Moving to Ossining...

Needle pricks for vaccinations/blood draws - 10
Church blessings (one in DC, one in Portland, OR) – 2
States visited in the past two months (counting airports) – 11
Spending intentional time with family and friends – priceless


There's some things numbers can't count, for everything else... there are numbers?


Ok, so, I didn't exactly stick that landing :)


As you all know, I have at long last initiated this next adventure in my life that will likely culminate in 3.5 years in Cambodia. Before I embark on the next leg – Orientation Program – that offers continued time for mutual discernment, orientation to Maryknoll Lay Missioners, and preparation for overseas mission work, I wanted to offer a few thoughts from my preparation/transition over the past month.


For timeline folks, I left my life in DC on Aug. 22 through the midwest, wedding, and reunions made my way back to Oregon, which was filled with another wedding, many happy reunions, and time spent with as many family members and friends as I could fit into my life.


I have learned:

1. I have some degree of object attachment for memory sake. I had very little trouble giving away items which I had obtained in the normal purchase for money manner. I had a much harder time parting with items that had been gifted to me by others and were being passed on in an anonymous fashion, as this would mean the story of that object was lost. Similarly, items that were passed on to others I know and love, were much easier to leave behind for further appreciation.
   
2. Good-byes have become easier for me. Thanks to the miracles of technology, good bye really just means I can't poke you, physically, anymore, as we will not be physically present to one another. Likewise, I have deepened in my understanding that all relationships change over time – regardless of the physical distance between individuals. If all parties are committed to sustaining a connection, it will be sustained. If not, then one can thank the Universe for placing that person in our lives for those moments and the positive change they brought to our being.
   
3. I have re-learned a lesson I seem to re-learn constantly: We are all so loved, if we will only let others do so. In transitions, it is amazing the love and support that comes from my friends and family, and complete strangers, from meals and orchestrating gatherings to kind words and emails, I in no way feel like I am embarking on this journey alone – though physically none of my current friends/family will be coming along, I carry all of you with me and only in that way, can I embark on this venture.
   

There is an analogy... may not be the correct word... I have been using to describe my transition thus far. I am like a potted plant. As with many potted plants, I can live in my comfortable little pot for my entire life. I have many, many, many amazing people who will water me, shine their light on me, provide me with everything I need to grow. My roots are strong and deep thanks to them and can become content with knowing every inch of that soil. Like many plants, however, to truly continue to grow and blossom, I need to be moved to a larger pot. At first, it will take some time to get used to new soil, perhaps nourishment coming from new sources, but in the end, I will be a better and strong plant for the experience.


With that, I will leave you with a few pictures from my final US adventures and thank you for your on going watering of the Karen plant. Cheers!

In case any of you all are letter writers is where you can reach me!
Karen Bortvedt
Maryknoll Lay Missioners
P.O. Box 307
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307

 

This is Coco, formerly 1/3 my dog.  I decided to leave my 1/3 behind when I moved and miss it dearly...

 

Kansas City Federal Reserve.  Fascinating and free.

 One of my Border Servant Corps groupmates got married in Bellevue, NE.  Mini-Reunion!

This other girl I know got married.  We hiked for part of the bachlorette party (P.S. that is my sister, for those who couldn't figure it out)

Look who caught the toss bouquet...  I wanted the flowers...

Next Adventure Location is...

Only a month delayed in this announcement...  At the beginning of June, I got the call for which I had been waiting with great anticipation.  "Hello, can I speak with Karen? ... This is the Maryknoll Regional Program Director in Cambodia calling..."  I will be honest.  I have no idea what the title was and began shaking with excitement at the word Cambodia.  Thus, despite my finely honed, intentional listening skills, I remember little of the rest of that conversation.  

Summary: My Maryknoll Lay Missioner placement is in Cambodia.  Upon learning this, I became a Chihuahua - small, blond, shaking thing that people regularly would like to drop kick and likes to hear itself bark but will rarely actually get close enough to bite you. :)  My enthusiastic shaking at knowing where I would be moving in January lasted for about an hour.  My co-workers were all very excited for me - the overwhelming consensus was "Think of all the amazing food."  I then had to go start making some family phone calls, all of whom were probably glad I heard at 10:00 am and not earlier with the three hour time difference.

So, I do not yet know what my work will be when in the country - that is determined post-arrival.  I have independently started attempting to learn as much as I can about the country, culture, people, language, history, etc. so as to prepare for this next adventure. Many of the placements involve youth, as 50% of the population is under the age of 25. The foci of Maryknoll programming there are youth, livelihoods, education, and Vietnamese communities (they are a minority, isolated group in the country). Maryknoll operates a huge school for the deaf in Phnom Penh so there is some possibility I could end up returning to first second-language, and learning some Khmer Sign Language.

What else do I know now?

1) I will be living in Phnom Penh- the capitol city (pronounced Puh-nom Pen)

2) The language there is Khmer (pronounced Kuh-My)

3) I start training in Ossinig, NY on Oct 5 and end training Dec. 15

4) I leave the country for Cambodia sometime after that...

