A video called Albert Christina:

http://www.fachak.com/box/albert-cristina

by Alan Cadavos

‘Galing at Talino’ ay hindi sapat

kung sa personal na sakripisyo naman ay salat

Matatamis na dila ay pawang satsat

kung prinsipyo at budhi talaga nama’y patpat

‘Sipag at Tiyaga’ ay walang batbat

kung sa silaw ng pera ika’y nawawarat

Mahalaga na sa taumbayan ay laging tapat

upang walang dungis, walang bahid

ang paglilingkod sa lahat

Around Manila with Pinoys from all over the nation, rich and poor, and the men who will lead us to the future. It’s the day before the BIG DAY. Let me take you around!

words by Jeanne Carmel Puertollano
photos by Raf Ignacio

Nov 27 2009

A Break from the Usual

Over the past week, I have been bored out of my usual routine keeping tabs on the state of the nation. I have particularly been watching Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas’ activities, and to be perfectly honest, the many oath takings that made the news, albeit good, were not so exciting to the average news watcher like me. Or maybe, it was because of all the sitting and watching on television that made the whole thing unappealing. I thought to myself one night, I hope that I could make it to any event.

I got a text mid Friday morning inviting me to the events that day in anticipation for the Big Day. I was very giddy, had an adrenaline rush of sorts. Baon, check. Notebook and pens, check check. (Kleenex check). And so I set off on an amazing one-day political escapade.

Cradle of Heroes

I descended the FX at Gateway and walked all the way to Balay Expo Centro. A rush of flashbacks suddenly appeared before my very eyes. I remember that after the typhoon Ondoy, Noy and Mar called their supporters to volunteer there to help repack goods for victims of the atrocities there. I recall the innate heroism in each person who did their part in rebuilding the lives of those affected. It is, to me, a cradle of heroes.

On November 27, two months after the typhoon, Balay has changed and so has its name. It is now the People’s Power Volunteer Center. Pero bayanihan parin.

Around 2pm, Noynoy arrived, and in quite a subtle manner, might I add. In the many times that I came within inches of him, this was actually the first time I shook his hand. I found myself a bit starstruck, to say the least.

Dinky Soliman and Mae Paner, best known for her alter-ego, Juana Change, did their bit to entertain the crowd who came from different parts of the Philippines (and even Asia!). It was kind of an informal way of educating the voters, which the crowd actually enjoyed. After that, three leaders from different faiths – Evangelicals, Muslims, and Catholics offered their prayers. Kontra-gapi also played traditional Filipino instruments.

Vice Presidential bet Mar Roxas then graced the stage, and danced a bit to the music. He was a natural crowd pleaser. Something he said struck me: that the true People Power lies in each volunteer’s heart. The place was merely a concrete venue for convergence. He then introduced some of the senatoriables who were present – Neric Acosta, Sonia Roco and Risa Hontiveros. Interestingly, he refers to them as “magiging senador”.

Magiging Pangulong Noynoy Aquino addressed the crowd, reminding them of the essence of fighting together against the evils of Philippine politics and that everyone must do their part in making this country better. As he had said it before in his plentiful engagements in months past, he reiterated “malapit na tayong lumaya”. That is, if we all work together to put the right leaders in place.

A ceremonial untying of the knotted sarongs followed the short program. The knots represented the evils in Philippine society and governance. The untying, on the other hand symbolized that such change is possible if Filipinos work together. The volunteer center was then blessed and is now open to the public.

Friendly Banter

I then headed over to the Urban Poor Alliance dialogue.

The event was aimed at hearing out the concerns of the urban poor on issues and conflict areas of interest between them and the government. The audience came from different parts of the Philippines, all interested in knowing Noynoy and Mar’s would-be responses to these important topics. Among the key issues discussed were eviction, informal settlement, budget for housing, Mindanao, appointments in the government and federalism.

Interestingly, with these issues, the people who represented the different groups in the meeting also gave recommendations to solve this problem. Here it was, participatory development in the flesh! It is always important to include the beneficiaries and the stakeholders, so that they will take active responsibility in providing long-term solutions to the crises that the Philippines is experiencing.

Noynoy stressed that he could only make the proposed reforms if everyone will do their share to respond to the multitudinous problems. There was a call for the people, especially the urban poor to participate in such activities.

I felt good for these people, who are often disenfranchised by government officials in planning their programs. Finally, they’re being included in the national conversation.

