Hi everyone,
No one has posted in a while, so I thought that I would post something of an update.
I just finished my first semester at Calvin Seminary. It was challenging, but an over-all positive experience. I have been learning a lot about myself and God.
One of my activities is called Hope Equals. You can become fans of it on Facebook. It is a new initiative started by my denomination to work for peace in the Middle East. At its heart, it is a networking agency trying to connect with Palestinians and Israelis who are working for peace and connecting them to groups in the US. One of its most important functions involves starting clubs on campuses across the US. I have started one up at seminary and we are already having a pretty big impact. It helps that Elias Chacour is visiting next week. (We were not responsible for bringing him, though we are grateful for the chance to piggy-back)
I see Kirsten on a weekly basis. She lives in town. I also communicate frequently with Phil. A few days ago I caught up with Matt Gruel. We had a good conversation. It is good to be in touch with them.
I have been back in the states for 6 months. The transition is going relatively well. I learned a lot about what not to do when dealing with culture shock when I returned from MESP. But, even so, I am beginning to set into a mild melancholy. On occasions vivid images from my life in Beni Suef pop into my head. The images are pleasant. But, they remind me of the huge disconnect between my life here and my life there. I never really processed what happened on my year working there. I'm not sure how to process it. Returning from MESP, I processed it by getting angry at the world.
This time, I'm trying to find meaning through relationships and friendships. But, this is difficult. I live with my grandpa on the opposite side of town. (life with him has been interesting... I need to write a book about the experience some day). Life with him is inexpensive, but lonely.
I'm curious to hear about your lives. What sort of things are you up to?
Wihishtooni (I miss you all)
Micah
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Bone Marrow and Boston
Ahhh, yes. Here I am again, writing after a looong absence as a way to cleanse my thoughts and regurgitate digitally. I decided that I am going to start writing again, and that I am specifically going to chronicle the newest development in my life (I am writing on my newish blog: http://wandererswelcomehere.blogspot.com/). I have been chosen as a match to give bone marrow to a 61-year old female with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It happened very strangely. A kid I knew in college was going through Leukemia and we held a Bone Marrow Drive at Spring Arbor to help find him a match. I had my finger pricked and thought little else of it. Tens of thousands of people are never matched on the registry.
This past April, I received a call that I am a potential match for someone with Leukemia. After an embarrassing survey, they decided I was healthy enough to continue the process. I gave some blood to be tested and waited. On Monday I received the call, my donor coordinator, John said "You are the best match for this candidate and they are asking for a full marrow harvest." I think my blood went cold, then instantly hot. There are two ways to get bone marrow: one through a traditional bone marrow harvest where they knock you out and pierce your hip bones and suck the marrow out. The other involves injections to get your body to produce more marrow and then essentially hook you up to a 'dialysis' machine and filter the marrow out that way. They of course, want to go traditionally in this case.
So I decided that I need to continue this process and see how far it will lead. So tomorrow I am getting a full physical: an EKG, Chest X-ray, blood work, the works. The whole mess of the issue is that in about a month I hope to find myself outside of Boston beginning my first semester of graduate school. Thus, the process must move quickly, and let me say that I am terrified. I signed things today that had words like 'permanent nerve damage', 'temporarily disabled', 'permanently disabled'. Let me tell you, those are fricken scary words. There is a lot on my plate and it seems like the world, or at least a life on my shoulders. I would appreciate any thought, prayers or words of wisdom as I begin this potential process of giving my marrow.
For now, the patient's name and location are hidden from me. But, in an effort to humanize this process as much as possible my roommate and I have named her "Marie" and I believe she is from the west side of the country, a Californian or Oregonian perhaps. I have been crying a lot and attempting to deal with the overwhelming feelings this has created, but am positive that this experience may have a happy ending.
In other news, if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise, I am planning on attending Brandeis University in the fall to pursue a MA in Sustainable International Development. This decision comes after much tearful and painful debate. The thought of leaving my family in their somewhat vulnerable state in combination with the debt-hole I will be digging myself terrifies me. As you can imagine this week has been a bit overwhelming: My job is ending in just over a week and there is much to do, I am planning on relocating to a strange city for no less than two years and I have to decide if I am going to go through a major surgery in order to benefit someone I have never met nor know nothing of. I would again appreciate some love and prayers sent my way as impossible situations are hopefully worked out in the coming months.
I miss you all very much and wish we were sitting on the Villa's rooftop at night and discussing the new happenings in our lives. Much love habibti's.
