Victor in 1 sentence: A Chilean economist who loves photography, social justice and chocolate.
Dessa in 1 sentence: A country-girl, Italian, scientist who loves to travel, believes in environmental justice, loves to read and watch old movies.
How did these two meet?
In an effort to help new students feel welcome and meet their fellow graduate students, Georgetown University schedules a full week or activities before classes start. As Victor arrived a few days late for the orientation, Dessa had already made a small group of friend by the time he arrived. And one of her friends was a Chilean named Jota Arellano. When Victor finally did roll in to the orientation his first appearance was at a pool hall in Georgetown, where all the grad students were meeting for a get together. As there were only 2 Chileans in the entire program, Jota immediate found Victor and introduced himself. He also introduced Victor and I. And that was the begining of our relationships... that was September 2005.
Who is the cat? Luna
(Dessa's version of the story)
For those of you who don’t know, Luna is our cat. She is a ~7 year old, tortoise colored cat (black and orange), who has been with us the last three and a half years. Victor and I had been dating for about 8 months, when I returned from spending 6 week in Oxford for the summer. While I have always been an animal lover, I was sans-critter at graduate school. While in England, one of our program leaders had talked me into fostering a cat from a shelter her best friend ran in Virginia. Long story short, I stepped off the plane with every intention of going to pick up the cat and have her stay with me while I helped find her a permanent home. The fostering concept is quite popular around DC, and the theory is that animals are healthier in a home while waiting for someone to adopt them, rather than in a cage all day. The more I thought of the idea, the more I was excited and I had cleaned and prepared my apartment for the Luna’s arrival, especially since she had been without a home for a long time. She had been found on the street on Capital Hill, a few blocks behind the Capital building. She had 4 kittens with her that they easily adopted out, but beings that Luna is FIV (kitty aids) positive, and a full-grown cat, no one wanted her. Victor and I were not living together at this time, but he was going to come with me to pick Luna up. We were in the car and on our way when out of the blue Victor stated, very matter-of-factly, that he doesn’t like cats. I had not heard this before, not had I asked, so this was news to me. We kept on our path and picked up Luna as planned, while I was thinking to myself, “we will have to see how this goes. It is either going to be the cat or Victor – I wonder who will stay around.” Needless to say, Luna does not have any of the traits that Victor dislikes in cats (laziness or steals food) but is a true lady (although her snoring is a bit of a problem but quite cute). So Luna and Victor have both stayed around, and I could not be happier.
Where are they living?
Yes, it is true; we have moved to Chile. Victor has an exciting new job with the new Chilean government and Dessa is going to continue working for Ashoka from Chile. Dessa has been able to defer law school for a year, and Victor’s new position is going to help pay off his scholarship, so it is a great move for both of us. It is going to be a great way to start out marriage in a new place, making a new home. And don’t worry... Luna is in Chile with us.
