tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65809843040375079692024-02-22T00:19:42.995-08:00Let The Sunshine InWherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'AngeloSunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-9789155141376707052012-08-11T13:03:00.000-07:002012-08-11T13:03:01.066-07:00August: Last Month of Work with The Aldea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know I should be giving minute by minute updates but there
has just been so much going on. When am I going to post the pictures of all of
the special events we’ve had, swimming parties, me teaching recycled art class
and “field trips” to the mall? I have no idea. The sad truth is they just may
not get posted.</div>
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That’s what I’ve been dealing with lately. When I came here
3 years ago I had a monton (think: mountain) of things I wanted to do, but as
my time is winding down I have been working on acceptance. Acceptance that I
have done all that I could do and now it’s time for the next chapter of my
life. I keep coming up with new ideas, projects or just things I wanted to do
but never got to, or never got to complete. </div>
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I was making myself (and the kiddos) craaaazy by pushing
them extra hard just because “I only had a few months left”. I thought I was
getting a replacement volunteer that but that fell through.</div>
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Since June I have been filled with a profound sadness that I
wasn’t expected. I would well up with tears on my way to the Aldea thinking of
how there are some kids I will never see again. The thing that gets me is that
I just so much want them to be happy, safe and successful (in however they
define that for themselves). I worry about them and care for them and that is why it tugs at my heart strings.</div>
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I also feel guity because my peeps back home are like “You’re
SAD!? cause you’re long overdue to be back on U.S. soil”. Believe me, not a day goes by that I don’t miss my
family, I mean my family and friends in the U.S is really the only reason why I’m
coming home, otherwise I could probably get a job at the bar across the street
and live on the beach forever. I just know how to get in touch with my family
but some of the kids and I will lose touch forever and we’re talking over 100
kids so that’s a lot of little individual connections lost.</div>
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Of course just like with everything and everyone in our
lives. We cross paths for a reason and for a season. They have impacted me in a
huge way and I can only hope I’ve done the same for them, even if on a smaller
scale.</div>
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After having cried it out earlier this week, I’m feeling
strong again to be able to sad bye and wish everyone well. I want to write
letters to each of the teens in my youth group so that they can remember all
the things I tell them over and over again. It’s going to be hard digging deep
emotionally AND writing it in Spanish, but I think it’ll be worth it. </div>
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I am not sure what I’m going to get everyone else, or how to
say thank you to all the madres, tias and office staff that work there.
Hopefully a big hug and a smile will be sufficient <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div>
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This month I will try to blog at least each week to make
this a finale of sorts.</div>
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August 24<sup>th</sup> is my last day working at the Aldea
so it’s coming up Super soon.</div>
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Wish me luck!!! </div>
</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-45719568121255972012012-06-27T10:10:00.000-07:002012-06-27T10:10:00.151-07:00All Play Aldea Football Tournament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv2LEbxwMV-31Y_BCqi8B9m6FVYUpz2SiBYdrm9cBztqZU9T4shgmciHwbXZGal4s7PQK72-ZhI9JAjkk06IjuLvDeYV8Wp7GvODVkAGHtP91oyASy1ObbkmxcBSG8qezZB-tmg-O7nj_/s1600/Jen+&+Zeus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv2LEbxwMV-31Y_BCqi8B9m6FVYUpz2SiBYdrm9cBztqZU9T4shgmciHwbXZGal4s7PQK72-ZhI9JAjkk06IjuLvDeYV8Wp7GvODVkAGHtP91oyASy1ObbkmxcBSG8qezZB-tmg-O7nj_/s320/Jen+&+Zeus.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt_IifdStachPldg9IEMzYXURztZbEKyA2qwnyxaxKVd2kLLCcyVsqYgrLqwybR2TOsIUq572WIzNHYpZM5s1oU9yzarvwKJHDE5NDb9mrcEl9SkX4Gy0KsHx7VVpRoWgmAi0HuTr_vhW/s1600/Edwin+Ready.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt_IifdStachPldg9IEMzYXURztZbEKyA2qwnyxaxKVd2kLLCcyVsqYgrLqwybR2TOsIUq572WIzNHYpZM5s1oU9yzarvwKJHDE5NDb9mrcEl9SkX4Gy0KsHx7VVpRoWgmAi0HuTr_vhW/s200/Edwin+Ready.JPG" width="150" /></a>The office staff and I organized a football game at the
Aldea and it was so much fun.<br />
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It wasn’t just for the kids, it was office staff, the tias,
the moms and volunteers (i.e. me!) Since I wanted to play but was also in
charge of pics, I let some of the girls who were too cute to run around, take
pics for me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHp7g_nqm7X_wHYDdDablBmV6y1WDIsMvfp5TD6AcGRmxjoYZakeV6on2pJvpFI76RhtF9fIu5PDJLzjW-fXW2F_E-Yp3Dha8nMF7EG_kGZijRUyQtCQsWQqWafnGfm6sHS3uyd5hNIHL/s1600/Defense.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHp7g_nqm7X_wHYDdDablBmV6y1WDIsMvfp5TD6AcGRmxjoYZakeV6on2pJvpFI76RhtF9fIu5PDJLzjW-fXW2F_E-Yp3Dha8nMF7EG_kGZijRUyQtCQsWQqWafnGfm6sHS3uyd5hNIHL/s200/Defense.JPG" width="200" /></a>As a result the majority of the pictures were the tops of
their heads as the modeled for the camera and inadvertently cut each other out
of the shot , but they did get some far away action shots.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKige8FY8YRq5LqyHx4wBBUjvSz0WPywZ9eXY_tH0R7DRZgwtkstVPrVr9_F133DtMcmuqtLn5YZjyf_i9x8aGCFnhtlXPhg0swnrSXzvmmZXX_ba022_UwR1wrAGbqX8UE1LxIphx9Yu/s1600/jenkids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKige8FY8YRq5LqyHx4wBBUjvSz0WPywZ9eXY_tH0R7DRZgwtkstVPrVr9_F133DtMcmuqtLn5YZjyf_i9x8aGCFnhtlXPhg0swnrSXzvmmZXX_ba022_UwR1wrAGbqX8UE1LxIphx9Yu/s320/jenkids.JPG" width="200" /></a>I got a chance to play, but a lot of the time I was caring
for the little ones who wanted to be on the field in the middle of the action
but not really play. One little girl wanted to hold my hand the whole time and
not run. That got complicated but we worked it out. Every time the “captain” of
our team i.e. the maintenance man of the Aldea, saw me, he’d be like “are we
babysitting or playin!?”. So sometimes I had to just leave my little girl and
come back to hear after I was done playing defense.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgA-Pw6n6-iH369HGqSuh9zAiW5sJi3NuzOEcmIGmOir1L2TII74WN4xA2zUwr-pmzg-_1HJH9hUhmbLsmos4vdy01w25IOdZluRHfdizqeynsEmYuNmfASJEkKk4IWylBfd1gdtp__2P/s1600/Jen+Running.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgA-Pw6n6-iH369HGqSuh9zAiW5sJi3NuzOEcmIGmOir1L2TII74WN4xA2zUwr-pmzg-_1HJH9hUhmbLsmos4vdy01w25IOdZluRHfdizqeynsEmYuNmfASJEkKk4IWylBfd1gdtp__2P/s320/Jen+Running.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpFxfvMBGQ4QTjoyNw314ekmKH_CJCrrxfR2NNP4e6I9SspPY6wbNNbkoHLovzRp1Nnq4v332IkMK3956ARaHVH4VcqRjl8k_BtkFOO06nSPI3alMep7-4Ohvu89cn29tYdvegMJU6WEi/s1600/Moms+Playing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpFxfvMBGQ4QTjoyNw314ekmKH_CJCrrxfR2NNP4e6I9SspPY6wbNNbkoHLovzRp1Nnq4v332IkMK3956ARaHVH4VcqRjl8k_BtkFOO06nSPI3alMep7-4Ohvu89cn29tYdvegMJU6WEi/s320/Moms+Playing.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgA-Pw6n6-iH369HGqSuh9zAiW5sJi3NuzOEcmIGmOir1L2TII74WN4xA2zUwr-pmzg-_1HJH9hUhmbLsmos4vdy01w25IOdZluRHfdizqeynsEmYuNmfASJEkKk4IWylBfd1gdtp__2P/s1600/Jen+Running.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>Some of the moms scored goals which was so much fun to see
and my legs were literally sore for at least 3 days. There was great team work
too. The teen boys that usually take over and dominate the game where giving
the younger kids a chance to kick the ball and score goals as well. It is so
much fun to just let loose and have good times with the Aldea community. I look
forward to planning another tournament like this one.</div>
</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-54434853504183052892012-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:002012-06-13T11:36:00.490-07:00Putting on my Rose-Colored Newcomer Glasses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I mentioned in the last post, I was losing focus on the
Present and was only worried about working hard on the Future. Sure, it’s cool
to plan, but when you’re stressed out about outcomes that haven’t even come to
pass yet, then you’re missing out on the gift that we call the Present. So I’ve
gotten my act together and I am enjoying life as it comes.<br />
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I mean I leave on the beach, I have love my job, I have
wonderful friends and people that are like family surrounding me and there is
SO much here that I have yet to experience.</div>
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So I vowed to myself to get back to that mental space of
being a newcomer, when you everything is neat, awe inspiring and full of
novelty. One thing I have realized about myself is the minute I get comfortable
in a place, I feel entitled and let little things annoy me. That’s not easy to
admit, but I am finding it to be true. </div>
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Like back in the Guayaquil days, when I took the crowded
Metrovia to the post office. At first, I thought it was soooo cool and
convenient to have a trolley car that zipped up and down the main streets I
needed were people could load on and off
from little waiting stations. As soon as I got the knack I found that,
that crowded Metro could ruin my mood as I stood there like a sardine in the
blistering heat with elbows pressed in my back and armpits in my face. The
first week, that was a fun “cultural” experience I could write home about, the
next month it’s the bane of my existence. It’s the same with how I can muddle
the paradise I live in with complaints of the loud fisherman outside my window,
or the incessant music blaring into my house as early as 7:30 in the morning.</div>
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Sure, you may
read this and say, “no for real that sounds annoying”, and trust is can be.
However, as a newbie, a person that applied to live in another country and
experience new things, those are the kinds of things that make a place exotic,
the stories you write home about. The things that you have either a good or bad
opinion about but you feel truly grateful for both because you have the opportunity
to experience it. I know the day is going to come when I am going to long to
hear the drunk songs of the fisherman lulling me to sleep, or serving as my
wake up call. In the United States our respect for personal space will have me
longing for the no holds barred space efficiency model that is the cultural
norm here in Ecuador. </div>
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You can take every incident and either look at it through a
positive light or a negative one. Should I be “happy” about everything that
happens to me and around me? No, not everything is agreeable, however, my
reaction to everything around me can absolutely change. I have started giving
thanks for the bar across the street and the rowdy voices outside my door that
serve as my daily alarm clock. Whether I love it or not, it’s these little
incidents that shape my experience. An experience I once only dreamed about and
one that I am so grateful has come into fruition as an unforgettable chapter in
the story of my life. </div>
</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-10286909570407120672012-06-05T12:03:00.000-07:002012-06-11T17:16:38.916-07:00Brigada Verde Meeting Take 1...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1m3NPgt3vDmqZKQDwqS9fsNUDXUjtN-AmvhXlZTwZeb4FBD39BI5HqRvjesjSKURYa862I_jP5HxJGu_O9U1gVd3rTVP5AkM7QaQX3WUjI45VhT3UGuKE1lMit1jrmkiIEEzZaawkZzl/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1m3NPgt3vDmqZKQDwqS9fsNUDXUjtN-AmvhXlZTwZeb4FBD39BI5HqRvjesjSKURYa862I_jP5HxJGu_O9U1gVd3rTVP5AkM7QaQX3WUjI45VhT3UGuKE1lMit1jrmkiIEEzZaawkZzl/s200/IMG_0348.JPG" width="200" /></a>As I mentioned before, I am passing on projects to my youth group as a way to make the
work I have done with the kids sustainable. One of the projects I am working on
is forming an EcoClub of interested teenagers. What my hope is that those who
have an interest in learning about the environment can learn all there is to
know and then pass it on to the younger kids of the Aldea. When those younger
kids get older they will also have a base of knowledge and they will be the new
participants in the EcoClub and they will teach the younger kids and so on and
so forth the cycle of education continues. <br />
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I have 5 months to execute and hope that the idea catches
on. We had our first meeting and it didn’t go as well as I had hoped.</div>
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First of all, since I want this group to be youth run, I had
two of the jovenes practice speaking at the first meeting. While we had fun
practicing, would you know the day of those girls completely left me high and
dry. They were waaaaaaaay to scared and when I let them off the hook (as if I
had a choice they were NOT going to talk….) they started being bad and running
around and not realizing they were supposed to be in the leadership position.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQrv42Po0sgDOeGvZpfjm0n9XZIM7I2zx2gkb9re5SgKnDSt-sfpmaeGuSquxlYLaihvbWbRKVRPyWDvwfvOLKVQM3MFFY7PPs4Hug8XUp7oETELZghruNBX3KZjureOT8OZZ4BJZ-qUw/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQrv42Po0sgDOeGvZpfjm0n9XZIM7I2zx2gkb9re5SgKnDSt-sfpmaeGuSquxlYLaihvbWbRKVRPyWDvwfvOLKVQM3MFFY7PPs4Hug8XUp7oETELZghruNBX3KZjureOT8OZZ4BJZ-qUw/s200/IMG_0353.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then came the general population. A few things. First of all
this meeting was to see who out of the kids 12 and older are genuinely
interested in participating in what we are calling “Brigada Verde” or Green
Brigade. The kids thinking its obligatory to participate, all answer “si!” when
I ask is this something they would be interested in. Now I know, talking about
recycling, not littering and making art of out trash is NOT something that
interests the majority of the teens I work with, however they all wanted to
stay (so they said), but when it came time to get down to business it was
evident who was cared and who didn’t. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a punch getting landed...smh</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcB6nw4ruAd1YwdZszVp0lgtjktsH2OPzCsJvKuzsDtYIodoPBKxzOr-2s1czKXCKFyI2PkNMUjacRsMPvWfNEv1SuQ4SWkMCUGj_qj-04XJ_HdqyRoD6LaXSTrSo6gbdCr8LT8lt9fE/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcB6nw4ruAd1YwdZszVp0lgtjktsH2OPzCsJvKuzsDtYIodoPBKxzOr-2s1czKXCKFyI2PkNMUjacRsMPvWfNEv1SuQ4SWkMCUGj_qj-04XJ_HdqyRoD6LaXSTrSo6gbdCr8LT8lt9fE/s200/IMG_0352.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcuLsBtLSM32ssv6mJ9aFB9bdlVXmg-uHJ0ZbuN28PUvr8YAOEuIjYDKIVitjMuZJzu55Ii6jKPpldXG65ihnA6pDv3QtbVu-QO4d5UjNEezvdeHIz87QMVi1pB4aRjEsNx97Q9uRzxI7/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcuLsBtLSM32ssv6mJ9aFB9bdlVXmg-uHJ0ZbuN28PUvr8YAOEuIjYDKIVitjMuZJzu55Ii6jKPpldXG65ihnA6pDv3QtbVu-QO4d5UjNEezvdeHIz87QMVi1pB4aRjEsNx97Q9uRzxI7/s200/IMG_0355.JPG" width="150" /></a>We had fun, and got some things done. A few kids helped set
up which I didn’t expect at all. We had each youth bring a piece of fruit and
for a ice breaker we made a fruit salad which was fun. After that, people came
in late and I feel that’s when our dynamic got out of wack. For that reason
some people will NOT be invited back due to behavior and I see some strict
rules are going to be set in place. We have 11 interested people so far. So we
will just have to see. My main qualms are talking at once, hitting (my co
facilitator tells me it’s a “cultural” thing but I don’t think it should be
permitted), and weeding out those who are only there to play.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggetSL86e5nhzdmC3XJYbWWb2fGszi8fuc9xNzQ1SqmI4msTUxlgEe8DNDuVHE1bavA13K4UGl9yOiIT9qe-8M-hPhaI9E9rP0Rx2RfOWiMA3A5-fElNuGFgdpstKmj7vf5o5qFoV_pull/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggetSL86e5nhzdmC3XJYbWWb2fGszi8fuc9xNzQ1SqmI4msTUxlgEe8DNDuVHE1bavA13K4UGl9yOiIT9qe-8M-hPhaI9E9rP0Rx2RfOWiMA3A5-fElNuGFgdpstKmj7vf5o5qFoV_pull/s200/IMG_0356.JPG" width="200" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will continue to work with the two teens I dubbed the
leaders of the group (one being the youth that I took to the Brigada Verde
seminar in Quito) and hope for the best for future meetings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know this is a natural cycle for new groups being formed
and it will be so worth it when the kids have enough confidence to take over
the group and run it themselves. The beginning stages are all ways the most
challenging so with that in mind we will keep on keeping on.</div>
</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-59341137611493835122012-05-28T11:24:00.001-07:002012-06-11T17:15:22.775-07:00In the Final Strech: Thoughts of going home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s
the time again and it feels like yesterday I was facing the decision of <a href="http://sunshinebuilder.blogspot.com/2011/04/future-plans.html" target="_blank">COS or Extend</a>. I am so happy I extended as I have learned and experienced so much in
this third year of my service.
