Author Archives: Margaret Sider

Asante

March 4, 2011 – 6:00 am
By Margaret Sider | Posted in Kenya 2011 Comments (0)

Heart House, Nairobi, Kenya
Day 3
Weather: paradise
Team-mates: reflective, considerate, compassionate, engaging
Leader: was just described as a genius only minutes ago
Mountain mangoes: on the table
Internet: working
Collective mood: happy, thoughtful, sleepy, full, and questioning

The word that has come up most often so far:
Relational.

Every story, every conversation, every good way to understand development, partnerships, poverty, conflict, relief, community, transformation, any situation.
It’s all relational.

We have just spent years, months, and weeks studying theoretical, abstract principles of development, poverty, economics, Africa, global issues and interactions… but as I am continually reminded, these principles actually mean very little when you are not invested in relationships that act them out.
I believe more than ever that any sort of passive “learning” – such as theorizing, philosophizing, moralizing, thinking, even reading and writing.. etc. must be married with action – doing, experimenting, living, acting, RELATING – in a constant dialectic.

This thought continues to be emphasized and stressed in multiple ways on this trip and through different dialogues I have participated in and stories that have been shared with me.

Tim Bannister, our “Kenyan guide” and one of my new personal hero’s, continues to provide insight into certain aspects of Western culture that remind me (and disturb me) how well I have managed to integrate and accept certain values and patterns of living that are so unhealthy and counter-relational.

The results of most current trends in the West which determine our actions are simply serving to isolate us from each other.

We have a lot to learn.
…
I have a lot to learn.

[It's hard to express my immense gratitude to be able to participate in such a creative and dynamic learning experience.. but I am just so completely filled with joy (among many other thoughts and feelings). Thank you so so so much to everyone who made this possible.]

leftovers.

August 18, 2010 – 10:28 pm
By Margaret Sider | Posted in 2010 Comments (0)

So, we’ve been back in Canada for awhile…

As I finish up all the work from the Europe travel semester, I’ve been thinking a lot about the trip – its highlights, themes, what it meant to me, and some of the main things that I have gotten out of it.

At least, that’s what everyone else keeps asking me about…

And it has been pretty hard to sum up so far – but I think a lingering question that was left with me, as something we discussed a lot on the trip, is this —> What transforming moment are we a part of today?

We have studied all of these great movements – actions, people, thoughts, events and contributions that have changed the course of history, creating major shifts in the way people live and interact with the world.

Where do we see ourselves in this big picture?

How are we contributing to the patterns of the universe?

And how do we want to be contributing?

…

Mar.

seven..

July 12, 2010 – 5:31 pm
By Margaret Sider | Posted in 2010 Comments (0)

Everyday a new experience, another epic adventure – is there a point when it all becomes too much? And when is it that point? Do we ever become desensitized to the awe and beauty of what we see everyday?

I was thinking about this in Paris a few days ago at the Orsay and Lourve museum. There is such an overwhelming amount of art, and we would not have enough time to see it all if we tried.  Eventually we find ourselves walking through rooms and rooms of art, or passing by amazing buildings because we have just seen so much already and don’t have time or mental capacity to process or appreciate any more.

In the same way that people talk about how we can become desensitized to violence by watching the news or playing aggressive video games – can this same thing happen to us on a different level with beauty and wonder? If we see tons of beautiful things everyday do they eventually become less beautiful? I don’t know if it actually does work the other way around, but it is interesting to think about how the intense amount we have seen and experienced on this trip affects us closer to the end as we prepare to return.

Will it be easier to find the beauty and art in “regular” life?

mar out.

Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence

Wandering and Waiting

June 17, 2010 – 8:42 am
By Margaret Sider | Posted in 2010 Comments (0)

A few days after we arrived in Barcelona, we went to a monastery/open museum on a hill – Mont Serrat. I remember a few people talking about seeing the Black Virgin Mary, a wooden statue that people were waiting for almost an hour to get to. Before we left the mountain, I was wandering around the back of the chapel and accidentally came across it, and the awe of the moment helped change the way I have been experiencing art for the rest of the trip. The statue itself wasn’t mind-blowing for me, but it was more of a holistic experience – being in such a holy place. Rather than thinking about how I could better use my time than waiting for so long in line, I realized that if people actually were waiting so long to see something, then there must be a lot to it that would be unfortunate to miss out on. A week or so ago, I waited for over an hour in Florence to get into the Uffizi on my own time, but as soon as I stood in front of Da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi, it was completely worth it. Sometimes, waiting is more than ok.

