Choices, Choices: The Choice to Serve

 

Hello RCD readers,

Today is a late blog post. Mostly because my week has been hectic and I’ve been adapting to the rhythm of life. Sometimes, the plans we make on Monday look very different by the time Friday rolls around.

Project Updates: From Foundations to Pro-Bono

Project T My schedule for this was tight. I had planned to finish all drawings this week, starting early Monday with the site and foundation plans. While I intended to work every night, life shifted my focus. I managed to finish the layout on Wednesday and woke up at 4:00 AM this morning to tackle the beam plans and cross-section details. It’s been a marathon of technical precision.

Project HV This has been a journey since 2023. After a long "back and forth" on the design and navigating the headache of international bank payments here in Suriname, we finally reached the building phase.

This year, my work on this project is pro-bono. I am acting as the organizer—connecting the client with contractors who can actually handle a project of this scale.

Tuesday’s Visit: I met with a collaboration of two companies. Interestingly, they had reached out to me years ago. Even though collaborating with contractors doesn't always benefit me as a architect (since the design phase is already done), I’m happy to offer them as an option to my clients.

Thursday’s Visit: This team came prepared. They were honest about their limits (they won't handle the swimming pool) but offered realistic costs and practical solutions for the outdoor flooring. Next up: finding a specialist for the pool renovation.

Balancing My First Love

Balancing my design work with my second job—ballet—is always a juggle. Tuesday is usually my "back-to-back" class day. I actually planned to cancel my own training to stay behind the computer, but the week had other plans.

On Tuesday morning, I chose to be there for someone who needed mental support. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I spent time with family saying their goodbyes before heading back to the Netherlands.

In the studio, classes were a mix of transitions. I have new students, so we are stepping back to focus on basic technique. My boss also shared the vision for the year, which limited our floor time, but by Thursday, I felt the progress. Yesterday, I was excited to teach the kids deboulés but didn't happen but a lot of technique was worked on for each level.

The Silence of Project V

Last weekend, I tried to finalize corrections for a project that was technically due in December. Despite my efforts to schedule a meeting or get feedback through a questionnaire, there has been no communication. It’s a reminder that I can provide the structure, but I can't force the pace. Because of the silence, nothing was moved forward for them this week.

The Heart of the Matter: Choosing Kindness

I titled this post "Choices, Choices" because of a realization I had throughout these busy days.

This week was filled with the choice to be serving other's instead of hustling. In a world that tells us to always look for the "ROI" (Return on Investment), choosing to give your time, expertise, or emotional support when you know you won’t get anything back feels counter-cultural. Whether it’s doing pro-bono work for a long-term client, or sacrificing design hours to sit with a somebody in need, these choices define our character.

Of course, we have to work and pay bills. "Hustling" is sometimes necessary to survive. But doing something that doesn't benefit your bank account or your portfolio is necessary for the soul. You never know—you might be the helping hand God sent for that person at exactly the right moment.

Keep following the Lord,