While I have 5 months left of being in Ecuador, I found this month had
me very preoccupied with thinking of my return to the States.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To
all of you who have repeatedly inquired, yes, I will be coming home, no I am not
extending another year. While I would love too, the truth is I feel my time
here is coming to a conclusion. I could cling and hang on but I don’t think
that would be fruitful for my organization or myself. The Aldea will be getting
a replacement volunteer so I am happy about that and my project can easily be passed
on to the lucky newbie. Not to mention, before I knew if I was getting a
replacement or not, I was and am currently working on passing on projects to my
teens. I am pushing them into the leadership positions so that they don’t have
to rely on a volunteer or an outsider of any kind to continue enjoying
educational and enriching programs. So as far as sustainability goes, I feel
satisfied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
for personal growth I feel I need to continue on my journey. Yes, my current
assignment does serve up challenges daily (read the post on my first Brigada
Verde meeting coming up!) but I also know how to maneuver in this situation and
I am pretty comfortable. If you’re not growing your dying as they say, so in my
efforts to continue to grow, I need to step out of my comfort zone once again….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which
brings me to the subject of returning to the States. Which is proving to
represent an opportunity to stretch out of my comfort zone even more than
moving to a foreign country! This month I was almost obsessed with the issue of
“what am I going to do when I go back?”.
Here’s the thing. The answer could be easy. Find a job you like and work
it for the next 15 years. However
that is SOOO not what I am trying to do. I have learned 1 million lessons here
in Ecuador, but one of the main things I am learning is that there are so many
ways to live life and that following your passion and using your talents is so
important to the enrichment of the soul. Not just important, essential. So
while I could go back and work for awhile, it would only be a job to make money
to fund a bigger dream. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
have so many ideas and project I want to work on I don’t even know where to
begin. Plus, I kinda have no clue about what any of my dream projets would look
like from beginning to end. At the beginning of May and even in April I had
convinced myself I need to start working on my “Back to the States” mission NOW
so that I can be Super prepared for my transition in September. Well, it’s
great to be prepped, but what ended up happening is I was getting WAY too
focused on the future and forgetting to enjoy what is right in front of me,
great friends, great kids, great work experience, beautiful surrounds and a
tranquilo way of life. I was going into full speed high gear that is typical
American on the grind workaholism. Have I learned nothing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So,
while I know I need to get my resume spruced up and I can continue to explore
and research all of my options, I still have a little less than a whole half of
a year to enjoy one of the best countries in the world. So I’m on it, living
life to the fullest everyday and preparing for an even bigger and better future
<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-77171705489114483972012-05-07T12:54:00.002-07:002012-05-07T12:54:00.222-07:00What´s Really Valuable...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> 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5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US">Today I met a little old lady that’s been living in Sua for the past 63 years that I’ve never seen before. I was with a group of kids when we saw her and since she was having trouble walking, we decided to help walk her home. She invited us in and it turns out she owns a huge hotel. I’ve walked passed it many times and would never have imagined a little old lady lives there by herself. She has a ton of rooms with at space for at least 6 people in each. For every room me and the little girls were squealing “This would be perfect for a slumber party!” The lady was saying that she would love that. She kept going on and on how she has EVERYTHING she could ever want, a huge house to live in, a car, potable water, money, but she’s super lonely. She has all that space and no one to fill it. She has things to give and no one to give it to. It just made me think about what people say all the time about materials & money “you can’t take it with you”. That’s usually said when you’re on your deathbed, but even when you’re alive and well, materials and money alone don’t really serve you. It’s the relationships you have with your fellow humans, the love you can build between people and it’s time spent together that really matters. These experiences fill you up and add true Richness to your life. It was great meeting her and I will certainly going to visit to keep her company, if for nothing else to pay her back for reinforcing a lesson, I already knew, but cannot afford to forget. </span></p>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-24591838202402854332012-04-29T12:04:00.007-07:002012-04-29T12:04:00.584-07:00Impromptu Swim Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUUqxjKv4Lyyu3L5Ibp2jbVLHfoHlHTF5HY56b_fe8kEKp00cMVmSItw8tfrjCiQiFtGQObledY3YffBAhyW2oK_nEMq2gR4qFH6SApcvv6VwYIlsvtUgN79z0ceLnnLmqCD8d_tZCQS_/s1600/ISP2+Walking+on+Water.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUUqxjKv4Lyyu3L5Ibp2jbVLHfoHlHTF5HY56b_fe8kEKp00cMVmSItw8tfrjCiQiFtGQObledY3YffBAhyW2oK_nEMq2gR4qFH6SApcvv6VwYIlsvtUgN79z0ceLnnLmqCD8d_tZCQS_/s200/ISP2+Walking+on+Water.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725405756735562578" border="0" /></a><br />As life happens, you are best served not scheduling your day to a T...or really not at all. Case in point. I was washing some under garments before I jetted off to work. As I´m walking outside to hang my clothes on the line I hear two little voices yelling my name. I turn around to see two sets of eyes looking at me. Oh it´s my host sister and her cousin! They hadn´t been over in over a year I feel. It´s always me who goes to visit them! So I run to open the gate and we are talking about our lives and what´s going on. Life is interesting and full of mystery when you´re 7 & 9, let me tell ya.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzILLo1KB6gcNFQRrLlhDKOk9RB6qqST-UBHTagNhme_mTLx6PfjnqUaAD5ZjmrHzG55JuG73iy5KPU3EikyAGmAjIJw-4w0Qdkx_fFLiJGhf1K_vD5XvfnTLSExaB4Un3PXTVpjn0Uwjy/s1600/ISP4.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzILLo1KB6gcNFQRrLlhDKOk9RB6qqST-UBHTagNhme_mTLx6PfjnqUaAD5ZjmrHzG55JuG73iy5KPU3EikyAGmAjIJw-4w0Qdkx_fFLiJGhf1K_vD5XvfnTLSExaB4Un3PXTVpjn0Uwjy/s200/ISP4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725405716388350946" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLLcS2q520GSR4C3kUNnN0sDIL8u3e5OdJCM-kDYSRM3mp9RtYTs4pzKHSDHgz5soOQ4yTlgROpkXJixZvECyczrWJqSrqB3jxYoybR79drnfovsBSundyXuFndXbjXh5y6ZfIZC6A6da/s1600/ISP7.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLLcS2q520GSR4C3kUNnN0sDIL8u3e5OdJCM-kDYSRM3mp9RtYTs4pzKHSDHgz5soOQ4yTlgROpkXJixZvECyczrWJqSrqB3jxYoybR79drnfovsBSundyXuFndXbjXh5y6ZfIZC6A6da/s200/ISP7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402826532261858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0MBbOcPQLsi_jwB9VwO8kDssSHBe9SYgnQQJxt0HQy-hlgZgBhgnNsdloA__hf2M9hSlzNc5ZTbaAUwNdyMSAhgnU6j2NaGEYwQT8oxHCQZCTd-q9aN1E_hFWbKT4MTDeI2oSXLpbfNR/s1600/ISP8.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0MBbOcPQLsi_jwB9VwO8kDssSHBe9SYgnQQJxt0HQy-hlgZgBhgnNsdloA__hf2M9hSlzNc5ZTbaAUwNdyMSAhgnU6j2NaGEYwQT8oxHCQZCTd-q9aN1E_hFWbKT4MTDeI2oSXLpbfNR/s200/ISP8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402811862328178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5pI5qZpXVaU9Evf4quEuKu3Bhe9BrFA3stCSoaLvWNqNMCW2LS-ZFklKU-ikN97AH6NIipANQdYkzn5O28KfUrtLivP8dlLkAbUafO2-K4-sYgFVpCICclOYtkZlwx7f957z-8oAscAQ/s1600/ISP9.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5pI5qZpXVaU9Evf4quEuKu3Bhe9BrFA3stCSoaLvWNqNMCW2LS-ZFklKU-ikN97AH6NIipANQdYkzn5O28KfUrtLivP8dlLkAbUafO2-K4-sYgFVpCICclOYtkZlwx7f957z-8oAscAQ/s200/ISP9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402083826987442" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGn4M8uTU7W7UiiPDjFtrDWnZTMIpPD92A-Quit7oeKSxstqdxcO3F-Iw_4XyfL-xj7Z-X1R0-prqWfGCSBz0YxhVQEyRmmfnbyOapMB3QTVXEIDtsi7C60Aad3OWvF6TDZviZJ_uHGmp/s1600/ISP11.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGn4M8uTU7W7UiiPDjFtrDWnZTMIpPD92A-Quit7oeKSxstqdxcO3F-Iw_4XyfL-xj7Z-X1R0-prqWfGCSBz0YxhVQEyRmmfnbyOapMB3QTVXEIDtsi7C60Aad3OWvF6TDZviZJ_uHGmp/s200/ISP11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402062558271506" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-NLBOhJJ_hOpet_lDYTCPL6J1P-6KvvwLYDQrYtVW56JOf84aTb4YN7IsP2Cw6WO57dvsTc9u6IsN26xFcBHzCTF-wamOk9xgFrKCNXu1DDJe00LJZJFQtGyyGaxT-4c4n1T8JjZUT_Y/s1600/ISP12.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-NLBOhJJ_hOpet_lDYTCPL6J1P-6KvvwLYDQrYtVW56JOf84aTb4YN7IsP2Cw6WO57dvsTc9u6IsN26xFcBHzCTF-wamOk9xgFrKCNXu1DDJe00LJZJFQtGyyGaxT-4c4n1T8JjZUT_Y/s200/ISP12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402050871548402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNhek-u7ycv6KKDQqvKC0QanQsQ3btoNLyE4xvUOb6OAUZ4yZcO-6cqXjedc2QfwRReH0IpOJSlnuz3OKqXfmIkbOV9fOImv3TrilFuuFda-D_dQR5AMqLt9bH0CKkBeg__jzWc1p9Ojq/s1600/ISP10.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNhek-u7ycv6KKDQqvKC0QanQsQ3btoNLyE4xvUOb6OAUZ4yZcO-6cqXjedc2QfwRReH0IpOJSlnuz3OKqXfmIkbOV9fOImv3TrilFuuFda-D_dQR5AMqLt9bH0CKkBeg__jzWc1p9Ojq/s200/ISP10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402100927219826" border="0" /></a><br />It was a SUPER sunny day (and it was only nine in the morning). As the follow me around hanging my clothes up on my line by my pool they couldn´t help but think, it´s sunny, you have a pool we should make something happen. After reading their squinty, sweaty expressions, I did the inevitable... I offered to let them come over "sometime" and swim. Well in Spanish, "sometime" actually means today at around 2:00 (well at least if you´re 7 or 9 and on your summer vacation). I knew I had A TON to do that day, but I thought, cool, I´ll try to leave work early and stop by your house to officially ask permission from their moms to come over. Well as always, the day goes on longer than one expects and I was still occupied later than I thought.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvrvTEsMOtoNxzr69nhdIQMB7Bf8km7pJRzIjbnT7abkhzH0JsyI8GTG0C_7TaZLkXO2bGGvKTOKUybgMOWiOsSbFPv8t9m-EXvrX4o0z2uolWmfP_7LvNIk5gmoUFHsWZQ6SKUlSHSQg/s1600/ImpromtuSwimParty1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvrvTEsMOtoNxzr69nhdIQMB7Bf8km7pJRzIjbnT7abkhzH0JsyI8GTG0C_7TaZLkXO2bGGvKTOKUybgMOWiOsSbFPv8t9m-EXvrX4o0z2uolWmfP_7LvNIk5gmoUFHsWZQ6SKUlSHSQg/s200/ImpromtuSwimParty1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725405769041017986" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZdwSQgSKrDrUImU7p6-38B-_b98XI7OL_V51_hqOzqJxsYH_TryczQIVQ_xEPUjwZzvkvUZH5N6YWjnLHsQpBHnYgZYOP0mIAJXFwAX_ffdEh0UOcFS9ud_ugKul8JBnhVvpaETWtPsP/s1600/ISP5.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZdwSQgSKrDrUImU7p6-38B-_b98XI7OL_V51_hqOzqJxsYH_TryczQIVQ_xEPUjwZzvkvUZH5N6YWjnLHsQpBHnYgZYOP0mIAJXFwAX_ffdEh0UOcFS9ud_ugKul8JBnhVvpaETWtPsP/s200/ISP5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402866625592738" border="0" /></a><br />That didn´t even matter they were at my house when I got home ready to go. The only thing we folks were waiting on was for me to get into MY swimsuit! Now, I thought two girls were coming over, well I guess they thought it was a +1 party, because they had brought +1s and their +1s had invited +1s. Well if "the more the merrier" was the theme, I called up my neighbors, loves and friends to come over and we had a straight up Impromptu Swim Party on a random Tuesday afternoon. It was so much fun. I made popcorn, we had soda and the day was a huge unplanned success. Although I was Exhausted at the end of the day, it´s moments like those that I love where it doesn´t take planning or forethought, just being Present, open and willing to have a great time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmS6y679UBdf_WLkrtEDDHNjLJVsvRfl4kkW-4TKbxpljHeK3tLjUAeX4rhFk4l6PLHXT3YmowLNO2zqCun269p1p2p5NVCg4YuBw2dXBKpqe-qqQBDJScmy1sZfiJ_47sVqrUJJPCkvJ/s1600/ISP3.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmS6y679UBdf_WLkrtEDDHNjLJVsvRfl4kkW-4TKbxpljHeK3tLjUAeX4rhFk4l6PLHXT3YmowLNO2zqCun269p1p2p5NVCg4YuBw2dXBKpqe-qqQBDJScmy1sZfiJ_47sVqrUJJPCkvJ/s200/ISP3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725405733461591394" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1-7xEOBLjvyH3OHSP9stLAjvXJ-fEr_l_MiF68uR96Q2WJr-HUzEFywerRFqXuIXdQaj6CtRTt6eMAIwK27ddmQc4HKN9vQDZQ2sXSnV3rE-dQ3homEisBPEj8NLvQp6gNCd3YEztGtA/s1600/ISP6.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1-7xEOBLjvyH3OHSP9stLAjvXJ-fEr_l_MiF68uR96Q2WJr-HUzEFywerRFqXuIXdQaj6CtRTt6eMAIwK27ddmQc4HKN9vQDZQ2sXSnV3rE-dQ3homEisBPEj8NLvQp6gNCd3YEztGtA/s200/ISP6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725402849213402834" border="0" /></a>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-8524304167443473892012-04-15T11:49:00.001-07:002012-04-15T11:49:00.102-07:00#26 - Saludos!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 9]><xml> 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lang="EN-US">Saludos,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>One thing I love about Ecuadorian customs is that you <span style="font-style: italic;">saludar</span>, or greet people when you enter a room, a store or the general presence of people. It’s highly acceptable to walk into a party of 30 people and you personally kiss each one on the cheek or at least extend a handshake to each individual. That alone I think is Great manners and I love that connection on a human level.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Something I find humorous is how this affects meetings and “la hora Ecuatoriana” as the call it (i.e. not being obsessed with time and arriving within 30 minutes of that stated time is good enough). When people walk into meetings extremely late that are already in session, instead of slinking in quietly to the back, the usually shout out “BUENAS TARDES”, in order to, of course, not seem rude or mal educado (poorly educated) for entering a room without greeting the people. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>That irony makes me giggle every time, because in the U.S. we would think it’s a) extremely rude to arrive late to a meeting b) make your presence known once you arrive, but here I’ve had the presenter stop to call someone out for entering the room and NOT greeting everyone. It’s so classic and I definitely prefer the Ecuadoran rules of Greetings/Saludos. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></p>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-46498431104817885212012-04-02T11:58:00.008-07:002012-04-02T11:58:00.218-07:00Aldea Kids Come To Sua!