Hey Men You might want to check this out. it is an opportunity to teach english in Saudi Arabia. it's paid
http://www.esljobfeed.com/forum/index.pl?noframes;read=139
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
MESP reunion, for real this time.
Ok! Updated reunion info. Here's the deal. Anyone in, near, around, or willing to travel to Chicago is welcome to stay at my house anytime between the 27th and 30th of December. Come for an hour, a day, 3 days, whatever. There will be room at my house for whoever would like to come.
My address is:
930 Willow Walk Dr.
Palatine, IL
60067
Tory, no worries, I'll be home the 15th and you and I can hang out!
Let me know if you're thinking about coming!
Love you all.
Alissa
My address is:
930 Willow Walk Dr.
Palatine, IL
60067
Tory, no worries, I'll be home the 15th and you and I can hang out!
Let me know if you're thinking about coming!
Love you all.
Alissa
Just a quick note to thank you all for your support in the past few weeks. Thank you for the messages, cards and phone calls. Really and truly these have meant so much to me and I can't really say how much I appreciate you all! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Update: The three girls who survived the crash are all going to be ok. two are now at their homes recovering and at least one will be able to return to school in January. The third girl is still in the hospital due to a bleeding liver.
I am still struggling to get my mind around the fact that my roomate was here and then just like that...gone. It has been a process.
Once again thank you all so so much for your support and love. Your encouragement has really blessed me in ways I cannot even explain.
Update: The three girls who survived the crash are all going to be ok. two are now at their homes recovering and at least one will be able to return to school in January. The third girl is still in the hospital due to a bleeding liver.
I am still struggling to get my mind around the fact that my roomate was here and then just like that...gone. It has been a process.
Once again thank you all so so much for your support and love. Your encouragement has really blessed me in ways I cannot even explain.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Oh yes...
... and I'm also taking beginner violin lessons from a friend, in an attempt to work towards fulfilling my lifelong goal of becoming a world famous fiddler and playing for Riverdance (I truly wish I was Irish, but that can't be helped).
"Life or Something Like It" (horrible movie by the way)
Well friends, I had this lofty goal of somehow communicating individually with all of you, and telling you what I was up to, and finding out how you were doing, but... let's face it: that's just impossible. I will still attempt to send letters and cards by mail as much I as I can, but in the meantime, I thought I would finally get around to posting. I'm trying not to become one of those people who only communicates via one Christmas/holiday card a year, but if you do end up getting some kind of "seasons greetings" from me in your mailbox, know that I still deeply respect you, I just haven't had the chance to send anything else.
Now on to my life in short form: At the moment, I am in Edmonton, Alberta, sitting on the computer at my parent's house, trying to stay warm. I'm currently living with them again after a 5 year absence, and I have been here since I got back from Egypt in June. It's been interesting, being "home" again, but interesting in a good (if challenging) way. My parents are pretty relaxed and always have been, so I've not felt restricted, but it certainly has been interesting to be living with a mom, a dad, and a sister, after living with friends since high school.
After arriving back here in June, I did a little travelling, spent some time with friends, attended some weddings (although sadly none of yours) etc., and in July I started working at a little place called "The Mustard Seed", which has kept me here until now, and will keep me here at least until summer 2008. TMS is, to put it in dictionary terms, an "inner-city humanitarian organization." It used to be called a "street church", but thankfully has changed its name, due to the negative connotations (particularly in terms of evangelism) that have been associated with that type of term. We have evening meals, a clothing bank, a Food Bank, recreation activities (baseball team, bingo, karaoke, art class, "Hockey Night in Canada"), afternoon and evening drop-in, and so on. Essentially it's like a community centre, and it's located in the inner-city - the "ghetto" if you will - so the community is made up mostly of those who operate on a lower income scale than the rest of the city. My official position is "Volunteer Development Coordinator", but I find that I do a little of everything, and I'm loving it. I came on temporarily in July to fill a 6 week opening, but ended up becoming invested in the people and the place, and I'm still here, 6 months later.
TMS has had its own learning curve and set of challenges, but really, I would highly recommend the "ghetto" to anyone trying to continue the processing of the ME and the issues encountered there. One of the most fascinating things for me has been to observe the parallels between the inner-city community and the Egyptian community, and the similarities between the issues faced by each. If we talk about Western imperialism messing up matters for those in the ME, we can definitely talk about it messing up things for those on the lower end of the social scale in Western countries (I think about this especially in regards to Native Americans/First Nations, who unfortunately make up at least 50% of those living in Canadian "slums").
