A few days ago marked the beginning of the holiday season- Thanksgiving. Around the country, people gathered together to enjoy food, fellowship, and football. Indeed, in my family I was fortunate enough to break bread with one of my uncles, his girlfriend, her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend, my sister, mom, dad, and grandfather. We spent time at the table, giving thanks for all we had, all we are, and all we can be. It wasn't until the day after Thanksgiving, however, that a series of events gave me real reason to pause and feel fortunate in this season of thanks.
On Friday I planned to meet a family friend for lunch in Portsmouth, NH on my way back to Providence. As so often happens in my family, plans evolved up until the last minute and the result of this scheduling metamorphosis was my sister, dad, and mom joining me for lunch with our family friend. I was excited. The more the merrier is an adage I try to hold dear, and when my family is involved with any social situation, the result is almost always an adventure.
My mom rode in my dad's car, and my sister rode shotgun with me. Being in an enclosed space with my sister for 55 minutes hurtling 69 miles per hour on asphalt creates a level of excitement that may not otherwise be experienced, save being on the shuttle rocketing into our planet's atmosphere. My sister, knowing me better than most in this world, managed to touch every document in my glove compartment, center console, and above the car visors, providing commentary for all items found. My blood pressure was steadily rising, as was the speedometer, and then my sister managed to find my latest parking ticket.
"Ah haaa!!!" she taunted.
I managed to contain my skyrocketing blood pressure in a healthy range, and keep my car on the road. No sooner did I explain my parking ticket did my sister look above my rear view mirror and make a face not unlike the one you may make upon running a stop sign you failed to notice until the last minute.
"Robbie, your inspection sticker is wayyyy past due!" she explained with a sick mixture of glee and anxiety.
And so it was. We soon managed to glide my vehicle ever gracefully into a parking spot near the restaurant. It was so great to see our family friend, whom I haven't seen in many months. Unfortunately, the table talk was dominated by everyone's attempts to find a garage that would inspect my car on Black Friday. It was not to be. Instead, after ending our luncheon, I drove up route one, frantically looking for an open garage before I was to meet another friend, from Saint Mike's, for lunch in Portsmouth. Upon finding a closed garage and trying to turn my car around to go back to Portsmouth, I received a call from my sister.
"Robbie, is your car even registered?" my sister asked.
I parked the car, walked to the back and looked at my license plate. Moments later, the right side of my face began to quiver, my heart pounded with force, and my right eye ball no doubt filled with blood. The registration had been expired for three months. I was driving an unregistered car without an inspection sticker. Instead of meeting my friend in Portsmouth, she graciously agreed to ride up to South Portland with me so I could get my car registered, and hopefully, inspected. Instead of enjoying each other's company over a nice craft brew and catching up on old times, we sat together, with my mom, in the waiting room of a car garage, surrounded by snow tires with the faintest scent of motor oil hovering in the air.
As this year's holiday season commences, I have much to be thankful for. Along with my health and that of my family, I give thanks for my family friend and his efforts to find me a garage that would inspect my car. He was so helpful in my time of need. I must give thanks for my sister noticing my irresponsibility. Without her provoking a near embolism in the left hemisphere of my brain, I likely would have been stopped for driving an unregistered car with an inspection sticker far past due. I am thankful for my college friend. As often in the past, she was by my side during a stressful time, and was gracious enough to accompany me to Maine to register my car and sit in a garage, catching up in a scenery dominated by the ambiance of screeching tires and the scent of gasoline. I must give thanks for my parents. They paid for my car registration and inspection and, without their financial support, I surely would have walked back to Providence.
I hope this story churns in you, my faithful reader(s?), a recollection of times when you too have given thanks for what others have done for you. During this holiday season, I'm sure we will all come to benefit from each other at one time or another.
Happy Holidays!!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
SURPRISE!!!
This past Saturday I had a surprise party to celebrate my girlfriend Sarah's birthday. It was so awesome to have about a dozen of her close friends as well as Kevin and Diane, her parents, come down to celebrate such a wonderful occasion. I planned it for about two weeks and I must say, I was so glad when the day came- it was hard to keep everything under wraps! Sarah is very intuitive and I struggled to maintain the element of surprise as the day came closer.
I must say, at the risk of boasting a bit, that I am proud of being able to organize the party. Indeed, it never would have happened without Kevin and Diane, who not only brought food and party supplies, but also helped set up the apartment while I had Sarah out of the house. But for me, someone who's organization skills include losing a pair of shoes for much of the Fall, pulling off this party was a step in the right direction.
