Continuing the Journey

“Not all those who wander are lost.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

This past year has been a bit of wandering for me- from Uganda to Pennsylvania to Delaware, with trips in between to Maine, California, Canada, and North Carolina.   I think I will always have that wanderlust of wanting to travel, to see new or familiar places.  In fact, I have a ticket to go back to Uganda in November for my next journey!  Right now though, I am trying to learn my new job and routines and want to already feel settled.  It is an interesting mix of loving the travel and loving the routine.

  

My most recent trip to Maine

I look back on the past year of settling in and am grateful for the time I got to spend with family and friends- new and old.

Two great reasons to be back in the States!

Some of my "oldest" friends!

I feel grateful to be a part of new journeys with Stateside people, glad I am not just hearing about them from afar.

Getting ready for Teresa's wedding :)

But I am also missing what is going on in Uganda and that will always be a balance.  If I had any reflections/advice from the past year I think it would be that in both Uganda and the States you are living with that "tension" (right USP staff??), with some things being easier or harder in each place.  There might never be that completely settled feeling, which is ok, I'm not sure we are meant to have that in this life.

So, I am closing out this blog on that note.  No big conclusions, just the ongoing piece of living my daily life and trying to integrate the Uganda and America piece in to that.  Thanks to all who have been a part of this journey in both places, for your support, questions, blog comments and interest.  Looking forward to continuing to share via Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and in person!

Love to you all,
Gwyneth
 

A Year in the Life

I have been packing up my place this week and reflecting on my past year- my job, people I've met and where I've lived.  As I mentioned in my last post, it is really amazing how you can get involved with people and a place in just a year's time.  I wanted to post a few pictures about the people in my life the past year and the role they've played...

First, my coworkers- especially the 3 pictured below- Shenise, Lauren and Gayle.   We worked side by side every day in a sometimes chaotic and stressful environment and got along well the whole time.  We often had good laughs in the midst of it all!  We went out for dinner our last day of work together, and I am so glad they were the ones I spent my time with everyday.  

Then, a new friend from Wilmington, Pearl, who I will dearly miss being only a few blocks away from.  It has been fun sharing a year of transition for both us.  Here we are visiting Terrain in Glen Mills and caching up on our lives:

One of my favorite things about living in Wilmington has been the church I've been involved with, Westminister Presbyterian (www.wpc.org), walking distance from my home.  I loved going to the same church as Teresa, getting involved with a Bible study there and attending their newer Living Mosaics service.  Here is (most of ) my Bible study group on our last night:

Behind them is the garden Westminister has for the community, one of the many great things about the church.  I also took a picture of this painting of the church, the memorial garden and their signature cross from the sanctuary:

One thing I will miss about Wilmington are all the great parks and walks in the area.  In the midst of packing and saying goodbyes this week, I've been trying to visit all my favorite spots.  Here is a place about a mile or so from my house that has been one of my favorite destinations:

As I get ready to move to Phoenixville tomorrow, I am saying goodbye to all the good things here.  When I drove away from work for the last time on Friday I was trying to pinpoint how I was feeling- "bittersweet" didn't seem to quite fit (but was the perfect word when I left Uganda), and any other words don't seem to sum it up.  So for now I am going with "mixed emotions"- excited, relieved, sad and hopeful all at the same time.  

Times of Transition

I have not been a very faithful blogger the past months.  Partly, I have found it harder to blog the past year than while I was still in Uganda.  In Uganda I was already very entrenched in my life and experiences there, having many pictures and stories to tell of my time there.  Since arriving back in the States I've been trying to get my head around being back, what is worth writing about, how I can share this strange transition.  The changes of the past year have made it harder to put down what I am feeling, since I am not always sure what that is.  

Tomorrow will be one year since I have arrived back in the States.  I've been thinking the past few days about my layover in England last year, and arriving back unsure of what exactly was next.  I was fortunate to get a job quickly and be able to find a place, move in, settle, start a life here.  Now, I am looking ahead to another time of transition- I'll be leaving my job in 2 weeks and starting a new job in July.  For many reasons, I think this is absolutely the right move, and I am very excited about it!  Instead of moving from a different country, I will be moving to a different State (Delaware to Pennsylvania), and some of the work will be similar to what I am doing now.  So, it won't be the same level of transition as last year but it still involves leaving a job, packing, moving and starting over again with work, church, and routines.  

Some things I have a better handle on after this past year in the States- budgeting, how many commitments to have outside of work, various people's reactions to me living in Uganda, realistic ways to stay in touch.  But I am nervous about learning a whole new job and finding a place to live, knowing the time and energy that will take- as I said, I am excited but nervousness is a part of that!  I've been thinking a lot about the sheer number of people you can meet in a year, and getting involved in their lives- I've been trying to guess between my coworkers, clients, church, neighborhood, maybe I've met 100-200 new people this year?  I am sad to be leaving so many of those relationships behind, and appreciate how I've been enriched because of them.  

