Well, if you'd found Jesus first, you wouldn't have found men

An amazing, and confusing, quote from an event I attended last Sunday.  I was there something like 14 hours and it was a community outreach activity for the DV advocates and a multi-religious fair for everyone else.  The quote came from an absolutely hilarious gentlemen who may or may not have been "taking the piss".  Whatever it was, it confused me enough that I won't forget it.  :)

I've been spending way too much time delving into the DV movement and works being done here these last few weeks, and am working on pulling back. I've been ignoring our own (written) progress on a Shelter Services Policy manual during that time in exchange for fervently getting input on how things work here in Aus Useful, yes, and great for big-picture perspective, but also perhaps a way to exercise workaholism while pretending I'm not working :) I'm committing my time next week specifically to continuing to move forward on policies; I know we've all talked about how helpful it would be to have a manual to turn to as needed, especially when new/working with new advocates!

I will say that, despite the push for many years here to minimize sheltering and focus more on outreach, to keep goal sheets and case workers for every individual, and to have strict requirements for sheltering (it's almost like a program, a lot like Muscatine in many ways with having to look for work, getting up and going to bed, leaving and returning home at specific hours, etc), these advocates are meeting the same problems we are at DVIP. Here, barriers connected to gender, ethnicity, age, ability, sexual orientation, etc, these are pretty much ignored and a basic formula applied. Since this is a lot of the push right now in the US in the mainstream, it's been really interesting to see that the same problems keep cropping up here that we have even when we are working in an entirely different philosophy. It seems to me, none of us are thinking outside the box enough yet. I do think what DVIP is doing, and what agencies like the Women of Color Network are doing is the right direction and I'm super excited we're all a part of that. But it's been really eye-opening to have validated (in another country!) our beliefs that removing shelters and forcing all women into a structured expectation and program aren't the best ways to give every (or even most!) residents safety and dignity, to give them long-term success and independence. Anyway - I could ramble about it for hours :)

The weather has cooled, about 85 degrees most days, and our property gets a good breeze through it. Perfect, except for the midges (like tiny evil fruit flies) that Kelvin barely notices when they bite, but they leave these enormous swollen and itchy welts all over me. For some reason, few Australians react to midge, horesfly, and mosquito bites. I look like I have mumps.

There was just a huge election in Queensland - essentially, the party that was in got blamed for the economy, so the public voted out EVERYONE in that whole party to send a message, including the really really excellent politicians, and filled the seats with the major opposing party, most of whom are under the age of 25 and have never done anything in politics EVER.  The new premier (like a governor) has appointed himself to be his own cabinet (sing: I am my own grandpa...) ...

I'm focusing on gathering supplies for the trip (must have snacks for Alhena and pregnant me to get through the trip without any crying). We're doing a lot of logistical work, and talking more about what we miss like cottage cheese, berries, cheap and delicious twist soft serve from the Amish ice cream shop, and the quiet of Kinross.

We're also looking ahead to getting our garden planted. We should probably get some tomato and pepper bushes for shelter that women can pick from as they fruit; not much work is needed to keep those alive and fruiting. Nothing labor intensive - that never goes well :)

I can't remember anything I've typed, so that's my cue to sign off and feed the fetus!  Will do photos next week - I'm running out of time on my library computer!

Alhena laughs at photos of Robbie Williams' pecs

Which are strangely on view in a LOT of places in Australia.

I've been spending a lot of unexpected time working with the local agency here - I'm finding it really fascinating. I would argue that they aren't functioning within what I would call a feminist framework, but in reality, I think it's a difference in context; the women's movement is in a different faze here than in the States, and so it isn't fair to compare them. The similarities to the US movement - in terms of the women making the most difference struggling to include anyone outside of the mainstream - are uncanny and arguably make a case for human nature always moving toward survival of the fittest.

Some really positive initiatives here area twice-weekly exercise class that is held regularly - one weekday, one weekend. When they have enough staff they do both a morning and afternoon class. When they don't, they do one day in the morning and one day in the afternoon. Sounded cheesy at first, but watching the women (and children!) exercise for an hour and participating with them seems to build a great sense of community between residents and between residents and staff as well. When I talk with a lot of the residents, even those who don't really enjoy exercise have talked about how they feel better about themselves after they exercise (don't we all!!!) and they feel like they belong for that amount of time, even when there are conflicts about the house (cliques, etc). I had a couple of mothers tell me they felt like better moms because their young children also got involved and they feel like their children are learning to be healthy and watching mom role model that. Plus, a lot of catharsis being reported - getting out frustrations and negative energy from abuse, stress, house conflict, rooming with children, etc.

