Costa Rica, the Land of Pura Vida!

As the teaching assistant for the Franklin College Residential spring break trip to Costa Rica, I was responsible for chaperoning a group of 15 undergraduate students. My pay-off: a FREE trip to Costa Rica. Not too shabby!

Before taking off to Costa Rica I coordinated four class meetings where we discussed Costa Rican current events, learned about the culture, and even tasted local cuisine prepared by one of our very own UGA faculty members who is a Costa Rican native. Once we arrived in Costa Rica...I was quite surprised by the incredible UGA campus in Monteverde. Yes, UGA owns a "research center" and "eco-lodge" in the lush rain forests of Costa Rica with running hot water and beautifully handcrafted wooden bungalows. The program directors have worked hard to collaborate with the local community and during our 5-day stay we visited a local coffee farm, enjoyed a cooking class in a local woman's house, in addition to all of the students enjoying a one-night home stay with a local family. Our days at the research center were filled with drizzle, mud, wind, a schizophrenic sun, and lots of rainbows. I make it sound so bad, but it was so good...we were literally in the cloud forest where mother nature is in full-effect. The weather did not stop us, we hiked to a waterfall, took Spanish classes, milked cows, went horseback riding, and swung through the rain forest likes monkeys on a zip-line. Another brilliant feature of the UGA ecolodge is that it is all inclusive, the meals are prepared by local community members which makes for some delicious gallo pinto (rice and beans), juicy fresh fruit, and a colorful array of food.

The last two days of the trip were spent at Playa Grande (big beach). The students took surf lessons while I soaked up the sun, did yoga, and walked the beach. It was quite fabulous! Now, back to the grind...

Spring Break in Costa Rica

I'm off to Costa Rica for a week of rainforest and beach fun. I am serving as a teaching assistant for one of my professors who is the faculty director for a spring break course. Pretty sweet gig! Alas, sunscreen and bug juice in tow! More photos later...

Spring 2009 Semester Courses

Now that the spring semester is in full swing, I will attempt to describe the courses I am taking this semester. Before I begin, I just have to say this semester is proving to be much more organic (easy) than the fall semester, as I am enjoying the coursework and life in Athens. (Wow, I never thought I would link 'enjoying' and 'Athens' in the same sentence.)
PHOTO: The ladies research group. Dr. Sheila Slaughter on left, Jennifer, Stephanie, Dr. Amy Metcalfe, and me!

Comparative International Higher Education:

In this course, we travel around the world and learn about (and critique) research conducted on everything from faculty satisfaction to World Bank policies to the effects of globalization. So far, we have traveled from Latin America to Europe to Africa. The past two weeks we discussed how the neo-liberal agenda of World Bank conditionalities are imposed on developing countries. The neo-colonialism agenda is still alive and kickin'! This is by far one of my favorite courses. My professor is Dr. Tom Dyer, who is famous at UGA for his historical account of the University. He is a BIG deal on campus! Just the other day I saw his name (again) on a plaque in a building. Not only is he the historical father of UGA, he is a father figure who is not afraid to correct spoken English in the classroom and believes that content is substance and grammar. For this course we have to write 3 short papers on international topics of our choice and one BIG final project (25 papes).

Introduction to Research Methods:

This course is a research methods sampler platter. We read and discuss the basics of research methods: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches. My professor, Dr. Jim Hearn, is another BIG deal! He has been around the higher education research block for quite some time and is well respected in the field. We just had our mid-term for this course which was multiple choice and short essay on the foundations of higher education research: theories and current issues in the research world. Even though this course is basic, I find it to be a nice primer for future research ideas. In addition to the mid-term, there will be a final exam and a 10-page paper.

International Policy Studies:
PHOTO: Peter Maassen (far left), Sheila Slaughter to his right and Dr. Dyer is standing behind me, and my PhD colleagues.

Visiting professors from around the globe teach this course, reminiscent of my studies in Europe. The first professor in the series, Dr. Amy Metcalfe from Canada, taught a course about gender disparity in higher education. She is also coordinating the research grant with Dr. Sheila Slaughter of which I am a research assistant for, therefore many meetings (with wine) ensued during her visit. Next up is Dr. Peter Maassen from Europe, who just left yesterday, he taught a course on the European integration of higher education (a topic near and dear). Dr. Maassen was my Master's thesis advisor in Oslo, so it was nice to catch up with him and discuss a few collaborative ideas for comparative research. Finally, there is another professor from Norway, Dr. Berit Karseth, who will teach a course on the European integration of curriculum. For each of these short courses we are expected to write a 10-page paper on the topic presented by the professor.

