I'm officially an expert!

Well friends, I did it. I got a freelance writing my job (just one check off my list of things to do and risks to take in 2010). GradMagazine.com...check it out! The official launch is March 1st, and I, Rachel Henderson, will be your dating and relationships contributor.

"We would like you to post 3-4 articles per week," the editor said in a letter to all contributors. "The article topics are up to you. After all, you are the experts in your area..."

Expert! Ha! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. I start a blog about dating, give a little advice here and there, and suddenly I'm an expert? I think my life should be turned into a romantic comedy...light on the romantic, heavy on the comedy.

But I'd like to say a quick thank-you to all you faithful friends and readers, for reminding me that despite my lack of skill in the dating arena, writing is one thing I can do well. That, and blogging a bunch of BS about the dos and don'ts of dating = )

Speaking of which, I'd like to take this time to repeal a few things I said about the one and only date I went on this semester. Yes, I know, I've already apologized for being too critical, but I just want everyone to know that "Jim" is actually a great guy and some girl will be lucky to have him one day.

No, LeeAllie, I am not falling for him. I just recognize that I was a little too harsh for the sake of entertainment. And while I don't think that Jim and I would actually ever hit it off, I'm glad that we are friends now.

There....that's the end of that. And being that nice felt a little weird.

I suppose I could continue on and give you some more of my expert advice on dating, but that seems a little out of place right now. I've got an entire article sitting in my back pocket, waiting to be revealed to the world, but that will be for another day.

For now, I suppose all I have to say is, get out there and take some risks. Go hangout with people--guys and girls. Don't put all the pressure on "finding" a date. Just do what you like and be who you are and the right person will come your way.

Oh....and one more thing....my friend Elizabeth would tell all you girls to make sure you're alluring. Just because you're not "on the prowl" (that's weird) and looking for someone doesn't mean someone isn't looking for you. So if you want to get a date, dress in a way that makes you feel confident.

Okay, that's about it for now. Oh yea...and the barista from the "eye flirting" article sold me a vanilla latte on Thursday and told me he liked my earrings. I don't know if he remembers me, but the whole looking alluring thing at least worked a little!

Hope you all a good weekend! And if you need advice on how to be alluring....I'm your girl = ) After all, i am an expert!

Haitians like dating too

"So uh do you like Celine Dion?"

I'm walking up the gravel path after an evening of watching a game of pickup soccer and singing songs with girls who

don't speak English. They braided each other's hair

while I picked up the tune on

the keyboard. We snickered at each other's mistakes.

It's dark outside now. Crickets chirp, and the Caribbean heat hugs my skin. Jasmine, Katherine, and I are walking with Simon and the guy with one shoe. I can smell Elise's Cajun cooking as we near our temporary home on the Seminaire Theologique Nazareen de Haiti campus in Port au Prince.

"Near....far....wherever you are!" Simon's Haitian accent clashes

with memories of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. He puts his left hand to his heart and lifts his right in bravado. "I believe that the heart will, go on and on..."

"Hehe," Jasmine giggled. "Yea, we know that one."

"What what about 'it?" Simon asked.

"It?" she asks.

"Yes, 'it."

The three of us give each other side glances.

"You know....'it!" Simon throws a rock at the school bus on our left.

"You mean throw?" I say.

"No!" he says. " 'it me baby one more time!" he moves his hips in motion with the song.

"Oh my gosh!!!" the three of us burst out laughing.

"Brittney Spears!" the five of us shout in unison.

"Yes! Yes!" Simon says. "Brittany Spears. We learn English by watching American music videos."

"Well, those are someold videos." Katherine says.

"So," Simon says turning to Jasmine. "You study psychology?"

"Yes," she answers quietly.

"Well, when I am a pastor I will need a good wife. A pastor's wife

must be good and love the Lord so she can help others and maybe counsel people."

Jasmine's eyes widen at the emphasis put on counseling.

"And maybe she will need to sing too because I will be pastor and I cannot lead the church in music. The will be wife's job."

"Jasmine," Katherine says. "You sing."

"You do?" Simon's facelights up.

"No!!!" she says.

"Well, we should probably get going," I say. "I think dinner is ready."

"Goodnight Jasmine," Simon says as we walk away.

The next day Jasmine and I walk the short distance to the college library. It's

small and bare--a meager collection compared to those we have in the U.S. Simon finds us there and brings Jasmine his favorite book on marriage.

"That's nice," she says. "Rachel, don't we need to go back to the house now?"

I smile and lead the way to the door.

"I will see you later, yes?" Simon calls.

"Maybe!"

Simon....one of over a hundred people I made a connection with last March in Haiti. Simon, a man, a person with--a dream of being a pastor, a dream of helping others, a dream of finding love.

I know my blog is usually humor filled and packed with wit. And I hope I made you smile tonight. But sometimes, things get serious. On Tuesday, things surpassed serious in HAiti. I write to you this little snippet of my experience in Haiti in hopes that you will find a way to connect with Simon and others like him.

We all long to make a connection with that special someone that we will spend the rest of our lives with. We thrive off the hope of love. Although Simon's techniques may not jive with our suave American ways, his desires are no different ours. Haitians are people too. They're strong, they're fun, they're loving. And they will accomplish their dreams. But right now, they need your help. So don't forget about Simon. Don't forget about Haiti. Help them overcome this hardship and accomplish their dreams.

For information on how to help visit:

http://www.caribbeannazarene.org/wmcaribbean/Ministries/CompassionateMinistriesNCM/DisasterResponse/News/HeresWhatYouCanDo/tabid/934/Default.aspx