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0acS78rs38u9kxXTw-S26ike449WtK1Xe_YghKT6K104EfhwgaHXkOPkFNg_21bnu1vZWLXceJstBSsuJd2ZwPK83IoOxafobW-D5MNAs43DZlkrALwSoLzytrTyibVHgnQZ2HI9_NZaC/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0acS78rs38u9kxXTw-S26ike449WtK1Xe_YghKT6K104EfhwgaHXkOPkFNg_21bnu1vZWLXceJstBSsuJd2ZwPK83IoOxafobW-D5MNAs43DZlkrALwSoLzytrTyibVHgnQZ2HI9_NZaC/s200/IMG_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725398761470204162" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaE4HYPHdOtaGrv0qnt1WhUl1y6M3ITWGy4-Vtb7BVmv7fd-npe4dnBSQHO8bumK8m_N-mWS-L5OGhHlx7FGHFSA7Mb1hFRniTvv0RPtWZsDEEqkV4xC7hCDEPFO73RDgXlljrJ8kcnVp/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38MCNrJkIsrWrzaxSeTcXiWifiKwdcrPecSlBh_M0wxYMGC2qFNmaQG3O6lhJHIhwdltQwfDyJeg-GmCTLcaW_VHTV2PI2D9zzXoNQLesthzxPNdK-AIQA7MaYV6IrDGd7uirrXWNdfs-/s200/107_6245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725396659072926034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMQB3mi8KBjegkgWT0dl6FXhAdXtYQEBpkkxNLOWx51Qfqbpa1L4K_KdYzgmEMAiKt3h_VNoY0wrpiu0tuDfvEehnQ5KgA5TN_YRuXzLeshzSlc_2y56AcW2xeUr60OzfLt01d1uKZXAk/s1600/107_6242.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMQB3mi8KBjegkgWT0dl6FXhAdXtYQEBpkkxNLOWx51Qfqbpa1L4K_KdYzgmEMAiKt3h_VNoY0wrpiu0tuDfvEehnQ5KgA5TN_YRuXzLeshzSlc_2y56AcW2xeUr60OzfLt01d1uKZXAk/s200/107_6242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725396652852309650" border="0" /></a><br />We´d been throwing the idea around for awhile, but finally one of the Mom´s from the Aldea come over to my house and brought all of her kids! Actually, the original plan was they would come to Sua Beach and we would hang out there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfXqEV18hkXdArD7cCe1z_nLZD11s5-j5qBX7rANYH2TwGzzydDD0c7naBFGwL0EnE8urpqb9dXoJwSw-fN94kOHo684WgjeBg8bPaZuT2LjvfUv0Do7TIb99Tbxc8rGMr42gXevYWY26/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfXqEV18hkXdArD7cCe1z_nLZD11s5-j5qBX7rANYH2TwGzzydDD0c7naBFGwL0EnE8urpqb9dXoJwSw-fN94kOHo684WgjeBg8bPaZuT2LjvfUv0Do7TIb99Tbxc8rGMr42gXevYWY26/s200/IMG_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725397151891433234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN2sMksNugSNM9EeSOnOSf0qZPmh1s8ua4dQcUHyH-HiSb2kcC5H6-Le8lSdPB4zGpwwaAw9xU3460tpIXWNqoLdAmRRXz0-WciSUOIYQg953ZHfZoHP2BVqMsPapzeSahqLsE8IIjvzF/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN2sMksNugSNM9EeSOnOSf0qZPmh1s8ua4dQcUHyH-HiSb2kcC5H6-Le8lSdPB4zGpwwaAw9xU3460tpIXWNqoLdAmRRXz0-WciSUOIYQg953ZHfZoHP2BVqMsPapzeSahqLsE8IIjvzF/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725397149241861106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLguj5hIcWqSjtyP4ptYCT_sG5riwugigIdEMutnFhH3oqyuj-Wjc8jUtV1DIVhbZwMVu6-3TGNcT2zDXFMmZuSTEsEGehN5BcVp4Uy240RlHd6XIaq1249u1X-EDbziKsu33yKDkXIEbW/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLguj5hIcWqSjtyP4ptYCT_sG5riwugigIdEMutnFhH3oqyuj-Wjc8jUtV1DIVhbZwMVu6-3TGNcT2zDXFMmZuSTEsEGehN5BcVp4Uy240RlHd6XIaq1249u1X-EDbziKsu33yKDkXIEbW/s200/IMG_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725397138915282050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIxlg5kiv8him093paiyxAGfpPLVWG8trzUTtnrk1Q0WodDPCl76OSR8OdzuP29IaxF4qW3fK7X_VIDwxnDtuMTRGK3IzxOh9K6LTZJyNeDHALT1j4pwy1mp7qprCkkoMkzd0-wj-lfU1/s1600/107_6261.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIxlg5kiv8him093paiyxAGfpPLVWG8trzUTtnrk1Q0WodDPCl76OSR8OdzuP29IaxF4qW3fK7X_VIDwxnDtuMTRGK3IzxOh9K6LTZJyNeDHALT1j4pwy1mp7qprCkkoMkzd0-wj-lfU1/s200/107_6261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725396663603364386" border="0" /></a><br />However, once we realized the fish that the kids were "cathing" were actually a result of a river of dead fish thrown out by the fisherman up the river, we became disgusted with the ocean and ended up going back to my house and swimming in the pool That turned out to be a way better time anyway. It was so special being able to have someone I work with over to the house and to have the kids know where I live and what my place is like, since I´m in their house every single day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabDiQY8fm5xCpNxwefRLtGImpUE96eDDIm1INhiETIUFcAzz0i7eGsiZWOJqFBgyH05W_UKLBWEuPULE-yuZsbYnahXnvHdsU-girZmwI5ZOxIqKl1_tPrb3Vh37CRVtIyuFqEeo8WYn/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabDiQY8fm5xCpNxwefRLtGImpUE96eDDIm1INhiETIUFcAzz0i7eGsiZWOJqFBgyH05W_UKLBWEuPULE-yuZsbYnahXnvHdsU-girZmwI5ZOxIqKl1_tPrb3Vh37CRVtIyuFqEeo8WYn/s200/IMG_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725398744812761810" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dYU8GYta3ZFIkmBa-Y-qt01-pdHp44s9meOUqI9Nxx3_DTzDTn7EkQniYAnwh-_YGocm6K4WzMsHYpW9vt2xWvVa3GOzLCGU-W70wNzKJcVX79NI40bi2cLTFa-SBYNQtt_yo6a4v6SX/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dYU8GYta3ZFIkmBa-Y-qt01-pdHp44s9meOUqI9Nxx3_DTzDTn7EkQniYAnwh-_YGocm6K4WzMsHYpW9vt2xWvVa3GOzLCGU-W70wNzKJcVX79NI40bi2cLTFa-SBYNQtt_yo6a4v6SX/s200/IMG_0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725398724062316754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX3_1u7kNUa30cAJydtbTJRkJ770flG998x_zwsjsTAGyDtW1ECQcgRssmDxwGIzWnvOifU1JOHBheKZElzYFRifyaB7ELze0-edGm4VHnPAI_U-gFwYV7wKCoXmAaP9UdUHK0n9Zvx0B/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG"></a><br />We made an impromptu lunch of tuna, tomatoes and rice and the Mom had the kids just sit in the floor since they were dripping wet. I said they could sit on the coach and chairs, but once she saw my furniture she decided she is going to want to buy them from me when I leave and she didn´t want "for the kids to mess up her new furniture". So These are some fun memories of the day. I´ll cherish them always!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ0k5-0P1w_DmPcFOEWi_9uDMBp4wu8c_OpZL6dh2JSdktgtp3pgIZ1Sw5GVWI-wxWYpxOVlmktznoPxxX_ukw6cOIm0syHSxLhrvxA74hCIeXFygLdCuOYPK8A8UwA9ar0-4OuYd_88S/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ0k5-0P1w_DmPcFOEWi_9uDMBp4wu8c_OpZL6dh2JSdktgtp3pgIZ1Sw5GVWI-wxWYpxOVlmktznoPxxX_ukw6cOIm0syHSxLhrvxA74hCIeXFygLdCuOYPK8A8UwA9ar0-4OuYd_88S/s200/IMG_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725398204293613522" border="0" /></a>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-50199292916990540632012-03-30T11:34:00.001-07:002012-03-30T11:34:00.049-07:00Watch out Ebony & Vogue, Here I Come!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXUungSeGp1JYL1P3XLmUIo7D3msYYbe5G9Ial770wUQO8sa2gx5Fw43PIT713fg565CJ-EY7C0HFqqS9FyedeYoekOcJu-uedlni8PcNvTEpp2cKFu8XoRHOxSS0ceBHfSi7-hYf-Am8/s1600/TJBV.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXUungSeGp1JYL1P3XLmUIo7D3msYYbe5G9Ial770wUQO8sa2gx5Fw43PIT713fg565CJ-EY7C0HFqqS9FyedeYoekOcJu-uedlni8PcNvTEpp2cKFu8XoRHOxSS0ceBHfSi7-hYf-Am8/s320/TJBV.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725390177517270194" border="0" /></a><span lang="EN-US">My first magazine appearance!<br /><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![end--><span lang="EN-US">Remember how I wrote an article for my organizations international magazine? Well here’s the article! Yeah, before you get excited my exact words were not used, more like the general information, but they used the only pictures I submitted that had my joven and me in it. Most of the pictures I submitted were just of her. But it’s fun for people at home to see. Also, on the other page my co-facilitator wrote an article on an outing we took to Manabí. They also changed his words but I’m in those pictures too, but you probably can’t see it. Either way, it’s my first two page magazine spread and so I’m sharing it with you all </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">:)</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" ></span></span><span lang="EN-US"></span></p>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-17542379694158259772012-03-29T11:10:00.003-07:002012-03-29T11:20:48.180-07:00Longing for Convenience (This is NOT a good sign..)I don’t know if it’s because I’m thinking about returning to the States or what. Sure I’m in my 6 month count down and I certainly can write more about that, but this week has found me more frustrated than normal. I have dealt with instances like this many times since I’ve been living in Ecuador but this month I just wasn’t as patient or tolerant or something….not sure what’s with me, but here’s a glimpse into how business get down here in my neck of the woods…<br /><br />Incident #1<br /><br />First I had a package to pick up in Esmeraldas. This task took me over two weeks to accomplish. I live in Sua, I work in Atacames and Esmeraldas is an hour trip from Atacames and an hour and a half from Sua. I went the first time to pick up that package and an hour bus ride and a $3 cab ride later the lady tells me, great, I have now accepted the package. What? What does that even mean? I literally did all that travel, just for her to mouse click "accept" on her computer. Now what? I can come back in 3 days to receive a piece of paper that I will then have to take to the bank (because the post office doesn’t handle money she tells me) and then carry the exorbitant amount of money back to the post office to pick up my package. That alone sounded like a lot. Knowing how things go here, I didn’t go back in 3 days I went back in four. Same hour long bus ride, had to ask off work, another cab ride there and back, just to hear that the little piece of paper isn’t ready yet. I’ll just repeat that 3 more times over the past two weeks. Making this journey only to hear “ya, no” every time I showed up from my half day journey. Argh so much time, so much money and so much effort! Why!? It´s too hot for all that! :) And for the record the post office Does deal with money because after I went to the bank to pay all that money to get the package out, she still charged me a smooth $5 for what I don’t even know. I could give you the painful details of each trip but why….<br /><br />Incident #2<br /><br />I have maybe had internet in my house for about 4 months, I signed a contract for 18 months for unlimited internet access. This weekend it stopped working. No biggie, it happens. Friday nothing, Saturday nothing, Sunday still nothing strange. I don’t even know how long I gave it, maybe until Monday or Tuesday before I went to the office in Atacames to see what the deal was. You see, due to the heartbreak and headache it was to get internet in the FIRST Place I was shamed to even show my face in that office. Having to go EVERY SINGLE DAY only to be told, “Mañana” everyday and having to get brava with the customer service people just to get a service I was paying for is why I was reluctant to go back in the office to be “that girl” once again.<br /><br />The same lady was there as always and I told her my internet hasn’t been working for about 5 days. She puts in my information and says “Oh yeah you had the unlimited plan they aren’t offering that anymore” in my head I’m thinking, alright so I guess no new customers will be getting that. So I ask, so when will my service be back.. “ She tell me they’ve suspended everyone’s service who had the unlimited plan cause they aren’t offering it anymore. 4 months into an 18 month contract? Isn’t that binding on both sides? “Ya,no”.<br /><br /> Come back tomorrow she tells me, to talk to the special customer service guy tomorrow. I was like “Are you sure? Cause you know me, I’ll be here” “Seguro Seguro, he’ll be here”. Wanna guess if he was there te next day? So what does the lady tells me “It’s better for you to go to Esmeraldas to find him to see what you can do”. The reason I went with this company to begin with is because they were local and going to Esmeraldas is a production. Lady: Shoulder shrug. Like a fool I take the second half of the day off to go to Esmeraldas, hour bus ride, $3 dollar cab, find the big office. They are closed for this reason or that. That’s when I realize this business has cut my service, without warning and I am going all over trying to pay them to jerk me around.<br /><br />(Update: Went back yesterday and today, and it´s been the same thing..)<br /><br />So ridiculous. The thing is I’ve become used to this. IT happened to me in Guayaquil and every time I wanted to blog about it I was always so devastated I couldn’t. Happened with my fridge (bought a new fridge to avoid drama, a week later after dealing with a lemon and having to go back and forth with the business they finally switch it out, lots of calls, lots of visits, lots of tears), with my internet there (I ended up buying chocolates for the staff after all we had been through together) , with the bank I could go on. When small tiendas have different customs I get it. They’re tiny mom and pops (and in my opinion more reliable). However almost 3 years later I am astonished how bona fide business treat their customers.<br /><br />So as far as the internet company, I’m just going to make sure they aren’t taking money out of my account for there non service and I’m looking at it as a blessing, cause I’m leaving before my contract is over ANYWAY. I have online projects I was in the midst of, but when there is a will there is a way and I’ll figure it out…<br /><br />Hate to rant and be negative. It’s just that I think it’s interesting that I’m thinking in my head “This wouldn’t happen in the States”, and maybe that’s a sign I’m seeing the positives about the US in my preparation to go back.<br /><br />Please note I realize I’m in the Peace Corps and A LOT of people have a WAY harder time getting their mail and having internet AT ALL is amazing. I’m just saying, business don’t fawn over their customers like in the U.S. I mean people get treated horribly in the US too, but usually if you cause enough of a stink you get a complimentary something and they make it right. Well at least in my imagination it’s that way. Maybe this is a Grass is Greener moment... Either way this week I am underwhelmed with with customer service...<br /><br />Still loving life, and Ecuador though!! Until next time!!!Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-40543895274754848022012-03-21T20:30:00.002-07:002012-03-21T20:40:44.191-07:00Pitaya y PapayaPitaya or Dragon Fruit is my new favorite this season.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3lBBJ3Up_hrCYV9hRsLwezVW5nZ1xmJIN0Bjedichg_zy9PhTyayv0OR5v_NZxf4eMardcOgJN3nDi3JDTuan8-m90SGrnDgqL7oJtz-7UDumXnwKCVjYLrJwXDKAkqw7-gYcpYvQnWp/s1600/Photo+6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3lBBJ3Up_hrCYV9hRsLwezVW5nZ1xmJIN0Bjedichg_zy9PhTyayv0OR5v_NZxf4eMardcOgJN3nDi3JDTuan8-m90SGrnDgqL7oJtz-7UDumXnwKCVjYLrJwXDKAkqw7-gYcpYvQnWp/s200/Photo+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722559776364293010" /></a><br />I feel like I tried it before...once and wasn't all that impressed. This year I'm crazy about it. It's so easy, you just cut it in half, grab a spoon and go to down. I LOVE stuff that's easy to eat. It's sweet, it's healthy what's not to like. Plus, it's a natural, ahem, colon cleanser if you know what I mean. (sorry) I have also finally gotten over my aversion for papaya. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2OvyzlTIyuGj9oVXdZwlQdSJmoF_NniJniQ5nd1b1yG9HmiXhyphenhyphenJTzd9QU7dnuG3KFRzL8BzD-eBCHQZUR4-WpCuH26B5KsQ7xdRpzmsF5BJ73-_afjVOENsa7J6dsOwi_ZMzgZ_KsDPx/s1600/Photo+7.