5) I complete my commitment in May, 2017, an aged and wizened 30ish year old.

I will do my best to keep you all apprised of new developments and details as I prepare, and would love to see as many of you as possible pre-departure.  East Coasters - I leave DC Aug.22.  West Coasters - I am in your neck of the woods and free-ish Sept. 8 - Oct. 5-ish.  Let me know if you have questions on my grand adventure, sage words of advice, if you need me to find Cambodia on a map for you, etc.

Life Discernment - BIG NEWS

As many of you know, I have for sometime been in search of what comes next in my life.  I have been trying on different hats, trying new things, taking advantage of opportunities, talking to people that live a life I think I would like to live, reading anything and everything inspirational I can get in my hands, observing, listening, contemplating, and learning to accept the unknown, that moment in the dark before my eyes adjust to the light and I see a path.  I wish I had the time, and all your phone numbers, to call in person and share this great news, but alas, I am blessed with too many friends so a blog blast will have to do ;)
 

After much discernment, I have been offered and accepted an invitation to the Maryknoll Lay Missioner Program orientation. 

For those not familiar with Maryknoll Lay Missioners, it provides lay people in the Catholic church with an opportunity to serve and live out their faith.  They currently work in six regions - Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador, Tanzania, Kenya, and Cambodia.  Lay Missioners attend a three month(ish) orientation in NY and then travel to the country where they have been placed for six months of language and culture training followed by three years in ministry.  That ministry falls into one of five categories: Education, Health, Pastoral Ministry, Peace and Conflict Resolution, and/or Sustainable Development.  I will be discerning, with the program, my regional placement from now until early June.  Orientation will begin in October and then I will travel to my host region in Dec/Jan to begin my 3.5 year contract.

For some of you, this may come as a total surprise.  For others, I have been talking with you a lot about this as I went through the process.  To give more insight into how I reached this path, I can share some of my discernment.  I am a person that believes in signs.  Maryknoll is a program I first heard about in 2005, I think.  Since then, people connected to Maryknoll have been crossing my path with greater and greater frequency (you know who you are :)).  I would think about it, say, "No, that couldn't work because..."  But, over the last six months, I have really started wondering, maybe this is where I am meant to be.  When I list 'where I want to be in five years' many of those life milestones can be found in Maryknoll.  Maryknoll-ers in my life also literally rose to an almost weekly occurrence (I said I believed in signs, not that I caught on to them quickly).  When I observed people that really made me say, "Wow," shows/commercials that made me think, songs in church that spoke to me, the common theme was that of ministry, working and living abroad, living in solidarity and community, and so many other aspects of the Maryknoll program.  The more I learned of Maryknoll, the more I felt I had found a place that I felt I fit (something most of you know I often struggle with in 'normal, mainstream' society).  Conversations with friends both here and that have left this world, kept pointing me toward this.  After the intense and intentional interview and application process with Maryknoll, I am at peace that this is where I am supposed to be.  I realize there will be challenges, you all know how much I love being close and connected to family and friends, attending performances, weddings, graduations, special events, but, I have come to realize, I need to be willing to take the jump into my own life and path.  I need to hold on to my roots, but blossom and grow in the direction of the sun that most nourishes me.  And, 4 years is less than a PhD program (to put it in perspective).

With that, I will leave you with one final thought.  I want to take the next seven months, before I enter orientation, to see as many of you as possible and to catch up.  So, let me know if you want to come visit DC :)  AND, THANK YOU, to all of you who have been an inspiration to me following this path and who have supported me over my searching.  Your love and support means the world to me.  And, of course, if you have questions about what all this means - since it is not something with which most are familiar and if the Catholic church is involved it is no doubt more complicated- call, email, or send a homing pigeon any time :)

Single People

As it is almost Valentine’s Day, I thought it was fitting time for a blog.  As a single person, I often hear other single people’s many challenges that come with Valentine’s Day (a holiday that “reminds us we are unaccomplished,” “evokes the pitiful, I am sure you will find someone” or “discriminates against our people” – and, yes, I have actually heard all of those from single friends, though the last one includes my hyperbole.  Between all this talk of singleness, I have started doing reading on singles, talking with many friend, and trying to find out why some folks seem OK with their single status, while others loath almost every part of it.  So, these are my single insights – even if you aren’t single, if you know someone who is single, this could be insightful :)

On a recent walk, I had a couple of bursts of genius.  Socio-analytical mumbo-jumbo, GO!  I think single folks are largely broken down into two groups, the coincidentally single and the intentionally single.  What do I mean by that?  First, I think, as with all things, there is a spectrum and folks tend to shift back and forth on that line.  But, overall, those who are intentionally single tend to feel less angst toward Valentine’s Day and singleness in general.  These are folks that have chosen to be single, either on principle or due to other conflicting goals – travel, career, education, etc.  Those that are coincidentally single are not single by choice, perhaps their lives are not well organized for a relationship or they have been unable to find someone worth sharing that commitment but they feel their lives are a puzzle with a huge missing piece.    As may be obvious, unintentional or coincidental singleness is a greater challenge, I would argue because these folks feel out of control and like something is lacking.  Those intentionally single, are going in many other directions – usually there is space for a relationship but it would take some rearranging.  