Day After the Snow Storm: CARNAGE!

After 6.5 inches of wet and soggy snow last night, the town of Athens, Georgia shutdown. When I woke up this morning, I was amazed at how bright Athens was...the contrast of white glistening snow and sunny blue skies made for a beautiful day. Many people lost power last night, as trees and power lines--weighed down by heavy snow--came crashing down resulting in candle-lit evenings. I visited friends at the local watering hole, who were without power since 4 p.m. yesterday. They were warming up with the local brew, and charging up their cell phones and computers. This is what I love about snow-days, you have permission to do things that you would normally not be doing on a Monday...like bantering about snowstorm war stories and playing games in the local watering hole. As I walked through the downtown area, I took a few photos of the carnage left behind from the storm. Trees were uprooted, split in half, and cars were stranded everywhere...including the middle of the streets.

Here are a few facebook status updates from friends:

*Cody was loving the snowstorm that we're getting in Athens, until it caused a tree to fall on his brand new car. :( The cab is crushed and the back window...

*Raychel is offering up food, shelter, etc. to anyone still without power in Athens!

*Anthony is hoping his power comes back on soon. But the snow is nice (as is a closed UGA--no midterm tonight!)
*Johanna finds it quite strange to wake up to snow in Athens.

*Stephanie has heat and power, for anyone needing to warm up!

UGA CLOSED ALL DAY MONDAY, MARCH 2

Woohoo, a spring snow storm hit Georgia in March. This almost NEVER happens, except for today! After a trip to Atlanta, we played in the snow on campus, took photos, pushed cars that were stuck, dodged falling trees, drank wine, made chili, and lamented in the fact that school/work is canceled tomorrow.

TO: UGA Faculty, Staff and Students
To update all previous announcements -- The University of Georgia Athens campus will be closed all day Monday, March 2. Personnel previously designated for duty during weather emergencies should report as assigned.

Heard on the streets of downtown Athens earlier today, "I have lived here all of
my life and I have never seen it snow like this before."

I'm Leaving the Country AGAIN!

Last semester, as I settled into the vicissitude of life I asked myself...how can I make the most out of this 4-year PhD journey? The destination was clear: a PhD credential, and the journey was yet to manifest. You see, I believe we manifest our journey through life, the reality we choose to live, and the experiences we have. Hence, I began researching international research opportunities (of which I was surprised to find so many). I could not resist a few opportunities, so I threw my name in the hat and let fate takes its course. Just last week I was offered (and accepted) an opportunity to live and study at Oxford University for six months. In July, I board a plane with insipid airplane food and fly over the Atlantic Ocean destined for the Queen's country, England! Here's the deal: I will work with the UGA/Oxford study abroad program as I pursue a few research projects with an Oxford professor. Of course I make it sound like the decision to take the offer was a no-brainer, which it was from a very personal (and irrational) perspective. However, from a rational perspective there were copious logistical issues I deliberated on (missing a semester of academic coursework, moving again, assessing the financial situation, winning the support of my professors, and coming back to Athens without a campus job). In the end...my motto, "Jump and the net will appear," prevailed! So, book your flights!

For me, this is a dream come true; to reside and study at a medieval European University that has tradition, rituals, and history that dates back to the 13th century. Oxford has been referred to as the 'themepark for academic geekhood'. Am I on the path of becoming an academic geek? To be continued...

Whirling Dervishes Swirl through Athens!

Living in the armpit of America, we have to get as much "outside" culture as we can. So, when we heard the exotic dervishes were coming to Athens, we quickly purchased tickets. In their white flowing skirts, pointy hats, and soft-soled black shoes, a group of whirling dervishes gracefully swirled their way around the stage. The evening started with chant-like relaxing sufi music and then the whirling dervishes whirled with their eyes closed for over 45 minutes. The kinetic energy of the "whirling" sends the spinning men into a meditative state of spirituality. The performance was amazing and I have to admit during the sufi music I dipped into my own meditation, as the music just sent me to my breath. The whirling dervishes were founded by Sufi poet Mevlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi in the 13th century. Rumi was a lover, a romantic, a humanitarian and his poetry reflected those values. Here is one of my favorite Rumi poems (just in time for Valentine's day!):

The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for
you, not knowing how blind that was. Lover's don't finally meet somewhere. They are in each other all along.

Doctoral Students Get Their Disco On...

