Tamera Jenkins

2010 REFLECTIONS

2011-01-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

I never could have predicted all the twists and turns that 2010 brought into my life. These are just a few.

January held a trip to Chicago with friend Pam to help Tony during his recuperation following the first of 3 surgeries he eventually would have over the course of the year.
Upon my return home I received word that my Fulbright application had made it through the American committee and was on its way to the Canadian.

February and March were spent on pins and needles waiting to know whether I was going to Canada or if I was going to have to go out into the real world and get a job.While I waited, Pam and I watched alot of movies and made the preparations for her son Josh's high-school graduation.

In mid-April I was notified that I had received the Fulbright Fellowship.Lots of jumping up and down and screaming ensued before the OMGosh, now what do I do, set in.

May was a flurry of activities, between what seemed like dozens of doctor appts for my medical clearance, my birthday/Mother's Day, Josh's party, Alexis's luau, Nate's kindergarten graduation,and RV shopping.

Celebrating Josh's graduation

Uncle Tony came to Alexis's 2nd grade Hawaiian luau

Way to go Nate!

Our home away from home

Packing and preparation for our move took up most of the summer, but we still managed to enjoy a few trial runs in the RV..visit to Jim's dad at the lake, float trip with church friends and camping at Lake Paradise.

At the end of July Jim was ordained to the office of Teacher.

Eden Heights RLDS Congregation

We took to the road first week of August

Wonderful friends and family helped us on our journey.

In September I....

signed in at Simon Fraser University

and brought Mom and Alexis to see the campus (Pam's taking the pix)

said goodbye to Mom and Pam at the airport in Seattle

that just left Jim, Alexis, and me

Tearfully parted with Alexis after we found our custody papers were not adequate

A definite low point

Fulbright orientation in Ottawa

Thanksgiving with Dr.Liz Elliott and her family

October and November went by in a blur of papers and projects. I would like to say I enjoyed my classes but I was so wiped out most of the time that I felt like it was more a matter of survival than enjoyment.I lost over 10 pounds from all the stress and wondered at times if I would make it.

My tutorials for Restorative Justice 315 held the most fun. I was suprised to find that I really liked teaching. I can't say the same for grading 45 papers, but oh well,it comes with the territory.

SFU Surrey Campus where I held my tutorials

Spent a terrific Sunday afternoon with Ken and Jeanne Christopher in November

Jim flew to Missouri after his dad passed away on November 16. With 2 weeks before the end of the semester I was unable to go. While Jim was gone we had a cold spell that brought snow, frozen water pipes, a clogged toilet, and power outages (meaning no heat).

December

found me catching up on sleep and gaining back all the weight I lost.

held an amazing trip to Harrison Hot Springs for Christmas

The last day of 2010 brought a superb dinner at Siam, our favorite Thai restaurant in White Rock, and a vicious game of train

We are such party animals!

This has been a year like no other thanks to Fulbright Canada. I'm excited to see what 2011 holds.

Harrison Hot Springs

2010-12-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

Harrison Hot Springs, BC

Jim and I spent Christmas/Boxing Day weekend at the Harrison Hot Springs resort

Village square

Mom and pop restaurants and quaint shops line the street

Walkways meander along the lakefront

"High Tea" is served at 4 o'clock

The resort has two indoor and two outdoor pools. Water comes out of the springs between 146-165 F. Due to the temperature and the cleansing effect of the minerals they suggest that you only stay in the water for 10-15 minutes at a time. We managed to stretch it to about 20 but that was all we could take.

Christmas morning we took a walk by the lake and through a
hiking path on the hillside overlooking the resort

Just out of view are the cozy chairs lined up in the front of the fireplace with all the people reading or surfing the web. Prime real estate! Good luck getting a spot.

We had a great time just walking around, shopping in the gift shop, Christmas dinner in the Copper Room, and best of all, the glorious hot springs pool. Monday came much too soon!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

Took Monty dog to the kennel this morning so that Jim and I could go out of town for the weekend.He was incredulous and not at all happy with the arrangement. After work we packed up and headed to Chilliwack for the vesper service. Scriptures of Christ's birth were read by some of the children in the congregation and I played the piano. Now we are all tucked it at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and are looking forward to tomorrow.

Pastor Janine McCulley

Fellow Musicians

Bonnie, myself, and Shonnet

BLISS!

2010-12-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

I spent a few hours of glorious bliss today in my new favorite store, Choices Market, a wonderful health food store in White Rock. I wept at so many, dare I say, choices of tofu: garlic and herb or sundried tomato, crackers: how about baked sesame and rice, cheeses: tomato and basil feta and paneer, boysenberry spritzers, chai tea, 2 different kinds...just because, and the special "Barista Blend" soy beverage to give it that Starbucks Soy Chai Tea Latte touch. I even looked longingly at the huge selection of salt lamps and salt candle holders ( yes, I know, I already have one and I even brought it with me, but one can never have too much health and happiness!). http://www.saltlamp.ca/ I was so deliriously happy that it was all I could do to not hug all the employees and tell them thank you so much for being here, your store is so beautiful,everything looks so good...I feel so at home ( those 7 years at Rainbow Natural Foods never really leaves, I guess) and what's more I no longer have to have my mom send me things from the health food store in Independence!

To cap off my wonderful day at the market I decided to go to the ocean.Why? you ask...because I can. I live in British Columbia,snow-draped mountains are snuggled around me, it's December 16, it is only 25 minutes away, my first semester is done and I got A's in my classes...just because I can!

Houses, in particular the "castle", across from the beach

By some strange fate I have been dropped off in the middle of this beautiful landscape.......I wish you all were here to enjoy it with me!

End of the semester

2010-12-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

It has been a crazy ride since school started in September, but the first semester has come to an end. My tutorials were done last Wednesday, my classes last Friday, and I finished grading papers today. Looking back over the past 4 months,I enjoyed my tutorials for CRIM 315, Restorative Justice, the most. The students...for the most part were terrific and I knew that no matter how gritty and exhausting my own classes were at the moment, Wednesday was coming and I was going to have a fun day.

