The aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti has emotionally drained me, which in turn led to a Saturday full of less than thrilling fights with my dearest husband. Of course, the impending arrival of a certain time of month didn't really help much. As a result, I've decided to focus all my energy and effort on things other than Haiti, but still do the projects I've discussed previously. With that in mind, let's turn to recent adventures:
Today we found two amazing parks within 30 minutes drive of the house. Granted, the weather didn't encourage a long foray into the mountains, and our unruly puppy also made things difficult. We did, however, go on a short and incredible hike up the side of a mountain. The vista of the intercontinental divide was breathtaking, and jagged peaks were bordered by an ice-covered creek. In some places, the surface of the creek was as smooth as glass. We've agreed to go back frequently, and enjoy the beautiful land that surrounds us.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tripping
So...it looks like I will be heading at least one, possibly two, teams of volunteers to Fondwa to help rebuild. We will be on site at some point in Spring/Summer, depending on everyone's schedules.
Today, I think it would be nice to type about something outside of Haiti, though. It's been a rough week +, and my brain and heart are exhausted. Let's tackle the thesis, and life in general (albeit briefly).
My thesis is a headache. In terms of organization, I want to redo the entire thing. Luckily, I have enough time to do so. The university has high expectations for me, and that fact is intimidating. At times, I want nothing more than to have this process behind me. My thoughts keep drifting to our desires to have a child, or two, or four. Something tells me that we will max out at two, after all, that's the replacement rate. That's not the actual reason, but it works well as an excuse. ;) I worry that I won't be a good mother, or will become the 'bad guy' to our kids. I guess parenting is something you have to take one day at a time, though.
At some point in the near future, I'm going to start going to the gym. I want to be healthy and happy with my weight before we get pregnant, and should be in good shape for Haiti as well. Right now I am 155 lbs., which is pretty hefty for a 5'3" frame, especially since my most comfortable adult weight was closer to 118 lbs. Weight lifting and running, here I come. It's hard to admit getting older...3 years ago I would have been hunting for pick-up sports leagues. Moving here took a lot of energy, and I wouldn't even know where to begin looking. Besides, pick-up sports would be more fun if the love of my life joined in, but he's too absorbed in office life to get involved in outdoor activities right now.
I haven't told the hubby yet, but I'll also be working with Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer starting in February. That should help with getting healthy, too.
Well, I'd say this entry was superficial enough... I'm gone for now.
Today, I think it would be nice to type about something outside of Haiti, though. It's been a rough week +, and my brain and heart are exhausted. Let's tackle the thesis, and life in general (albeit briefly).
My thesis is a headache. In terms of organization, I want to redo the entire thing. Luckily, I have enough time to do so. The university has high expectations for me, and that fact is intimidating. At times, I want nothing more than to have this process behind me. My thoughts keep drifting to our desires to have a child, or two, or four. Something tells me that we will max out at two, after all, that's the replacement rate. That's not the actual reason, but it works well as an excuse. ;) I worry that I won't be a good mother, or will become the 'bad guy' to our kids. I guess parenting is something you have to take one day at a time, though.
At some point in the near future, I'm going to start going to the gym. I want to be healthy and happy with my weight before we get pregnant, and should be in good shape for Haiti as well. Right now I am 155 lbs., which is pretty hefty for a 5'3" frame, especially since my most comfortable adult weight was closer to 118 lbs. Weight lifting and running, here I come. It's hard to admit getting older...3 years ago I would have been hunting for pick-up sports leagues. Moving here took a lot of energy, and I wouldn't even know where to begin looking. Besides, pick-up sports would be more fun if the love of my life joined in, but he's too absorbed in office life to get involved in outdoor activities right now.
I haven't told the hubby yet, but I'll also be working with Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer starting in February. That should help with getting healthy, too.
Well, I'd say this entry was superficial enough... I'm gone for now.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lots to do...
So here's the current state of affairs:
1) Meeting with the city tomorrow to organize downtown merchants into a day for Haiti
2) Organizing a trip for individuals to travel to Fondwa and rebuild once APF is ready for a volunteer crew
3) Donated goods drive is underway, and items are pouring in. Should be traveling with a U-Haul full of items by Feb. to the shipping center in Michigan.
4) Flyer has been distributed around the US to donate to www.piphaiti.org or the American Red Cross.
1) Meeting with the city tomorrow to organize downtown merchants into a day for Haiti
2) Organizing a trip for individuals to travel to Fondwa and rebuild once APF is ready for a volunteer crew
3) Donated goods drive is underway, and items are pouring in. Should be traveling with a U-Haul full of items by Feb. to the shipping center in Michigan.
4) Flyer has been distributed around the US to donate to www.piphaiti.org or the American Red Cross.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Would hath hope...
The words to one of my parents favorite songs are simple: Would hath hope. It gets cut, but it grows green again. I see Haiti as the subject of the song, more than any tree. Today, the first signs of hope began to trickle in. I learned that many friends and contacts are still alive, and a truckload of supplies for the donated goods drive was brought to my house, with news that three more truckloads are on the way! Hope is in the air, and my thoughts drift to the possibility that even from the greatest of tragedies, new joys can grow, watered by the tears shed for fallen friends and tended by the hope of a nation unwilling to give up.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Fondwa
Fondwa is gone. Snuffed out like a candle, only much more violently. At least one of my friends has died. Sr. Judy is injured. The orphanage, school, university, clinic, guest house...all gone. I feel completely useless. The same people who nursed me back to health when I was ill are dying, and I am powerless to aid them. It's a sickening feeling. Like a rock in my stomach that swings up and down, making me want to vomit, and crushing me from the inside out. My heart is screaming. Crying doesn't help. With all the attention focused on Port-au-Prince, who will help the people in the provinces, who will help my friends in Fondwa?
