mis días...

: mis días: oslo, 17 de septiembre de 2006     

Again, it has been a while... I should be used to it by now, but I never seem to understand how quickly time simply flies by... But it does. And even more so when you are having a good time, they say. Personally, I think it also seems to fly by when you look back at it. Being very impatient, I know how dreadful it is when time hasn't "arrived" yet... And then, when it is all over, it "flew away"... My two cents on time...

And I am ambivalent about writing this. Preferring to write to each one of you, telling you one by one what has been happening in my life, sharing that personal reference, that special moment which reminded me of you... And then choosing to write online, saving some time and being able to reach out to all of you. I do hope it will still meet some of your needs of connection and affection (perhaps even fun and play!), while it may be less useful in meeting needs of community and intimacy...

Work, Studies and Activism

As most of you know, since January, I have been working as the coordinator of the Norwegian Millennium Campaign, promoting the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As it is an information campaign, and I am the only employee in the secretariat, it has been hectic and busy. I have taken part in designing information strategies, deciding on information materials, events organising, writing articles and opinions, giving talks and presentations and setting up and participating at information stalls all over Norway. In fact, I have really enjoyed travelling in Norway, as I get to see more of this country that I don't really know that well... :o) I have also had a great time working with different organisations in the Campaign, such as the Norwegian Peace Corps Fredskorpset (through whom I worked when in South Africa in 2002-03), the UN Association, UNICEF Norway and UNDP's Nordic Office (the same one I volunteered with in Copenhagen in 2001). What I have missed at work has been working more on development issues. I do not get profoundly into development issues, as most of my work is logistical and administrative, but what has been inspiring is seeing the whole process, from planning to implementation and evaluation. Some of the highlights at work have probably been working with three Ministers, winning the Gay Pride Parade Prize for most creative fleet, and getting Columbia University economist and UN advisor Jeffrey Sachs on national television to talk about the Millennium Development Goals and our campaign.

I also set up my own little organisation, GD Consulting, and I have had a few requests for services (project work, interpretation, writing/research), which has been fun. However, I do not market it very much, as I do not have much time left when working full time.

As many of you also know, recently I got a new job, and this is my cliché dream job. I was selected to join the United Nations Development Programme's Regional Office in Johannesburg as their Junior Professional Officer in Aid Effectiveness. I am very excited, and I will be moving to Joburg on 1 November. I will most likely stay there for two years, unless I make a mess and they send me back... :o)

I have also been involved with the Boards of the National LGBT Association's Oslo Chapter, the United World Colleges (UWC) Norway and the Norwegian Peace Alliance. I had planned not to get involved when returning to Norway from Argentina, but I don't seem to know myself well enough... Hehehe...

Recently, I also took a course in Swahili, as I will be working on issues related to some of the Swahili-speaking countries in Africa when with the UNDP. It has not been that difficult to learn, but amazingly fun and interesting. Nzuri sana! Ninasema kiswahili kidogo, na nitakwenda Tanzania na Kenya kusema. :o)

Buying a Flat

In May, I decided to buy a flat. Instead of renting a place, which I did from January till May, I wanted to save up some money and invest, which would make sense through buying a place. And so I did. With some help from my family, I took up a mortgage, and became the owner of a 35 sq metre flat in a nice and quiet area about 25 mins walk from the Oslo City Centre. I love it here, and I have bed space for five people! In August I tried to prove this by having 7 UWC students staying over. It worked fine, and we had a great time! So please do come visit whenever you feel like it! It is a simple flat, with a bedroom, a bathroom, a joint kitchen/living room and a small storage room. I do my laundry at community facilities in the basement, and I can see the Oslo Fjord from my living room window. We have already had a couple of parties here, so there is always space for more of that... Hehehehe...

Romance

Returning from the UWC Reunion in New Mexico in July/August, I stopped by New York to see Ann-Marie and other friends from my time in Argentina. And there I met Lucius, a gorgeous 24 year old performing artist from Mississippi. We clicked immediately, and only a couple of weeks later he came to Oslo to see me. We are now living together, and exploring the relationship. Surely, it is hard coming from New York to small and quiet Oslo, but he fills his time with dance, exercise and writing, some of his passions. It is wonderful having him here, and I have tried showing him around. He lives the moment, just like me, and is extremely patient, understanding and dedicated. You all know how much that means to me.

Activities and Friends

This summer, besides seeing friends and old UWC classmates in New Mexico, I also went to my friend Claire's wedding in Scotland. Claire and I studied together at St Andrews, and it was great seeing her marry Stephen in a gorgeous, spiritual ceremony at Doune Castle, where love was conveyed as a story of coming together and maintaining autonomy. Thank you for that, Claire. And for the Ceilidh (Scottish folk dance), which Lucius enjoyed very much... :o)

I have also continued training in and sharing Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and my parents even came to one of my workshops, which was fantastic. I also spent a few days in Copenhagen and Tromsø working with friends on NVC.

I have also had many visitors - please keep coming! Alex (Guatemala) came to see me from Oxford, and we had an amazing time organising a salsa party and spending time together. Juan, a dear friend from Bogotá, also came to see me for the first time since 2000, and keeps calling me Monín (the little blond one)... María came to Oslo from Seville (for the second time) for my b-day - te quiero tanto, María. St Andrews friends Sonya and Joher came to visit from London, and we caught up on fair trade and historic sights in Oslo... I also met up with Dagny, close friend and former Director of World Voices Norway, who also got a Junior Professional Officer job, with UNICEF in Lusaka. Congrats, Dagny!

Being back in Oslo has also given me an opportunity to spend more time with Yon (who recently was authorised as a psychologist and got an amazing job with the National Directorate on Health and Social Services - I am so proud of him!), Elisabeth, Idun, Jenny, Sasa, Ole Reidar and Solveig, and make new friends in Anders, Michael, Keng, Roberto, Sonali and Kristine.

Until Next Time

I think that is about it... I hope to hear from you - perhaps even a phone call on (+47) 45 67 38 19! That would be lovely. I also hope some of you will be able to come see me in Oslo or Johannesburg over the next months. If I can be of help to cover travelling costs, let me know. It would be a pleasure to help you come and make me happy! :o)

Have a lovely day - and keep in touch... All my love, Gert

Postal address (until 1 Nov 2006): Skedsmogata 15 C ,N-0655 Oslo, Norway