Jana and Julliana

Dr. Glackman

Gordon and Alysha

Krynn and Viktoria

I'm amazed at the strong bonds that have formed between everyone in my classes(akin to trench warfare relationships I would imagine). Everyone rallies behind the one who at the moment is ready to pack it in and go home...and we all have been in that spot at one point or another this semester. " I absolutely hate my life. I can't do this!" "I haven't been to sleep for 2 days, I'm so exhausted and I'm still not done with my papers/projects/readings/quizzes, grading." "I miss my family/boyfriend/friends/dog and I want to go home." And this was just the first week! :)

The chorous of "Yes you can, just hang on, it will get better" "Don't give up...we're all miserable too!" rings out and everyone takes a deep breath and presses on. Shared smiles, grimaces, pats on the back, and hugs makes all the difference.

Jim and I will be going to Harrrison Hot Springs for Christmas. It will be very strange not being with all our family and friends for the holidays, but we will take the laptop with us and Skype everyone.

This is the part I'm looking forward to.........

http://http//www.harrisonresort.com/default.aspx

We will leave after the Christmas Eve service at church and stay until Monday.

Now that I have had five minutes to lift my head up from the books, papers, and grading I stand amazed at the beauty all around me and I wonder how I got here. Surely this must be someone elses life that I am living at the moment, it certainly doesn't resemble the one I have known.

The scene out my front door a few weeks ago

And now, the end of the first semester calls for a celebration! After 4 hours under the expert of hands of Lisa...wahla! A whole new me.

Well, really it's the same old me, just with cool new hair!

Jim said he feels like he's cheating on his wife, I take that as a compliment.

Restorative Justice Conference at Ferndale

2010-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

"An over-reliance on incarceration and punitive outcomes drys up the soul of a nation" Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard keynote speaker.

Yesterday, I attended the 14th Annual Restorative Justice Conference at Ferndale Insititution, a minimum security federal prison about an hour and a half east of Vancouver. The event is facilitated by the RJ Day organizing committee which is comprised of community volunteers and inmates or, as they are called at Ferndale, residents.

Ferndale houses approximately 137 male residents serving sentences ranging from a few months to life. The men live in 6 or 8 man residential-style units seperated from each other by winding cobbletone paths. The well manicured lawns and shrubbery gives the institution a very homey, pleasant feel.

I attended the conference with Teresa, my "co-TA" for our restorative justice class and 8 of our students. We gathered in a large and cheerful meeting hall that I believe was used for visitations. The walls were hand painted with coloring renderings of fish and other First Nations symbology. Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard, a Corrections Service Canada chaplain for over 30 years, was the morning's keynote speaker. Though he was a prison chaplain it wasn't until the murder of his brother in 1980 that he found his way to the principles of restorative justice.

For lunch the group was divided among the diferent residences and it was there that we ate our meal. Our group consisted of myself and four students, a victim-service provider,a prison volunteer, and our resident "hosts" who bustled around waiting on us hand and foot. They obviously don't get much company, so an event like this is a big deal.During our meal we continued our circle process and discussed the effect that resorative justice had in their lives.
Numerous thoughts kept running through my mind as I ate and visited with these men,both convicted murders; never in a million years would this be happening at the camp in Leavenworth and the Unites States should be ashamed that it doesn't.

Our incarceration policies are barbaric and it fails me how it could ever be thought that positive, lasting changes in the lives of offenders can be achieved through the use of more punitive sentences. The correctional policies of the United States are lifted up by Canadians as examples of what not to do if you want the successful reintegration of offenders. They have watched us and learned by our failures, if only we would do the same.

LOOK WHO CAME TO VISIT!!

2010-11-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

Jim and I have welcomed our first guests to Vancouver, Dr. Ken Christopher, from Park University, and his wonderful wife Jeanne. It was so exciting to see friendly faces from home! Ken is giving a presentation at a port security conference in Seattle this week and they decided since they were this close to Vancouver they would come up to see us.

After we picked them up at the bus station we went to Granville Island. This is the first "touristy" outing that we have had since we arrived. School work and TA responsibilities have kept me hopping so it was very fun to spend the aftenoon with friends

We ate our lunch out on the heated( very heated) patio of the Sandbar Restaraunt.

Jorge entertains visitors with his panflute and guitar

Overlooking the ocean and Lion's Gate Bridge at Stanley Park

The afternoon came to an end too soon. I think Ken and Jeanne need to make this trip more often. I happen to know that the Western Society of Criminology Conference is in Vancouver this February. Sure, it's not port security but who cares? :)

My Tutorials

2010-11-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

In today's tutorial the students worked on exercise that allowed them to plan and carry out a cooperative effort that would help them develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills needed to work together on common goal (CRIM 315). Each group had 5 minutes to discuss their project and plan how to coordinate the building. After 5 minutes they could open the tinker toys and begin to build, but they could no longer talk, Only signally was allowed.

All-purpose craft

Railroad crossing

Person pushing a dolly

A "vehicle"

A car accident

Notice the destroyed car and casualty in the forefront.

A wheelbarrow

A land and amphibious craft

A lawnmower

A wheelchair...seen from the side.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. These guys are so much fun!

Life

2010-10-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

There is rhythm to life that is starting to develop which I suppose is a good thing.

Mondays are spent doing school work at home.

Tuesdays I am at Burnaby from 11:30-2:20 for a crim theory class.

Wednesdays I am at the Surrey campus(pix here) where I facilitate 3 tutorials for CRIM 315, Restorative Justice.

Thursdays I spend at home doing school.

I leave bright and early on Fridays to go to Burnaby for a methodology class and then afterwards try to get in at least a 30-45 minute group session on statistics. A number of us in class have not had statistics before so we try to stay and help each other limp through the weekly assignment. I then go to the Surrey campus for the 2:30-4:20 Restorative Justice lecture. Yeah..the highlight of my week. Finally, I get to learn about the things I came to BC for!

Saturdays are another study day, but yesterday I didn't get much of that done, Liz Elliott, my thesis advisor(eventually, once I get to that point) invited numerous people over for Thanksgiving dinner including me and Jim.

Colleen is a Criminology Ph.D. student from Manitoba who TAs on the Burnaby campus for the same class I do in Surrey.

Liz, Merlin, and Jim enjoying a wonderful supper.

