My IPSP organization - Arkansas Economic Development Commission - is located right smack dab in the middle of Little Rock. I'm just a stone's throw away from the Capitol. If it wasn't potentially an action leading to incarceration, I might actually throw that stone just to prove it. I'm fairly positive, however, that the Clinton School and AEDC would probably frown upon a student locked up in the Pokey.
My project is three-fold: a) research global economic markets as well as Arkansas' target industries, b) research particular industries that are expanding within those markets, and c) research prospective foreign companies who could benefit from direct foreign investment here in the great state - Arkansas, that is. Although it may sound like I'm an office jockey - and without a doubt, that is part of my job and I embrace the title - I do get to escape my bare four walls in my office on occassion.
Currently, my first project is looking to the East, Korea to be specific. Apply my three-fold process to Korea, and that's pretty much what I'm doing with them. In addition to the office, I will have the opportunity to meet with a delegation of Korean businessmen in late June when the World Taekwondo Championships come to LR. What is in store for this meeting? I am unsure, but I have heard the words "hot" and "springs" passed around and spoken in the same sentence. Another probable field trip will potentially happen next week. A delegation from KOTRA, the Korean trade organization, will be in Rogers, AR for presentations at the World Trade Center. Again, the details of this event - at least with regard to my participation - have yet to be officially settled. Nevertheless, it'll be great.
In a sense, my IPSP is just the opposite of the rest of the class who have flown the proverbial coup and scattered like chickens around the world. Instead of using myself as an export tool - my knowledge, skills, and experience utilized by an international organization or place - I am an import tool. AEDC is utilizing me as a tool for helping to strengthen international relationships and support systems, to develop economic sustainability in Arkansas and open North American markets to expanding and growing businesses (and foreign economies), and to positively impact and link two populations, two culturals, and two economies.
I might not have the shade of a mountain, let my milk sour in order to mix with cornmeal, or be known as "cookie" anything, but my little pocket of internationalism just keeps a rollin' along.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Exotic Arkansas
Entry #1:
While my good friends have scattered to the four corners of the earth, I, in my good fortune, have wandered to the far off place...right down the street. Yes, here in Little Rock, I am kicking off month three of marital bliss and imparting my research wizardry with Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
But while my ex-pat friends are encountering marmots, baby squids, and more, I too have had my run in with potentially dangerous wildlife. On my quest to the rocky summit of Pinnacle Mountain, my mid-mountain break was interrupted by a wooly little creature - a red tarantula. Normally I would say, "Russ, my good sir, that is silly. You probably see a wolf spider." But this time, I would be be proven incorrect as the arachnid in question was most definitely something out of a late 80's horror flick. Later, while jollily sweatin' it out over the vast expanse of the Arkansas River on the largest pedestrian bridge in America, I came across a scene like I'd seen only on the Discovery Channel. Not 5 feet from my reach were two large 5 foot black rat snakes that were performing the annual dance of love. To heighten the drama, I decided to imagine them being venomous snakes of Asia. And finally, on a journey around the psuedo-rustic "Old Mill" of N. Little Rock, my wife and I chanced upon a young snapping turtle which was swiftly caught and dubbed "Bert." My little buddy then became the object of a brief zoological lesson for some interested and overly excited children.
Other than that, all is calm on the western front. I wish, for you guys who are not here, that I could report that LR has declared itself the 51st State or is encountering a SARS outbreak and we're all wearing HAZ-MAT suits. But, nope. LR is just soakin' up the sun and getting humid. Although...we did have some 70MPH winds hit yesterday. Minor damage, but some boat docks flew away... No. Seriously. Well, they turned over and flew a foot or two...
Peace.
While my good friends have scattered to the four corners of the earth, I, in my good fortune, have wandered to the far off place...right down the street. Yes, here in Little Rock, I am kicking off month three of marital bliss and imparting my research wizardry with Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
But while my ex-pat friends are encountering marmots, baby squids, and more, I too have had my run in with potentially dangerous wildlife. On my quest to the rocky summit of Pinnacle Mountain, my mid-mountain break was interrupted by a wooly little creature - a red tarantula. Normally I would say, "Russ, my good sir, that is silly. You probably see a wolf spider." But this time, I would be be proven incorrect as the arachnid in question was most definitely something out of a late 80's horror flick. Later, while jollily sweatin' it out over the vast expanse of the Arkansas River on the largest pedestrian bridge in America, I came across a scene like I'd seen only on the Discovery Channel. Not 5 feet from my reach were two large 5 foot black rat snakes that were performing the annual dance of love. To heighten the drama, I decided to imagine them being venomous snakes of Asia. And finally, on a journey around the psuedo-rustic "Old Mill" of N. Little Rock, my wife and I chanced upon a young snapping turtle which was swiftly caught and dubbed "Bert." My little buddy then became the object of a brief zoological lesson for some interested and overly excited children.
Other than that, all is calm on the western front. I wish, for you guys who are not here, that I could report that LR has declared itself the 51st State or is encountering a SARS outbreak and we're all wearing HAZ-MAT suits. But, nope. LR is just soakin' up the sun and getting humid. Although...we did have some 70MPH winds hit yesterday. Minor damage, but some boat docks flew away... No. Seriously. Well, they turned over and flew a foot or two...
Peace.
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