Margaret

This Post is brought to you by the letter E

May 25, 2010 – 6:21 am
By Margaret Sider | Posted in 2010 Comments (0)

Leaving for Europe today. Last minute blogs…

I was talking to my mum on the phone last night, apologizing that I had not got a chance to catch up with her sooner because this last week has just been so busy. Errands all over the place, always last minute things to do… You remember something new every day. (I have already lost 5 to-do/get lists!) So, I was telling her about our orientation this week – it’s been so interesting to get prepped for all we are about to see and experience but at the same time, very overwhelming and intense.

My mother’s response: “Well at least you are getting practice being in tents.”

Good jokes run in the family…

Two minutes later my little brother came on the line and said: “Hey Margaret – European! Get it? You’re-a-peein’.”

Love those guys…

Since I am not nearly as funny as the rest of my family…

I’m excited by the challenges that this trip will present, and the room for growth and change it brings. I have only visited Europe briefly before, so I am looking forward to experiencing our Western tradition in a new way.

Hopefully, I come back with many more good stories, tidbits of information, jokes to share with everybody.

Leaving an empty room, an empty house, lots of unwashed dishes (thanks Jonathon!) and a familiar place, I move onward.

Europe 2010!! Here I come!!

Margaret Sider - Europe 2010 - packing on packing!

One day I woke up, and I wasn’t in Asia any more.

April 20, 2009 – 1:06 pm
By Margaret Sider | Posted in Uncategorized Comments (0)

Ah! It seems like forever since we have been back from Asia! (longest three weeks in the world…

I have had to say this a million times already, but Asia really was a great experience. I loved it, and I learned from it. I was changed and challenged. And I really don’t want to lose everything in the craziness (or perhaps, the familiarity) of being back. Maybe it is just about taking the time to really process and think about everything. Intentionally.

I don’t just want to be changed by the experience, I want to know what has changed about me! I have to think about things and come up with some good realizations…

Dearest Asia trip,

Thanks for giving me some good days, and for putting up with me on my bad days. We all have our moments. Sometimes when we are traveling, everything is just way more intensified though. So thanks for sharing, taking, lending, borrowing, giving freely. Thank you for teaching me the richness of appreciation and the depth of gratitude. You reminded me of what is truly important in life and taught me how to grab a hold of it and make it a reality. I loved the mindset that you put me in. Aware. Thinking, or not thinking, learning, understanding, tired, vulnerable, perceptive, ready.

You were great, but now you are done.

And I’m going to need to figure out how to take all that I have learned back into regular life! A life too often lacking in the novelty and spontaneity you provided, where I sleep in the same bed every night and don’t always wonder what to eat, do, or say.

It is different. But, you showed me how to welcome change.

So thanks again.

Love,

one you have inspired and disrupted, for the better.

p.s. I miss you already.

Are you packed yet?

February 3, 2009 – 12:40 am
By Margaret Sider | Posted in Uncategorized Comments (1)

A critical look at packing, and whether one should (or should not), be really excited and eager to pack…

Packing Pros

1. NEWNESS! You are about to do something and go somewhere! You’re leaving where you’re at, and moving onto something else.

2. Living out of a bag. It is refreshing… and easy.

3. Condensing the most important items in your life into one little space. You have to think critically about what you actually NEED and what you don’t.

4. Sometimes you get new and exciting things to take with you. This could include: cameras, plug converters, and travel sized accessories like those little shampoos. Plus, you get to oogle over all your new stuff while you pack it.

5. Packing reminds you of the unexpectedness of everything. But also how you can still prepare in the midst of it. It’s all about flexibility…

6. You get to be creative in coming up with places for random shaped objects (just like when you wrap Christmas presents).

Packing Cons

1. It takes forever to squish up your stuff really small (or roll it up if you are really pro).

2. You can never figure out when to do the laundry so that you can wear and take the same clean clothes (unless you have lots of clothes or are really good at strategizing about what to wear).

3. You have to decide what to wear before you pack so you don’t pack it.

4. Measuring bags…. And if your bag is overweight, then you get to repack! (Is that a pro or con??)

Considering all things, I have reached the conclusion -with a 6:4 split- that packing is indeed an exciting endeavor… on that note, I should probably go do some more packing myself!

Cheers, Margaret