Lots of fun things planned for the assistants in Boston and DC this weekend. Plans include debauchery, in costume... look forward to many updates to come. After this weekend it's officially November and three weeks until our official departure of self and property from DC. Good things are happenin'!!
take care to not consume too many candy corns this weekend!
xxoo
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
All My Ladies
Our program in Rwanda is centered around working with women and gender based violence prevention. To be honest when I (Asst 1) picked this as my preferred program it was a bit arbitrary. I didn't see myself in any of the teacher or medical programs. I must say though, my thoughts around this decision have changed quite significantly. A lot has happened in the interim to push that change along: my best friend decided to pursue a degree in women's studies, I started paying a lot more attention to women's issues, my new roommate was a women's studies major and we have some epic convos, I participated in a discussion about the "state of women in America," a friend launched a book "You've Come a Long Way, Maybe" about women's role in the 2008 election and, of course, the date for Africa was drawing ever close.
Last night I went to a book party for the release of "You've Come a Long Way, Maybe" and it was so inspiring to see these women together - no matter their political stripe - really examining what it means to be a woman in the public eye in the 21st Century. I was lucky enough to participate in an intimate "pre-discussion" that was turned in to this amazing video. After talking to a friend, we decided that our goal for the book was to see that it could prove a Republican could be a feminist at the same time!
Don't get me wrong - I think conversation and dialogue is truly the only way to solve problems, and some of my very best friends are staunch conservatives. They make my arguments better and stronger and therefore we have an even better conversation. But, the fundamental difference I've continued to find is that many of my conservative counterparts believe that our country is an even playing field and that everyone here has an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams. Maybe they should check out my college student loan account before they believe that to their core!
However, this gives me hope, that conservatives have begun to realize that the level playing field they've imagined all these years doesn't truly exist. If it has to start with realizing that women and men don't exist on a level playing field I'm okay with that because I think it will lead them to realize that the level playing field doesn't exist anywhere. It doesn't exist in healthcare, in education access or in pursuit of happiness. Sure, we live in a democracy - an awesome one, but not the best. I do believe that a democracy is the best system in the world, but it assumes that all have a level playing field of choice. I think in America, we've turned in to the democracy that demands that you purchase choice - and that, is the truly sad fact.
Last night I went to a book party for the release of "You've Come a Long Way, Maybe" and it was so inspiring to see these women together - no matter their political stripe - really examining what it means to be a woman in the public eye in the 21st Century. I was lucky enough to participate in an intimate "pre-discussion" that was turned in to this amazing video. After talking to a friend, we decided that our goal for the book was to see that it could prove a Republican could be a feminist at the same time!
Don't get me wrong - I think conversation and dialogue is truly the only way to solve problems, and some of my very best friends are staunch conservatives. They make my arguments better and stronger and therefore we have an even better conversation. But, the fundamental difference I've continued to find is that many of my conservative counterparts believe that our country is an even playing field and that everyone here has an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams. Maybe they should check out my college student loan account before they believe that to their core!
However, this gives me hope, that conservatives have begun to realize that the level playing field they've imagined all these years doesn't truly exist. If it has to start with realizing that women and men don't exist on a level playing field I'm okay with that because I think it will lead them to realize that the level playing field doesn't exist anywhere. It doesn't exist in healthcare, in education access or in pursuit of happiness. Sure, we live in a democracy - an awesome one, but not the best. I do believe that a democracy is the best system in the world, but it assumes that all have a level playing field of choice. I think in America, we've turned in to the democracy that demands that you purchase choice - and that, is the truly sad fact.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Stand Up Beautiful Lady
This email is from charity:water. It touched me and I wanted to share. It gets to the core of why I'm (Asst 1) going to Rwanda - to make someone, anyone, feel better than they did before.
________________________________________
From my vantage point in the truck, I watch women gather up their children and move to the edge of the road to let us pass. Their feet are gnarled and calloused: a result of thousands of miles walked barefoot over rocks and mud. With babies strapped to their backs, their brightly colored skirts sway and their knees quiver and brace under the weight of water and children. Most balance pails on their heads, while some grip 80 pounds of water with sweaty palms, a bright yellow 5-gallon Jerry Can in each hand.
I'm in awe of how they manage. But of course, they have no choice. The average woman in Africa walks three miles every day for water. Often, it's water from putrid rivers or disease-infested swamps. Worldwide, women are more than twice as likely as men to collect drinking water.
