rivervision

post #2: arrival day

brooke — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:34:08 +0000

After traveling for 23 hours, including the van ride down to SLC and then getting through immigration, I finally found M. When I saw her I literally screamed her name! At first I couldn’t findher, and I panicked, but there she was. Thank God. I was tired, a bit panicked because her cell number wasn’t right, and I was tired tired tired. Thank God for all that therapy, especially this new stuff. I held it together, pretty much. Carolyn would be proud.We’ve basically spent the last 24 hours in the house, with the children, and then going and visiting family. They are all impressed that I wore my hijab for the ENTIRE trip. Sometime, around 11pm Jordan Time, M’s father went to sleep and her mother told me I could take it off. How nice. My poor chin is getting chafed from having something there all the time. I’ve got cream and I feel more comfortable looking like I fit in rather than standing out, so it’s okay. I’m also slowly learning morearabic words, with the help of her oldest, D, and also have discovered the wonders of how technology is able to speak across languages. At least between and adult and child. Also how making funny noises can do the same, and finally that “yumm” is universal for “yumm.”This morning I awoke to a sight I couldn’t get over – a geography that looks like Israel and Palestine, but without a 30 foot wall interrupting the landscape. No one here has seen it, and I’m glad they don’t know what the experience is like. On the other hand, they haven’t seen it because they can’t go home. On the horrible hand, it is there because their parents, and some of them, were forced to flee.The situation makes me angry.Oh, a side note. On the plane from Paris to Amman I was sitting next to a very nice fellow who is Palestinian Jordanian. There was no handy map on that plane, so we kept debating about where we were. At one point I told him “there’s the boot of Italy!” and he didn’t believe me. It ended up I’d been right.. but the side note was that I told him that if we were going to fly over Israel they were going to tell us at one point or another that we could no longer get up, even if there was no turbulence. He hadn’t remembered this from his previous trips home (he has been living in the US for 25 years), but I assured him it would happen if we were, in fact, flying over Israel. I was right.Eventually we were told we could not get up and walk around. They first said it in French, then inEnglish they said it but they explained it as “special circumstances.” Being that on my other flight into the area they told us it was because we were entering Israeli airspace I knew what the “special circumstances” were, which, of course made me angry that they wouldn’t say anything. Eventually we spoke to a flight attendant for some other reason and I asked her if the special circumstanceswere because of Israel and she said yes. Of course, that made me even more angry. But that’s a story for another day, as well as more thoughts to sort through.So, I’m learning how to properly wrap a hijab with a scarf. That’s better than the things I have. I’ve interviewed one person about her experience in Palestine, but she was only 5 when she left. Her mother is still alive and she is going to ask her mother if I can come record her telling her story. We are also going to go visit a friend of M’s mother who still lives in a refugee camp near Amman. We will also go to M’s school on Sunday and talk about a good time for our workshop. We may even get to visit a few schools.Finally, since Mai is not coming into Palestine/Israel with me I’ve decided that I am going to go via the Allenby bridge. This is a crossing directly into the West Bank from Jordan and is controlled by the Israeli government. I am going to do the crossing wearing an abaya and a hijab. It could possibly be an emotionally difficult day, but I am here, and I have this opportunity face the Israeligovernment looking like “the other.” I also have the HUGE advantage that most of the other women wearing a hijab going through that crossing don’t have, which is a happy little american passport. They will ask me why I am not wearing a hijab in my photo I am sure, and I will have to come up with a good reason. I will, of course, take my cross off, in case I get searched.

I’m not sure what we’re doing tomorrow. If they are going to the mosque, I may see about taking a bus into Amman. On Saturday evening I’m going to services at the Anglican church over in Amman. That will be nice. I feel a little stuck here at Mai’s house, but that’s okay. I’m here with a woman that I was worried I wouldn’t discover the same level of friendship with. Low and behold I have discovered that yes, indeed, I adore this woman, and her children. Her husband is a very good man and likes to talk about politics – which we mostly agree on. The jewish issue is touchy.

refugee camp day

brooke — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:09:04 +0000

When I get to Jerusalem, God willing, I will have some time to process everything: from playing with the children in the park, to seeing M’s school, to the horrors of the camp today- and this was a ‘good’ camp, if there can be such a thing. Even M’s mother, a refugee who first fled Ein Karem (West Jerusalem) in 1948 as a baby and then Ramallah as a 17 year old, was horrified at some of the sights in this ‘good’ camp.

