10:11 AM Comment2 Comments

From Ellery Akers "Metamorphosis" -

Oddly, touchingly, it reached over to its old shed skin, still perfect except for the split down the center, and began stroking it all over with its antennae, as if in some kind of farewell.  Then it made its way back toward the stream, stopped, and stood facing the water where it had spent so many months.  I began to feel afraid for it again: it looked so flimsy.

As if in response to an inner signal, it dashed to the top of the rock, lifted its wings, and fluttered off.  Drifting into a weak patch of evening sun, the stonefly seemed to catch fire: for a few seconds I watched with longing as it flared in front of me like a living spark.  Then it wobbled off into the shade, and out of sight.  

From my Peace Corps Aspiration Statement - 

So how do I plan to adapt to a new culture with respect to my own cultural background?  By maintaining the core integrity of who I am while allowing myself to grow and change as I live and serve in FSM and Palau.  In other words, I plan to mindfully transplant my roots to the rich cultural soil of FSM and Palau, fully understanding and anticipating the need to adapt according to the realities of my experience.  Many of my branches will change their shape or the color of their leaves; some may reorient themselves to face different sources of light; some will grow higher than I could ever imagine; and perhaps some will beat against certain cultural windows or not grow an inch.  My trunk will sway and my roots will grow deeper.

As hard as I may try, I cannot anticipate all the ways I will need to adapt to my new culture during my service and the process will not be easy.  But I can be mindful of my adaptation; within that mindfulness, be open to new experiences and directions; and when faced with challenges and struggles, be confident that my trunk is strong yet flexible.

3:26 PM Comment0 Comments

I realized I really don't have any sort of address book.  That needs to change within the next two weeks and I need your help!  I'm calling on friends and family to email me their contact info.  Here's the communication scoop.  Snail mail is the only means of contact with the outside world that I am guaranteed.  There is, fingers crossed, a chance that I will have access to the internet, so it may be possible to stay in touch through email and Skype.  So...

Please email me your address and/or Skype name at e.hurianek@gmail.com

I am also compiling a contact list if you'd like me to email you whenever I update my blog.  Please specify if you'd like to be included on this list (wow, that sounded official).  

And in other news...
Yay yay yay for my uncle Tim!  He fixed my computer, which the Apple store called 'vintage.'  Now, thanks to my skillful uncle, I guess you could say it's an oldy but a goody!

Did you know it is possible to condition a 10 foot pew with one cup olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice?  My pew has never looked better.

PS - I have my ticket - I fly to L.A. for staging Sep. 2nd!  And the good news is: I've finally unpacked, so now I can start packing!  Other than that, my focus is simply on preparing myself to be unprepared :-)  Whee!

8:42 AM Comment0 Comments

Road Trip '09: Success.


With the help of my two dear 'tub' friends, Dorothy and Tori, I traveled from Maine to Colorado in a 22-foot Penske rental truck, aka The BFT.

Adventures were aplenty and laughter abounded over the course of 6 days on the road.

Highlights include:
  • Pre-Game: Dinner in Boston with the gang

Me, Dorothy, Erica, Tori, & Jamie
  • Day 1: Picking up the truck, saying goodbye to Buelah the Buick, then inadvertently exploring the back roads of Maine thanks to our free-spirited friend GyPSy. Fortunately, we happened to find the Colbrook County Club in NH - not a bad place to stay

Trading in Buelah the Buick - I'll miss her - for the BFT. And yes, that is the truck completely packed.
  • Day 2: The Speculator Farmer's Market and driving through Vermont & the Adirondacks

VT = Vermont. Clever, we are.
  • Night 2: Staying with Rachel in Constantia, NY whose crotch chairs around the fire and hospitality will not be forgotten any time soon :-)
  • Day 3: Niagara Falls & Crossing into Canada
  • Day 4: Watching the sun rise over Lake Erie - Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario


  • Night 4: Depositing the BFT at an inner city WalMart and going out on the town in Chicago to Christine's Wine Bar, Websters
  • Day 5: The Most Intense Thunder Storm of My Life, 60 miles east of Des Moines, including phone calls to the family for final farewells and weather reports
  • Day 6: Stumbling upon Fern Thomas (Green Fern, Doubting Thomas) and her beautifully quaint antique store outside of Kearney, Nebraska
  • Night 6: The Welcome Home Sunset over the Rockies
The home-stretch

And we still like each other. A lot.

Ladies, thank you for your tremendous friendship and for sharing a journey full of laughter and adventure!

And thanks to everyone who wished us well on our voyage - it couldn't have gone better.