It's been a while...

Yes folks, it's been a while in the sense that I have not written on here. So today, October 19th, 2010 marks the day of official blogging.

Let's see, what have I been up to? Just to catch up on what's been going on:

• After 2 years on Okinawa, I moved back home for a short while. I then moved to England to pursue a Masters in Post-war Recovery.
• I lived in a 6 bedroom house with crazy flatmates from the UK.
  
• Wild parties, late nights.. wait- I can't write about this here!

Moving forward...

• During my studies at York University my classmates and I were given the opportunity to do some research in Jordan on the influx of Iraqis and to do dissertation work in Timor-Leste.
  
• After spending some time in Timor, I returned back to England for a short while before heading back home to L.A. -needless to say, my credit cards are all pretty much maxed out! On the bright side? Star Alliance mileage!
  

- To make a long story short- for the passed year I have been back in Los Angeles counting the days before I leave again- not that life back home is not rewarding (seeing old friends, making new friends, concerts, dinners, dates, arguments, coffee runs) but, it's time to move forward!

After a year long search, I have been offered a job with an Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation organization- FINALLY! Needless to say, my future posts will solely rely on how many times I get sick somewhere in Africa, what the food is like and my work. Let the storytelling begin!

Some pics of Jordan

Hello from London

A lovely day in London. I stayed with Dan and his family. A lovely family. I managed to see some old friends from I studied in France, and some friends from Okinawa. It was the best weekend I believe I have had. I won't bore you with details, but it was wicked!

I managed to turn in my conflict analysis on El Salvador's Civil War. I was really, really nervous becuase I thought I didn't do it right. I couldn't figure out the methodology and framework needed to correctly write an academic paper. I couldn't stop writing a narrative, so I had to rewrite, and rewrite. Finally, I managed 13 pages. I turned it in at 3:59pm when i was due at 4pm. I had feedback, when I entered Alp, my supervisors' room, I saw the 65 on it. I thought, "great I got a big FAT 'F'" Then suddenly he started with... "it was a good paper." WHAT????? Really? WOW. He explained that passing is 50% and 70% is distinction. I missed distinction by a toe nail!!! I couldn't believe it! Cool, huh? If anyone wants to read it, just leave me a comment!

Tonight, we leave for Jordan. We have to meet at 2 am and take a bus down to Heathrow, to catch the flight in the morning! This is really nerve racking, but nonetheless, I love it! I am really excited, because I get to do research in reporductive health among the Iraqi refugees. This subject, if it goes well will lead me to my subject for my dissertation in March. I want to research in reproductive and mater
maternal health in women and girls. I want to research what happens when certain services are not available in terms of abortion, support programmes for victims of rape and domestic violence and prevention programmes for STD's and HIV/AIDS. In certain countries, like Jordan, there is no abortion for victims of rape, one cannot even get treatment in maternal wards, if one DOES NOT produce a marriage certificate. Many women end up delivering at home without any outside help besides a midwife. Midwives are good, but understand in refugee situations, many complications arise, sometimes leaving mother or child dead and in some cases both. If abortion is not allowed for women of rape victims, they turn to "hangers" to do the job for them. This is what I want to research either in Africa, the Middle East or Asia. What do you think?

Some Pictures to keep you entertained

Arrival in York, England

Finally, after changing my ticket so many times, I have finally arrived in York. The campus is really beautiful with lots of ponds and ducks walking around. York centre is about 3 miles away, and is surrounded by old medieval walls. Inside the walls, there are lots of pubs, restaurants that have a Shakespearean atmosphere. York is still a small town, and all the stores close quite early, around 7 pm. All the houses look the same, so I tend to get lost a few times. At least I have a blue door, so it's a bit easy to spot... if I can manage to find the right street.

The weather is pretty cold for now, and I am told it's going to get colder; especially in December, when it snows. I share a nice house with 6 other people. It's about a mile and half away from campus; so on average, I walk about 3 miles a day, not including trips to the grocery store, etc. The buses are expensive, so I don't bother, and taxis are not even a choice. Oh, before I forget, I live in a a mixed house with Bridget and Tom from Ireland, Amy, Elleoise and Andy the Brits, Nanpoon the girl from Thailand and finally myself, "the Yank" as my flatmates call me. Everyone in the house except Elleoise and myself are studying for their PH.D in Chemistry. Elleoise studies History, and I am the only one with the wierd subject. So far, lectures are long and I have a bit of trouble understanding Dr. Alp, even though he speaks English! In December we are going to Jordan to work with Iraqi refugees. Lord, wish me luck! I hope they like Americans! The good thing is that my Master's programe has many people from different countries: Brits, Irish, Scottish, Italians, French, Afgans, Turkish and Middle Eastern... then me, the only American. Boy, do they like to talk to me about politics and Bush! These people know more about American politics than most Americans back home, including myself!

I've managed to make a few friends, and I have befriended the Spaniards thanks to my flatmates. So, instead of speaking English in England, I am speaking Spanish all day!

More to come in time. I hope everyone is well!