The day started out at the market, where Sarah and I were both working. (I got a new job, which will definitely receive a post in the soon future!) After I finished up with my job, I had about an hour and a half to kill before Sarah was finished with her work. My mom was down from Maine for her high school reunion, so I was able to run some last minute errands with her before Sarah came back to the apartment. I didn't tell Sarah my mom was down, and she received quite a surprise when my mom came to the market! At about 3:30, Sarah and I left for the RISD museum. It was such a cool place!! The art was incredible, with some awesome furniture and design concepts that really blew my mind. The museum closed at 5, so I had to kill about 20 minutes before taking Sarah back to our place for the surprise. We went to the coffee exchange, where I bought a hazelnut flavored Italian soda. Yes, I know. Pretty weird and random, but I had to kill some time and I didn't want to have an espresso moments before cracking open a beer. Sarah and I walked into the apartment at around 5:20, and the party supplies were on our breakfast table, with a "Happy Birthday" sign hung over the sink. Soon after she realized what was going on, thirteen people spilled out of our "man cave" television room and screamed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!", filling Sarah's eyes with small tears, and my heart with much joy.
I want to write, so anyone who may be reading who was there, thank you! You all helped me make such a special day for Sarah. It was such a great evening with great food and great friends. Kevin and Diane provided the food and drinks, and I can't thank them enough for their help with this great occasion. I was so happy to do this for Sarah, and I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without the help of Kevin and Diane and our friends.
I must say, at the risk of boasting a bit, that I am proud of being able to organize the party. Indeed, it never would have happened without Kevin and Diane, who not only brought food and party supplies, but also helped set up the apartment while I had Sarah out of the house. But for me, someone who's organization skills include losing a pair of shoes for much of the Fall, pulling off this party was a step in the right direction.
The day started out at the market, where Sarah and I were both working. (I got a new job, which will definitely receive a post in the soon future!) After I finished up with my job, I had about an hour and a half to kill before Sarah was finished with her work. My mom was down from Maine for her high school reunion, so I was able to run some last minute errands with her before Sarah came back to the apartment. I didn't tell Sarah my mom was down, and she received quite a surprise when my mom came to the market! At about 3:30, Sarah and I left for the RISD museum. It was such a cool place!! The art was incredible, with some awesome furniture and design concepts that really blew my mind. The museum closed at 5, so I had to kill about 20 minutes before taking Sarah back to our place for the surprise. We went to the coffee exchange, where I bought a hazelnut flavored Italian soda. Yes, I know. Pretty weird and random, but I had to kill some time and I didn't want to have an espresso moments before cracking open a beer. Sarah and I walked into the apartment at around 5:20, and the party supplies were on our breakfast table, with a "Happy Birthday" sign hung over the sink. Soon after she realized what was going on, thirteen people spilled out of our "man cave" television room and screamed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!", filling Sarah's eyes with small tears, and my heart with much joy.
I want to write, so anyone who may be reading who was there, thank you! You all helped me make such a special day for Sarah. It was such a great evening with great food and great friends. Kevin and Diane provided the food and drinks, and I can't thank them enough for their help with this great occasion. I was so happy to do this for Sarah, and I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without the help of Kevin and Diane and our friends.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Welcome to Hell
Although I have lived in Rhode Island for over a year, my heart has always been, and always will be, in Maine. In the wake of midterm elections, now seems like an appropriate time to acknowledge the disaster Maine has voted itself into, and comment on the likely consequences of the recent elections, paying close attention to the gubernatorial results.
Receiving 38.33 percent of the votes in the gubernatorial election, the people of Maine have spoken: Paul LePage is the person they want for governor. Sadly, Paul LePage is the wrong choice, and by electing him to lead our state, Maine has chosen to step back and retreat from many problems that plague our communities, rather than form plans for policies that will address and confront these issues.
The first issue that Paul LePage clearly has no idea how to address is welfare reform. Mr. LePage's story of growing up in poverty and finally exiting its cycle is inspirational. Sadly, this does not mean he knows how to reform it into a working system for the state. Mr. LePage's most blatant misconception in his policy of welfare reform is his plan to place residents who receive benefits on a five year cap. With this in mind, Mr. LePage is creating unnecessary stress and pressure on families that already, obviously, have much to deal with. His insensitivity to the plight of people who benefit from welfare is captured in his statements during his campaign that focused on his desire to send people who are still on the system after five years to Massachusetts, where they can then start over. This is not the mindset of someone we can trust to help our brothers and sisters who suffer from poverty. Rather, it is one that exists in the mind of a businessman looking to cut dollars, putting people's lives at stake along the way.
