and sometimes, good news

Well, I'm stubborn.

That may not be a big shock to, well, anybody who knows me. It's not always the case - about a lot of things I just shrug and say, "Well, if it's not meant to be," and don't worry about it. But about some things - like every student turning in an essay - my tenacity is insurmountable.

So, I tried numerous times to email this organization that does environmental legal work in Liberia and could never get through. (A prof here had recommended the guy, who came to my law school for an LLM (advanced law degree).) (Hey, notice the cool punctuation of that sentence (the ending parenthetical period) (to be repeated here).)

But, there is google stalking, so I found the director's personal yahoo email on a program of a convention he attended, and I emailed him this morning. The email below came through.

So, it looks like I may be going to Liberia after all.

I woke up this morning with the intense realization that if I don't go there this summer, there's no hope for me and Dayton. If I *do* go there, there's the chance we may not work out, but the way things are now, at this distance and communication problems, there's no way. So, it looks like off I go to the wet and humid capital of the world. Mid-80's and downpours every single day for the rainy season. Sigh.

But if I don't go, I probably will never forgive myself - both because of Dayton, but also just for me. Every time I push myself to do something really uncomfortable, it is rewarding and makes me a better person. And Liberia (still on the State Department's list of countries to avoid, I was reminded yesterday) will be really uncomfortable on numerous levels. BUT, because this director guy has been here, he'll get me better than some, and I really can appreciate their work (I have some problems with the human rights work there because I think there needs to be more accountability, but environmental work I'm all eager for because it's so critical and so not done).

The other good news is menstruation. I know, most women don't get excited about it, but I do. My latest reason? Every time I go to an endocrinologist, the determining factor whether I have full-blown hyperthyroidism or subclinical is if my period is regular. Which it is, usually 27-28 day. But this month, it was 29 days, which made me worry, which probably delayed it even more (which pregnancy scares used to do). So, yay! Bleeding!

Anyway, back on track - email below - and now the real planning begins. Which is when I'm really in my element. So, while I cannot fully drop my Saboteuse identity, I may more often be known as PLAN GIRL! (Sarah recently dropped off a triplex flyer she found, saying, "Here's something else for you to plot about." Ah, my reputation is already established here.)

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Dear [me]

most certainly. as a [my law school] graduate myself, you will be most welcomed to Liberia and the family of [his organization].

[my name] sounds Liberian and Grebo(my ethnic tribe)!

Will send you a couple of the issues we are presently working on.

Extend my regards to Eric and professor Houck. Finally tulane is looking towards Africa. lets make it work and exciting!

Alfred