The storm is passing over

Well, I hope that if you talked to me sometime this week you did it today. If not, I apologize, because I was probably frazzled and uptight and generally not fun. This week has been a 60 hour work week, which I will not do again for a long time. On the upside, I have started my new, full-time job at BSC, and I love it. I am working in Church Relations doing recruitment (basically an admissions counselor for Methodist students) and enjoying being back on campus, though the faculty/staff sticker on my car stresses me out even more than the alumni sticker, if you can imagine that. If you are around campus, come by and see me! I love to have visitors, and my office is adorable, if I do say so myself. Of course, there are Africa remembrances all over it. Also, if you're a Chi Omega, there are a few owls living there now that are looking for a new home...

So, to add stress to my week, I worked on finishing my application, which I have now done, minus the R300 money order, which will come in on Monday. I was not aware that you couldn't get an international money order from just any bank, but to avoid that problem yourself, go to your own bank. Unfortunately for me, that means a trip to TN...fortunately for me, I was going home anyway. More about that later. So, I have sent the paperwork to Ryan through his aunt, and the actual application will go to Katy on Thursday. Who knew that EBSCO interdepartmental mail could be so helpful?! Then, Katy will take it to Wits, and it will all be done from this end...then the waiting begins.

Now that my week from hell is almost over, I am looking forward to going home to see a friend of mine in concert. My friend Chris Young, from Governor's School in 11th grade, just won the Nashville Star competition, which is basically American Idol gone country. He is playing a show at MTSU, and since I have an in there, I am going with my whole family. We're all really proud of Chris. He is a really good guy and has so much talent. If you are interested in seeing more about him, please visit his website, www.chrisyoungcountry.com. His newest release, "Drinking Me Lonely," is about the most beautiful thing I have heard in a long time, and he wrote it himself. They grow up so fast!

I should take this moment to saying thanks to my friends for helping me to get through this stressful bit of time. Whether calling to check on me or sending a special blue jar opener, I really appreciate it. You can have no idea how much I needed a pick-me-up. Thanks! Now that I have more time, look for Nelson wisdom soon to come. Oh, and the auction will be in November, so start saving your money for Lisa's tea with Nelson!

When words don't suffice.

I was thinking about my journey a little more today and thought that I'd post some of my favorite pictures from my January trip to Africa (Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe). Enjoy!

This picture is of myself with (from left) Maia, Anina, and Samuel watching the boys in our group and older orphans playing basketball in the yard. Our group worked at the Cambine Methodist Church-sponsored orphanage in Cambine, Mozambique doing laundry, helping with the children, and mostly playing.

The Application Process

Since the wireless is finally up and running in my apartment, I can now update you on what has been going on with my Rotary planning, though there is not a lot to tell. I have received an application to the Postgraduate School of Humanities in which I intend to pursue a Master's in Education, Democratic Citizenship, and Human Rights. This program will deal with racial inclusion in the classroom as well as socializing children in a democratic society using the classroom. In other words, as my friend Kate says, my name is "in the fine print of that degree." It's actually exactly what I would have planned for myself had I just been taking random courses at Wits. You can check out more information on the degree itself at this address http://www.wits.ac.za/education/medcourses.html (click on the Education, Democratic Citizenship, and Human Rights link). Now, I just have to apply and be accepted to the program.

Many of you have asked what this degree would present me with professionally. Almost any degree that I would receive at Wits in my field (education policy) would be invalid in the United States; however, it will be of great use to me to have taken courses at Wits when applying for graduate school in policy. While I will leave Wits with a Masters, it is the experience and not the degree that will be of use to me in the long run.

So, the last week has been filled with stressing about how to get the application, how many copies I should send through unreliable international mail, and when it should be sent. That is, until Ryan told me that his aunt was coming to visit at the end of August and would be willing to hand-deliver my application to Ryan who would then hand-deliver it to the Faculty of Humanities. This kid is a godsend. Thank goodness for good Rotary contacts! This development has left me with a much lower degree of stress while I'm preparing the application.

Now, I am beginning to find gifts from Birmingham to give at Rotary speeches as well as flags from the Birmingham East Rotary Club. The countdown is still about 6 months, but I am more and more excited as the days wear on. I am both excited and terrified, emotions which prove to be a great combination, actually.

For some interesting current information on South African study-abroad, please visit my friend Johnny's blog, which describes his current studies in Cape Town. Johnny is also a Birmingham-Southern student, though he has not yet graduated, and his recent pictures show Robben Island (where Mandela was imprisoned), the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Town itself. It's a great site, and I have added it to links on the right side of this page.

More updates to come and Nelson's wisdom to impart (once I get some more reading done!). Peace to you all!

New place

Well, many of you have asked about my new digs, so here is the scoop. I have just moved into a basement apartment in a friend's parents' house, and it is absolutely wonderful. I have begun to cook for myself--which is pretty fun--but the highlight of it all has been going grocery shopping. The Publix down the street is just so nice, and everyone who works there speaks to you, even if just in passing. And to top it all off, I know people who shop at my grocery store! For a girl who is longing for a sense of community in a new place, this was a great treat. And today I even bought some hydroponic lettuce. Too much fun!

I am not making a terrible amount of progress on Rotary stuff, so next week that begins in full swing. Carl has been here visiting this week, and we have had a blast. It's always good to have a little brother around.

I promise to impart some more of Nelson's wisdom soon. In the meantime, call me and come by to see the new place!