Posted

May 24th 2009

Mood

Music

Four years ago, I was in a packed college basketball arena with a podium in front. The speaker was then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama. When asked to give advice to incoming college freshman, he simply said one thing: meet people and places outside of your bubble.

I feel that this summer, I will heed that advice in more ways than I initially thought.

I have accepted an offer from a family member of mine who needs help with summer teaching. It starts next week. It will be for most of this summer, and it will immediately start exercising the bachelors degree I have just earned. I tell you, the times can change quickly. Yesterday morning, I was thinking of a relaxed but boring summer here at home. Suddenly, this offer was proposed, negotiated, and signed in less than 20 minutes.

The twist to the story is that this offer, this summer, will be in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
If you've been following international news, over the past year, this has been arguably the most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere. Bad stuff has happened, to put it vaguely. Some real life friends of mine are already worrying about me.
But I think it's a challenge I must take. For many reasons, and in the end, I believe it will be beneficial. It's time to go to the place of my family's heritage. It's time to venture outside of my bubble.

However, I AM STILL going to LA and San Diego. Those plans have not changed, fortunately. I still will have fun with those of you who are going.

If I have Internet in Juarez, I will write a blog about my actions and experiences for you guys. Though, to assuage some fears that I have, I will probably keep it anonymous.


Cheers for now,

Fthreat