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Confessions of a Scaredy-Cat

Friends! It's been a little while since I've written. I think it takes a bit of time for me to process my experiences here. On a daily basis, I'm bombarded with so many sights, stories, feelings, realities, and a workload that could each take an entire day to process on their own. I love what I'm doing and I want to share it, but receive my apologies if my updates come in waves. It's probably because I'm at a loss to know which of the 5,000,000 things that happened that day I want to talk about. :)

I've entered a new season in my job here. This time, it's the "How did I get here, I'm so unqualified, inexperienced, and inadequate!" phase. For a long time, I thought I was a proactive go-getter who took initiative and was confident in my job. But the last couple of weeks of being in the field have made me realize some interesting new things about myself.

Namely, that I'm terrified. And instead of being the confident person I thought I was, I am actually plagued with feelings of inadequacy that make me want to curl up and hide instead of go out and conquer. Here's why: I am the youngest person (by far) in my office. I am the least experience person (by far) in my office. I have been given a huge responsibility for a project with minimal supervision. For the first time, the buck stops with me. On something big. Like, giving-recommendations-to-the-government-on national-guidelines-for-children-in-emergencies big. ME. Doing THAT! Crazy. 

It's funny. I don't really know what I was expecting when they asked me to do this project on Child Friendly Spaces. I just thought, "Oh wow, yeah, this will be really interesting and fun!" And now, two months, 30 site visits, and 4 islands later, I'm suddenly the one person who knows most about Child Friendly Spaces in the Philippines post-typhoon context. So they're asking me to present my findings at a few conferences with the UN, government, and NGOs. No big deal. 

..........

Cue the terror.

Here's the kicker. As I've analyzed these unfamiliar, intense "run away and hide!" emotions, I've realized that they're rooted in pure unadulterated (a) lack of trust in God and (b) fear of what other people think.

(a) The Lord sent me here. Not someone else. Me. He gave me abundant favor that, yes, I don't deserve and am unqualified for. But who am I to say, "Sorry God, you might have made the wrong choice because I actually can't do this." What does that say about who I think HE is? Pfft. He made a donkey speak to deliver a message. And I'm afraid of what I'm going to say to some government and UN workers? They don't even do that much anyway! (scratch that from the record....) Furthermore, perhaps He has given me favor and opened these doors because He wants me to shine! So that He can keep giving me favor and opening doors to put me in exactly the right place at the right time. And that involves me acting upon the favor I've received. David didn't just talk trash to Goliath about how powerful God was; he picked up a rock and chucked it at his head. That's risky. That's real faith. 

(b) The other thing of caring about what people think...yeah, that. It's lame. It's a giant leg brace that can limit, stifle, and even lock down our movement. ("The fear of man is a snare". Think about that picture!) Yeah, I am only 25. Yeah, I did somehow get in with the UN in this emergency response. Yeah, I know about 1/100 of what everyone else here knows. But that doesn't mean that God can't use me. And even if I blew it, He could still use me to gain glory through my failure. That is how powerful He is! So at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what other people think about me. Because I'm not here for them. I'm not doing this project to please them. I'm here because God called me here. And I'm doing this project to honor HIM. 

Bam. That's freedom! Wow okay, that was a lot. Thanks for reading. And if you got this far, now you know how to pray for me! Yay! Also, be encouraged. Whatever your facing, don't run away and don't hide from it. Face it, head on. Following God means ending up in all kinds of situations that you have no business being in. But He puts you there because that way when a miracle happens through you, He will receive all the glory. What a great way to live! If you're not sure that it's true, just ask me some more about my life. Trust me, there's some compelling evidence there.

And with that, please enjoy some photos from my recent field visits. :)

^^This way for some fun!

^^Speaking of fun, the camp I was staying at had a guitar! So I got to sit and play for a couple of hours in the evenings. With coffee. And cookies. And new friends. It was awesome.

^^This Daycare center was completely gutted by the typhoon. So now, kids play in a really cool child friendly space just a few yards away.

^^These are tiny, sub-par temporary living shelters for families whose homes were destroyed. So, naturally, they've initiated a beautification project with the only tools they have - rocks, paint, and plastic. These people absolutely amaze me.

^^This is what most houses look like in Eastern Samar.

^^This is what most faces look like in Child Friendly Spaces.

^^But some look like this.

And this is when my camera broke because of the cuteness.

Till next time!

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10 Reasons

I have now been in the Philippines for 10 weeks and based in Tacloban for 10 days. So, it seems fitting to give you the top 10 reasons why my job is extraordinary. Sit down and buckle your seat belts for a thought-provoking ride that will make you laugh and cry! Actually, no...don't get your hopes up that high...but there will be pictures of cute kids.

And now that I have your attention, let's begin!

1. The overtime

Working in a humanitarian emergency means that you learn twice as much twice as fast. We work long hours and don't take many days off - partly because of the sense of urgency and partly because there's nothing else to do. So, six months of experience here translates to about a year of experience in a 9-5 job. Nice! I wonder how that goes over in an interview.."I know it says six months, but let's be honest...."

2. The kids

They are the reason I'm here, right? As many of you have noticed, the children here are like, RIDICULOUSLY adorable. I've had the privilege of visiting many different communities and playing with them. What I've noticed is that they don't really know what to make of me. They all stare with wide eyes and mouths open like they're not quite sure if I'm an alien. Some of them will say, "You are so beautiful!" which obviously makes me feel like a million bucks, and others will run away. And one little girl cried. So, mixed reviews on the white girl aid worker. But it's fun to visit with them nonetheless.

 3. The Mexican restaurant down the street

Seriously. The first time I had their chicken burrito I almost cried.