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MJt2vchXvY Dr. Liz Elliott speaking about the over use of incarceration.

Liz and her husband, in the white tshirt, were lovely hosts. They had a house full of people, many like us who have no family in town.Their son is a student at SFU and he brought quite a few of his fellow football players with him and their daughter had a group of her girlfriends as well. So it was quite a large gathering. We had to eat and run since we (Jim, Colleen and I) had tickets to a play.

What makes it possible for people to:

Believe in stereotypes?

Witness hardship and not reach out?

Turn a blind eye, a deaf ear?

Wage war with others? What makes all these and so many other ways that we compromise the planets and humanity's well-being possible? The creation over and over of "the other," the creation of the "them" in "us and them."

The play was quite different with volunteers from the audience as actors(yeah to brave Colleen who made her acting debut!) and no scripts.

Sundays we go to Chilliwak for church and maybe some galavanting if the weather is good and we remember a change of clothes.

Today after church we went to the little cafe in Country Gardens for lunch with Linda, one of the ladies we have met at church. As you can see from the pix there is hardly a cloud in the sky, which was not the case when we left home, otherwise we would have brought a change of clothes and headed out to do some sightseeing.

And there's the week.....

LOST the PIX

2010-10-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

WOW the proceeding blog would have been pretty awesome had the pix uploaded from the Word document with it. I don't have an image provider per se so the pix were left somewhere in the ethers

SUNDAY IN CHILLAWK

2010-10-03T18:35:00.001-07:00

Jim and I left Surry at 9 am and headed to Chilliwak for church. Quite a few of the Saints were in Abbotsford taking part in Cure for breat cancer run, so we had a small group; I think I counted 27.

Starting on the 17^th of the month I will begin playing for church. They leave it up the pianist to pick the hymns for the service since each pianist has their own comfort level as to those hymns they want to play. After the service we went with a group from church to Homers Diner for lunch and then headed another 20 minutes on down the road to Bridal Veil Provincial Park.

East on Hwy 1

The trees are really starting to turn

Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park

Attention Visitors - there have been numerous recent sightings of a large black bear in the Bridal Falls Area. BC Parks continues to monitor the situation but advises the public to use caution in the area, make lots of noise when travelling and to ensure that all pets are on a leash at all times. Click here for more information on bear safety.

Yes, this was on the park's website….My new motto is "Do one scary thing every day!"

Remember at the end of the "Parent Trap" when they have taken Vicky on the camping trip and the twins tell her that she had to click sticks together to keep the mountain lions away? Well turns out there may be a bit of truth to that.

Reduce the chance of surprising a bear.

Always check ahead for bears in the distance. If one is spotted, make a wide detour and leave the area immediately.
Make warning noises and loud sounds.
Watch for bear sign: tracks, droppings, overturned rocks, rotten trees torn apart, clawed, bitten or rubbed trees, bear trails, fresh diggings or trampled vegetation.
And let's not forget the cougars which were also mentioned
Didn't know you were going to get a science lesson on BC wildlife did you?
- When in Cougar Country:
- Cougars primarily occupy the southern third of British Columbia. Most conflict with cougars occurs in rural communities, where people live in isolated settlements. People also encounter cougars while spending leisure time in cougar country.
- Cougars are predators - the top of the food chain - and their actions are often unpredictable. We have little understanding about what might trigger an attack, but following these general guidelines will reduce the risk of cougar conflict and prepare you in the unlikely event of an attack.

Hiking or working in cougar country:

Hike in groups of two or more. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar.
Carry a sturdy walking stick to be used as a weapon if necessary.
Keep children close-at-hand and under control.
Watch for cougar tracks and signs. Cougars cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.
Cougar kittens are usually well-hidden. However, if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.

If you meet a cougar:

Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don't crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a cougar behaves aggressively:

Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.
If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However, if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one, immediately inform the nearest office of the Conservation Officer service

Well we saw no bears or cougars on our hike, only the unspoiled beauty of God's creation… but we did keep our eyes open!

Bridal Veil Falls, BC

This has been a really good weekend for getting outdoors. Nice and cool but no rain…for a change

OTTAWA and BACK FULBRIGHT ORIENTATION

2010-09-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

Just got in to Vancouver after a 6 hour flight from Ottawa this morning. I had a wonderful,albeit tightly scheduled time while I was there.The flight on Thursday morning left at 6:00 am so Jim and I got up at 2:45, showered and made the hour and a half drive to the airport. Many thanks go out to all the terrific employees of Canada Air who helped this novice flyer make it to Ottawa and back with relatively little fuss.

After making a connection in Toronto, I arrived at the Lord Elgin Hotel around 4:15. I missed the opening activities which started at 3 and had only enough time to run to my room and quickly throw on the dress that Mom made me for the gala which was held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Mom made my dress and I got quite a few wonderful comments on it from the cleaning lady at the Lord Elgin Hotel to woman from the U.S. State Department

Friday morning we met for breakfast at 8 and walked a few blocks to Constitution Square for breakfast.Until mid-afternoon the time was spent in meetings and activities that would help us better understand Canadian culture and identity and the nature of the relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

In the afternoon we walked to the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

Parliment building

After our tour of the museum we had just enough time to change our clothes for a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson

My roomate Toni Holland

After the reception we enjoyed a lavish dinner at Le Cafe in the National Arts Center.

More to come

STILL HERE>>>BARELY

2010-09-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Once school started I haven't stopped running. Orientations for graduate school, The Criminology graduate department, Teaching assistantship, and to help me find my way at the Surrey campus, took up an entire week.My own classes, research theory and research methods, are two days a week at the Burnaby campus. The restorative justice tutorial I teach is on Wednesdays at the Surrey campus as is the RJ lecture on Fridays. Mondays and Thursdays are mine to get things done. Hasn't happened yet but I'm hopeful.

Yesterday Jim and I drove an hour to go to church in Chilliwak. Iput down the book I was reading to enjoy the scenery.

Chilliwak, BC

The rainy season hasn't officially started yet...so I've been told, apparently the rain doesn't know that as it has been pouring for days now. Candles help make the RV cheery and take away the very wet dog smell..poor Monty.