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2OvyzlTIyuGj9oVXdZwlQdSJmoF_NniJniQ5nd1b1yG9HmiXhyphenhyphenJTzd9QU7dnuG3KFRzL8BzD-eBCHQZUR4-WpCuH26B5KsQ7xdRpzmsF5BJ73-_afjVOENsa7J6dsOwi_ZMzgZ_KsDPx/s200/Photo+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722559785256032786" /></a>It was a slow but steady journey to acquiring a taste for this healthy digestive treat, and now papaya is part of my daily routine any given week. I wish throughout this whole blog I have highlighted things that I'm eating and especially the exotic fruits that are here. Oh well here's a start, here's an update and pics are always good too :) In Love & Smoothies!Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-43946102286999758412012-02-25T11:19:00.000-08:002012-02-25T11:19:00.722-08:00#25 Long Bus Rides = Changing Landscape<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhB0PS20bUV1sFD1PeuxRAP2_mfS2VUaF4776uY0vd69yhuIyvCyPeh431VP6IS5zYeyVGZISzvGEopC8VCHp-g9FEFfVV4W3URy8ZRBWVi3jLFKA8225J6954vzKJReyfrRuN4vOipf2/s1600/window.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhB0PS20bUV1sFD1PeuxRAP2_mfS2VUaF4776uY0vd69yhuIyvCyPeh431VP6IS5zYeyVGZISzvGEopC8VCHp-g9FEFfVV4W3URy8ZRBWVi3jLFKA8225J6954vzKJReyfrRuN4vOipf2/s320/window.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697944297326279954" /></a><br />In my head I had a very poetic way to describe how I feel about the changing landscape of Ecuador, but that was maybe over 6 months again and if I don't write about it now I don't think I'll ever will.<br /><br />I believe it was after my epic journey from Sua to Vilcamamba (close to the border of Peru) that I had this insight. For those who don't know that journey spans the length of the country pretty much. You see it all. Although the journey was seeming eternal, I was amazed at how beautiful Ecuador really is.<br /><br />You pass through towns and wonder about the lives of the people perched outside of tiendas and restaura<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IKJMi3DoBcbmjIeXi0oxAUy6PmPf9hM3350sBzpFq3O7hGx3nhzZ8y2WTWQmk395TM1_uE9kH3AO0wCujjlPFdCS_YvD_LUjqnY3mVby3VBWeUwwntoIqUA94dGoQhyphenhyphen07ATVX6wtJyai/s320/mountain.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697943923950789202" />nts. You see kids playing with dogs and friends greeting each other. On this journey I saw the plush green vegetation that give Esmeraldas it's name, to the awe inspiring mountains of the Sierra region to the clean waters that run through the Loja region.<br /><br />Even the snacks change. At the start of my journey the vendors would get on the bus selling empanadas de verde (empanadas made from plantains) to habas, a bean that is more popular in the Sierra to items I wasn't even familiar with when we got down to the Loja region. Same country different snacks!<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOVM6FwIMQdm5JupoSruanGbO6nmB1KAJ0eIL3tel2fnOLGZy5tCx38y1iRxUSt6audN1yWfBsxGVZZZy2yUBOgiXnYC7an8fZn1POdgmE-HIDLoK8y6zB4E6dYZs64qtmenkF0d15SPQ/s320/esm.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697944815844166210" /><br />Being in an airplane at night I'm always in awe at how vast the starry lit sky can be, thinking only in a plane in the air could you have feel that sensation, but I tell you I had the same experience looking up at the sky, seeing all pitch black and what seemed to be glitter in the heavens as my bus winded through the mountains leaving Vilcabamba.<br /><br />If you are going to have a 14 hour bus ride ahead of you, be sure it's in Ecuador, you'll never get bored and the beauty (and available comida) is unceasing.Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-76543920938343230312012-01-18T10:55:00.000-08:002012-01-18T10:55:00.199-08:00Brigada VerdeThis past December I participated in a workshop by the name Brigada Verde. So much happened, it was a lot of fun and I have TON of pictures, but in the interest of working smarter not harder, I'm going to leave you with an article I wrote for the Aldea newsletter. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT5xoDOvwAjxkbi_uL85lNIY7gIgYy_roltlU5VLtbcQNxzVbRT0y0yu8XmjHwkRtgd1FZ3TOSGTcAIZUGpIqV5-CMyF5LDNvMBBuSKWLc-b1W9LEmi38m8udq4jYLsreGXSTNFFjBzLA/s1600/Brigada+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT5xoDOvwAjxkbi_uL85lNIY7gIgYy_roltlU5VLtbcQNxzVbRT0y0yu8XmjHwkRtgd1FZ3TOSGTcAIZUGpIqV5-CMyF5LDNvMBBuSKWLc-b1W9LEmi38m8udq4jYLsreGXSTNFFjBzLA/s320/Brigada+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697936655115580274" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; ">“What we take for granted might not be here for our children”- Al Gore, Inconvenient Truth</span><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333; background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333; background:white">That poignant idea was the overall theme of the first annual “Brigada Verde” hosted by Peace Corps Ecuador. </span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333">Peace Corps is an organization of the United States that provides assistance in different technical fields such as</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;background:whitesmoke">, Natural Resources, Health and</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333"> Social Work with Youth through the work and the help of several volunteers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333">The eager group of participants consisted of 18 Peace Corps Volunteers and 20 youth leaders from various communities in Ecuador. The objective of the “Brigada Verde” Workshop was to capacitate the volunteers and their youth leaders with the information necessary to bring back the awareness of the serious issues of the<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78C5Iz-G08lMUDUwnIpi4H3Tkyioio6dAM8QuuIQ7bUPI8fz71LDSmspsNre_P8TowyKzJnGH52g-nvpbHCvvEkO8RHfAqYoqTIKfQnrmFYosMdUBbwIuAbWXGzEhvHA4fP99gIdTqCgs/s1600/Brigada1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78C5Iz-G08lMUDUwnIpi4H3Tkyioio6dAM8QuuIQ7bUPI8fz71LDSmspsNre_P8TowyKzJnGH52g-nvpbHCvvEkO8RHfAqYoqTIKfQnrmFYosMdUBbwIuAbWXGzEhvHA4fP99gIdTqCgs/s320/Brigada1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697936647092571954" /></a><br />environment to their respective cities. During the week long workshop the participants learned, how to form an EcoClub, the environment issues that plague Ecuador’s different regions, how to make crafts out of recycled trash and how to plant trees to reforest barren areas.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333">This was not your typical conference where you simply sit and listen to an expert speak. This event was full of hands on activities and a lot of participation. The youth were challenged to create 3-D maps of their area using clay, water bottle tops, wooden sticks, balloons and anything else they could find. Everyday the youth were given opportunities to speak in front of the group over their ideas on how to make positive changes in their communities. The learning didn’t just happen in the conference room, participants were outside getting their hands dirty planting trees, roots and other plants as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; ">One of the favored participants Thai from La Aldea Infantil SOS de Esmeraldas says she enjoyed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xzKxv_iSF3OhOEUACC3SuPiviYboj5oIJlp2S0LY2A8Sj8U6lQu9n9B66MmTWY8NGo8wR5S60Xy3yYVxrPHRvd4jGdIFX_j_BbSub4tJg5wvS8-YuwkvPTJFk7TzCNqoRU1COkRwL_DT/s1600/Brigada4.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xzKxv_iSF3OhOEUACC3SuPiviYboj5oIJlp2S0LY2A8Sj8U6lQu9n9B66MmTWY8NGo8wR5S60Xy3yYVxrPHRvd4jGdIFX_j_BbSub4tJg5wvS8-YuwkvPTJFk7TzCNqoRU1COkRwL_DT/s400/Brigada4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697937063427076002" /></a>most “ learning to make crafts out trash.", about the event. She is planning on starting an EcoClub in her community in February when the youth are on vacation and have plenty of time to dedicate to the various possible projects such as mingas, recycled art and reforestation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:#333333">While the days were filled with hard work there was also time to get to know one another and have fun! The youth were given time to run around, play together, eat together and watch movies at night, such as the analytical documentary “Inconvenient Truth” and the light hearted cartoon film, “Rio”. Before departing on the final day participants were awarded certificates for their hard work. Brigadas Verdes was a huge success and great experience for all who participated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: 11px;">********</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: 11px;">After the event myself and another volunteer took our jovenes to the Mitad del Mundo. So much fun!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p style="margin-top: 0.07in; margin-bottom: 0.07in; line-height: 100%"> </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgdyvdyhg147h4nLpsIsVsgAyFto8QO201luvLAa-hlh3zObghmaeyBr8nS9E85n-CWUhHDMdhITmUhJXWeADRc1_FFrix3b2G2hROO62CZmnEmJRBb2GiFymbgdVJtk0fgqquCj1FFNk/s1600/Brigada+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgdyvdyhg147h4nLpsIsVsgAyFto8QO201luvLAa-hlh3zObghmaeyBr8nS9E85n-CWUhHDMdhITmUhJXWeADRc1_FFrix3b2G2hROO62CZmnEmJRBb2GiFymbgdVJtk0fgqquCj1FFNk/s320/Brigada+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697936658094773218" /></a>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-54570588797152868672012-01-16T14:30:00.000-08:002012-01-16T14:41:56.567-08:00There's No Place Like HomeToday I found that 4 siblings that happen to be some of my favorites are leaving the Aldea. Also, when I came back from the holiday vacation I found out that a few of the kids I was working with that were have a LOT of difficulties also went back to their families.<div><br /></div><div>That's the hard thing about working for this unique organization. The idea of the Aldea is not to keep kids until they are adopted. The idea is for them to have a loving environment to grow up in while social workers work with the families to rehabilitate them to once again be a loving and nurturing environment for the kids to go back to.</div><div><br /></div><div>So actually, when the kids go back home it's really a good thing, a great thing, it shows that their time at the Aldea worked. It illustrates that the kids were ready to go back and the families were ready to receive them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh but it is so hard to see them go. It's usually a hush, hush thing so I usually hear about it the day before or sometimes the day after! However, now that I am a facilitator of the teens, I know more about their whole process and the next group ready to go back home happen to be teens so I know now what is going to happen in February.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to be sad, but I know that is selfish. Time and time again when the social workers go visit the kids to make sure they are adjusting to their homes and families, they are always happy to be reunited with their families. The Aldea is a WONDERFUL place and they offer great services, but some kids reach a point that Dorothy knew all to well, "There's no place like home"...</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-30095379056530435792012-01-15T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-15T10:33:32.498-08:00Happy 2012!Spending time away from my friends and family during the holidays does not get easier, but this year I had some lovely visitors that certainly helped take my mind off being so far away from those I normally spend Christmas with. <div><br /></div><div>My Hermanita and a crew of volunteers come from Machala to rock my Christmas and bring in the New Year. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0an9VT-kWCn7q8u3HTGiwt_etKF4Z_l5RscnLlg8I-SvY_A8BSeC2P-0TrxBmi0biQvQBaS3dorl3M-LDzTpphVNGnJ2kAhh5VXszq85mStu2Exc_ELsgLWmcHzjkg6FPQddBFiWByPJ/s1600/SBMompiche.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0an9VT-kWCn7q8u3HTGiwt_etKF4Z_l5RscnLlg8I-SvY_A8BSeC2P-0TrxBmi0biQvQBaS3dorl3M-LDzTpphVNGnJ2kAhh5VXszq85mStu2Exc_ELsgLWmcHzjkg6FPQddBFiWByPJ/s200/SBMompiche.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697925769773834514" /></a>It's always great having people come to visit because I take part in all the fun activities my site has to offer that I never partake in. Right when the girls got in we hit the beach, chilled out and even did the banana boat rides.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A63fWl2R5UrVqRmIoJD8gAvRs86pZp4v2GVwtA0qrnSElx3n7OGNIoEilGznji-ZlhvlNnmlpxjEv2vuPtoNIPkm3WRAw44Rcf04ULvVFmxHbo8Pm06_LwV6Z4YYlDLRcvUzy_CZTIQ7/s1600/SBBanana.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A63fWl2R5UrVqRmIoJD8gAvRs86pZp4v2GVwtA0qrnSElx3n7OGNIoEilGznji-ZlhvlNnmlpxjEv2vuPtoNIPkm3WRAw44Rcf04ULvVFmxHbo8Pm06_LwV6Z4YYlDLRcvUzy_CZTIQ7/s200/SBBanana.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697918603291904130" /></a> I remember this time last year when I had two of my besties visiting we took my first boat tour to the different beaches near Sua. This year I went on the Banana Boat and another fun ride for the first time. I always see tourist come and scream their heads off, but never go on the rides myself. It was SO much fun and I always just get filled with gratitude that I actually LIVE here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9XwSgxMZCi8U0ne6o6bU0erNbkTxgbrrDJ7nyI_HpOnYRiDw3ebBdqLVWedB6cG3DWedw_3dvnYe7XCPRLqUcaOz6I1cZ0I3m4uorN3MhAYGeYXFQDOpiZqqa9iF9IixiQKJ5spJwHG_/s1600/SBAtacamesNight.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9XwSgxMZCi8U0ne6o6bU0erNbkTxgbrrDJ7nyI_HpOnYRiDw3ebBdqLVWedB6cG3DWedw_3dvnYe7XCPRLqUcaOz6I1cZ0I3m4uorN3MhAYGeYXFQDOpiZqqa9iF9IixiQKJ5spJwHG_/s200/SBAtacamesNight.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697925766789838322" /></a><br />In the days leading up to Christmas and the days between Christmas and New Year's, we hung out in Sua, Atacames and Mompiche during the day. At night we again enjoyed the beaches of Sua and Atacames. It's worth repeating that normally I am in.the.house. at night, but to be a great hostess I was out building bonfires on the beach in front of my house and dancing the night away in Atacames...and I actually like it! Visitors are the best.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9EZAPLOicceS-wzdsU7Z9tUcbHSFL3-AN-Kt24CM0uIGyYYYkayndRXkVJP03apQ9oTtSUn6tTb28NmKDrl00uEPreHzRdSxSEJ4kYTTRCf9EiEcC9NoMD9OKqFXexITd2FG2n4g9H4L/s1600/SBFam.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9EZAPLOicceS-wzdsU7Z9tUcbHSFL3-AN-Kt24CM0uIGyYYYkayndRXkVJP03apQ9oTtSUn6tTb28NmKDrl00uEPreHzRdSxSEJ4kYTTRCf9EiEcC9NoMD9OKqFXexITd2FG2n4g9H4L/s200/SBFam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697918635706854066" /></a><br /><br />For Christmas we cooked all day like we did last year. We cooked in the "Tree House", a house on the beach made out of wood that my best friend here owns with her husband and two kids. They are like my family here so it was nice getting to spend this Christmas with them again. I had planned out the menu with my Hermanita and all the girls just picked something to prepare and had it. It was a great group experience. After all that hard work we feasted together buffet style and it was deliciously fun!