4. UNICEF

I've never worked for another UN agency, but based on my interactions and observations, I am with one of the best. UNICEF staff are incredibly talented, professional, and friendly. I learn so much from them every day and I feel very privileged to represent this agency in the response. No one is perfect, but I like our reputation.

5. The ability to effect change

This is a big one for me. One of the most frustrating things is identifying a problem and realizing there is little or nothing you can do to solve it. In the case of Child Protection, these problems are particularly difficult to face. We work to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and exploitation...so you can imagine the cases that come up. 

This week, we witnessed the consequences of gaps in the child protection system. But instead of feeling frustrated, we were able to make ourselves useful. What's amazing is that we are actually in a position to make things better! Our role is to support the government, police, social workers, and shelters to give them the training, staff, or finances that they are lacking. We are here to build up the local responders to help manage the increase in cases as a result of the disaster. I love that! While there will always be things that fall through the cracks, I'm so glad to know that the work we do is actively contributing to solutions. 

6. The attitudes

This picture says it all. This little guy was busy cleaning the tent of his Child Friendly Space and I've never seen someone look happier. His school is doubling as an evacuation center - filled to the brim with desperate people who have nowhere to go. He and his friends have likely lost family members in the typhoon. The incredible resilience and joy of the Filipino population has been utterly humbling to witness. It truly is a tremendous privilege to serve such a wonderful group of people.

7. The big TV upstairs

Yes! Our office has a TV upstairs and on Fridays after work we have movie nights. Sometimes it's the little things that help make you feel at home. 

8. The expectations

This may be my first emergency and I may only be a beginner in this field, but I'm really having to step up to the plate. My supervisors have high expectations and give me ownership of serious projects. It's both thrilling and daunting to be thrown into these tasks and learn how to navigate them as I go. But I'm so thankful for the challenge. I'm learning so much about myself, how I work with others, and how to take on new roles. It's exciting!

9. Reliable internet

Okay, I know this is totally superficial but OH my goodness it is such a huge blessing to have a wifi connection that doesn't cut out every 2 minutes! Being able to predictably talk to family & friends is really comforting. 

10. Learning contentment 

Even in my dream job, I find the temptation to worry about the future or focus on all the luxuries I don't have. It's incredibly easy to become discontent. The fight for contentment never goes away and I'm thankful to be learning that in a deeper way here. I have found greater stability and joy in my life because of it. Everything may come and go, but He will never leave me or forsake me. God is my rock, my foundation, my defense, and my motivation. And friends, honestly, that is so much more than enough. 

And with that, here are some pictures. 

They really love hula hoops.

Like, alot. Also, see what I mean about the "is she an alien" look?

Hula hoop champions!

They loved a guitar to death. 

Playing games in the Child Friendly Space!

This little girl was waaay cute.

The trees look like matchsticks. It's crazy. 

This is a school. They still have a lot of debris. Most of their classrooms were destroyed.

These girls showed me around their school. As you can see by the writing on the wall, many people hid here during the typhoon.

There's a lot of rebuilding happening in Tacloban, too. Pictures like this make me happy. 

Children were asked to write what they would want to say to Typhoon Yolanda. Their notes are powerful to read.

Until next time, thanks for reading! 

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The Child Protection Soapbox

The first month of my time in the Philippines seemed to crawl by, but wow, this second month was a whirlwind! I am now 1/3 of the way through my contract with UNICEF. I've just arrived in Tacloban City on Leyte island where I will spend the next few months supporting the team here.

So, before I give an update on the project I'm working on, I figured now would probably be a good time to actually explain what I do...(better late than never?)...

I recently met a fellow American in the airport who asked what I'm doing here with the relief effort. When I said, "Child Protection", he said that was something he had never considered. He thought that food and shelter were kind of "it" when it came to humanitarian assistance. Which makes total sense! So, this made me realize I should really take the time to explain what I do because:

1. I think what I do is important and worth understanding.

2. I want all of my friends who meet people in airports to vouch for me. :)

A quick overview of the UN in emergencies (natural disasters, conflicts, alien invasions, you name it): 

There are multiple UN agencies that respond in emergencies. UNICEF is one of them (the best, obviously). While UNICEF is the agency that focuses on children, they do a bunch of other stuff in emergencies too. In fact, here in the Philippines they are the lead agency in 4 sectors - more than any other UN organization! 

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

Education

Nutrition

Child Protection (This is me, yay!)

While it's probably easy for you to see why clean water, getting back to school, and access to healthy food are really important, Child Protection in emergencies is less clear. So allow me to step on my soapbox for a paragraph or two and advocate for my little field.

UNICEF defines Child Protection as preventing and responding to violence, abuse, and exploitation against children (including child labor, commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, etc.). In emergencies, children often become more vulnerable to these risks due to displacement, separation from family, and breakdown of social services. So, our role in Child Protection is to advocate for the most vulnerable group that often gets forgotten in the larger response. I mean, who thinks about the needs and risks for kids when they're developing large-scale evacuation plans, designing tent cities for shelter, or simply planning for the aftermath of a colossal typhoon? We do. That's our job. 

In the case of this typhoon, one the main Child Protection issues was trauma. Children were terrified - their homes, schools and communities were destroyed and it impacted them heavily. That's why one of our central initiatives has been facilitating Child Friendly Spaces - safe places for kids to play and laugh and engage in some normal fun activities so that they can begin to heal and recover from their traumatic experience.

And NOW I have reached the end of my background story (so I can give you an actual update on what I'm doing) and I expect all of you who made it this far to become advocates for Child Protection in emergencies. :)

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm working on a project to document the Child Friendly Spaces we have supported in the Philippines. Over the past two weeks, I visited 12 sites in rural mountain and coastal areas on Panay island - some hours down a bumpy dirt road - to see if UNICEF's initiatives have made a positive difference in the lives of children and their families. I'm going to be doing the same thing here in Leyte.