Jim got pulled over by the RCMP tonight on his way home. No ticket( you can't get going fast enough to get a speeding ticket) but a 30 minute check on his VIN #,insurance, drivers license, and truck plates..and just for good measure a lecture on the appropriate way to display a license plate, looks like it's the opposite as to how we do things back home...big surprise there huh? Is it just us or do they really not like Americans around here? No worries, we can't be ran off that easily! I'm sure we'll win them over yet :)

Labour (notice the locally correct spelling) Day in BC

2010-09-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

As most know Alexis had to return to Missouri this weekend. Jim returned at 1:00 this morning after 30 hours of round trip travel. Frankly I've been too upset to even blog but I think I'm beginning to gain some perspective and can hopefully not rant or whine when I address the circumstances regarding her return home.

Jim and I obtained the paperwork, per instructions given by the local elementary school, needed to make custodial decisions on Alexis's behalf, including enrollment in school. What they,and until this week, we were unaware of, is that these documents were not legal internationally. Upon enrolling her in school her documents were sent to an "international education committee"(I'm sure there is an official organizational title, but I'm not sure exactly what it is) informed us that our custodial status over her is not recognized in Canada and that we had two choices in the matter, 1. Go to the BC government and begin the process of legally adopting her....umm, not an option, thank you or 2. pay $12,000 for 9 months of education. Neither options were acceptable and while we could have possibly fought this had we the time or money(of which we have neither) I personally did not want to find myself at odds with the Canadian government that, along with the U.S. State Department is responsible for bringing me to BC.

So, in less than three days we bought a round trip ticket for Jim and a one-way ticket for Alexis, packed four huge bags filled with as many of her belongings as we could stuff in them, and with many tears,had Jim escort her to KC. Words really can't express how sad I am to see her go but with the situation we were faced with I'm not sure what other options we had.

PICTURES FROM THE PAST WEEK

One of the last really warm days that we had

Alexis and Lauren

Criminology Dept. at SFU

Alexis spent the entire day with me while I attended the new graduate student orientation. Even though she was bored she was a real trooper. Numerous individuals commented on her wonderful behavior and teased her about being the youngest graduate student they'd ever met!

Scenes from around campus

A rainy BC day traveling to and from the Burnaby campus

The signs points out a 12.5% grade. Fun, fun, in the snow!

Slippery when wet

Two days later the sun is back

Summer is over, my first class, Criminological Theories, starts tomorow.

ALEXIS

2010-08-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Alexis is now enrolled in the third grade at Dogwood. Her first day of school is next Tuesday.She would start today if she could...she's very anxious to be with other kids.

I also signed her up for before and after school care. Trudy, the director is super sweet and made Alexis feel very welcome.

Alexis still has the moves. She kept this handstand up for a full minute.

" What if I should fall right through the center of the Earth...oh, and come out the other side where people walk upside down" Alice in Wonderland

Hanging off the monkey bars at the Dogwood Park playground

After my wimpy attempt at pushing her on the merry-go-round Alexis decided she could go faster if she did it herself

Just swingin

Alexis prefers an upside down view of the world

A striking pose from the top of the jungle jim

Sunday

2010-08-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

View from the Vancouver Community of Christ church. Our friends will be happy to know that we finally made it to church. Not only did we drive straight to it without any mishaps, but we were an hour early.

After two weeks of mostly warm weather, the past few days have been chilly enough to warrant sweaters and long sleeves. Alexis is just not willing to give up on summer quite yet.

We have enjoyed getting to talk with more and more of our loved ones on Skype. Currently Candy, Tony, Pam, and the Heides have it downloaded to their computers. (No, I'm not a paid spokesperson for Skype nor do I have stock in it,I'm just all about free goodies) If you happen to get on Skype you can find us under apianist61

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/

AND THEN THERE WAS THREE

2010-08-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Seattle skyline

We left at 6:30 this morning to take Mom and Pam to the airport in Seattle

Port of Seattle

Saying goodbye at SEATAC airport

It has been a wonderful three weeks spent with my Mom and dear friend Pam. We have so appreciated the help that they have been to us as we have had so much to do to get settled. There were a few tears as the time to leave drew near but they were tempered by a sense of great thankfulness that we have had this time together.

It was a beautiful drive through Washington as we headed back to BC

Heading North on I-5 close to Bellingham

Jim and Alexis at the seaport in Blaine, WA

Alexis and me, Blaine, Washington...a stones throw from the border

The excrutiatingly long wait at the border crossing

Our home away from home Surrey, BC

The view from about two blocks down the street

Surrey, BC

Nine hours later we're almost home

It's a little bit scary that we're all alone now. It's been so much fun to have so many of our loved ones with us. While I am really excited to get school under way I'm going to miss the daily conversations with Mom as I drove home from classes each day.

A faintly visible Space needle in Seattle

2010-08-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

Mom, Alexis, and me at SFU Burnaby Campus

Alexis taking in the sights from the top of SFU's patio balcony

Jim left bright and early this morning for his first day on the job. He said he made it to work in about thirty minutes but it took forty-five coming home through HWY 1 construction. His day went well with the work being much like his job at home. It was the accents of many of his co-workers and customers that threw him for a loop. He said he had to listen really carefully to understand what people were saying especially if he was on the phone with them.

Mom, Pam,Alexis, and I spent much of the day at SFU trying to wrap up the loose ends that I couldn't get accomplished last week. While the girls shopped in the bookstore I went to the registrar's office and got my school ID. I got a bit turned around trying to take them to the Criminology dept and poor Pam ended up having to walk what seemed like miles. After talking to three different people, each getting us closer to our destination, we finally made it. Everyone was able to sit and rest up for the walk back to the car while I took care of some business at the CRIM office. I now have the keycard that gets me into the MA office as well as my own little key to my own special drawer in the office.

The only thing that is still undecided is the parking arrangements which come at a premium. To park in the blisters on top of blisters on top of blisters parking lot is $270.00 per semester. To park in the "it only hurts when I walk" lot is about$379.00. I may be eligible for a discount as a TA so I need to have my dept. email parking services a copy of my teaching contract to get a price break of sorts. Thursday 9/2 is the graduate student orientation so I should be able to get it dealt with then.

