My two homes

See if you can figure out which I prefer!

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

I am currently on a one year leave of absence from the Faculty of Management Science at Ubon Ratchathani University in the Issan region of Thailand.

I am also a graduate student in the Integral Development Studies Program in Buddhist Economics. My research proposal has been changed to look at how groups that come together because of values organize to do economic activity. I have returned to Thailand after almost a year in the US doing research on 7 small new businesses in the Denver area and the BALLE networks that support them. Writing a thesis has given me a new perspective on "You will write a 20 page paper." A thesis is over when it's over.

When I first came to meet many of the people in this community back in our old home on onet, I was totally awed by the work of Sue Braiden. She started the "I Took the Pledge" Campaign. That pledge asked:

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE PLEDGE?

• I am here because I believe in making the world a better place.
• I believe in treating others with trust and respect.
• I believe everyone has something to contribute.

I talked to Sue and have agreed with her to leave that campaign in its original home. However, I want each of you to know that I am here because I believe in making the world a better place and I believe this is a great place with an awesome group of people to do that. I believe in treating others with trust and respect online and face to face. I believe that the first step we are taking here of using our full real names is a step in helping us to be accountable for our words and actions. If you believe I have treated you or someone else with a lack of trust or respect, please point it out to me so that I can repair the damage I have unintentionally done. And lastly, I believe everyone has something to contribute so please, please share what you have!

Recently I had occasion to worry about a friend online that I had not heard from as regularly as normal. Based on that I am providing the following information, in case anyone might worry about me!

Hopefully, no one will ever feel like they need to use it!

This is Debrah Akello the young girl I am mentoring as part of the Butterfly Project.

I am a member of the <Ned> Board of Directors and if you have any questions or need any help, feel free to message me.

Thanks to each of you...