Spring!

Finally! I’m hesitating to say it out loud, but I think that winter is finally over. Yes! The last couple of months were extremely cold, and therefore it was really no fun to be outside of the house. Temperatures were sometimes as low as -22 Celsius Degree (-7 Fahrenheit), and I was really not used to that. But it seems that I don’t have to worry about that anymore! My mom visited me last month, and I gave her my winter coat and all my cardigans and sweaters so she could bring them back home. Goodbye winter, Hello spring!

I already love this early spring in DC. The temperatures are rising and the first cherry blossoms have arrived. They are absolutely gorgeous! Jealous former residents beg me for pictures, but not all the blossoms arrived yet, so they have to wait just a little longer, which is hard, because I myself can hardly wait either. Next weekend the Cherry blossom Festival will take place. It is timed perfectly, because I think the entire city of DC will finally be pink by then. I feel blessed to be part of all of this!

What I also love about spring is that more and more people spend time outside of their houses. DuPont Circle changes from a deserted looking park into a lively spot where people hang out, read books and have a pick-nick Terraces are filled with people who want to catch some sunlight. Until now I really thought terraces were very European, but spring in DC proved me wrong.

Last Sunday I went out for a walk with fellow residents. We walked from our home to the Lincoln Memorial, and played beach-volleyball all afternoon at some courts located between the Lincoln Memorial and Kenendy Center. It was one of my favorite moments in DC so far. I felt so happy being on that volleyball court with my friends, enjoying the good weather, playing a sport I love while we were being spoiled with a view over the Potomac River on the one side, and the Washington Memorial on the other. We all loved it so much, volleyball will become part of our weekly routine from now on. Isn’t that great?

All I ask is for spring to stay with us. Please do!

Living within an international community here at ISH-DC, the New Year is celebrated at different times of the year. At ISH-DC, we have had a New Year celebration every month, including both Chinese and Persian New Year celebrations!

 

  

Chinese New Year (Xin’Nian)

Chinese New Year’s is one of the most important festivals in traditional and modern China. The ceremony focuses around families getting together by giving gifts such as hongbao or eating delicious mooncakes. Since we are a family of international cultures here at ISH-DC, we didn’t want our five Chinese residents to feel left out of this amazing celebration. Our event consisted of many activities relating to Chinese culture including origami, Chinese calligraphy, and the “chopstick challenge” – a game of dexterous proficiency where we used chopsticks to pick up M&Ms. The one who picked up the most M&Ms would win the game.

We also had a massive projector in the Great Hall playing Chinese music and shows while female residents were dressed in their traditional attire. The Chinese residents who hosted the party actually managed to make us feel like we were all in China.

 

Persian New Year (Nowruz)

 

Just when we thought that the New Year had come to a close, we had another New Year celebration by the end of March.  This time it was the Persian New Year (Nowruz). One of our Iranian residents cheerfully planned the Persian New Year in the house. As the Persian’s New Year’s celebration grew closer, the residents walked into the lobby to find a beautifully decorated table with unique decorations including aromatic hyacinth, beautiful fragrant flowers, fruits, coins and best of all, a fish bowl with five goldfish! The centerpiece of the Nowruz celebration is the half sin table.  It includes at least seven of the items listed that refer to new life and renewal.  Although the custom has regional variations, in Iran each of the seven items begins with the “s” in Persian.  Obviously, it aroused curiosity among the residents. There was a flier next to it explaining the significance of each of these objects. Most of these signified beauty, love, sweetness and wealth.

We also had delicious Persian sweets. The highpoint of the Persian celebration was the amazing Persian food prepared by the house chefs. We had kebabs for dinner and it was delicious. The dining hall was authentically decorated to capture the most of Persian ambiance to ISH-DC community.  Both events highlighted the true essence of ISH-DC – the strong sense of Global Citizenship!

 

 

 

 

‘How was your day?’

A question asked around the world, every evening. The adult equivalent of ‘how was school?’ In my experience, at least, the answer is invariably an unconcerned grunt or a ‘yeah, not bad’, that really means ‘please, dear God can we talk about something else?’

Yet, at ISH-DC, ‘how was your day?’ can be a spectacular question.

Imagine it, if you haven’t had the pleasure.  In a house together, dozens and dozens of vital, young things.  The best minds of your generation, riven with spirit, ambition, intellect.  Unmoored from families, homes, countries.  Relieved from the mundane, the everyday. Curious and keen. Once in a lifetime chances.

‘How was your day?’ is a spectacular question.

Today might have been conference on the Ukraine.  Or a basketball game.  Political strife back home.  A good day in the lab.  At the dinner table we’ll talk about Putin rumours and Finnish defence strategy. We’ll be perplexed by March Madness or talk corruption and protest.  We’ll listen, and try valiantly to understand organic chemistry.

Today might have been a busy day on the Hill, fielding phone calls from angry constituents. Today might have a sneaking out of work for trip to a museum, or memorials King, Roosevelt and Jefferson. So at dinner we’ll talk rural crazies and natural history. Surely, we’ll agree to take Madison over Hamilton.

Too, this is a house of dedicated comparativists.  It is unavoidable really.  At any given couch or table you might have Europeans and Africans, scientists and policymakers, sportspeople and musicians.  We relate to each through our own memories and experiences.  You go out for an evening as we are getting home. You pay tips, we pay wages.  You call it soccer, we call it football.

But this is something more empathetic, warmer about these conversations than mere identification of difference.  The fact of our diversity tends to bring us closer together.  Sometimes this happens in surprising ways.  I’m a political scientist – I know better than most the fractures that run across this town.  And we certainly have the ingredients for fireworks here.  Political persuasions run the full gamut at ISH-DC, from Central American socialists to dedicated conservatives, wide-eyed internationalists to staunch, defence-hawk realists.  And yet, discussions are not merely respectful, like some kind of feigned bipartisanship.  There is an authenticity of interest, born of friendship and curiosity.  All it takes is to ask and then to listen.