I guess fall comes earlier here as trees are starting to turn. The mornings are becoming noticeably cooler although it still warms up lovely in the afternoon. Alexis wants to go swimming every day no matter chilly the day has been so Mimi took her to the pool tonight thinking that once she "freezes her buns" a bit so she will realize that it really isn't as warm as the week we arrived and will quit asking to go. Somehow I don't think the cool air is going to dissuade her. As long as the pool is open (September 30) ..(I told you that folks here are hardy) she'll want to be in it.

SATURDAY

2010-08-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

It took four hours of sitting and pacing, going across the street to Subway for refreshments, pacing some more, and reaffirming to the pleasant young man that we would not come back to his store for a fourth day if they had not provided us cell phones before we left. I'm so thankful that we had Pam as a witness because no one would believe the rigamarole you have to go through. Jim,very nicely told them that if this was what Americans had to go through to get a phone in the states, there would be rioting in the streets...I don't think they believed him.

Success! We each have a cell phone...under totally different plans (don't ask, the reason is so crazy you would think I'm lying)but at least we have phones. Sorry, it's just for local numbers we aren't rich enough to buy a plan that has international calling!

We do have Skype up and running. I am apianist61. It is super easy to download, so far Tony and Pam have it on their computers.

If I haven't mentioned it already, BC is beautiful, I think at this point, that it is this fact that is making all the wildness of trying to get settled worth it.

We are going to try once more to make it to church tomorrow. Pam has emailed the pastor of the congregation that we couldn't find last week and if we don't hear anything from him we will attempt to find the Vancouver branch instead.

I am thinking about setting up a separate blog acct or something where I can chronicle my experiences of living in an RV park rather than use my Fulbright blog. A professor at Park University, when he found out my living arrangements in BC, told me that there was a book to be written about life in an RV park and he expected me to write it. I just laughed at the time and thought...who would want to read about that?....I'm beginning to think he may have a point..I don't know if I can really keep up with all the writing and school and Alexis's schedule,but I may try.

GOOD DAYS

2010-08-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, eleven months and over 2,000 miles later I finally made it to Simon Fraser University

A scenic overlook on campus

Around each corner the view keeps getting better

Me on top of the world at SFU's reflecting pool

I believe this is called the quadrangle

Jim and I had left early Wednesday morning to talk to the people at his prospective job and to see what I could get done at SFU. After visiting with the boss at CBS Parts in Burnaby he told him that he can start work as soon as he has his SIN card. So that was very good news. It had looked promising before we left home but until you are actually hired you are kind of on pins and needles waiting to see what will happen.

We then headed up Burnaby Mt to Simon Fraser. Wow! What an absolutely gorgeous drive. Much to my amazement SFU is an enormous campus..I just had no idea. Jim and I walked and walked stopping and asking directions numerous times along the way. We finally found the student center where we were told to begin our day at the registrar's office where I would receive a student ID card. After taking a number and waiting I was told that until I had officially enrolled in classes I could not get my ID.She told me to find a computer, register for classes and come back 24 hours later after the info and been entered into her database. OKAY... The Criminology Dept.(far, far away) was our next stop.The minute I rounded the corner heading into the department I knew I was at home. While they have much more lovely digs than my friends back at Park, in comparison to the Science Hall and other areas of the university that we walked through, the CRIM dept seemed more cozy, if you will. I thought to myself...yes, these are my people, I will feel very comfortable here.

Philip, the graduate secretary was a terrific help, he enrolled me in my classes while I filled out all the TA paperwork. I was also pleased to meet Professor Boyd, Dean of the Graduate Department. He is just as personable as I imagined he would be. After finishing there Jim and I headed to the bookstore where I was able to purchase my books. So tomorrow I will(this time with Mom and Pam)make a trip back to campus to get my ID, buy a parking pass, and enroll in new graduate student orientation. This was actually one of the more productive days I have had thus far...and it felt really good.

Thursday

The heat wave broke and we awoke to a cool, rainy day. Jim headed out early and was successful in obtaining the much coveted and sought-after SIN card. (Much jumping up and down at this point!)As he came in the door he announced to Pam that with this card in his possession he could now officially "SIN" all he wanted to! When he called CBS to tell them the news they told him to plan on starting work 8:00 Monday morning. (imagine cartwheels and backflips!)

Alexis has made a friend. Lauren is the 6 year old daughter of Troy and Linda, the park managers. I am so thankful that she has someone to play with as she has been lamenting that she is bored without other kids around. We had been telling her to just be patient, school will start soon and she will meet others there but Lauren is a sweet little girl and I'm thankful for Alexis's sake that a friend came sooner than later. As Pam and I are sitting in the laundry room...the only dry place to get on the computer...the two of them are in the office playing Polly Pockets.

2010-08-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to begin, let's see....

Monday.....there's the issue of needing access to our money that is in the US as well as needing a bank account in Canada so we decided to see what we could accomplish in that regard. We had been (erroneously) led to believe that Scotiabank was a sister bank to our bank,the Bank of Amercia(no transaction fees for using your debit card, etc.) so that's where we headed first. Nope, there is no relation what-so ever, sister or otherwise between the two, but ...for a sizable fee they would be happy to help us access our BOA money....heading down the road...The Royal Bank of Canada was next on our list as they and Bank of Amercia were one of the two Fulbright-approved institutions. This was a very multi-cultural banking experience as were the only two"westerners"there. Compared to the brightly colored menagerie of men in turbans and sari-clad women, Jim and I appeared quite dull and uninspiring in our jeans and t-shirts

When we conveyed our wishes to the customer service girl were nicely told that we would need to make an appointment for another day if we desired to open an account with them. After politley inquiring if there was another branch location that could see us more promptly they (it's a miricale!) found the time to squeeze us in.