Well put, Edwidge
So today I went quote hunting and stumbled across a perfectly put remark from Edwidge Danticat.
"I think that Haiti is a place that suffers so much from neglect that people only want to hear about it when it's at its extreme. And that's what they end up knowing about."
Unfortunately, that's painfully true. How often do you hear someone discuss the beauty of the Haitian people? The spirit of community that overpowers any tragedy? The strength of hope, in a people that bounce back from every obstacle? The breathtaking mountains? The cuisine? The music? The art? The literature? Haiti is a wellspring of human creativity, but who is there to witness? Where is the world in the moments of Haitian triumph? Why is the beauty of Haitian music recognized only after the musician has braved the ocean, 8 months pregnant and floated on a boat to anywhere but home; looking for security, but longing for Haiti? Why do the words of Haitian authors go unread until they have moved to Montreal, New York, or Miami?
Why don't the Haitians have TPS???
"I think that Haiti is a place that suffers so much from neglect that people only want to hear about it when it's at its extreme. And that's what they end up knowing about."
Unfortunately, that's painfully true. How often do you hear someone discuss the beauty of the Haitian people? The spirit of community that overpowers any tragedy? The strength of hope, in a people that bounce back from every obstacle? The breathtaking mountains? The cuisine? The music? The art? The literature? Haiti is a wellspring of human creativity, but who is there to witness? Where is the world in the moments of Haitian triumph? Why is the beauty of Haitian music recognized only after the musician has braved the ocean, 8 months pregnant and floated on a boat to anywhere but home; looking for security, but longing for Haiti? Why do the words of Haitian authors go unread until they have moved to Montreal, New York, or Miami?
Why don't the Haitians have TPS???
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Long day
It's been a long frustrating day. There is still no word on many of my colleagues in Haiti, and even those in the states are hard to reach. A friend of mine wrote me on facebook, expressing his disdain at being stuck here, not being able to go to Haiti and work. My thoughts and feelings echo his.
Attempts at networking here in town seemed at first like they would be successful, but I'm beginning to realize that part of what distresses me abou culture in the USA is the tendency of individuals to say one thing, but mean another. The chamber of commerce 'doesn't like to get involved with fundraisers or donation drives' (a quote from the chair of the chamber...). The mayor was due to contact me hours ago, but hasn't. One woman who donated a box of goods gave expired lemonade mix among other items. Needless to say, I'm feeling a little down at the moment.
Attempts at networking here in town seemed at first like they would be successful, but I'm beginning to realize that part of what distresses me abou culture in the USA is the tendency of individuals to say one thing, but mean another. The chamber of commerce 'doesn't like to get involved with fundraisers or donation drives' (a quote from the chair of the chamber...). The mayor was due to contact me hours ago, but hasn't. One woman who donated a box of goods gave expired lemonade mix among other items. Needless to say, I'm feeling a little down at the moment.
Organizing the Drive
Hello there. I hope someone starts reading this soon. Today I contacted the mayor, chamber of commerce, some local businesses, and university contacts. In short, I laid the groundwork for a donation drive for goods such as bedding, clothing, water, non-perishable food items, and basic first aid and medical supplies (no prescription meds) to be sent to Haiti. We'll see what happens.
Just wrote Aid Matrix in the hopes that they can help in the distribution of goods raised. Partners in Progress will take the rest.
Two big offers so far: Water Purification System and (possibly) damaged pallets from a distribtuion company. Here goes nothing!
Sad note: still no word from Haiti about the Fondwa community, Pharra or Fr. Joseph. Anyone with information on Hospice St. Joseph, please share it here!
Just wrote Aid Matrix in the hopes that they can help in the distribution of goods raised. Partners in Progress will take the rest.
Two big offers so far: Water Purification System and (possibly) damaged pallets from a distribtuion company. Here goes nothing!
Sad note: still no word from Haiti about the Fondwa community, Pharra or Fr. Joseph. Anyone with information on Hospice St. Joseph, please share it here!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Earthquake in Haiti
Yesterday, the panic set in. I heard the news reports on Haiti and found sleeping a near impossibility until my eyes were equally dried by eye strain from readins reports for any news of friends abroad and soaked with tears. What next?
For those of you looking for ways to help, here's a list of resources:
From a US cell phone:
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Haiti.
Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 to support Wyclef Jean's organization in relief efforts in Haiti.
From Twitter:
Follow leads on NY Times and CNN for minute-by-minute updates on how to help.
From the internet:
Network for Good A list of reputable charities accepting on-line donations.
To volunteer:
For those of you with special skills in medicine, engineering, or experience working in disaster relief sites, go to CIDI.org to register with the Center for International Disaster Information as a volunteer relief worker.
In the meantime, I have submitted my information to numerous organizations, and can only hope that my contacts in Port-au-Prince and Fondwa are still alive. Over the next few weeks I will be posting information on the events in Haiti. Feel free to comment and include any information on damages or the status of individuals if you have information. Now is a time for solidarity.
For those of you looking for ways to help, here's a list of resources:
From a US cell phone:
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Haiti.
Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 to support Wyclef Jean's organization in relief efforts in Haiti.
From Twitter:
Follow leads on NY Times and CNN for minute-by-minute updates on how to help.
From the internet:
Network for Good A list of reputable charities accepting on-line donations.
To volunteer:
For those of you with special skills in medicine, engineering, or experience working in disaster relief sites, go to CIDI.org to register with the Center for International Disaster Information as a volunteer relief worker.
In the meantime, I have submitted my information to numerous organizations, and can only hope that my contacts in Port-au-Prince and Fondwa are still alive. Over the next few weeks I will be posting information on the events in Haiti. Feel free to comment and include any information on damages or the status of individuals if you have information. Now is a time for solidarity.
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