To London to London

I had been in 14 airports in 21 days.  I was ready for a vacation, and had no qualms with the fact that Heathrow would be airport #16!!

I was so used to traveling with a group of travelers that I caught myself looking around as I got off the plane; a visual sweep to make sure everyone was getting off (why they wouldn't, I don't know!  But it's the group leader in me).  As I walked towards immigration thinking of the things that I had to do (get through immigration, find an ATM, double check my hotel address), it hit me: I was by myself.  I was on my own time.  I didn't have to keep an eye on anybody but myself.  I took a deep breath and I smiled.  I got through immigration and moseyed my way towards baggage claim.  Rambled around until I found an ATM.  Went to the bathroom - without informing anybody that I was going! - and retrieved my suitcase.  And before I went out to the taxi stand, I stopped at Costa and bought a latte.  Just because I could. (Bonus: they even had a gluten-free brownie! Heck yes I snatched that up!)

When I walked out the sliding doors towards the cab stand, a blast of cool air hit me.  It was autumn. I was in London.  I was on my own time.  My family was waiting for me.  My cabbie asked my destination, and I settled into the backseat with a smile.  Not just any smile, though.  The kind of smile that comes from deep within, warms every part of your body, and explodes out your mouth - the kind you wouldn't be able to keep in if you tried.  I sipped my latte and watched the scenery become more and more urban as we entered the city.  I realized that most foreigners are startled by the fact that the British drive on the left side of the road...but I live in India; I'm used to that.  I was more awestruck by the ORDER and DISCIPLINE with which we were driving!  I smiled again.  I live in India.  I'm rendezvousing with some of my favorite people in London.  I start to see landmarks that I recognize, and another smile explodes.  This is a good beginning to a great first day of the best vacation I have had in a very, very long time.  My family. Starbucks. Union Jack souvenir kitsch. Zara. Liberty London.  People watching. Spanish food. Gelato. Bathrobes. Gluten-Free bread. Brisk autumn breezes. Meeting new people. Learning.  Dancing. Being.  So many things that I love, all in the same place at the same time.  And it was only day one.

Into Mussoorie

A misty afternoon drive up windy roads into the foothills of the Himalayas.  A rainy night at an old English manor tucked into the hillside town.  Wearing multiple layers and sitting curled up by the fireplace reading a book.  My cheeks hurt from smiling, and the beauty refreshed my soul.  My life is amazing, and I love it when it's Pinterest-worthy, too!

Happy Independence Day

I got a new camera, and I had a day off.  What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by exploring my favorite area with my new toy?  Pottery Town never fails to make me smile.  All I need to do is walk through and the lights, life, and artisans at work wake me up and brighten my day.  I also quickly learned that a white girl with a large-lensed camera will attract a bit of attention!  Along with many photos of precious children, I also went home with two women when they invited me for coffee (Oh the things you do in India that you don't ever do elsewhere - don't worry, I'm safe Mom!).  Here is my favorite photo of the day - happy Independence Day, India!  This is your future.

Ignorance Doesn't Change the World

Wasn’t it easier in the lunchbox days?

Always a bigger bed to crawl into?

Wasn’t it beautiful when you believed in everything?

Everybody believed in you?

‘Innocent’ – Taylor Swift

Sometimes,

I wish that I could go

Back to the days

When

My biggest decision

Was who to invite to my birthday party

Or which OPI Nail Lacquer to buy

And

My biggest prayer request

Was that I would 

“Do well” in my exam or presentation.

When

My biggest problem

Was an unfair teacher

Or conflicting social events.

When

My biggest worry

Was that I wouldn’t get a date to the prom

Or be accepted to a good college

And

My biggest spiritual hurdle

Was how to “Be a witness”

To my friends who

(gasp)

swore.

The days

When

I could buy a product without

Wondering

About the the people who made it

(fair trade)

(sweat shops)

(chemical exposure)

(child labour)

(conflict minerals)

And therefore become

Conflicted

Myself.

The days

When

Having a crush on a boy

Meant I never had to

Actually

Talk to him.

The days

Before I started thinking critically.

The days

Before I left my “bubble.”

The days
Before I learned
That believing in God
Can be hard sometimes.
Before I wondered
What Jesus really meant
When He said,
"Follow Me."

The days

Before I watched the news.

Before I interacted with the oppressed.

Before I saw people’s spiritual wounds.

Before I experienced a world of unnecessary suffering.

Before I knew heartbreak.

Before I recognized my privilege.

Before I asked questions.

Things were easier in the lunchbox days.

These days are hard,

And sometimes they hurt.

But I believe they are worth it.

I guess it's true what they say,

That

Ignorance is bliss.

But ignorance doesn’t

Change the world.


And it won't change me, either.

A Special Visitor

Today I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Mary Pawlenty, former America state court judge and wife of Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota and presidential candidate (2012).