Without warning, our truck suddenly swerves off the road and up over an embankment. Dried corn stalks thump against the side of the truck as we plow through a field. My knuckles are white as I try to hold on and not bounce out.
Moments later, we find ourselves in a clearing and in the middle of a huge celebration. Esther, our photographer, pokes her head out the window, smiles, and yells back at me, "Looks like our mission's been compromised!" I usually prefer to surprise communities by our arrival because it makes it easier to monitor how our water points are functioning without hundreds of people watching. But once you visit a few communities in the neighborhood, rumors of your presence spread like wildfire.
We jump out of the truck and walk into a party. The women meet us with exuberant cheering and dancing. Pure and loud joy rocks the village.
* * *
This is when I met Helen Apio. While most women hung back politely, Helen jumped toward me and screamed two inches from my face. Technically, it was singing. But the high-pitched shrieking was so loud and reverberated with such energy and emotion, I knew I had to talk with her.
She told me about the new freshwater well in her village.
"I am happy now," Helen beamed. "I have time to eat, my children can go to school. And I can even work in my garden, take a shower and then come back for more water if I want! I am bathing so well."
A few of the men chuckled to hear a woman talk about bathing. But all I noticed was Helen's glowing face, the fresh flowers in her hair, and the lovely green dress she wore for special occasions. Touching her forearm, I replied, "Well, you look great."
"Yes," she paused. Placing both hands on my shoulders and smiling, she said, "Now, I am beautiful."
That really hit me.
My job is to focus on sustainable development, health, hygiene and sanitation; to make sure charity: water's projects are working in 20 years. But nowhere on any of my surveys or evaluations was a place to write, "Today we made someone feel beautiful."
How Helen became beautiful is the real story.
Before she had clean water, she would wake up before dawn, take her only two 5-gallon Jerry Cans, and walk almost a mile and a half to the nearest water point, which happened to be at a school. Because there simply wasn't enough water for the area's population, she'd wait in line with hundreds of other women who also valued clean water. Helen's only other option was to skip the wait and collect contaminated water from a pond.
Helen spent most of her day walking and waiting. She told me each day she'd say to herself, "How should I use this water today? Should I water my garden so we can grow food? Should I wash my children's uniforms? Should I use it to cook a meal? Should we drink this water?" With two children, one husband and 10 gallons, Helen had to make choices.
I saw the shame in her eyes when she described how she would return from her long trek to find her two young children waiting for her. They were often sent home from school because their uniforms were dirty. Helen just never had enough water.
I saw now why she was so eager to scream out her joy and gratitude. She wanted me to understand that this gift from charity: water was real. With the new well in her village, her life was transformed. She now had choices. Free time. Options. Also, Helen has been chosen to be the Water Committee Treasurer, collecting nominal fees from 51 households to use for the maintenance of their well. Water Committees are often the first time women are ever elected to leadership positions in villages.
Last month, Helen was standing in line waiting for water.
This month, she's standing up for her community. And now, she is beautiful.
- Becky Straw
photos by: Esther Havens [http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/uganda.php]
________________________________________
Will the beautiful women of the world please stand up.
Driving down a bumpy road in the middle of Northern Uganda, we were kicking up dust as we headed into the rural countryside. I was traveling with teams from two other non-profit organizations to evaluate the work of our shared local partner, Joy Drilling, who was drilling wells and training communities in sanitation and hygiene. Before piling in, I made a last minute decision to jump into the truck's flatbed. The Ugandan drilling crew looked stunned that I'd do such a thing, but I didn't care. I was happy to suffer a little dust for the view.From my vantage point in the truck, I watch women gather up their children and move to the edge of the road to let us pass. Their feet are gnarled and calloused: a result of thousands of miles walked barefoot over rocks and mud. With babies strapped to their backs, their brightly colored skirts sway and their knees quiver and brace under the weight of water and children. Most balance pails on their heads, while some grip 80 pounds of water with sweaty palms, a bright yellow 5-gallon Jerry Can in each hand.
I'm in awe of how they manage. But of course, they have no choice. The average woman in Africa walks three miles every day for water. Often, it's water from putrid rivers or disease-infested swamps. Worldwide, women are more than twice as likely as men to collect drinking water.
Without warning, our truck suddenly swerves off the road and up over an embankment. Dried corn stalks thump against the side of the truck as we plow through a field. My knuckles are white as I try to hold on and not bounce out.