<img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEda6vqJ-syMcFPPpcWqybHZUzmN34rxides00nICiIYefo8rbvXIcw2EbetglLplwhSKiS0w2VaqnZwVqjhu5xe87RPSfT8aTNOIVoNGh0CACVOpJs1ZfpTNSDd8aXqThOexWXsCl4sgE/s200/SBChristmas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697918604567339602" /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrhT0hqFU6MViu9bxvLLmfWQMAQB6-bFugxR7yzmQgP6TCLpCrrw0EJ5CNVZEVY1Yeuq25ybvYZVr0d9dd5z1YZXCUGChkhbbgX6fOg2h5XuT_kir06k70b0o-zef4yD4xseWW9vXiVl7/s200/SBThegirls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697918643026525058" /><br />New Year's was also a blast. From frequenting the beach all week long we had made a lot of new friends so New Year's was just a<br />culmination of that. More friends came to visit and other volunteers had come to the beach to celebrate. We danced all night and let off fireworks on the beach at midnight. All in all great start to 2012. I'm looking forward to what this year will bring!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-yLVwecuK-vT0U4n870UJeEgQGO1BF_ADg2GbQNOs5Dd82bD5niz8zLUPOyJb_DTNsmMTJAuqGTFIWcPhb2ev39PsuQ9UWKLlm-nivWQcPdXjOkZ_4O-5FXIAznQ2MpRVckDCLNCQYeK/s1600/SBChristmasMiley.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-yLVwecuK-vT0U4n870UJeEgQGO1BF_ADg2GbQNOs5Dd82bD5niz8zLUPOyJb_DTNsmMTJAuqGTFIWcPhb2ev39PsuQ9UWKLlm-nivWQcPdXjOkZ_4O-5FXIAznQ2MpRVckDCLNCQYeK/s200/SBChristmasMiley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697918609703285394" /></a> Peep how I wear the same <a href="http://sunshinebuilder.blogspot.com/2011/12/seasons-greetings.html">Christmas Shirt</a> every year.Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-45454910531758439862011-12-25T09:31:00.000-08:002011-12-25T09:31:00.852-08:00Seasons Greetings!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZqY0oiZRuSvrQbP4vHoFh-sbvpN7iBgb8aBCArk8Nl60fC46gXCmPRI5obexe94t6NHmlhPoqmkGXKpoawrMmDMA8x24-ts8YdJjl6MmVg8PpJMPjcPdB2ucvi4vgwC0NStRukuL0k/s1600/Christmas+2010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfZqY0oiZRuSvrQbP4vHoFh-sbvpN7iBgb8aBCArk8Nl60fC46gXCmPRI5obexe94t6NHmlhPoqmkGXKpoawrMmDMA8x24-ts8YdJjl6MmVg8PpJMPjcPdB2ucvi4vgwC0NStRukuL0k/s320/Christmas+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681579493123720962" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhq22FqgHg5OdZzcT3O4rxOQ6RbggTVazKTWFepXRJ2MlfCPadH6FVfhrXCNs5OtFjAKQx96n7wNLwb4iXUhbeVo5HeNQ89nXKembtU7Kfanzeitrdo97WX7AHG3N7Nd_z0I5NEqQKPc/s1600/HijadoChristmas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhq22FqgHg5OdZzcT3O4rxOQ6RbggTVazKTWFepXRJ2MlfCPadH6FVfhrXCNs5OtFjAKQx96n7wNLwb4iXUhbeVo5HeNQ89nXKembtU7Kfanzeitrdo97WX7AHG3N7Nd_z0I5NEqQKPc/s320/HijadoChristmas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681578926396832450" /></a>Merry Christmas, from the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of he World), where Salsa is played in place of Jingle Bells, Coconut Batidos are consumed in place of Egg Nog and sand castles are made in place of where snow angels would be. My third Christmas here in Ecuador. Thinking of my friends and family during this (very hot) holiday Season. Love you and miss you All!Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-17387009573143539862011-12-21T07:38:00.000-08:002011-12-21T10:32:06.118-08:00Camping & Traveling with the Jovenes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXV3y5XoMts1NzXr-OxNgBzw668FfWXc6J5_eBXeeDJF1Gv62CRA2YQvow8bI1fyCpKUel90ECtdKHrGGxJAT_AJUyRnWH9WEYSRj8GgcCYWFdqSxdl8jLQjhBZvtaH44loFZCstTGKOv/s1600/Camp+Site+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXV3y5XoMts1NzXr-OxNgBzw668FfWXc6J5_eBXeeDJF1Gv62CRA2YQvow8bI1fyCpKUel90ECtdKHrGGxJAT_AJUyRnWH9WEYSRj8GgcCYWFdqSxdl8jLQjhBZvtaH44loFZCstTGKOv/s320/Camp+Site+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688632280012882034" /></a><br />I can't believe I took this long to write about my camping adventure with the jovenes! I have so much to say and so many pictures! I will do my best in trying to give you the run down without boring you and also try to post as many pics as possible!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcrdN-PLq5ubdvVpZeTwJl87r2P_EVtxgK7EuUKNWALl7pARt9ujXbEBHwEQu3ZvfE52uHxuQ4VBOxcPNgz_u9vkMDmfXhV6b2BgTbv6qcbDJcuPmm3yB2Q3RQeiDFyJ2PFkeenhp1ONF/s1600/Camp+CookingTogether.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcrdN-PLq5ubdvVpZeTwJl87r2P_EVtxgK7EuUKNWALl7pARt9ujXbEBHwEQu3ZvfE52uHxuQ4VBOxcPNgz_u9vkMDmfXhV6b2BgTbv6qcbDJcuPmm3yB2Q3RQeiDFyJ2PFkeenhp1ONF/s320/Camp+CookingTogether.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688623548367115826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7lt2xPkxEku3AnrJO2lZjlP6g6iqmwTx4hS3DB2XkxNAto_FA_NSom-v4m2N2_qcjNJJd-ChXO68ksLd-cPJL1b-oa7acQtFNu5Io3lvHPb11b9fVTXQXVGv7F2AF6qp8lThYW4RJCCs/s1600/Camp+Chorizo.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7lt2xPkxEku3AnrJO2lZjlP6g6iqmwTx4hS3DB2XkxNAto_FA_NSom-v4m2N2_qcjNJJd-ChXO68ksLd-cPJL1b-oa7acQtFNu5Io3lvHPb11b9fVTXQXVGv7F2AF6qp8lThYW4RJCCs/s320/Camp+Chorizo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688622015094026290" /></a><br />Let's just open with the fact that I was pretty nervous about this camping trip. Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE Camp! I love the idea of it. Maybe not the bug bites and and poison ivy aspect, but more of the bonding and taking people out of their element to stretch themselves to new heights. However, I had NO idea if all of that would transpire and I had NO clue how I was going to do it all in Spanish! <br /><br />We were taking 20 of our kids and meeting up with another group of 20 in Portoviejo. There were only 4 facilitators total so I was on edge about being one of the few adults. <br /><br />We left late in the evening and took a night bus to Protoviejo to meet up with the Aldea. The kids were pretty good on the bus. Really, myself and the other facilitator were in the front and they were in the back. There were some up front with us but the majority were in the back so either they were behaved or they knew how to keep their madness to a minimum : )<br /><br />The Aldea of Portoviejo was Beauitful! Lot's of green trees and wooden houses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEpo69eTs292yGVshSd8h2SH_zIoNbgxDDVJ5INwwKQX1ydFXJw0bLDIaGGl9YJ-gzFv6YvRsD3RYBhj9MMxLFfzhV4L35sfys72cel9EJHLQ98WDcvPC-txpdI5-CYQNLV6AbmUKgsjP/s1600/CampPuente.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEpo69eTs292yGVshSd8h2SH_zIoNbgxDDVJ5INwwKQX1ydFXJw0bLDIaGGl9YJ-gzFv6YvRsD3RYBhj9MMxLFfzhV4L35sfys72cel9EJHLQ98WDcvPC-txpdI5-CYQNLV6AbmUKgsjP/s320/CampPuente.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688650190632428082" /></a>We got in at a crazy hour, like, 4 am in the morning. Since I hadn't slept on the bus due to my colleague wanting to talk all night and not sleep, I was anxious to get a morning nap before we started the day. We were divided in two houses, one for the guys and one for the girls. That meant I was in charge of all the teen girls! I was nervous about that, but I thought to myself, being nervous will only make this situation that much harder, so I decided to suck it up and go with it. Well it those girls were so crunk about being in a new place (with new boys) that they did NOT sleep, there were blasting music, fighting of bed arrangements and simply doing the most. <br /><br />My way of dealing with my limited Spanish with all these girls talking at once was telling them that this experience was about team building and part of team building is resolving conflicts in a camp and compromising way. Well that worked they figured there stuff out, sure I didn't get to sleep but we had a fairly peaceful house. Even though we weren't supposed to leave our little house until 9:00 am the girls were going crazy with cabin fever so I finally said we could walk around. That's when we met all the lovely people of the Aldea and it was great. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-czSmnzEcP9mZogzKRZTeoyb2sI1DhJTcxo0362UpeAlV_ekbeZ4QHn99EaL0iIFBy5cRdIjo6YBMIwDIZYKKg0nN0GQ-1QN6DURODHEfKEK2FYH_RIZTxlNNY9Pmu_TZSFKDLCHTuZN/s1600/Camp+Aldea.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-czSmnzEcP9mZogzKRZTeoyb2sI1DhJTcxo0362UpeAlV_ekbeZ4QHn99EaL0iIFBy5cRdIjo6YBMIwDIZYKKg0nN0GQ-1QN6DURODHEfKEK2FYH_RIZTxlNNY9Pmu_TZSFKDLCHTuZN/s320/Camp+Aldea.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688620331865903570" /></a><br /><br />Later I met with the other two youth facilitators and we pretty much had mini meetings all morning. Then we hopped on a bus and left. I was actually in a van with a group of my jovenes from Atacames and again I was alone and in charge. I was with some of the older boys who can be intimidating and they were Certainly testing me. After some strong words and getting upset in English they seemed to calm down and we were good after that. Discipline is SO hard in Spanish!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq1l6W8Ab-0_IUW_hArf2SJJmMBvDikndHqEpo-KHTRMv0ftyfFbG6mw2aBDGaXrIsoZjTd5DkpKSqNfbsVzfApULiybR-8S_to8VzY83tKIJd6ZE9gg3haav1ewVBGPKjTSpEI3h44mV/s1600/Camp+Greenery.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq1l6W8Ab-0_IUW_hArf2SJJmMBvDikndHqEpo-KHTRMv0ftyfFbG6mw2aBDGaXrIsoZjTd5DkpKSqNfbsVzfApULiybR-8S_to8VzY83tKIJd6ZE9gg3haav1ewVBGPKjTSpEI3h44mV/s320/Camp+Greenery.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688625824141904594" /></a>Once we arrived to the site I was blown away. It was sooooo beauitful. It was a location called "La Finca" and they are used to receiving groups. They provided the tents and items to use for our cook out. The first item of business was ICE BREAKERS...well that and the ground rules of Camp. I had to introduce myself as one of the leaders and that was a bit nerve-racking only because half the kids originally thought I was just another joven, sigh. Once they got that though we were good to go.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YlVnJOIEeGe9-1IGCbHkceYqDR74AVAA1_UqcPvsmu8Kb-wg0iVayu2Xpf1SxKRVd4gq5WVl7ZUmz7KWqmv8Dc1ek1A0V0lnUUtAw5JQz_fRAifM7TdhEmKeohwcaQRG6ZKacIZ_xiUu/s1600/CAmp+Rio+Supervising.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YlVnJOIEeGe9-1IGCbHkceYqDR74AVAA1_UqcPvsmu8Kb-wg0iVayu2Xpf1SxKRVd4gq5WVl7ZUmz7KWqmv8Dc1ek1A0V0lnUUtAw5JQz_fRAifM7TdhEmKeohwcaQRG6ZKacIZ_xiUu/s320/CAmp+Rio+Supervising.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688634458266953570" /></a>The Facilitators were worried about a couple of things 1) That the kids from the two different Aldeas would not get along 2) That they would be cliquey and not mix between the two groups 3) They wouldn't participate with all of their hearts and be too cool for school.<br /><br />Well the I felt that everyone did a great job at the Dinamicas and people were being really respectful to one another. Next we had tent assignments. Two to a tent..Including ME! That was a bit of drama but it worked out it made for a lot of hilarious encounters. Speaking of hilarious, can I just say there were SO many times I was supposed to be disciplining the kids cause they would be talking out of turn or just doing the most, but it would be so funny I would just have to hide my face so they wouldn't know how funny they are. Argh, those kids especially the ones from my Aldea ALWAYS have something to say and they are actually pretty fun. There is just a time and a place for everything...but man was that a challenge. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNG2hTNfBOY1Wb1vgIP1a8QB6S6kZ8bmtfWOa0eCHnEhBmYWS_iB5mJ5qy0jtGx8RJz1Io2QtLVeQZeC7NKcN-pt57eW4H_j7Z7mrIx0OY-gx7IHrCbnND2c3O-Z6L1YMkPqLLAFrdxzw/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNG2hTNfBOY1Wb1vgIP1a8QB6S6kZ8bmtfWOa0eCHnEhBmYWS_iB5mJ5qy0jtGx8RJz1Io2QtLVeQZeC7NKcN-pt57eW4H_j7Z7mrIx0OY-gx7IHrCbnND2c3O-Z6L1YMkPqLLAFrdxzw/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688638082792771826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK0i_OVeAEZ76zW01WcZZ_gfjyhMFRIjBJYdNhekx2ECmjgg7S0Lhe1XdE6qKERKUlFs9H2zZCxxLaPi5Y2bXqhfeCglG860JzWmRzEoexSKu4jqRlZzOOec42fVD0P8TjJbkYEvWZctg/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK0i_OVeAEZ76zW01WcZZ_gfjyhMFRIjBJYdNhekx2ECmjgg7S0Lhe1XdE6qKERKUlFs9H2zZCxxLaPi5Y2bXqhfeCglG860JzWmRzEoexSKu4jqRlZzOOec42fVD0P8TjJbkYEvWZctg/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688638076941536498" /></a>We also ran down the schedule and the rules. The biggest event of that night was the COOKOUT! I was SOOOO Excited for this. We put them in mixed groups i.e. boys and girls and from the different Aldeas and told them that the group that worked the best together and who had the best finish product would win. We also informed them that we would be observing them over the next couple of days to see who cooperates the best, who participates the most and who keeps their tent the cleanest... and so the games began. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVY8TJU6oSESmn_81o4yALWQMF4LoxVwwm1mHLXWIA5qSzr2Cc6aSe0g9MbbFXjteiygttHte8MkDQbe5M06-6hLeXugrvh6e-UahJSJ4AcysgA1DN25F0N-H7OrJ9RJwGFz4c_DgpMHR/s1600/Camp+Pati+Fire.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVY8TJU6oSESmn_81o4yALWQMF4LoxVwwm1mHLXWIA5qSzr2Cc6aSe0g9MbbFXjteiygttHte8MkDQbe5M06-6hLeXugrvh6e-UahJSJ4AcysgA1DN25F0N-H7OrJ9RJwGFz4c_DgpMHR/s320/Camp+Pati+Fire.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688632262999036258" /></a><br />Building a camp fire can be a challenge anyone who has tried knows that. We were sure our well meaning teens would try a few times and throw in the towel, but that never happened, not once in any group! They were fanning those flames like crazy, choking on smoke and laughing the whole time. It was SOOO great to see. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33zuFjhnFXx2auDrwGhVDr7gEyfFAGc98jO6pxi2_xQFVxn0I3k1H0Byv9b8LgGu0Nq44ioe54q7QrRg9m5TAWzsuRBkAvQgWyQtFgMloTDtpDSAnV5SNJhwSWeKERxyYixw16CW6Z6z4/s1600/Camp+Fire.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33zuFjhnFXx2auDrwGhVDr7gEyfFAGc98jO6pxi2_xQFVxn0I3k1H0Byv9b8LgGu0Nq44ioe54q7QrRg9m5TAWzsuRBkAvQgWyQtFgMloTDtpDSAnV5SNJhwSWeKERxyYixw16CW6Z6z4/s320/Camp+Fire.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688623571388873874" /></a>They were given veggies for a salsa, verdes to cook on the grill and of course Carne! They dug holes in the ground, were given a grate and coal and were told to have at it. The facilitators basically just rotated around giving a hand when needed and observing how everyone worked together. People who got the hang of the fire went to other groups to help them, I was really impressed with them. We also had music going to so dance breaks were a Constant and I was Loving that! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAlRchGhiyWRwyeYvelL3k23DH7TVqxP5s5mvctGlFSoZ_2H6FcNv6vyGnZ1cdPECeK9azow9ylqnKCi8xY1AwrRa_UryKLhDirrM7Hde7S8ZidByvgiJ0Ex02knO8Bg6fH2SGPKR-N4q/s1600/Camp+Mesa+4.