A Summer of Continuous Unexpected Events

(Pilot friend of mine - Ricky and I, out on the Homer Spit photographing Eagles - self-portrait!)>

A summer of continuous unexpected events. Despite that I thought I would be in Africa at this moment, every turn of events this summer has been a good adventure; either a new fun adventure, or perhaps challenging – but great learning opportunity. I am currently in Homer, Alaska where I have been for approximately a month now. Here I have spent my time between working on my senior project for college, working for my friend Dr. Ken at his beach cabins and working for my friend Craig out on his 40 acre homestead.




(Homer Spit - I took photo from airplane as Ricky was flying overhead)

I will graduate from Alaska Pacific University at the end of July 2008 with a degree in cross-cultural psychology. My senior project consists of designing a website that provides a step by step outline detailing how to successfully prepare for, carry out, and debrief from participating in an international volunteer relief trip. As I have been actively involved in international work for some time now, I’ve found that I spend a large portion of my time sitting with individuals/couples who are interested in pursuing the chance to work overseas in some area of service but have no clue how to begin. It appeared to me that creating a website that can guide an interested person on basic factors to consider when considering an international relief trip would be a good use of my time.

In conjunction with this travel preparation outline, I will share about my latest trip to Uganda, Africa in 2007 working with formerly abducted child soldiers, providing information about what I did on my international volunteer relief trip, what was accomplished through my service, what the current issues are today concerning child soldiers and what the future holds for this expansive international issue. I will share my own detailed account providing a personal touch to the bare bone outline that I provide as a basic template for the preparations of international relief work.

This project has already taken 2 weeks longer than I anticipated, and I am still quite a was from being finished. I have been blessed with a lovely little “hobbit hole” of a home here in Homer to live in while I work on this project. Ironically, this cabin is just one house away from where I used to live when I lived in a Homer nearly two years ago! I really like the spot because granted that the house is pretty bare bones, I feel like I am being transitioned quite smoothly towards my return to Africa as this cabin has no plumbing and I must haul all of my own water to the house. No shower, toilet, running water etc. However, I do have a fantastic view of the ocean, mountains, sunrises and sunsets (though the sun hardly ever sets this time of year!) This has been a nice little healing haven to reside in while working on this project. My friend who lives in this cabin makes jewelry and has a gallery in Chitina, Alaska (near McCarthy, AK) and resides up there in the summers, this is how I am able to live here until the middle of July.

Prior to beginning work on my senior project, I took a job with my very good friend Dr. Ken. Dr. Ken owns land in various places around Homer. One piece of land that he owns contains a series of cabins down on Bishops Beach in Homer, and the other is a series of cabins in Neptune Bay. Granted that I don’t have the time to go into great details at the moment, it has been wonderful to work for him. When I work across the Bay in Neptune Bay, I take a skiff 10-15 minutes from the Homer boat harbor, hike another mile, or take a four wheeler to the series of cabins and a sauna that sits up on a small hill overlook the “Waz” River, ocean, mountains and way off in the distance, Homer –depending what angle you are looking from.





(View from inside the cabin looking towards the Homer Spit, "Wazoo" River feeding into the ocean. Photo taken at nearly 11PM May 27th, 2008)

Here I have been working with two spectacular men, Dale and Bill, adding an addition (dining room) onto the main cabin, building a tool shed, digging post holes, preparing for the installation of a windmill, landscaping, cooking meals/cleaning up/hauling water for the guys, planning wood, making trim, windowsills etc.



(Beginning phase of building the addition onto the main cabin)

Definitely been earning my muscles this summer! Animals are abundant, Dale is an avid birder, I have been learning all about my birds this year. Moose, bear, birds, fish, sea and land otters, eagles everywhere, there are 3 eagle nests within 100 yards of the house! Though I have many favorite things about being out at Neptune Bay, one of the top 3 best moments I experience out there concern 2 blue jay birds. These birds literally follow me almost everywhere waiting to eat peanuts out of my hand! Pretty phenomenal!




(One of the two Bluejays...)

Working for Dr. Ken at his other cabin, accessible only by a four-wheel drive pick-up driven 5 miles on the beach from town at low tide, or driving on the road system 7 miles out of town, hiking down Diamond Ridge trail to the beach and walking 3 miles along the beach shores. Here I have had the opportunity to assist Dr. Ken in his incredible gardens/greenhouse, as well as doing some landscaping.




(Some of the gardens and partial view of some of the cabins on Bishops Beach - Homer, AK)



(Different view/angle of the gardens I have had the chance to assist with at the Bishops Beach cabins)

He has taught me a lot about gardening and landscaping, digging planting beds while in between taking moments out to point out various birds that fly overhead. Here I have planted/transplanted many different types of vegetables and flowers including, broccoli, snow peas, zucchini, peppers, carrots, arugala, spinach, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, many forms of lettuces, in addition to flowers such as Jacobs Ladder, Delphiniums, Lilacs, Monks Hood, Fox Glove, roses, chrysanthemums etc. Many animals - primarily land otters, moose and bear. We have had one bear consistently getting into the food storage locker, always providing a mess for us to arrive to! I have to say, these two spots may be the most beautiful places in my life. It has been a tremendous honor to spend time out there. I only wish I was completed with my senior project so that I could work more for Dr. Ken. Dr. Ken is one of the most special people in my life, he has been a major influence, has taught me so much.



(Some greens in the greenhouse at Bishops Beach cabins)