[Ailist] A request for contacts in Berkeley, CA area -- going to grad school

[MarySue Foster]

Good morning, all -- Calling on resources in the AI community:

I have applied for graduate school in Berkeley. I will find out in the next
10 days or so if I have been accepted. Program runs this August through May
2010. I need a place to stay and my funds are limited (to say the least!).

The school has given me a list of resources -- Who do you know? Where should
I be looking? I will be carless and relying on bike and public transport.

Background: out of the blue, my pastor asked me if I had ever considered
seminary. I said no, but I would look. And I just fell in love with the next
piece of my life. I have applied to Starr King School for the Ministry in
Berkeley. They have a Master of Arts program in Social Change. How darn cool
is that!! 

BTW -- they teach AI and Open Space Technology as powerful ways to make a
difference in communities. Again, how darn cool is that!!

Then, providentially one might say, I heard my church is building a Center
for Public Dialogue as part of their new building -- to be complete late
2009, early 2010. Just reading the name, you can figure out how it's a place
I would want to be.  And who would be better than ME? What would be a better
"home" for Imagine Dallas and the Imagine-Nation Conference and all other
public conversation entities?

I'm in the throes of applying for financial aid, making lists of what to
sell and what to take, and so on. I have that living-in-two-worlds
sensation, taking care of the life in front of me and looking forward to the
next life in front of me.

The 2008 Imagine-Nation Conference is simmering on the back burner at the
moment. It's kind of a baby to leave on its own so soon. I'm looking at my
options there as well.

In the meantime -- please email me directly if you have any resources I need
to check out in Berkeley.

Thanks.

MarySue Foster
marysue at earthlink.net
Founder Imagine Dallas & the Imagine-Nation Conference
Imagine a world where every voice is heard . . .