So long, farewell
This is a rather lengthy email I sent out to friends last night, the eve of my departure from the USA:
Dear friends,
After one last stroll through a Harvard Square on this balmy, New England evening, I thought I would drop all of you an email on the eve of my departure from the United States. Tomorrow I'm leaving the US to take up residency in Zimbabwe. Yes, perhaps an unexpected turn of events - but perhaps not that strange! (for those of you who didn't know I was leaving, I'm so sorry...the past few weeks, months have been kinda crazy....beyond imagineable!!)
First of all, I want to say Thank You. Thank you to all of you who have made my life over the past seven years SO rich. Rich in culture. Rich in ideas. Rich in love. Everyone who receives this email has touched my life in some special way during the past seven years, and at this crossroads in my life I wanted to say a very special and heartfelt Thank You.
The past seven years have been interesting ones for me, and I still find it hard to believe that I've been outside of South Africa for almost eight years!! Incredible -- in some ways it feels like just yesterday that I was hugging my sister and crying my eyes out at Cape Town International Airport, just three weeks after graduating, and leaving for the big United States of America. Tomorrow I'll probably be doing the same when I leave Boston's Logan International and head back to southern Africa. Why? Because I will be thinking of all of you whom I love. All of you who have taught me so much. All of you who have taken me into your country, your lives, your homes. Again, thank you.
When I came to the USA I came in the hopes of doing something "good" for the world! I'm not sure I even knew what the world was like back in December 1999. I'm not sure I do now. But having visited friends, old and new, in so many different parts of the world, I hope I have a slightly better and more mature idea of the world we live in - and about ways we can make a difference. In many ways I've been disappointed with this world of our's. What awful things we've done to each other during the past seven years. What damage we've done both our planet and our brothers and sisters around the globe. At the same time there is good going on - it's just sometimes hidden beneath the screaming headlines! Just a few days ago I sat next to a man on a plane ride to Albuquerque, who told me about the way he prayed his way through an injust courtcase, and found strength from God. A few months ago, while in Tanzania, I walked down a street in Arusha with a young boy, discussing his culture and tribe. When we got to the end of the street, he innocently asked me what was special about my tribe. About a year ago a young girl in Lithuania told me I'd helped her answer two of her top three wishes: to meet an English-speaking person; and to be the best English speaker in her class! Perhaps these experiences sound sentimental and silly in comparison to the monumental challenges our world is facing. But to me, they gave me strength to keep trying. And moments such as these continue to remind me that we are such good beings; capable of SO much more than we realize.
OK, so philosophizing over! Firstly, I'm most grateful for everything I learnt at the Christian Science headquarters in Boston - where I worked from 2000-2004. This was my first professional experience, as well as my first taste of America, and I learnt more than I can start to describe! And worked with some incredible people, many of whom I hope will be friends for life! Secondly, I can't tell you what lessons I've learnt, what sights I've seen, and what incredible, marvelous people I've met as a result of being part of the Brick Project (www.brickproject.com)
In fact, one of the first Brick Project schools - Arundel School - is where I'm headed later this month, to work as their Career's Counselor! I was living and working at Arundel from Jan-May this year, and am so thrilled they're willing to have me back, permanently!!! I'll be continuing with Brick Project work, and am also in the process of starting an initiative for young Zimbabweans abroad called XYZim - Expat Young Zimbabweans. Our website will be www.xyzim.com - do check it out, there will be much more content coming soon!
Speaking of website, I'm hoping to keep a personal blog from now on. There isn't much on it yet, but do check in once in a while....and post your comments whenever you like! The blog is called "Musings of an International Nomad" (or "MIN" for short!) The address is: www.internationalnomad.blogspot.com. Do bookmark it!
Lastly, in thinking about the state of the world, I want to recommend one book and one film to you (and many of you have very probably already read this/seen this) During the past year I saw a movie that changed (or clarified) my perspective of the way the world treats Africa: The Constant Gardener, based on John le Carre. See it if you can!!
The book I just finished reading yesterday, but answered SO many questions I had about the USA. It's called "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" by John Perkins. I not only recommend this book, but challenge you to read it! It's definitely a page-turner :-)
Thank you, thank you again for being a part of my life! (and for reading all the way through this wordy email!!!!) And PLEASE stay in touch! Look forward to hearing from you as much as possible!
Love, hugs, and thanks,
:-)
-- Verity
PS Sorry if this email has been somewhat soppy - but if you can't be soppy on the eve of a new life chapter, when can you be?!!
