City versus Country

It's been another long weekend of cramming, with an exam coming up tomorrow.  So, that means a weekend of finding things to occupy my time.

I was happy to have Angelina come up here for the weekend.  We went to an apple orchard, where we went to a corn maze, on a hayride, and had my favorite... donuts and cider. :)  Here are a couple of pictures.

Ha, Keagan clearly didn't understand why Malea was crouching down.

I tried cheating...and even that was hard.  Okay, so I lived in farm-country for almost 15 years...and I still don't see how you can design something like this while sitting on a tractor.

Later, Scott joined us and we met up with my other sister, Anna, and her boyfriend for dinner.  It made for a nice Saturday.

Then... to Sunday. Around 7pm, I figured I should probably do something with my day other than sitting around watching movies from our new 3 months of free HBO service, grading papers, and napping (yep...quite the exciting day).  To give myself some credit, I did go grocery shopping.  Anyway, I decided that I needed to go somewhere other than my couch.

So, I decided to somewhat attempt a run.  Now, I'm not a runner...and anyone that knows me knows that.  I secretly feel very accomplished after running a measly mile.  Anyway, I've lived in Grand Rapids for nearly 2 months, and I still have a phobia of running around in my neighborhood.  It's safe, don't get me wrong.  It's just not what I am accustomed to when running. Since I've started this whole "running" thing, I run on back roads by my parent's house, with the occasional car passing or dog being walked.  City running makes me nervous.  It's the narrow roads.  With all the parking on side streets, I get a little creeped out when a car pulls down slowly next to me, while waiting to drive down the middle of the road.  But, I faced my fears and went out for a walk/run today.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Though, I did learn a few things:
1. Grand Rapids is very, very hilly.  My parents live on "Big Hill Rd." (literally...)... and it does not compare to this. Whatsoever.
2. Country living is a lot different than city. In the country, every car that passes you waves. Any dog walker, stops and asks you how you're doing.  Cities? No.  I tried doing the whole "hello" thing to the first few people I walked past, and they just stared at me...

But, overall, it was a nice experience.  I think it's ridiculous that I faced my fears in October..when it should be cold. But, at least I know it's fine for when spring rolls around. :)

Hope you all enjoyed this gorgeous weather!

Miracle Teacher?

I can't tell you how many times I've heard or read the saying about the many "jobs" of teachers.  And, not to "toot my own horn" but I've learned that they're very true.  We're not only teachers, but counselors, parents, nurses, etc...

However, I think we can say that about many professions (at least those who deal with people daily).  Below, Scott depicted the many different "roles" of a doctor through various sketches: a fixer, a counselor,  and an adviser, all while going home to reflect and handle whatever life brings.  (Isn't he talented?)

Anyway, from a more comical perspective, I would love to hear about this concept from a kid's point of view.   After being a teacher for four whole weeks now (!), I have a feeling that their job description for me would be quite a bit different.  Let me explain.. with real examples from my classroom.  (T stands for Teacher (me!) and S is for the student)

#1 Job: The Entertainer ... also known as the Billionaire.
A few weeks ago, five minutes into my math lesson, I find a note being passed around saying "I'm already bored!" Seriously, you're already bored!? I've been teaching for five minutes! Later, I pulled the instigator aside:
T: "Only five minutes into my lesson, you said you were bored.  What can I do to make it more exciting for you?"
S: "I don't know... we need like video games or something. 
T: "Of course."


#2 Job: The SuperHuman
A student with no papers in hand walks up to my desk (As a side note, I also have many names: Mrs, Teacher, Hey You, etc."):
S: "Hey, I don't get problem #3."
T: "Hey, I have no idea what problem #3 says." 
S: "You know, I'm doing the problems you asked." 
T: "Why don't we go over and look at the book? I haven't had the time to memorize all the problems yet."
S: "It's just a quick question... I moved the number, but I don't know what to do with it now." 
... Trust me, he really didn't want to walk back to his desk.

A similar example:

After taking a standardized test:
S: "What score did I get last year?"
T: "I have no idea.. I would have to look that up in last year's records." 
S: "My last year's teacher could tell us."
T: "Hmm.. she must be better than me.  Did she have a paper in her hand when she told you?"
S: "Yes... but you also have papers in your hands."
...He had a point. I had the papers... just not the right ones.

Last one:
#3 Job: The Relationship Master
[boy, earlier]: "[girl] is bothering me... can you make her stop?"
[girl] to T: "I need to know where [boy's] locker is."
T: "No, I don't think that's a good idea.  Lockers are our own personal space." 
T to [girl]: "Do you like this person? As in more than a friend?" 
[girl]: Yes, that's why I want to put a letter in his locker.
T: "Well, he's not feeling it right now.  I think he wants to try being friends for the time being." 


...All in one job's work.  :)

Fair Week

It has been a crazy week! I worked around 15 hours/day this week.  While the check might be helpful in the long run, my goal for this weekend involves sleep. Lots of it.  The week included getting to school by 7:30ish (at the latest), working until 4 at school, then work at the fair until 10 or 11pm.

