When God closes one door another one opens.....usually better than the first. God has not forgotten you.

When we first moved to Michigan, I was excited at the fact that we were going to live on campus. Months in advance I checked out the MSU website and looked for all the activities arie and I could get involved in. It was really exciting. I knew I wouldn't be able to study till my husband was done with his degree, so I really wanted to busy myself. And as I couldn't work and my major responsibility was the kids and making sure my husband had all the support he needed to have a stress free time studying: I looked for ways to volunteer and get involved in community life.

In my teenage years I've always wanted to live the single life on campus. But as I've grown older (and wiser) I'm so glad that I never got that experience. Maybe I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. I prize my privacy and cleanliness, and having to share bathrooms and kitchens with people who are not of like-minds is an experience I would rather not have. Including all the parties and foolish behavior. Don't get me wrong, not everyone experiences this at college level. But knowing my luck.... that would've sure been my experience.

The first thing I did after settling in at the university apartments was to meet with people who were in charge of the various societies and organizations and look for volunteer positions. Vaughn and I met the director of the MSU international department, and he gave us some names and places to access resources that would make our experience an enjoyable one. Plus it was World Cup season, and there is nothing like World Cups season to a trini. It was a great experience watching the matches on big screens with countries all over the world being represented in the same place.
The first person I met with was extremely helpful and very nice. She is in charge of the family life resource center on campus, a great person to know. She gave such great insights and resource information. Health care info, education grants, childcare information.... etc. I was so glad I met with her. As a result of our meeting, I was quickly able to get things going in so many areas of our lives here in Michigan.

Well, as always, my life seems to attract some events that are not always pleasant. A vacancy became available on the board that represents the residents of those on campus: Public Relations Officer. I said this is perfect for me. They had some details about being proficient in web designing...but PR I know. So after some encouragement from the Co-Chair (even though I said I cannot do web design) I signed up for the position.
The time for the interview came around, and I saw that only one other person had applied for it. When I got into the interview and the questions were solely centered on web programming and design, I realized quickly this wasn't meant to be. So graciously I declined the position and ended my interview by offering my services in any other area that was suited for my qualifications.

During that interview time, I was so upset. 4 men and 1 woman interviewed me. One of the men asked me questions in such a way that was so insulting. It was almost of if he was so upset at my personality. I had to remind my self that where he came from women are very subservient and rarely had opportunities to hold positions, or even to say them out publicly. So if I spoke about my strengths, he would quickly turn things around and was so arrogant. At one point he even got up and left the interview.

I was very dejected when I came home. I probably didn't get over it for a long time. Vaughn was very encouraging; he really helped me get over. I felt as if I personally did something wrong. Why would someone be so mean and want to make me feel like I was nothing of value?

Well that was at the end of the month of June. On Friday August 27th, Vaughn happened to notice that there were activities taking place in the community. There were bouncy castles, face painting for kids and free food. Something Arie would never pass up or even Caiden for that matter. We went home, changed and went to the event.

While I was looking around at what was on display, one of the co-chairs came up to me and asked me why I didn't apply for the position of Events/Programme coordinator. It's a board position, much better than the one I interviewed for, and since they had a copy of my resume; he said it was right up my alley. I said to him, very nicely, you must be kidding me? After what I went through in that interview...thanks but no thanks. He said there were already 7 applicants and I said.... well I wish them luck. The deadline was the Sunday 29th anyway and I really didn't feel like putting myself through any more disappointments.

Vaughn tried to encourage me but in the end he told me whatever I wanted to do he will support. It's great having a husband who always has your back.
Before we left, another one of the co-chairs came up and said the same thing. He strongly insisted that I apply. So after I agreed, he said by the way.... it’s going to be an election because it's a board appointed post. Well it was too late to say no now...and so the nervousness began.
Speaking in front of people has never been a problem for me, but because of my interview experience with them, I was terribly nervous.

On the Tuesday (yesterday) of the elections, I never knew one could have gas pains as stress symptoms. I had the worst gas pain for the entire day, nothing soothed my stomach. I was in a mess. Vaughn insisted I was nervous, I asked him if he was serious? I had never heard of anyone complaining about gas pains when they were nervous before.

Well, one of the applicants walked in and within a few minutes, walked out. One of the board members ran behind her and came back saying she currently became unavailable. And some how, by some strange math, it became between me and another guy. Another guy who was best friends with the outgoing coordinator. Joy.

So as luck would have it, I spoke first. My theme was community, not just my 10+ years experience in the field but collective efficacy in the community. He on the other hand spoke about the fact that he was friends with the outgoing coordinator and worked with him on some of these programs already taking place. When I heard that I was a little worried. But he came across a little too arrogant. He had 2 things not in his favor: one, he was male, there were already too many males on the board, and a lot of people already complained about that. And 2, he aligned himself with an already failing former coordinator whose function I'm sure was already under question by his own peers. He did say in his speech that he was a natural fit and it would be an easy transition for him, and when he did get the position he would expect feedback. He was not prepared for the question, how long would you be available for. I would be there for the next 4-5 years, Him...1 year.
Well, after the votes were counted, I was declared the winner by simple majority. A nice way of saying " He lost badly." He didn't even turn to congratulate me, but I went to him and shook his hands. When the outgoing coordinator arrived (as he did with everything...late) he was so upset to know that I took his old position and that his friend didn't win. The outgoing coordinator was the very man who interviewed me, treated me like crap and walked out of the meeting. God truly had a sense of humor.

When God closes a door, he opens a better one for you. People must really be careful how they treat others; you never know when you would meet them again. I'm sure he learned his lesson.... well I hope. God did not forget me.......and neither would he.....lol.