Vancouver

Hi Family,

I returned to Arlington Heights last night from Canada. I was in Vancouver for a conference at the University of British Columbia. The pacific west coast is such an amazing place! I love all of the evergreens, bald eagles, herons (I think) rocks and mountains. I wish I was a real mountain climber, but the only structures I've ever really climbed with a harness are old silos in Bloomington, IL. Yes, I am a flatlander, but I really love the West. 

It is also very inspiring to witness the reverence shown to native tribes in Canada. They refer to their native tribes as the First Nations, and their art is prominently displayed and celebrated, it seems.

See you all soon,

Jim

More Nola News

So I am staying in Nola for another year. I recently applied for and was given the position for Americorps Manager Assistant, which will have me training the first year Americorps that come in this summer-and doing other administrative work. I am presently starting to be integrated into my new position and it officially begins on the 15th of August (like my term started last summer). I am done with year one here the 15th of July and plan on coming home for the majority of the time in between my terms. I am really looking forward to this next year and I think it will bring a new set of exciting challenges.