And now my friends, allow me to take you on photographic journey to tell the story of children on Panay island! Join me if you wish. :)

^^This is a Child Friendly Space! In this tent, mothers have come with their children to play and sing songs. This town had a massive oil spill just two weeks after the Typhoon. Many families were displaced TWICE and lived in a giant, crowded, stuffy evacuation center. A little girl with cerebral palsy has been coming to the Child Friendly Space for a month and her Mom says she is getting much better.

^^ Before UNICEF brought those blocks you see on the left, these children didn't have much to play with. So their daycare worker got some turtles, fresh out of the ocean. It was a great idea, but I think they prefer the blocks...

^^ These little ones...myyyy goodness. They were a riot. The little guy on the right has his head down because he's cracking up. Before this picture, I was playing peekaboo with them from a window inside the building. I think I got them in trouble for making too much noise laughing, but they were so cute I couldn't help it.

^^ Let me tell you, these girls are champions at Jacks. My coworker tried to join in for a little game, but they quickly laughed her off. Wouldn't want to bet against them.

^^ The green structures you see are the leftovers of a school. The community built that Child Friendly Space on the left with bamboo and a tarp as a roof. The kids love it! This is what it looks like inside:

^^ Cute, right?!

And to finish off, here are some cool kids who know what's up. 

Ta ta for now, from me and my new friends!

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"Maybe you'll actually see a child"

On Monday when I said goodbye to my office mate in Manila, he said, "I'm so excited that you're going to the field. Maybe you'll actually see a child!"

He captured perfectly that out-of-touch element that comes with working at National Headquarters. Working for an agency that is mandated to serve children, I was understandably excited to get to the field. :)

And here I am! Allow me to give you a little geographical context for this post.

That giant red streak of death across the map is the path of Typhoon Yolanda. The green arrow that I drew points to Panay Island. I also circled in green Capiz Province on the northern part of the island. That is where Roxas City is located which serves as the UN hub for the response to all of Panay island.

So, Roxas City! Ta da! I am here for two weeks (working on a project that I will explain shortly) before moving to my new duty station on another island. It's so great to be in the field! And without further ado....

What I'm doing in Roxas:

In emergencies, one of the primary responses for child protection is the implementation of what we call Child Friendly Spaces (CFS). Most of these children experienced severe psychosocial trauma and their communities have been turned upside down. To provide a sense of normalcy for kids, a safe place to play, to be with their friends & family, and to be referred to specialized services if needed, we set up CFS. Simply put, they are tents with daily activities based on the context (coloring pictures, putting on plays, singing and dancing, reading, etc.).

Roughly 180 CFS have been set up across all of the Yolanda affected areas. Beginning here on Panay island, we are going to visit each of the CFS and begin to document how they are functioning. There is an established set of global minimum standards for CFS in emergencies and a host of other principles based on the Philippines context. So, we will be traveling to visit the spaces, talk to facilitators, view the activities, see the children, and begin to document - the precursor to a full monitoring which will come in a couple of months.

Today, my colleague and I attended a session with an NGO that is training children to be helpers at the CFS in their community. She taught a module on Child Protection in emergencies and it was amazing to hear how many wonderful ideas they had for how to support the children they know. Children really are incredible resources for their own protection. Asking them what they think and feel reveals a different perspective that both enriches and simplifies our child protection efforts.

Here are some pictures of our training and bits of Roxas City.

^^ Drawing pictures of what makes feel safe and protected.

^^ Energizer break! They did some Dance, Dance Revolution at one point and it was fabulous.

^^ Hey look! UNICEF made it in the category of what makes children safe! #winning

^^ Okay, this little guy was my favorite. He was so precious. He said that he could help other children by teaching them how to read and write. I died.

^^ Also, these kids were amazing artists. I felt suddenly insecure about my marginal stick figure capabilities.

^^ Pork. Everywhere. Like, I saw a few pig heads on the drive over.

^^ Say hello to the tricycle! They are insanely fun to ride in / on.

From Roxas, over and out.

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What Jordan and the Philippines have in common

May I begin by apologizing for the lateness of this update? Thanks to those of you that encouraged me to sit down and write it. I also need to update ^that^ logo (in my defense, the question mark lands on top of the UN building which is technically accurate!) but we’ll get to that another time.

Dear reader, I have been in the Philippines now for one month, eleven days, and ten hours and I can honestly say it has already been one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had. 

Enriching. By which I mean that I have been challenged, pushed, shaken, strengthen, uplifted, blessed, and deepened by it. Allow me to illustrate my experience working here in the typhoon response with the following comparison:

What Jordan and the Philippines have in common

1. We are both islands

If answering honestly, I have to say that the first word that comes to mind when I think about the last month is “lonely”. I am an island. 

Based in Manila at the headquarters of the Child Protection coordination, I am away from the hands-on response of the affected areas. I am the youngest, least experienced person in my office. I am living in a wealthy, high-end district far away from the realities of poverty and vulnerability that I so deeply desire to play a role in combating. I am 13-16 hours ahead and often a solid internet connection shy of the ones I love most. It has been lonely. I so desperately wanted my hurried move to Manila and subsequent loneliness to be "worth it", and the first few weeks of my job (while interesting!) have felt removed from the core of the response (mostly due to my location at HQ). 

But in this island-ness, I have grown by leaps and bounds. I wouldn’t trade the loneliness of the past few weeks. I have seen God’s goodness in new ways. I have enjoyed time to myself in new ways. I have treasured my family and friends in new ways. I’ve approached my job with greater tenacity and purpose than I would have otherwise. Being an island has been an invaluable experience and from where I sit, I can honestly say that I’m thankful for it. 

(Before you feel bad for me, keep reading. I have good news ahead!)