The next issue that should repulse Maine voters is Mr. LePage's comments on transgendered students made on an Aroostook County radio show in the midst of the gubernatorial campaign. His comments reflected his view that transgendered students have no place in Maine public schools. Couple this with Mr. LePage's view of the traditional family as that being headed only by a man and a woman, and the bigotry and hatred are not hard to see. Soon after this comment was made, Mr. LePage retracted and did not recall making those comments. For me it is simple, and it should be for you too. Mr. LePage's lack of respect and education on issues within the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning) community are rife with misanthropy and delusion. Call me a socialist, call me a Marxist, but I for one do not stand for a leader who tramples on the rights of other human beings and side steps issues of rights for students. The issue is simple, as it was for black men and women not too long ago in our country: do we want to provide an inclusive community where all people can live together without fear of discrimination, or do we want to perpetuate the myths and ignorance surrounding the issues of gay men and women and continue to oppress them in our state? Mr. LePage's view is as scary and pathetic as it is clear.
I should note the positive aspects of Mr. LePage's policies, however few they may be. His plan for education is particularly positive, despite his comments on transgendered students. He supports vouchers and charter schools, which together can make a drastic difference in the landscape of our state.
So welcome, my fellow Mainers, to Hell. Don't worry, though. This should hopefully only last four years and with any luck, no harm will be brought forth by the misguided policies of this ignorant miscreant who has slithered into the Blain House.
Receiving 38.33 percent of the votes in the gubernatorial election, the people of Maine have spoken: Paul LePage is the person they want for governor. Sadly, Paul LePage is the wrong choice, and by electing him to lead our state, Maine has chosen to step back and retreat from many problems that plague our communities, rather than form plans for policies that will address and confront these issues.
The first issue that Paul LePage clearly has no idea how to address is welfare reform. Mr. LePage's story of growing up in poverty and finally exiting its cycle is inspirational. Sadly, this does not mean he knows how to reform it into a working system for the state. Mr. LePage's most blatant misconception in his policy of welfare reform is his plan to place residents who receive benefits on a five year cap. With this in mind, Mr. LePage is creating unnecessary stress and pressure on families that already, obviously, have much to deal with. His insensitivity to the plight of people who benefit from welfare is captured in his statements during his campaign that focused on his desire to send people who are still on the system after five years to Massachusetts, where they can then start over. This is not the mindset of someone we can trust to help our brothers and sisters who suffer from poverty. Rather, it is one that exists in the mind of a businessman looking to cut dollars, putting people's lives at stake along the way.
The next issue that should repulse Maine voters is Mr. LePage's comments on transgendered students made on an Aroostook County radio show in the midst of the gubernatorial campaign. His comments reflected his view that transgendered students have no place in Maine public schools. Couple this with Mr. LePage's view of the traditional family as that being headed only by a man and a woman, and the bigotry and hatred are not hard to see. Soon after this comment was made, Mr. LePage retracted and did not recall making those comments. For me it is simple, and it should be for you too. Mr. LePage's lack of respect and education on issues within the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning) community are rife with misanthropy and delusion. Call me a socialist, call me a Marxist, but I for one do not stand for a leader who tramples on the rights of other human beings and side steps issues of rights for students. The issue is simple, as it was for black men and women not too long ago in our country: do we want to provide an inclusive community where all people can live together without fear of discrimination, or do we want to perpetuate the myths and ignorance surrounding the issues of gay men and women and continue to oppress them in our state? Mr. LePage's view is as scary and pathetic as it is clear.
I should note the positive aspects of Mr. LePage's policies, however few they may be. His plan for education is particularly positive, despite his comments on transgendered students. He supports vouchers and charter schools, which together can make a drastic difference in the landscape of our state.
So welcome, my fellow Mainers, to Hell. Don't worry, though. This should hopefully only last four years and with any luck, no harm will be brought forth by the misguided policies of this ignorant miscreant who has slithered into the Blain House.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Pride: It fills my heart.
I cannot write, sing, say, interpretive dance, text, or smoke signal enough how proud I am of my family. My sister is a full time pre-school teacher, helping young people begin a life long journey of learning. My mom is a fourth grade teacher at a parochial school who has been teaching for as long as I can remember. My dad is a superintendent for a school district in southern Maine and has helped shaped the landscape of public education in Maine throughout his career. Each day I am reminded of how each member of my family serves the public. It is what we do. I am reminded of how proud I am of each member of my family each and every day. As the youngest member of my family, I sometimes encounter anxiety and fear that I won't live up to the standards that have been set for me.