She is connected with my boss and is traveling in India, so she put our Center in her agenda.  Today was a holiday, but I had no complaints when it came to coming to work to welcome her ;)

I’ve met Mrs. Pawlenty several times before, in passing, and we have some common ground (Minnesota, Bethel, etc.).  But I’ve never had the opportunity to sit and chat with her.

What a lovely lady.

We had a beautiful chat, and when she realized it was time for her to head to the airport, she closed her eyes, gathered her thoughts, and said, “Thank you.”  She continued, giving me a list.  Each sentence started with “Thank you for...” Some were professional.  Some were personal.  Every one was meaningful.  After “Thank you for being a woman of strength”, she gave me a big hug.

It was exactly the encouragement that I needed today, this week, this month.  A conversation with a woman who barely knows me, but genuinely cares and is intentional to know the person with whom she interacts, regardless of how short or long the time.

On days like today, I blink rapidly, shake my head, and wonder with amazement why I am where I am.  I am a Minnesotan in Bangalore.  I am only 25. I am privileged to be doing exactly what my dream has been, exactly what I went to school for.  Every day presents its own challenges, but every day I learn and grow.  The people with whom I have been privileged to interact, the places I have been, is sometimes mind-boggling, and I am not unaware that with great opportunity comes great responsibility.  Sometimes I wonder why me, and sometimes I wonder how it will all fit together, what future these experiences are preparing me for.

But regardless of where the journey leads, I am thankful for today.  And for today’s tomorrow.

This is Saji's House

First things first: today we interviewed a man named Joe Sebastian. Which, as you Minnesotans may guess, means that all I thought about the entire time was ice cream J oh man, I can’t wait to get back to Sebastian Joe’s and have me some homemade raspberry chocolate chip ice cream…

Secondly, today was our last day with Saji…I would have been content to just cruise in that jeep and chat with him all day long. We stopped in the forest, which is his favorite place to be, and he also took us to meet his mom, but sadly she wasn’t there. We did, however, hang out on her front porch and meet her neighbors. And then, he brought us to his house! We met his wife Kamela and they made us some delicious omelettes for lunch. He whipped out the photo albums and also Kamela’s art portfolio, and his pride in both his family and of her art skills was SO precious. As we sat on his porch sipping that delicious coffee I just about burst with happiness.

Most Beautiful Place?

I’m beginning to become interviewed out…which is evident by the fact that I journaled throughout the entire first interview, which was 2 hours long and in a hut at the top of a mountain overlooking a tea plantation. I think that this is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Which may also be because it is absolutely unlike anyplace I have ever been. I think it most closely resembles the Hana Road area of Maui, plus what you would imagine colonial Jamaica to look like [but a whole lot bigger], mixed with a little bit of Cairo…kind of. And tonight I found myself trudging up a mud hill through the Indian jungle following a tribal woman carrying a torch. Seriously? Awesome.

Best. Day. Ever.

This morning we climbed a mountain to see the Edekkel Caves, which are the 2^nd oldest cave drawings in the world [2500 BC, the oldest are in France]. We also stopped and saw some touristy things, but it was fun because Saji was our guide. In the afternoon, we had a rocking interview/conversation with a woman named Shirley, who started the Kanavu school for Adivasi children. We talked about Kanavu, education, Adivasi, culture, and she was very honest and humble and challenging and wise. She had two sides to every story and opinion, and articulated a lot of what I have been thinking about for the past several days.

But the best best best was when we actually went to Kanavu and Saji gave us a tour of his school. Then we sat on the porch of the library in the pouring rain and he told us his story, his struggle, his view of justice for the Adivasi. And what was it? Confidence. Self-empowerment. The issue isn’t land. It’s not assimilating to society. It’s identity, respect, self-worth. We were vulnerable with our questions and confusions, and he was vulnerable with his story: this was a bonding moment.

We spent the evening at the school and sang and danced with the students. This was actually the hardest moment of my time in India so far because it was he first time I really wanted to communicate but didn’t know how. The kids had no need to play with us, which was good because it meant we weren’t special because we were white, but I wanted so badly to connect with them…but Saji told us that they liked us, so I guess we made some connection. I would love to come back here someday.

However, the greatest moment of the entire day was in the jeep on the way home. I realized that exactly a year ago I was accepted to grad school, and here I am now in India. Crystal shared where she was, Melissa shared where she was, and we asked Saji where he was at a year ago. He was in Bangalore, and I asked him if he ever thought he’d have a jeep. He said no. Crystal asked if he ever thought he’d be with people as cool as us in a year and he said no, and “I’ve been thinking, and I don’t want to take money from you” which we clearly resisted and insisted until he explained that if he didn’t need to pay off his jeep, he would not charge us because at the beginning of the week we were just another job, but now, “I am feeling that something has changed with us. We are friends.”

It's Been Quite the Year

Wow.

Here I sit in India, typing away in my little brick hut,

When it suddenly hit me that it has been exactly a year since I was accepted to grad school.

Until a year ago today, I had absolutely no idea what direction God was going to take me; in fact, I was feeling pretty stuck. And look at me now, two-thirds of the way done with my Master’s degree and living in India!!!