2. We both have hope for the future

Can I just say that the people of the Philippines are some of the most resilient, positive, amazing people I could ever imagine having the pleasure of serving? Everywhere I go, people thank me for coming to their country to assist with the Typhoon response. It is so humbling. 

Super Typhoon Haiyan (known here as “Yolanda”) slammed into the Philippine Islands on November 8, 2013 with winds as high as 235 mph, dragging a 20-foot tsunami wave across many of the affected areas, obliterating everything in its path. This was the strongest typhoon ever recorded. Many people hid in solid buildings for safety only to find that the menacing wind-water duo knocked away the concrete. Can you even imagine experiencing that? Or how you would feel afterward?

The recovery efforts buckle beneath the pressure of destroyed shelter and livelihoods. Homes and crops were washed away and the newly saturated ground (without trees to soak up the constant tropical rain) delivers severe landslides that cripple the rebuilding attempts. The eery prediction of future storms, likely to increase in frequency and intensity, makes the prospect of full recovery even more bleak for survivors. 

In the face of these realities, I could not imagine a more resolute response team. The communities themselves are incredibly resilient and strong. Their government is committed and resourceful. Local and international NGO partners are pouring heart, soul, and resources into supporting communities and helping fill gaps. The UN coordination works tirelessly to “make ourselves redundant” as my boss likes to say, transferring capacity and resources to local people. 

(Here's our good news if you've been waiting for it...)

The Philippines bear remarkable hope for the future. They are investing in training and capacity building for local community leaders and citizens to reduce risks for future disasters; to know when and how to safely evacuate; to provide ongoing education and psychosocial support for children; to avidly identify and prosecute cases of human trafficking; and on and on. 

It is such a deep privilege to serve in the Philippines and I am greatly looking forward to my future here as well. Very soon, I will be moving to the affected area to join a team that will conduct a needs assessment for Child Protection and Education. We will survey affected populations to gather data on the concerns and needs they have and how we can better serve and support them in our response. It will finally be my opportunity to work in the field and plunge into the hands-on aspect of humanitarian assistance! I can’t wait. 

While I have so much more to share, I will leave you for now. I am greatly enjoying and benefiting from this experience and I am so thankful for your prayers and support from afar. I have felt them profoundly. I ask for your prayers for the people of the Philippines as they face the daunting task ahead of getting on with their lives in the face of such devastation. It is my joy and pleasure to play even a small role serving them. 

And this picture is to prove that I am still joyful and blessed and wearing bright colors to work. Aaaand there's a donut cart by my office that has killed what little self control I have for sugar. So, life is good. :)

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Ruins & Reunions

This weekend my dear friend Michelle came to visit and we explored Geneva together. She and I went to graduate school together last year and she is spending the summer working in Brussels. It was so wonderful to spend time with a close friend and enjoy this beautiful city!

We climbed to the top of Saint Peter's Cathedral and saw an extraordinary view of the city, lake, and mountains. On our way down we discovered the most incredible thing.

The city of Geneva began as a small settlement centered around a church that was built in the 4th century A.D. The ruins of that original church are preserved directly beneath the Cathedral.

Disclaimer: I am not a historian. I learned all of this from the museum and accompanying materials. So, take it with a grain of salt. The history of the city of Geneva begins on the site of Saint Peter's Cathedral. Archeologists have discovered several layers of buildings and structures beneath the modern church - dating all the way back to 100 B.C. The church as it stands today was built in the 12th century, but since the 4th century this land was occupied by a church. Over the years, buildings were added, moved, and changed resulting in the present structure.

Prior to the 4th century when the first Christian church was built on the land, it appears that this area was the center of a small settlement. In fact, archeologists discovered a tomb of an ancient aristocrat whose burial suggests his position of authority. This tomb dates back to 100 B.C. and the entire settlement seems to have been built around it.

Thus, the city of Geneva as it stands today was built to surround a church that sits on top of an ancient settlement over 2,000 years old! Absolutely amazing.

^^ Ruins of the old church! There are many layers here, dating from around the 5th century.

^^ It's amazing to me how incredibly well it is preserved.

^^ This is the church baptistery. It was moved several times over the years, and this one is from around the 8th century.

^^ You know, just a stone with writing from the Roman Empire. No big deal.

^^ This incredibly detailed mosaic floor was once the room where the bishop welcomed his guests in the 4th century.

^^ In the room of Roman artifacts found on the site.

^^ You can really see how the Cathedral is now the center of Geneva. This view is incredible.

^^ This building is an architectural wonder. So beautiful!

^^ Can I just live up here?

^^ My new favorite place in Geneva. A good workout and only 5 francs to climb the windy staircase to the top!

^^ We also walked down to see the Jet d'Eau up close - one of the largest fountains in the world. It's incredibly tall when you get up next to it - and so pretty!

^^ And windy. And misty. And bright.

^^ This side of the lake has an awesome view of the city. Not to mention all of the boats!

^^ Thankful for a WONDERFUL weekend adventure with an even more wonderful friend!

Happy day to you dear reader, be blessed. Until next time!

[pinningmymap-blog]

Feeling Settled

I tend to forget that it takes time to settle into a place. A new job, new city, new relationships. They take time. You're probably thinking, "Obviously..." But you see, I tend to plunge into things and underestimate the time it takes to really experience a sense of normalcy and belonging. I've loved it here since day one, but I hadn't realized that I wasn't settled in - until it happened. This past week in fact. I feel settled. In my job. With my co-workers. In this city. And it's bringing all kinds of fun new excitement.

A thought: It is possible to be excited that you are settled while feeling equally thrilled at the possibility of very soon being unsettled again.