Justin Antwar

Remember that name! This young man was great! He had never opened an account for anyone such as ourselves... .. non-Canadian, non-immigrant.....nobodies and he did a wonderful job. As he waded painstakingly through the reams of paper work he kept saying, "This is such a good experience for me. I've never had to do this before but now I will know how to do it. I'm so glad that you came in!" I told Jim that he reminded me of a middle eastern version of Tony. He looked to be the same age and was just very mature and poised. Two hours later we had an account, the catch was we had to go back to the states , find a BOA branch, and wire transfer the money unless we wanted to wait two weeks for the money to clear. Note to self and other international travelers....bring plenty of cash, a bank draft of the money you want to deposit with you and be able to wait two weeks before you access it. We had no idea...Aren't we glad that my Fulbright didn't take me to the North Pole or somewhere overseas! With only twenty miles between us and the border this didn't turn out to be nearly as frustrating as it could have.

Tuesday

Back to the U.S.

The border crossing wait was just as long as last week but not as frustrating. Within 30 seconds of walking in the door two...yes TWO people asked if they could help us, no lines , no taking a number, no being told to come back another day(really RBC? we just want to GIVE you our money??).... It took all of 2 minutes to get to the bank and another ten for them to wire the money to our RBC account.I like to think of this as American efficiency at it's best!

After we got back to Canada in the afternoon we decided to quit window shopping and just pick a cell phone plan. Much to our dismay we don't qualify to have one because we have not established any credit in Canada. Once we have acquired a SIN or Social IInsurance Number(Canada's equivalent to our SSN) we can use that and our passports to get phones. Until then our neighbor Rene, a colorful gentleman from Quebec, has graciously told us to put his number down when contact info is needed. Jim is going first thing tomorrow to apply for his number and the university is helping me with mine.
We'll be set before long.

Losing battery power,

Tomorrow...Jims job and the view from school!

HAPPENINGS

2010-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

A little about our RV park.

Troy and Linda are the (married) park managers and they are absolutely wonderful. When we arrived late on Wednesday night they had a space already reserved for us...the only problem was that we were too close to our neighbors to even get our awning out and there is major highway construction gong on 24/7 just a few feet a way. It is an understatement to say that I was disappointed...bordering on hysterical is probably closer to it. After the months of anticipation and days of driving our home in Independence could be considered more rustic. Jim is used to the occasional emotional outburst (yes, only occasional!)but I felt sorry for Sam. I'm begging Jim to do something and Sam is trying to be supportive of him but he also feels bad for me because he's not impressed with the site either.

The next morning Jim went and talked to Troy and he drove him to a couple of other available sites and we found one that we liked much better. It's a few rows over from the first one but it has a lot more room and is far enough away from the hwy that much of the noise is muffled. I was so grateful. I'm not sure exactly what Jim must have told Troy when he told him that "we" weren't happy with the lot because when I met him and Linda the following day, they were quick to assure me that I would calm down? and begin to feel more settled after a few days?? and that they too are raising their children here and that I need have no fear of my neighbors???

Oh well, it all worked out and we are most grateful to both of them for being so accommodating to us pushy, and thanks to my husband's portrayal of me, paranoid, Americans.

WE're still trying to nail down our banking,internet and cell phone service. Hopefully we can accomplish all of that tomorrow. Oh yes, and we most definitely will be buying a GPS that works in Canada....

LOST
No, we are not marooned on remote island but many times over the past few days we have felt as hopeless as our poor plane-crashed friends from ABC, in ever finding our way back to our RV park .

The gravitational pull of HWY 1!

Hwy 1 runs right beside our park and as I mentioned it is under construction. Thursday in our travels we spent over two hours stuck in it's powerful force field. With numerous exits and on-ramps that are closed, it keeps circling you round and round back and forth over the Fraser River until you finally find an exit that will let you get away from it. Over the two hours I believe I heard such comments as, "I can't do this much longer I've had to pee for the last 45 minutes!" Papa, are we lost? Will we ever get back to the RV park?" "No, no, NO! We can't be going back around again!! STOP" "If you think you can can get us off this road I'll just pull over right here and let you drive :) someone really did say that!!! I wonder who it could be? "Oh, let's just enjoy the pretty scenery Alexis, what is down there on the river that we haven't seen that last (50) times we we went over it?" Hmmm, who does that cheery voice sound like?

LOST EPISODE 2

Today we tried to go to church. We all got up early, got dressed and spent the next 3 hours driving around Burnaby, Cocquitlam, New Westminster, and Vancouver. Only 45 minutes of it was spent trying to find the church, the other two plus hours were spent trying to find our way home again! Jim announced on our arrival that while we hadn't been able to go to the worship service that he was none-the-less praising God that we had finally made it home!

Alexis enjoying the hot weather

Hey, I know how to convert Celsius to F. Times the C. # by 9. Divide by 5 and add 32. Woohoo!

Where I sit to blog

PHOTO MONTAGE

2010-08-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

My new keyboard sound so wonderful !

Dogwood Campground...our B.C. home

Pam all snuggly in Tony's baby blankie

Sam, Jim, and Monty at our home in Surrey

Debra and Pam

We finally made it!

Somewhere west of Missouri :)

Montana

Idaho

Washington

Sam, Debra, and Jenna...without them we wouldn't have made it to Nebraska. Thank you so much,we love you!!

Pam giving Sam his umpteenth Konan Crunch

Alexis in Idaho

How Alexis spent the trip when she wasn't riding in the car
west of the Mississippi

WOW! THAT'S A LONG DRIVE!

2010-08-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Surrey, BC,

I haven't completely fallen off the grid but have been busy getting settled and trying to regain some of my sense of humor before I write. Our caravan crossed the border into British Columbia on Wednesday evening about 7pm. We then (per Canadian border agent's command)drove to an adjacent border crossing 10 minutes away,where we returned to the U.S.at 7:20. After a grilling by the U.S. border patrol and tears on my part we, fifteen minutes later (per the U.S. agents direction)made a U-turn and crossed back into Canada.

Let me explain......When we arrived at the border, there had just been an incident. Two cars had collided and then run into a border agents booth. An ambulance was just driving away when we arrived. Needless to say there was gridlock.Without any real problems actually getting through we were told to go to another crossing about 5 miles to the east to speak with customs and immigration officer to obtain visas, work permits, etc.