For the past 5 years, I've been the marketing director of our local fair. Here, I design their brochures, publications, and website.  In addition, I help out wherever needed, interact with our sponsors, and dabble in various secretarial duties. It's a nice job for the summer and has very flexible hours, so it was perfect over the past summer for finding a teaching job and planning a wedding. I got pretty lucky with the job, as I didn't go to school or have any training whatsoever in website design or marketing (thank goodness for high school business partner connections).

Anyway, the fair could be said to be a "big deal." Our school even gives the students a day off for "fair day," although we teachers had professional development.  Animals and 4-H crafts tend to dominate the week for students.  I had two students gone for the entire week, and a few that were off and on.  It makes this week difficult from a teaching perspective... several students are missing an entire week's worth of learning, while the students that are there are too tired from a late night at the fair with excessive amounts of sugar.

This whole post was just so I could post this Ferris Wheel picture. The Ride Company is using a new "Century Wheel" with LED lights that are pretty snazzy.  When it finally gets moving, you get pictures like these (too bad the Pirate Ship was going at the same time).

2nd Year

So, second year of med school is proving to be pretty different compared to first year.  The most obvious difference is the instructional style. You could argue you that first year was similar to undergrad with just a LOT more studying.  Scott would go to class, have live or broadcasted lectures, and come home to study.  From a girlfriend/fiancee perspective, I would only see him on the weekends and try to avoid or plan accordingly for the weekends before an exam.  For some reason, med school loves to plan exams on Mondays (as if Mondays need more depressants).

Second year has a completely different feel to it. The school has a more independent study approach.  They assign topics/cases and the students are expected to research it.  Class is less frequent (of course, the price is still the same), and the stress has increased significantly with Step I (the first part in the US Medical Licensing Exams) in less than a year.  Ask me last year, and I probably couldn't have imagined that. The exams are less frequent, which makes studying harder.  For instance, his first test had a three-week window. Without any exaggeration, the exam covered a massive amount of 700 pages of notes.  Good for them, but I don't think I could do it.

From a now wife perspective, second year is plenty different as well. Since I'm working and gone all week, I expected it to be about the same.  The hardest part is probably that his studying can't stop just because he hasn't seen me all week or that I'm finally home and free.  It hasn't been too bad so far (though not an easy adjustment).  We do make meals together and play with the kitties, but the weekend before this last exam involved a lot of random projects to keep myself busy for the rest of the time. I got the house finally cleaned, my sister's family took me to a circus, and you readers got a finished blog.  It's just a different lifestyle... that involves plenty of patience and independence.

That being said, the exam went well. We had to put off a lot of things until this coming week (simple things...like going to the store for shoes)... but there's lots of catching up to do.  It seems like med school, no matter what the year, always involves some catching up...either on studying or whatever lies outside of school.

Our twins, however, don't seem to mind the studying.  In fact, they take advantage of the large books.

With love,

First time reader?

I don't think I've ever actually posted my blog on facebook or any other social media site.  Therefore, after the first "official" post on the updated blog, we may have some first time viewers. For you first time viewers, below you'll find some up to date information regarding where we are right now... since some of you may have not had an update on our lives since... oh, I don't know, high school!?

I'm Selena. I'm sure you guessed that. I graduated undergrad in December of '10 and am starting up my teaching career as a fifth grade teacher.  We're only three weeks in, but I love being in the classroom with my students.  They certainly make life interesting. On the side and in the summers, I am the marketing director of the Centreville Fair.  Today is opening day, so for all you home-town residents, make your way over there.  For those of you not from the St. Joseph County area, the fair is a pretty big deal.  They even give the kids a day off from school! (Not me though... I have Professional Development) This week, I'll basically be working 18 hours/day... School, then Fair.  Busy, Busy, Busy.

He's Scott. While I (Selena), will be writing most of the posts, Scott will pop in occasionally.  In fact, up until now, he's been dominating this blog with his Rwanda experience. Let me emphasize, once again, it's a wonderful and educational read.  If you have time, start at the beginning and relive his experience.  We did have some comments on the blog, but I couldn't transfer them over on the new site. So, to all our former readers, we're sorry. :( Anyway, he's now back to med school.  He's in his second year and has gone back into "school mode," meaning I'll probably update for him.   The first question we usually get about Scott is about his career path and what type of doctor he is planning to become.  Right now, he's not sure.  Maybe Internal Medicine? Maybe something different... When he decides, we'll certainly post it on here.

While you're waiting for the next post, feel free to look at our other pages.  You'll find some more about us (pretty much what I said above), our new little family, and some wedding pictures! :)

With love,

New Blog Site!

Welcome to the new blog site! While you're waiting for some new posts, check out Scott's blog below from Rwanda (transferred from our old site).  Happy Reading!

If you knew me, and you knew yourself, you would not have killed me.