They have also had people come in from local universities to do special exercise classes with those over 50, those with disabilities, and those who want specific exercise (yoga, pilates, tae-bo, etc). I think this is something we could brainstorm, although staff would have to want to do it :) In the summer it would be a great activity to get women and kids outside if they are interested. Let it marinate.

They have also tapped in nationally along with rape crisis centers to support a movement where women connect with other survivors via a variety of internet sites that allow women and men to post about their abuse in whatever form it took. Most of these sites, as far as I've seen, are geared mostly toward sexual assault, but still provide an outlet and a removal of that sense of isolation for women in the dv agency here. We have often talked at DVIP about how to move forward our technology support for women - this kind of private-yet-public forum might be a great way to do this.

Their shelter is smaller than ours individually, but actually is compiled of various houses and buildings. They house about 50 people total at any one time. They do have the luxury of a public administration office, which makes a few things difficult, but overall makes the entire agency more accessible and the staff feel it is safer. They do a lot of screening and training in their public setting to sort through who will and won't be a good fit.

There is so much, I won't keep on in this blog. I am really learning a lot and getting a great perspective on how innovation and community building can come through really simple means. And seeing that, like all DV agencies, the agencies here certainly aren't getting the financial support needed. Too much need, not enough beds or resources.

Updates on Alhena and Australia:

FYI: Goanas (giant Aussie lizards) and cockroaches run UP when frightened. This includes up a person. Cockroaches are big and gross, causing people like myself to shriek and wake up the household, but won't kill you. A goana is the size of a black lab and has dinosaur claws. These encounters rarely end well.

Alhena can now say "bird" and wakes up every morning, turns to the french windows, steps on the stomach of whichever parent happens to be in her way and calls out "bird, bird" to let us know it's time to get our lazy selves up and take her outside for tea, toast, and birdwatching.

Our resident Jackalope (aka, bunny the size of 5 full-grown Iowa bunnies melded together) indicates a lack of deadly snakes on property (as, being foreign to Australia, big scary venomous snakes always win in a giant bunny contest). This brings me a measure of comfort.

Recently, while at a local hospital, all of the staff were wearing green lab coats in honor of St. Paddy's Day. This was surprisingly disconcerting, and caused several small children to burst into tears. Note to self.

Hot babycino

Alhena and Kelvin next to a giant bottlebrush in Tasmania, and Alhena's first stint on a beach.  A real beach, with an ocean.  She had a great time.

I'm just sending a quick blog, as the Tasmania trip and volunteering have left me exhausted!  I need to order my thoughts about what I am learning from the local agency, and then I'll put a cohesive blog up with that information.

Have spent a lot of time thinking about how remarkable each person at DVIP is to come back every day and keep working.  I think sometimes the frustrations of everyday running and functioning overshadow just how important each staff member is and how impactful each person's commitment to supporting our residents and clients is.  It has impacts on a daily scale, an individual scale, and on a long-term, broader-world scale.  My interactions with people here have shown how by doing what we do on a daily basis makes change over time, even when it feels like we're treading water just to try and keep our noses above!!  I feel, thankful, and regenerated in the work we do at DVIP.  I have been thinking a lot about each and every one of you and what you bring to DVIP and what you have learned and continue to learn, and how we are all shaping each other and the agency as we go along.  I think more cynical people would argue this is a result of pregnancy and lack of sleep, but I know it's because you are all absolutely brilliant!

Some less touchy-feely thoughts in case Alda is reading these: Small children in Australia regularly declare in loud voices "I want a hot babycino NOW" and I feel that these children have already imbibed too much coffee.  Meat pies remain a lovely treat, much to my embarrassment.  I found a place in Toowong that makes PERFECT pearl milk tea (bubble tea) and think of you all and Bobalicious every time I have one.  I recently learned that many hippies have met an unfortunate end by boiling giant trumpet flowers and drinking the juice as it creates a potent hallucinogen, and then have died because it ALSO creates a potent poison.  Australian plants are hilariously ironic like that.

OH.  And some people think peacocks sound like cats.  Peacocks in Tasmania are used to control poisonous snakes.  Genius abounds everywhere!

I'm heading home, but hope all goes well in Iowa, and I'll have some info on what I'm learning here (DV wise) in the next blog.