An update: My arranged marriage and other DC things

Dear friends,
Well I suppose it's time for a little update (I'm lying...it won't be so little). I'll admit it...I've been a bit of a slacker in taking the time to sit down and write this update. It's been more exhausting than I thought it would be to work full-time and have a social life while trying to keep up with friends and family where bits and pieces of my heart are (LA, Seattle, DC, not to mention my friends scattered all over Latin America and Africa). But alas, here I am to finally let ya'll know how it has all been going since I moved to DC in October.
World Vision
I will start with the obvious, the reason I moved to DC: the job. So far I am enjoying my job at World Vision International as the Peacebuilding Research Coordinator. The main areas I work in are communications, research, and technical communities of practice. Related to communications, I have done some graphic design and am working on a video production project. It looks like I will be picking up some more writing pretty soon for our Peacebuilding network newsletters as well. I also manage our Peacebuilding website/database and help train others on the technology tools we use so we can work together well as a Peacebuilding community. In regards to research, I help out with resource development, instability and fragile states research, macro analysis of our conflict workshop documentations for specific countries and then turning those into advocacy recommendations for the UN, EU, regional and national government leadership, and WV's sectors or departments. My other big project within research is to head up the WVI Peace Prize which recognizes an individual and organization that exemplifies stellar work in peacemaking and peacebuilding, respectively. The third area, technical communities of practice, relates to our technical work on the field. The most salient project I am working on here is developing a project model of a program called "Empowering Children as Peacebuilders." This means I have organized a team of people on the field and together we come up with guidelines and a set of standards on how to actually run this program and do it well; we'll be looking at methodology of empowering children, budget, measuring success, curriculum, etc. When we complete this project model we can then pass it onto our regional networks to actually implement and adapt for their cultural context. Overall, I really am enjoying my job and I can see why DC is a good fit for me right now. I must say that I do often grow anxious to get on the field to work with children, but I know that will come in time and for now I am grateful to have this opportunity that I have been given. I have to be patient and realize that my experiences right now are teaching me new skills that will make me more effective later on when I'm working directly with children.
I have had my ups and downs just as any job does. My biggest challenges have mostly surrounded the issue of isolation since my boss and other main co-worker work from home and rest of the Peacebuilding team is literally spread out all over the world. This has made it difficult for me to really feel connected to the people our work effects in the developing world. However, even in these last few weeks I have seen positive change; I now have a professional mentor from WV and am taking advantage of meetings outside the office with other organizations (ie: US Institute of Peace, International Rescue Committee and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, etc.). I really like my boss a lot and I am constantly learning about perseverance and servant hood, not only in relationship to work, but also from his personal life as I watch him care and serve his wife that suffers from Alzheimer's.
Getting connected in DC: Friends, roommates and community
My fabulous roommate Erin recently said, "DC is like an arranged marriage. It's hard at first, but over time you will fall in love with it." That statement could not be more true. Being placed in DC I was a little unsure but trusted that this was where God wanted me and since I knew Fuller had been praying through the apprenticeship placements, I trusted their judgment on this being the best fit for me. It hasn't grown on me as quickly as Southern California did (that didn't even take a day), but the longer I'm here the more I enjoy it (although I could certainly do without the 12 degrees F days). Although I miss the mountains and beaches of WA and CA, I love the monuments, free museums, and just meeting lots of other non-profit people with a desire to make a difference in the world.
I have made some really great friends here so far. My first weekend in DC I went on a camping trip with 7 complete strangers, one of which had a mutual International Justice Mission connection so I was eager to join. Many of the people are now my favorite people to hang out with in DC and I am happy to see that circle expanding. I have really been blessed by great conversations and good adventures together. I even spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York City with some of these same people. So fun!
My roommates are also great. One is a med student working toward being a doctor in Africa. The other just got back from Peace Corps in Niger and now works at an international development NGO. Do you sense an international theme? It has been awesome to have both of them in my life and I love our late night conversations and our random attempts to bring our friends together for parties, game nights, and other fun events.
I've also found a great church called Grace DC, which is a church plant of NYC's Redeemer and VA's McClean Bible Church. I've already started helping out with their homeless ministry and am trying to get plugged into a community group.
Whether it's through the church or a para church organization, I am really interested in either helping out with a big sister mentoring program, working with a refugee family, or working with international students. I am currently pursuing a couple different options at the moment.
Other DC highlights at a glance
Besides my trip to Shenandoah National Park my first weekend and the NYC trip over Thanksgiving, I have also had some great highlights living here in DC:

