Michigan's Upper Peninsula

my hipster shoes. even though i'm really not that hipster.

covered road, near houghton.

lake superior, au train.

lake superior, au train.

lake superior, munising. 

of transitions.

Last night, I had a dream that my Fulbright Grant was approved and I was hours away from boarding a plane to Bosnia.  I was teary as I hugged family and friends, nervous about the life that awaited me.  I woke up with a start, disappointed only to realize that I was still stuck in this snowy state.  But it got me thinking.

There are some major changes coming my way.  A possible trans-Atlantic move or a relocation to New York or DC looms on the horizon.  Add a graduation to the pile, and my life is full of transitions.

But I have this fear.  Until today, I thought it was a fear of actually going away from home for longer than two months. However, seeing the world and living elsewhere has always been a life-long dream; I am not afraid to see and experience things.

This afternoon, in the hallway, I saw a professor I've worked with in the past. We chatted for a few minutes and before he left, he asked when I was graduating.  I replied, but It was his response that really got me and revealed the root of my fear.  "Wow," he said, "be sure to stay in touch."  And that's when it me.  I'm leaving my professors, these classrooms and the books.  In a way, it seems that my identity as a student was leaving me as well.  But is that really true?

Being a student is my identity, it's who I am.  Writing research papers, conducting statistical analysis, critiquing papers and debating with my colleagues is what I do best.  It's an identity I have developed over the last four years and one that I am reluctant to give up.  But I'm realizing that my identity as a student really won't change on April 29, 2012.  The classrooms will.  I won't have the same professors.  My classmates won't consist of the same individuals.  But the learning never stops.  The books I have read and the relationships I have established thus far only enable me to be a better student in the future.

So I say, bring it on.  There's nothing bittersweet about graduating, only the happy thoughts of a limitless classroom at my doorstep.


(Oh, and I can't wait to reread this someday, when I'm forty and grading a stack of papers. I only hope I'll have the same optimism and enthusiasm for life.)

today, there is tea, sunshine and relief. my future is now in the hands of the state department.

favorite places?

I am nine credits away from graduating (cue confetti) and rather than apply for graduate school immediately, I am looking into other opportunities overseas (more on where I'll be headed will have to wait for another post).  So, I'm writing statements on why I want to teach English, why I'd like to travel, and how my upbringing has shaped who I am today.

But while I'm busy writing, I'd like to hear from you (and please don't be shy)!  If you were to pick five countries (or cities) to visit, what would they be? And if you feel like it, why'd you pick these places?

(one of my most favorite cities, philadelphia)

{sarajevo: religion}

(If you're new here, I've been blogging about living in Sarajevo, Bosnia this summer. You can read my other posts here.)

Sarajevo is often referred to as the Jerusalem of Eastern Europe. And it's true. The city is littered with mosques and cathedrals, representing Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics. It's not uncommon to have an Orthodox church, a Catholic church and a mosque on the same block (some are even just a few feet from each other). (And just for clarification, over half of the population is Bosniak, which essentially means they are Muslim. Croats are Catholic and Serbs are Orthodox Christians.)

Over the last several thousand years, the Ottomans (later the Turks) have ruled in Sarajevo, as have other western European powers right through the Communist period. Although the number of mosques far outnumber the amount of churches (and I mean churches are really outnumbered), Sarajevo is really a patchwork of each religion.

(above: the remains of a monastery. there are many monasteries in Sarajevo, but they have been converted to public buildings.)

(above: a jewish synagogue.)

{sarajevo: the people.}

the cities, the parks, the mountains, the rivers....all of that makes bosnia beautiful. but what i enjoyed most were the people. i enjoyed riding the tram (despite the sweltering heat and sheer number of people on it) because it felt like i got a snapshot of bosnia (and sarajevo, to be exact). and people's faces tell stories no matter where you are. some are serious, others happy, silly... still others looked mournful, sad and melancholy. i felt that even though sarajevo is rebuilding and appears to be "fine" (it IS a beautiful city, so rich in history), it's people told a slightly different story. you can patch mortar holes, paint over graffiti and rebuild things, but you can't remove the hurt and pain that has scarred people from centuries of war and conflict.

i'm back!

My stat counter tells me that I still have readers! Even after six weeks of nothingness on this blog. Originally, I had planned to schedule posts, but between all the packing and crazyness of leaving the country, I never got around to preparing the posts. I'm getting back in gear and I have to blog some families, infants, seniors and of course - my trip! They will all be coming shortly, so for now, enjoy some Europe photos :)

Bosnia!

As many of you know, I am headed overseas for six weeks. I am leaving on Sunday and will be traveling to Bosnia with EveryStudent, working students at the university there. I'm excited to travel there and I know I'll have many photos to share when I return!

Just a few business details to take care of...

• I have some posts scheduled, so be on the lookout for those!
• I will not be answering business emails until after July 4th, so please bear with me. Also, I will not have a phone, so any voice mail messages or texts will also go unanswered until after July 4th.
• If you would like to keep up with my travels, check out my blog here. I will be posting updates when I can.

See you all when I return!

purple mountain majesty.

(I am now questioning why I even live in Michigan. This place is absolutely amazing.)

colorado!

My uncle has wifi so that means I have internet; however, I don't have a lot of time to post. I thought I'd share at least two pictures to enjoy.

(above: Denver from afar.)

two hundred dollars poorer.

I booked a flight to Denver, Colorado.

I didn’t want to spend the money, but Popsie said this will probably be the last time our family is all together like this, with my two brothers in the Marine Corps now. I’m trusting God on this one despite the hole in my wallet; I know it’s the right decision.

On my way there, I’ll visit my dear friend, Hannah F. during a layover.

Then I’ll make the connection, land in Denver and hang out with Katie and (another) Hannah.

After, I’ll spend the next week with family.

I’m SO thrilled about leaving on a jet plane. The roar of the engines. Popping ears and the frantic smacking of bubble gum. Seeing the Lakes from the air. People-watching in the plane. Observing the cloud formations in the sky. Imagining the pictures, the mountains and the people I'll see.

Perhaps I’ll end the trip two hundred dollars richer.

Philadelphia, part II

Here are more shots, same things, but different angles and color settings :)

Philadelphia

Philadelphia was amazing. There are a lot of newer buildings mixed with all the old, historic sites...and it's simply awesome. Most of the townhouses date back to the Revolutionary War and I think that's pretty cool. There's really no way to describe it. I was there for a cross-country conference, so our time was mostly dominated by seminars on Saturday. However, we arrived to Philly around dinner time on Friday, so we took the opportunity to see some popular attractions (National Treasure anyone?!) The following pictures are from Independence Hall, various parts of the city and the Art Museum. The conference I attended was on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania and it's beautiful - most of the buildings have been there since the mid 18th century. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to really take pictures, but the architecture was stunning. I guess I'll just have to plan another trip ;)

Colorado