Last week I started my first week of classes at Boston College. I had the opportunity to take classes at a satellite campus closer to Providence, but I wanted to be immersed in the culture of Boston College. I wanted to feel the energy at "the Heights". After last week, I feel I have made the right decision. Each time I step on the campus, I can't help but look up at the vast, regal stone buildings and wonder: "how did I get here?". I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude that I am able to study at such am amazing school. The building that houses the Graduate School of Social Work is directly across from the Lynch School of Education, where my dad earned his doctorate degree of education. Each day I go to classes and look over at the building, perhaps saying a silent prayer or reflection of hopes that I can accomplish something as great as he has. Indeed, if I can impact my community half as much as my dad, mom, and sister has, I will consider my life's work complete.
Last week, amidst the opening class questions of "why did you choose social work?" "where have you studied?" and "what type of social work are concentrating on?" I began to reflect on something I experienced over the summer.
I was fortunate enough to attend the wedding of a family friend in Maine, and was happy to see so many of my family members and close friends. My dad, in my opinion, is about as close to selfless as you can get without being considered some type of a Buddhist monk. He prefers to let the actions of his children and wife speak for themselves. My mom, on the other hand, pounces on the opportunity to speak about her children and husband that is akin to a cheetah taking down a gazelle. It is really a beautiful sight. At this particular wedding, my mom was able to bring up my upcoming studies at Boston College. This particular family friend's eyebrows raised toward her head of hair. "Oh wow. What's he studying?" "Social work." my mom responded.
No sooner did those two words come out of my mom's mouth did this lady's facial expression turn into some type of contorted look of disgust that one would get while watching a baby spit up for the first time. Of course, her next comment was how in her particular line of work she sees how social workers struggle and never make any money.
Money. The big word. The five letter word that churns our culture and divides so much of our world. I know this is a long post, but stay with me.
During this past year as a case manager, I was able to experience many situations that social workers encounter. One such occasion was when one of my clients came to me with a strong desire to cut her wrists. Now, you can peddle stocks on Wall Street. You can strike a big deal for your client in court. You can increase your company's profits for the 4th quarter. You will never, in any of these types of jobs, feel the sudden rush of adrenaline that comes when someone walks up to you and tells you they want to kill themselves. A long story short, I was able to counsel this particular client into using coping skills to manage their thoughts of self harm. They did not engage in this type of self injurious behavior. Driving home after work that day, I got the same feeling I felt last week while at Boston College for my first classes: social work changes lives, and it is what I should be doing.
I will say, that after my first week at Boston College and after starting my internship at the Met school as a social work intern, I can't imagine doing anything else with my life right now. Last year, after taxes I made just over 18,000 dollars for twelve months of work as a residential case manager. I made every student loan, car, and rent payment. I ate well and was even able to enjoy the occasional craft ale and day of skiing with my incredibly beautiful girlfriend. In short, I was not saving buckets of money, but I was able to live quite comfortably without overwhelming assistance from my parents.
I felt sad and angry that night after the wedding. This poor woman is so overwhelmed by the idea of money that she neglects to realize the truly beautiful contributions that social workers can make in this world. I felt as though I was receiving her sympathy for my choice of a career, which did not jive well with my sense of pride. I'm sure she meant no harm by what she said. I can't say that I blame her because she focuses too much on what people make and has no idea what it means to touch someone's life and help them change in a way that brings sustained peace in their life. She does not know what it means to encounter a crisis and help someone navigate the troubled waters of mental illness. These are intangibles. You can't get them at the office party, or at the water fountain during a break. These are the types of experiences I live for- where I can help someone who has serious trouble in their life and help them reach a point of happiness. As far as I'm concerned, these types of experiences are worth every cent of a paycheck, no matter how much it is for.
As my classes begin and I become more and more entrenched in the world of academia, I will never for a second forget how proud I am of my family. They have each found their passion for serving, and in social work, I feel I have found mine. I hope that some day I will be able to contribute as much as they have.
Last week I started my first week of classes at Boston College. I had the opportunity to take classes at a satellite campus closer to Providence, but I wanted to be immersed in the culture of Boston College. I wanted to feel the energy at "the Heights". After last week, I feel I have made the right decision. Each time I step on the campus, I can't help but look up at the vast, regal stone buildings and wonder: "how did I get here?". I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude that I am able to study at such am amazing school. The building that houses the Graduate School of Social Work is directly across from the Lynch School of Education, where my dad earned his doctorate degree of education. Each day I go to classes and look over at the building, perhaps saying a silent prayer or reflection of hopes that I can accomplish something as great as he has. Indeed, if I can impact my community half as much as my dad, mom, and sister has, I will consider my life's work complete.
