Students

Cabin Fever

The winter months in Chicago can seem quite dreary at times.  I remember the winter of 2008 being particularly long and depressing for me, so much that I actually wrote a poem about it in March.

"and the pathetic soul sleeps on cold leather, blinds shut
light-bulbs flaring
stale air swirling from nostril to ceiling to floor to nostril
knees to chest, eyes pinched shut
rock
rock
rock

come my love who warms and soothes
the eyes
the nose
the ruined skin

let me live and let go once again"

Yep. I had gone crazy.  I would desperately need a walk, but walks are stressful in Chicago since no one shovels their sidewalks (something you'd get fined for back in my hometown).  And it's cold.  Really, really cold.  I had little creativity at that point, despite my attempt at poetry, so I just had to wait it out.  

I wouldn't wish my nature deficiency of 2008 on any of you, so I'm attempting to help you stave it off for the next few months.  Luckily, we have a gold-mine just down the road for this very thing.

The North Park Village Nature center exists to "provide urban citizens with an opportunity to interact with wildlife, plants and other natural resources through environmental education and access to improved natural landscapes."

I'd say that's what we're looking for! Over the next few months they have a variety of programs for all ages.  The adult programs range from winter walks to natural cold and flu fixes to primitive tool making. 

I mean - really - how can you give up a chance to make primitive tools?!

Take my advice, and get out! Don't let the winter bog you down, but instead try and see the beauty of the season.

Good Luck,

Holly

p.s. Don't forget to check out the Office of Sustainability for new updates!

Zambia Retrospective

On December 27, 15 North Park University students headed to Zambia for two weeks as part of the University's Global Partnerships program. We went to do a medical clinic and help do some work at Hope Ministries' orphanage and school, but we quickly found ourselves being much more blessed in return.

–Mike Mirza

Filmed with a Nikon D90. Lenses: 18-200mm/f3.5, 50mm/f1.8, 10.5mm/f2.8 Fisheye.
Music: "Mother Africa" and "The Rainmaker," composed by Hans Zimmer for "The Power Of One" soundtrack

Lavishing Love in Thailand

Our team has made it safely here to Thailand. The weather is about 80 degrees warmer than Chicago! We're currently learning Thai music and dancing, and heading up north to Chiang Mai to start work on a Covenant fish farm. We will be living with families in a small village called Hang Dong. We're having a great time here! 

As a look back over the last couple years, I am so humbled that this is my third visit to Thailand in less than two years. I advised a trip in May of ’08, went with North Park Seminary in Jan ’09, and am now helping lead another trip. Who would have thought that God would want me to experience Thailand three times?

On my first trip, as I was leaving the slums of Bangkok, through tears I prayed for God to bring me back to those streets. Nine months later I had that opportunity. Again in January, I prayed that God would bring me back and perhaps bring people to share in what I find so incredible about Thai people. And again, here I go. 

We venture off to the Land of Smiles. We venture to a country that is 95% Buddhist, roughly 1% Christian. We venture as strangers into a land where we will be welcomed as family. We will venture into the slums of Bangkok and a small village in Northern Thailand to live with families who will take us in as their own. 

Our team goal has been to Lavish Love. Because God has lavished love on us, we as a team are lavishing love on each other so that we can lavish love on the Thai people. 

Pray that God allows us to do that.

–Nathan Albert

Excerpted from the Global Partnerships blog: http://globalpartnerships.blogspot.com/

My Week Without Trash

I know, it's hard to fathom not creating trash in a society where on average each person creates around 4 pounds of trash a day.  I wasn't the only one trying  to reduce my trash, though, and it wasn't only trash I was trying to reduce.  Over 4,000 individuals in the United States and around the world participated with me in the No Impact Experiment.  This experiment was inspired by Colin Beavan who, along with his family, tried to have no negative impact on the Earth for an entire year.

Each day of the week focused on a different task which was meant to further reduce my impact on the environment.  I then continued each challenge throughout the week, while adding on more.  