This past April, I received a call that I am a potential match for someone with Leukemia. After an embarrassing survey, they decided I was healthy enough to continue the process. I gave some blood to be tested and waited. On Monday I received the call, my donor coordinator, John said "You are the best match for this candidate and they are asking for a full marrow harvest." I think my blood went cold, then instantly hot. There are two ways to get bone marrow: one through a traditional bone marrow harvest where they knock you out and pierce your hip bones and suck the marrow out. The other involves injections to get your body to produce more marrow and then essentially hook you up to a 'dialysis' machine and filter the marrow out that way. They of course, want to go traditionally in this case.
So I decided that I need to continue this process and see how far it will lead. So tomorrow I am getting a full physical: an EKG, Chest X-ray, blood work, the works. The whole mess of the issue is that in about a month I hope to find myself outside of Boston beginning my first semester of graduate school. Thus, the process must move quickly, and let me say that I am terrified. I signed things today that had words like 'permanent nerve damage', 'temporarily disabled', 'permanently disabled'. Let me tell you, those are fricken scary words. There is a lot on my plate and it seems like the world, or at least a life on my shoulders. I would appreciate any thought, prayers or words of wisdom as I begin this potential process of giving my marrow.
For now, the patient's name and location are hidden from me. But, in an effort to humanize this process as much as possible my roommate and I have named her "Marie" and I believe she is from the west side of the country, a Californian or Oregonian perhaps. I have been crying a lot and attempting to deal with the overwhelming feelings this has created, but am positive that this experience may have a happy ending.
In other news, if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise, I am planning on attending Brandeis University in the fall to pursue a MA in Sustainable International Development. This decision comes after much tearful and painful debate. The thought of leaving my family in their somewhat vulnerable state in combination with the debt-hole I will be digging myself terrifies me. As you can imagine this week has been a bit overwhelming: My job is ending in just over a week and there is much to do, I am planning on relocating to a strange city for no less than two years and I have to decide if I am going to go through a major surgery in order to benefit someone I have never met nor know nothing of. I would again appreciate some love and prayers sent my way as impossible situations are hopefully worked out in the coming months.
I miss you all very much and wish we were sitting on the Villa's rooftop at night and discussing the new happenings in our lives. Much love habibti's.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Leaving Cairo
Phil and I have just finished our time with MCC. I loved working for them and highly recommend it. They have positions all over the world including the Middle East.
As Phil and I leave, we leave behind 3 people still staying here. Julianna is here for 5 more weeks. Jon (who has some news) will stay until December. Dena, who is once again a MESP intern, is back and she will stay for a year. Becca is still enrolled in AUC and she should be back to finish her masters in the Fall.
Egypt has been good to me. I will miss it dearly.
I have particularly enjoyed learning more about the Orthodox church. We didn't learn much on our semester. So, the past year has been very eye opening.
I miss you all,
Micah
As Phil and I leave, we leave behind 3 people still staying here. Julianna is here for 5 more weeks. Jon (who has some news) will stay until December. Dena, who is once again a MESP intern, is back and she will stay for a year. Becca is still enrolled in AUC and she should be back to finish her masters in the Fall.
Egypt has been good to me. I will miss it dearly.
I have particularly enjoyed learning more about the Orthodox church. We didn't learn much on our semester. So, the past year has been very eye opening.
I miss you all,
Micah
Friday, June 5, 2009
Turkey anyone
So, I'm thinking about going to join my family and do some teaching in Turkey.
The place that has offered me a job without even seeing my resume is looking for foreign teachers for their elementary school and prep university. They pay isn't bad.
I know you'd all love to come with me!
In all seriousness though, if anyone is interested please let me know.
Anna
The place that has offered me a job without even seeing my resume is looking for foreign teachers for their elementary school and prep university. They pay isn't bad.
I know you'd all love to come with me!
In all seriousness though, if anyone is interested please let me know.
Anna
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Future
I just got accepted at Calvin Seminary. Im pretty excited about that. It is going to be fun... I hope.
Im looking forward to taking classes again and spending time with professors. I have REALLY enjoyed living a non academic centered life. Ironically, it has provided me with even better opportunities to learn than traditional college life. I have been reading a lot of mind-opening books. Good stuff.
By the way, it is pretty awesome living just down the road from Phil. He never says "bizzabt", but he has some other catch-phrases that are almost as good.
Finally, my decision to work with MCC is one of the best things that I have ever done. It has worked perfectly on so many levels. It is an organization that honestly tries to reflect the words of Christ. Such an organization is rare, especially one of such size and scope.
I think of you all often,
Micah
Im looking forward to taking classes again and spending time with professors. I have REALLY enjoyed living a non academic centered life. Ironically, it has provided me with even better opportunities to learn than traditional college life. I have been reading a lot of mind-opening books. Good stuff.
By the way, it is pretty awesome living just down the road from Phil. He never says "bizzabt", but he has some other catch-phrases that are almost as good.
