in storied travels
truths and perspectives mingle
for a snapshot view
My cousin Elsie sent me this article from Condé Nast Traveler's Magazine.
http://www.cntraveler.com/features/2011/11/bhutan-or-bust
It's one person's experience as a tourist in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, and it does have quite a lot of information about the country. I am sure I won't be staying at the swank hotels he mentions.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Send Iman to Bhutan!
It is official
preparations to depart
in need of support...
Finally! I have been waiting so long for the final stamp of approval since I got accepted as a teacher by the Bhutan Canada Foundation. After the king's marriage (http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201110116298/king-of-bhutan-wedding/) my application was approved by the Royal Civil Service and the Ministry of Education. I will be a "volunteer teacher" in Bhutan for 2012, departing in January to begin my post in early February.
This is a gigantic leap in my life. I will be giving up everything I know to do this. But I am unwaveringly excited. I am excited to live in a new place, to learn to adapt to a lifestyle and culture I have never been a part of, to be in an incredible part of the world that few people have the opportunity to experience, and to give of my time and talents to the people I will be serving. Currently Bhutan is facing a shortage of teachers to implement their universal education system. So not only am I going for myself, I am going to give of myself.
I have been thinking of my motivations and meditating on what this might mean: to give of myself. I know I can do this wherever I go, if I stay put in Minneapolis or not. But there is something that happens to us when we step out of our comfort zone- you have the chance to encounter your true self, the one that is not attached to place or things, the one that you would choose to live by if no one had expectations of who you are. I see this as a chance to demonstrate integrity, to leave what I know to enable myself to grow and embody my essential self. In doing so, I hope to also learn how to be of service. To discover what the people I encounter need of me and to give the best of myself to them.
And as I prepare, I realize I too need support. I saved what I could of my teaching salary, but it has come up short. I am facing the daunting reality of raising an additional $1,500 for my ticket, insurance, and start up costs. Once in Bhutan, teaching, I will be making enough money to cover my living expenses and my educational loans (unfortunately I can't defer all of them!). So I have sent out a call for support to those close to me, and already have received a generous response. I am also hosting a grand birthday event: Send Iman to Bhutan! It will feature live music (by my wonderful boyfriend Joe Silbershmidt and kid-extraordinaire brother Georges Glen), information about where I am going and what I will be doing, an art sale featuring pieces donated by my incredibly talented artist friends (Hans Early-Nelson, Liz P., Linnea Maas Doyle, Lauren Strom, Jayme Moseng, and David Cunningham), and food and drink donated by my loving parents and gourmet chef sister. December 1st, 6pm, at 405 Main St NE. I am looking forward to sharing the excitement for this endeavor! Look out for a facebook invite...
preparations to depart
in need of support...
Finally! I have been waiting so long for the final stamp of approval since I got accepted as a teacher by the Bhutan Canada Foundation. After the king's marriage (http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201110116298/king-of-bhutan-wedding/) my application was approved by the Royal Civil Service and the Ministry of Education. I will be a "volunteer teacher" in Bhutan for 2012, departing in January to begin my post in early February.
This is a gigantic leap in my life. I will be giving up everything I know to do this. But I am unwaveringly excited. I am excited to live in a new place, to learn to adapt to a lifestyle and culture I have never been a part of, to be in an incredible part of the world that few people have the opportunity to experience, and to give of my time and talents to the people I will be serving. Currently Bhutan is facing a shortage of teachers to implement their universal education system. So not only am I going for myself, I am going to give of myself.
I have been thinking of my motivations and meditating on what this might mean: to give of myself. I know I can do this wherever I go, if I stay put in Minneapolis or not. But there is something that happens to us when we step out of our comfort zone- you have the chance to encounter your true self, the one that is not attached to place or things, the one that you would choose to live by if no one had expectations of who you are. I see this as a chance to demonstrate integrity, to leave what I know to enable myself to grow and embody my essential self. In doing so, I hope to also learn how to be of service. To discover what the people I encounter need of me and to give the best of myself to them.
And as I prepare, I realize I too need support. I saved what I could of my teaching salary, but it has come up short. I am facing the daunting reality of raising an additional $1,500 for my ticket, insurance, and start up costs. Once in Bhutan, teaching, I will be making enough money to cover my living expenses and my educational loans (unfortunately I can't defer all of them!). So I have sent out a call for support to those close to me, and already have received a generous response. I am also hosting a grand birthday event: Send Iman to Bhutan! It will feature live music (by my wonderful boyfriend Joe Silbershmidt and kid-extraordinaire brother Georges Glen), information about where I am going and what I will be doing, an art sale featuring pieces donated by my incredibly talented artist friends (Hans Early-Nelson, Liz P., Linnea Maas Doyle, Lauren Strom, Jayme Moseng, and David Cunningham), and food and drink donated by my loving parents and gourmet chef sister. December 1st, 6pm, at 405 Main St NE. I am looking forward to sharing the excitement for this endeavor! Look out for a facebook invite...
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