Dear friends,
After one last stroll through a Harvard Square on this balmy, New England evening, I thought I would drop all of you an email on the eve of my departure from the United States. Tomorrow I'm leaving the US to take up residency in Zimbabwe. Yes, perhaps an unexpected turn of events - but perhaps not that strange! (for those of you who didn't know I was leaving, I'm so sorry...the past few weeks, months have been kinda crazy....beyond imagineable!!)
First of all, I want to say Thank You. Thank you to all of you who have made my life over the past seven years SO rich. Rich in culture. Rich in ideas. Rich in love. Everyone who receives this email has touched my life in some special way during the past seven years, and at this crossroads in my life I wanted to say a very special and heartfelt Thank You.
The past seven years have been interesting ones for me, and I still find it hard to believe that I've been outside of South Africa for almost eight years!! Incredible -- in some ways it feels like just yesterday that I was hugging my sister and crying my eyes out at Cape Town International Airport, just three weeks after graduating, and leaving for the big United States of America. Tomorrow I'll probably be doing the same when I leave Boston's Logan International and head back to southern Africa. Why? Because I will be thinking of all of you whom I love. All of you who have taught me so much. All of you who have taken me into your country, your lives, your homes. Again, thank you.
When I came to the USA I came in the hopes of doing something "good" for the world! I'm not sure I even knew what the world was like back in December 1999. I'm not sure I do now. But having visited friends, old and new, in so many different parts of the world, I hope I have a slightly better and more mature idea of the world we live in - and about ways we can make a difference. In many ways I've been disappointed with this world of our's. What awful things we've done to each other during the past seven years. What damage we've done both our planet and our brothers and sisters around the globe. At the same time there is good going on - it's just sometimes hidden beneath the screaming headlines! Just a few days ago I sat next to a man on a plane ride to Albuquerque, who told me about the way he prayed his way through an injust courtcase, and found strength from God. A few months ago, while in Tanzania, I walked down a street in Arusha with a young boy, discussing his culture and tribe. When we got to the end of the street, he innocently asked me what was special about my tribe. About a year ago a young girl in Lithuania told me I'd helped her answer two of her top three wishes: to meet an English-speaking person; and to be the best English speaker in her class! Perhaps these experiences sound sentimental and silly in comparison to the monumental challenges our world is facing. But to me, they gave me strength to keep trying. And moments such as these continue to remind me that we are such good beings; capable of SO much more than we realize.
OK, so philosophizing over! Firstly, I'm most grateful for everything I learnt at the Christian Science headquarters in Boston - where I worked from 2000-2004. This was my first professional experience, as well as my first taste of America, and I learnt more than I can start to describe! And worked with some incredible people, many of whom I hope will be friends for life! Secondly, I can't tell you what lessons I've learnt, what sights I've seen, and what incredible, marvelous people I've met as a result of being part of the Brick Project (www.brickproject.com)
In fact, one of the first Brick Project schools - Arundel School - is where I'm headed later this month, to work as their Career's Counselor! I was living and working at Arundel from Jan-May this year, and am so thrilled they're willing to have me back, permanently!!! I'll be continuing with Brick Project work, and am also in the process of starting an initiative for young Zimbabweans abroad called XYZim - Expat Young Zimbabweans. Our website will be www.xyzim.com - do check it out, there will be much more content coming soon!
Speaking of website, I'm hoping to keep a personal blog from now on. There isn't much on it yet, but do check in once in a while....and post your comments whenever you like! The blog is called "Musings of an International Nomad" (or "MIN" for short!) The address is: www.internationalnomad.blogspot.com. Do bookmark it!
Lastly, in thinking about the state of the world, I want to recommend one book and one film to you (and many of you have very probably already read this/seen this) During the past year I saw a movie that changed (or clarified) my perspective of the way the world treats Africa: The Constant Gardener, based on John le Carre. See it if you can!!
The book I just finished reading yesterday, but answered SO many questions I had about the USA. It's called "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" by John Perkins. I not only recommend this book, but challenge you to read it! It's definitely a page-turner :-)
Thank you, thank you again for being a part of my life! (and for reading all the way through this wordy email!!!!) And PLEASE stay in touch! Look forward to hearing from you as much as possible!
Love, hugs, and thanks,
:-)
-- Verity
PS Sorry if this email has been somewhat soppy - but if you can't be soppy on the eve of a new life chapter, when can you be?!!
posted by VN at 5:17 AM
1 Comments:
i think u are a real kind-hearted person. i'm happy to be the first one leaving comment here.
if u don't mind, i'd link ur blog at mine, because i want to keep an eye on what the african country really looks like.
wish u all the best there!
Post a Comment
<< Home