Updates

So since I'm at work with nothing to do, I figured I'd go ahead and update my blog. We have been super busy lately, like most people, because of the holidays... plus we just downloaded Donkey Kong for Super Nintendo on the Wii and you know that occupies a good portion of my day.

So I did not get the fellowship. I said a prayer before my interview to accept the fact that if I did not get it, that it was meant to be. I wasn't really all that heartbroken, and actually I haven't even thought about it since I found out. I always try to do too many things at once, and I realize that I might have been trying to take on too much. I really need to focus my full attention to grad school and finding a better job. Once I get in the swing of all that, then I can focus on trying to do other things. Plus, I'm not a single lady anymore. I have obligations to my husband, and that should take priority over these side projects I want to do.

On another note, we found out that Andrew's boot camp, MOS school, and other training school (can't remember the name) equals five months. That is a lot less time than I thought he would be gone... which I am very happy about. It will be hard to hold down the fort by myself, but it's what I have to do I guess.

I also got an email today from my old co-worker Julius in Rwanda. He started his own organization in Rwanda called Help Life Rwanda, and I have been "helping" him design a website, etc. It has been in the works since May of this year, but with communication at a minimum between us, it has been on the backburner. I really need to start focusing on helping him get it up and running. Other than the website, I help him with his organization by sponsoring two Rwandan students school fees. Because Rwandas education system is so expensive, most youth are not able to attend school. While I was in Rwanda, I met up with a girl named Clementine who I decided to sponsor her school fees. It's not too much ($200 a term, 3 terms a year), but right not with grad school and all these other expenses, it is going to weigh down on us financially a lot... but I have to keep my commitment and be better about setting aside money for these fees. The boy I am sponsoring, Sam, has school fees equal to about $130 a term, but since he is not doing well (he is in a sort of public school), they are thinking of transferring him to a boarding school like Clementines. Those are more expensive, but it will allow him to completely focus on school. In his public school he doesn't do as well because he gets out of school and instead of studying has to take care of goats and helps his mom by selling food for her business. All in all, I am just glad that he is trying and I do not feel like my money is going to waste. I received letters (scanned to me) today from both of them and it just fills my heart with joy to know how appreciative they are for what I can provide. I know that they will be better people because of the education they receive. And hopefully that understanding will translate to avoiding their involvement in conflicts and being persuaded to participate in future conflicts in their society. Wow, what an impact I am having in conflict resolution... never even thought, until now, about the parallelism between the program I will be involved in and the real life steps I am taking. I love these two kids so much. It's a whole other thing once you meet them. After this one-on-one meeting with them, how could I not want to do everything I can to help them out? I hope once they graduate, I can be there to support them.

My heart is full today. Maybe it is because anytime someone from Rwanda emails me or contacts me in any way, I just get so happy. I love that country and I love the people that I have met from there. They are so genuine and just the most incredible friends. I am a better person knowing them.

Or maybe it is the Christmas season. I cannot wait to see my family in a few days and spend time with Andrew's either. Yes, my family has LOTS of problems, but I can't imagine not having them in my life. Everything that has happened in my life, especially as a result of my family members actions, have shaped who I am as a person. There have been a lot of negative things that have happened to me because of them, but I look at it and realize that it has made me the independent strong woman I am today because of it. I am so driven and semi-accomplished because that's what my family lacks. I am an example to my family, and I have a lot of responsibility because of that. But I wouldn't trade my role. I have learned a lot about myself as a person because of these challenges. I could never be grateful enough for this... and my faith has grown tremendously as a result.

Anyways, enough of this rambling. I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday! I love you!