We drove to the crossing but already being in Canada we had to go back into the states "Why were you only in Canada 10 minutes?Who is the man in that truck to you? (Jim had been in line ahead of me)Why are you so upset?" By this point we had been driving for 10 hours, total exhaustion had sent in and I just wanted the trip to be over....now I'm crying. I explained what had happened as best as I could and seeing I was quickly approaching a complete meltdown he eased up a bit and told me, as he had Sam and Jim before me, to just make a u-turn get back in the Canadian line and have a good day.

I was now making my second entry into Canada in less than one hour and this one went much smoother.Jim, Alexis and I went into the customs and immigration office where we were kindly attended to by a very lovely young lady...who I wish I had taken note of her name so that I could write a most appreciative letter to ger boss. After all the drama she was just a gem.Within an hour and a half we had all teh documentation that we needed and the even dulled the tedium of the process by providing free entertainment...a shakedown and search of some poor guy and his car.

Losing battery power so will write more later...all is well, praise the Lord!

THIRD DAY:WYOMING-MONTANA

2010-08-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's a cool, stormy night in Billings, Montana and we are feeling extremely tired, yet cozy, in our RV. For the last 450 miles(from Cheyenne, Wyoming to here) the terrain has been ruggedly beautiful.
I-25 provided seemingly endless views of sweeping grasslands and towering buttes. If the land appears this unforgiving in the summer I can only imagine what it must be like when it snows. I'm thinking that it takes a person much heartier than I am to make a home here.

We are all starting to settle into the daily routine...get up and have breakfast, batten down the hatches on the RV,pack snacks and lunches for the car/trucks, drive, stop for Pam to walk/diaper change for Jenna...get gas...keep driving,look for a Walmart to pick up the things we have forgotten, stop for more gas and bathroom breaks, walk some more,drive a lot more and then by 6:00 start looking for a campground, set up the RV and make supper...blog if there is a signal and I'm still alert enough to have a coherent thought, and then hit the sack. Start it all over again the next day.

With 933 miles to Vancouver we anticipate arriving on Wednesday. We'll see.

Pam and Jim trying to hang on in the gale force wind

Tammy somewhere north of Casper, Wyoming

Alexis at the end of a long day

Yeah we finally made it to the campground for the night!

DAY ONE PIX

2010-08-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

Pam, Alexis, and baby Jenna

Mom

Jim hooking up the water line

Pam and Debra

Alexis heading to the pool after supper

Sam

Jim and me surfing the net

DAY ONE

2010-08-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Lincoln, Nebraska

WE had a pleasant, short day on the road yesterday. To allow Jim, who was coming from Chicago and on the road since 4am, the time to catch up with us we left at noon and met him at Campaway RV Park and Campground in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Even though Jim traveled 200 miles further than the rest of us he beat us to the campground. He had me a bit worried when I asked he what kind of site we had...eg. back-in, pull through etc. and he said,"It's a poultry site." Hmmm? I said once more, "Does Sam have to back the trailer in?" "No, it's a poultry site I said!" ...It's a poultry site?? At this point I'm thinking to myself, wow, what a wonderful metaphor, the park must be full and they have us packed in there like poultry in a Tyson factory. Now that he has described the congested nature of the park I once again ask him whether or not Sam is going to have to back the trailer in when we get there. Screaming into the phone Jim says, "For the third time I'm telling you that it's a ...."pull-through"site!! OHHH, So much for thinking that my husband came up with a good metaphor.

Alexis had a major bout of homesickness before we even left home but did great once we actually got going. It was a day filled with lots of tears and goodbyes.

It has become painfuly obviously that we maybe packed a tad bit more clothes than we should have. The clothes bar in our closet bent in half during the trip and dumped all our clothes onto the floor ...which then crashed through to the storage bin underneath. Not a pretty sight. Much to Jim's credit he didn't yell at me he just said he would fix it once we get to Vancouver.

We hope to make about 600 miles today....we'll see, that's probably a bit ambitious!

THE FIRST DAY

2010-08-07T18:41:00.001-07:00

CANADA OR BUST

2010-08-06T19:09:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it but we're packed and ready to go. Many hours were spent in the RV today trying to find creative ways to turn what limited storage space we have into enough room to fit basically everything needful thing we own (by needful I mean everything). I have nightmares that as with the pioneers western trek I-80 will be strewn with my precious keyboard, sewing machine, scrapbooking, and crafting supplies as Jim attempts to lighten our load with my stuff.

Yes, I do remember that not once did I sew a stitch or craft anything (except term papers) during the three years I worked on my BA, but the point I would like to make is that....I MIGHT. Therefore I must be prepared.

Jim has been in Chicago this week taking care of our Navy son who had surgery last Monday so he will have to get an early start in the morning to catch up with the rest of the wagon train...Sam and Debra pulling the RV followed by Mom, Pam and me in my car.

It's going to be exciting!

ENDINGS, BEGINNINGS, and EVERYTHING INBETWEEN

2010-08-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

In the 21 years that I have lived there today was a first. I just closed up my house and walked away with no concrete idea as to when I'll be home again. When I got back to my mom's house, where I'm staying till we leave on Saturday, she asked me if I had a good boohoo as I drove away. I said no, but it sure was a strange, unsettled sort of feeling.

There are still things to be done such as picking up my contact lenses, taking the dog to the vet,sleep over with my eighteen month-old grand baby Chloe tonight, dinner and movie with family and friends tomorrow night, and a slumber party and gabfest with a girlfriend Thursday night but I'm ready to go now. I think I should go now, before I can change my mind. It's kind of like when I fly. I'm ok with flying but I don't love it,and when I make up my mind to do it (or it's the only option) I want to get to the airport and march right onto that plane and just go..let's get this done. Waiting around unnerves me.

I am really looking forward to living in Surrey.I am ready for this new chapter in my life to get underway but endings are not easy. Yes, I will return to Missouri and to the friends and family that I love, but when I shut the door on my house today something seemed to say that the life I know now will not be the life I have when I come home again...the house may be the same as when I left, but I won't be.

Our Church Family

2010-07-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

"CAPTAIN JIM"S CREW
Jim, Tammy, Pam, and Stephanie

July 2010 Eden Heights Congregation Float Trip Noel, Missouri

Jim and I packed up the trailer and headed south to Noel, Missouri for our third and final outing before it becomes our 'home". Our family has rafted many times but looking for any excuse to spend time with friends before we leave, Jim and I decided to be a part of our church family's annual float trip.

