Since August 2nd I've waited patiently to depart to the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. I've gone through a number of stages waiting. Some have been tormenting, other stages have been delightful. I must say, it was a fun time volunteering in the Zigler kitchen at the Brethren Service Center in Maryland. That my friend, was an adventure.
It seems that I won't be in Japan until late January because of that ridiculous document necessary for my religious visa. However, it is possible to arrive earlier with a tourist visa (and change visa status later), which is a fine alternative to waiting longer in the states. Its been frustrating, and has become the longest I've ever waited for any overseas trip. At least perhaps I now have a longer period to catch up with friends before departing.
So, I've been home since Thanksgiving. And its been good! Though, eager beyond belief to be at ARI. Waking up every morning under a foot thick comforter, then spending the day practising guitar, reading, eating misu soup, and building a sonic screwdriver. My folks are now putting me to the task of painting the kitchen. The sonic screwdriver came as a time-filler inspirational project to satisfy my whovian dreams. Unfortunately, it doesn't pick locks, weld metal, weaken electrical currents, identify medical problems, hold heavy doors, or anything but flash things with its light. But, hey, its a start (I like to think it works on wood though). I got the song book by Yohann Anderson for Christmas! Most helpful book for my need to expand my repertoire. Its also been a fine time to read Hannah Arendt's Origins of Totalitarianism and Craig Calhoun's Neither Gods Nor Emperors by the wood stove at night.
When the time comes for me to leave, all friends have been visited, all movies watched, paint has dried, Japanese has been studied, plane ticket is bought, and the terminal stands waiting, I will happily shout, "adventure onward!"
Monday, December 9, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Waiting in New Windsor
College came to an end in May, and now here I am doing Brethren Volunteer Service.
Japan! I can see it approaching! This whole waiting process has been difficult. I'm preparing to be there for 2 years! Its been exciting seeing updates and blogs from my fellow BVSers already in Europe, and Jess's updates in Guatemala, yet I'm still here waiting for the documents I need for my visa. What are the things I am anticipating about my time in Japan? First, I should say that I am preparing to volunteer in Nasushiobara at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI). Its a farm, school, and intentional community. It reaches out to subsistence farmers to inspire sustainable farming practices in their own communities in Africa or Asia. I am excited to be given the opportunity to volunteer there. I can certainly wait on my unknown career for this chance. I anticipate to grow in experience in a multinational community in the lands of a beautiful country; to live with an understanding of agriculture and grow a stronger ability to live as part of the Earth Community (a term articulated by David Korten); and learn the Japanese language and its culture.
Brethren Volunteer Service is a service that I was destined to do, or it seemed at least inevitable that I would end up doing it. Orientation lasted 2.5 weeks in New Windsor, MD, and while most BVSers go straight to their project afterwards, I am here still waiting for my visa to go to the Asian Rural Institute. As I wait my interim project is volunteering in the Hospitality Center kitchen of the Brethren Service Center. Its an interesting job. I prefer to think of the cooks that I volunteer for that make the experience interesting.
Having spent three prior summers washing mounds of dishes, I felt far too prepared and familiar with the mundane task yet mindful art that it is. I became one with the dishwasher once again. Though, I learned my place as I worked with another kitchen volunteer who equally seeks to be on the dirty side of the dish room. She is known to be a mule and as tough as a nail. I know I'm about to learn something when I hear a quiet old raspy voice of a smoker behind me speaking with urgency. Its also been exciting to be in a kitchen full of grandmothers in love with 1950s rock. The one station that never changed on the kitchen radio played (it no longer does now unfortunately) Dion and the Belmonts, Elvis, The Penguins, Little Richard, and a whole lot of others. Mmm, good taste. At this point, all we really do is sing the songs that someone might mention. Speaking of which, I also enjoy that my supervisor is a Whovian! The other volunteers in New Windsor and I have connected well. I enjoy their groovyness. I was able to discover a fantastic cafe with one of them some time ago. And then to spend the rest of my day in my quiet apartment without another human being is quite nice. At any rate, I was glad to have something to relate too in this new environment amidst my recurrent existential crises.
Peace,
Turner
Japan! I can see it approaching! This whole waiting process has been difficult. I'm preparing to be there for 2 years! Its been exciting seeing updates and blogs from my fellow BVSers already in Europe, and Jess's updates in Guatemala, yet I'm still here waiting for the documents I need for my visa. What are the things I am anticipating about my time in Japan? First, I should say that I am preparing to volunteer in Nasushiobara at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI). Its a farm, school, and intentional community. It reaches out to subsistence farmers to inspire sustainable farming practices in their own communities in Africa or Asia. I am excited to be given the opportunity to volunteer there. I can certainly wait on my unknown career for this chance. I anticipate to grow in experience in a multinational community in the lands of a beautiful country; to live with an understanding of agriculture and grow a stronger ability to live as part of the Earth Community (a term articulated by David Korten); and learn the Japanese language and its culture.
Brethren Volunteer Service is a service that I was destined to do, or it seemed at least inevitable that I would end up doing it. Orientation lasted 2.5 weeks in New Windsor, MD, and while most BVSers go straight to their project afterwards, I am here still waiting for my visa to go to the Asian Rural Institute. As I wait my interim project is volunteering in the Hospitality Center kitchen of the Brethren Service Center. Its an interesting job. I prefer to think of the cooks that I volunteer for that make the experience interesting.
Having spent three prior summers washing mounds of dishes, I felt far too prepared and familiar with the mundane task yet mindful art that it is. I became one with the dishwasher once again. Though, I learned my place as I worked with another kitchen volunteer who equally seeks to be on the dirty side of the dish room. She is known to be a mule and as tough as a nail. I know I'm about to learn something when I hear a quiet old raspy voice of a smoker behind me speaking with urgency. Its also been exciting to be in a kitchen full of grandmothers in love with 1950s rock. The one station that never changed on the kitchen radio played (it no longer does now unfortunately) Dion and the Belmonts, Elvis, The Penguins, Little Richard, and a whole lot of others. Mmm, good taste. At this point, all we really do is sing the songs that someone might mention. Speaking of which, I also enjoy that my supervisor is a Whovian! The other volunteers in New Windsor and I have connected well. I enjoy their groovyness. I was able to discover a fantastic cafe with one of them some time ago. And then to spend the rest of my day in my quiet apartment without another human being is quite nice. At any rate, I was glad to have something to relate too in this new environment amidst my recurrent existential crises.
Peace,
Turner
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