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAlRchGhiyWRwyeYvelL3k23DH7TVqxP5s5mvctGlFSoZ_2H6FcNv6vyGnZ1cdPECeK9azow9ylqnKCi8xY1AwrRa_UryKLhDirrM7Hde7S8ZidByvgiJ0Ex02knO8Bg6fH2SGPKR-N4q/s320/Camp+Mesa+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629141066098386" /></a><br />I ended up hanging out with and helping Mesa 4 (table 4) the most. In my opinion they were doing a great job of rotating tasks (not just giving dicing veggies to girls and hard fire work to the boys) and were respectful of each other. They were also closest to the radio and the hammock but SURELY that had nothing to do with it. Plus, I figured if I was going to be eating red meat it should be from the best team. It was funny how the two male facilitators were "taste testing" the meat of Every group to make sure it was okay :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Z2JSumca-tJdREPTxlBCxqHWDGWaKdYE4_09hn6ULKNCpzw0aR_0Q_kJCAPlIyE9zLVM8Qn5hoOBLFIjVN1lS65kvzn38dLGAx3urKu9-H9QTYki8SSZ6xSU8FjKy5gAkUwWmh9m9YV/s1600/Camp++JenMesa4.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Z2JSumca-tJdREPTxlBCxqHWDGWaKdYE4_09hn6ULKNCpzw0aR_0Q_kJCAPlIyE9zLVM8Qn5hoOBLFIjVN1lS65kvzn38dLGAx3urKu9-H9QTYki8SSZ6xSU8FjKy5gAkUwWmh9m9YV/s320/Camp++JenMesa4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688620317537338434" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2RAcBGF92Ysv9UX9y9bAZ1Ge9mQPUdejEeQrexJXw-aOTull04-bYtQhh9ThTudpTlsXJPSBeobqgdbSCg9Rzu0ULqttRlYh71dSy2DDTo2T7qyQp9X78uSnH2caGO6uXEY-6ImPEOFy/s1600/Camp+Feast.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2RAcBGF92Ysv9UX9y9bAZ1Ge9mQPUdejEeQrexJXw-aOTull04-bYtQhh9ThTudpTlsXJPSBeobqgdbSCg9Rzu0ULqttRlYh71dSy2DDTo2T7qyQp9X78uSnH2caGO6uXEY-6ImPEOFy/s320/Camp+Feast.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688623552075238994" /></a>At the end we went into our big ol' tiki bamboo hut and had a big feast among everyone. It had gone from day to night and everyone had worked hard from their grub and grub we indeed did! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57a3mSz9RFXlf1CTv1ME9AUAnl2qdGdDdXFfn6GCsRdXEswGo8GvgDJoD9eNi45mjRxGWfbaYgPzEjhEXogR-YX_MT1hxH79DmSdfjA6ay_Q46haM97GsIibgbD6hbIPoHbIHNy4A385J/s1600/Camp+Girls+Dance.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57a3mSz9RFXlf1CTv1ME9AUAnl2qdGdDdXFfn6GCsRdXEswGo8GvgDJoD9eNi45mjRxGWfbaYgPzEjhEXogR-YX_MT1hxH79DmSdfjA6ay_Q46haM97GsIibgbD6hbIPoHbIHNy4A385J/s320/Camp+Girls+Dance.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688625820859824962" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbtFugn0n2ap6sDBkgm9jjsY-iHvUK3DmiFElWL4GTm4PmzRIVWVWYHZMem-yFJ_cXIIw8lXtqPBxEj9AQ5NBkTTYEhaMYJjYVMo3OnaKZIUt-cqYZsRaiOGppLeghyEc51VBmEmfdNQm/s1600/Camp+B%2526Girls.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbtFugn0n2ap6sDBkgm9jjsY-iHvUK3DmiFElWL4GTm4PmzRIVWVWYHZMem-yFJ_cXIIw8lXtqPBxEj9AQ5NBkTTYEhaMYJjYVMo3OnaKZIUt-cqYZsRaiOGppLeghyEc51VBmEmfdNQm/s320/Camp+B%2526Girls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688622003919394354" /></a><br />After that it was time for the festivities, Talent show and Mixer. We had a system and those kids let loose!!! Maybe some tried to act shy at first, but there was singing, dancing, maybe even the boys were inspired to some pole dancing? I dunno. What happens at camp stays at camp. All I know is the kids from my Aldea were not holding back and wowed the crowed. I was so proud. The girls are already pretty much a groups so they had plenty of routines to choose from. Our boys...ahem, improvised and had everyone Dying with laughter. Actually it was from that night that one of our boys who is normally incredibly shy broke out of his shell and ended up winning one of the awards at the end. Those are the camp stories I LOVE. <br /><br />We had sing a longs and then after the singing, dancing and laughter ended we had a Baile or Dance. It was so fun to cut loose and kick it with the kids. I feel like they are the happiest when they are dancing. They just light up and throw caution to the wind. Getting those revved up kids to go to bed was a task. Everyone was hype and love connections were being made. We were close together in our tents so everyone was talking back and forth through their tents, so once again being the adults was not the best position to be in. All thing considered though I think they quieted down at a reasonable time. They were being SO funny though and we were standing outside of the tents covering our mouths and hugging each other trying to muffle our laughs because we were trying to be serious and tell them to go to be but I tell you the stuff that comes out of their mouths!! Ha Ha!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5Q-LKOlmNp6TsfvAODK2U2Je-_SNtwJqZN5i61OEYWF_uDhqUlFuNixZiechbTPxouvYZ_LSeopfu95WTk_vcHTF82Xiiq91mo7xN_-p6WJIAR3l7cmlZpvmoLDYbiQjVj4meDyf0Th4/s1600/Hike+Woods+5.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5Q-LKOlmNp6TsfvAODK2U2Je-_SNtwJqZN5i61OEYWF_uDhqUlFuNixZiechbTPxouvYZ_LSeopfu95WTk_vcHTF82Xiiq91mo7xN_-p6WJIAR3l7cmlZpvmoLDYbiQjVj4meDyf0Th4/s320/Hike+Woods+5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688638067805565218" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjv4sl-I1qQ0lrfr4yiu98HfaXCoK4rqQTb_WxxP2ynh2EJ1O2DshQaL16Lu9PM96KhAbWqIFAnM3MF01OYth67bMiWZiip-6fl9uZzSLMguwIRAg49LJZ4SDkPDj8YxHWJV9TE11EX3N/s1600/Camp+Hike+Scale+4.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjv4sl-I1qQ0lrfr4yiu98HfaXCoK4rqQTb_WxxP2ynh2EJ1O2DshQaL16Lu9PM96KhAbWqIFAnM3MF01OYth67bMiWZiip-6fl9uZzSLMguwIRAg49LJZ4SDkPDj8YxHWJV9TE11EX3N/s320/Camp+Hike+Scale+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629135847108882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXbwuFKoxFzqGpmlGMmgsNFgsRiePg-aUhQxGXRaK4MunZHARi5dXOdyELNEowKVo-yfB59Oj0ipv2kzqE20qo3qtdPKG6O0kQ5-yp5dbuAO4UlA8TxWGtKMiWCZHgOWmBOWw1G05CxoM/s1600/Camp+Hike+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXbwuFKoxFzqGpmlGMmgsNFgsRiePg-aUhQxGXRaK4MunZHARi5dXOdyELNEowKVo-yfB59Oj0ipv2kzqE20qo3qtdPKG6O0kQ5-yp5dbuAO4UlA8TxWGtKMiWCZHgOWmBOWw1G05CxoM/s320/Camp+Hike+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629119542473714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW69JDhpUF9WCSxKpEibMAtKmjryk2UHJkQelNKShF4aZpfa8FA3id0plZeEoTSXN-HjU-sWM2Z8YWSz4haUHghA5VmbtrAvzrGf_xlEq9sQlaBhORC7T6aFW6YJU0NsZ0Zohj8E6Ivesf/s1600/Camp+Hike+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW69JDhpUF9WCSxKpEibMAtKmjryk2UHJkQelNKShF4aZpfa8FA3id0plZeEoTSXN-HjU-sWM2Z8YWSz4haUHghA5VmbtrAvzrGf_xlEq9sQlaBhORC7T6aFW6YJU0NsZ0Zohj8E6Ivesf/s320/Camp+Hike+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629114587223218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPDekDScQySBPnvqNutu0F3Mflk7Ox16qkHXUMgsJ-UW4AV2ilIaXzO3GMnhFSH4G505wIiqh3iTmwIp2_ByVVbG4EgzUNIDJ9i1DekigaAVR1hRdLcYU2OdEnE3BMETBsriaDOHflOcg/s1600/Camp+Hike+1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPDekDScQySBPnvqNutu0F3Mflk7Ox16qkHXUMgsJ-UW4AV2ilIaXzO3GMnhFSH4G505wIiqh3iTmwIp2_ByVVbG4EgzUNIDJ9i1DekigaAVR1hRdLcYU2OdEnE3BMETBsriaDOHflOcg/s320/Camp+Hike+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688625836704458306" /></a><br />The next day were up bright and early to start the fun all over again. We made breakfast in the same groups and talked about the challenges of making the cookout fires and how that related to life. So Camp, I love it. We also told them how pleased we were overall wit how they worked together. We did some morning exercises which I got to lead and then we went on an epic hike. When we had "hike" on the schedule I thought it was going to be some leisurely stroll over a grassy knoll. No sirma'am. This was a hike in the sun with a beauitful view of the mountains, into a thick forest with no joke inclines and slippery rocks which all culminated at a huge rocky clearing that was just monumental! I could hardly look up at it because I felt like I was going to fall back. That was a rigorous hike but so worth it. I thought there maybe be a lot of complaining but everyone was a good sport about the whole thing. We definitely hung out and rested at the clearing though for a good minute before heading back. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-4ppBVBNP6_2FFZfpCSsT2Yl8A7RZynjCQ4GvuuDIfaSlCUQTc7yqrxyNqBq7BklHCOFzx_ic-JZjW6EogoIZpzaj-1Y8Ac6pVxcsrWYmXSmrPz6omxE23fFrmAnXq66FzZAtP3EspJv/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-4ppBVBNP6_2FFZfpCSsT2Yl8A7RZynjCQ4GvuuDIfaSlCUQTc7yqrxyNqBq7BklHCOFzx_ic-JZjW6EogoIZpzaj-1Y8Ac6pVxcsrWYmXSmrPz6omxE23fFrmAnXq66FzZAtP3EspJv/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688638102871820866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1YKtAEFp3wcN9sfza5idaohSIqKZSLiAvHu6CR9uADJRCSgs6l3MKhx808jLCdlAYh0JuOLEi43wrfSxH2BvwWPdEG2NCQAxQPX2XYc1TiQ9NNqrBNp2U8as4oH5XfCH9YrxMyH_4HWo/s1600/Camp+Rio+4.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1YKtAEFp3wcN9sfza5idaohSIqKZSLiAvHu6CR9uADJRCSgs6l3MKhx808jLCdlAYh0JuOLEi43wrfSxH2BvwWPdEG2NCQAxQPX2XYc1TiQ9NNqrBNp2U8as4oH5XfCH9YrxMyH_4HWo/s320/Camp+Rio+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688634446597348402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-PgWccqQjDmmPBsLAHktuYlLxrl6mCbCOiIbhmVmCd4J3IafjOrap3KNgas5DCIuzf-PEr2pNAkE_Km7voU3okIf3hOhfPiTTlQcvU1jL-IQ3xk1bDjj2vNz8eErzsYEvW6UxGtarIOj/s1600/Camp+Rio+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-PgWccqQjDmmPBsLAHktuYlLxrl6mCbCOiIbhmVmCd4J3IafjOrap3KNgas5DCIuzf-PEr2pNAkE_Km7voU3okIf3hOhfPiTTlQcvU1jL-IQ3xk1bDjj2vNz8eErzsYEvW6UxGtarIOj/s320/Camp+Rio+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688634440704411842" /></a><br />Once we got back we finally got to partake in the event the kids had all been waiting for. The RIO! (the river) They changed into their swim gear and went crazy in the water for about 4 hours. It was a cool river. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6P74A_vAabohHbA5j36RwrYGcpol8UJtor5gP-5On2X1gdwxCkNzHfKURdR5XaMAgvgxLEwTgeeBjfSEGzaHQkeMT5vYmDaW8oe6tzm2rA38XvqEk4UDGiXWvedghwrdtkQWMeWQPY1n/s1600/Camp+Rio+1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6P74A_vAabohHbA5j36RwrYGcpol8UJtor5gP-5On2X1gdwxCkNzHfKURdR5XaMAgvgxLEwTgeeBjfSEGzaHQkeMT5vYmDaW8oe6tzm2rA38XvqEk4UDGiXWvedghwrdtkQWMeWQPY1n/s320/Camp+Rio+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688632268683918658" /></a><br />There were shallow parts for the beginner swimmers a bridge that had a super strong (and fun) current rushing under it and then deep waters down current. They were all screaming, laughing and helping one another climb up on rocks, grab onto the rope attached to the bridge and inventing new river games to play. It was SO great seeing them all so carefree and happy. I really enjoyed that part. After that we had a grubbin fish lunch before heading back to the Aldea.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh69hbmMleV2pIhHPMogg4z7gXWOxVxNw7w8-GnO8BucmFVUtmrhtaHT17CgZBKhJKp-3hHK3khJGoPs4DgupEitC0YSQJP-Z-pOiwu5OpxJrvXGxEYim5vdsrP51iV_wqu0SsFDEozqw/s1600/Camp+Museo.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh69hbmMleV2pIhHPMogg4z7gXWOxVxNw7w8-GnO8BucmFVUtmrhtaHT17CgZBKhJKp-3hHK3khJGoPs4DgupEitC0YSQJP-Z-pOiwu5OpxJrvXGxEYim5vdsrP51iV_wqu0SsFDEozqw/s320/Camp+Museo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629870263906626" /></a>Once back at the Aldea we continued the fun. I thought it was going to be an easy night since we were enjoying ourselves playing co-ed soccer and basketball. However, once <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOAH2GeKPiFFf7XFb9u2Wakh9VCZydXR3cT_SlfEgFOc-dxA6DMQ6mQz_xMBQvF080YOo3tHQxYNbO4SSaPbv9jQIdWUlyAIIZEpbAQbQcCKgTIjDam1FD4eGo4vwX5O7ZhwyVbItDc8y/s1600/Camp+Aldea+Game.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOAH2GeKPiFFf7XFb9u2Wakh9VCZydXR3cT_SlfEgFOc-dxA6DMQ6mQz_xMBQvF080YOo3tHQxYNbO4SSaPbv9jQIdWUlyAIIZEpbAQbQcCKgTIjDam1FD4eGo4vwX5O7ZhwyVbItDc8y/s320/Camp+Aldea+Game.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688620325703035730" /></a>all the boys came over to our house and starting trouble we had some conflict mediation issues. Of course all in all it worked out, but my co-facilitator almost quit and we almost cancelled the last part of our trip! Drama. At the end though the kids apologized for acting up and we were still on for Monti Cristi the next day.<br /><br />(trying to wrap this up since I'm just rambing on and on)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavSX0iyjeuYWZMi0ttGXWTjtjRVxJ-mwv6XNxfszOFi4J3wKGFD4t5jahuy326Wq4PddsjpCXG4UWUmL9gyNyFNY9q_WXjHw7x8nexX4L_B-61npv_Pnhc9MyfPNYp-q_2uWkboLY1HUj/s1600/Camp+Museo+Train+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavSX0iyjeuYWZMi0ttGXWTjtjRVxJ-mwv6XNxfszOFi4J3wKGFD4t5jahuy326Wq4PddsjpCXG4UWUmL9gyNyFNY9q_WXjHw7x8nexX4L_B-61npv_Pnhc9MyfPNYp-q_2uWkboLY1HUj/s320/Camp+Museo+Train+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629866833220162" /></a><br />We just took the Atacames kids to Monti Cristi and again my co facilitator and I were anticipating it being a challenge just us two maneuvering our kids through the city. Well we were pleasantly surprised by their behavior. We went to a museum and were given a personal tour and the kids were quiet and attentive. They were being obedient and I was really pleased. After seeing other sites in the city we took another short trip to the beach. I didn't know if the kids would care to see ANOTHER beach since they live near the beach in Atacames, but they Loved it...of course.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAXlogoLPhZl2lbenoCQOaRQH90IcKyGzuC91VxynbL_4568K6Z54sjBfO9l9m5ALpcLqX1Em9_aL4EJLjyVKknYAK9VWT1opoZ7jUK5dSBSIuFtiJXywdtG_aXwS9uQr0iw9v6pm8qNH/s1600/Camp+Monti+Playa.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAXlogoLPhZl2lbenoCQOaRQH90IcKyGzuC91VxynbL_4568K6Z54sjBfO9l9m5ALpcLqX1Em9_aL4EJLjyVKknYAK9VWT1opoZ7jUK5dSBSIuFtiJXywdtG_aXwS9uQr0iw9v6pm8qNH/s320/Camp+Monti+Playa.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629858753348466" /></a><br />We once again had a grubbin lunch and the kids were excited to try tiny lobsters for the first time. We took a fabulous boat ride which was amazing. The water was so clear you could see to the bottom in some parts. I wish I had pictures of it, but I was in the Splash Seat so I left with hardly any pics of the boat ride and a pair of sopping wet pants!! After that we had ice creams, kicked it a bit and headed back to Portoviejo to get our bags to head back to Esmeraldas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBagZEhP8C6TwVS0Fz_32B8IaB3fw1Ky096rXNqenk_OuW5fqT58AUDpC-_acGk6wmIzqMxKl1RV2SeXK06QnodFNzbgMpnf0zqIbamgGlMaUidv47HXKYjS5JQpJBRW2aaWeY3MN6Dp6/s1600/Camp+Monti+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBagZEhP8C6TwVS0Fz_32B8IaB3fw1Ky096rXNqenk_OuW5fqT58AUDpC-_acGk6wmIzqMxKl1RV2SeXK06QnodFNzbgMpnf0zqIbamgGlMaUidv47HXKYjS5JQpJBRW2aaWeY3MN6Dp6/s320/Camp+Monti+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688629854285713314" /></a><br /><br /><br />There were sometimes I was alone with the kids when we would be waiting on my Co to pay for something or get something and THAT was stressful because just having a bunch of teens sit and wait sometimes up to 30 mintues....whooo weeee. However, we all bonded and I felt the respect of each and every one of them. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dEo2K6jJ9TagfaxbR1SeYFW6FflI0iGpCwm-AC_7UwG5mDqkm-7SFLOkZJbWXcPAmHvhLIlMOa2YgxbLllKZVe6qvDiFWzLCUE8-WMJXKDqODlTdo0tRnwrS3hO6qALvqtWOurMlGdB4/s1600/Camp+Bus.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dEo2K6jJ9TagfaxbR1SeYFW6FflI0iGpCwm-AC_7UwG5mDqkm-7SFLOkZJbWXcPAmHvhLIlMOa2YgxbLllKZVe6qvDiFWzLCUE8-WMJXKDqODlTdo0tRnwrS3hO6qALvqtWOurMlGdB4/s320/Camp+Bus.