I Have A New Job!

In case you haven't heard, I have a new job!! I am working as the Grants Management Assistant at the International Medical Corps (IMC) in Santa Monica (even closer to our apartment than my old job). My passion is really international affairs (hence my degree in International Studies) and it has been my goal to work for an international non-profit for a while now.  However, almost all international non-profits are located in Washington, D.C. or NYC, with only a couple of options in LA. Besides that, the economy has not really helped the hiring process for non-profits in general. For those reasons, I feel extremely blessed and thankful to God for this job, as He truly made everything fall into place.

If you are wondering, the International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. And no, I do not write grants but actually track all of them to help monitor exactly where your buck goes when you donate (IMC has a remarkable record). If you have a minute, you should check them out here: www.imcworldwide.org. IMC is one of the leading U.S. organizations doing amazing work in Haiti.

Tomorrow is the start of my second week, so send me good thoughts!

Orrin “Denny” Joiner, my Grandpa Joiner

September 8, 1926 -Dec. 15, 2009

It is fascinating how many different lenses one person can be viewed through, one lens often isolated from the others. A Commander. A pilot.  A husband. A friend. A father. A church member. A veteran. A volunteer. A neighbor. A grandfather.

There are two things that I will always remember about my Grandpa Joiner. First, he was courageous and strong. He served our country in three wars, WWII, Vietnam & Korea, the majority of that time as a pilot. I am not sure if his career in the military is to blame (that is what I always thought) but he was extremely hard of hearing and around the age of 70 he became legally blind. My grandpa took these setbacks and ran with them. He learned tricks and bought gadgets to make up for his lack of sight to a point where he could fool many a stranger into thinking he could see just fine. He never slowed his enthusiasm for computers, even volunteering at the San Diego Center for the Blind teaching computer classes to others. He re-learned how to do everyday tasks, chores, social and volunteer activities so as not to miss out on his obligations. I always admired him for that. So many people would have quit, used their handicap as an excuse but I do not think he ever considered that option.

The second is that he loved my grandma. Married for almost 58 years I am sure they had many ups and downs. I don’t know what really went on between just the two of them. I don’t know what they were like as a young married couple or how they handled every situation with their 4 kids. But I DO know that after my grandpa went blind he continued to care for my grandma and their house to the best of his ability; that when my grandma was sick, my grandpa was right next to her instructing her in her rehabilitation exercises and encouraging her to get better for my wedding; and that after my grandma passed away and he was suffering from hallucinations far away from the present time, questions about my grandma brought him back to us. On a whim I asked him if he could describe grandma in one word, what would it be? Honestly, I was really not expecting an answer. I think he was seeing men he fought in the war with, not his granddaughter in front of him. But he answered quickly, “devotion.”

Happy New Year!

I know it has been quite awhile since my last post so here is an attempt to catch you  all up on our crazy but wonderful life…

November 3^rd was Darby’s birthday! Darby is the son of one of my best friends from high school and he is ADORABLE! Ryan and I, of course, went to his party in Santa Clarita (suburb of LA).

My best guy friend (before my husband!) got married on November 14^th, exactly eight months to the day after my wedding! I am SO happy that Jason found a wonderful and amazing woman to spend his life with (and to take care of him!). Congratulations Jason & Rose!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Dapremonts in San Francisco and had a blast! It was so good to have the usually far-flung D family (minus Doc, sadly) all in one place and, of course, the food was delicious! Thanks for hosting Todd & Moka!

The best man from our wedding came back to the states from serving overseas in the military and he and his wife (!) Kim came to visit. Ryan had been looking forward to seeing him for awhile, so thanks for sharing your leave time with us Mike!

Christmas was, in turn, with the Joiners in San Jacinto and it was a special time. Mom outdid herself with presents and Ryan took part in another Joiner family tradition by reading the Christmas Story this year. And those are our Christmas crowns (Dad accidentally threw his away, so he used his hand). Don't ask. My family rocks.

Cut to New Years Eve in Santee baby! There is nothing like a country bar in East County with some of your best friends and tons of be-dazzled 50 to 70-year-olds to bring in the New Year.

January 3^rd is my favorite sister’s birthday- YAY! Happy Birthday Sums! We had lots of fun celebrating with you.

THEN January 4^th is my mom’s birthday, so back up to San Jacinto for a birthday lunch. Happy Birthday mommy, we love you!

I think that about sums up November, December, and the beginning of January (very busy, in case that wasn’t evident). We thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with our friends and families over the holidays. And Ryan and I are looking forward to a bright and exciting year in 2010.

p.s. Thanks to Summer and Jesse for letting us stay at the Hotel Del Tracy!!!