My other single observation was all about polygamy and monogamy.  And, now you are all reading.  I believe people are largely either emotional polygamists or emotional monogamists.  Emotional monogamists are people who tend to always have one person in their life with whom they share everything, process everything, and spend a majority of their spare time.  Some sub-cultures tend to nurture and encourage emotional monogamy for religious or traditional reasons.  Emotional polygamists are people that tend to dump their emotional baggage in a variety of laps and have a number of close friends.  From my observations and experiences, those of us that are polygamists seem to have a far easier time being single.  If one friend moves, couples-up, or no longer has time for us, we have a whole handful of other folks to call.  An emotional monogamist, on the other hand, is left high and dry without support if that other person’s life circumstances change.  Those folks, therefore, tend to seek long-term committed relationships because then they don’t have to reattach each time their one person moves on to something else (well, they do, but when they are married to that person, it is harder for them to just move on at a whim). 

 

So, those are my theories on singlehood.  Are they sociologically researched, based on extensive surveys, and statistically significant?  Probably not.  BUT, they do seem to play out across the friends I have ‘studied’ and with which I have discussed singleness.  So, to all my single ladies (and gents) and joy Valentine’s Day for the love of your friends and always practice polygamy. :)

Auld Lang Syne

This is my version of a Christmas Letter.  Here's to the good times gone by of 2012!

January:
Started the year off 'easy' with my family in OR.  And, returned to MD with little adventure along the way.

February:
Included Road Trippin' to Savannah to celebrate my bestie Kate's 25th.  Included first trip to Savannah and first stay in a B&B.

Also went to Las Vegas for my cousin's wedding (no Elvis sadly did not make an appearance).

Celebrated Valentine's day with some of my girls and a splendid pot of chocolate fondue. 

March - April:
Included my first trip to Africa, Ghana to be exact.  An epic time with great students and meeting great people.

April - May:
I attended a rally in front of the Supreme Court to support immigrant rights and celebrated Cinco de Mayo on the national mall.  I also brought my dear roommate Emily for her first Oregon experience.  And, I road a motorcycle for the first time.

June:  My baby sis graduated from High School.  I ran a half marathon with mi madre.  I got to return to El Paso/Las Cruces to visit my border friends.  I drove/road across much of Texas to go to Austin and Celebrate the wedding of my friends MaryMeghan and Jeremy and catch up with my entire Border Servant Corps crew.  Then, my parents and sister came out to Washington, DC to see the sites.

July:  I was a part of the official launch of Engage Globally.  I went to see the fireworks over the National Mall and attend the Folk Life Festival (highlight was seeing the AIDS Quilt).  I also was able to welcome the Nuns on the Bus back to DC. 

August:  I officially became a Maryland Resident.  I went up to Pottstown, PA for my friends' Dave and Kim's wedding (apparently I don't have a picture with them).  And, I broke a bone for the first time.  Celebrated my dad's Birthday.

September: I went to my friend Lacey's Wedding (thanks to my lovely mother who drove me all the way to Roseburg.  I wallowed and watched lots of documentaries and TV (Doc Martin - TV show, Half the Sky - Documentary, Big Bang Theory- TV Show, The Voice - TV Show, Avatar - TV Show) were a few of my favorites.  And, was entertained by my lovely sister, her boyfriend, and many, many, many friends and family members who drove me around, included me in plans, and came to chat for hours.  I got to attend the first day of first grade for the first time in ten years. AND, I got to move my sister into college, attend my brother's charity run, and celebrate my grandpa's birthday with him.

October:  I started an awesome internship at Mercy Corps.  Spent  a weekend in Sunriver with my first grade teacher, her husband, and my parents.  I had some pretty epic Halloween Costumes.  AND, I got off crutches!  I also participated in a Just Peacemaking group with some folks from church.

November:  I started P.T.  Celebrated Thanksgiving with my extended family for the first time in three years and celebrated my mama's birthday.  AND, I got out of my walking boot and walked in matching shoes for the first time in three months!

December:  I ran again for the first time in almost four months.  Turned 26.  Celebrated Birthday and Holidays with lots of family and friends.  Did some wedding dress shopping with my sister, took her engagement photos, and got to see some potential reception locations.  We also did some sibling ceramic painting

That is my year in summary!  I look forward to the next year being better and more exciting than all that came before.  Thank you, to all of you who made this year great.  I am glad we have met and stayed in touch.  I hope to see many of you this coming year and to have phone, Skype, or even facebook chat dates with all the rest of you!  If you come to DC area, let me know!