So, as I look ahead to ending my job, having about a month off and starting work again it feels a lot like last year.  But so much has happened since then, I think the value and meaning of the past 12 months will only become clearer with time.  My original plan with this blog was to have it represent my final year in Uganda and first year in the States, and despite another upcoming change I am going to stick with that. I will probably do a few more posts but will close out my writing sometime in July.  I certainly won't have some clear conclusion or ending, I know the process will be ongoing.

And since I don't want to do a post without pictures, here are some pictures of my wonderful visit with Abby and family over Memorial Day weekend.  We talked about many of the things I've written, and I am grateful for a friend who has a different and valuable perspective on this transition!  Enjoy the pictures and I'll be back a few more times... 

At the park with the Bartels

Coffee break with Abby

Beautiful Pittsburgh (who knew?!)

Interesting article

A favorite view in Uganda

Recently a friend posted an article on facebook that resonated with me in many ways.  Here is the link for any who are interested:

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/what-happens-when-you-live-abroad/

The article talks about the dissonance of living abroad- how we often talk about when we will move "back" with our other expat friends, and then find that moving back is complicated.  The end of the article reads:

"So you look at your life, and the two countries that hold it, and realize that you are now two distinct people. As much as your countries represent and fulfill different parts of you and what you enjoy about life, as much as you have formed unbreakable bonds with people you love in both places, as much as you feel truly at home in either one, so you are divided in two. For the rest of your life, or at least it feels this way, you will spend your time in one naggingly longing for the other, and waiting until you can get back for at least a few weeks and dive back into the person you were back there. It takes so much to carve out a new life for yourself somewhere new, and it can’t die simply because you’ve moved over a few time zones. The people that took you into their country and became your new family, they aren’t going to mean any less to you when you’re far away.

When you live abroad, you realize that, no matter where you are, you will always be an ex-pat. There will always be a part of you that is far away from its home and is lying dormant until it can breathe and live in full color back in the country where it belongs. To live in a new place is a beautiful, thrilling thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want — on your own terms. It can give you the gift of freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to start over, to get on that plane, doesn’t come without a price. You cannot be in two places at once, and from now on, you will always lay awake on certain nights and think of all the things you’re missing out on back home."

That last part about lying awake on certain nights feels very true- often while I am going to sleep in the States, I think about the world waking up in Uganda and what is going on there.  And while I was in Uganda I would count the time difference to the States and wonder what people were doing there.  

I think having two homes can feel melancholy but is also enriching and stretching.  It fits well with the quote I have on this blog that says people who have lived abroad are "magic creatures who always know there is another way".

A favorite Stateside view

Road Trip

On Saturday I left for a road trip to Durham, North Carolina and then Washington D.C.  This is my first full week off since starting back in August and I want to soak in every minute!  My first stop in Durham was to visit my friend Melissa, who moved there fairly recently with her family.  My visit coincided with her birthday which was perfect.  We got to review how many various birthdays we have celebrated together, starting with an eventful one in Uganda in 2000.  Now she is a pastor in NC and I was able to see her church and hear her preach on Sunday which was wonderful.  One thing about Melissa's family is they love activities so I tried to keep up while we spent time in the hip city of Durham and surroundings.  A few highlights:

Birthday picnic in Duke Gardens

Crepes before the Full Frame film festival

Checking out the city, across from Monuts Donuts

A walk along Eno River

We also went out for a few meals, to a Durham Bulls baseball game and had some fun family time.  Knowing they will be around the area for a while makes me look forward to more future visits.

My next stop was to see Meghan in D.C.  It turned out to be perfect timing for the cherry blossoms which was not at all planned for me!  Meg and I also got in lots of activities and time together despite the few days and her work schedule.  

At Dupont Circle

Cherry blossoms on the tidal basin

Visiting the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

One more of the cherry blossoms!

Getting to see different places, catch up with friends and have some space from work has felt very good and refreshing.  I'm hopeful for a few restful days back at home and appreciative of the time off.  Getting to see a college friend and a Uganda friend helps remind me of the other pieces of my life that are still important despite the different daily routine of my current life.

Almost Spring!

Spring officially starts this week and I am ready!

A few things I am looking forward to in the spring season:
-  celebrating Easter with my family
- participating in a Maundy Thursday service at my church
- going for walks in the park after work
- having a week off in April to travel to North Carolina
- longer days of light
- green on the trees
- some upcoming changes at work
- putting my jacket, hat and gloves away
- daffodils!  The ones pictured above are from the Philadelphia flower show.

Anything you are looking forward to in the coming months??

I ♥ Musical Theater

The past 3 weekends I have been to 3 musicals- a show at a community theater in Wilmington, one on Broadway and one at a middle school where a friend teaches.  While very different shows and professional levels I loved all of them- because I love musical theater.  Growing up we would listen to musicals on long car rides, go to them as a family for a special event and we participated in community theater and school plays.  All this led to a great enjoyment of the singing, dancing and general over-the-top spectacle of musicals.   Returning from Uganda this was something I was excited about enjoying in the States- while Uganda has plenty of it's own music and culture, there is nothing quite like musical theater (except perhaps a British pantomime every Christmas).  