Moments later, we find ourselves in a clearing and in the middle of a huge celebration. Esther, our photographer, pokes her head out the window, smiles, and yells back at me, "Looks like our mission's been compromised!" I usually prefer to surprise communities by our arrival because it makes it easier to monitor how our water points are functioning without hundreds of people watching. But once you visit a few communities in the neighborhood, rumors of your presence spread like wildfire.
We jump out of the truck and walk into a party. The women meet us with exuberant cheering and dancing. Pure and loud joy rocks the village.
* * *
This is when I met Helen Apio. While most women hung back politely, Helen jumped toward me and screamed two inches from my face. Technically, it was singing. But the high-pitched shrieking was so loud and reverberated with such energy and emotion, I knew I had to talk with her.
She told me about the new freshwater well in her village.
"I am happy now," Helen beamed. "I have time to eat, my children can go to school. And I can even work in my garden, take a shower and then come back for more water if I want! I am bathing so well."
A few of the men chuckled to hear a woman talk about bathing. But all I noticed was Helen's glowing face, the fresh flowers in her hair, and the lovely green dress she wore for special occasions. Touching her forearm, I replied, "Well, you look great."
"Yes," she paused. Placing both hands on my shoulders and smiling, she said, "Now, I am beautiful."
That really hit me.
My job is to focus on sustainable development, health, hygiene and sanitation; to make sure charity: water's projects are working in 20 years. But nowhere on any of my surveys or evaluations was a place to write, "Today we made someone feel beautiful."
How Helen became beautiful is the real story.
Before she had clean water, she would wake up before dawn, take her only two 5-gallon Jerry Cans, and walk almost a mile and a half to the nearest water point, which happened to be at a school. Because there simply wasn't enough water for the area's population, she'd wait in line with hundreds of other women who also valued clean water. Helen's only other option was to skip the wait and collect contaminated water from a pond.
Helen spent most of her day walking and waiting. She told me each day she'd say to herself, "How should I use this water today? Should I water my garden so we can grow food? Should I wash my children's uniforms? Should I use it to cook a meal? Should we drink this water?" With two children, one husband and 10 gallons, Helen had to make choices.
I saw the shame in her eyes when she described how she would return from her long trek to find her two young children waiting for her. They were often sent home from school because their uniforms were dirty. Helen just never had enough water.
I saw now why she was so eager to scream out her joy and gratitude. She wanted me to understand that this gift from charity: water was real. With the new well in her village, her life was transformed. She now had choices. Free time. Options. Also, Helen has been chosen to be the Water Committee Treasurer, collecting nominal fees from 51 households to use for the maintenance of their well. Water Committees are often the first time women are ever elected to leadership positions in villages.
Last month, Helen was standing in line waiting for water.
This month, she's standing up for her community. And now, she is beautiful.
- Becky Straw
photos by: Esther Havens [http://www.charitywater.org/projects/fromthefield/uganda.php]
New Friends!
So this morning we got a note from our contact in the New Zealand offices of GVN giving us the names of two previous Rwanda volunteers. Funny enough - one of them goes to school at one of the assistant's alma maters!! We sent them an email this morning and cannot wait to hear back from them about their experiences and advice for Rwanda.
In other news, the word is slowly leaking through my (Asst 1) firm about my departure at the end of November. The reactions from people have truly surprised and amazed me. I knew this was my workplace and my home here in DC - but people have been so happy and excited for me and sad to see me go. Truly - two people have gotten teary. I guess I just wasn't expecting that. I'm not really the type of person that needs confirmation on people's feelings about me or to validate what I'm doing - but this just makes me so excited! That may sound funny, but let me explain. It makes me feel excited that people will be watching what I'm doing in Africa. They'll be watching as I blog and write and email about the situation there and hopefully, they'll care enough about me to turn that observing into action. My hope is that they'll be attuned to a whole new life situation and will go on the journey with me.
I suppose that's partially what this blog is about. We want our friends and family to have access to us - being thousands of miles away and all - but we also want them to experience what we're doing in Rwanda and the people whose lives we're touching. Hopefully, we'll inspire others to action or to pursue more information about a situation that inspires them. Hopefully, our action to 'live out loud' will inspire others to do the same... in whatever way they want to.
In other news, the word is slowly leaking through my (Asst 1) firm about my departure at the end of November. The reactions from people have truly surprised and amazed me. I knew this was my workplace and my home here in DC - but people have been so happy and excited for me and sad to see me go. Truly - two people have gotten teary. I guess I just wasn't expecting that. I'm not really the type of person that needs confirmation on people's feelings about me or to validate what I'm doing - but this just makes me so excited! That may sound funny, but let me explain. It makes me feel excited that people will be watching what I'm doing in Africa. They'll be watching as I blog and write and email about the situation there and hopefully, they'll care enough about me to turn that observing into action. My hope is that they'll be attuned to a whole new life situation and will go on the journey with me.