Foreshadowing aside, I am here to tell you that this summer adventure in Geneva is just grand and this newly settled phase is awfully charming. A few examples:

1. Going around town without that lurking feeling of "Is this the right way? Is that the bus you need? Don't get lost!"

2. Getting invited to a BBQ with your whole office at your boss' house in France where you get to play guitar for the first time in several weeks (and nearly cry for joy), eat delicious steak, perform Taylor Swift songs for your coworkers, make quick friends with your boss' granddaughters (who think you look like you're 14, they say), get invited to sing them a lullaby when they go to sleep (in little Irish accents no less!), and drive home with 5 people in a tiny car with room only for the sweet memories reminiscent of the evening.

3. Going to church and seeing and talking to people that you know.

4. Getting back into your habit of eating cookies and gummy vitamins for dinner. (Don't fear for my health, I eat greens when I remember to go to the store, I promise!)

5. Going to dinner with your co-worker and chatting for hours on all things work and personal and realizing what a privilege it is to work alongside such extraordinary people.

6. Doing your job every day and (even when it gets tiring) being unable to shake the feeling of awe and excitement that you are working at the United Nations - learning about issues of global impact that actively make your heart beat faster for longing to play the part you were meant to play on their stage.

7. Finding that your short update suddenly got long due to excessive excitement and excusing yourself so your lovely guests can enjoy some more pictures.

Happy Tuesday from the happily settled.

A thought: So that you will trust me when I express excessive happiness, you must also know that I DO feel other emotions. Example: tomorrow I have to be at a meeting at 8:00am which I think is probably a violation of my right to sleep.

^^ Cinema on the lake! Indiana Jones is much more engaging when you have bats flying over head.

^^ I don't know about your part of town, but summer has officially come to Geneva! It's gorgeous and sunny and admittedly a bit too warm in my non-air-conditioned apartment.

^^ From a visit to the lovely botanical gardens across the street from my office. I love cactus flowers!

^^ Saturdays by the lake just can't be beat.

^^ Though they are rivaled by picnics in the park.

^^ And fun coca cola labels.

^^ I love the buildings here!

^^ And Sunday morning walks.

Cheerio fair readers, until next time!

[pinningmymap-blog]

A Really Good Kind of Tired

It's Sunday evening and my whole self is tired. Mind, muscles, all of it. In a really good way! It has been an amazing, exhausting week. For two reasons.

1. I completed the week long class that corresponds with my internship. With a handful of other students, I spent the week discovering and debating the ethics and practice of humanitarian assistance, hearing from 20+ experts and practitioners from UN agencies and NGOs all around Geneva. Wow, was it incredible.

2. I went on a beautiful (steep) hike yesterday to Mount Saleve (part of the Alps) which happens to be about a 10 minute bus ride from my apartment. I am still in awe of the beautiful scenery that surrounds me here!

With my brain still processing deep thoughts and my limbs reminding me of the lovely ground they covered, I now join you. I'll give bits and pieces of detail as we explore the pictures, but I'll leave the summary of what I learned to a more alert version of future Jordan. For now, enjoy!

^^ Somehow this lake is still lovely in the rain. This was the view from our lecture at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

^^ On the stairs at Palais Wilson - the original site of the League of Nations - built in 1929. Preceding the United Nations system, it represents some of the earliest theories of global governance, and is now named in honor of President Woodrow Wilson.

^^ The first Geneva Convention at the ICRC Museum! The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 as a neutral party that would deliver indiscriminate, life-saving assistance in armed conflict. They are the guardian and facilitator of the Geneva Conventions, the 4 documents that comprise International Humanitarian Law (which you can find out more about by reading much earlier in this blog. :))

^^ One of the main tasks the ICRC undertook in WWI was to track every single prisoner of war (and civilian detainee) in order to offer assistance, ensure humane treatment, and connect family members through letter delivery. These cards are hand-written records of every POW in WWI. Absolutely amazing.

^^ Another role the ICRC plays is family reunification. This wall is covered with pictures of children who were separated from their families during the Rwandan genocide. The ICRC (in partnership with UNICEF) kept a detailed, updated database of separated children from 1994 to 2003 in an effort to unify as many children as possible with their families.

^^ Certificate of class completion! Proof that I know what I'm talking about in the above sections. ;)

^^ Proof that in spite of the sobering pictures I showed you, there is still beauty and good in the world. God is not finished yet. :) This is from the hike up Mount Saleve.

^^ Look how high we are! This was an extraordinary place. It was also fun to be able to see France AND Switzerland from above.

^^ We found flowers and had a picnic in a meadow. So thankful for my co-adventuring friend!

^^ I mean, honestly. It just doesn't get much more beautiful than this. The large body of water to the right is Lake Geneva. I live just off the little left cove.

^^ Enjoying the view of a little French cottage off the trail. Can you imagine living here?! Just like a fairy tale!

^^ Fact: Signs are more charming and less frequent in France, respectively.

^^ Almost as amazing as ice cream on the lake!

^^ And the cathedral I walk past every day by the train station.

I can't wait to share some more detail on what I learned about humanitarian assistance, but for now, have a lovely rest of the weekend. Rejoice in the beauty and pray for the suffering that converge along your daily routine.

[pinningmymap-blog]

The Rhythm of Things

After just finishing my 4th week of work (wow, that happened fast), I'm  settling into a nice little routine. Don't get me wrong, it's still incredibly exciting, but now that I've been able to explore Geneva a little more deeply I see it in a more nuanced light. From new finds in the pleasant nooks and crannies of the cobblestone streets, to observing cultural preferences I hadn't yet noticed, this second layer of exploration is just as enjoyable as the awestruck wonder of the first encounter. Some examples for your enjoyment:

^^ The most colorful, exquisite flower shop I have ever seen!

^^ I need more blue/purple flowers in my life. They're so striking.

^^ Rainy days here are generally very gray, but once in awhile the sun shines through and you can't take your eyes off the sky.

