December is time for critical reflection.

  December is a great time for critical reflection. 2017 was filled with fulfilling interesting global work, travel, friends and family. The new normal for work, is that it is either feast or famine, and this year it was a global feast.

 In December 2016, I finalized an inception study of a GEF/UNDP cross cutting environmental education project in significant Armenia. I also participated actively in the GENE conference on Global Education in Paris. Mr. Kumi Naidoo gave such an inspirational speech, it squashed any lingering doubts that my work was not in vain. See speech here.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9w7GBzmXa0

January started with an explosion. I ran the Bermuda marathon and despite injury finished third. I also started working on three UN consultancies simultaneously - studies of disaster risk reduction at different scales, levels and context. The largest was a global scope study of the UNDP strategic plan portfolio review - DRR Outcome 5.1.-5.4. This proved to be a worthwhile challenge and provided me with a valuable perspective on the promising practices of a growing thematic area and the good work that UNDP is doing to support.

In late December 2016, I flew to Malawi to lead a country program review of the UNDP /GOM DRM thematic area in the country program. I was amazed at the numerous international agencies in residence. It would be important to coordinate that aid for resilience, a part of my study.

In January and February, I conducted a global portfolio review of the EU UNDP Bio-Finance program which included eight pilot countries and case visits to the Philippines and Guatemala.  Bio Fin is proving to be a transformative UN global program. The key stakeholders include working with the powerful ministries of budget and finance. The program is transformative and supporting the mainstreaming of biodiversity.

 In March, I flew 32 hrs to Myanmar. Not really knowing what to expect, and despite past experience and work in Asia-Pacific including years living and working in Indonesia, Vanuatu, PNG, Solomon's Samoa, Bangladesh, Fiji and Mongolia , this would be my first trip to Myanmar. The country recently opened up to regular UN country programming with a new government in power after 20 plus years of military rule. My role was considering the country work on DRM and Environmental Governance. I immediately fell in love with the exotic and naturally beautiful place. Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Bagra and Yangon - places of 1000 climates and stories.

 In April, I ran the Boston marathon and post-race, visited Monty's Sister - Suzy’s and Dave’s in Concord Mass. After Boston, I headed back to Asia again. I flew 32 more hrs to the Philippines. I supported a team conduct assessment of the development results ADR on environment and disaster risk reduction. In May, with many unfinished reports in my bag to complete, I flew to NFLD to visit Mom. It was still under ice!

In May, I interviewed for a three MEAs Rios project in Cambodia. In June, I flew the long haul again to Asia! This time, i touched down in Cambodia. I spent quality time in the cosmopolitan capital working with the Ministry of Environment and UNDP. We considered the progress and revised the course of cross cutting project concerned with supporting the implementation of the three multilateral environmental conventions. I adored the city and loved learning by morning practice about the Italian Cambodia coffee spots, museums and history. It was a magic place with a very troubled past (genocide- visited the prison) The experience provided inspiration for my new fiction book project -Rangona Island 2084 - A adaptation and futurist Pol Pot meets the dark side of digital technology and an Orwellian view of a post disaster future place.

In July, Monty, Sparky and I spent the Fourth of July in Guilford Connecticut. The day after the festivities, I flew to Kuwait to undertake an assessment of a joint UNDP, IOM, ILO, GOK program concerned with labor standards. As much as I love Kuwait it took getting used to the 49 plus degrees! Fortunately, the office had air con. It was a touch and go the day before my flight as slipped my lower back disc and was wheel chaired to the plane. I was fine when I woke up and started work. Whew! Was I ever lucky! I hope to work in Kuwait again. I enjoyed the challenge of working with three UN agencies and completing the evaluation successfully.

In August, I was actively engaged in another UNDP final evaluation study. I would look at the results of a mainstreaming of biodiversity in the gold mining sector project in Guyana. It was an adventure with a big A. Gold excites the human heart irrationally and it was interesting to learn all about the mineral as industry and considering in sustainability and development. The work was risky as I had to travel by single engine plane deep into the Amazon forest areas where the small and medium operations were scattered throughout. The day after my visit a single engine plane crashed...It was all worth it to contribute and visit the huge biodiverse forest ... lungs of the earth, an incredibly pristine track of pristine area filled with parrots and other animals with whom we share the planet...      

In late August, I flew home to Nfld . We, Mom , my brother and I attended a writers conference in Woody Point NFLD. While there, Mom reconnected with Annie Proulx after many years. The shipping news connected them back in 1992.

I had started an evaluation of the contribution of the International Maritime Organization to the MDGs/ SDGs in July and in September my team started implementation. This program evaluation has recently completed a strong first draft.

I participated in the International Grenfell Organization IGA meeting in Southern Labrador in Sept.

 Monty and I flew to Santa Barbara for my niece’s awesome wedding in Oct.

I ran a 50 km ultra-marathon in Guilford and actually finished it.

I also had shock treatment for torn ligament.

I ran NYC marathon and finished.

I flew to St John's NL Canada to get a new passport and to see my nephews, sister, other family and friends in November.

We spent Thanksgiving in Guilford with friends from Canada, Shona and Paul. Mom, Monty and Paul cooked two ducks in our 300 year old oven! It was medieval and special. 

I accompanied my mother and sister and her friend to Barbados in Nov.-December. I ran Barbados marathon and hobbled to the finish . 

We - Mom, Monty, Sparky and I are in Conn for XMAS...

I ran on Christmas Eve and pulled something in my back.:-( Nothing like a humbling injury to slow you to a halt for Christmas day !

I am not sure what is next but I am currently available and looking.

I am grateful for all I have accomplished and look forward to good health for work, love and life in 2018...

I am thinking about you this holiday season. I would love to hear from you. I wish you and your loved ones good health and happiness for the New Year...

Health is wealth and nothing really can match it...Happiness is being healthy.

Hope to stay in touch. Wishing you all the best for 2018.

Speak soon.. Stephanie