I've titled the entry as I have because I am, indeed, feeling like a grown-up, though not a very good one. As of this weekend, I am the new Home Life Coordinator in the Highland House, which essentially means many more responsibilities, and a lot less time to do them! This past week was jam packed. Here's a list of why I'm feeling....well.....old! I hope you all are well. If you haven't heard from me for a while, refer to the list below and you shall understand. Will get ahold of you soon!
-attended an all-day training course on safe food handling and have, therefore, become a "Certified Food Manager"
-washed my car
-washed the l'Arche Toyota
-made 3 more appointments for Eduardo
-set up a meeting with Jerrianne, the case manager, for Monday
-attended the joint l'Arche leadership meeting at Dorothy's house
-typed up agendas and lead our two weekly meetings at the house
-cleaned the guy's bathroom with Eduardo
-weeded and tilled the garden with Fritz and Terrence
-rearranged Eduardo's medication in his bubble packs in concordance with doctor's orders
-did my laundry, house laundry, and Eduardo's laundry
-took Hazel to the Arlington National Cemetery
-bought and planted vegetables and flowers in our backyard
-typed up the schedule for next week
-approved an assistant's vacation hours
-met with a potential volunteer regarding his desire to work in l'Arche
-cleaned up Eduardo's vomit with the help of my housemates, washed his clothes, and put him in the shower
-met with Diane and Terrence and learned how to do weekly billing sheets
-met with Ed Gonzalez, former MedicAid employee, regarding our current data taking techniques and learned of what changes need to be made
-met with Melissa in DC for orientation re: accompanying assistants
-went out to breakfast with Diane for last minute question-answer session re: role of Home Life Coordinator
-assisted the exterminator in exterminating the growing ant population in our kitchen
-declared to the team that changes would need to be made re: core member accompaniment
-did my regular assistant routines (40+ hours)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
groceries and sunlight.
lex here, representing from the grocery front. first let me comment on steve's thoughts: i agree with you, friend. the first thing i thought when all of the media frenzy began was, deadliest massacre ever? why do we feel the need to quantify this disaster? and in such a way that inevitably makes less of other serious situations worldwide, as well as locally. the other thread of thought that pertains to this is the sermon i heard this morning. the NT reading was from acts, about paul's conversion on the road to tarsus. the priest wove in the tragedies of the week, wisely identifying the idea that we all have the capacity as humans to do terrible things, and we all have the capacity to do good as well. (heather, it made me think of fromm!)
to somewhat suddenly switch gears, im continuing to work at trader joes and at starbucks. this doesnt leave me with much free time, which doesnt bother me all that much, considering i have a limited social circle. i'm surprised at how much i enjoy work. it is actually a good combination of mindless lifting and stocking, and interaction with people. im actually considering trying to transfer to TJs in danvers in the early fall. yes, most likely i will be making my way back to the north shore in september. having said that, i m really enjoying life here for what it is. its funny, this year is not at all what i thought it would be. its ten times harder. but im enjoying it. i was able to go to the north shore for easter (it was so great to see some of you!) and was really refreshed both by the community and the fact that it was (and still is) easter. i came back to IL refreshed and with a renewed awareness of God's grace, honestly.
im off to pick up my dad at the airport. love you all.
cheers, lex
to somewhat suddenly switch gears, im continuing to work at trader joes and at starbucks. this doesnt leave me with much free time, which doesnt bother me all that much, considering i have a limited social circle. i'm surprised at how much i enjoy work. it is actually a good combination of mindless lifting and stocking, and interaction with people. im actually considering trying to transfer to TJs in danvers in the early fall. yes, most likely i will be making my way back to the north shore in september. having said that, i m really enjoying life here for what it is. its funny, this year is not at all what i thought it would be. its ten times harder. but im enjoying it. i was able to go to the north shore for easter (it was so great to see some of you!) and was really refreshed both by the community and the fact that it was (and still is) easter. i came back to IL refreshed and with a renewed awareness of God's grace, honestly.
im off to pick up my dad at the airport. love you all.
cheers, lex
Thursday, April 19, 2007
country girl in the big city...
Hey friends,
Just a quick update on my situation in France/Italy/Fritaly-- some of you know already how strange, challenging, and at times, very painful this last month and a half has been since the divorce was announced. Witnessing the deterioration of a marriage is something I never thought I would partake in this year, and while I try to stay strong for the girls, I often find myself very unstable at the end of the day. Right now, things are getting better-- there is no where to go but up, quite honestly-- and the family is working through the transition. I do my best to be helpful, supportive, and loving to Sophie and the girls (Sylvain, the father, is currently living in Italy with his girlfriend; it's pretty messed up). The girls have been unbelievably brave about everything. They are open to meeting the new girlfriend and have been very flexible with their parents as both Sophie and Sylvain work through their emotions on so many levels.