^^ Then sometimes it doesn't matter what the sky looks like because you have this in front of you.

^^ Or this. You know, the casual cathedral with crisp bells that chime happily every hour.

^^ I just find this spot so lovely. Something about the infinity bench in the rain.

^^ Stumbling upon the BEST cappuccino and incredibly delicious chocolate was definitely a highlight of my Saturday. Finding amazing things is somehow more fun when you weren't looking for them.

^^ Like this river discovered on a walk near my neighborhood. Having friends who explore and share their findings is always a plus. :)

^^ Have I mentioned that I REALLY love green shutters?

^^ There are few things more darling than a box of flowers in a window.

^^ And of course, getting to attend my first United Nations member state briefing was kiiiiiiind of the coolest thing ever.

^^ Only slightly more cool than the UNICEF sweatshirt I gave myself for my birthday.

And now,

Some Reflections on Geneva life:

1. I find it refreshing how much time people spend away from technology. On nice days, the parks are overflowing with people sitting on blankets enjoying each other's company, reading a book, or drawing in a sketchbook. Rarely do I see someone glued to their cell phone or laptop. I would like to learn a thing or two from this culture - to take the time to soak in and enjoy what is happening around me, to allow myself to lose track of time. Without access to anything but calls on my phone, I've found myself slowing down, noticing more things, and enjoying the disconnectedness quite a bit.

2. Time spent here is more about quality than quantity. Living in DC for the past 4 years, I didn't realize how fast-paced I had become, trying to pack as much as possible into ever minute of my day. The value system is different in Geneva. People walk slower. They take a full hour lunch every day where they sit together outside and talk - even at UNICEF where long hours are the norm. There are pianos all around the city for public use where people sit and play and crowds gather around to listen for a few moments - even at rush hour. Time is not viewed primarily as a commodity for efficiency, but for quality experiences.

I will leave it there for now and wish you a very happy weekend, until next time!

[pinningmymap-blog]

Twenty Five

Yesterday was my 25th birthday. If you had told little girl Jordan that she would celebrate her 25th year in Geneva, Switzerland while interning with the United Nation's Children's Fund, she wouldn't have believed you. But, here I am, equally in awe of all that has happened and absolutely amazed at the blessings that have flowed over my life.

I am thankful for ever so many things (as birthdays often remind us), but here I will just say that I am blessed to know and serve the Lord my Savior, to have the most wonderful family, to know the incredible friends I have all around the world, and to have the opportunities to fulfill my long-held passion of making a difference in this world by helping those in need.

25, get ready. The future holds more than you can imagine.

Here are a few photos from this week and my birthday celebration.

Enjoy!

^^ I really can't get over the beauty of this country. The grass is greener, the air is clearer, the flowers are brighter. I absolutely love it!

^^ I feel inspired to have green shutters like this one day.

^^ My delicious chocolate birthday desserts! The lovely ladies upstairs brought me these at midnight to initiate my birthday in style. What sweethearts!

^^ Birthday dinner in Geneva! We may have only known each other for a few weeks, days, or hours, but these girls helped make my birthday so very special.

^^ We thought the pizza was amazing!

^^ They gave me the loveliest little cake and we ate it all together on the patio. Absolutely ideal evening. The weather was gorgeous and we had such fun!

^^ Just after blowing out my candle. I think this face shows the contented happiness I was feeling. :)

^^ Heading out to catch some of the music festival, I turned a corner and just had to take a picture of this street. Positively enchanting!

^^ This spot was spectacular. It felt like an old Shakespeare theater. Everyone was filling the balconies on all four levels of the building and the acoustics were amazing.

^^ The statue hipster culture is all the rage in Geneva.

^^ Hundreds of records for sale near the park. Everything you could ever want in vinyl!

^^ I love this girl! We have had so much fun exploring Geneva together over the past few weeks and she planned everything out to make my birthday wonderful. So happy we are both here!

^^ Big band meets Spanish flare. This group was incredible! Most of the day we spent roaming around to hear different musical productions, but we watched them for a full hour. SO much fun!

^^ Got my first gourmet Swiss chocolate bar here and let me tell you...WOW. It is made only of cocoa and sugar cane and it is the most amazing chocolate I have ever tasted.

^^ Feeling just a liiiiiitle excited about this fabulous weekend. And life in general.

^^ Even stopped to smell the flowers!

^^ oh, and found a random castle watchtower near where we live.

Just so you know, I am aware that my life is full of abnormally extraordinary adventures, and I relish and rejoice in each one.

God is good.

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Proof that Switzerland is the Disneyland of Countries

Okay, I don't really have proof, but it is the best way I can think of to describe this beautiful, expensive, fun-filled, country. You don't have to agree with me, but wait until you see more pictures before you decide.

Today is my two week mark in Geneva and I can hardly believe it. I can tell this summer is going to fly right past me. This weekend has been beautiful and WARM and happily spent gallivanting off to Lausanne and traversing the farmer's market up the road from my dorm (that sounds weird to say....can I call it an apartment? It's not dishonest if you all know what I'm referring to, right?). Up the road from my apartment (yes, that felt much better). Enjoy!

First, from my day in Lausanne which is about 30 minutes away by train and sits next to the same lake as Geneva.

^^ It is literally ridiculous how gorgeous this town was. My friends and I kept saying, "Is this real life?!"

^^ Sailing never looked so appealing.

^^ Yay, ice cream!

^^ It's not like this is the coolest most amazing lake front I have ever seen. ..... ..... ..... Oh yeah, and you can't see it in this picture, but those are the snow-capped Alps to the left. No big deal. It's unfair for one place to be THIS beautiful.

^^ And there were swans. Naturally.

^^ And super cool buildings with mosaic rooftops. (Wish I knew what this was.)

^^ And me being ridiculously excited about the whole situation.

