Finding Life

I am in the interesting process of creating a life away from home. I am taking note of the things that I find I need that I didn't realize were so important to me and the things I am quite happy to do without. It's quite an amazing discovery, really. 

I am finding life in the most unlikely places and in the process, finding new parts of myself. 

This week in particular has been full of life. I spent an evening with a woman and her two beautiful little girls, assylum seekers who were so kind to share a meal with me. I spent an afternoon wandering through a peace craft fair with some dear friends. There were grandmas and young children and the room was full of the joy of community. My friend and I are organizing a departmental "Culture Cabaret", which has the whole department bustling with excitement, songs, and rehearsals for the big event. Thus far the line-up includes a Japanese tea ceremony, a Gypsy dance, some Irish folk songs, a belly dance, a Guatemalan folk song, and a Bollywood dance. I can't wait for the big night! Today I had the privilege of helping a special needs school practice for their Christmas musical, reminding me of the precious faces I work with at home. 

The process of finding life sometimes feels like I am on a treasure hunt but most often like I am a wandering traveler, stumbling upon a beautiful paradise. I didn't know I was looking for it but I sure am glad I'm here. I am aware that this is the joy and the mystery of God's Kingdom among us. 

Gender Day

My University recently hosted a Gender Day, compulsory for all students in the Peace Studies department. This was a full day affair. For 7 hours, they had our attention, and we were ready to discuss the gender based violence committed during conflict and during times of peace. We were ready to grapple with the heart wrenching statistics that state that 2 million or more girls are genitally mutilated each year and an estimated 4 million women are forced or sold into prostitution each year. 

I was disheartened when our first hour long session of the day focused on deconstructing gender roles and discussing such trivial topics as why do women "paint their nails" and "worry about the size of their butt". As a feminist, I am disturbed when our sober and real fight for women's equality and protection against gross violations of human rights is not taken seriously because we waste our breath on the wrong things. 

I don't know if my view is "politically correct". It probably is not. I should probably focus my attention on "deconstructing gender" and fighting "gender regimes". But I cannot spend my time doing this in good conscience, not while my sisters are victims of rape, domestic violence,trafficking, and forced marriage. 

So, I will keep wearing my lipstick and skirts and not waste my breath unless it is to stand up for the women around the world, my sisters, who have no voice. 

To Lady London

Perhaps one of the best things about working for a few year before going back to school is that one can appreciate the sheer beauty of the student life. Yes, there are essays to be written and hours upon hours of reading to be done, but who else has 4 day weekends every week? As my dad likes to remind me- this is not the "real life". I do know that and appreciate it for what it is. Going to school in Europe is especially beautiful because the free time means that taking trips to London, Dublin, Scotland etc... are as easy as a bus ticket away. 

This past week, I took one of these opportunities and headed south for a few days stay in London. Now London and I have had a precarious past. She made me stay a night with her a few years ago on a trip back from Uganda. At that time, I was used to the sunny skies and laid back style of Uganda. While London is neither particularly sunny nor laid back, I didn't come away with much love for London. I decided to give her another chance to woe me, and she did. 

Knowing that I am a California girl, she gave me nothing but sunny skies the entire time I was there, with the exception of the one night when she sprinkled just the perfect amount of snow. She charmed around every corner. From Picadilly to Notting Hill, girls in boots and fur caps and handsome men in long coats and scarves, history and stories and flower stands at each turn- London put her best foot forward and won my heart. 

In closing, I recommend you give Lady London a chance. She especially seems to sparkle on a crisp fall day. Who knows, maybe you just have to catch her when you are ready.... perhaps when you are a student in some foreign place, when the best thing you have going for you is a four day weekend, and when you can take the time to hear her stories. 

The Sun is Shining in Bradford

Three weeks ago I said goodbye to the people I love with the pupose of moving to an obscure place called Bradford, England to study Peace Studies. As I have been with all huge life changes, I was a bit of a mess. Thank God the transition has been made and I have, slowly but surely, begun to establish a little life for myself here in Bradford.What makes this transition so very easy are the people who grace this place... my lovely Canadian room mate who drinks coffee like its her religion and brings warmth and friendship to our little flat, my Rotarian "family" who spoil me with their affection and insist that I treat them just as I would my family at home, my charming British friend who has worked in Kosovo and Northern Ireland as a drama therapist and constantly reminds me that there is a place for us crazy art therapists in the world of Conflict Resolution, and the list goes on... Our program has a little over 100 students coming from 42 different countries. It is mysterious and beautiful to see the friendships evolving, perspectives changing, and life being shared between all these different individuals as we come together, share our views, and listen a lot. From where I sit, I can see outside my flat window. The sky can't seem to make up its mind and the rain is streaming down with sunshine peaking through the clouds. It reminds me that life is a mixture of rain and sun. This year America will spend more money on its military than the top 45 spending countries in the world combined. But there is some sun shining here in Bradford as professors and students from all places, backgrounds, and religions have come together to talk about a different way.