I never imagined my year would go this way, but I also realize that neither did the Bouttier family. Sophie has come to really confide in me, which is a huge change, and I have been so humbled in my own misjudgment of this woman who had clearly been hurting for many years with an internal struggle and unhealthy marriage. I feel that I am here for a reason, and I do wake up with a sense of purpose; getting through the days is a little more difficult than just waking up, though. Still, I have found Alpe d'Huez a delight in the spring: for the last week or so, I have been able to take off in the afternoons on hikes for an hour, two hours, three hours... and it is indescribable. Paradise. I am content to spend my days walking and praying in the woods, and I am constantly reminded of the mystics and saints who found refuge in the wild and I look to them for example. I am amazed at how prayerful the spirit naturally becomes when strolling in quiet places; it reminds me of my days in Orvieto, walking to the monastery and back. I cherish that feeling.
I must add, for Easter I went to Taize, and I loved it. The services were wonderful, extending far into the night, and the spirit was something I will never forget. I think every one of you would love this place.
So, now an update on the future plans: I come home in a month and a half, and yes I am counting the days eagerly!! For the month of May, it looks like we will be living in Lyon, which is just fine with me. I am sad to leave the quiet of Alpe d'Huez as it is awakening to new life, but Lyon is a beautiful and exciting city with much to do and see. I am eager to finish the year strong with these girls, and then to come back home and start community in Boston.
I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov, which has become my favorite novel ever, with nothing coming even close in comparison. Dostoevsky is so insightful, he always manages to blow my mind. I'll write on sticky wickets about it soon. Also working through The Orthodox Way and always coming back to Milosz for his wisdom.
Though I won't say much about the subject, thank you Steve for the thoughts you provided in the previous post. This week I have been overwhelmed by how much there is to grieve for in the world; it seems that our every day lives, as much as news, call us to pray and wholly rely on God. My heart goes out to the students of Virginia Tech and to the victims in Baghdad.
I miss everyone very much. I hope to see many of you this summer. When I get ahold of my new address I will pass that on to everyone. My internet will likely be limited for my last month in Europe, as we will not have it in the house in Lyon.
Blessings from France
Devon
Just a quick update on my situation in France/Italy/Fritaly-- some of you know already how strange, challenging, and at times, very painful this last month and a half has been since the divorce was announced. Witnessing the deterioration of a marriage is something I never thought I would partake in this year, and while I try to stay strong for the girls, I often find myself very unstable at the end of the day. Right now, things are getting better-- there is no where to go but up, quite honestly-- and the family is working through the transition. I do my best to be helpful, supportive, and loving to Sophie and the girls (Sylvain, the father, is currently living in Italy with his girlfriend; it's pretty messed up). The girls have been unbelievably brave about everything. They are open to meeting the new girlfriend and have been very flexible with their parents as both Sophie and Sylvain work through their emotions on so many levels.
I never imagined my year would go this way, but I also realize that neither did the Bouttier family. Sophie has come to really confide in me, which is a huge change, and I have been so humbled in my own misjudgment of this woman who had clearly been hurting for many years with an internal struggle and unhealthy marriage. I feel that I am here for a reason, and I do wake up with a sense of purpose; getting through the days is a little more difficult than just waking up, though. Still, I have found Alpe d'Huez a delight in the spring: for the last week or so, I have been able to take off in the afternoons on hikes for an hour, two hours, three hours... and it is indescribable. Paradise. I am content to spend my days walking and praying in the woods, and I am constantly reminded of the mystics and saints who found refuge in the wild and I look to them for example. I am amazed at how prayerful the spirit naturally becomes when strolling in quiet places; it reminds me of my days in Orvieto, walking to the monastery and back. I cherish that feeling.
I must add, for Easter I went to Taize, and I loved it. The services were wonderful, extending far into the night, and the spirit was something I will never forget. I think every one of you would love this place.
So, now an update on the future plans: I come home in a month and a half, and yes I am counting the days eagerly!! For the month of May, it looks like we will be living in Lyon, which is just fine with me. I am sad to leave the quiet of Alpe d'Huez as it is awakening to new life, but Lyon is a beautiful and exciting city with much to do and see. I am eager to finish the year strong with these girls, and then to come back home and start community in Boston.
