Not in Kansas anymore.

This is a post from a blog I started a few weeks ago when I got to Jackson. For lots of stories, pictures, and updates on life here, check it out: http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/prestongordon

Life here is very different. Very awesome in a lot of ways. I wish I could share it with you all. Come visit me! Here's my latest post...

Jackson is an amazing place. The scenery is breathtaking. Access to outdoor fun and adventure is as easy as walking out the front door. People wanting to join you in these activities—everywhere. Needless to say, it is pretty easy for me to adjust to these things.

But not in every way. I am reminded almost daily that I am a long way from the land of sweet tea, sundresses, and 15 churches per city block. I have a lot to learn about Christianity and the perception of the church in this area of the world, the strange dynamics of living in a resort town, the large economic disparity that seems to exist, and many more confusing issues I never knew existed (ever struggled with moose eating your trees? Frank has to fight them off daily). I’ve only been here three weeks, so my knowledge is still very limited. But I have a few observations to share:

The church. I know of 7 churches around Jackson. Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Non-denom, Pentecostal, Catholic, and Mormon. PCJH is one of the biggest with an average Sunday attendance of 250. Which makes sense, seeing as the Jackson population is just over 8 thousand. But it’s very different for me! I’m used to churches being between 5 and 6 thousand. Furthermore, many people here seem to see no need for church and religion, and/or have extremely poor perceptions of the church and don’t want any affiliation with it. I’m learning there are many reasons people have for this: intellectual differences and a lack of honest conversation surrounding them, political stereotypes and affiliations, and feelings of condescension coming from Christians, to name a few. There certainly is a wall, so to speak, that many people have against Christianity—or, more specifically, against the American church (which prohibits people from ever nearing Christianity). It is good (and difficult) for me to learn and navigate these things. Needless to say, this is no Brentwood, TN when it comes to church frequency and Christian subculture.

The Resort vibe. I have a slight familiarity with this from Nashville’s tourist scene, but I was well removed from it in the good ole Vandy bubble. Most people I see around town are tourists. And many that live here use it as a vacation home, a retirement spot, or just move here for a few years and can’t ever leave (uh-oh). Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad thing. I have loved vacationing here in the past. I’d be a lucky man to one day have a home in this valley. It’s incredible. But it is definitely interesting to get used to living around all the time when I am accustomed to cities that are more focused on “living”, if that makes sense. Like Southeast Charlotte. A great place. But I don’t think too many people head to the QC for summer or winter vacation.

The $. The county I live in has the highest average income in the United States, despite the large population that runs and works in the many hotels, restaurants, and resorts. Last weekend was The Valley’s biggest fundraiser for local non-profits called Old Bill’s Fun Run. Last year, it raised over $7 millionin a single day. I’ve heard people refer to “the homeless person” of Jackson that lives under one of the bridges crossing Flat Creek. I wonder what they do in the winter..? Huh. This is no downtown Nashville with Contributorsalespeople on every corner either.

Like I said, this place is incredible. There’s a reason people come to visit from all over the world…I’m already eager for some powder under my skis. But there are definitely things that aren’t as simple to adjust to. Other things I haven’t mentioned include the “No Idling” signs in all parking lots, the lack of Chik-fil-a, and the terrible absence of sundresses. But change is good. And like most good things, parts of it are hard.

Although a Chik-fil-a would be incredible.

Bonjour from Geneva!

Salut Mes Amis! 

This joint-blog is such a great idea since I am failing miserably and keeping my own going.  I hope you all are well, and my goodness I miss you guys!  It seems like yesterday we were all running into each other in between classes at Vandy, or grabbing lunches in Rand or Commons.  I still sometimes can't believe our time as undergraduate Vanderbilt students has come to an end.  Those of you who are still living the life in Nashville, please continue to enjoy every moment!  There is no place like Nashvegas :). 

Anyway, so I guess I should tell you all a bit about my life here in Switzerland.  My summer has been INCREDIBLE.  I spent the days studying French and the University of Geneva, getting settled in my new home, traveling and making friends. I live in the Vielle-Ville (Old Town) of Geneva.  My location is right in the center of the city, and is definitely the most beautiful part of Geneva (in my opinion :D ).  I wake up to the sound of church bells from the grand Cathedral St. Pierre next door, and every morning walk through narrow cobble-stone streets filled with outdoor cafes, galleries, and antique book stores. It is perfect, really.  Then in just these past few months I've gotten to visit Hanna Chapman in Paris, travel with my Mom to Zurich and Bern, travel with new friends to Lucerne and Interlaken, visit my Aunt and Uncle in the French Alps, visit friends at their beach house in the Netherlands, and then as a grand finale, I spent 3 weeks in Spain going to World Youth Day, and traveling through a number of different Spanish cities. Whew! Such a whirlwind!

Now, unfortunately, I'm realizing that although I may be in Switzerland, the reality of "life" is setting in.  I am in my second week of masters classes at the Geneva School of Diplomacy (GSD), and they are NOTHING like a semester-study abroad type program....too bad really.  I do enjoy all the topics, but...whew...it is going to be a LOT of work (as one should expect from a master's program, of course). The catch is, on top of my 18 hours of classes this trimester, I am also a part-time intern, and also am working at GSD's admissions office.  Then of course, I do want to have a social life, and always have the itch to travel.  I've decided though, I'm going to have to cut myself off on the traveling and limit myself to one travel excursion per month....still pretty good though, right? Switzerland just happens to be so close to everything, so it is VERY difficult to say no to leaving every weekend!

While I wish I could stay, "Oui, je peux parler parfaitement le français dès maintenant!" (translation:  Yes, I can speak perfect French now), I can't really.  The problem with Geneva is EVERYONE speaks English.  My courses are taught in English, major businesses/UN organizations are run in English, so it is easy to be lazy.  On top of that, my internship at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN is conducted entirely in Spanish.  So, perhaps I will become a more fluent Spanish speaker after things are all said and done here haha.  I do love my internship though.  Tomorrow I will be attending the UN Human Rights Council meetings all day at the UN.  It is a really exciting place to be, and is a dream come true for me to get to be present at a conference of this magnitude and scope.  One thing I've really come to realize while being surrounded by Ambassadors, and UN states people, is that they are all real people too.  They joke, talk about normal things, and are all generally very approachable human beings.  It is nice to see. 

Well, on that note, I'd better run.  I need to get to class soon.  Geopolitics...here I come!  Miss you all, and please feel free to email me or call me anytime!

Bonne Journée!

Kira