Last week, amidst the opening class questions of "why did you choose social work?" "where have you studied?" and "what type of social work are concentrating on?" I began to reflect on something I experienced over the summer.
I was fortunate enough to attend the wedding of a family friend in Maine, and was happy to see so many of my family members and close friends. My dad, in my opinion, is about as close to selfless as you can get without being considered some type of a Buddhist monk. He prefers to let the actions of his children and wife speak for themselves. My mom, on the other hand, pounces on the opportunity to speak about her children and husband that is akin to a cheetah taking down a gazelle. It is really a beautiful sight. At this particular wedding, my mom was able to bring up my upcoming studies at Boston College. This particular family friend's eyebrows raised toward her head of hair. "Oh wow. What's he studying?" "Social work." my mom responded.
No sooner did those two words come out of my mom's mouth did this lady's facial expression turn into some type of contorted look of disgust that one would get while watching a baby spit up for the first time. Of course, her next comment was how in her particular line of work she sees how social workers struggle and never make any money.
Money. The big word. The five letter word that churns our culture and divides so much of our world. I know this is a long post, but stay with me.
During this past year as a case manager, I was able to experience many situations that social workers encounter. One such occasion was when one of my clients came to me with a strong desire to cut her wrists. Now, you can peddle stocks on Wall Street. You can strike a big deal for your client in court. You can increase your company's profits for the 4th quarter. You will never, in any of these types of jobs, feel the sudden rush of adrenaline that comes when someone walks up to you and tells you they want to kill themselves. A long story short, I was able to counsel this particular client into using coping skills to manage their thoughts of self harm. They did not engage in this type of self injurious behavior. Driving home after work that day, I got the same feeling I felt last week while at Boston College for my first classes: social work changes lives, and it is what I should be doing.
I will say, that after my first week at Boston College and after starting my internship at the Met school as a social work intern, I can't imagine doing anything else with my life right now. Last year, after taxes I made just over 18,000 dollars for twelve months of work as a residential case manager. I made every student loan, car, and rent payment. I ate well and was even able to enjoy the occasional craft ale and day of skiing with my incredibly beautiful girlfriend. In short, I was not saving buckets of money, but I was able to live quite comfortably without overwhelming assistance from my parents.
I felt sad and angry that night after the wedding. This poor woman is so overwhelmed by the idea of money that she neglects to realize the truly beautiful contributions that social workers can make in this world. I felt as though I was receiving her sympathy for my choice of a career, which did not jive well with my sense of pride. I'm sure she meant no harm by what she said. I can't say that I blame her because she focuses too much on what people make and has no idea what it means to touch someone's life and help them change in a way that brings sustained peace in their life. She does not know what it means to encounter a crisis and help someone navigate the troubled waters of mental illness. These are intangibles. You can't get them at the office party, or at the water fountain during a break. These are the types of experiences I live for- where I can help someone who has serious trouble in their life and help them reach a point of happiness. As far as I'm concerned, these types of experiences are worth every cent of a paycheck, no matter how much it is for.
As my classes begin and I become more and more entrenched in the world of academia, I will never for a second forget how proud I am of my family. They have each found their passion for serving, and in social work, I feel I have found mine. I hope that some day I will be able to contribute as much as they have.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Good Bye Cortland
I awoke this morning to windows wide open, a crisp breeze flowing in my bedroom, and an apartment which has a temperature below 85 degrees for the first time in months. This brought to me a renewed sense of excitement- Fall is on the way! Along with Fall comes a new chapter in my life- graduate school at Boston College.
A few weeks ago, on Friday August 20, I worked my final shift as a residential case manager at Cortland Group Home. Immediately following my departure, I travelled to Maine for a wedding and spent the next week in Maine with time split between my family's camp in Lake View and my hometown in South Portland. During this time I was able to process my feelings of leaving the group home. What did I learn? What could I have done better? How will I take my experiences and use them to become a better clinician in the future? While working at the group home I witnessed truly horrific events in the lives of people who are affected by severe mental illness. Along with this, I was able to witness small gains in these same people's lives as they learned to advocate for themselves and develop empowerment. Learning to wash their dishes, operate the laundry machine, and complete their personal hygiene were all major achievements.
As a newly graduated twentysomething with a degree in psychology and no experience, I was excited to change people's lives and get them back on their own two feet. I was ready to rid their lives of severe mental illness forever. Sadly, it did not take long for me to realize just how naive I was. Instead, I focused on the small advancements in these people's lives, such as doing their own laundry and completing their personal hygiene, and realized they were small miracles.