Our Navy son Tony came home from Chicago to spend a couple of weeks with his grateful parents and we took off a couple days early to do some camping. We arrived at the campsite after dark and as Jim was trying to back 38" of trailer and truck into our spot...we put our first ding/wrinkle/dent in the RV. I say "We" because Jim pointed out that I obviously didn't scream, "Stop, Stop!! There's a pole right......there!" until after the pole was swaying and the park lights were flickering on and off! I kind of wonder what the RV ownership/divorce statistics are???

It rained the first two days there but the day of the float dawned overcast but dry. It didn't last....Gosh, if I had a dollar for every shivering, teeth-chattering "I'mmmm nnott having ffun anymore...I wouldn't need Fulbright's money to go to Canada......Pam????

TIM WALSH and TONY

My cousin Stephanie and me

GATHERING FOR CAMPFIRE

The Heide family

Stephanie and Lee
Tony
Me and Pam
It was a wonderful four days spent with precious friends

GOING AWAY PARTY

There had been hush, hush activity going on for weeks at church. I was aware that the congregation had taken up a collection to buy Jim a new set of scriptures in honor of his ordination. What I wasn't aware of is that they had a wonderful surprise in store for me as well.

For three years I have been the music director for our congregation. I really enjoy playing the piano and it is rare day that I don't sit down and play a little something or other.

Knowing that I would not have access to my own piano for quite awhile...
while they were, in front of me, collecting money for Jim's gift, they were....

on the sly,
also collecting money to buy me a keyboard to take with me!

Needless to say there were many tears when I realized what was happening!
I was told that the keyboard was a blessing for the congregation as well as for me...With daily practice they anticipate that I will be ready to pick up right where I left off when I arrive home!

You may value the friendship of youth and of age,and select for your comrades the noble and sage. But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road, are the friends of my Master, the children of God.
David H. Smith

Family and Friends

2010-07-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Even if I didn't know today's date I would be able to tell that the time draws near for us to leave because the mad rush is on to squeeze in as many activities as is humanly possible with our family and friends before we go.

ALEXIS'S POOL PARTY!

With a fall birthday Alexis had the rare treat of a summer party at Tomasha Pool .

Working on snacks

Uncle Tony and Mariah

Alexis's friends from school and church
Working on presents
and of course SWIMMING!
Now we'll just have to figure out where to celebrate her ACTUAL birthday in BC.

VAN HORN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '79 FALCONETTES REUNION!
Debbie, Jayne, Joyce, and Kelley,four of the coolest chicks ever to graduate from Van Horn (five if you include me)had a little going away lunch for me this weekend.

Cruising Noland Road, football games and Freddie the Falcon,the parties,Falconettes Drill Team, 40 Highway McDonalds,the parties, picking everyone up in my turquoise 65 Ford Falcon,spying on boyfriends,relocating road signs,the parties,sneaking out but mostly sneaking in,stalking poor John Austin(sorry for being so annoying),falling out of Kelly's car and rolling down Sterling Ave.,Dad taking me to school and getting my coat caught in the door. After dragging me down the street in front of half the student body he helped me off the ground and said"Tammy, I don't have time for your nonsense I'm going to be late for work!",Joyce backing into Debbie's brother's car, (what was with us and cars??),did I mention the parties? Note to God...thank you that we survived!
Thanks Jayne for playing hostess!I had such a wonderful time!!
Kelly, Debbie, and Joyce
After graduation Debbie and Jayne went off to college and graduated from MU in '83, Kelly worked as a travel agent,and Joyce and I got married but anytime we get together the years fall away and we're 18 once more!Thanks guys it was so much fun to get together :)

More to come........

Preparations

2010-07-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

For the next eighteen months or so our home in Canada will be a 38 ft. 2010 Coachman Chaparral RV.Jim and I took it to Lake Paradise in Oak Grove for its maiden voyage over Memorial Day weekend. Fred and Jack, two of our long-time RVer friends taught Jim the ropes of setting up one of these monstrosities and tearing it down again. We also learned a new language that includes words such as black water, grey water, gross vehicle weight and dump station.

Just to make sure that we would be able to fend for ourselves without Jack and Fred's help we took it to the Lake of the Ozarks for a weekend in June. I must say my husband impressed me. Even though it was pitch black by the time we reached the RV park, Jim had us up and running in 45 minutes. Of course I believe that is due,in large part,to my assistance... hold the flashlight when called upon and other than that stay out of his way.

It all seems very cozy at the moment but I wonder if we'll still think that a year and a half from now.

15 Minutes of Fame

2010-06-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

I dreamed about being a movie star when I was a kid. The church that I attended when I was eight years old had a curved staircase straight out of Gone With the Wind. I vividly recall placing my white-gloved hand on the banister and in my best Scarlett imitation, attempt to elegantly glide my way to the bottom. I never made it. Week after week my lady-like fantasies were shattered by my boisterous cousin Jeff, "Get out of the way, Mouse!" and his thug friends as they flailed past me two steps at a time. Ten years later my hopes for fame and fortune had still not materialized... even after a particularly beguiling performance as Nurse Kelly in the Van Horn High School production of Harvey. But all is not lost. My 15 minutes of fame have materialized in a manner that I could never have predicted.

This spring I was awarded a 2010-2011 Fulbright scholarship to study in Canada and the response to the news has been over-whelming.

The Independence Examiner

http://www.examiner.net/features/x1980742910/Local-woman-gets-worldly-education

Tamera Jenkins Recent Park grad wins University's first Fulbright Student Award

http://news.park.edu/pub/printer_1707.shtml

Justice-seeking, late bloomer comes to SFU on award

http://www.sfu.ca/pamr/media_releases/media_releases_archives/justiceseeking-late-bloomer-comes-to-sfu-on-award.html

I was even interviewed by Victoria, BC radio(C-FAX 1070) talk show host, Murray Langdon(waves of nausea during the interview...jumping up and down at hearing myself on the radio during the broadcast). Because my small sliver of fame took long enough to come and fortune is nowhere to be seen, I plan on enjoying every single minute of it.