I've been lucky to work with a lot of great people, who have a lot of great vision for what "change" looks like, and how we invest in the inner-city, as opposed to just shoving money and donations of used clothing at it. I've had my frustrations with the broader community and their attitudes towards the people I've come to know over the past few months, but I've also seen plenty to be hopeful about. Sometimes I think that working at a place like this goes against my socialist tendencies, but perhaps I'm becoming more of an anarchist anyways (particularly in regards to the current Canadian government).
I didn't imagine last June that I'd still be in Edmonton at this time (I thought I'd be back somewhere in the Middle East) but things didn't work out like that, and that's been fine with me. I don't intend to stay at The Mustard Seed (or in Edmonton) much past next summer, but in the meantime, I'm happy to be here.
I hope you're all doing well, wherever you are, and whatever you're doing. CONGRATULATIONS to all those who have gotten married over the last few months (wish I could have been there!) - I'm celebrating for you from a distance. Good luck to those of you who graduated last year, or are looking towards graduation this spring - leaving school is sad, but outside the campus bubble is a great place to be (not that I don't miss the bubble sometimes...). And hooray for those of you who are thinking about returning to the ME - beaucoup blessings and maybe I'll see you there in the next couple of years.
Cheers and much love always,
-Dena
Now on to my life in short form: At the moment, I am in Edmonton, Alberta, sitting on the computer at my parent's house, trying to stay warm. I'm currently living with them again after a 5 year absence, and I have been here since I got back from Egypt in June. It's been interesting, being "home" again, but interesting in a good (if challenging) way. My parents are pretty relaxed and always have been, so I've not felt restricted, but it certainly has been interesting to be living with a mom, a dad, and a sister, after living with friends since high school.
After arriving back here in June, I did a little travelling, spent some time with friends, attended some weddings (although sadly none of yours) etc., and in July I started working at a little place called "The Mustard Seed", which has kept me here until now, and will keep me here at least until summer 2008. TMS is, to put it in dictionary terms, an "inner-city humanitarian organization." It used to be called a "street church", but thankfully has changed its name, due to the negative connotations (particularly in terms of evangelism) that have been associated with that type of term. We have evening meals, a clothing bank, a Food Bank, recreation activities (baseball team, bingo, karaoke, art class, "Hockey Night in Canada"), afternoon and evening drop-in, and so on. Essentially it's like a community centre, and it's located in the inner-city - the "ghetto" if you will - so the community is made up mostly of those who operate on a lower income scale than the rest of the city. My official position is "Volunteer Development Coordinator", but I find that I do a little of everything, and I'm loving it. I came on temporarily in July to fill a 6 week opening, but ended up becoming invested in the people and the place, and I'm still here, 6 months later.
TMS has had its own learning curve and set of challenges, but really, I would highly recommend the "ghetto" to anyone trying to continue the processing of the ME and the issues encountered there. One of the most fascinating things for me has been to observe the parallels between the inner-city community and the Egyptian community, and the similarities between the issues faced by each. If we talk about Western imperialism messing up matters for those in the ME, we can definitely talk about it messing up things for those on the lower end of the social scale in Western countries (I think about this especially in regards to Native Americans/First Nations, who unfortunately make up at least 50% of those living in Canadian "slums").
I've been lucky to work with a lot of great people, who have a lot of great vision for what "change" looks like, and how we invest in the inner-city, as opposed to just shoving money and donations of used clothing at it. I've had my frustrations with the broader community and their attitudes towards the people I've come to know over the past few months, but I've also seen plenty to be hopeful about. Sometimes I think that working at a place like this goes against my socialist tendencies, but perhaps I'm becoming more of an anarchist anyways (particularly in regards to the current Canadian government).
I didn't imagine last June that I'd still be in Edmonton at this time (I thought I'd be back somewhere in the Middle East) but things didn't work out like that, and that's been fine with me. I don't intend to stay at The Mustard Seed (or in Edmonton) much past next summer, but in the meantime, I'm happy to be here.
I hope you're all doing well, wherever you are, and whatever you're doing. CONGRATULATIONS to all those who have gotten married over the last few months (wish I could have been there!) - I'm celebrating for you from a distance. Good luck to those of you who graduated last year, or are looking towards graduation this spring - leaving school is sad, but outside the campus bubble is a great place to be (not that I don't miss the bubble sometimes...). And hooray for those of you who are thinking about returning to the ME - beaucoup blessings and maybe I'll see you there in the next couple of years.
