Um, so I suppose it’s officially been a LONG TIME since I last posted on xanga, and to all my avid readers (who I’m sure are much less avid these days), I apologize.  Just to reassure you, I am alive and well, and I have no good excuse for my web-absence these many months….

I could take you through the detailed journey of these past 8 months; however, I think I’d hold your attention much better if I just started with today…I am currently in Geneva, Switzerland taking a month-long course called the International Diploma for Humanitarian Assistance. It’s been an amazing course—incredibly challenging and very rich in the experience presented in and among the participants as well as the presenters. Many UN organizations have been represented (e.g. OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNFP, etc), as well as the International Federation of the Red Cross and other organizations.

What does this mean for my future? I have no idea, except that it’s exciting me to get back out into the field of international humanitarian assistance.  We’ll see what that time frame looks like and where my heart is by the time I get back to Tacoma.

Here are a few pictures from this last week: The first is my view every morning from the breakfast table…yes, that is Lake Geneva, and yes, those are the Alps!  Life is tough. The second is me and three of my new friends standing in front of the UN branch in Geneva.

P.S. I know I've said this before, but I'm REALLY going to try to keep up this site a little better in the weeks to come...  Thanks for reading!! :)