What is family?

I used to think family was just limited to the people who shared a last name and bloodline. I come from a family where blood IS thicker than water and you do anything for family (within reason and not promoting destructive behaviors). The notion that people may not want to be family with their own kin was foreign to me. Over the years though, particularly the last few, I've realized family is not just the people you are stuck with but the people you choose.

I've learned that community becomes family if you want and let it. I've learned that family gets you through all those times when you just can't stand on your own two feet. I most certainly have friends and acquaintances but I sure have a lot of family. Silly me I thought my "family" was big before I had this concept in my head.

This being said my pending adventure will lead me away from my blood family, my motorcycle family, my African/Jamoral family, and my church family here.......but that doesn't mean I'll be without. I tend to make "families" everywhere I go. I can't wait to meet my Peace Corps Zambia family, my host family, and my Zambian Africa family.

While I know this concept of many families may sound foreign or even stressful to some I have found that it brings ultimate peace. I personally have never had a worry about a roof over my head or food to eat, and this isn't because times haven't been hard or money scarce, but rather because I know I have so many people that love me so much they would never let me go hungry or cold. This family I have built extends so far I know that no matter what, I'm never alone.

This concept of family is what gives me strength, what assures me I'll be successful. Because I know if I fall it's ok and they will be right there to pick me back up. I find the concept of having family over friends makes me a more giving and supportive member of the relationship. I'm looking forward to seeing if I continue this model of becoming part of families elsewhere. But if I had to guess I'm going to come back with a lot more family than I left with.

That being said I'd like to thank all my families here for always being there when I need you most. There are too many names to name but you know who you are. And I assure each of you who I consider family, I will reach out if I need something. Promise! Love you all so much. I wouldn't be half the girl I am today without each and every one of you. You all have a very special place in my heart. And of course this isn't goodbye just Bon Voyage for a bit!

From the Corporate grind to the maize grind?

Working in corporate America has it perks. I get great benefits, paid vacation days, a regular paycheck. My life has stress but stability.While some projects require a lot of extra work; for the most part I go to work, do my job, and come home. I work 40-50 hours a week and then get to do whatever I want in that time in between.

The salary I make affords me a comfortable living with the basics.

But Corporate America has its drawbacks. There is more "red tape" than you could ever imagine, it takes forever to get things done, do more with less seems to be the never ending motto, and don't get on the bad side of a boss. I have endless amounts of paperwork and all those comforts of living require a bill that has to be paid at a certain time each month.

That car that my job affords me requires insurance, and gas, and repairs. That phone costs a good chunk of change each month, and I don't have any fancy plan. And just try living without internet these days!

Freedom is really quite a relative concept. Yes the constitution may grant me freedom of speech, and religion, and the right to bear arms. But try to bring any of that to the workplace? It's a pretty sure way to make yourself unemployed. Business, especially corporate business, is a giant game. A game of persuasion and problem solving. In some cases it is a game of back stabbing and sucking up to the right people. That old adage " it isn't what you know but who you know" still rings true!

The contrast to living in a much simpler manner with no rent, utilities, internet bill, car, or any of the luxuries that clutter our lives here in America sounds pretty appealing right about now. Sure it will be like camping for 2 years but just imagine what a relief it must be to not have to figure out which paycheck will pay each and every bill. The struggles change from hiring problems to the basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter. The problem solving becomes centered around how to create food security and literacy rather than how to get some developer to like you and make adjustments to the programming.

I'm not saying Zambia will be free of bureaucracy but the change in pace will be a welcome contrast. And the meaning in what I'm doing will be much more rewarding than furthering the profits of a money hungry company. I'm hoping the change from much to little physically will result in a change from little to much intrinsically. Maize grind, here I come!

My desk after returning from a work trip. My team wrapped every little thing on my desk as a prank.

The boss' desk after a business trip. I promise we work those photos just aren't as interesting.

The daily grind.

Back in the cubical days.

The view everyday that I will miss!