Cheers and much love always,
-Dena
Teaching ESL
I have had the amazing opportunity to teach ESL in several different distinct settings. Each one tells me two different things about the world we live in today.
Setting number one: I teach mainly Asian students. In this setting all that Thomas L. Friedman speak of in his book "The World is Flat" is confirmed by what I see in my students. Their ambitious. They are more technologically advanced than Americans. The are evidence that the world is flattening. Everyone is being given the same opportunities. Everyone can change their lives. America better prepare itself, for it will soon loose its status if it does not change its ways.
Setting number two: I teach mainly Africans, refugees. In this setting everything Friedman speaks of is dispelled. The world is obviously not flat. Instead, it is cruel, harsh, disgusting. it is more reminiscent of the world in which the prophets of the Bible lived in. Yes, they are fortunate to have survived, to have made it to a different country...but they are fortunate. They are the lucky few. They are plagued by disease, by memories. They are happy people, but their eyes are filled with a deep and dark history. They are just as smart as their Asian counterpart, but they do not have the same opportunities.
I am slowly beginning to recognize that some type of the Modern World System is true. The idea that there are core, semi-periphery and periphery states. The core dominate and control the market to benefit themselves and keep the other states out of the core. I do not think I agree with the structuralist solution to this problem, but I recognize there is a lot of truth in this theory. the more I learn about the world, the more I see that the evils that are discussed in the Bible are not exaggerated. They are real, and they are a live. It makes me feel so hopeless. I guess I need to go back and read the whole story, so I can remember to always hope.
Setting number one: I teach mainly Asian students. In this setting all that Thomas L. Friedman speak of in his book "The World is Flat" is confirmed by what I see in my students. Their ambitious. They are more technologically advanced than Americans. The are evidence that the world is flattening. Everyone is being given the same opportunities. Everyone can change their lives. America better prepare itself, for it will soon loose its status if it does not change its ways.
Setting number two: I teach mainly Africans, refugees. In this setting everything Friedman speaks of is dispelled. The world is obviously not flat. Instead, it is cruel, harsh, disgusting. it is more reminiscent of the world in which the prophets of the Bible lived in. Yes, they are fortunate to have survived, to have made it to a different country...but they are fortunate. They are the lucky few. They are plagued by disease, by memories. They are happy people, but their eyes are filled with a deep and dark history. They are just as smart as their Asian counterpart, but they do not have the same opportunities.
I am slowly beginning to recognize that some type of the Modern World System is true. The idea that there are core, semi-periphery and periphery states. The core dominate and control the market to benefit themselves and keep the other states out of the core. I do not think I agree with the structuralist solution to this problem, but I recognize there is a lot of truth in this theory. the more I learn about the world, the more I see that the evils that are discussed in the Bible are not exaggerated. They are real, and they are a live. It makes me feel so hopeless. I guess I need to go back and read the whole story, so I can remember to always hope.
MESP reunion, Midwest Style
So I'm going to go ahead and call it: Anyone who is in Chicago, near Chicago, or willing to travel to Chicago (and welcome to crash at my house), we're getting together sometime between Dec. 15th and 23rd. Tell me what day works best for those of you that will be around. My cell is 847.890.5837 for those who don't have it.
Also...I have a new website up for my slam poetry. There are a bunch of recordings posted on there from performances and competitions i've done. http://spu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5854757869
Just thought I'd pass that along. I got to perform with two of my friends at a big SPU Christmas festival kind of thing--they played electric guitar while I did this poem about Jesus. It worked out surprisingly well!
I can't wait to see you all soon. Seriously, if anyone wants to travel down from Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa...I've got lots of room in my house!
let me know when would work best for you all.
Take care, my loves.
Alissa
Also...I have a new website up for my slam poetry. There are a bunch of recordings posted on there from performances and competitions i've done. http://spu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5854757869
Just thought I'd pass that along. I got to perform with two of my friends at a big SPU Christmas festival kind of thing--they played electric guitar while I did this poem about Jesus. It worked out surprisingly well!
I can't wait to see you all soon. Seriously, if anyone wants to travel down from Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa...I've got lots of room in my house!
let me know when would work best for you all.
Take care, my loves.
Alissa
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