Alum Gatherings

You may have received the email, you also may not have... September 8th from 6-8, there'll be a appetizer/bar thing at Pier 23 in San Francisco for alums in the area.  Apparently these Happy Hours are happening other places around the world, too.  I might go...

P.S. I didn't mention that it's all NESCAC schools, not just Middlebury.

Slave Labor and Cannibals (Blakely)

I wouldn't say that I'm a supporter of cannibalism exactly, but if the practice looked anything like this I think that I would be able to turn a blind eye. Hypotheticals of cannibalism aside, I've started the arduous decision-making process of packing before I head out to DC on Wednesday. How many pairs of socks will I need to make it through December? More importantly, as an unpaid intern will I be able to afford laundering that many pairs of socks? Decisions, decisions.

For those of you not in the know (or those of you I don't know) I've accepted an unpaid internship at the Foundation for Middle East Peace in Washington DC. FMEP is a small non-profit, which aims to promote a just and equitable solution (read, two-state solution) to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Foundation promotes this agenda by monitoring Israeli settlement activity in reports and databases, by sponsoring events and speakers, and by funding a grant program that supports organizations and individuals making concerted efforts to resolving this age-old conflict. I'll be doing a variety of things for FMEP, but primarily I'll be working on research.

In the meantime I'll be savoring the last drops of freedom and non-indentured servitude here in California. This translates to copious amounts of wine consumption, Green Wing watching (you know it, Miranda), hypemachining (or, shaking about to a crazy cumbia beat), and looking for a place to live in DC on craigslist. For this latter bit, if any of you biddies are well versed in the DC housing market and have some hot tips/suggestions/extra space in your apartment give me a holler.

Peace, Love, and Barbecue

Blakely

On the Cusp (Miranda)

I'm currently on Day 3 of my Americorps orientation-- if you didn't know, I'm working at 826 through Americorps.  Orientation is fine.  I feel like I'm in a very large and diverse sociology of education class that lasts seven hours and requires a uniform shirt.  I start falling asleep around 2pm everyday, and my shirt looks about 3 sizes too large.  

Though the outfit doesn't quite fit (or suit me), I'm having a decent time meeting people.  They come from all over the world, from unfamiliar cultures and interests, and with strong ideals.  Honestly, if we didn't all have the same intention to work with under-served youth, we probably would never talk to one another.

While I'll be working in tutoring, literacy, pirate supply, and publishing, other BAYAC (bay area americorps) members will focus on health education, environmental education, and bike-riding among other cool things.  I can't wait to actually get to my real job and figure my responsibilities out, but before that comes a brief retreat into the Santa Cruz mountains.  I hear there's a swimming pool, woo.

That's all for now, I hope you'll use this blog to post life updates and events as well as anything else you want to share like projects you've become involved in, requests, some hilarious videos, or excellent music (that's my request).  I've been watching re-runs of Mad Men and this British surrealist comedy called Green Wing.  My favorite song at the moment is either "Seaweed Song" by Passion Pit or the Punks Jump Up Remix of Miike Snow's "Animal"

lovingly,
Miranda