I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov, which has become my favorite novel ever, with nothing coming even close in comparison. Dostoevsky is so insightful, he always manages to blow my mind. I'll write on sticky wickets about it soon. Also working through The Orthodox Way and always coming back to Milosz for his wisdom.
Though I won't say much about the subject, thank you Steve for the thoughts you provided in the previous post. This week I have been overwhelmed by how much there is to grieve for in the world; it seems that our every day lives, as much as news, call us to pray and wholly rely on God. My heart goes out to the students of Virginia Tech and to the victims in Baghdad.
I miss everyone very much. I hope to see many of you this summer. When I get ahold of my new address I will pass that on to everyone. My internet will likely be limited for my last month in Europe, as we will not have it in the house in Lyon.
Blessings from France
Devon
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Equal treatment for the Innocent
Friends,
Perhaps shock isn't the right word to describe the recent shootings at Virginia Tech. But what is the response that we should give in this day and age? Today, the BBC reports that 170 were killed in car bombs in Iraq and I am appauled only because the number is higher than most days. Can innocent victims be mourned equally to those who die for a cause or in large groups? How do reponses differ between those killed who are rich and poor? We will have ribbons, grave sites, commemorations, and scholarships for the innocent, but more often only if they were rich to begin with.
Thinking objectively, this all makes sense. Compassionately, which is often less objective by its emotional nature, leaves us torn and biased. The patterns of this are evident with many peace activists who will give more attention and grace to Palestinian families who have lost a loved one than an Israeli victim of a suicide bomb. Even to the point of justifying their actions will some overidentify with the innocent to raise their fists in anger against the oppressor. What can be learned from car bombs and school shootings? I am not the one to answer this. Ask the victim's families. It is important not to overidentify on one hand and on the other, not to under identify with the suffering and reality of every human, good or bad, rich or poor.
How does news like this also rob us of our own innocense? It seems that the more we know about the world chaos and news atrocities, the more active we are, the more we care, the more aligned with suffering we are. If I watch more movies and documentaries about suffering people, I will some how be more compassionate? Because I watch movies about them? This is a silly idea but I can't deny that I identify more with the poor lately more so because I can speak up for them, write about them, and watch movies about them. Realistically though, I am often occupied with the needs of American college students. I don't care about the poor during my free time. In overidentifying with the Palestinians, I have found it very empowering because not only can I stand up for the poor, I can also raise a fist against the IDF and the world's fourth largest army? Why don't I stand up against the Canadian army or the injustices made by the army of Greenland? (they have an army right?) Because it doesn't matter! It doesn't make me look better and more courageous at this point in history.
Americans love to cheer for the underdog. I think also that we align ourselves with the poorest of the poor, sometimes not because we actually care about really truly helping them and their situation but becasue my compassion for them will empower my own "compassionate" worldview. This seems sick but I am writing in honesty about myself so I hope this is a helpful reflection for us all. I hope that I have not be inconsiderate to the news lately but it seems a good time to reflect when something hits so close to home. How to respond constructively is the challenge to any conflict.
If there are any "mrents" to this, please add on, I would love to hear some thoughts.
Steve
P.S. Does anyone still want to live together? I thought I would add a dream to my anguishes above. Check out www.jubileepartner.org for a sweet community.
Perhaps shock isn't the right word to describe the recent shootings at Virginia Tech. But what is the response that we should give in this day and age? Today, the BBC reports that 170 were killed in car bombs in Iraq and I am appauled only because the number is higher than most days. Can innocent victims be mourned equally to those who die for a cause or in large groups? How do reponses differ between those killed who are rich and poor? We will have ribbons, grave sites, commemorations, and scholarships for the innocent, but more often only if they were rich to begin with.
Thinking objectively, this all makes sense. Compassionately, which is often less objective by its emotional nature, leaves us torn and biased. The patterns of this are evident with many peace activists who will give more attention and grace to Palestinian families who have lost a loved one than an Israeli victim of a suicide bomb. Even to the point of justifying their actions will some overidentify with the innocent to raise their fists in anger against the oppressor. What can be learned from car bombs and school shootings? I am not the one to answer this. Ask the victim's families. It is important not to overidentify on one hand and on the other, not to under identify with the suffering and reality of every human, good or bad, rich or poor.