Finally, my decision to work with MCC is one of the best things that I have ever done. It has worked perfectly on so many levels. It is an organization that honestly tries to reflect the words of Christ. Such an organization is rare, especially one of such size and scope.
I think of you all often,
Micah
Monday, February 2, 2009
Next move for Margie
While this blog may be dying, I still feel an obligation to update. In the past year I got my masters in International Development from Eastern University in Philly, went to the Philippines for 10 days or so, moved to DC and worked at Trader Joe's grocery store, and now I'm moving to Amman. I will start off working for ptee.org in communications and hopefully will get involved in some other non profit work there. Tory is there right now, apparently also doing some work for PTEE, so I will be seeing her soon! I also know my undergrad school, Taylor University, takes spring break trips there and have been getting names of people and organizations from random people. Let me know if you have any contacts there but more importantly if you are ever in the area! Hopefully I'll make it over to Cairo to visit the girls living there. I hope all you reading this are doing well! If you think of it, I leave Thursday, so any prayers are also appreciated. I have a one way ticket and hope to be there for a while. We'll see how the visas and income work out. : )
Monday, December 15, 2008
Grad School in Egypt
So I thought all of you may deserve an update about grad school in Egypt. Let me preface this post by saying it is 2:30 in the morning. Graduate School at the American University is always an adventure, and as alissa says while this may led some to drinking it has led me to fine dining. The best part is living in a flat with three amazing women, and no, i'm not just saying that because they may read this. They have been my compatriots here. helping me through my ups and downs...so much so that I find myself wondering what i will do when they leave Egypt (I'm still trying to convince them to stay...so far unsuccessful...the economy in the us may be on my side though). Migration and Refugee studies....sucks. it's the most depressing **** I've ever studied. If you were frustrated when studying the Israeli Palestinian conflict then you don't know the half of it...o no my friends o no the israeli palestinian conflict pails in comparison to many of the wonderful subjects to which i have paid 9 grand. To add to my delight to the subject, thus far all classes have been taught from the perspective of anthropology, sociology, statistics or law....myself being a poli sci fan, i have been finding myself frustrated and led astray by professors, advisors and colleges.
i have developed friends here...from the young man who (i think actually helped ext. invisible children) who randomly sneaks of b/c the orphanage in kampala needs to speak to him about the children or b/c of his friends in zimbabwe to the man who has worked with refugees every where from afghanistan to sudan....or the white south african refugee who gradutated from cornell...to the egyptian from helwan who already has a Ba and MA in English literature and is not receiving her second MA after working with refugees in cairo for almost ten years ... the social group is always lively fun and ever changing.
the fun social life has been accentuated by my ability to explore parts of egyptian culture which were forbidden to us before...such as bars called hurriya (beer for 10 le) hotels with resturants on top of them...drinking wine in cairo (i think my fav. thus far) and dating. that's right kids. becca has been dating in cairo. an atheist as well. a french artiest. who actually began our relationship by running away from me.. haha. funny story which if i will have to share in person for all of you to appreciate. anyways, in cairo of all places, i find myself dating an atheist. he's a nice french man who teaches french and philosophy in local french h.s. along with private piano lessons. i think it's cute to make fun of his accent and his stubborn french ways, but i actually appreciate the fact that he's making me think about things that i previously took for granted...surprisingly enough not about christianity but about islam....my views of G-d and Christ remain unchallenged. (he does at times challenge them but these questions don't actually challenge me mentally or spiritually) it's the questions about islam that challenge me the most. the other night we had a debate/argument about the appropriateness of the niqab which was so enthralling that two egyptian men stopped their meal and spent their time listening to us....at the time it wasn't so much enthralling as frustrating and annoying. anyways...while dating french man who will remain anonymous to all of you (we call him french kid) i have also had a bit of an internet fling (could we call it that kirsten?) with an israeli guy (we call him israeli kid) okay so tech. he's not israeli yet...he's converting....that has not/cannot go anywhere b/c he's about to officially become a jew, and the type of jew that does believe that non-jewish women are not kosher...but i will admit to all of you right now here on this blog that if he did not view me as being non-kosher (which i find extremely offensive by the way) i'd be the first in line to date this kid even though we'd probably argue more than the french kid and i do now...hehe (*smile*)
this is all summed up to say that in three days i return to the states for holiday. this is after my computer crashed last week...yes my mac of one year old crashed...bye bye finals and papers...yes that's right kids all my papers seemed to disappear. i spent several days mourning the loss of my papers (quite literally) to find out that the great apple store here in cairo was able to save them for me. so here's were i stand with graduate school: I turned in my first final paper this past friday. i just (literally just) finished two of my rough drafts for two other classes) I now have one other paper (which I have an introduction for) which needs to be 10-15 p and a 3-5 p paper along with a final exam to complete all by thursday! (It's now 3 am tuesday morning).
