1. The research and writing of my dissertation. A 8,000-12,000 word monster... whose subject I'm quite interested in. :) It's a daunting task, but I know that a lot will come from it... and hopefully I'll be contributing new insights to the existing research. My topic covers the region of East Africa (case studies from this large area) and looks specifically at how household changes (such as the impact of HIV/AIDS on household organization... opportunities and consequences that follow male-outmigration -- when a husband leaves a rural household to go work in a city... and the impact of increased vulnerability of households through increased poverty) affect women and their decision-making processes regarding agriculture (for the most part, women are the farmers/food producers in this area, while men tend to focus more on cash cropping). Pray!! I've got a lot to do between now and September!
2. Job applications. Lord willing, I'd like to stick around in the UK for a job. Some hurdles I'll have to jump specifically related to this are: securing an extended visa to work, tackling a world-wide economic recession (and by that I mean that I'm an American looking for a job in the UK... I'm praying people don't turn me down on that basis because things are stretched for everyone economically and they'd rather hire 'one of their own' so-to-speak) and finally, trusting that no matter what the Lord will bring me to a place where he has a purpose for me to be. I'll be coming home for the month (about 3 weeks) of September (Laura and Phil are having their first baby!) and hoping to start work in October. Pray also that potential employers will be flexible with this starting date.
And now, my favorite part... PICTURES!! :)
The DEV School Class (most of us, at least)
Easter with Steve and his family in Yorkshire...
A sunny Easter weekend. Hiking up Ingleborough...
From the summit
Sunset
Steve's family's house
Across the valley
Sitting on the fence. ;)
A trip to the north coast (Cromer) with Steve and his 3 friends Lauren, Paul, and Rachel's taking the picture. Yes, freezing.
Me and my amazing friend (and sister in Christ) Hannah - pink wigging it on Valentine's Day.
To Cambridge... Valentine's Day with Steve (the backside of King's College and the Cam River)
