{"id":1,"date":"2017-04-17T15:57:57","date_gmt":"2017-04-17T15:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/?p=1"},"modified":"2017-05-23T20:39:47","modified_gmt":"2017-05-23T20:39:47","slug":"hello-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/2017\/04\/17\/hello-world\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cLet her sleep, for when she wakes she will move mountains.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s my fun fact — are you ready? I\u2019m a Sri Lankan born in Singapore with an American-Australian dual-citizenship, holding a British last name who grew up in Santa Clara, California as a small-town, Christian, country girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was raised in a plethora of cultures. I don\u2019t fit in a box. That\u2019d be too easy, too boring. That would limit me, and I will never let anyone do that.<\/p>\n

I was born into a family of survivors, believers, and doers.<\/b><\/h3>\n

One day, I\u2019ll write a book about my family history; sometimes, I get nightmares thinking about the trials of my loved ones. But for now, I will say this: the Sri Lankan civil war wrecked the lives of my parents, but they made it out and moved to Australia (1985). Eventually, I was born in Singapore (1996) and my brother in America (2000).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Baby Esther. Laughing since day 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My brother and I grew up in a world of privilege in the heart of Silicon Valley and all that it entails. However, we were never once allowed to forget the tribulation from which we had come. Everything we had was by the grace of God and \u201cgood ole\u201d hard work, sweat, and tears. But all this was given to us only to teach us to pass it on. My parents told us that we were born to do two things: love the Lord our God and love our neighbors. Thus, my challenge became learning to understand my neighbor so that I could better serve and love them. <\/span><\/p>\n

But I liked sleeping. <\/b><\/h3>\n

I was a science-fiction\/fantasy nerd. I loved imagining and immersing myself in worlds where protagonists overcame the impossible and defied the status quo. Because these stories were set in alternate times or places, the limitations of my own life were strictly obsolete. In the end, through all the mystery and pain and laughter and risk, it all worked out. But my life didn\u2019t impact worlds or governments or communities. My parents had lived the adventures of multiple lifetimes, but I seemed stuck reliving everyday like the previous one. I wasn\u2019t testifying my neighborly love — I was too busy dreaming and sleeping. <\/span><\/p>\n

Until I realized there was time for both. <\/b><\/h3>\n

My coming-of-age story began with marching band. My heart was ready for adventure and meaning, but my personality seemed to restrict me. I had no gumption or confidence, as my teacher would say. This was not what I wanted for myself, but I didn\u2019t know how to change. <\/span><\/p>\n

I attribute most of my transformation to participating in the drumline, particularly the influences of my band teacher and our band\u2019s trip to Disneyland. I quickly learned how to stand up for myself under the mentorship of the drummers and soon adopted their contagious inclination for sarcasm and sass. My teacher taught me how to work in a team without losing myself. I was an integral part of the production: if I messed up, we all failed, if I succeeded, we were all one step closer to victory. Despite my growing confidence, however, I still remained timid and afraid to take chances to feel adrenaline. Seeing this, my teacher made me ride the California Screamin roller coaster after our performance in the Disneyland parade. It seems so simple, but this moment is marked in my heart forever. I was defying gravity like the protagonists of my books. I was understanding how to become who I wanted to be. Fear could no longer stop me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Marching band practice for the \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Disney Parade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My growing personality developed my confidence to embrace my neighbor, but I had yet to realize the power of cultural competence. When I was 14, my high school organized a mission trip to Tecate, Mexico. Though Mexico was practically in my backyard, the cultural juxtapositions and obvious destitution shocked me. Here were people clearly in need, and here was my mission team providing one of many solutions. But that first day required a sharp learning curve, in which I had to determine how to identify with these children from a different culture. As I interacted with them and their families, built houses and churches, and spent time working at our Kids Club, I began to realize what I wanted out of life. There was excitement and enlightenment in immersing myself in another culture, in learning to love and impact individuals in the most meaningful ways. Just as my culture and history was rich, so was theirs. It was my obligation and honor to respect their history by experiencing it and fully experiencing them. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Last day in Mexico surrounded by my young friends
\u00a0 who had redefined my perspectives and reshaped my heart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On my quest to actively participate in the lives of others, I eagerly spent time with different people and age groups at home. In volunteering with children with special needs, I rediscovered the intrinsic worth of every individual. Though these beautiful people would never quite understand me, and I them, the opportunities to impact their lives in even the smallest of ways brought me joy. The same can be said for my interactions at a nursing home. Here, I struggled with how to display solidarity and respect for our elderly population who, despite having lived full and exciting lives, were currently in states of diminished autonomy and mental awareness. <\/span><\/p>\n

