Kony 2012 and Why I Want to Stay in Haiti

In the beginning, my dream was to go to Africa. I mean, doesn't everybody at some point or another have a vision of themselves in the Motherland doing something, whether it be missions work, humanitarian aid, or even just a safari? My initial interest was sparked after seeing the animated film, Hugo the Hippo. It turned me on to Zimbabwe and the political strife of the region. Later, as I started seriously thinking of what type of work I would do in Africa, I realized I wanted to work with children. I looked into several options. For a few years now I've been looking into positions with assorted NGOs and charities in Zimbabwe such as the Zimbabwe Project, a Canadian orphan care organization. But as I do not have a Master's degree in the areas they require, I had been unable to catch a break. I guess true experience and expertise in a field doesn't mean squat when you have shareholders to answer to. 

31 Hours and counting...

So, I am now counting down the hours til my first departure for Haiti. I am leaving Saturday morning and coming back Monday night. I can't wait!!!

I picked up a book in Lansing at a cute little shop that explains everything you ever wanted to know about Michigan. I plan to bring it with me to demonstrate to the children where I come from.

I picked up my passport Wednesday. I'm all set to go.

Wednesday evening I had a meeting with Mendle and Herbert from the foundation. They gave me a pretty good work over. Fingers crossed they decided favorably on my future.

I've got my stuff ready, just gotta get my FAA approved containers filled to take in my carry on.

In 48 hours I will laying down to sleep for my first night in Haiti.

Stay Tuned...

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

It seems like it has been ages since I've had an opportunity to write for fun. I have finally finished school - finished with a 4.0 and most distinguished graduate honors - even got to give the commencement speech. It was an exciting night. My grandma was there along with my children and closest friends. I was interviewed for the local paper, too! My 15 minutes of fame were the highlight of my college career!

Now on to the next adventure - I'm working on going to Haiti for a year. I had lunch with a local icon who is exec director of a charity organization that runs an orphanage in Haiti. I am flying down next weekend to check it out and if all goes well I will be moving there next month.

It is going to be a crazy month between now and then. My son moved home last week and I will be busy packing away my belongings and transferring over many of accounts to keep things going back here while I'm gone. I plan to set up a program so friends and family can donate money or supplies for the orphanage so that the compensation I ask for will be covered so stay tuned for information.

I am so excited!

A Few of My Favorite Rants

I'm tired of Comcast boasting record breaking speeds, yet my streaming video gets disrupted a bazillion times.

I'm tired of my kid telling me he didn't mess anything up, yet after he stayed at my townhouse for a sum total of 14 hours my wireless router no longer recognizes my Internet connection.

I'm tired of my laptop screen going black for no reason.

I'm tired of people who feel the need to espouse useless information that isn't even accurate, when nobody asked them in the first place.

I'm tired of everyone having an opinion on everything! Sometimes people say stuff just because they want to get it off their chest. Or maybe they are hoping to find a sympathetic ear. They sure as hell didn't offer up their gripe so you can consistently tell them why they are an ASSHOLE!

So, three glasses of wine have apparently had no effect on my temperament tonight and I have to be up early in the morning.

Goodnight cruel world. You get this one. Let's see who emerges victorious tomorrow!

The Boss of Me

So, one of the "perks" of my job is that I spend a lot of time networking at events that usually include some of the heavy hitters in our local communities. Particularly, of late, we have had a lot of engagements and office visits with the local sheriff, who is currently running for the first ever County Executive office in our county. He is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable faces in the area. Regardless of what you think about his policies or his platform, you cannot argue that this man exudes public office.

I've listened to many political and public figures go on about how they were ordained to do what they were doing, even as they were being prosecuted for some awful betrayal of their position, and always I've thought to myself, "How in the world could they have believed that?" But just a few encounters with this sheriff and you know, he was meant to sit behind a mahogany desk and pen his name to policy.

And it doesn't hurt that he's a very good looking man, either. He's got a pearly white smile and a metro feel about him. He's always very well put together. His personality is the frosting that keeps you coming back for more. He seems genuinely concerned and considerate of those he meets. If he is at n event and "the people" want pictures of him, he never tires of it. He smiles, and puts his arm around the squirming, squealing girl, the star-struck woman, the admiring man, no one seems to be out of the demographic that he attracts.

So, tonight, I am tooting around the local festival taking my friend's girls on some rides when we encounter the rock-star himself. He winks at me and inquires as to how I am and reaches his arms around to give me a proper hug, not one of those wimpy photo-opp ones, and squeezes me and plants one on my cheek and turns to the girls and engages them in conversation. I introduce him and tell the girls what and who he is. They seem a little awestruck. (I totally get that!) And eventually he gives me a parting hug, and off we go.

Later, as we are standing in line for a ride, one of the girls turns to me and asks me if I knew him? I asked her if she thought he seemed like the kind of guy that just goes around hugging random people? She turns to me with the most honestly naive face and says, "Well isn't he the Boss of all of You?"

"All of Who?" I inquired.

"All of You grown-ups!" she exclaimed.

I smiled and nodded and assured her that yes, yes he was in fact the Boss of Me!


My lol moment for the day

New Year, New Decade, New Outlook

So 2010 is looking an awful lot like 2009. And let's all agree that 2009 was just awful!

So what can be done about it?

I wake up every day and think to myself...self, this is the day we are going to be wowed by humanity and our faith will be restored! And sadly, every night I put my head on the pillow and pray, "Please God, let me say good bye to today and may tomorrow be better."

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't experience blessings every day. Some small, some subtle, some may go unnoticed and for that I am truly sorry.

But really, folks...How much yuck is one person supposed to take?

Well, at least now I am back in school. That should keep me busy enough to keep my mind off of the rest of the yuck.

Soon I will be moving out of my home...and I still haven't decided what to do about that. I have options, which is a blessing many folks don't have. And I am very appreciative of that, even if I don't always express that.

I suppose I need to get around to finishing up the packing. I've been cracking at it a little at a time. I suppose the procrastination is my way of avoiding the inevitable. I know it won't work, but hey, I'm human.

Well, it's late and I have an early morning meeting.

I leave with this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, please look after my children. Guide their actions and decisions along a path that will find them safe and protect them with Your Holy Spirit. Give them the strength to face the challenges of each new day. Help them to see Your ways. Protect my friends and family and co-workers. Give peace to those who are troubled. Heal those that are sick. And may we all delight in your will and walk in your ways. Amen