A few more pictures of Geneva:

^^ Went to this cafe the other night. To. Die. For. The lemon sorbet was divine. My friend and I stayed and chatted for hours!

^^ Coolest clock ever! There were a bunch of tourists blocking me, but next time I'll get a good picture of the whole thing.

^^ On Sundays, the food market is incredible! I got peaches, apples, pistachios, dried pamplemousse (which is in fact grapefruit but sounds much cooler in French), and a Nutella crepe that tasted heavenly.

^^ Hehe. I wonder if this statue is a good napping buddy.

^^ This city has some pretty charming old doors that seem to invite you in for a picture. I think buildings with pretty doors make one more intrigued to go inside, don't you?

I have some deeper thoughts to share, but I'll save those for another day.

Hope you've had a happy weekend!

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Busy Having Fun

Many people have asked me my favorite part about Geneva so far. It may seem odd, but my instinctive answer is always, "My job!" I spend the majority of my time at work and usually head home afterwards, so my time exploring the city has been minimal. But I haven't minded one bit. The days fly by as I work on incredibly interesting projects that aim to improve UNICEF's humanitarian partnerships in order to respond more effectively to vulnerable populations.

I think interesting, meaningful work is underrated. I am so incredibly thankful to have the privilege of doing an internship that every day reminds me in my gut that I am passionate about what I am doing. I realize more than ever that people were right when they said to find something that you love doing. I can't take credit though. It was God who gave me the desire and then opened the doors that allowed them to come to fruition. I am so thankful. I know, I say that a lot, but it's true.

Aaaaand, the location isn't so bad either. ;)

^^ The last two days have been GORGEOUS. Absolutely perfect weather. Sunny, high 70s, blue skies, fluffy clouds. Tonight I walked by the lake and couldn't make it several feet without stopping to soak it all in. And take a few pictures of course. :)

^^ I love the architecture here! Unsurprising. It is Europe after all.

^^ The little attractions by the lake are adorable. It reminds me of a beach boardwalk. After work, the stretch along the lake is buzzing with all of the people making their way to the watery epicenter of Geneva. It's such a fun, energetic atmosphere!

^^ Sigh. It just doesn't get more beautiful than that!

^^ I even spotted a few ducks!

^^ How cute is that? I just love these little narrow winding streets. There is so much to look at!

^^ Speaking of so much to look at. This is one of the bus stops I see every day. Nbd.

Soaking in sunshine at the terrace cafe has to be my new favorite lunchtime activity. You can see the lake and the alps from up there!

I am in love.

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First Week + Exploring

As of tomorrow, I will have been in Geneva for one whole week. It went by so quickly! Since I spent most of my time in the office (not complaining), my goal this weekend is to explore and find my way around a bit.

To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated by this new city. In part because I barely speak French which is almost worse than speaking none at all. You say one of the few sentences you know and all of the sudden they expect you to understand their answer. A bit problematic. Must brush up on this lovely language...and accept the fact that I'll just look a bit silly for the first few weeks. :)

I will first give you my last few days in pictures, then offer a few thoughts on this blessed week. Enjoy!

^^ The lovely fountain on the lake! After work on Thursday, I took a lovely stroll down to this part of the city with a wonderful girl from my internship program. We had such a grand time - we kept commenting that we couldn't believe we were actually here, working in Geneva for the summer, exploring. I am so very blessed and I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for this opportunity!

^^ Food tastes better when you eat it on a lake. Fact.

^^ We even saw two gorgeous swans with their nest! How cute is that?

^^ I can tell this is definitely going to be one of my favorite spots this summer.

This morning I went to an amazing flea market in the city centre. It had hundreds of booths with the most wonderful knick-knacks, used books, unique posters and trinkets, and things you can only find at an outdoor market. I will definitely be coming back here!

^^ What is a market without live entertainment?! (They sounded amazing by the way.)

^^ Immediately made me think of my best friend (who is an equestrienne) and what her reaction would be. I also found a classical guitar, various chests, lamps, records, early 19th century French books, stamps, matchboxes - you name it. Self control was a big deal for me today. :)

^^ Now this just made me laugh. US license plates for 25 francs a piece? I should've brought a few and made some extra cash. A little shout out to California, the very best state. :)

^^ This is one of about 5,000 bakeries that call my name as I walk down the street. Seriously, THIS is what pastries should look like.

^^ The park at Place de Neuve has giant chess and checkerboards which I think is absolutely adorable. I can't wait to go play a game myself!

Now that I've bombarded you with visual stimuli, allow me a few lines to share my thoughts on this first week.

1. I am so incredibly thankful

After speaking with a few people in Geneva, I'm finding that not everyone's internship experience is great. I mean, I should have expected this I suppose. These things are often hit or miss. But my internship has been...amazing. Truly amazing. The very best job I have ever had. I was sad to leave work on Friday. I have learned a great deal in one week about a subject I am very passionate about. What an awesome privilege I've been given and I want to soak up every piece of it! God is so good to me and I am abundantly thankful to Him.

2. I am excited about what the future holds

I've had the desire to help vulnerable women and children for many years. During graduate school I knew I wanted to work on humanitarian issues and help address the complex vulnerabilities that are multiplied in these settings. In my first week at UNICEF, I have felt that amazing sense that I am doing what I was meant to do. Of course, I've had this feeling before, but right now it's almost as if the path that I have been following for many years is blossoming into fruition and I am in awe. I know that God has a wonderful plan because He has given me the desires and brought me this far, and I have never been so excited about what He will do next!

Until next time dear reader! A lovely weekend to you, I'm preparing to experience Geneva in the rain. :)

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Not Enough Adjectives

I've decided the English language is grossly inept at allowing me to convey my excitement. This is true on a regular basis, but today it has especially been found wanting. I've just had my first two days working at UNICEF and I find that there are simply not enough wonderful things I can say about it. But I will try, because after all, this is a blog and words are all I have.