I also spent the summer of 2015 co-leading the Jr. High ministries at Peninsula Bible Church in its entirety. I was in a distinct position of leadership and responsible for the growth of these tweens, but again, I could not effectively perform my role without first immersing myself in Jr. High culture. In respect to leadership, I matured, but I regressed in age when it came to having fun. The new perspectives I adopted and incorporated into my work ethic allowed me to become more and more versatile and aware. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Summer camp with a few of my students at PBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These new experiences allowed me to live intentionally as I made the impact I had dreamed of, but as my courage and skills grew, so did my thirst for adventure. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the summer of 2016, I had the honor of volunteering with a medical missionary team in El Salvador. The extreme lack of health education and healthcare in that country challenged me to analyze and communicate in new ways, thus introducing me to the complexities of intercultural healthcare and inspiring me to become a missionary physician. I experienced culture shock during the five weeks I spent immersed in a place filled with religious superstition, <\/span>constant danger, and financial destitution, requiring me to redefine my mindset. A<\/span>s I worked with a doctor in rural clinics, I came to understand the code of conduct expected from Salvadoran health professionals. Providing ethical healthcare to the patients in these clinics required more than just medical knowledge; I needed to know the culture and values of the people I was serving in order to provide them with the most effective care. <\/span><\/p>\n

I quickly realized that the stubborn mindset of a middle-class American was not helpful. When I asked why a clinic doctor did not send his patient to the hospital for a second opinion, he explained the local rules of gang activity. The city hospital was under the territorial jurisdiction of one gang while the clinic was on another\u2019s turf. Though patients from one side of town would require help from the hospital, the clinic doctors knew their patients would not go for valid, life-threatening reasons. Therefore, in order to help their people, the doctors would figure out alternative ways to get the patients the help they needed without subjecting them to overwhelming harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cauterizing in an Open Biopsy Surgery at the National \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hospital of Suchitoto (El Salvador)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This trip, and my many other adventures, worked to align reality, my dreams, and my sense of self. I aspire to spend each waking moment in purposeful living and rest each night envisioning the undertakings of tomorrow. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, mountains — beware. <\/b><\/h1>\n

I have made it my life\u2019s mission to learn the most about new perspectives and situations and seek to grow my knowledge and intuition. In order to better impact the world I so dearly love, I must expand my horizons and strengthen my growing <\/span>repertoire <\/span>of cultural and situational understanding. I want to use the variety of my experiences, passions, and career path to make a lasting impact. <\/span>Understanding the plurality of societal codes equips me with the professional competence necessary to uphold the dignity of my neighbors and work to better their lives so that they can pursue a sustained purpose. I am so honored and humbled to employ my passion for intercultural healthcare as a Global Social Benefit Fellow and partner with Koe Koe Tech to provide agency to women and their children. Let\u2019s break the status quo, be our own protagonists, and move some mountains! \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Last day in El Salvador.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0After hiking 4 hours, travelling by bus for 9 hours, eating five Pupusas,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0nearly getting mugged by a gang member, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0and successfully delivering physical therapy to children in the mountains of La Ceiba, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I embraced the mountain I had to move to get there<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s my fun fact — are you ready? I\u2019m a Sri Lankan born in Singapore with an American-Australian dual-citizenship, holding a British last name who grew up in Santa Clara, California as a small-town, Christian, country girl. I was raised in a plethora of cultures. I don\u2019t fit in a box. That\u2019d be too easy, … Continue reading \u201cLet her sleep, for when she wakes she will move mountains.\u201d<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2035,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"qubely_global_settings":"","qubely_interactions":"","kk_blocks_editor_width":"","_kiokenblocks_attr":"","_kiokenblocks_dimensions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"gutentor_comment":2,"qubely_featured_image_url":null,"qubely_author":{"display_name":"ebartlett","author_link":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/author\/ebartlett\/"},"qubely_comment":2,"qubely_category":"Uncategorized<\/a>","qubely_excerpt":"Here\u2019s my fun fact — are you ready? I\u2019m a Sri Lankan born in Singapore with an American-Australian dual-citizenship, holding a British last name who grew up in Santa Clara, California as a small-town, Christian, country girl. I was raised in a plethora of cultures. I don\u2019t fit in a box. That\u2019d be too easy,…","post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2035"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions\/46"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/ebartlett\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}