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688622002158273970" /></a><br />As we were waiting for the bus the boys were going through my camera and showing me the girls they liked, who had exchanged phone numbers and Facebook information, I loved it. So cute. I was so ready for the ride back because I pretty much hadn't slept since we left Atacames and I big plans for sleep on the night bus. Well I did get to sleep but I also got Got by one of the teens I let borrow my camera. All is fair in Love and Camp!Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-59202268244341741542011-12-07T11:42:00.000-08:002011-12-07T12:16:33.803-08:00The Pescadores Outside Are So Loud....How Loud Are They?...<br /><br />No but seriously folks... I don't know if I've blogged about it, but I have definitely told the people that I talk to about it. I live next door to a port where the fishermen park their boats. What does that mean? From anywhere from 4:30 am to 8:00 am, those men are outside hee-in', haw-in' and guffawin' all in front of my house and all in big groups after a long night out at sea. They have no regard to the fact that it's the crack of dawn and the rest of the street is sleeping. My house is the main spot people park in front of and post up and get to gut busting, diaphragm resonating loud talking, laughing and yelling. Now always in search of my zen, I have "gotten over" this by accepting what is. If I am jolted out of my sleep at 4:30 am, instead of waking up grumpy and cursing this beautiful life I've been given, I just go outside, or turn on music and mediate. (I think making me some kind of zen master meditating with all that noise, right?) If it's more around 7 or 8 I just give thanks for the natural alarm clock and get up and start my day. I haven't set an alarm since living here because there is really no.need. thanks to them. <br /><br />Well today, as normal, my piscine-amigos were outside doing The.Most. I was preparing for my day writing some things down and referring to my spanish dictionary. After about an 30 min I was like, man, they are really excited today! After about an hour and half I was like MAN they have kept the volume at a steady 10 without any fluctuation. As I go to the kitchen to grab a banana, I peek out the window only to see AN ACTUAL Parade was going on outside!!!! When it started I don't know. It was then that it dawned on me. Those men are LOUD as Heck sometimes... SO Loud, that when there is an ACTUAL Parade going on outside, I don't even know the difference.<br /><br />So now you know how "festive" it is over here most mornings. So as you rise and shine this week, instead of grumbling at the alarm clock, just be happy it's not 30 men outside of your window acting like it's an afterset of a party. As for me? I'll just be happy I'm really honing in on my inner peace mediation chops. <br /><br />Until the next time!Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-36971850106369211102011-11-24T10:01:00.000-08:002011-11-24T10:01:00.083-08:00States Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBqRc6juWHUp4nFmtCYRQICt-hWI3Oxba9tydbG_MmjVa0LgkH5C45cWzlfGFZc-SrEk6Xn8DjfzrktYJw-f4VH_Dn40Kj3Ux6Igy8XY1bR59ti9LWU0uRpIbuYLycp4rse7V_7RxvHeu/s1600/CovingtonClan.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBqRc6juWHUp4nFmtCYRQICt-hWI3Oxba9tydbG_MmjVa0LgkH5C45cWzlfGFZc-SrEk6Xn8DjfzrktYJw-f4VH_Dn40Kj3Ux6Igy8XY1bR59ti9LWU0uRpIbuYLycp4rse7V_7RxvHeu/s320/CovingtonClan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676027791560708082" border="0" /></a>I totally ran out of time to blog about my plan to go to the States. I was awarded, I´ll say, of month leave for extending my service for a year. Before leaving <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB9ryPNAVS6Ld_ChdHE-t0fUoD32TvjedfzO405d0R03UKloeDhPH-XmZ0EkIgqMvMNyW99EHvnxs9tpmBjv1mlLdfKzG-IVx0v688Nx2sRGZyz5VgWr8NtiGrynPXDdnzzrJ88T5kspE/s1600/MomOpenHouse.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB9ryPNAVS6Ld_ChdHE-t0fUoD32TvjedfzO405d0R03UKloeDhPH-XmZ0EkIgqMvMNyW99EHvnxs9tpmBjv1mlLdfKzG-IVx0v688Nx2sRGZyz5VgWr8NtiGrynPXDdnzzrJ88T5kspE/s320/MomOpenHouse.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676041944145081090" border="0" /></a>I was so nervous and thought I was going to feel so many things. I started writing a blog about it, but I seen now I never posted it! Whoops! It´s all good though cause I was worried for nothing. The trip was amazballs! I chose to go home in October when there seemed to be a plethora of reunions, that proved to be a GREAT decision.<br /><br />Saint Louis is my Home of Record so I flew into the Lou and was there for a couple of days. My first few days were really just getting acclimated to being back in the States, Televisions with thousands of channels and seeing my parents. I got a track phone eventually too so that I would be able to communicate with people while I was local. I had a list of people to call while I was in the US but since even moment was filled with visits it didn´t happen. Still coordinating and setting up dates was facilitated 100 fold having a cell phone, unlike that <a href="http://sunshinebuilder.blogspot.com/2011/01/return-to-states-recap.html">last time I was in the US</a>.<br /><br />After, finally unpacking and getting myself together it was time to RE-pack for<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6XiAATqxqCtirfA2GN10hjxwBXnNuvJXkxvwUfx33Qcc-kO_e7eG_wakDFxErZ043WQv_il1gtfOI5-JS2HP3WSBNF8hGuz4NeoFpZsOmLZ3MLAHoPQExotTVisZdeJcdlCgZMX09CcK/s1600/Lue%2527s+90th+bowling.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6XiAATqxqCtirfA2GN10hjxwBXnNuvJXkxvwUfx33Qcc-kO_e7eG_wakDFxErZ043WQv_il1gtfOI5-JS2HP3WSBNF8hGuz4NeoFpZsOmLZ3MLAHoPQExotTVisZdeJcdlCgZMX09CcK/s320/Lue%2527s+90th+bowling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676035293378513426" border="0" /></a> my Cali leg of the trip. I had lots planned for California, my grandma turned 90 (and is still as fiesty as ever) so it was party time and a family reunion all in one. Also, it was time for my sweetie to meet all of my family and for me to meet his friends and fam that live in the Bay. So off to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSuwWIaEqb-Cqfof8dyFaNmnXONCejr9d-D0i11RQ5AT7fttBM8weZSWk7JUf6wJyAALYWsnIPbLX8NBrFAbPYyLYUmTK6dslqOes0730LgbsmD4O173Oe5_UaFHsBVZg-RLFDjW6Mphd/s1600/Lue%2527s+90th+Group+Picture.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSuwWIaEqb-Cqfof8dyFaNmnXONCejr9d-D0i11RQ5AT7fttBM8weZSWk7JUf6wJyAALYWsnIPbLX8NBrFAbPYyLYUmTK6dslqOes0730LgbsmD4O173Oe5_UaFHsBVZg-RLFDjW6Mphd/s320/Lue%2527s+90th+Group+Picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676035387305272354" border="0" /></a>Cali and went and what fun it was. I flew into LA to drive up to Stockton with my sister because that is our tradition. I wish I had been able to have some time in LA but I flew in at midnight and we drove out at 5 am. For Grandma´s celebration we had a host of activities planned such as dinners, lunches, bbqs, bowling, and of course the main event, The Party! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplBjkt2oeK_P5Y74JU5pMu5A8S6wGVVB3a0bZnwqtBzRZFEjqFGQl6q6rUMI2y1X_MB85Cf563zJOPRV8Pk3OOAs6G61yshAmskb5SSgYsq4hhWfK32VHq3Q8uyj5nvXbQkdirSvwuELe/s1600/Lue%2527s+90th+CupidShuffle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplBjkt2oeK_P5Y74JU5pMu5A8S6wGVVB3a0bZnwqtBzRZFEjqFGQl6q6rUMI2y1X_MB85Cf563zJOPRV8Pk3OOAs6G61yshAmskb5SSgYsq4hhWfK32VHq3Q8uyj5nvXbQkdirSvwuELe/s320/Lue%2527s+90th+CupidShuffle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676035498351493730" border="0" /></a>We had so much fun and it was so amazing seeing my family. I am really glad I was able to come back to celebrate and see everyone at one time!<br /><br />The next stop was the Bay. My sweetie came to the party Saturday and graciously came BACK on Monday to swoop me back to his neck of the woods. The night I arrived his mom had invited her friends and family that lived in area and we had a big grand feast. Come to think of it maybe THAT is how I gained a fast 10 lbs while in the States. We ate so much cause it was SOOOO good. It was a fun party with really great people. So that went well. It was really great seeing were my love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqi60fEKxocdKvshvAzhHNVRfW4ScPiS8JeIher5uLeTVPMwM-bRee0OKZQZiEfZbwhz1MMOPBoysMo1BZFe58OgOXEB9Atrkua-1gCxnSIlkpnz2aE5edIXWKSXjp1VRNMPpuks8bNts/s1600/ChadiferSanFran.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqi60fEKxocdKvshvAzhHNVRfW4ScPiS8JeIher5uLeTVPMwM-bRee0OKZQZiEfZbwhz1MMOPBoysMo1BZFe58OgOXEB9Atrkua-1gCxnSIlkpnz2aE5edIXWKSXjp1VRNMPpuks8bNts/s320/ChadiferSanFran.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676037711107547346" border="0" /></a> grew up and went to school and all of those little things. We also went to San Francisco to meet his college roommates and we also got to check out Oakland to visit my Uncle Cousin and one of my friends who is like family to me. Since I am strongly considering moving to Northern California upon my return to the States it was great to hang out and get a feel for the area. Once again, on the Cali let I got to see so many people and met even more, so I considered the Cali let a success as well.<br /><br />One back in<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi153z8xIZMsRiD2Gtr2ecIbNgkrl6Pb0bUWHlaSKm8IagoJDaMf1DuaSzmsrrLeYVtg3bdTgmUNSOj42OvSN98M_tQ3FWDq7VQSOfTSxVm4VJHp8nazK8GQHt_O2mT0NgWTuCd5RPa-cRs/s1600/ExpressionBrady.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi153z8xIZMsRiD2Gtr2ecIbNgkrl6Pb0bUWHlaSKm8IagoJDaMf1DuaSzmsrrLeYVtg3bdTgmUNSOj42OvSN98M_tQ3FWDq7VQSOfTSxVm4VJHp8nazK8GQHt_O2mT0NgWTuCd5RPa-cRs/s320/ExpressionBrady.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676031911486066962" border="0" /></a> Missouri it was time for Homecoming and the Expressions Reunion! My soros and I have been Deltas for 10 years and even though we felt old, we knew it was time to get together and celebrate. To be able to be with them and participate in this event was so great! My line sister from Sweden also made it, so we came from far and wide for this auspicious occassion. As always it was all screams and hugs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSRCoEKfeDYKVg_0yCGDA3rsKM9zE2txU165XRtyrI80hsGUMIQYfoNc01Zzkm8FwXEhbOqu6PG4clHtz2iMe2VnC_wx5x4yzg_zCADa77a33JVLRkYvenPODvHZuQRYMZPaLmw0_SuzF/s1600/DeltaLove.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSRCoEKfeDYKVg_0yCGDA3rsKM9zE2txU165XRtyrI80hsGUMIQYfoNc01Zzkm8FwXEhbOqu6PG4clHtz2iMe2VnC_wx5x4yzg_zCADa77a33JVLRkYvenPODvHZuQRYMZPaLmw0_SuzF/s320/DeltaLove.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676030638347443058" border="0" /></a> when we all saw each other. We stayed at a hotel and had a major slumber party, which we all know I Love!<br /><br />We had a fabulous dinnner and night out that was planned by my amazing Anchor. It was great because we got our own private room and we were able to go around and catch up on each other´s lives. Getting a r<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks0_XS-hqs5tefP2wJ7By1Y4nmpYBelS6SizA16RJhw4RyjK1VTVGwW8be_9aGy-nuIIFGBXDuULIp_2onpAcPqFfndLgcx3DcF4pChe9vhtjJFwXXjGueuFy6KIcSqucoghbujfMAyNc/s1600/ExpressionsCharterRD.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks0_XS-hqs5tefP2wJ7By1Y4nmpYBelS6SizA16RJhw4RyjK1VTVGwW8be_9aGy-nuIIFGBXDuULIp_2onpAcPqFfndLgcx3DcF4pChe9vhtjJFwXXjGueuFy6KIcSqucoghbujfMAyNc/s320/ExpressionsCharterRD.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676039859074735858" border="0" /></a>ecap on 15 people is not easy but hey we had good food and drinks so it was just a joy. Then the next day we got up Bright and Early to drive to Columbia, Missouri to make to the Epsilon Psi Luncheon. I didn´t think we were going to make it but we totally did! We got to meet the current chapter and they are absolutely amazing. They put on a great luncheon and are doing great work, so that was amazing. Mizzou has changed so much! It´s so high class we were all freaking out..in a good way. It was great to see that it´s on the rise and doing well. We made it to the football game which was a great time and then we went to an outside stepshow which was such a highlight for me. It took me back to the old days and we of course were clowing! It was the best time and we even got to do the Founder´s Step and Stroll! I know some of you reading have no idea what I´m talking about, but just know those things all equal a good time and it had been 10 years since I got to do that, especially with my line sisters.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span> We drove back that night (hardcore, right!?) and went our separate ways. I was really proud of us making such an effot to get together. Everyone who wasn´t there was missed but it was so great that so many of us were able to come out.<br /><br />After that<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov3I8oWW6OO6rJGeLdO6_pZXI5HQy7HfIWwaujeAI7Yi75idznN36hYJ-IS18A_3zE5TrLAl1HQCxEAuJQ25oBELGvP3o18DAD5dStFAMQzTXtRAWDhuDEby15rGQWFnI3mifPWXAvGXX/s1600/RomRy.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov3I8oWW6OO6rJGeLdO6_pZXI5HQy7HfIWwaujeAI7Yi75idznN36hYJ-IS18A_3zE5TrLAl1HQCxEAuJQ25oBELGvP3o18DAD5dStFAMQzTXtRAWDhuDEby15rGQWFnI3mifPWXAvGXX/s320/RomRy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676041404342730578" border="0" /></a> it was serious see your people in STL time. It was all about dinners, lunches, coffees what have you. My ride or die friends came to visit me, my mom had a happy hour for me to see all of her friends, I got to hang out with my besties and it was just a whirlwind of fun. I know one thing, my brain had no problem "switching" to English. It wasn´t even a switch. I kept marveling at how easy it was to talk. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMAT6SPa_MvV-Udx1nFUe7zn_h4CyxzuZpRAoG649DVFmFczshKZjI3l3l2Mtg8HliiEocjVWzqcz3VEl_RHpNEP4lMYs971FMyWiMw2136OwTmAee8lf4pUR32Los0v9FIw74ejCCshN/s1600/DueTimePrincesses.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMAT6SPa_MvV-Udx1nFUe7zn_h4CyxzuZpRAoG649DVFmFczshKZjI3l3l2Mtg8HliiEocjVWzqcz3VEl_RHpNEP4lMYs971FMyWiMw2136OwTmAee8lf4pUR32Los0v9FIw74ejCCshN/s320/DueTimePrincesses.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676042901648118946" border="0" /></a>I just opened my mouth and spoke. I didn´t have to think about it or figure out how I was going to do it. It just came out. I also ate a TON. I am not joking when I say I gained 10 lbs...easily! I also was taking a GA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZivhasTuu_45AJJUv18LpoDwdIGE7bFOqC4pSYBTmDFRd4OxSVNX48MEM99orLvJPBOsvlPG9TaqTSwwM3xSmsNWphzVsrtLJ0g8bEPIPXsWIAoVYGmbYk4m7BgBrhKfDahSRJxHvhLnB/s1600/Merm%2526Me.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZivhasTuu_45AJJUv18LpoDwdIGE7bFOqC4pSYBTmDFRd4OxSVNX48MEM99orLvJPBOsvlPG9TaqTSwwM3xSmsNWphzVsrtLJ0g8bEPIPXsWIAoVYGmbYk4m7BgBrhKfDahSRJxHvhLnB/s320/Merm%2526Me.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676042394541236578" border="0" /></a>NG of showers and washing my hair about every 4 days. I was obsessed with hot water. I was also washing clothes I knew I wasn´t even going to be wearing. Just how easy the machines were and how fun it was for me to do laundry! That´ll wear off when I come back officially I know.