New professional chapter begins at East-West Center
When one door closes, another door open. Challenges are just opportunities by another name. You’ll land on your feet.

Yes, I used these cliches while counseling those who lost jobs, or didn’t get hired for the job they wanted. I was embarrassed to utter these seemingly silly phrases because, honestly, I couldn’t come up with anything better. I certainly didn’t really believe what I was saying.

In hindsight, maybe I was right.

I’m starting a new job now—one that is the perfect fit for my abilities and experiences. I am the seminars/journalism program coordinator for the East-West Center. In this capacity, I will help plan and facilitate programming for journalists from the Asia-Pacific region, and travel with these journalists as they explore and report about the region. My first project is facilitating the Jefferson Fellowships which will bring 12 regional journalists first to Hawaii and then to Taiwan and the Philippines reporting security and trade issues. I’m working with our partners in Manila and Taipei to line up speakers, set agendas, and so on.

Not only is the job perfect, but the location is idyllic Honolulu, Hawaii. (For some great Honolulu photos, check this out). Nothing is more attractive to me than no winters, no blazing hot summers, and easy access to breathtaking beaches and mountains. It truly is paradise.

I am grateful for the opportunity the East-West Center has given me, and will of course do everything I can to validate the confidence they’ve shown in me.

So, I did land on my feet, charge through that open door, and seize the opportunity that presented itself.

I’m excited to see what comes next.

Burns Hall, home of the East-West Center on the campus of
the University of Hawaii-Manoa