thankfully, my lovely french....dare i say boyfriend (OMG please don't hurt me alissa) brought me back a bottle of wine from his trip in israel. it is an incentive for me to finish my papers. along with the fact, that if i am able to accomplish all of my work by thursday after my computer crashing, i'll be a bit proud of myself! yay! feeling proud of my work would be nice considering that thus far...i've felt a bit overwhelmed and unqualified for graduate school. let me say from my experience of course readers which if stacked are taller than myself and all contain depressing, depressing information, graduate school sucks! also...for those choosing graduate schools....be wise as to how you choose. i chose by location. i have learned the best way to choose is by researching the professors of whom you will be studying under. if you have similar research interests then that's a positive note for that grad school if not move on....i chose by location...and i don't recommend it (grad school wise). love you all and i miss you all...also for those of you who have my cell number you can still call me on that number with no extra cost to you or to me yay...for those of you who don't have it...i think its on facebook...yay!
i have developed friends here...from the young man who (i think actually helped ext. invisible children) who randomly sneaks of b/c the orphanage in kampala needs to speak to him about the children or b/c of his friends in zimbabwe to the man who has worked with refugees every where from afghanistan to sudan....or the white south african refugee who gradutated from cornell...to the egyptian from helwan who already has a Ba and MA in English literature and is not receiving her second MA after working with refugees in cairo for almost ten years ... the social group is always lively fun and ever changing.
the fun social life has been accentuated by my ability to explore parts of egyptian culture which were forbidden to us before...such as bars called hurriya (beer for 10 le) hotels with resturants on top of them...drinking wine in cairo (i think my fav. thus far) and dating. that's right kids. becca has been dating in cairo. an atheist as well. a french artiest. who actually began our relationship by running away from me.. haha. funny story which if i will have to share in person for all of you to appreciate. anyways, in cairo of all places, i find myself dating an atheist. he's a nice french man who teaches french and philosophy in local french h.s. along with private piano lessons. i think it's cute to make fun of his accent and his stubborn french ways, but i actually appreciate the fact that he's making me think about things that i previously took for granted...surprisingly enough not about christianity but about islam....my views of G-d and Christ remain unchallenged. (he does at times challenge them but these questions don't actually challenge me mentally or spiritually) it's the questions about islam that challenge me the most. the other night we had a debate/argument about the appropriateness of the niqab which was so enthralling that two egyptian men stopped their meal and spent their time listening to us....at the time it wasn't so much enthralling as frustrating and annoying. anyways...while dating french man who will remain anonymous to all of you (we call him french kid) i have also had a bit of an internet fling (could we call it that kirsten?) with an israeli guy (we call him israeli kid) okay so tech. he's not israeli yet...he's converting....that has not/cannot go anywhere b/c he's about to officially become a jew, and the type of jew that does believe that non-jewish women are not kosher...but i will admit to all of you right now here on this blog that if he did not view me as being non-kosher (which i find extremely offensive by the way) i'd be the first in line to date this kid even though we'd probably argue more than the french kid and i do now...hehe (*smile*)
this is all summed up to say that in three days i return to the states for holiday. this is after my computer crashed last week...yes my mac of one year old crashed...bye bye finals and papers...yes that's right kids all my papers seemed to disappear. i spent several days mourning the loss of my papers (quite literally) to find out that the great apple store here in cairo was able to save them for me. so here's were i stand with graduate school: I turned in my first final paper this past friday. i just (literally just) finished two of my rough drafts for two other classes) I now have one other paper (which I have an introduction for) which needs to be 10-15 p and a 3-5 p paper along with a final exam to complete all by thursday! (It's now 3 am tuesday morning).
thankfully, my lovely french....dare i say boyfriend (OMG please don't hurt me alissa) brought me back a bottle of wine from his trip in israel. it is an incentive for me to finish my papers. along with the fact, that if i am able to accomplish all of my work by thursday after my computer crashing, i'll be a bit proud of myself! yay! feeling proud of my work would be nice considering that thus far...i've felt a bit overwhelmed and unqualified for graduate school. let me say from my experience of course readers which if stacked are taller than myself and all contain depressing, depressing information, graduate school sucks! also...for those choosing graduate schools....be wise as to how you choose. i chose by location. i have learned the best way to choose is by researching the professors of whom you will be studying under. if you have similar research interests then that's a positive note for that grad school if not move on....i chose by location...and i don't recommend it (grad school wise). love you all and i miss you all...also for those of you who have my cell number you can still call me on that number with no extra cost to you or to me yay...for those of you who don't have it...i think its on facebook...yay!
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