Friday, March 26, 2010
Response and late night thoughts -
Hi Linda!
It was a thrill to hear from you and get a nice note from home. I am inspired by your dedication for helping the health care bill along the lines of democracy and rationality. I am happy to receive the news that the reform has passed the house and seems on its way to be law...pending all the senators make it to the vote alive! (I've been trying to follow the news, and it seems the opposition is getting belligerent and violent, nice lesson for the children of the next generation, right?). Sorry, stay positive and keep up the GREAT work!!!
Anyway, the relationship between American government and my life at the moment seem to exist on separate planes of reality. I've been having a great time out here regarding my personal experiences and the work that I'm involved in. The next few weeks will be a flood of planning/executing programming and festivals to help organize; from the holiday of Passover, a Holocaust memorial day, Israeli Independence Day, a 5-day camp for kids, a week-long camp for the youth (16-30 year olds), the monthly magazine to edit and write for, numerous weekly classes, a cricket tournament, and more. However, as this may seem like a venting session on your end, I am really excited to be a part of this great community and have set time for my own private life. Plus as my Great-Grandma Rose would remind me - I'm drinking plenty of water and getting good sleep.
The private life and setting barriers was something that I struggled with last month, when I called Ian and heard you guys all sitting around having breakfast. (I miss American breakfast almost as much as I miss mexican food, but not as much as I miss the Thorp family!)
Now I'm finding my balance and stride heading into this hectic pre-monsoon season of activity. My personal social life is picking up, I've made some authentic friends with people within and outside the Jewish community, found the things that keep me happy, and for the most part I am staying healthy. Speaking of monsoon season, its been as hot as a sticky hands are sticky, and it's supposed to get much much steamier. In fact my dad's coming out here in a month too, just as the heat is boiling. I'm looking forward to traveling a bit with him, doing the tourist stuff, and seeing things with fresh eyes again. I always enjoy having people come stay with me (as there's a frequent rotating door of volunteers and travelers that stay in my apt) as they always bring up issues that I enjoy re-addressing at various stages of this adventure. The poverty, education system, cultural nuances, dating scene, attachments to time and appearances, and other topics are constantly refreshed in conversations with people traveling around and not living here. It really changes perspective between being a traveler and a member, albeit temporary, of a new culture/society. I've certainly seen a change in my demeanor and ways of looking at life as it happens in my area and the broader space around. Plus, it will be great to have family physically in front of me. I've really missed my family of friends and relatives.
Okay, its quite late now and my mind is slowing down. If you could send me your address, I'd love to send you guys something more tangible than a digital note...
Hope you have a great weekend ahead, and remember to drink water and get your sleep. Keep well and stay in touch.
Much love to your whole family,
michael
It was a thrill to hear from you and get a nice note from home. I am inspired by your dedication for helping the health care bill along the lines of democracy and rationality. I am happy to receive the news that the reform has passed the house and seems on its way to be law...pending all the senators make it to the vote alive! (I've been trying to follow the news, and it seems the opposition is getting belligerent and violent, nice lesson for the children of the next generation, right?). Sorry, stay positive and keep up the GREAT work!!!
Anyway, the relationship between American government and my life at the moment seem to exist on separate planes of reality. I've been having a great time out here regarding my personal experiences and the work that I'm involved in. The next few weeks will be a flood of planning/executing programming and festivals to help organize; from the holiday of Passover, a Holocaust memorial day, Israeli Independence Day, a 5-day camp for kids, a week-long camp for the youth (16-30 year olds), the monthly magazine to edit and write for, numerous weekly classes, a cricket tournament, and more. However, as this may seem like a venting session on your end, I am really excited to be a part of this great community and have set time for my own private life. Plus as my Great-Grandma Rose would remind me - I'm drinking plenty of water and getting good sleep.
The private life and setting barriers was something that I struggled with last month, when I called Ian and heard you guys all sitting around having breakfast. (I miss American breakfast almost as much as I miss mexican food, but not as much as I miss the Thorp family!)
Now I'm finding my balance and stride heading into this hectic pre-monsoon season of activity. My personal social life is picking up, I've made some authentic friends with people within and outside the Jewish community, found the things that keep me happy, and for the most part I am staying healthy. Speaking of monsoon season, its been as hot as a sticky hands are sticky, and it's supposed to get much much steamier. In fact my dad's coming out here in a month too, just as the heat is boiling. I'm looking forward to traveling a bit with him, doing the tourist stuff, and seeing things with fresh eyes again. I always enjoy having people come stay with me (as there's a frequent rotating door of volunteers and travelers that stay in my apt) as they always bring up issues that I enjoy re-addressing at various stages of this adventure. The poverty, education system, cultural nuances, dating scene, attachments to time and appearances, and other topics are constantly refreshed in conversations with people traveling around and not living here. It really changes perspective between being a traveler and a member, albeit temporary, of a new culture/society. I've certainly seen a change in my demeanor and ways of looking at life as it happens in my area and the broader space around. Plus, it will be great to have family physically in front of me. I've really missed my family of friends and relatives.
Okay, its quite late now and my mind is slowing down. If you could send me your address, I'd love to send you guys something more tangible than a digital note...
Hope you have a great weekend ahead, and remember to drink water and get your sleep. Keep well and stay in touch.
Much love to your whole family,
michael
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