South Africa and was in DC for training) as well as a nice meet-up with Causton, my DC love☺. I’ve also learned more about the organizational structure of how non-profits work as far as partnerships, funding, etc. as well as a whole lot about environmental education and the various curriculum topics. I’m happy to say I am well versed in teaching kids the importance of and how to conduct water quality testing. We are involved in some pretty damn cool stuff and for the most part, I like the people I work with.
Anyhow, so that is the longwinded way of saying, there is good and bad. Our expectation that this would not be easy is correct. But I am doing what I can to handle the many hiccups and keep relatively positive by looking at things as an opportunity for growth and learning.
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Mary: I don't know about the need for trials in the human psyche, and I don't believe in Nietzsche's "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
But I hope that as you become the NGO diva of national fame, you know how to treat your employees and volunteers. And that one person sitting in a wheelchair or access-cart next to the lunch line? Go up and introduce yourself! It could be me!
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