Connected

A few hours ago, my flatmate and I succeeded in getting our wireless connection up and running; it is amazing how much having access changes my attitude toward home. No longer a complete and forced respite from the infinite possibilities of the web, now I will simply have to be more vigilant of my own balance. But a wonderful space in which to blog:)

In short, I am experiencing again a now very familiar feeling of heartaching gratefulness now that I have finally been having some moments to take a step back, reflect, and count my infinite blessings. Last night, we hosted our housewarming party, and were graced by the presence of over twenty co-peace fellows and extended network of friends. I have been deeply enjoying getting to know these new Aussie colleagues, which hail from Israel, India, UK, Ukraine, Japan, Iceland, US, and Brazil. Each has his or her story, but we find a common thread of a true spirit and intense passion for seeking out some clarity amidst the dark, murky waters.

The academic environment here is optimal. Our Rotary office is on the same floor and amongst the offices of my professors who are extremely approachable and down-to-earth people. Directly across the hall is a professor who works in intercultural conflict resolution, and is the coordinator of indigenous mediation with the alternative dispute resolution branch of the Dept of Justice. My peacebuilding class is taught by a woman who has had extensive work in the field (E. Timor, Eritrea) and has an extremely practicle approach to teaching which, of course, I wholeheartedly appreciate. I am currently exploring internship opportunities for the upcoming summer break, and am overwhelmed realizing the amount of reading a paper-writing that need to be done in the next two months before packing my bags yet again...

But I continue to find interesting ways to balance and sculpt my life here: on campus I attend an interdenominational meditation hour led by a franciscan brother from Sri Lanka; I've signed up for a Capoeira (Brazilian martial art) class that has me doing cartwheels and accessing muscles that had been neglected; I meet with a small faith group at the chaplaincy center to which I will be presenting this week about human rights in Brazil; on Sundays I play in a league of ulitmate frisbee and in general enjoy exploring Brisbane during my regular runs.

Rotary has been so wonderful in welcoming us and helping to gather needed items, including rather large ones, such as a bike. Through all this, the question is never far from my mind of "why me"... to be so overwhelmingly blessed and dealt life's luck card...

I pray you all are well.

ps- to view some photos from Rio, others from my group and I have pictures posted at www.brazilhr2006.shutterfly.com password: Copacabana

Step by step

I feel as though I have been kidnapped and whisked away to this comfortable sparkling bubble. After the past several months of hopping planes between one intense experience after the next, I am gratefully though uncharacteristically accepting this UQ existence. I have been feeling my body slowly releasing all its pent up stress and tension into the serene, calm, organized Brisbane air.

In a matter of two weeks, the administration here has facilitated a quite successful "plug-in" to "uni" life. Another peace fellow and myself found an apartment, we've enrolled and attending two weeks worth of classes, we've been shown our office complete with our own individual computers, we've got our bank accounts, identification cards, and even pens and notebooks are supplied to us here... I'm blessed with a campus that is closely surrounded by the natural world-- the Brisbane river runs around three sides of campus, there is plenty of green, and quite a variety of birds, including the ibis that enjoys hanging around the cafes ready to pounce on any trace of food left unattended.

I'm currently taking courses in Peacebuilding; Culture, Conflict, and Reconciliation; and International Relations Theory. My professors are excellent, and courses are organized in a fashion that promotes dialogue between students... of which there are a large number of internationals. In a nutshell, the climate is ripe for accelerated thinking on these issues. Though I don't think I'll ever shake this solid pit in my stomach that watches as the violence escalates in the world and we ponder things from the comfort of our cushy chairs while sipping our lattes. Naturally, I'm following up leads on ways to connect to the Brisbane community, hopefully working with youth... we'll see, as life slowly continues to align.

As always, I welcome all visitors to this vast and beautiful continent. My info:

12/74 Sir Fred Schonell Drive
St. Lucia
Brisbane
Queensland 4067
Australia

cell: 011 617 431 293 824
home: 011 617 337 2973

much love,
Amanda