Hello Sweet Summer

It's hard to believe that a month ago today I turned in all those papers and finished my semester!  I'm certainly a bit behind on my promised summer update.  So I'll break it down into three main sections...

INTERNSHIP

In April I wrote a blog about trust, and how I was trusting God to make a way for me this summer, not knowing what it would hold in terms of an internship or a job.  Shortly after I decided to move out of my house and leave my nanny job, I was offered a full-time, paid internship at the Peacebuilding and Reconciliation department of World Vision International, an international relief and development organization.  Working 8-5 is an adjustment, but I love having my nights and weekends free.  Now two weeks into my work, I don't know if I could have found a better fit for my interests and skills.  I love my job!  First of all, it should not go unsaid that paid internships are nearly unheard of in this city.  It's such a blessing to be receiving a livable income along with my three units.  But I'm also so thankful that I'm doing an internship that allows me to make real contributions, not just serve coffee and make copies (note: I have yet to serve anyone coffee or make one photocopy).  The majority of my time is focused on supporting the Peacebuilding team's work facilitating conflict analysis workshops and updating an instability index that rates the relative instability of the 77 countries in which World Vision has offices.  The people I work with are top-notch and I'm enjoying learning from them as I experience how academic knowledge is translated into practice in a world riddled with complex problems.  

KATHY'S VISIT

One of the things I love about living in DC is that people actually come to visit me!  I've been thrilled to host Gloria and Steve this year, and to see numerous others who have come through the city for various reasons: various Peace Corps K-13s and 14s, Sarah Hawkins (McCord), Aunt Robyn, and my cousin Katelyn (and there are probably some I'm forgetting; forgive me!).  And this last week, it was my pleasure to host my Aunt Kathy!  It was such a blast to have her here, and to be able to put her up in my own place!  The timing of her visit worked out perfectly, since I am only renting this apartment for the month of May.  We had such a good time visiting, sightseeing, eating (LOTS of eating), and laughing.  I was so thankful for her generosity in paying for numerous delicious meals, Obama paraphernalia, books, groceries, and museum entrance fees.  We had so much fun sneaking food into the concert arena of Wolf Trap Park, watching a Memorial Day fireworks show to set to songs like 'Dancing Queen' and 'My Girl' (??!), traipsing around the city on foot and bus and metro, and laughing until our sides almost burst about 'Catflexing.'  I'm so glad she was able to come and spend a whole week with me!

MOVING

The short building in the middle is the apartment building I've been living in for the last month, viewed from the top of the National Cathedral.  Yes, my apartment is right across the street from this beautiful landmark, and in fact, I'm looking at it from my window as we speak!  It's been great to be here and have the apartment all to myself, but tomorrow I will say goodbye to Wisconsin Avenue and hello to my new place on the other side of town.  I'm moving into a house with a good friend from my program, Arnila, and two other girls in South East DC.  Though living alone suits my introvert proclivities well, I'm excited to have roommates again!  I'll be farther from school, but I'm looking forward to living in a more central area closer to Capitol Hill (and my internship) that doesn't feel so much like the suburbs.  I'm looking forward to living with some fun girls; I've missed having roommates over the last few years.

So that, my friends, is my overdue three-pronged update!  I give thanks to God for his goodness to me in so many ways.  He has provided everything I need and more this summer.  Smiles all around :-)    

Friends

I've been thinking lately about an aspect of true friendship for which I'm more and more grateful: Friends are favors.  Close friends are people you can call and, without any small talk, ask for help; they're the people who, when they ask you for something, your immediate response is 'of course'; friends do things for each other and don't have to be effusive about their gratitude, because that is just what friends do.  