How does news like this also rob us of our own innocense? It seems that the more we know about the world chaos and news atrocities, the more active we are, the more we care, the more aligned with suffering we are. If I watch more movies and documentaries about suffering people, I will some how be more compassionate? Because I watch movies about them? This is a silly idea but I can't deny that I identify more with the poor lately more so because I can speak up for them, write about them, and watch movies about them. Realistically though, I am often occupied with the needs of American college students. I don't care about the poor during my free time. In overidentifying with the Palestinians, I have found it very empowering because not only can I stand up for the poor, I can also raise a fist against the IDF and the world's fourth largest army? Why don't I stand up against the Canadian army or the injustices made by the army of Greenland? (they have an army right?) Because it doesn't matter! It doesn't make me look better and more courageous at this point in history.
Americans love to cheer for the underdog. I think also that we align ourselves with the poorest of the poor, sometimes not because we actually care about really truly helping them and their situation but becasue my compassion for them will empower my own "compassionate" worldview. This seems sick but I am writing in honesty about myself so I hope this is a helpful reflection for us all. I hope that I have not be inconsiderate to the news lately but it seems a good time to reflect when something hits so close to home. How to respond constructively is the challenge to any conflict.
If there are any "mrents" to this, please add on, I would love to hear some thoughts.
Steve
P.S. Does anyone still want to live together? I thought I would add a dream to my anguishes above. Check out www.jubileepartner.org for a sweet community.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Boozin', schmoozin', and cruisin'
Friends,
I have finally come to a place where I am ready to give a reliable update of life and perhaps through in some unrealiable doctrine to make things interesting.
The semester in Cairo has certainly been a growth point for everyone here on so many levels. I think that rhythm and flexibility have become my two favorite words when describing life here. We have not exactly had the best semester due to different factors. Without going into too much detail, one girl dropped out in February since she felt like she made a mistake coming here; next we discovered that over half the group(12 students) had broken covenant by either drinking or smoking sheesha; we currently have 4 "couples" who we've had to speak to various times (this is crazy since we only have 7 guys, 2 of which have girlfriends the the States already which leaves one non-dating male who is currently being pursued by a girl with dreads on the program). Well, all and all, it has been a great semester despite the drama, immaturity, and uncontracted responsibilities of playing camp councelor. The fun and learning has outweighted the hard times though and considering the alternatives, such as active defiance or those kids I've seen from the college students gone wild commercials, I consider myself lucky. Maintaining rythm admist chaos and achieving flexibilty under rigid circumstances have been good lessons to learn.
How am I personally? Well, my job ends in one week and I have plans to study arabic for a month in Cairo before heading home on Mayb 22. I look forward to this time to rest and pursue my own interests as most of my life and energy goes to the attention and needs of the students. Our travel component was really incredible. Over the month, we drove through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and stopped in Jerusalem for 2 weeks, just in time for MoHammed's Birthday, Passover, and the Protestant & Orthodox Easter. We met with Turkish, Palestinian, and Israeli youth at various colleges and had a handful of honest speakers and a few repressed diplomats.
The challenge of maintaining an intact spirituality after a monolithic spread of religion is bearable especially if you can hold onto the basic truths of life and faith. I have also spent much more time thinking about the students than I have really been able to focus on the conflict and understand it more but surprisingly, after 2 weeks in Israel, fewer people(esp. conservative Gordo's) might view me as anti-semitic and pro-Palestinian which I consider to be a important balance when dealing with any issue. To meet Israeli Jews and Palestinians in candid candid situations, seeing from their perspectives, has shaped my opinions about the region must more comprehensively. Bethlehem is a great place to learn and live if anyone ever comes here. Check out holylandtrust.org if you want to do a summer internship learning arabic and serving in local organizations. All and all, it is not about finding the right answer but asking the right questions. Can we create uni-ethnic Jewish and Arab States? How do you hold monolithic religions responsiblie for unethical doctrine without denying their humanity and rights?
Anyway, I have a lot of time to think and process this summer. Hopefully I will be studying classical arabic (necessary for reading books and newspapers) in Damascus for a month in July. The Iraqi refugee situation there is both difficult for Syrians and of course Iraqis as they have less rights and ablities to get a job and equal treatment but also, Syrians are facing a difficult econimical crisis from the rich Iraqis who are able to buy up land and flats which is creating inflation that Syrian society is slow to adapt to. Also, the major popluation spike of 1.3 million Iraqis is having major cultural and politcal influence. My aim in gong there is to try to learn more about the future on a needs based level both in Syria and the potential return to Iraq. On a personal note, I was able to meet the MCC couple who live in Damascus and also work with the L'arche community there. They have such a good reputation there that they are friends with President Asad's wife who helped to build one of the day programs called "House of Peace." Not too bad for family that America has considered an enemy for the last 50 years.