I suppose that's partially what this blog is about. We want our friends and family to have access to us - being thousands of miles away and all - but we also want them to experience what we're doing in Rwanda and the people whose lives we're touching. Hopefully, we'll inspire others to action or to pursue more information about a situation that inspires them. Hopefully, our action to 'live out loud' will inspire others to do the same... in whatever way they want to.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Puttin' a Ring On It
Alright - officially, I (Asst 1) have let my firm know I'm leaving. No turning back now!!!
I'm so excited - our Chief of Staff was phenomenal and was so happy for me. I'm so lucky that I work somewhere that values what I want and not how much money I make them. The next four weeks are going to be crazy transitioning out of this company that has been more than my job for almost two and a half years, it's been my home and my away-from-home family. We were dysfunctional at times and sometimes we fought, but these people were my family in D.C. They were there for me through some very challenging times and brought me to a new level of my professional life. I'm am truly thankful for everyone I have met and worked with through the opportunities I've had at this company.
But now, it's time to slam this book shut and wildly open the next one. I can't wait!!
I'm so excited - our Chief of Staff was phenomenal and was so happy for me. I'm so lucky that I work somewhere that values what I want and not how much money I make them. The next four weeks are going to be crazy transitioning out of this company that has been more than my job for almost two and a half years, it's been my home and my away-from-home family. We were dysfunctional at times and sometimes we fought, but these people were my family in D.C. They were there for me through some very challenging times and brought me to a new level of my professional life. I'm am truly thankful for everyone I have met and worked with through the opportunities I've had at this company.
But now, it's time to slam this book shut and wildly open the next one. I can't wait!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Travelin'
So we just got word today from our on-site contact, Justus, that we were cleared to fly in to Uganda on January 13 and that they would pick us up from the bus staging area in Kigali on the 14th. This is super good news for us because we were a bit weary they would not be able to arrange a pick up for us if we did not fly directly into Kigali - but they were more than happy to arrange pick up there. This is clearly exciting since we''ll be saving a little bundle on flights without having to fly in to Kigali.
So, currently, the flight plans (for Asst 1) are to fly out of Chicago on January 11th or 10th, layover in Amsterdam, then fly in to Uganda - landing on the 12th or 13th. If we land on the 12th we'll get to stay over in Entebbe for the night then jump on a bus the morning of the 14th. If we land on the 13th, we'll basically go straight from the airport to the bus stop. Apparently the buses leave at 4am from the bus stop and are first come first serve. So, we'll probably have to be getting there first!
So, currently, the flight plans (for Asst 1) are to fly out of Chicago on January 11th or 10th, layover in Amsterdam, then fly in to Uganda - landing on the 12th or 13th. If we land on the 12th we'll get to stay over in Entebbe for the night then jump on a bus the morning of the 14th. If we land on the 13th, we'll basically go straight from the airport to the bus stop. Apparently the buses leave at 4am from the bus stop and are first come first serve. So, we'll probably have to be getting there first!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
shots pas deux
So - Thursday was the big shot day and boy do I have a recap. First of all, I had some awesome doctor doing the shots and she gave me a great debrief on Rwanda, what to expect and things to do on the ground. My two favorite pieces of advice were:
"What are the rules of eating food in Africa? Cook it. Peel it. or Forget it."
"Wear flipflops in the shower." 'Like in the dorms?' "No dear. Like if you don't wear them you may get parasites in your feet and they may fall off." '............got it. flipflops.'
So, after all that my doc went to go get my yellowfever shot, hep a shot and meningitis shot and the oral Typhoid pill. While she was getting the various diseases together in shot form, I pulled out my purse to turn my phone off and realized, I didn't have my wallet with me. I figured that since I couldnt give the yellowfever back, I better tell them to wait so I could run home, grab my wallet and come back. [Have I mentioned to this point that it is cold and rainy and the doctor is a 40 minute train ride from my house?]
The wonderfully gracious receptionist says that I can go ahead, get all my shots and meds and call in my credit card number when I got home. Perfect! I was pretty excited that I had found such awesome people to shoot me up with all these diseases!
Doc put me up on the table and I literally didn't feel a thing. 90 seconds later, I had three shots and 4 pills to take for typhoid vaccination. I ran to the train and headed back to the city to run to my apartment and grab my wallet, to make sure I could get to a 12:30pm meeting. [Remember the rain & forty degrees weather please.]