I started off strong by seeing two shows in England, Jersey Boys and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Jersey Boys in London

Both shows were really well done, and seeing a show about New Jersey in England was pretty great.  Fairly soon after being back in the States I got to meet up with Abby in New York and see Evita on Broadway.

Evita in NYC

Ricky Martin played the lead and was fabulous!  It was the first time I had ever seen the show and loved sharing the experience with Abby.  My next travels were to Prince Edward Island where my mom and I saw Anne of Green Gables (yes, a musical) and the play On Golden Pond.

Anne of Green Gables in Prince Edward Island

There was even a song in Anne called Kindred Spirits- while a tourist attraction for sure, it was a fun one and very appropriate for the trip.  After my travels of the summer it has been fun to see more "local" shows.  In September my mom and I saw Next to Normal, a different kind of musical with rock songs and about mental illness, very well done by a smaller theater.

Next to Normal at the Arden Theater in Philadelphia

Then for Christmas I got my parents tickets to Catch Me if You Can in Philadelphia, based on the movie of the same name.  Lots of good songs and singing and dancing.

Catch Me if You Can at the Academy of Music.

Then a few weekends ago I went to a local theater group in Wilmington for the first time who put on Ragtime- a very ambitious play and they totally pulled it off!  I am looking forward to going back there in the future.

Ragtime in Wilmington

Lastly,  Mama Mia last weekend (picture in the previous post) and Oliver yesterday.  Coming up are hopefully Memphis and Into the Woods, both in Wilmington.  Thats a lot of musicals!  I don't know if I'll keep up this pace but for now I am enjoying this aspect of life in the States.  

A visit with a friend

Over the weekend I went to New York City to visit Annie.  Annie was an intern in Uganda for one of the first years I was there so it was pretty exciting to get to see each other and catch up!  The fact that she lives in NYC is an added bonus.  We got to talk so much about Uganda, life since then and current jobs, while also doing some pretty fun stuff.  I told Annie at the end of the weekend that it was so refreshing for me to be able to talk about Uganda all the time.  And with someone I knew was interested! Here are a few pictures from my quick trip: 

Arriving, getting Starbucks and waiting in line for theater tickets

Getting to see Mama Mia, a very fun show

Visiting The Strand bookstore, 18 miles of books!  (I bought only one)

A restaurant that serves only macaroni and cheese- yum

View of the Brooklyn Bridge and beyond

At the new World Trade Center site, 40th floor

On my train ride home I felt very grateful for all the different friends I got to know in Uganda.  Living in Uganda it sometimes felt like there were so many people in and out all the time- new students, new interns, other staff, visitors.  But one of the good things about it has been that so many people who shared my experience are now in the States.  I am hoping I can continue to visit with those friends as those shared memories help to connect my current life and Uganda!

Quick Comparison

I am definitely still adjusting!

Why Africa?

When I tell people about living in Uganda they will usually ask, "But why did you want to move to Africa?"  Usually I respond by saying something like, "Well, I studied abroad in Kenya when I was in college and always wanted to go back."  That usually satisfies most people's curiosity and then come the typical follow-up questions: what did you eat there? did you see lions? were you safe? (answers: food, yes and yes.)

Really the answer to the Why Africa? question is more complex than that.  When I started college I knew I wanted to study abroad and looking through Gordon's academic handbook they listed about 12 options.  One of them was Daystar University in Kenya and it seemed like the most "out there".  Most people study abroad in Europe and I wanted to do something different.  I remember working on the application freshman year and then getting ready to go to Kenya sophomore year of college, feeling nervous and excited.  That semester is what made me want to go back.  While the semester had it's ups and downs I felt connected there and appreciated the pace of life, hospitality and culture.  A few (somewhat blurry) pictures from those 4 months:

Soon after my arrival in Kenya- I was wearing shorts!  Not totally clued in yet but happy to be there.

Laundry in the Daystar courtyard

Had to put this one in for Eddie and Lisa!

So when it came time to do an internship for graduate school I was set on going back to Africa.  Through lots of searching and convincing on my part, I ended up in Durban, South Africa.  Obviously it is a whole different country and place than Kenya so there was a lot to learn and adjust to there, but I still felt that connection.

At a Habitat build in Johannesburg

Dancing with the now president of South Africa (then VP)! - I am on the far left with the long hair

After being in South Africa and finishing graduate school I started looking for jobs overseas.  But I either didn't have the experience or language needed, and ended up job searching for about 6 months before taking a job in the States.  A few years later when the Uganda job came up it felt like the right timing, and I still felt that desire to move there.  

My first week in Uganda

So, now the question is- will I ever go back?  To visit? I say definitely yes.  To live there again? Maybe, not in the immediate future but who knows?  Right now,  I am glad I have spent so much of my life in different parts of Africa and think I am only richer for it.