"Okuhepa" means 'thank you' in Otjiherero, the language of the Herero people of Namibia. I am feeling a whole lot of gratitude these days, so it seems an appropriate name for this blog.
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| sunset over Okahandja |
Call me Freddy. I'm a community economic development volunteer with the United States Peace Corps, currently living and working in the country of Namibia. I was born in the United States and have lived there, studied and worked there, for most of my life, mostly in New England and the mid-Atlantic. I lived in Ireland for one year as a student in the 1990s, and have traveled, for work or fun or both, in eight European countries, Peru and Canada. I've driven all around the USA, and I think I've been in about 45 of the 50 states, and spent at least one night in about 40 of them.
I first considered joining the Peace Corps over twenty years ago, when I finished college. At that point, the only thing they could think to do with me was make me an English teacher, and they had a surfeit of English teachers. So I didn't bother applying. I didn't really want to be an English teacher. About 15 years ago, when I got RIF'd from what had been a stable job with what had been a solid company, I thought about joining up again. They liked my business background, and I went further with the application that time, but never made it official. I met a man, and wanted to learn where that might go, and I was pretty interested in pursuing my career in financial communications, which was still new-ish and interesting to me.
I first considered joining the Peace Corps over twenty years ago, when I finished college. At that point, the only thing they could think to do with me was make me an English teacher, and they had a surfeit of English teachers. So I didn't bother applying. I didn't really want to be an English teacher. About 15 years ago, when I got RIF'd from what had been a stable job with what had been a solid company, I thought about joining up again. They liked my business background, and I went further with the application that time, but never made it official. I met a man, and wanted to learn where that might go, and I was pretty interested in pursuing my career in financial communications, which was still new-ish and interesting to me.
The man lasted ten abivalent years, during the second half of which the career was going sideways and backwards and spinning in place a bit. I finally got the message the universe was sending (the universe had to get a bit rough, frankly, before I took its many hints), and shifted my life focus to goals more sympathetic with my emotional and ethical priorities. Considering Peace Corps for a third time, it felt exactly right for me. So here I am.
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| the western sky |
By the way, I hated picking just one language with which to name the blog, but Namibians speak more than a dozen. My introduction to Namibia was in Herero country, and I like the sound of 'okuhepa,' so it felt like a lovely choice.
Great to hear from you and glad you found a calling! I truly hope that it is as rewarding in person as it seems to be from afar. Best of luck - be safe - you are already courageous for taking this on.
ReplyDeleteHi, Freddy. I look forward to following you in your adventure.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures. Miss you...CLK
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found your place and callin . I am certain it will be fulfilling. I am looking forward to following your blog and enjoying the vicarious adventure.
ReplyDeleteCoincidence? Nice bio... So her's mine since we know really little about each! Mine was written for my 50th high school reunion next month. All this is very weird!
ReplyDeleteThe other Fred...
My long slog to adulthood – still underway – began at Millbrook’s summer school in 1961 when Alan Grove demanded of me a daily 300-word theme based on the expository mantra "the bird is a robin and the reasons are three fold" – a simple but stimulating formula that established the framework for everything I've done since and done well. George Packard would later fortify that foundation, noting I always wrote as if from a virtual soap box. I still do. Alan taught me how to write and George taught me to like to write.
After Millbrook, I attempted college (Tufts) off and on – mostly off. It was, of course, the late 1960s and there were so many fascinating distractions and opportunities, beginning with overcoming the stifling social and political background I’d inherited. Also there were women…
For the record, I graduated from the University of Washington in 2006.
My father would have been much relieved. So was I.
Early in 1969, I decided I needed a fresh start in a fresh environment so I packed up my rucksack and set out to get as far away from New England as I could without getting my feet wet. And being somewhat a contrarian, I bypassed California (everyone was going there!) and landed in the better Washington. I’ve been here ever since – so long now I’m an honorary native. Not that anyone here cares.
NOTE: Oregon is considered a buffer state.
Careers & Life
I’d always been attracted to newspapers so that’s where I eventually headed, starting with the underground variety and quickly moving up the legitimacy scale. For 15 years it was a great life in welcoming small-town communities. I still miss it and still keep in touch.
Eventually, there came a time when economic needs and social changes necessitated a shift. It was time to move on.
And on I went to a 25-year career in state and local government “communications”. Politics being one of my hobbies, it was a good choice, and government paid better and came with a pension!
Birds are another life-long diversion that effectively started at Millbrook, and I would be a founder and the first president of the Washington Ornithological Society. Frank Trevor would have liked that.
I never made much money but I made a life I'm proud of and, without a doubt, I owe it to the training and imagination Millbrook inspired.
But life is never perfect and my one real regret is my inability to sustain long term relationships. Millbrook, of course, was partially responsible for this since they didn’t admit women until long after I left, thus depriving me of crucial learning experiences!
Well, maybe not.
Still, I'm comfortable in myself and in the knowledge that all of my former wives and girlfriends still like me, as do my two refreshingly grown up foster kids.
So here it is fifty years later, and I’m still laughing at and with myself…
Thanks for the fun details, cousin, and congratulations on your non-traditional graduation.
DeleteGo get em Freddy! You are amazing, so glad we got to work together. Thank you for your efforts to help the world.
ReplyDeleteRegards. Your former colleague with a big mouth and a nose to match.
“You're off to Great Places!
ReplyDeleteToday is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Can't wait to read the next chapter!
Xoxo,
Robin
OK - try #2. Just hit published on a note and nothing has appeared. My phone the problem. Love the blog. Have always loved your writing. Looking forward to sharing this adventure. Package en route today. Love Karen
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI love the name you chose for your blog! It's representative of the gratitude you expressed, not to mention it's a new word (for you and probably all your readers). My husband and I are now trying to learn Spanish, and learning Okuhepa makes me grateful for continuous learning and all it represents ... creativity, frustration, challenges, victories and ultimately, hopefully, a feeling of satisfaction. I think it is absolutely wonderful that you are living your dream, learning and helping others, all at the same time!
Karen
Thank you all for your kind comments. They mean such a lot to me.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this! I am so happy that you are finally able to have this wonderful and meaningful life adventure! Thank you for sharing this experience with us. We'll work on that KIND bar care package this weekend. The husband frowned when I suggested traveling to Iceland for those other bars. :)
ReplyDeleteFreddy, I hope you had a spectacular Birthday. Did you receive the gift I mailed to you. I love my new bracelet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
ReplyDelete