I get a few blocks from my house and go to pull out my keys because not only am I cold and wet I have to use the restroom. Then I realize, that I don't have any keys. None. No Keys. I also need to throw in here that the typhoid medicine I currently have in my purse needs to get in the refrigerator. I typically dont mind bending the rules a bit - but taking spoiled typhoid, didn't seem to be a rule I was wanting to mess with. So I call my roommate, she's at work. Other roommate, at work. So I decide that since I need to use the restroom, I better go get on a train and get to the restaurant that I have a lunch meeting at.
I get to the restaurant, sit down and my waitress comes. I decide that I really need to not have spoiled tyhpoid so I pleasantly ask our waitress to please put my typhoid in the refrigerator in the kitchen. While at lunch I get a text from my roommate letting me know that he can meet me with his keys so I can get in to the apartment.
I finish my amazing turkey burger at lunch and head over to my roommate's office building. Grab the keys, get on the bus and get to my apartment. Throw the tyhpoid in the refrigerator and pass out on the futon.
It was an amazing day for getting shot up with diseases.
"What are the rules of eating food in Africa? Cook it. Peel it. or Forget it."
"Wear flipflops in the shower." 'Like in the dorms?' "No dear. Like if you don't wear them you may get parasites in your feet and they may fall off." '............got it. flipflops.'
So, after all that my doc went to go get my yellowfever shot, hep a shot and meningitis shot and the oral Typhoid pill. While she was getting the various diseases together in shot form, I pulled out my purse to turn my phone off and realized, I didn't have my wallet with me. I figured that since I couldnt give the yellowfever back, I better tell them to wait so I could run home, grab my wallet and come back. [Have I mentioned to this point that it is cold and rainy and the doctor is a 40 minute train ride from my house?]
The wonderfully gracious receptionist says that I can go ahead, get all my shots and meds and call in my credit card number when I got home. Perfect! I was pretty excited that I had found such awesome people to shoot me up with all these diseases!
Doc put me up on the table and I literally didn't feel a thing. 90 seconds later, I had three shots and 4 pills to take for typhoid vaccination. I ran to the train and headed back to the city to run to my apartment and grab my wallet, to make sure I could get to a 12:30pm meeting. [Remember the rain & forty degrees weather please.]
I get a few blocks from my house and go to pull out my keys because not only am I cold and wet I have to use the restroom. Then I realize, that I don't have any keys. None. No Keys. I also need to throw in here that the typhoid medicine I currently have in my purse needs to get in the refrigerator. I typically dont mind bending the rules a bit - but taking spoiled typhoid, didn't seem to be a rule I was wanting to mess with. So I call my roommate, she's at work. Other roommate, at work. So I decide that since I need to use the restroom, I better go get on a train and get to the restaurant that I have a lunch meeting at.
I get to the restaurant, sit down and my waitress comes. I decide that I really need to not have spoiled tyhpoid so I pleasantly ask our waitress to please put my typhoid in the refrigerator in the kitchen. While at lunch I get a text from my roommate letting me know that he can meet me with his keys so I can get in to the apartment.
I finish my amazing turkey burger at lunch and head over to my roommate's office building. Grab the keys, get on the bus and get to my apartment. Throw the tyhpoid in the refrigerator and pass out on the futon.
It was an amazing day for getting shot up with diseases.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
SHOTS!
no, not the good ones. Tomorrow is shot day here in the nation's capitol and Asst 1 is about to get shot up with all sorts of fun bacteria (good thing she has unlimited sick days!). First thing tomorrow morning, I'll be hopping on the train and going to the travel medicine clinic. As far as I know, I'll be getting the Hep A/B series (part 1 of 2), Yellowfever and Typhoid tomorrow. I may throw some polio in for good measure this round, or possibly wait until the next round in November.
I'm basically, just hoping that my arm doesn't fall off. I have been adequately warned by my fellow Assistant, that her round of shots that were last week made her arm feel like it was being stabbed by gnomes.
Will be sure to report back tomorrow on the status of aforementioned shots... in the meantime I'll pretend to enjoy this weird rainy/cloudy/cold shenanigan weather.
I'm basically, just hoping that my arm doesn't fall off. I have been adequately warned by my fellow Assistant, that her round of shots that were last week made her arm feel like it was being stabbed by gnomes.