After the camp we went shopping in the camp’s market. As any good American does, I took part. I bought another abaya- all but one of the 3 I brought are too heavy!!! I also bought 2 scarves / Hijabs, and a kite for M’s little boy D (4) and his papa to play with.

I’m still figuring out the getting into Palestine thing- which bus, renting a car, getting an appointment with the school in the Galilee. I’m still intending to go directly into the west bank so I can experience that notorious crossing (Allenby Bridge) looking as a Muslim (re: Palestinian at first) with my American passport and accent in my English only voice. It really is the only thing I know I can do to have an itsy bitsy tiny notion of what the Palestinians go through every day. I still also have to figure out my story- why I’m not wearing a hijab in my passport photo, and why I’m going to the land. If I talk about the school they may expect a letter of invitation, or ask why I didn’t go through the northern crossing. So, I have to think of something.

post #5

brooke — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:07:08 +0000

Too tired to write everything in my head down.

Wearing a hijab= great idea. My blonde hair is an endless source of facination when people hear I have it. Most have to be convinced that it’s real. Walking in public would bring too much attention.

Tried to order falefel tonight. Failed miserably. How the fuck am I going to get to Palestine????

Going to M’s school and then to a refugee camp later with M’s mother and father to visit some of their friends. Apparently one woman is looking for a man for me, even though Mai’s mom knows I’m not a virgin. How does she know? She asked and I couldn’t lie.

post #3

brooke — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:05:08 +0000

post #2 will come later. it’s in pdf format which is on my computer which is at M’s house.

here is post #3

Quick report. TIRED.

Went to King Abdullah Park with kids. Good until D (age 4) decided to run away from me and ignore my broken Arabic ‘Dhiaa! Mama! Yalla!’ Translated as ‘D, Mama, move on fast!’ I think there is a Spanish word that is similar as ‘Yalla’ – andele? I don’t know. It was a word I remember hearing.

After the park I was treated to a lecture on facts about Palestine that I know. Then it started to become a lecture on American history to which I said, kinda loudly, which I feel bad for and said so (and also used words like ‘your energy feels aggressive’- one of my not so culturally respectful best moments)—– I said ‘I know American history!!! ^My^ ancestors are the ones who STOLE the land from the Native Americans!!! If I could I would give my friend C the land back that we stole!!!’ M. then came and told me it was time to go. Thank God, or else I might have gotten into a whole heap of further rude trouble.

post #1

brooke — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:01:10 +0000

I have been emailing a friend posts, because I’ve mainly had access from my phone. So, now I am updating.

9 May

10 hours to Paris. Miserable. Except for a bit of time working on stats. Sat next to a nice young fellow going on vacation with his mother before he starts a PsyD program in Mass. Good deal.

Paris. Gross pat down at security. More security than USA. Worried that they’d find my cross and suspect I am a terrorist instead of a respectful friend! They even took the stone bear AND key chain that are like little pieces of security for me since they are from someone important to me, little me panicked! Big me panicked! NOT THE BEAR! Take the stuffed cow instead and leave the stone bear!!! :) Yes, the cow can go in place of the bear. Poor cow. :( Not as loved.

Long worrisome wait at exchange place. Jordan only accepts Jordanian dinars for visa. Finally someone came, after I worriedly texted M., who I don’t think is getting my texts. :(

Amman gate full of women in hijabs. I am passing. At least I think so. I wish I spoke Arabic, but I had to get a PhD in Education instead.

More lines. CDG loves lines for some reason. :(

Off to Amman soon. Praying dear M. will be on the other side and I will have energy to take in everything tonight.

Day .5

brooke — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:23:03 +0000

Okay, so a friend asked if I was going be journaling about this trip. I tend to do that, so I told her I was. I actually have written journal to write in, but this friend asked me if I had a blog or not, and I do!

This is what I look like right now, sitting in the SLC airport.

I decided to do this this early so that I would be able to give up my privilege. I have a lot of it. A whole LOT of it. At least here in the US. Other than being 4’8″ and a woman, I’m so full of privilege, it’s hard to get rid of it. So, being that I’m wearing a hijab while visiting my friend, I decided to start early.

Am I getting any different looks? Probably not. Am I aware that people are looking at me more? Yeah, but honestly, no more than they usually do. I mean, I’m 4’8″ tall and I look conspicuously older than a 12 year old. I’m also alone and not looking worried or anything. Oh, and I’m drinking coffee. So, I suspect I usually get looks. I suspect I’m just aware that I may be getting looks.