I look forward to seeing you all in the States in May and June when we hopefully will overlap our times there. Kangas I heard will be in Texas next August. Rach is in Alaska. Matt? Josh? I don't know? Heather, holding strong in DC. Dev, you are moving back to the States? Ray? Neil?
Eric, a dotor. Peter and Gina, parents. Lex, mrant? I guess I'm out of the loop, perhaps a good group update would due us right. Or a beer? Don't drink it in Egypt. Its a cross between the Nile and Budweiser.
See you soon friends.
Steve
I have finally come to a place where I am ready to give a reliable update of life and perhaps through in some unrealiable doctrine to make things interesting.
The semester in Cairo has certainly been a growth point for everyone here on so many levels. I think that rhythm and flexibility have become my two favorite words when describing life here. We have not exactly had the best semester due to different factors. Without going into too much detail, one girl dropped out in February since she felt like she made a mistake coming here; next we discovered that over half the group(12 students) had broken covenant by either drinking or smoking sheesha; we currently have 4 "couples" who we've had to speak to various times (this is crazy since we only have 7 guys, 2 of which have girlfriends the the States already which leaves one non-dating male who is currently being pursued by a girl with dreads on the program). Well, all and all, it has been a great semester despite the drama, immaturity, and uncontracted responsibilities of playing camp councelor. The fun and learning has outweighted the hard times though and considering the alternatives, such as active defiance or those kids I've seen from the college students gone wild commercials, I consider myself lucky. Maintaining rythm admist chaos and achieving flexibilty under rigid circumstances have been good lessons to learn.
How am I personally? Well, my job ends in one week and I have plans to study arabic for a month in Cairo before heading home on Mayb 22. I look forward to this time to rest and pursue my own interests as most of my life and energy goes to the attention and needs of the students. Our travel component was really incredible. Over the month, we drove through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and stopped in Jerusalem for 2 weeks, just in time for MoHammed's Birthday, Passover, and the Protestant & Orthodox Easter. We met with Turkish, Palestinian, and Israeli youth at various colleges and had a handful of honest speakers and a few repressed diplomats.
The challenge of maintaining an intact spirituality after a monolithic spread of religion is bearable especially if you can hold onto the basic truths of life and faith. I have also spent much more time thinking about the students than I have really been able to focus on the conflict and understand it more but surprisingly, after 2 weeks in Israel, fewer people(esp. conservative Gordo's) might view me as anti-semitic and pro-Palestinian which I consider to be a important balance when dealing with any issue. To meet Israeli Jews and Palestinians in candid candid situations, seeing from their perspectives, has shaped my opinions about the region must more comprehensively. Bethlehem is a great place to learn and live if anyone ever comes here. Check out holylandtrust.org if you want to do a summer internship learning arabic and serving in local organizations. All and all, it is not about finding the right answer but asking the right questions. Can we create uni-ethnic Jewish and Arab States? How do you hold monolithic religions responsiblie for unethical doctrine without denying their humanity and rights?
Anyway, I have a lot of time to think and process this summer. Hopefully I will be studying classical arabic (necessary for reading books and newspapers) in Damascus for a month in July. The Iraqi refugee situation there is both difficult for Syrians and of course Iraqis as they have less rights and ablities to get a job and equal treatment but also, Syrians are facing a difficult econimical crisis from the rich Iraqis who are able to buy up land and flats which is creating inflation that Syrian society is slow to adapt to. Also, the major popluation spike of 1.3 million Iraqis is having major cultural and politcal influence. My aim in gong there is to try to learn more about the future on a needs based level both in Syria and the potential return to Iraq. On a personal note, I was able to meet the MCC couple who live in Damascus and also work with the L'arche community there. They have such a good reputation there that they are friends with President Asad's wife who helped to build one of the day programs called "House of Peace." Not too bad for family that America has considered an enemy for the last 50 years.
I look forward to seeing you all in the States in May and June when we hopefully will overlap our times there. Kangas I heard will be in Texas next August. Rach is in Alaska. Matt? Josh? I don't know? Heather, holding strong in DC. Dev, you are moving back to the States? Ray? Neil?
Eric, a dotor. Peter and Gina, parents. Lex, mrant? I guess I'm out of the loop, perhaps a good group update would due us right. Or a beer? Don't drink it in Egypt. Its a cross between the Nile and Budweiser.
See you soon friends.
Steve
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