Message

 Netherlands

Master of Something, 4 November 2008
 Netherlands Amsterdam

Masters done Life continued

The graduation ceremony was September 25 2008 and I was there (for once) on time. Even better, I came with a small army of Reekers & Associates (ie: Lissy's extended Family),& Dutch buddies. Before and After pics, as well as video of the actual diploma ceremony with Timbo in the Hot Seat, can be accessed by these links:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6730548653824513757&hl=en

---Video Note: The speaker is my Thesis Supervisor, Margriet Poppema. Other professors sit at the long table to her right side. The diploma ceremony is really personal: the speaker touches on everything from the student's professionalism to a public critique of the thesis.


http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=7b9pirqj.bp5fv78z&Uy=-py3408&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&localeid=en_US

Lissy and Jolie (her older sister) took the pics and video. For this I am extremely grateful. And Thanks goes to her family for making the occasion a huge party. We went and had a few phenomenal beers at a Windmil Brewery after the graduation (almost being run over by a few bicyclers) and then had dinner at Amsterdam's new central Library (feels like a spaceship inside & that's not the fault of the beers we had).

Having actually graudated, it seems like the first question people ask is, "so how does it feel?". Logical question. Predictable. But the feeling (ie: answer) is totally extraordinary really.

I feel totally confused. 4 months were spent pushing so hard just to finish that I think I forgot how to relax, breath, or appreciate normalcy. So many days in September were spent on mindless/destinationless wanderings about Amsterdam. The most comforting moments were when I returned home, went straight to my safe little position behind the ol laptop, and stared blankly at the well organized 'nothing' that I had to accomplish. Confusing! But it just felt like there must be a spread sheet that I could gaze at, some editing to scribble scrabble around with, or adventures into formatting land to be had. Something.

Temporary feelings these were. Over the past two months I've been job hunting. In the true sense of the word, it was "extraordinary" that I was offered a job in India/other foreign land/washington with the EDC. Although jobs in Washington may sound cushy, returning to India to work on the Educational Technology programs that I had just finished studying was (to me) the opportunity of a lifetime. Although I was quite flattered, not to mention giddy, over the offer - I wasn't ready to pounce on the opportunity. Instead I've applied to European-based development organizations (many in with head offices in Amsterdam) because lissy and I would like to see what a "normal" life would be like over here. Last year was great, but not normal. Truth be told, I really just like the whole bread and cheese for breakfast lifestyle here.

Continuing: I've had a couple of offers so far. One from a UN organization and another from the University of Amsterdam (UvA). I've accepted the offer from the UvA to work on the EDULINK program helping to create the curriculum for fledgling "Development Studies" Masters courses in the countries of Suriname, Guinea, & Trinidad/Tobago. The courses aim to educate professionals of these countries in sustainable development (of land, environment, industry) so that they can return to their respective sectors and spearhead the sustainable development movement locally. That's the nutshell.

In other news, Lissy renewed her contract with the Abused Womens' and Childrens' Crisis Home ("Stay Off my Body" organization) and got a promotion as well. Beyond her usual position in a temporary crisis home she now also counsels/advises women in a long term crisis home that is ultra secretive/safe. Besides this, Lissy has been playing Field Hockey with an Amstelveen club team (joined last year). All frustrations with me/life/broken bicycles can be seen in how much fire she plays with. And the sheer amount of injuries she sustains. Anybody wanna play some hockey??

On that note, Lissy and I are coming back to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving. We arrive on the 17th and leave on December 1st. If you own, use, have ever seen a calendar then let's make some dates folks!!?? It goes without saying that we are as excited as kids counting halloween candy! Can't wait to see you all!

Tim timiny tim tim Cheroo

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