Doctoral students are expected to synthesize complex theoretical academic articles, think critically, write coherent papers, conduct original and thought-provoking research, and speak intelligently on numerous topics. Honestly, sometimes my brain just gets tired. Yet, as I become more socialized into this way of living, I have realized that blowing off steam is rather important to the well-being (and my overworked brain.) So this is how I survive: a simple glass of wine with good conversation and laughter, yoga, or celebrating Sarah's 30th birthday...DISCO style. With gold accessories, disco fuzz, butterfly collars, and flared pants we danced (and punched) the night away. Only to wake up with headaches and more reading, synthesizing, and writing to do. Oh, the life we live!

It Only Took 7 MONTHS to Receive my European Master's Degree!

Last week I received a voice mail from my apartment complex, "You have a package, please come by and pick it up before 6 p.m." With a big smile on my face, I strolled into the office at 5:57 p.m. They handed me a lovely package from Universtitetet I Oslo...and the angels started singing. Ahhhhhh, my European Master's joint-degree, finally! You see, this simple piece of paper has not only seen the world, but was a personal labor of love. In November, I was summoned--by my classmates--to write a formal letter of complaint to the University of Oslo for not sending out our diplomas in June...or shortly thereafter. After many emails with the figureheads in Oslo, they finally got the ball rolling. I still do not understand what the issue was...but it sounds like there was some bad blood among the individuals who were responsible for coordinating the diploma production. Since this was a joint-degree, three signatures and "stamps of approval" were needed from three different university officials, in three different countries (Norway, Portugal, and Finland). And, so the adventure began...the diplomas went on a sojourn. Somewhere along the signature journey, the diplomas stopped off in Chile (yes, the country in South America). Why, you ask...I'm only speculating, but I think it had something to do with the long line of incompetency. Anyway, I am sitting here with my beautiful European joint-degree in one hand and a glass of wine in the other...reflecting on the amazing two years in Europe and how much I miss my HEEM family.

A REAL Southern Step Show!

Last night we went to the annual UGA step-show competition. Stepping is a form of musical performance which uses the body as an instrument, everything from stomping to clapping to spoken word. It is quite amazing to watch the complex dance rhythms performed in solidarity. Stepping began back in the early 1900's as a schoolyard competition among the black sorority and fraternity members. Today, it continues to be a tradition in the black sororities and fraternities on campuses, especially in the Southern nation states. This year three sororities and three fraternities competed, which I thought was a rather small number. You see the percentage of black students at UGA is not in line with the national average. In Georgia, 28% of the population is black, whereas only (approximately) 6% of the UGA student population is black. Hence, the black greek system at UGA is small compared to what you think it would be.

An Email Message on January 20, 2009--INAUGURATION DAY!

I sent this email to one of my dear friends after watching the U.S. 44th Presidential Inauguration:

"Guess what...we have a black (bi-racial) president!!! Is that not the coolest statement ever??? I never thought I would be able to say that in my lifetime. Damn, it feels good to be an American today (a bit emotional, but a damn good feeling). As I watched and listened to Obama take the oath I could not help but reflect on the civil rights struggle and how far this country has come, and how many lives have been lost to cross the deeply-seeded racial barrier. (Sure, in this racially divided country, we still have a long way to go, but this is unequivocally a step in the right direction.) Also, my tears fell upon the baggage which carries my American identity. I concede that I am a bit jaded by the anti-American sentiment I experienced while living abroad. However, today I actually felt a bit patriotic; a feeling of which I had no prior comprehensive. Today...I understand what patriotism is and how it feels. Incredible."

As I was reading Yoga Journal, I saw these ads with Obama doing yoga...I could not resist posting them.

I am a Traveler (Stuck) in Georgia....

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller.

I have decided to become a traveler/tourist in this place I call home...Georgia. So, today I launched this new perspective with the annual Indian kite festival--a festival celebrating the change of seasons--held at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Indian Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia. I was expecting a tiny temple with a few deities (gods), and what I discovered was much more grand and delicious to the eyes. Over 80,000 Indians reside in the metro Atlanta area, and this Mandir was built by the hands and volunteer hours of many in this community. The Mandir opened its doors in 2007 and was built in 17 months; this is no small feat when you experience it up close. Over 34,000 individual pieces of Turkish limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone were hand-carved in India and shipped to Georgia. Then, volunteers pieced it all together like a beautiful 3-D puzzle. The festival included ambrosial (yet spicy) Indian food, hot chai, and copious amounts of paper kites. The whole scene was quite surreal...the hum of a foreign language, colorful kites flying high in the blue sky, the smell of cardamon in the air, and the spectacular Mandir sparkling in the backdrop. I kept asking myself, "Am I really in Georgia?"