• I have enjoying meeting and spending time with my second cousin and her family. They only live a 45 minute metro ride away.

• I have also enjoyed reconnecting with some old friends including my best friend from elementary school and a good friend from junior high and high school. Good times.
• The IJM benefit dinner was in December and I was grateful to attend this year. I got the hook-up and was able to take my sister Jenny along when she was in town.
• Right before heading back to Seattle for Christmas, my sister Jenny and I took a weekend trip to NYC. This was my 4th time in NYC and the 1st time not staying in a hostel. That was great!
  

• Inauguration was historical! The crowds were crazy and the ridiculous Obama gear people sold on the streets was even more entertaining. I went to the "We are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial as well as the swearing in ceremony. Both were incredible and I was grateful to be there for such a historical time.
• The National Prayer Breakfast was just last week and I was able to attend a couple events (although not the actual breakfast itself so no Tony Blair or Obama for me). I was so grateful to see one of my favorite former professors and very influential person in my life, Kerry Dearborn, and also spend some time with her husband Tim (who was also a professor of mine and now works at World Vision International).
  

Just around the corner
Over the next couple months I am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends as well. I am heading to Philadelphia next weekend to see my good college friend Mindy. Next month one of my friends from college is coming to visit and then right after that I will be attending International Justice Mission's Global Prayer Gathering. I've been wanting to go for years and can't wait for that. I also look forward to seeing good friends from college and grad school in town for that event.
I am ready for spring to come and with it, lots of new adventures and cherry blossoms too!
I'm currently working on some other major travel plans that involve planes rather than buses and cars, but until that is finalized I will keep that under wrap.

I am thankful for each and every one of you. Please let me know how you are doing and what's going on in your life as well.

With love,
Krystel

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60 truths, no lies

Recently there was a "25 random things about me" wave that was all the rage on facebook. Some people thought this was kind of lame, but obviously they do not share my love for both these things: lists and randomness. So because I try to keep you folks entertained and because I have OCD tendencies with making lists and my mind keeps thinking of better things I could have written, I have taken it upon myself to expand my list from 25 to 60. I think you will learn something new that you never knew you wanted to know...

