I've just found out that I won't be receiving the Christianson Grant to fund my internship in Argentina. This grant was the one I was counting on--as I had been told I had a good chance--to pay for the bulk of the program. As such, I won't be going to La Plata, Argentina in September. I'm going to push the date back to January 20th of 2011 to allow myself more time to get funding; I'll also shorten my stay considerably, from 10 months to 4-5.
This isn't all bad though; actually, it's not bad at all. I'm now going to go to a workshop in NYC to learn how to build a bicycle out of bamboo. It's a project that was started by several college grads in their work to spread sustainable, self-propulsion throughout the developing world--and of course, in the U.S. too. For me, this is a perfect way to acquire a skill/project that I can take with me when I go to Argentina in January.
On top of this, I'll be able to spend more time with my friends and family in the extra four-plus months that this new development gives me. Hopefully, I'll be setting up shop in Grand Rapids, working, trying to set aside money and fund raise, as well as take some German and/or piano courses at GRCC. Who knows.
I have my mother to thank for this mentality. She had to break the news to me, and this is how she did it: "Son, I'm so sorry. But, you have a few hours to sulk and then I'll be calling you to make sure that you're looking for another way to make it happen. You don't get anywhere by crying." I don't know if anyone has ever said anything so true or so full of love to me.
Please, if you would like to be involved in my project/internship in Argentina, contact me here or by email: peterjduran@gmail.com
Til the next time.
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Awe, Peter, I'm so sorry about Argentina! I'm happy you are still going though. It's a fair compromise.
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE COMING HERE!? When is that workshop!? You know you have a place to stay while you are here if you want!
Thanks Loni! I definitely planned on hitting you up to see if that was possible. I will let you know when I get a confirmation on the workshop date. It'll be sometime in mid to late September.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I drink maté in honor of our group all the time here!
nice! keep me updated
ReplyDeleteAweeeeee mate, i haven't had any in so long. I must start drinking it again! I recently found out that Trader Joes sells yerba :)