Dear Destiny,
Where is humanity? Sometimes after reading the news I wonder how this world ever got so big and complicated. When there is ceaseless conflict between neighbors; when people feel justified in killing each other; when trafficking the innocent becomes a business; and when half the species faces discrimination because of xx chromosomes ... how do we survive, this human race?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Dear Destiny, What's This?
Dear Destiny,
What's this? It's Monday morning and my week is pretty much a blank slate ... aside from the modest size to-do list. I thought that surely after last week's efforts in the job hunt that my inbox would be flooded with emails asking for interviews. But perhaps they are waiting for exactly the right moment ... in which case Destiny, I hope it's soon!
What's this? It's Monday morning and my week is pretty much a blank slate ... aside from the modest size to-do list. I thought that surely after last week's efforts in the job hunt that my inbox would be flooded with emails asking for interviews. But perhaps they are waiting for exactly the right moment ... in which case Destiny, I hope it's soon!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Dear Destiny, I'm Still Here.
Dear Destiny,
I'm still here, in the District. After a week of bizarre weather ranging from snow, to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a tornado watch, back to freezing temperatures, I'm surviving it. It sure is more interesting than days upon days of rain! But the excitement stops there; I'm still actively hunting for full-time employment and am starting to get a little anxious for something to come along. But I confess, I am being super picky in my searches for something that is "just right" - no compromising. Because Destiny, more than just work I want to find a position that fulfills my aching sense of urgency to do good in the world. My beliefs in community health, an ecological approach, and empowerment-based solutions are firm and I'm not backing down.
I'm still here, in the District. After a week of bizarre weather ranging from snow, to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a tornado watch, back to freezing temperatures, I'm surviving it. It sure is more interesting than days upon days of rain! But the excitement stops there; I'm still actively hunting for full-time employment and am starting to get a little anxious for something to come along. But I confess, I am being super picky in my searches for something that is "just right" - no compromising. Because Destiny, more than just work I want to find a position that fulfills my aching sense of urgency to do good in the world. My beliefs in community health, an ecological approach, and empowerment-based solutions are firm and I'm not backing down.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Dear Destiny, It's Been A Week.
Dear Destiny,
It's been a week since I arrived in DC and so far I'm surviving it. Admittedly, this is a bleak time of year to be relocating here, and the winter landscape (and drivers) left me feeling that I was truly in foreign territory. But after a week of apartment-searching and job-hunting, I'm feeling like my decision to settle here for a while is a good choice. Also, it helps that I have a two-member fan club (a 2 year old niece and 4 year old nephew; children of my cousin) who bolster my spirits with cuddles and compliments. But now that I'm here Destiny, let's get to work!
PS. Inauguration was crazy. I was glad to make it into town for the event, but happy to keep a distance form the masses of people and general mayhem on the Mall.
It's been a week since I arrived in DC and so far I'm surviving it. Admittedly, this is a bleak time of year to be relocating here, and the winter landscape (and drivers) left me feeling that I was truly in foreign territory. But after a week of apartment-searching and job-hunting, I'm feeling like my decision to settle here for a while is a good choice. Also, it helps that I have a two-member fan club (a 2 year old niece and 4 year old nephew; children of my cousin) who bolster my spirits with cuddles and compliments. But now that I'm here Destiny, let's get to work!
PS. Inauguration was crazy. I was glad to make it into town for the event, but happy to keep a distance form the masses of people and general mayhem on the Mall.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Dear Destiny, I'm Stuck.
Dear Destiny,
I'm stuck in Chicago on my way traveling east. The break from the train and the diversity of people has been refreshing but a brief encounter with a stranger today has left me feeling grounded: I stopped for a man on the street who was shaking a cup for change. I emptied my pockets for him knowing it wasn't much but still wanting to make a kind gesture. Instead though, the man barked at my pithy contribution saying "That won't help me!" Any rebuttal would be insufficient - he was right - my few coins wouldn't make things much better. I spent the day wrestling with this and handing out my spare change as I could (usually to much more welcoming persons) in a futile attempt to relieve my conscious. I suppose the hardest thing Destiny, is believing that thing that is the very underpinning of epidemiology; that even small change when multiplied across a population, really can shift the distribution.
I'm stuck in Chicago on my way traveling east. The break from the train and the diversity of people has been refreshing but a brief encounter with a stranger today has left me feeling grounded: I stopped for a man on the street who was shaking a cup for change. I emptied my pockets for him knowing it wasn't much but still wanting to make a kind gesture. Instead though, the man barked at my pithy contribution saying "That won't help me!" Any rebuttal would be insufficient - he was right - my few coins wouldn't make things much better. I spent the day wrestling with this and handing out my spare change as I could (usually to much more welcoming persons) in a futile attempt to relieve my conscious. I suppose the hardest thing Destiny, is believing that thing that is the very underpinning of epidemiology; that even small change when multiplied across a population, really can shift the distribution.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Dear Destiny, It's Over.
Dear Destiny,
It's over. 2012 - gone. On paper it was a decent year: I finished my MPH, had opportunities to travel, played the role of professor, and so on. But beneath the surface it feels empty. I'm literally at the beginning of a new year, no plans for a doctoral program in the immediate future, no contract for employment, and waiting with my bags packed to move across the country. I suppose I'm not completely empty; there is an inkling of hope that this eastbound journey will find me the opportunities that I'm seeking. (And who knows, maybe even love). But that inkling of hope is running low. So Destiny, if I'm to keep plugging along, I'm going to need you to surprise me with a little something to keep me going... please.
It's over. 2012 - gone. On paper it was a decent year: I finished my MPH, had opportunities to travel, played the role of professor, and so on. But beneath the surface it feels empty. I'm literally at the beginning of a new year, no plans for a doctoral program in the immediate future, no contract for employment, and waiting with my bags packed to move across the country. I suppose I'm not completely empty; there is an inkling of hope that this eastbound journey will find me the opportunities that I'm seeking. (And who knows, maybe even love). But that inkling of hope is running low. So Destiny, if I'm to keep plugging along, I'm going to need you to surprise me with a little something to keep me going... please.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Dear Destiny, Life's a Mixed Bag.
Dear Destiny,
Life is such a mixed bag. I've had a birthday and should be feeling "alive" with my relative youth; instead I've spent an fair amount of time in bed this week feeling dread for having to play the leading role in this thing called my life. I've also signed a lease on a new apartment in DC; and whilst there is still a tinge of anticipation for that, I'm all the while combating a fair amount of doubt. Not doubt in you, Destiny - doubt in me. What if I don't find my place in this world? What if I don't find anyone to share the adventure with? I'm trying to exercise faith here, so please, show me it gets better...
Life is such a mixed bag. I've had a birthday and should be feeling "alive" with my relative youth; instead I've spent an fair amount of time in bed this week feeling dread for having to play the leading role in this thing called my life. I've also signed a lease on a new apartment in DC; and whilst there is still a tinge of anticipation for that, I'm all the while combating a fair amount of doubt. Not doubt in you, Destiny - doubt in me. What if I don't find my place in this world? What if I don't find anyone to share the adventure with? I'm trying to exercise faith here, so please, show me it gets better...
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