Refugee Work...

I wanted to share a little of what's been exciting me lately. During my Anthropology course this summer I taught a section on Sudanese refugees. The students read a novel on the refugees re-settling in Minnesota (Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives), then watched a documentary on two boys and their difficulty in assimilating to America (Lost Boys of Sudan). My students were really touched and wanted to help out.

I require them to write an ethnography on a new culture they are expected to go study during the course. So, 3 of them were determined to visit some refugees for their project and continue aiding them long-term.

After a frustrating day of calling all the refugee charities in the US, I was finally directed to the 2 in Vegas. Unfortunately I'd left emails and voicemails with both already! I called the Catholic Charities again and hit jackpot!! Nicole, a director there picked up and had read my email. We pushed and she agreed to come speak to my class Monday night and take my 3 students and I to visit a family Wednesday night.

So, we met up with Nicole at an 'El Pollo Loco' to fill out some paperwork and give her some more donations that the class had gathered.

Here's Nicole (from the Charity), Mark, Larry and I:


Mark, Larry & Tania are my students:



We piled into our cars and headed over with our 'goodies'. Here's Larry, Mark & I unloading the car:


The Yassar family are refugees from Baghdad, Iraq. They were so excited to see us and practice their English. Larry clicked really well the boys; Omer (15), Ali (17) & Baker. Omer was kidnapped one day by the Iraqi Guard. A black car drove up to him playing on the street and called him by name in the car. They starved him (fed him once a day) and beat him for 6 days, until the American Army found him:


The mother, Ayser connected well with Tania and I. She was a high school PE teacher at a women's school.

Mark was trying to help Yassar figure out his waist size so Larry could order his work clothes, here's one way to do it:


Our big group shot at the end:


I was only planning to stay for a few minutes. Since we've decided to move to Colorado in 5 weeks, I know I can't spend a lot of time developing a relationship with them. But, I really enjoyed it and now we're having a pizza party/movie night Friday night with them! Ayser wants me to bring Alec over so she can meet him. Which means I'm already attached and will spend time with them until we move. I'm excited to start this up in Colorado now!

Spiked Hair and Pioneer Day!!

I'm tired of people telling me Alec's a 'big boy' because he looks about 9 months old. He's right on track for weight, but, like his parents, he will always appear much younger than his age. So, when his Uncle Kevie spiked his hair, I liked it! His hair is so light it looks funny in pictures, but I think it makes him look older.





Saturday Alec was able to attend 'Pioneer Day' with his Uncle Christopher & Auntie Jo (I had to finish up more classwork). He had a great time and was so smiley when he came home!! Here he is enjoying the slide with the protection of Auntie Jo:

Apparently there was a little girl on the teeter-totter, so Alec walked up to her and rubbed her arm and she got scared and ran off! He then attempted to enjoy the toy himself:

Ahhh...watermelon. Alec loves this sticky, messy fruit and they've been especially sweet all summer. Luckily he also enjoys baths at the end of the day...

Visiting LOH...

I had to go get a form filled out by HR at Paul's previous employment and I took Alec upstairs to visit Paul's ex-boss and fellow employee. Connie and Joy are so sweet and they love Alec to pieces. I appreciate that Connie made sure Paul had a breath mint before sending him back to the hospital before Alec was born!!

Connie & Joy playing with Alec:

Pictures

Well, life here is crazy. Between lecturing 2.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, an incredibly active 15 month old & 2 puppies, I'm so busy! So, I will get back to better posts later, but for now here's some photos of my little man:


Here's Alec a bit worn down. I love how he sleeps!


I always take Alec with me into the Anthropology Department (the secretaries and professors love pinching his cheeks and holding him). This time everyone was enjoying watching him explore and he was fascinated with the hominid skull collection! Maybe a future anthropologist after all?


Alec's favorite times of the day are when he gets to brush his teeth. He gets a huge smile on his face as we enter the bathroom and starts swaying back and forth in anticipation on the counter while I get toothpaste on his brush:

We got to church late on Sunday and were waiting in the foyer during a baby blessing. A little girl walked right up to Alec and kept hugging him! It was so cute, though he was having none of it.

Having a good tussle with Milo. A boy and his dog:



Last week my friend Jodee's afternoon baby-sitter was on vacation, so we watched Landon in the afternoons for her. He and Alec had a great time in the pool:


The genius at the grocery store who thought of adding toddler cars to the carts deserves a medal! Keeps Alec happy the whole time and makes other patrons smile at his antics.

Just a smiley boy!!