I think we’ll call this the penultimate blog entry for my time in Rwanda.  I start the 30 hour trek home tomorrow afternoon, and it’s bound to be a rough process.  Here’s to hoping that I don’t get stuck in a middle seat, and that there are no complaints about leg room from the peanut gallery on the ride home from Detroit. Also, I’m under the impression that there’s a certain female waiting for me, so here’s to hoping that she doesn’t mind awkward tan lines, 30+ hour unbrushed teeth, and a face that hasn’t had a thorough washing in four weeks.

Anyway, we’re still here to talk about the past couple days. Yesterday was the first really planned and organized event we’ve had in a while and essentially the last we’ll have on the trip. If you remember back, we kind of started our visit with the Kigali Memorial Center, and we pretty much wrapped up the visit with some more memorial sites.  We first met up with Ernest, an expert on the genocide, following our visit to the Kigali Memorial Center, and we met up with him again as we headed to the church at Ntarama.

The church wasn’t anything fancy; just a long room with pews, on a compound with a one room Sunday school building, an office for the traveling minister, and a garden.  The only real catch was that there were still holes in the walls from grenade blasts.  And the walls and rafters were covered with piles of rotting clothes hanging toward the floor.  And there were skulls and bones on shelves in the back of the sanctuary, with skulls in rows and the rest piled on separate shelves. And the Sunday-school room had a large stain on the wall where the heads of children had been smashed.  It’s actually not an uncommon approach to memorials here in Rwanda, and it’s undoubtedly more effective than just bulldozing the place and tossing up a monument.  We actually visited a similar memorial a short walk from CHUK for the ten Belgian soldiers killed at the beginning of the genocide.  While they have an actual monument set up there, the main power is held in a bullet-riddled building with grenade damage in a corner and clearly threatening messages in Kinyarwanda preserved on the chalkboard. 

The Catholic church in Nyamata had a similar story.  We entered and clothes of the dead were piled on every pew.  The tin roof let in tiny beams of light where grenade shrapnel had pierced it, essentially looking like stars dotting the ceiling.  The barred door to the church showed signs of being blown open, and there were once again blood stains on the wall, with a splatter pattern reaching the ceiling, where the skulls of children had been smashed open.  Churches had been a place of refuge during the bursts of massacres (pogroms) stretching back to the 1950s, but they essentially became slaughter houses in ’94.  Priests even played instrumental parts; in the case of Nyamata, asking people packed into the church to provide their names, promising it would be used to recruit help, but instead turning over the list to the Hutu Interahamwe. 

From a logistical standpoint, I was particularly impressed with the way Naymata was preserved and presented.  The ceilings were covered with clear Plexiglas to retain the effect that the shrapnel had caused, and a basement had been created to house bones and some possessions of those killed. At an even deeper level, serving as a memorial to the thousands of victims of sexual violence during the 100 days of genocide and only visible through glass, lay the coffin of a woman who had been raped at least 15 times, with a sharpened pike eventually shoved through her vagina to her head.  Behind the church were two mass graves, one of which was opened for us.  While the guide explained that one approach to mass graves is to pile twenty-some sets of bones in a coffin and bury the coffins together, this one had rows and rows of skulls and piles and piles of bones, from floor to ceiling.  Using the flashlight on my phone, you could see various methods of death on skulls, from the crushing of a club to the chopping of a machete. 

Outside, Ernest spoke some more on the topic of genocide, particularly the long lasting effects on individuals and society.  He addressed the gacaca court transformation set up to try the hundreds of thousands of accused perpetrators (over the course of seven years, only 3000 people had been tried in court for acts of genocide, so these local courts used for petty crimes/civil suits were converted to help clear up the massively overpopulated prison system).  He also pointed to a woman we had seen sweeping the grounds when we entered the compound, explaining that she did not work for the memorial site but was instead the widow of a man buried there (keep in mind that she’s done this every day for 17 years now).  This led to the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder and its increasing effect on people in the country.  We also discussed the long road ahead of the country, pointing out that there were still death threats written on bathroom stalls in 2001 when Ernest was still in university.  The occasion of Hutu marrying Tutsi is also still somewhat of a rarity, pointing to increased level of education as one thing that seems to alleviate these perceived differences. 

I still contend you wouldn’t realize genocide happened hear less than 20 years ago if you weren’t looking for the evidence, but it takes me back to one of my early blog entries: the country and its people have moved on because they have to move on. There are still plenty of issues lying under the surface, and it will be interesting to see what happens in the future, particularly as Kagame nears his term limit.

-Scott

While the memorial for the Belgian soldiers uses the damaged complex to powerful effect, they also have a nice monument set up.  Composed of ten pillars, each pillar represents one of the soldiers killed on day one, with pillar height reflecting soldier age. 

Unrelated: While not appropriate for the above entry, we had a goast roast tonight.  A couple butchers were brought in, and thehy (along with our guard, Jonas) killed, cleaned, and gutted the goats on site.  We then ate goat brochettes (kabobs) from 6:00-9:00, with a seemingly constant flow of food (when we weren't eating goat, they were bringing out grilled potatoes or plaintains).  It was a really good time and quite the way to go out on the trip.  A number of people from AMU were here, along with Ernest and some others.