Will be sure to report back tomorrow on the status of aforementioned shots... in the meantime I'll pretend to enjoy this weird rainy/cloudy/cold shenanigan weather.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Substitute Teacher's Licence
Asst 1 is HOOKED UP!
Yesterday I officially got my Indiana Substitute Teacher's License. I'm pretty stoked about this experience once I get home to Indiana.
I'm wondering what the education system in Indiana looks like now that I'm coming back after 6 years, I actually wonder what K-12 education looks like in general. I think I'm looking at it through different eyes now. It's going to be really fascinating going from a huge liberal city by way of a fairly liberal college experience back to teaching in the Bible belt of the Midwest. However, I think it will be valuable as I'm going to a country that may put our definition of "conservative" to shame.
I've been really lucky to live somewhere that has be hyper plugged in to everything going on politically and in the media. As in LA where everyone is plugged in to Hollywood or NYC with fashion, DC is where it is for the political arena. I hope that, even though I'm only in Indiana for a short time, that I can really impart some knowledge to the kids I'll be working with. I don't want to influence anyone's opinion or change any minds - I would just like to spread the knowledge about life, the world outside the Hoosier bubble and how many cool and exciting things exist out there.
Yesterday I officially got my Indiana Substitute Teacher's License. I'm pretty stoked about this experience once I get home to Indiana.
I'm wondering what the education system in Indiana looks like now that I'm coming back after 6 years, I actually wonder what K-12 education looks like in general. I think I'm looking at it through different eyes now. It's going to be really fascinating going from a huge liberal city by way of a fairly liberal college experience back to teaching in the Bible belt of the Midwest. However, I think it will be valuable as I'm going to a country that may put our definition of "conservative" to shame.
I've been really lucky to live somewhere that has be hyper plugged in to everything going on politically and in the media. As in LA where everyone is plugged in to Hollywood or NYC with fashion, DC is where it is for the political arena. I hope that, even though I'm only in Indiana for a short time, that I can really impart some knowledge to the kids I'll be working with. I don't want to influence anyone's opinion or change any minds - I would just like to spread the knowledge about life, the world outside the Hoosier bubble and how many cool and exciting things exist out there.
Friday, October 2, 2009
moving trucks, shots, budgets, shenanigans
Guys - it's crazy out there, but the assistants have accomplished some major coups over the last couple weeks.
Asst 1:
-Scheduled Hep A/Hep B Series Shot #1 (of 2)
-Scheduled Typhoid/Yellow Fever Shots
-Reserved moving truck for post-Thanksgiving move back to Indiana
-PAID FULL PROGRAM FEE!!!!
-Secured Indiana State Substitute Teacher License (will need something to do those 8 weeks at home)
-Got some train prices for trains to Chicago to go visit best friend I haven't seen in years [Vera ;-)]
-Got all sorts of information on national parks and fun things to do in Rwanda
Asst 2:
-Secured full-time employ in Boston
-Secured full-time employ that is really fun!
-Secured new gym membership - very important for girls planning a trans-continental trip on a shoestring budget
-Made appointments for shots
-Secure health insurance, on her own, not even through her employer- discovered the intimate details of how bad our healthcare system is without a public option
Asst 1 & 2 Combined Efforts of greatness:
-Planned end-of-November moving efforts
-Been able to stay in touch enough to make sure neither of us lose our sanity, our current employs or our peace of mind about the trip. Do you know how hard this is to do from two different cities for two girls who work as much as we do??
Asst 1:
-Scheduled Hep A/Hep B Series Shot #1 (of 2)
-Scheduled Typhoid/Yellow Fever Shots
-Reserved moving truck for post-Thanksgiving move back to Indiana
-PAID FULL PROGRAM FEE!!!!
-Secured Indiana State Substitute Teacher License (will need something to do those 8 weeks at home)
-Got some train prices for trains to Chicago to go visit best friend I haven't seen in years [Vera ;-)]
-Got all sorts of information on national parks and fun things to do in Rwanda
Asst 2:
-Secured full-time employ in Boston
-Secured full-time employ that is really fun!
-Secured new gym membership - very important for girls planning a trans-continental trip on a shoestring budget
-Made appointments for shots
-Secure health insurance, on her own, not even through her employer- discovered the intimate details of how bad our healthcare system is without a public option
Asst 1 & 2 Combined Efforts of greatness:
-Planned end-of-November moving efforts
-Been able to stay in touch enough to make sure neither of us lose our sanity, our current employs or our peace of mind about the trip. Do you know how hard this is to do from two different cities for two girls who work as much as we do??
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