The week looked like this:

    Sunday: Consumption
    Challenge: Do more with less and stop buying new

    Monday: Trash
    Challenge: Don't create any trash

    Tuesday: Transportation
    Challenge: Walk, Bike, or use public transportation to reduce the carbon footprint of your travel

    Wednesday: Food
    Challenge: Eat locally and sustainably

    Thursday: Energy
    Challenge: Reduce your energy usage

    Friday: Water
    Challenge: Reduce your water usage

    Saturday: Giving Back
    Challenge: Participate in a day of service in the community

    Sunday: Eco-Sabbath
    Challenge: Take a day of rest and reflect on your eco-week.

As you may have guessed from the title, the challenge that made the biggest impression on me was having to reduce my trash.  It was especially difficult because of a few things that I love:

1. Individually wrapped candy: especially since there is always a full candy bowl at work right by the printer where I spend quite a bit of time
2. Paper towels: my favorite cleaning tool - I know, shame on me
3. Chicken Chimichangas from Aldi: mmm, frozen goodness in a plastic wrapper with no reusable qualities, unless someone wanted to make it into wallpaper.

Ultimately, what did I learn? I'm prone to wastefulness.  I like to throw everything into a large black bag and leave it in the back alley, never to see it or consider it again. I like to forget that my impact on the Earth is also an impact on others.

Don't have time for the environment because you are too busy trying to impact social justice? I argue that they are one in the same.  My lifestyle impacts others economically, socially AND environmentally.

There are other nations that are doing much more than the United States to reduce their impact on the Earth, especially as it concerns Climate Change.  The unfortunate catch: it almost doesn't matter what one nation does to eliminate their impact, because one country's carbon emissions are going to impact everyone else's in the long run.

The people in the Maldive Islands are doing everything they can to reduce their carbon impact because their entire nation risks disappearing under water if the climate continues to warm.  Whether we like it or not, our impact is tied to that nation.  What did I learn from my no impact week? That there is a lot more that I can change in my life to reduce my negative impact, and I have no excuses not to try.

There will be another No Impact Experiment starting on November 15.  Check it out to try your own week without trash.  

For other ideas on how to be more sustainable, visit North Park University's Office of Sustainability Website.

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

Wendell Berry

 

When despair for the world grows in me

And I wake in the night at the least sound

In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

Who do not tax their lives with forethought

Of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

Waiting with their light.  For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

 

I’ve returned to this poem many times since first coming upon it a year ago.  It reminds me of places I’ve been where I’ve had peace.  The problem is I usually do not think of places that are in the city.  Here, these places are harder to find; oases hidden in the corners.  After four years of actively seeking these places out, I can promise you that they are there. 

Over the next year my hope is to share my own stories as I continue to seek out the natural presence in the city of Chicago.  As members of the North Park community, we have to remember that we cannot isolate ourselves from the greater community of Creation.  There are so many opportunities to appreciate and engage nature that we have no reason not to take advantage of them.  My goal is to eliminate the excuse that you ‘just didn’t know’.  The Office of Sustainability website, filled with resources and tips on how to be better stewards and participants in creation, is for you – so feel free to tell us what you want to know. 

In closing, I’d like to leave you with three spots to visit sometime over the next month – three of my personal favorites when I’m in need of ‘the peace of wild things’.

 

1. North Park Village Nature Center

This is where I go when I need to forget that I’m in the city.  An oasis that you never would have expected, the Nature Center is home to forest,prairie, savanna and wetlands.  Great for birding, or just a relaxing walk, and don’t be surprised if you run into a few deer.  Oh, did I mention it is FREE?!  Drive west on Foster to Pulaski (the Jewel Osco intersection) and make a right. Just past Berwyn you should see an entrance to the center on your right.  Drive straight back and hang a left following signs to the nature center.  It is around 1.5-2 miles away, so certainly close enough to walk there as well.

 

 

 

2. The Mulberry Tree

The oldest Red Mulberry tree in Chicago resides right on our campus –across from Sohlberg, in front of seminary apartments.  Supposedly, the tree is over 160 years old and was here before Old Main was built.  Go ahead and lay on the ground beneath it, looking up at the sky through its branches… It will be good for your soul.