Aside from this:

Which I squealed when I saw the first time. You can sort of see my red reflection in the left window.

And this:

Which is the view from my OFFICE. Yes, I have an office that is very large that I share with another intern. I can see the Alps from my seat. THE ALPS.

To avoid rambling on in ceaseless, incoherent, excited chatter, I will list a few of my favorite things from the past two days that will hopefully give you a snapshot of what my internship is like so far.

1. The People

I am working in the Office of Emergency Programmes (fondly known as EMOPS) and I am assisting with the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Partnerships and the Cluster groups.

Clusters are the way that the humanitarian organizations have organized themselves. Members from various UN agencies and NGOs are part of each cluster. There are dozens of clusters in various topic areas, and UNICEF is the lead over Nutrition, Education, and Water & Sanitation. They are also co-leads with UNFPA on Child Protection and Gender Based Violence which fall under that larger Protection Cluster. For more info, look here.

The people in my office are wonderful. They have been so friendly, treated me immediately like one of their own, and are not only giving me meaningful work but are invested in my interests and helping me to participate in things that I enjoy.

2. The Location

I am just across the street from the lake and the botanical gardens. It is simply gorgeous! Especially on the bus I take on my way home. I snapped this picture yesterday. I really wish you could see just how expansive the lake actually looks and how crystal clear it is. I can't wait to go swimming!

I also went a couple blocks north to the central UN building to go pick up my badge (which I was super excited to receive because it both makes me look AND feel legit). It's so pretty, no?!

Ta da! I also found this gem when I got lost on my way to find the entrance to this gated beast. Yeah, if I were a robber, I'd be deterred, congratulations you've done it!

I'll give you more reasons in a later post, but for now, salut!

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And so it begins

Hello Dear Reader! Or Skimmer. (You know, you scroll down to look for the pictures. It's cool, I won't judge. It takes one to know one.)

So I made it to Geneva! My new home for the next...3 months or so. Passed the UN building on the bus ride to my housing location and squealed a little bit inside. So excited and can hardly believe this is actually happening!

I've been here a grand total of 3 hours and I'm writing this post to keep myself from falling asleep, so bear with me as I offer a few observations:

1. It doesn't matter how light and efficiently your bags are packed, being my size is NOT conducive to long-term travel. There should be some threshold like with roller coasters. "Anyone below this weight & height, grab a bodybuilder before boarding the aircraft." 

2. Geneva has a lot of curvy streets. I know this because my bags kept whisking me across the bus like Brian Boitano launching into a triple axel.

3. When traveling, always run into someone from your program on the bus. It makes the rest of your trip much easier and fun. (Thanks John!)

4. Always plan to do your grocery shopping in Geneva on the day you arrive. Unless that day is Sunday. When all grocery stores are closed. Apparently.

5. Geneva is lovely from what I've seen so far, and I can't wait to spend my free time exploring this wonderful little city!

Okay, now before I leave you, I must post a few pictures because it would just be wrong if I didn't.

I had planned to tour Helsinki, Finland on my 24 hour layover yesterday, but I got sick the day before I flew out and decided it would be better to rest up for my first day at UNICEF (yay!) and not contaminate an entire city of lovely people. So, here is what I've got for ya:

Helsinki! It's so green. And pretty! This was the view from my hotel room. Not bad, eh? Also, I took this photo at about 9:30pm. The sun didn't set until 10:30. I could get used to that!

So, I was checking out one of the guide books at the airport and came across this page. Heftiest coffee drinkers in the world AND they have specialty cinnamon rolls?! Umm...actually, it's probably a good thing I didn't make it downtown because I might not ever have left this place.

Proof that I know what I'm talking about when I say that these people know their coffee and donuts. Dear sweet goodness, this meal was to die for.

That's all for now! More serious reflections once I've had some rest.

Geneva wishes you a heartily happy Sunday. :)

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Because I am counting the days

I will be DONE with graduate school in a matter of days. In order to effectively mix productivity with procrastination, I thought I'd take a moment to share a bit of what I'm working on for my capstone project.

I am writing an analysis on best practices for social change communication campaigns aimed at ending violence against women. Mouthful, yeah? Essentially, any type of communication that tries to end violence is what I'm talking about. What makes them good, successful, worth funding & repeating, etc.

This is a little infograph I whipped up that I think brings it all together nicely. Enjoy!

**Because that looks ridiculously small, try viewing here: https://magic.piktochart.com/output/93d71fd0-e665-4869-8139-5cb3789b6236

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a wee little adventure

okay, i have lived in dc for almost four years and somehow had never visited national harbor. what is wrong with me?! oh wait, i've had no life for the past two years...grad school problems. ;)

anyway, our dear friends chad & lorena took hannah (roommate) and i down to the harbor this evening and we had a simply fabulous time! what a charming little part of town. enjoy this mini visual tour.

magnolias! i prefer these to cherry blossoms.

this little petal carpet was simply too much. i adore spring.

national harbor! isn't it gorgeous?! i need to come back here. it reminds me of the beach i often miss. i think living by the ocean as a child has a way of engraving its unique smells & sights into your memories. this view sparked a lovely awakening of those happy feelings.

this may be one of the snazziest doors i have ever seen.

love the lantern.

the gaylord national has to be one of the coolest hotels ever. we wandered in awe for quite awhile and it was simply spectacular. the lobby doubles as a tropical rainforest and each floor has loads of fun architecture. (i've decided that exploring is definitely my favorite hobby.)

mirror mirror on the wall, who is the silliest of them all?

:)

'twas a happy night in adventure land! i am so thankful for the wonderful friends and happy times i have been given. richly blessed doesn't even seem to cover it.