Looking back, I can’t believe that it has only been a year!!! And what a year it’s been:

A year in which I temporarily moved away from the most near and dear people in my life...and found that the distance only made my heart grow closer to them. A year in which I met and was inspired by some of the most incredible people that I know. A year in which I visited 6 new states [Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Hawaii]. A year that I lived in Vermont [now, how many people can say that?] and had many, many adventures on the Greyhound bus between Brattleboro and Boston. I showed my mom Chicago in a whirlwind day. I got to go on vacation with my family…twice. Oh, and I also lived with five girls in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan…that was an adventure in and of itself J I learned Italian. I wakeboarded. I fell in love with Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. I went to the biggest pumpkin festival in the world. I cohabitated with a snowman named Steve [that was for you, Sabs]. I developed a deep affection for pitted prunes [now, before you grimace and say gross, I want you to try one]. I was honored to stand up in my best friend’s wedding, and later my soulmate’s [and celebrated with many other precious people through their engagements and weddings, too]. It was a year where I was stretched and challenged way beyond what I ever thought possible emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually…and also physically: I committed to a gluten-free lifestyle, I tried to become a runner [emphasis on try; I’m still working on that one], and, for the first time in my life, I woke up with bags under my eyes [sorry for the ugly truth…I have social change class to thank for those. And for a lot of greater things, as well]. I learned even more about who I am and what it means to love Jesus more than anything. I uncovered many new dreams and desires [who knew that going back to school would only make me want to keep going back???] and I’m pretty sure that I should have six-pack abs as proof of how much I laughed.

Wow. [again.]

To think that I worried, that I stressed about “what I should do with my life”. God knew all along that I would be sitting here today…and if all that happened in only a year, I can’t wait to see what this next one has in store. As Jennie Mather [now Anderson] and I used to say [while sitting on a bench in the Plaza Mayor in Segovia, Spain], “I wonder what God knows that He’s smiling about right now?”

Just Another Awesome Day

I can’t even count the number of times today that I thought, “What the heck life am I living right now?” Seriously. How awesome. First, riding in an open jeep through the Indian jungle [national geographic…]. Then we met with K. Naryanan, coauthor of a book called a search for justice and got clarity on a lot of questions we had as well as an important view of education. When we left his house, there was a man riding an elephant across the road. Yup, an elephant. We made a pit stop on the way to our next destination and felt like Indiana Jones exploring a 500 year old Jain temple, and then came to the home of A.C. Varkey, who is the state chairman of the Farmer’s Relief Forum. He has been arrested 86 times and lived a life that made an incredible difference in many others’ lives…as we sat there, I couldn’t help but pray that I live a life that is so impactful that people will someday want to interview me. We slipped down a mud hill to a tribal colony and spent time with some women who invited us for tea, serving the best coffee EVER. They introduced us to a woman who was over a century old. She was SO beautiful and I was sad when they told us that she lacked the mental capacity to ask us questions or to give us advice, but when I said goodbye to her, she took my hands in both of hers and spoke so earnestly to me that I am positive she was giving me some kind of blessing. So. That is a snapshot of just another awesome day in my incredible life. Not to mention that Saji, our driver, is just a treat and we are so glad to have him on our journey.

I Feel Like I'm on National Geographic

This was the thought that I had today as I trudged through rice paddies ankle-deep in mud and ended up in an impromptu interview on the front porch of a 75-year-old Adivasi man who had only two teeth that I could see (and they weren’t the two front). Later I found myself in the living room of a former president of the grama panjayat, or village government. We sat discussing the injustices to the Adivasi, the prejudices against “these people”, and the failure of the government to put action to their promises. You know, the usual.

Roughing It.

Today, I have realized the harsh[ish] realities of this place where I live:

• · The two other interns have lice [my scalp itches just thinking about it].
• · I sure hope I don’t get it, because washing this head of hair with a bucket is quite the chore…although I am becoming quite the pro AND it truly conserves SO much water! You should try it…
• · My feet, ankles, and lower shins look like I have the chicken pox because they are covered in so many mosquito bites.
• · When I walk around campus after dark [don’t worry Mom, it’s safe] I have to high-step like a Clydesdale horse to avoid stepping on cobras
• · While clopping home I do so with a slight hunch because to me it seems like that will keep the swooping bats from hitting me in the face or landing on my head [ewwwwwww].
• · Oh, and I’ve decided to keep my mosquito net in place all hours of the day to avoid becoming paranoid of little lizards making their way into my bed.
• · BUT after talking with the other interns, I realized that I have it pretty good so far because I don’t have a rat who lives on my roof and poops through the ceiling. Knock on wood J

When I wrote that part about the cobras, the reality of my life right now hit me and I asked myself, “who AM i?!?!?” How awesome is it that I LIVE here and even get to write about that kind of stuff?!? I really am turning into nature girl…next time you see me it just may be on Jen vs. Wild J