<br /><br />All in all it was an AMAZING trip. I mean for the lim<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHw67IjOe9QFFBOiFwMAZcAdkcty7qojqRGcyrVDHgcqJ3XLIhQmbtrRadPjyZ5tSvfDK7t05WEN9xtAcxeVlcjnZsYsZ81tzanq1txr95k4iz1XEY02wBR4nJWihH5YO6FkcSwnm1BuP/s1600/MiamiStolenMoments.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHw67IjOe9QFFBOiFwMAZcAdkcty7qojqRGcyrVDHgcqJ3XLIhQmbtrRadPjyZ5tSvfDK7t05WEN9xtAcxeVlcjnZsYsZ81tzanq1txr95k4iz1XEY02wBR4nJWihH5YO6FkcSwnm1BuP/s320/MiamiStolenMoments.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676043423186380754" border="0" /></a>ited amount of time I was there I got in a LOT of visit. I even kept it going during my layover in Miami. My Back rushed her work <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1SBUtowS5GstYnyJQprR9amT7dHlLJAstqxSrkafIKPuRnYHiEMFX3ZMcgk7BKmQo37ejNbnVRhKrd0P17p0sOd7wUd78F0ilNrADrYWjMkt7PGUvtOmHHGKM5hTEeem7GoLSo-JBHXg/s1600/Molly%2521.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1SBUtowS5GstYnyJQprR9amT7dHlLJAstqxSrkafIKPuRnYHiEMFX3ZMcgk7BKmQo37ejNbnVRhKrd0P17p0sOd7wUd78F0ilNrADrYWjMkt7PGUvtOmHHGKM5hTEeem7GoLSo-JBHXg/s320/Molly%2521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676044038272147778" border="0" /></a>schedule to come pick me up for lunch and cocktails! All in all such a great trip. I got to at least hug so many people but at the same time I knew it was only for a moment and then I was off again which is hard. I got to see my Aunts on both my mom and dad´s side which was special and of course got to spoil my mom´s dog before I left. It was sad leaving, but this trip helped me feel good about going back in a year and to have even more reslove to give this year my all and then come back and be ready to live my life in the US of A.<br /><br /><br />Until Next time.....<br /><br />(p.s. by the time you get this post I will be in the wilderness with my teens, which me luck and Give Thanks!)Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-59977762422022560482011-11-21T09:36:00.000-08:002011-11-21T09:36:00.386-08:00Rewards & Punishments or Enrichment?In light of us proposing to take the teens into the wilderness to fend for themselves, arguement has erupted.<br /><br />This isn´t the first time either.<br /><br />There seems to be a difference in point of view and I´m trying to see where I stand on the issue.<br /><br />Before, as readers of this blog know, I was taking the kids to what I called "Enrichment" Classes to a place outside of Atacames. I thought it was great for them to get to leave the premises learn new things, like painting, dancing and even capoiera. However, sometimes when I went to get the kids the madres would tell me their kid wasn´t going to be able to come that day because they were punished. Well the counterpart I was working with on the enrichment program got increasingly annoyed with the fact that we were trying to do something creative and therapuetic and yet the kids (who probably needed it most) were being prevented from coming.<br /><br />Now the second example comes from a meeting we had last week. We were trying to get a final list of who is coming camping and who isn´t. Again, the same arguement came up. Some of the moms and even office staff feel that some of the teens can´t attend because they are acting up at the Aldea or in school or some aren´t even going to class. The thought is if they are misbehaving in the Aldea they shouldn´t get "rewarded" with being able to go on the trip and instead they should be "punished" for their behavior and not allowed to go. That´ll teach them a lesson!<br /><br />Others argue that those misbehaving are the ones in need of leaving getting out and doing something different. They are teens let´s not forget. A time in ones life when no one understands you and you have a LOT going on internally. This camping trip is not meant to be a 5 star reward experience, it´s supposed to be a team buildling and learning experience.<br /><br />However, those against it do bring up a good point, that how are the kids going to not go to school and do what they want when they want and then get an all expense paid trip to spend the weekend away. Do we really want to "reward" that behavior? Or is it really an reward?<br /><br />I am pretty sure I am a fan of the "enrichment" experience. I know that the kids that the office and some of the madres point out as the "problem" kids work with me just fine and I know they are the ones who have told me they feel trapped, like they have no freedom etc. You know...teen stuff. I think first of all, if they were not allowed to go they would just act out more and second of all, camping is no walk in the park either! I think maybe there could be some criteria, such as, if you don´t go to school you can´t participate in the jovenes programming. However, as far as talking back and not doing the laundry I think is teen stuff and not grounds for preventing the jovenes from participating in the programs designed specifically for them to get out and expand their horizons.<br /><br />I´m not youth expert though, that´s why I´m here learning? Those of you who work with kids or are just good with kids, what do you think?Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-59300661797855070942011-11-17T09:26:00.000-08:002011-11-17T09:35:23.334-08:00Taking the Teens Camping!! Thanksgiving with a TwistSo I have jumped right back into work and things have changed a bit. I am going to start work more closely with jovenes (i.e. the teens) . The idea is that they will one day, soon, be leaving the ofanato and they need to be prepared for the real world. THe means doing things outside of the safe walls of the Aldea and learning different skills.<br /><br />My first task is going to be doozey. It would be in any situation but when you layer it with me having to speak Spanish I look to the heavens and ask "how am I going to pull THIS off?"<br /><br />For the weekend of Thanksgiving I have been charges with taking the jovenes camping! Now anyone who knows me knows I actually love camping so I am pretty stoked about it but also freaked out. There are going to be between 20-22 teenagers and myself plus another (totally capable) facilitator. We are taking a bus Thursday or friday night (details still up in the air) Traveling to the Campos of Porto Viejo and spending TWO nights in tents. We will be cooking outside and becoming one with nature! These kids are use to CITY living and I just can´t even imagine how they are going to react, but I know it´s going to be dramatic.<br /><br />Like I said I´m apprehensive but at the same time it´s kinda a dream come true, so I am hoping to take tons of photos and hopefully will have funny stories and hopefully some breakthroughs as well.Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-70388674187949568552011-11-13T11:53:00.000-08:002011-11-13T11:56:27.937-08:00Back from the States!What up Loves!<br /><br /> I´m back from spending a fabulous month in the US of A. I went to Saint Louis, Columbia, San Francisco, Vallejo, Oakland, Stockton...the list goes on. The point is I am back, but without internet and no pictures uploaded. So if everyone could be patient with me I will do my best to give a detailed run down with pics as soon as I can. I just hadn´t written in awhile and I wanted to let everyone know I´m here alive and kickin. As alway, stay tuned for updates!<br /><br />xoxoSunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-25969557403739552662011-09-23T22:23:00.000-07:002011-09-23T22:23:00.092-07:005 Ways I'm Still the SameEarlier in the Week I listed a few ways that I had definitely changed as a result of living here as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. Well, here I present to you...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 ways I am still the same old me!<br /></span><br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I still Love my planner.</span> - while I can go with the flow, I definitely still love to make my list, I rely on my planner and I actually still make plans even though I know the people around me aren't as steadfastly scribbling in their own agendas. I see now that after all this time this is a habit/ritual/personality trait that isn't going away.<br /><br />2. In that same vein, <span style="font-weight:bold;">I still look at my watch</span>. Even though I know time isn't honored or monitored in the same way, I still find myself asking "what time is it" to which most people do not know because it doesn't matter. Sure it matters if it's the mañana (morning) or the tarde (afternoon), generally speaking, but that fact that it's 2:37 definitely does not matter to anyone but me. I don't know I always care what time it is, but I guess that's just my US ways drilled into my being.<br /><br />3. I<span style="font-weight:bold;"> still love my "me" time.</span> - Here the culturally appropriate thing to do is to never walk alone, be alone and to always chop it up with your neighbors. Me? I love having ME time. Time to sit by myself and do whatever is my hearts content. In fact if I don't get that time I get anxious and irritable. After ALL this time I should have been able to get with the program of being around people all the time (especially as a single female because that's the expectation) and while I've gotten better with being "neighborly" I still love/require my "me" time.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Language Resistance</span> - While I do give myself a shout out for being able to communicate in Spanish, I feel like my brain is VERY resistant against taking the full plunge into the language. I live in a country where Spanis his spoken Everywhere All The Time. This isn't one of those countries that while Spanish is the official language you hear plenty of English too. I very much still form my thoughts in English and then try to translate them into Spanish before speaking. When will I start dreaming in Spanish? When will my thoughts flow in Spanish first and not require the extra step of translating? In thinking along the lines of Zhaungzi I feel at some point I should go from a Volunteer who is translating English thoughts to Spanish, to a Spanish thought that is Expressing itself as a Volunteer. Ha! Hey, it's a stretch but that's the only way I can explain how I feel about it :)<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Style!</span> I want some! I have spent two years wearing frumpy, hole-filled threads to deflect attention, appear modest and stay thrifty. Well, lately that has just depressed me. I know in a machismo filled society I shouldn't be showing my knees or wear anything that would even give a hint to my shape, but how many times can you a) be asked if you're pregnant and b) wear the same tent like gear before you go nuts. I'm going to the states soon and I think I am going to have to upgrade my wardrobe for the next year. I am going to try to make it as modest and non attention grabbing as possible, but man girls just wanna have fun and I want to have some style! (materialistic american much?) Hey I can have only 5 outfits, I just don't want those 5 outfits to be tents, trash bags and maternity wear!<div><br /></div><div>The end :)</div>Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580984304037507969.post-53864611505073879002011-09-20T21:32:00.000-07:002011-09-20T21:32:00.400-07:005 Ways I've Totally Changed...While reflecting about spending another year in Ecuador I was thinking, man I have really changed and then at the same time I was like, no... I have my old ways about me and really haven't changed a bit....<br /><br />So I don't know, you be the judge. I feel that in the beginning I was so stuck on integrating that I didn't even know what my own opinions were anymore. What food did I prefer, how do I walk, dress etc... now I feel like, I've tried the cuisine, seen the daily routines and now I've finally reached the middle of the road...whatever that is. I can't decide..have I tried a new thing on, abandoned it and started doing my own thing? Or am I just in a different country and finally comfortable in my own skin?<br /><br />I'm still figuring it out but here are<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 Ways I Have Definitely Changed:</span><br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I Speak Spanish Now!</span> - when I left the country I pretty much felt comfortable with Hola, Adios and Gracias so the fact that I can hold a conversation no matter how basic is still an accomplishment!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I can Cook!</span> - Matter of survival? Who knows, but on a Peace Corps budget you're not able to go out and eat all the time plus if you want the kinds of food you like....sometimes you have to DIY! I'd like to take this time to give a big thanks to "Buen Provecho"<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">More Mellow</span>- I like to think that I've mellowed out some. My days used to start with me making a 45 action item to do list. Now I have learned (though the lesson was a toughie to get!) that things move at a much slower pace and to just go with the flow. I am no comfortable with accomplishing 1 to 2 things daily ;o)<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Soy <span style="font-style:italic;">pilas</span></span>-this one I'm not sure yet if it's a positive or a negative. "Pilas" in Spanish means aware, savvy, dare I say even street smart. While I do NOT give myself a street cred badge just yet, I do know that I no longer walk around with my head in the clouds, I am aware of my surroundings (even though sometimes there is nothing I can do, I always see it comin...) and I'm always ready. I mean before I left the states stuffing my bra, shoes, socks, pants, you name it with money, keys and other valuables just to leave the house, was a behavior I never even knew existed...now, I know that it's a necessary precaution. That's a definite 180 for me. I would say<br /><br />4b. Just to piggy back off of #4, If would have known that I now have to be so <span style="font-style:italic;">pilas</span>, I would have NEVER thought that I would happily live in a place where all of that is necessary. So 3 gold stars for that!!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQsXRzgJkssQZwKUATcrotN07-Sfl9rtJ3qFEUvm8KFoZt6m6JAsDY9voELIdqhifz8hBscspENs8X3ydMOCDYlhLRZ93FFViSxvaUNCXtFrPTBNUUSOClQy65E190IaS_wM6fCM75oo4/s400/100_0037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652076081903364162" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /><div><br />5. No longer scared of kids! I used to be scared of kids in so many ways. How do you make them happy? What if they don't like you? How do you relate to them? etc. The list goes on. Those fears also affected the way I thought about having some of my own! Now, while I'm no expert, I feel perfectly comfortable with the unpredictability that comes with hanging out and working with kids!</div><br /><br />Stay tuned for 5 ways I haven't at all changed or tried, but am just stuck in my old ways...Sunshine Builder Freedom Dancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16254440111066591537noreply@blogger.com0