 

 

 

 

3. The Dam

I love walking east on Carmen till you hit River Park and then continuing on to the dam.  There are always a few fishermen here and depending on what’s going on in the park it can be quite peaceful.  A great place people watch as well.  Just don't get too close to the water or you will see first-hand how our Chicago rivers are taken care of...

– Holly Kress

 

Standing Strong Together

On September 10, 2009 I had the opportunity to join with a delegation on a trip to Washington D.C. The National Jewish Leadership Advocacy Day on Iran brought together over 300 people representing Jewish organizations from across the country as well as friends of the community, such as myself. I had never had this kind of experience before, and was both excited and nervous to find out what was in store.

My nerves were soon calmed as we entered through the doors of a beautiful, historic synagogue near the Capitol. It was such an inspiring sight to see so many people gathered together with a common resolve to stand against a nuclear armed Iran.

Energy filled the synagogue as we listened to the words of our nation’s leadership. Representatives such as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Minority Leader, John Boehner were among a group of Congress members who came to speak on the threat of a nuclear Iran, and to show not only their support of our delegation, but also their resolve to take action against such a threat.

Those several hours in the synagogue were inspiring. For some time I have felt great alarm at the escalating danger posed by Iran’s quest for nuclear capability, highlighted by the regime’s radical eschatological ideology, threats hurled at our ally Israel as well as the U.S., and an abysmal track record of human rights abuses made ever more obvious during this summer’s election.

Up until that moment in the synagogue I had felt somewhat helpless concerning the situation and was waiting for an opportunity to act. But as I looked at the large gathering of people, I felt as if I was a part of something much bigger than I had expected. To hear from our nation’s leaders from both sides of the aisle and to come together as a group of people from different backgrounds, faiths, and ages on one of the most crucial moments during our modern times, revealed a powerful strength in unity.

This feeling continued as the delegation dispersed for our afternoon visits with Congress members in order to thank or to urge them to support The Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. To enter the Capitol building, to walk through the halls of Congress, and to sit with our representatives and discuss this legislation, was such an amazing privilege. It was reassuring to hear that our elected representatives also shared our concern, were in full support of our efforts, and were committed to legislative action. This was also a time for me to get to know the individuals within our small groups and gain a tremendous respect for each one of them. 

I thank those who gave me the opportunity to join the delegation. Advocating for such a purpose was a great blessing in my life and far exceeded my expectations. As a Christian, my deep conviction and strong desire to stand with the Jewish community in support of Israel has always been imbedded within me. As an American, my resolve will not weaken to stand up against those who threaten our allies in the world and who also seek our country’s demise. The Bible reminds us in Deuteronomy 31:6 to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is with this in mind that we continue to stand strong together.

Laura Cusack is a senior majoring in politics and government at North Park University. She is an intern with Reach Across Illinois Campuses, a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Something to Talk About

After school on Wednesdays, I worked with the student band program. I had an instant connection with many of those students because whatever their level of English, and despite my limited proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia, we could pick up instruments and understand each other. Everyone knew how to play "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N’Roses and "All The Small Things" by Blink-182. Actually, everyone but me. Before going to Indonesia, I had never played either of those songs. My students had an “Aha” moment when they found out I didn’t know most of their favorite American rock songs. What a strange moment of knowledge and culture exchange when Indonesian students half my age taught me "Sweet Child of Mine," an American song from before my time.

What I learned through all of this is that in order to make language happen, there must be something to talk about. Without a relationship built on common ground, there is no real reason to keep listening, and nothing much to say. This is the power of language, that it is a gateway to knowing other people. The lessons from my Fulbright experience, the power of language and the value of common ground in my work as a teacher and in making friendships, have inextricably changed the way I look at life. The world feels smaller, and at the same time no less amazing and intricate.

~Rebecca Miller, Fulbright Fellow, Class of 2007

Songs and Stories

Songs were the foundation of my classroom curriculum. I never had to teach my students to sing, Indonesians love to sing and music is a very noncompetitive, open part of community life all around Indonesia, including West Papua. Public education in Indonesia can be incredibly rote, and English as an academic subject is often mechanical and counterintuitive. There are a lot of reasons for this, including Indonesia's history under colonial rule and the place of European languages in the hierarchy of the colonial establishment. This is just one of the difficulties my students and their community face, the disparities framed by race and class. There is so much to be said about the problematic connections between language, power and race, and so much work to be done in each of the many cultures of Indonesia. In my position as a teacher and ambassador, I listened to and learned the songs and stories of my neighbors and colleagues. And one day I hope to return to West Papua and work on collecting those songs so that the next generation of Papuan young people will have the resources and the language to explore Papuan history and culture in the same way that they engage with global studies and Indonesia's national narrative.

