Comparing Apples and Dates

The events in Tunisia set off a domino effect in the Middle East and North Africa, with many populations rising en-masse to either depose decades of dictatorship or petition the existing government for increased freedoms. 2011 is going to be a major year in the history of the region, hopefully a time that historians will point to as the beginning of an age of greater freedom, understanding, prosperity and peace.

I think historians will also use this juncture to draw some conclusions and comparisons about ways to establish a new government. On the one hand we have organic popular uprisings, on the other hand we have government change enacted by a external force in the case of Iraq. While the legitimacy of each may be less of a question, the effectiveness of each strategy will be playing out for the next few decades. And while this is far from a perfect scientific experiment, it should provide compelling arguments in favor or against military occupation and overthrow of dictatorial regimes.

I won't pretend that I don't think one will prove better than the other, but regardless of my own biases this year could be quite the petri dish for how to lay the foundations of a modern functioning democracy. In Iraq we have a military occupation and slow withdrawl while encouraging a democratic process and advising its growth. In some countries like Morocco this process might be slower. The petitioning for greater freedoms now without a total overhaul of the government could potentially begin a longer, slower and less chaotic process from one government to a democracy. Morocco is known however as already being a bit more liberal than other countries in North Africa, partially due to its close proximity and ties to Europe, so they could be starting slightly further ahead than other countries. And in Egypt we will see a complete overhaul induced by a popular protest until an autocratic authority stepped down, ceding power to a well respected military until such time as free and fair elections can be held.

Will they alter or replace their constitutions? What freedoms will be guaranteed? Will the new government first seek to govern or to define the new supreme law of the land? What role will religion play in formation of government law and policy? Will minorities be protected? Many fascinating questions await answering, and we shall see what comes of it all. It is heartening to know that most people agree that whatever comes next, it will almost certainly be a step forward for humanity.

There's no such thing as "my" time.

This time last year I was living at my parents house and slowly discovering that there were no jobs in architecture out there. This year, I'm starting a couple new volunteer positions. This time last year, I was killing time by playing W.o.W.  and streaming TV shows. This year I'm still reading more books, actually taking a class! This time last year I was alone on valentines day. This year, I'll still be alone on v-day, but I won't be single :)

It's a welcome change that this year is off to a better start than last year. I'm doing some significant volunteering now, with two new major commitments. First, I'm leading a project to design a Nutritional Rehabilitation Center for a hospital in Malawi through Architects Without Borders. I have a design team of 4 people underneath me, and it's an interesting experience leading my first real project. But I am embracing the challenge and excited to call myself the "Project Champion," (that's AWB's title, not mine).

The other major commitment just came together a couple days ago. There is a local community development non-profit called Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI), and they specialize in rehabing or renovating existing homes, duplexes and small complexes in the poorer parts of Portland and providing financial planning assistance to make it easier for minorities and people with lower incomes to own homes. I'll be helping out as a project management assistant, which will involve checking on current projects, working with the city, doing paperwork regarding funding, preparing scopes of work, among other things. This isn't third-world development, but it is development and I think it will be great experience in dealing with governments and non-profit processes and understanding residential architecture.

I'm very stoked to get busy with these opportunities. Who knows, maybe one of them will eventually lead to a real employed position?!

But I would be remiss if I didn't mention my wonderful girlfriend, who has made the start of this year a very special one. Even though she's in St. Louis finishing school, we are keeping in touch quite well and coping with the long distance relationship. She is a great and godly woman who not only respects and cares about me, but also challenges me to be a leader and caring boyfriend that's deserving of such a great gift from God. Neither of us is pretending to know what God has in store for our relationship, how long it will last or where it might take us, we're just both very grateful for "us," and enjoying the time we have.

So it's off to the races and off to volunteering this year, and not off to other countries. The cupboard isn't bare, but it's certainly devoid of travel funds right now. But I am rather fond of Portland, so I really can't complain.