Making it count

Tomorrow is ANZAC day - yeah! Public holiday. ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps and commemorates the landing at Gallipoli in WWI. I learned tonight that apparently some Canadians were involved in the landing. News to me... Regardless, I still haven't heard a persuasive enough argument for me to attend the 5:30am dawn service. I think I will stay in my nice warm bed. So autum is in full swing with winter just around the corner. It's starting to get a bit colder in the mornings... maybe like 8-9 degrees... ;) Yes, I realise that that's the high in Vancouver...

Then on Thursday night, I take off for Adelaide for the weekend to visit some fine folks that I met while backpacking in China. Should be a fun weekend. I haven't been on a plane for almost a month now...

And then after that I only have another 3 weeks in Canberra. It's so sad b/c I really am going to miss the people here. I feel like I'm coming into my own here in Canberra. I'm establishing a good network of friends. Regular board game buddies, etc. So I played this crazy board game that takes 4.5 hours to finish last week. Can't remember what it's called but it's based on the German government. I know, sounds like it's straight out of nerd-dom, but I enjoy it.

Work continues to go well. Microbicides symposium is just around the corner. My boss has also asked me to work on writing a paper documenting the RU486 debate last year. RU486 is essentially an abortifacient (sp?) - a pill that women can take up to 8 weeks pregnant I think that would abort the baby (if you're a pro-lifer) or foetus (if you're a pro-choicer). It's been very interesting working on this topic and re-considering where I stand on this issue. I'll admit that it's been challenging in a lot of ways. I've been forced to really think about it. And I don't have all the answers but I am developing my own opinions on it. Feel free to ask me if you're interested. In other cool news, I am meeting up w/ the Pro-RU486 Senator who tabled the Bill in the first place to get her perspective on it. How many backpackers can say they got to meet an Australian senator, eh?

And my last piece of news that I'd like to share is in reference to the title of this post. "Making it count." I'm referring to my life and how I want it to count. Just wanted to let you guys know what I've been up to. CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) funds a number of internships overseas and I've starting applying for a number of positions that would take me to Africa to work for 6-8 months. I'm looking at positions that range from teaching HIV prevention, to working with refugees, to advocating for gender equality or land rights, etc. I"m looking at positions mainly in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia. I'm hoping I can find a position that would give me a few weeks in Vancouver in August before taking off again. I've only applied and who knows if I'll get the position, but yeah, I could be off again by the end of this year. Craziness... But I figure that this is the right time in my life. I'm unemployed, I'm young, and I'm still passionate and idealistic about making a difference in this world. I'd encourage you guys to check out the CIDA website if you're interested in doing a internship overseas. They have internships in all different countries - not just Africa.

So that's me!

I'm having the time of my life.

Thanks for reading. :D