As I begin a new chapter at Boston College this week, I continue to think about my clients at the group home and wonder how they are doing. It did not take long for me to realize after leaving the group home that to some extent, I needed my clients much more then they needed me. I think this level of dependency between humans is a beautiful concept that promotes peace and unity among all people.
A few weeks ago, on Friday August 20, I worked my final shift as a residential case manager at Cortland Group Home. Immediately following my departure, I travelled to Maine for a wedding and spent the next week in Maine with time split between my family's camp in Lake View and my hometown in South Portland. During this time I was able to process my feelings of leaving the group home. What did I learn? What could I have done better? How will I take my experiences and use them to become a better clinician in the future? While working at the group home I witnessed truly horrific events in the lives of people who are affected by severe mental illness. Along with this, I was able to witness small gains in these same people's lives as they learned to advocate for themselves and develop empowerment. Learning to wash their dishes, operate the laundry machine, and complete their personal hygiene were all major achievements.
As a newly graduated twentysomething with a degree in psychology and no experience, I was excited to change people's lives and get them back on their own two feet. I was ready to rid their lives of severe mental illness forever. Sadly, it did not take long for me to realize just how naive I was. Instead, I focused on the small advancements in these people's lives, such as doing their own laundry and completing their personal hygiene, and realized they were small miracles.
As I begin a new chapter at Boston College this week, I continue to think about my clients at the group home and wonder how they are doing. It did not take long for me to realize after leaving the group home that to some extent, I needed my clients much more then they needed me. I think this level of dependency between humans is a beautiful concept that promotes peace and unity among all people.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thoughts on vacation.
After reading my latest post, you are right in assuming I had a great time on Martha's Vineyard. In fact, I had a blast. It was great to see Kara along with her brother and father. I was also very happy to meet a new friend in Justin. My experience on Martha's Vineyard was, however, difficult in the sense that I had many feelings to manage. I hope this post will help me articulate some of my life experiences so you can have another perspective of the world we live in, particularly Martha's Vineyard.
Upon landing at Martha's Vineyard, it didn't take long for me to notice how much money was being spent. My ticket, for example, cost 70 dollars round trip. Now before I even set foot on the island, I can help feed a family in rural India for a few weeks. I realized this wasn't a typical vacation spot when I found myself in a sea of white people holding multiple shopping bags as they walked across streets and into their Range Rovers. I could barely smell the salt in the air before I had trouble managing thoughts of guilt, sadness, and shame.
In the summer of 2006 I spent 2 weeks in rural Brazil participating in a church sponsored mission trip to help a humanitarian organization called the Medical Missionaries of Mary. During this time, along with painting a school and visiting impoverished farmers, I became inspired to help others. During this trip, I knew that whatever I did for a living when I grew older had to have a direct positive impact on a person's life every day.
Soon after this trip, in the fall of 2007, I spent 3 and half months in India studying abroad. It was during this time abroad that my life changed forever. India is the world's largest democracy and it struggles to rise into the industrialized world. Millions of Indians are trapped in a world of inadequate health care, insufficient schooling, and unemployment. Every day, while I walked on the street, I saw dozens of children begging. Coming up to your arms, asking for money, these children had looks of desperation and hopelessness that has been burned in my memory. I will never forget the night I landed in New Delhi, and as our bus took the group I was with to our hotel, I looked out the window and saw people sleeping on the street for what seemed like miles.
Now, as we fast forward to Oak Bluffs, this tiny island town had no visible signs of these horrors that plague parts of India. Now, to be fair, I will say the people I saw were vacationers, and I am sure the year round residents of Oak Bluffs and Martha's VIneyard have issues with healthcare, unemployment, and poverty. The point I want to make is these issues are very hard to find on the island because they are masked by a constant ambiance of wealth and well-being. There seems to be no struggle, and that is what bothered me. Having seen the struggles that people face on a daily basis, I have difficulty managing the reconciliation of my time in India and Brazil with times like being on Martha's Vineyard.
I will, at this time, say there is absolutely nothing wrong with Martha's Vineyard. In fact, I hope to go back some day. What I hope you, my reader, can begin to understand, is how it was difficult for me to enjoy the opportunity for relaxation on the island when I am aware that at the same time countless people are struggling throughout the world. I understand that any person can pick up a New York Times and be aware of the same thing but, at the risk of sounding self-righteous, the problems of the world become much more vivid when you experience them first hand.
