A breath of fresh air

I haven't been inspired to write about anything significant in an extended amount of time. These days, I feel an unyielding resistance from gravity with an untimely, unfolding heavy heart. For the past few weeks, I've been volunteering with the International Rescue Commitee (IRC) with a new set of eyes. I'm volunteering with this org to prepare myself for the volunteer project in Thailand that I will be embarking on in September. To give concise background about this organization, it was founded by Albert Einstein (who too, was a refugee) in 1933 to assist citizens fleeing from Nazism. This became a foundation in which aided all countries who's people are fleeing from any political, ethnic, religious and racial persecution. Since then, this organization has disseminated throughout the world, established in 42 countries and 24 domestic locations here in the U.S, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees, and rebuilding lives in the wake of disasters. More importantly, the U.S. assists with refugee resettlements in the U.S. and self-sufficiency.

I've come across several refugees amalgamating from different ethnic and national backgrounds on a weekly basis. I absolutely love it. I feel air filling my lungs every time I walk passed those vibrant, welcoming glass doors. Rehearsed "hello's" and "how are you today, Ana Vi?" never cease to warm my heart.

I've been teaching english in collaboration with 2 host ESL teachers, Brian, from Ireland and the other, Mato is a refugee himself from Bosnia, whom I work closely with and learned so much from already! Eager to learn, I ask about his background (as with all of the clients (the formality in which we refer the refugees as) I have come across). In meeting new people, I love to hear their stories and how abouts our paths crossed. With Mato, I appreciate his reciprocation, the honest act of selflessness many individuals find difficult to achieve especially in finding peace with the trauma of leaving his home country. He's escaped the Bosnian war from the 90's that broke up Yugoslavia due to indifferences in religion and an unpopular referendum for independence. This was an immediate escape from Serb guerrillas who carried out deadly campaigns of "ethnic cleansing," massacring members of other ethnic groups and expelled them from their homes, creating Serb only communities. The area in which he grew up was multi-ethnic which became conflict for residing powers that lead these attempted acts to ensue. He was lucky enough to have his family come along with him when he fled, leading him to California and in my company. He speaks exceptional english and always shares with me how important it is to give back, to be compassionate, to learn as much as I can from other people. As I leave the space we share, I always pocket his empowerment for the days I forget to value my self-worth and acknowledge infinite gratitude in the simple things.

I've had my share of intensive teaching. In high school, I've taught elementary and freshman classes for 4 years, my last year being the latter level. I can align the parallels in learning styles and create strategies for improvement, however, the context in learning with this group is entirely different. If I had to make a Cartesian diagram, these clients would be ALL over the map. The levels range from highly advanced to 'never spoke a word of english' learners. The latter is an utter challenge, but it gives me drive to work harder. The clients whom I specifically work with so far are from: Bhutan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Iran. In relation to being all over the map, their professions vary as well. Some of the clients are highly skilled engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other skilled laborers. I anticipate to hear more stories from them. There is an infinite appreciation I have when coming in contact with this group, their eagerness to learn and genuine compassion for one another makes me so unbelievably happy. Their resilience and positive mind set nourish me with inspiration I've been looking for in the past few months.

I'm finding myself in the midst of this experience. If I've ever exchanged a few words with you, you'd have already known that I implore dynamics. I believe in creating something you desire. Something that gives us the adrenaline to get up out of bed with a smile on your face. In restitution, Fat Lip said it in simplicity "I gotta kick somethin that means somethin". Because if this is the single thing I can take with me when I go off into the dismal world of capitalism and strife, then so be it. I'll take the un-paid experience and live contently off of it instead of submitting myself to resentment. I need to stay grounded, to stay as close to the earth as humanly possible. We all live our lives sub-consciously burdened by the undone, the lack of satisfaction and procrastination-- so why can't we refocus these responsibilities and work towards a better you or a better space we live in?

I want to stay optimistic about the coming months and the anticipated change that'll superceed my departure.

I believe in writing stories for yourself.
Experiencing things.
Finding beauty in ugly places no one has dared sought after.
I also believe in change, in broadening your horizons.
I believe in pain
in envy, in unconditional love and humanity in its purest form.
I want to experience all of this.

If you happen to see me in the next year, or the year after, ask me how I'm doing. And if you have some time on your hands, we'll grab a drink and I'll have stories and philosophies to share. We both could learn from each other.