I did get stuck at security, but that was because when I asked if I should take the iP@d and the Kind1e out of my bag, along with my laptop I was told no. They then came back and asked if they could take the iP@d out, and then apologized, because they didn’t realize HOW many gadgets I had in my bag. Umm.. yeah, I’m a bit geeky. I need my laptop. The kind1e? Because it’s just lovely to read with. The iP@d, a possible gift for someone overseas. We’ll see. I may want to keep it! That’s courtesy of the wonderful and blessed Paul Heins. He may not have much to say, but when he does say something it’s usually pretty good. Plus he’s such a wonderful geek.

So, that’s all for now. I’m FINALLY getting excited about this trip. I had a hard time leaving campus this morning. There were 3 people I just wanted to sit and chat with, but I couldn’t. The friend who asked me about blogging forced me out of her office because I was making her nervous about possibly missing my van down here (and keeping her from her work, most likely).

So, I’m ready to be off on this new adventure. I’m all caffeinated right now, so I’m pretty happy. I hope I stay that way. I have a long day of flying ahead of me.

commenced.

brooke — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:06:36 +0000

I commenced on Friday. I didn’t get a PhD. That happens after re-writes. That happens over the summer. While I’m looking for a job / begging for funding from folks around USU. I don’t have a lot to say right now because the last few days were intense, and the next few weeks will be intense. It’s all a bit crazy. But, thanks to the amazing Anne Diekema, I have a good picture of a moment during the hooding process. That’s my chair, Mimi, Me, and my favorite mentor, Todd. Mimi and Todd co-hooded me. I needed to recognize both of them.

Oh, and that gown I’m wearing? My fathers, as well as the tam. The orange tassel? Virginia Tech and Engineering (my papa was an engineer).

From the Anglican Church in New Zealand, a totally wonderful new bishop

brooke — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:32:08 +0000

At least in my opinion:
Go see an interview here, it gives a beautiful view into the work he’s been doing, absolutely beautiful, GOD work: http://www.3news.co.nz/Justin-Duckworth-not-your-ordinary-bishop/tabid/367/articleID/252415/Default.aspx

From the Episcopal News Service (used without permission):
[Ecumenical News International -- Wellington, New Zealand] A dreadlocked priest who is usually seen in shorts and bare feet is to be the new Anglican bishop in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Justin Duckworth replaces Bishop Tom Brown who recently retired after 14 years.

In announcing the appointment on April 29, Archbishop David Moxon pointed to Duckworth’s lifestyle, Christian discipleship and mission, citing more than 20 years of mission to street people and those on the margins. “I am confident that his election will challenge, invigorate and grace the church with a deep sense of the breadth and height and depth of the love of God,” Moxon said.

While Duckworth said he feels “humbled, privileged – and terrified,” he believes the Anglican Church has huge potential for change. “I think the Anglican Church is doing amazing stuff, and is a total treasure. But it’s a treasure that needs to be dusted off. God wants his people to go on a journey – and if we have the courage, he’ll be faithful to equip and sustain us,” he said.

An Anglican for just six years, Duckworth and his wife Jenny founded Urban Vision in 1996, a housing ministry in which young Christians live alongside street people. In 2008, Urban Vision became an Anglican missionary order.

The couple then pioneered Ngatiawa, a lay contemporary monastery which welcomes those who are struggling, seeking prayerful retreat or a missional lifestyle. While colleagues welcomed the somewhat unexpected appointment, Duckworth acknowledged concerns that he doesn’t look like a bishop.

“One of the big points of dialogue is ‘how will the mitre fit over my dreadlocks?’” he said.

downer post warning

brooke — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:53:19 +0000

the survival rate of prostate cancer is NOT 100%. How do I know? Well, these posts certainly tell a different story about prostate cancer survival, eh?

Jeez.

5 years today.

brooke — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:01:00 +0000

Professor Nikki Giovanni
April 17, 2007

We are Virginia Tech.

We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.

We are Virginia Tech.

We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it, but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by the rogue army, neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory, neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water, neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy.

We are Virginia Tech.

The Hokie Nation embraces our own and reaches out with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and unafraid. We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imaginations and the possibilities. We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.

We are the Hokies.

We will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.