From A to Z

From A to Z

It's been a busy few weeks and I have not gotten a chance to blog.  Here are some snapshots of my Tucson life recently.

Ab workouts - When my coworkers and I are feeling tired or disengaged we get up and do an "ab break." I absolutely love it. After doing planks and sit-ups, we feel so much more energized and focused.

Brandon is our fun-loving site coordinator.  Last time we were driving in the desert, he made sure to stop every time we saw a tarantula on the road so we could examine it.

Costumes - For Halloween, I am dressing as a biker chick.  I am happy to say that my outfit includes a denim crop top, leather boots, and temporary tattoos.  Two of my housemates will celebrate Halloween for the first time this year.  April, who comes from a Pentecostal background, has not allowed to participate as a child.  Hanbyeol is from Korea, where they do not celebrate Halloween.

Davidson friends - I am so thankful for my two Davidson alumni friends who live in Tucson.  Andrea and Iain have not only helped me transition to a new city, but have also helped me stay connected to my North Carolina community.

Equality - Recently, gay marriage became legal in Arizona!  My neighbors have been together for decades and can finally marry now.  My house was invited to the wedding!

Food Bank - I've gone on many trips to the Food Bank, where we get most of our groceries.  Who says you can't eat expired food?

Glamorous Dinners - My housemates and I host a community dinner every Friday where we cook a big meal and invite over a few people.  Last week, we had pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans, and baked apples with crumble and ice cream for a dessert!  We try to add a touch of beauty to our lives by creating flower arrangements, lighting the candles in the fireplace, and playing great music.  It's one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

Hens - Ok, so I may have contemplated killing the chickens in the backyard, but now I love them.  We bonded during my morning feeding chores.  I am especially fond of Loquita who is tiny, but full of personality!

The Family Photo

Intentional Community - My housemates and I have had many conversations about how we can best live together in a way that pushes us to be better individuals while still respecting our boundaries.  We come from various economic, cultural, and regional backgrounds so there is a lot to discuss!  Living in community, sharing resources and uncovering personal stories has been one of the most challenging parts of my YAV experience, but also one 0f the best parts.  My housemates keep me accountable, and encourage me to expand my perspective while trying to actually live out my Christian faith.

My Community

Jokes - Every evening, I come home from work and laugh for about three hours straight.  My housemates are hilarious and help me stay light even when I am working with heavy issues.

Allie and Hanbyeol

Korea - Who would have thought I'd come to Tucson to learn about South Korea?  Hanbyeol, one of my housemates, is from South Korea and has taught me a lot about Korean food, history, music, and standards of beauty.  

She also encourages me to analyze my own culture.  The other day, I tried to explain the issues in Ferguson in simple English.  I ended up explaining about 200 years of American race relations.

When I tried to explain Halloween, she asked, "Why do they scare the children?"  
Well, that's a good question.  I don't know.

Loneliness - After living in Tucson for two months, some of the "newness" has worn off.  Lately, I have been missing my family and college friends.  Although, I am grateful for my work friends and housemates, I was growing weary of introducing myself and trying to explain where I come from.  I long for familiarity and deep relationships.

Music - Last Friday, I went to a fundraising concert for the Florence Project, a non-profit that provides detained immigrants with legal representation.  A band called Santa Cecilia played a mixture of cumbia, rock, and Tex-Mex music. I especially like their song Ice El Hielo, which is about the daily lives on undocumented people in the US.  I recommend the music video!

Nogales - Recently, I spent a couple days in Nogales, Mexico where I met with representatives of an immigrant shelter called Kino Border Initiative.  This is a wonderful organization that provides food, shelter, medical care, and Know Your Rights classes for vulnerable immigrants.  I served tortillas to about 50 tired, weather-worn, brave immigrants.

View of Nogales, Mexico

Office - Last week the BorderLinks Education Department had a staff retreat where we went on a hike, did a conflict resolution workshop, and envisioned what we will do this year.  Afterwards, I felt closer to my coworkers and more excited about becoming a trip leader.

Public Speaking - YAV has been an exercise in public speaking.  I've spoken about the YAV experience at a different church every Sunday for the last month.

Queer Immigrants - At a Mariposas Sin Fronteras fundraiser, I got the opportunity to write three letters to LGBTQ immigrants who are currently in detention. Many queer detainees undergo abuses due to their sexual orientation or gender expression.  Mariposas Sin Fronteras is an organization that supports these individuals in immigration detention by visiting them and raising money for their bond release. 

Riding bikes - We like to do yoga as we bike.  

Spanglish - I get to speak Spanish with many of my coworkers and I love it.  

Some of my friends from work: Indira, Nancy, and Josue

Tumamoc - Tumamoc is a short, but steep hike by my house.  I absolutely love the view of Tucson from the top.  My goal is to hike this hill at least once a week.

Unplugged - I have not had internet access at home for the last three weeks.  Although, this can be frustrating and isolating, it can also spark creativity.  I have started reading the books on my bedside table.  Emily has journalling more.  Allie has gone on evening walks to the local cafes.  April has even brought out her crocheting needles!

Vigils - In the last month, I have been to several prayer vigils for Rosa Robles Loreto, who is in sanctuary at Southside Presbyterian Church.  Vigils usually consist of a call and response invitation to worship, a couple Bible passages, and prayer.  It is a peaceful way to create community and stay focused on social justice issues.

Prayer Vigil for Rosa (picture on poster) outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building

Whaling - Some of you may have heard of this YouTube sensation.  My housemate, Allie, and I are determined to bring Whaling to Tucson.  #Whaling

Xerophilous - Definition: "cable of thriving in a hot, dry climate, as certain plants and animals."  I am becoming xerophilous!

Yoncé - One of my favorite ways to relax these days is to do yoga while blasting Beyoncé's newest album on our house speakers.

"I am a grown woman.  I can do whatever I want."

Zaftig - Definition: "having a full, shapely figure: said of a woman"   
Fun fact about “zaftig:” It’s a Yiddish word that comes from the German “saftig,” which means juicy.  This is my new favorite personal adjective.