Friends:

• take you to the airport, even at insanely early hours (sisters are friends, too).
• pick you up from the airport.
• let you wait until LOST is over to pick them up from the airport :-).
• are people you can call to look up directions for you on the internet when you're driving and lost.
• help you with your taxes.
• give you rides when you don't have a car, even when it's completely out of their way.
• take care of you when you drink too much (but of course that's never happened to me! ;-)).
• leave their house immediately to come meet you when you call in tears, no questions asked.
• pray for you when you need it.
• lend you things, like kitchen utensils and air mattresses.

Of course friends are more than just favors, but more and more I appreciate how the depth of relationship provides a platform for these simple things.  You need me?  I'm here for you.  I need you?  You're there for me.  Whether it's my taxes or my tears, I know you will give of yourself to help me.  Thanks so much friends.  

SURPRISE!... aka 'Home'

Surprising people is one of the greatest joys of my life.  That's why I was sooooo excited about three weeks ago when I decided to buy a ticket HOME.  I hadn't been planning on going home in May, but after I decided to move out of the nanny house, it was as if God put a little bug in my ear: "Lisa, why don't you go home for a few days after the semester is over?"  So I thought about it for a couple days, bought a ticket, and then didn't tell anyone besides Kristen about my trip. And it was wonderful.  I really don't think I could have found a more perfect time to be home.

When I asked Kristen if she could pick me up from the airport, her first response was excitement that I was coming, and her second response, when hearing I would arrive at 9:40pm on Wednesday, was, "Lisa, that's during LOST!"  I told her she could wait until LOST was over to come get me; I know she would have done the same for me :-).

I couldn't wait to surprise my mom and Suzanne.  With Suzanne's birthday on the 5th, Mothers' Day on the 10th, and Mom's birthday on the 14th, I split the difference but planned my trip to be able to celebrate with them.  I've missed A LOT of birthdays and A LOT of Mothers' Days and I was so glad I could make it home this year.  They were both sleeping when I arrived on Wednesday night and were quite shocked and a little disturbed to see me when I woke them from their slumber :-).  I think, "What are you doing here??" was the question of choice.

Thursday I spent the day with my bestest friend in the whole world and my 'niece' Evie, who turned 1 year old on the 4th!  So good to just BE with them--eating, talking, walking, drinking tea--as always.  And that day plans were in the works for the second big surprise of the trip.  I was legitimately so sad that I would miss Derek's graduation from FPU until I bought my ticket, and then I was fake-sad.  Hehe.  Because Thursday night, when Derek finished his last class and thesis presentation, I was sitting on his couch (thanks to Ralph!) shouting "Congratulations!" when he opened the door to his apartment.  I will say it's MUCH more fun to surprise people who are awake.  I'm pretty sure he stood in the door, mouth open, for at least 30 seconds while Ralph and I laughed.  You see, one of the greatest joys of my life :-)

Friday I spent the day with my mom, who took the day off work.  We had a huge and delicious breakfast at the Rodeo Cafe, did a little shopping, and then bought some fresh strawberries--yum!  Fresh produce is definitely one of the things I miss most about California.  That evening Suzanne and I had some quality sister-time over sushi and Bloody Marys in Tower, and then I met up with Derek, Ralph and Marky for some more drinks and a little bit of dancing across the street.  Fun times!

Saturday was the day of events!  It started at 10am with Randy & Angie's Discernment Group.  I didn't get to see them at Christmas, so I was so glad I got to be there for this AND that they decided NOT to move to Alaska!  Then it was off to a 12:45 hair appointment, which resulted in me now infamously going blond (an accident, I swear!), and then Derek's graduation!  So so glad I got to be there for this HUGE occasion!  Not to mention getting to see my pals Becky & Jen, and Derek's sister Cassy. From there it was straight to Suzanne's family birthday celebration at BC's, where I got to see my grandparents, my aunts, and Steve and Eric. And then it was off to Derek's graduation party at Plaza Ventana and the after-party at The Circle, where I got to see my girl Andi and do some shadow-box dancing. Lol.  SO MUCH FUN! :-)

Sunday was Mothers' Day, spent with Mom and Suzanne over brunch and games.  And did I mention I single-handedly assembled a patio table?  Then in the evening it was off to Grandpa Freeman's 85th birthday celebration!  Got to spend time with him, Dad, Sheila, Aunt Kathy and Clare, and Uncle Jess over Armenian food and delicious cake.  Followed by some delightful parking lot stalking with Becky & Jen.  Who would have thought the McDonald's parking lot would be such a happening place on Sunday night?