My hope for you after having read this post is that you will continue to vacation in the cesspools of wealth that are tucked into the beautiful corners of our world. Keep going. sun bathe. water ski. swim. drink. eat. sleep. silence your phone. Do all the great things we yearn for as we toil away in the office after months of work and stress. Except the next time you go, actually read the paper on the plane, ferry, or train. Flip to whatever God awful atrocity is going on in the world at that time, and learn about it. Then, as you arrive at the resort, cabin, bungalow, or hostel, keep the article in your thoughts. I think this can help us become more grateful for what we have, and perhaps more aware of how we can help those in need. Remember that at all times, there is suffering. Personally, I think this is something we should be especially aware of as we swim up to the bar and order another margarita. I hope you do a better job than I did.
Upon landing at Martha's Vineyard, it didn't take long for me to notice how much money was being spent. My ticket, for example, cost 70 dollars round trip. Now before I even set foot on the island, I can help feed a family in rural India for a few weeks. I realized this wasn't a typical vacation spot when I found myself in a sea of white people holding multiple shopping bags as they walked across streets and into their Range Rovers. I could barely smell the salt in the air before I had trouble managing thoughts of guilt, sadness, and shame.
In the summer of 2006 I spent 2 weeks in rural Brazil participating in a church sponsored mission trip to help a humanitarian organization called the Medical Missionaries of Mary. During this time, along with painting a school and visiting impoverished farmers, I became inspired to help others. During this trip, I knew that whatever I did for a living when I grew older had to have a direct positive impact on a person's life every day.
Soon after this trip, in the fall of 2007, I spent 3 and half months in India studying abroad. It was during this time abroad that my life changed forever. India is the world's largest democracy and it struggles to rise into the industrialized world. Millions of Indians are trapped in a world of inadequate health care, insufficient schooling, and unemployment. Every day, while I walked on the street, I saw dozens of children begging. Coming up to your arms, asking for money, these children had looks of desperation and hopelessness that has been burned in my memory. I will never forget the night I landed in New Delhi, and as our bus took the group I was with to our hotel, I looked out the window and saw people sleeping on the street for what seemed like miles.
Now, as we fast forward to Oak Bluffs, this tiny island town had no visible signs of these horrors that plague parts of India. Now, to be fair, I will say the people I saw were vacationers, and I am sure the year round residents of Oak Bluffs and Martha's VIneyard have issues with healthcare, unemployment, and poverty. The point I want to make is these issues are very hard to find on the island because they are masked by a constant ambiance of wealth and well-being. There seems to be no struggle, and that is what bothered me. Having seen the struggles that people face on a daily basis, I have difficulty managing the reconciliation of my time in India and Brazil with times like being on Martha's Vineyard.
I will, at this time, say there is absolutely nothing wrong with Martha's Vineyard. In fact, I hope to go back some day. What I hope you, my reader, can begin to understand, is how it was difficult for me to enjoy the opportunity for relaxation on the island when I am aware that at the same time countless people are struggling throughout the world. I understand that any person can pick up a New York Times and be aware of the same thing but, at the risk of sounding self-righteous, the problems of the world become much more vivid when you experience them first hand.
My hope for you after having read this post is that you will continue to vacation in the cesspools of wealth that are tucked into the beautiful corners of our world. Keep going. sun bathe. water ski. swim. drink. eat. sleep. silence your phone. Do all the great things we yearn for as we toil away in the office after months of work and stress. Except the next time you go, actually read the paper on the plane, ferry, or train. Flip to whatever God awful atrocity is going on in the world at that time, and learn about it. Then, as you arrive at the resort, cabin, bungalow, or hostel, keep the article in your thoughts. I think this can help us become more grateful for what we have, and perhaps more aware of how we can help those in need. Remember that at all times, there is suffering. Personally, I think this is something we should be especially aware of as we swim up to the bar and order another margarita. I hope you do a better job than I did.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hurricane Hasson Descends on the Vineyard
On Wednesday I awoke with my lovely girlfriend and was soon out the door after a light breakfast. Our dear friend Kara was staying on Martha's Vineyard for the week with her father and brother and we were extended an invitation to join them. Having never been to Martha's Vineyard, I was very excited at the opportunity to explore yet another corner of our great New England region. My only problem was I had to work on Thursday at 3:30 PM. So, the plan was this: take the New Bedford fast ferry at 9:30 AM on Wednesday and arrive at Oak Bluffs at 10:30. Enjoy the day at the Vineyard. Enjoy a great evening with Kara and her family at the vineyard. Wake up, have a light breakfast, and catch the 10:50 AM ferry back to New Bedford.
