Today I talked to a friend about correctly identifying emotions and how it can positively impact your…well…sanity. Things like “anger” aren’t really emotions, but rather the result of underlying emotions. For three months, I’ve been trying to come to terms with how I feel about being separated from Peace Corps Namibia due to a security [...]

…in no particular order, and meant to be kept continually if relevant. Jan 1: Devote myself to reading one national newspaper a day (WSJ, NYT or Washington Post) Jan 2: Apply to MBA/Public Policy programs Jan 3: Read a book about U.S. Foreign Affairs Jan 4: Memorize Constitution/Amendments Jan 5: Read a book about U.S. [...]

Dear Santa, You’ve probably noticed by now that my webpage looks a little different. In an effort to jumpstart my career, I’m trying to work more on marketing myself professionally. I’m ready to move away from home and find a job. In January, whether or not I receive an offer from a couple companies I’ve been [...]

Does the name Elizabeth Seeberg mean anything to you? Probably not, due to the most disgusting cover up in recent history. Let’s look at the facts: On August 31, Elizabeth Seeberg was allegedly sexually assaulted by a Notre Dame football player. She thoroughly recorded the incident and reported it to campus security the next day. She went [...]

What are you going to do now that you’re back? A question I receive often from family, friends, and over-interested strangers who find out I’ve been back for about a month now. I hit the “month mark” and celebrated by watching sleet fall from my grandparents’ house in a Connecticut suburb of New York City. [...]

I blogged earlier about how I’ve started running and using the micoach program. You can view my results on my public page, if you’re so inclined to get an inside look at my heart rate during my runs. I’ll post my TSA full-body scan photos on another page.

I’ve been back in the States for almost 2 weeks now. To say that I miss my friends in Namibia is a vast understatement. I feel like I left college a year early. It’s difficult to get on Facebook because all I see are status updates from Peace Corps Volunteers and an overwhelming feeling of jealousy [...]

I find myself suddenly and unexpectedly back in the States. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself back here for any period of time at least for another year and a half. The circumstances were beyond my control, and I’m sorry to say if I had a choice, I wouldn’t have left. There [...]

My apologies for not blogging…well…at all…for the last few months. In my defense, since I’ve started teaching, things have become pretty normal. Things that 4 months ago would have made me scream, laugh, run out of the room, pee my pants, cry, or throw a temper tantrum now just make me shrug my shoulders and [...]

Dear Donna: I am so pleased how this safari itinerary has come together for you, Aimee and Caitlin. Your adventure includes some of the most scenic regions in Namibia combined with time in Swakopmund.  Allow me to walk you through the itinerary. You and Aimee will arrive Windhoek on August 23rd where you will have [...]

Oh, the first days of school in Namibia. They were very similar to the last days of school, somehow. No real organization. Learners running around everywhere. Teachers not in the classrooms. But there difference is, there’s a feeling of optimism. Monday and Tuesday were days for just teachers. I arrived in the staff room on [...]

The last few weeks have been without a doubt the craziest and most enjoyable times I’ve spent in Namibia. On December 20th I headed out to Khorixas to meet up with some friends who were already beginning to celebrate the holidays. It was a day I had been looking forward to for a while. I [...]

Many of you have expressed interest and/or concern about the fact that my main mode of getting around Namibia is hitchhiking. It’s all very romantic and Kerouac-ian. I’ll explain my first experience hiking by myself. Sunday December 20th 2009 was a day I’d been looking forward to for a while. It was the day Peace [...]

I learned a lot in 2009. It was a year of big changes – graduating from college, moving to a strange, new country. I’ve spent more time away from home than ever before in my life. I fell in love, I got my heart broken. In a lot of ways, I guess it’s been like [...]

Finally I’ve moved into my permanent housing. It’s something I’ve looked forward to for quite some time. All my worldly possessions are in one place for the first time in months. I have spent hours price-checking pots and pans, bowls, cups, knives, forks, and all of the essentials I’ll need for the next two years [...]