That Time I Got My PHD.

I think it's evident, but let me just reiterate, I absolutely love my team. Don't get me wrong, the entire office is full of amazing people, but being able to see my teammates work up close, watching them be the rockstars that they truly are, I feel blessed to be working with them. Yesterday the office, as a whole, took the time to also recognize how great they think our team is as well. (Don't worry, they're working through the whole office, yesterday was aftercares day) It was such a sweet time, where those who work with the clients for two years post rescue and offer rehabilitation that ends with a graduation, were offered a graduation of their own. The admin team did an amazing job, picking words that accurately describe my teammates, having coworkers read words about their love, compassion, dedication, and the list goes on and on. It's tough some days, and the rehabilitation process is a long road, but I was so happy to watch as my teammates were honored and recognized as the amazing people that they are.

So when did I get a PHD? Well, that was what the aftercare team was given during graduation were honorary PHD's from IJM, and even the interns and fellows were not left out. Now, I have sat through my fair share of graduations, have worked hard and spent long hours striving for that piece of paper, have loved meeting and making friendships and relationships along the way, but nothing compares to the graduation I was a part of yesterday. It was one of the sweetest times in my life, and will long be held as one of my favorite moments of my life. I was given the PHD of personality, offering the team time to laugh, but also recognized for the work I contribute. I will probably never get a real life PHD, and I have already forgotten the speeches given at all of my real school graduations, but yesterdays ceremony was one I will never forget. From the paper hats, to the diplomas, the advocate robes, and the silly speeches, love was shown throughout.

I was so honored to be sitting up in front amongst the people who aren't only my team but who have also become my family. I love being able to pray and stand together in the depths but I also love celebrating in the triumphs. I love walking in knowing that if something is weighing on my heart, I have a support system. I love watching my team in action when a kid or family is in need, they jump through hoops and help with such humble hearts. They each deserved the 'PHD' that they received, in my eyes they deserve the world. Through out life, I have often felt out of place or as though I don't belong, but here I have never felt that. They have opened their arms wide and accepted me and welcomed me as one of them. They have taken a chance on letting a girl, who although has some education, is also kind of a crazy pants be a part of their team. I feel truly blessed to have received my 'PHD' with these lovely lifelong friends sitting next to me.

Here are some pictures, I will upload more on Facebook so check them out!

How I Got the Job of Ordering Pizza

I don't write enough about just random happenings in my life here. Nor do I really tell funny stories or replay day to day activities. I think mostly because life becomes so routine that I forget to write or I say I'll do it later. I figured I haven't posted in a while and I might as well share what it is like to order food here in India. In my house I have become the designated orderer because I somehow have managed to find favor with the delivery gods (that's a joke, I know there are no delivery gods).

Mostly it started because I wanted pizza relatively early on in my time. I researched where would deliver to our residence and found that pizza hut or dominos are close enough and so that should be easy enough. Let me just tell you that everywhere delivers here - mcdonalds, kfc, fruit shop (fruit juices and milkshakes), bus tickets, amazon (which you can pay upon delivery), and as long as you can explain where you live you are totally set. The problem with explaining where you live is that most people don't use addresses, like at all. You give your address but the most important part are the landmarks you live near. I spend much time saying near here, opposite here, close to here, etc. At first this seems strange but as you learn the makeup of this city it makes total sense, and is way easier to navigate via landmarks. So once I felt confident of our address, the landmarks near by, and which pizza place I was calling I set forth on my attempt to order dinner. To say the first attempt was a complete fail would be an understatement, but you see I am persistent, and when I am no longer hungry for tikka masala I will fight for my pizza. The first month of so of ordering ended up with multiple people on the line, being hung up on often, and me asking random strangers in my apartment complex to speak to the delivery guy. I mean my roommates would gather around while I ordered and get their entertainment for the night (hey there isn't always a ton to do here - don't judge us).

I wish I could explain this in more detail, it really was just me repeating the name of our street and the major landmark near us over and over. The person on the phone telling me they were losing connection (that is a total lie = ] ). The next major challenge was even though I spent 20+ minutes explaining where I lived to the person on the phone that information was somehow never given to the delivery man, and so 45 mins later while they were at the closest signal, I would spend another 20 minutes (literally) explaining how to come the half mile to my apartment. We live on a major road, but it somehow was always a comedy of errors. BUT here I am 7 months later able to call pizza hut, dominos, and a place called zaitoons (which serves Mediterranean food) with ease thanks to my months of hard work at attaching the proper address to my phone number. What this does mean is that anytime someone in my house wants to order something it's my job, and so i am pretty convinced domino's thinks I eat their pizza 4 nights a week, when really it's only twice haha shhh. I also have the confidence to call new places to order, and when I am in a patient mood I go for it. I think I have really gotten my Indian accent and annunciation down, lol!