1. I love musicals. I would give anything to live in a world where people bust out into song and dance.
2. When I was 8 years old I overdosed on pork products.
3. I learned to drive a stick shift when I was 12 years old.
4. If I could have one younger Hollywood BFF it would be Amanda Bynes and my Hollywood “big sister” would be Reese Witherspoon. Amanda and I would go out for drinks and Reese and I would sit around and drink sweet tea all day.
5. My non-Hollywood real BFF lives in Ecuador.
6. I have a really creepy memory when it comes to numbers. I can still remember the birthdays and phone numbers of kids from my 6th grade class.
7. I am a total neat freak. It borders on ridiculous.
8. I will shut you down in a game of FRIENDS trivia…no seriously I will eat you alive.
9. When I was in college I had the amazing experience of being homeless during my spring break junior year through a program called Urban Plunge. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. My street name was Skillet because I like bacon so much.
10. I love to create something out of nothing.
11. Generally I’m not a big fan of big corporations of the US and would rather “stick it to the man,” but my guilty pleasure is Disneyland. Nothing is better and they don’t lie. It really is the happiest place on earth.
12. I have been playing the drums since I was 12.
13. I love making babies laugh and smile. Whenever a baby is looking at me I throw caution to the wind and make it my mission to get the child to show me the love.
14. I am obsessed with being near bodies of water.
15. I hate Starbucks.
16. I have been to 22 countries and counting.
17. Until I moved to California, my car trunk contained 3 garbage-sized bags full of costumes, wigs, and funny hats.
18. I have never dyed my hair.
19. Nothing tugs at my heart quite like children at risk issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
20. When I lived in LA I was an extra on 2 episodes of ER…I was the dying patient in the background. ☺
21. I love mullets but I would never date a guy that had one.
22. Whenever I get a side ache, I almost always mentally panic and worry that I have an appendicitis. Silly Krystel.
23. I love board games, but am really competitive. I once got in a physical fight with my best friend over a game of Candyland.
24. The weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten/drunk was a drink comprised of fermented spit, cinnamon and raisins.
25. One of my favorite autumn activities is to go to kids’ soccer games. Love the sounds and smells of it all.
26. I love cherry blossoms.
27. I love buffets. When I walk in the door, it’s safe to assume the business will be losing money.
28. I really want to learn how to knit and play the guitar.
29. My favorite gift to give and receive is personalized music. I’m not gonna lie, I make a killer mixed CD.
30. My favorite color changes every couple years, which is usually reflected in my wardrobe.
31. I really wish I knew how to speak French.
32. I have the worst luck when it comes to awkward situations. They love me and I’ve learned to indulge them. They make for great stories.
33. As a woman, I don’t see the point of traveling to the bathroom with other women. I think it’s weird.
34. I’m happiest when I’m outside in the sunshine.
35. When I was around 10 years old I wrote a 100 page novel.
36. I’ve always loved my teachers and professors. I think teaching is one of the coolest things you can do in this world and I have found that teachers and professors are often some of the most influential and inspiring people I’ve ever known. Maybe that’s why I have so many friends that became teachers too…
37. I want to go sky diving some day.
38. I love to drive in the rain at night.
39. I once worked as a migrant worker for a day picking brussel spouts in Mexico during a spring break in college. That was the hardest day of work I’ve ever had in my life.
40. I love books but I will always choose hanging out with people over reading. I wish I was better at making the time to read the books that I want to read.
41. I hate tomatoes and water chestnuts. Devil foods.
42. I have climbed the Great Wall of China.
43. I hold a pencil incorrectly when I am writing…apparently 1st grade didn’t train me well. This is partially why I have such awful handwriting.
44. I’m a dog person and think cats are pretty lame (although there are a few felines that I have enjoyed). Some day I really want to get a little pug.
45. I collect agates. I currently have 1,117.
46. I had my first poem published when I was 15.
47. I was kidnapped when I was a toddler from Alderwood Mall.
48. Sitting on Santa’s lap and the Seafair pirates were two of my greatest fears as a kid. Santa is still weird to me, but I’m happy to report that I now love pirates!
49. The only demerit I earned in junior high was for exiting out of the wrong door of the girls’ locker room. Rebel.
50. Ever since I saw a video on bacteria and germs in 7th grade, I’ve been terrified of opening doors with my bare hands. To this day I still use my sleeve. Thankfully the germ factor isn’t really an issue to me when I’m in other countries.
51. In high school I was voted “Class Clown.” Shocker.
52. When I was a kid my mom burnt my Cabbage Patch doll named Gilbert because she thought he was demon-possessed.
53. Although I’m extroverted, I have almost always been terrified of talking in class or speaking in large groups.
54. I wish I was more articulate with my words.
55. I don’t have nails on my baby toes…just pathetic stubs.
56. I always carry my camera in my purse wherever I go. You never know when you’ll need to capture a memory…or when you’ll see Jessica Biel at the movies.
57. My real name is pronounced Cris-tal (like the champagne), but no one every calls me that.
58. I am a real night owl and regret it almost every morning when I have to get up so early for work.
59. I am terrible at keeping my own secrets. I will take yours to the grave though.
60. My dream vacation location would be Greece. Beaches and gyros are a must.