I worked very closely with two Indonesian co-teachers, talented, articulate English speakers who are required to teach to a national exam that does not encourage their students to think creatively or develop functional literacy. My methods seemed strange: clapping games, singing pop songs, writing reflections on the lyrics, playing board games, acting out mini dramas. Why is our bule gila (crazy foreign) teacher making us play a clapping game in English class? To teach my crazy Indonesian students how to follow directions in English!  These activities were my way of sharing my ideas of how to teach English with my co-teachers, Pak Imam and Pak Rio. We developed our lesson plans together: they had knowledge of the Indonesian curriculum and fluency in my host culture, and I brought a different perspective on second language acquisition in the forms of games, songs and activities that promote functional literacy.

~Rebecca Miller, Fulbright Fellow, Class of 2007

A Cultural Awakening

I had only been in Indonesia for a few weeks, and was just beginning to learn the language. This was my first time living outside of the United States, away from my family and friends and in a completely new culture. I remember reading a book on Indonesian culture a few weeks before I left, and reading about all the formalities of Indonesian manners, including the terminology for addressing elders.  Older men are addressed using Pak, which means father, and women using Ibu, mother. I thought this seemed incredibly formal, and I couldn't imagine that 10 months later, in my first weeks back in Chicago, I would catch myself calling old men on the street Pak and bowing my head to them. I learned that calling everyone mother and father is sign of respect for someone who is part of the same fabric, members of the same family. Cultural exchange happens in little ways, like re-envisioning the formality of a title as an expression of relationship. Throughout my time in West Papua, Indonesia, people welcomed me into their lives as a member of their households. Immersion into a different culture and a new set of relationships and commitments requires a continuous openness to experiencing the unexpected. As a student of Indonesian culture in West Papua, there was always something new.

To build relationships we needed common ground, a space to meet and make meaningful exchanges. The ability to communicate is not enough, we all need something to talk about—something meaningful—and ears to listen. For me, music can be that common ground. In the early months of my grant period, I formed a band with some other teachers, and we played at rock shows in my town and around the area. This was a way to make friends and participate in community life before my language skills had developed enough to easily make friends through conversation. Music was the bridge that allowed me to share in their life when there was no other common language.

~Rebecca Miller, Fulbright Fellow, Class of 2007

The Adventure Begins

It's a terrifying experience, standing in front of thirty young faces, junior high students, for the first time. What are they thinking? Even if I could have heard their thoughts, I wouldn't have understood them.

For most of my students, this was a new experience as well, the first opportunity to learn English with a native speaker and their first chance to form a relationship with an American. On my first day in each class, I introduced myself and let my new students ask me questions. My seventh grade students asked me about the movie “American Pie.” This class, 7C was probably my favorite, and when I was teaching them, it reminded me of my youngest brother Tim, also in seventh grade. When they brought up “American Pie,” and all the other adult elements of American pop culture, I felt like their big sister... Hey, you guys shouldn't know about that! It bothered me to think that these were their only images of America. I suppose if I only watched “The Hills,” I’d think that all American girls were blonde too. But I couldn't just tell my students what life is like back in the States, growing up in upstate New York (No, I can’t see the Statue of Liberty from my house), and my home in Chicago (Chicago Bulls! Barack Obama!), or explain that my story is just a fleck of the diversity of the American experience. I needed to be more than an English teacher. 

I hoped that our friendship would expand their ideas of my culture even as I was learning what it means to be Indonesian and in particular, learning about the experience of Papuan Indonesians, in the province where I was posted for my one-year Fulbright experience. Our relationship took the learning beyond grammar technicalities so my students could know me as a person.  

~Rebecca Miller, Fulbright Fellow, Class of 2007