The trip was awesome. We arrived at Oak Bluffs at the same time as another ferry from Cape Cod, so the area was bustling with activity. There was a bunch of traffic laced with walkers and bikers. Oak Bluffs is a beautiful town set against golden sand beaches with rows of "gingerbread" houses lined against an expansive lawn. It was definitely an area I enjoyed being around. We spent the rest of the morning and much of the afternoon at the house Kara's dad was renting. I was able to meet her brother and father, who I had briefly met before at Saint Mike's, as well as her friend Justin. Justin is an awesome guy with a welcoming spirit and in him I found a new friend on the island.
Our time at the house grew longer and we eventually decided to bike to the beach on one of the island's many bike paths. Upon arriving to the beach, Justin, Kara, Sarah, and I were able to enjoy sandwiches and snacks with one another. I was able to take a quick dip with Justin before we had to leave to head back to the house to prepare for our evening activity: a sun set cruise on a catamaran!
The cruise was from 6 to 8 and it was magnificent in every way. Kara's dad prepared an assortment of snacks including crackers with an Amish blue cheese, grapes, and a great guacamole with chips. Along with all this he bought a bottle of white wine for us to share together. Throughout my short time on Martha's Vineyard, one thing that never ceased to amaze me was how I felt I had known Kara's father for years. He was so incredibly welcoming and generous during my stay on the island.
The cruise left Edgartown and tacked up the island towards Chapaquittek. It was amazing to spend time with Justin, Brendan, Kara, Sarah, and Jim. Upon returning, we stopped at a family-style restaurant to pick up a couple pizzas, drove home, and spent the evening watching the classic "Jaws", which happened to be filmed right on Martha's Vineyard!
The following morning, as any hurricane does, I left the island almost as quickly as I came. When I arrived at the ferry terminal I was shocked to learn the ferry would not be leaving until 12:30! It was stuck in New Bedford because the hurricane barrier locked it in the harbor. And so, before leaving I was able to spend some more quality moments with this group of beautiful people before returning to the mainland.
Sarah decided to return with me, so we walked up to the second deck of the fast ferry together. We sat on the open deck, felt the salty wind whip our hair, and soaked in the sun. We cruised through the cape islands, through Wood's Hole, and back to New Bedford. As we raced along the coast, with a bright sun in the sky, I couldn't help but look over at my beautiful girlfriend and think, my God, what I life I live!!
The trip was awesome. We arrived at Oak Bluffs at the same time as another ferry from Cape Cod, so the area was bustling with activity. There was a bunch of traffic laced with walkers and bikers. Oak Bluffs is a beautiful town set against golden sand beaches with rows of "gingerbread" houses lined against an expansive lawn. It was definitely an area I enjoyed being around. We spent the rest of the morning and much of the afternoon at the house Kara's dad was renting. I was able to meet her brother and father, who I had briefly met before at Saint Mike's, as well as her friend Justin. Justin is an awesome guy with a welcoming spirit and in him I found a new friend on the island.
Our time at the house grew longer and we eventually decided to bike to the beach on one of the island's many bike paths. Upon arriving to the beach, Justin, Kara, Sarah, and I were able to enjoy sandwiches and snacks with one another. I was able to take a quick dip with Justin before we had to leave to head back to the house to prepare for our evening activity: a sun set cruise on a catamaran!
The cruise was from 6 to 8 and it was magnificent in every way. Kara's dad prepared an assortment of snacks including crackers with an Amish blue cheese, grapes, and a great guacamole with chips. Along with all this he bought a bottle of white wine for us to share together. Throughout my short time on Martha's Vineyard, one thing that never ceased to amaze me was how I felt I had known Kara's father for years. He was so incredibly welcoming and generous during my stay on the island.
The cruise left Edgartown and tacked up the island towards Chapaquittek. It was amazing to spend time with Justin, Brendan, Kara, Sarah, and Jim. Upon returning, we stopped at a family-style restaurant to pick up a couple pizzas, drove home, and spent the evening watching the classic "Jaws", which happened to be filmed right on Martha's Vineyard!
The following morning, as any hurricane does, I left the island almost as quickly as I came. When I arrived at the ferry terminal I was shocked to learn the ferry would not be leaving until 12:30! It was stuck in New Bedford because the hurricane barrier locked it in the harbor. And so, before leaving I was able to spend some more quality moments with this group of beautiful people before returning to the mainland.
Sarah decided to return with me, so we walked up to the second deck of the fast ferry together. We sat on the open deck, felt the salty wind whip our hair, and soaked in the sun. We cruised through the cape islands, through Wood's Hole, and back to New Bedford. As we raced along the coast, with a bright sun in the sky, I couldn't help but look over at my beautiful girlfriend and think, my God, what I life I live!!
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