In a mere few weeks around the dinner table at ISH-DC, I’ve often been dazzled by the breadth of discussion.  I’ve learned that sharks aren’t really the predatory threat some might believe – in fact it’s the sharks that should be afraid of us.  I’ve examined at length the various electoral systems of our various home nations (and thus had to, with great difficulty, explain how Australia ended up with a Senator from the Motoring Enthusiasts Party).

I’ve learnt how to drive in Honduras (windows up. Always windows up).  That if ISH-DC was Hogwarts (and we like to dream that it is), I’d probably be in either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw.  I’ve learnt to not mention the World Cup, let alone the War.  I hear the Dutch are very tall, while Finland is home to Santa Claus.  Every night, it seems there is something more.

So if you find yourself around the dinner table at ISH, please, join us for an evening’s conversation.

How was your day?

 

 

 

In a world riddled with violence, intolerance and injustice, we must remain inspired to live a life on the precipice of change and progress.

As a legally blind African-American lesbian, I frequently find myself in awe of how far we’ve come as a nation. My daily activities are considerably less cumbersome in comparison with the challenges faced by blind activists who fought ferociously to secure basic standards of accessibility for all people with disabilities. I now find myself imagining the details of my wedding day, a concept I would’ve never dreamed of 15 years ago as a young girl grappling with my socially stigmatized sexuality. When dealing with discouraging circumstances I reflect on the resilience of Black women who have come before me and am always reinvigorated by their unwavering strength and innumerable sacrifices.

Personally, Black History Month has always been a time to learn, reflect and recommit myself to actively contributing to the creation of a world free of racial discrimination and inequality. Throughout the year I often find myself wedged between waging thoughts about the hope of a nation filled with dreams yet to be realized and the harsh realities of dreams differed by a series of seemingly impenetrable social problems. Perhaps it is this exact internal struggle that has caused me to seek out glimmers of light amid the darkened skies presently hovering above America and our quest to quail simmering racial tensions.

These stormy racial conditions aren’t new or surprising. The struggle to heal America’s racial problems can be seen in nearly every aspect of society. It is evident in the eyes of Black girls who are bombarded with white washed images of beauty that idealize superficial standards of long hair and light skin. It is clear when examining the number of Black men and boys who receive far lengthier jail sentences in comparison with their White counterparts who commit similar crimes. It is apparent in the Department of Justice’s recently released report acknowledging racist patterns and practices within the Ferguson MO police department. It is present at our boarder where unauthorized vigilantes scour the scorched desert with xenophobic zeal.

Nevertheless, I am resolved to believe that hope always resides on the horizon. Dr. King once said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”. As a result, I believe love will continue to conquer hate and prefer to live a life in the light rather than eek out an existence draped in darkness.

Correspondingly, Dr. King was honored last month with a stunning concert performed by DC’s extraordinary Coral Choir. The International Student House provided 10 tickets to the annual Living The Dream, Singing The Dream concert and residents were eager to hear the soulful sounds of this eclectic collection of singers. We were not disappointed. The show was absolutely lovely. As I sat there listening to a cacophony of angelic voices from all walks of life, I was once again reminded that we must continue dreaming of new remedies to racial inequality and awaken with enough courage to make them a reality.

I’ve learned that if you ever need help here at ISH-DC, one doesn’t have to look hard to find it.

My first cry for help was last month, and it was quite an embarrassing story to recollect.  On Saturday night, I walked to a sandwich shop to order something to-go, and since I only brought my wallet and keys, I had put both of these items in a plastic bag which the sandwich shop provided me.  Then, I walked home, opened the door, and proceeded to the TV room to sit and enjoy my dinner.  After I finished, I cleaned everything, and without thinking, accidentally threw away both my wallet and keys.

Forwarding to the next day, I discovered that I couldn’t find my wallet, and it suddenly dawned on me what had happened!  I had thrown my wallet out with my trash!  I screamed nooo as I frantically ran downstairs to the TV room, but I found out the trash had already been cleared.

Without thinking, I changed clothes, went outside to the dumpster, took a long, deep breath, and yes, I climbed into one of the dumpsters outside.  I never knew that I would EVER have to do this in my life. However, the point of this completely repugnant story is that there were ISH-DC residents crazy enough to help me out.  My fellow residents handed out disposable gloves, translated a description of my wallet in Spanish to the cleaning lady, and found my wallet!  I’m happy I got my money back, but I’m even happier that there were people who voluntarily helped me with desperate situation.

And then there was another incident that happened yesterday.  One of my most valuable possessions is a gold cross necklace.  I had lost it, and the moment I found out it was gone, I became very sad.  While I still haven’t found it, and it hurts every time I think about it, one thing that made me happy was all the support my fellow residents gave me.  One person told me at dinner that she would pray for me.  Another housemate looked everywhere in the TV room while I was having my front desk shift.  And a third person told me not to lose hope.

All these sweet comments, these thoughts, these interests and prayers: they help a lot. I am sad I lost something so important, but my sadness immediately fades away thinking about all the support my fellow residents are giving me.  Since we are from all around the world, we are always helping each other here at ISH-DC.  Obviously, my dumpster story is one-of-a-kind, but we are always there to help each other if we can.  For example, I see English speakers helping out housemates with grammar, other roommates help by carrying luggage of new residents, and this morning I caught a housemate making a sandwich for her sick roommate.  I love that you’ll never ever need to worry if you live here and I only wish to be half as helpful and nice as you all are to me.