Monday was filled with people I love: coffee with Randy, afternoon with Kristen & Evie, dinner with Cass, Panera with Josh Schroeder, rounded out by Yodigity with Derek (and him pushing me around the parking lot in a Rite Aid shopping cart).  And Tuesday morning Suzanne took me to the airport and I flew home to DC.

One of the reasons I decided I'd like to have home be in the States is so I can be a part of important events and occasions.  Flying across the country may be difficult at times, but it's nothing compared to flying across the world, which is often impossible.  I'm so glad I didn't let three time zones keep me from being home last week for all the festivities.  Thanks God, for putting the bug in my ear.  And thanks friends, for making it so special!  

Done.

Well, it all starts tomorrow.  The break is over and the craziness is about to begin.  To be honest, I am a little overwhelmed.  Between three classes that will no doubt be challenging, TA work, sometimes stressful and frustrating nanny duties, a dialogue group, mediation training, figuring out what to do this summer, and starting to think about internships, I just feel like it's a bit of a mountain ahead of me and it's a little scary.  But then I remember that God's grace is sufficient for me, and that we will tackle this and come out on the other side.  I take a deep breath and remind myself not to get stressed before the stress has started.  One step, one day at a time.  Work hard, not without mistakes, do my best, give my all, trust God to carry me through.  Ok, let's do this.

-From my journal, January 13, 2009

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,

The floods have lifted up their voice,

The floods lift up their pounding waves.

More than the sounds of many waters,

Than the mighty breakers of the sea,

The Lord on high is mighty.

-Psalm 93:3-4

It's been a crazy ride, but now here I am on the other side!  This semester has been demanding and I can safely say that I've worked my a** off, but now I'm DONE with my first year of grad school.  It's hard to believe.  On one hand, it seems like it's gone by so fast, that I can't really be halfway to my masters; on the other hand, when I look back and remember just how much I've done in the last 4 months, I'm really proud.  From readings on peace processes in Uganda and Northern Ireland through group presentations on Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka to papers on culture & conflict resolution and platforms for relationship change, the work definitely didn't let up from Day 1 to the end.  But I have loved my classes and after a very intense last 3 weeks, on April 29 I turned in 50 pages of term papers and finals and I was finished!  It feels amazing to be free for four whole months!

Even though I'm thrilled to have completed my first year, I really did have a great semester. My classes and professors were excellent.  Conflict Analysis & Resolution gave me a great framework for understanding conflict dynamics and the range of available interventions. Comparative Peace Processes enriched my knowledge of specific conflicts going on in the world and all the important elements a peace process needs to address.  Though Dialogue itself wasn't my favorite class, I had a great experience in my Religion & Spirituality Dialogue group with other students on campus.  I come to the end of the year feeling more equipped--though with a healthy degree of pessimism--for the hard work of peace.  

Not only am I done with school, but I've also reached another milestone this week: completion of my nanny job!  In 20 minutes, I will put the kids to bed for the last time and my babysitting duties will be complete.  I'm so glad I decided to finish this job when the semester ended, because it brings everything to a close at the same time.  Tomorrow is moving day!  I'm moving into my friend's apartment for a month, which I will have all to myself.  What a blessing after 8 1/2 months of sharing space with a family!  Yes, it's time to move on into the next great adventure God has set up for me... Summer!  And that is another story in itself, which I will save for another post (coming soon!).

I'm happy.  I'm healthy.  I'm thankful.  I'm satisfied.  I'm proud.  I'm in the right place.  I love my life.  I'm done. :-)