Street Party

Since the day would have been Ninoy Aquino’s 77th birthday, the day was aptly capped by a massive street party along Times St where the Aquinos took residence for most of their married life. The festivity was organized to formally launch the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM). The movement led by Ed Roces was one of the first groups which convinced Noynoy Aquino to seek the presidency after Cory’s death. Earlier that day, a pushcart containing cans of coins donated for Noynoy’s campaign was brought to his home at number 25. Kampanya talaga ng sambayanan!

Those who attended the street party were mostly from Payatas, and they filled several blocks around the Aquino home. Politicians also came along, particularly the local leaders of Quezon City who have sworn loyalty to the Liberal Party.

What struck me the most about the whole event was the part where people from the poorest community in the Philippines, Payatas, donated a part of their very meager income. In particular, I was touched when a kid named Angelica, aged 12, shared that she was doing it because she wanted to respond to the need for a better education system in the country. She wanted to be a teacher in order to change the lives of so many young children, who are suffering for the government’s misgivings in the sector.

Noynoy Aquino, in his speech, highlighted that this is exactly why he is running: to correct the wrongs in the government, and to call for people to be part of this change.

Critics

Of course, Noy could not please everyone. There are a few people who had an opposing comment to what he had said. In one particular instance in the urban poor dialogue, some of the people wanted more immediate responses. Who could blame them, of course? They have been promised so many things in the past. But then again, I think that people have to be patient, especially because Noy, should he win, would inherit the many problems of the current administration.

Round-up

Over-all the day was truly inspiring, and I really do hope to go on another exciting political adventure. In such eye-openers, I even wish to see more people who have yet to decide on their choices for president. Such events will help them make an informed decision, and maybe, even advocate the candidate.

Till next time.

(^_^)-L

2007년 12월

충남 태안의 겨울 바다는 온통 기름으로 얼룩졌다지.

삼성은 나 몰라라 발뺌하고 여태 버텼다지.

TV에 돈 퍼붓으면서 이미지 광고 백날하면 뭐해,

사과하고 잘못을 인정하는 한 번의 광고 만도 못한걸…

엊그제 드라마인지 영화인지 “아이리스” 인가 뭔가 찍는다고

북적거리는 도심 한복판을 점거하는 사건이 일어났다.

만약 내가 꼴랑 캠코더 하나 들고 나가서 영화찍는다고 하면,

과연 담당부서에서 “그래라”하고 서울 도로를 막아줄까 ?

왜 누구는 되고 누구는 안되는가 ?

권력을 가진 소수를 위해 다수가 희생하는 민주주의라면 공산주의와 다를게 뭔가 ?

차라리 헌법에 “대한민국은 공산주의 국가다”라고 명시를 하던가…

잘 나가다가 중간에 “지역 감정”을 일으키는 발언으로 찬물을 끼얹는 무리가 있다.

언제부터 누구에서부터인지 한 지역 사람들을 싸잡아 표현하는 “전라디언”이라는

외계어가 생겨났다.

이 단어엔 할아버지 할머니 애, 어른, 조상, 후손 할 것없이

모두 포함시키더라. 또한 욕설이나 비방할 때 주로 쓰더라.

초등학교는 나왔을텐데…

한 지역 사람들을 모두 싸잡아 욕해서는 안되는 것은 잘 알텐데…

혹시나 전라디언이라는 외계어에 기분상했다면 신나서 더 까불어라고,

그러다 걸러지지 않은 생각의 덩어리에 “자뻑”하라고,

찜찜하지만 급조된 외계어로 응수하자.

“네, 상처를 꼭 먼저 긁내요. 경상라이트님”.

언젠부터인지 보수를 받고 하는지 아니면 자진해서 하는지 모르겠지만,

자신이 지지하는 정당의 입지를 높이려 인터넷 게시판에서

다수의 감정을 해치는 발언을 일삼는 무리가 생겨났다.

“욕설”보다 더 무서운, “논리”를 가장한 정신적 “욕설”을 해대는 무리들 말이다.

인터넷 많이 좋아지고 있다.

포르노 광고를 거쳐, 욕, 비방, 등수놀이, 딴나라당 알바짓…

이젠 아예 미디어 악법으로 다른 말은 귀막아버리려고하고…

이들의 공통점은 “먹고 살려고 하는 짓”이다.

잘 먹고 잘 살아 이 땅을 온통 니네들 씨로 물들여라.

이땅에 뿌린 씨가 니네들 씨랑 섞일까 두려우니 뿌리지 않고 거두어주마.

먹고 살려고 있는 넘한테 등기대고…

먹고 살려고 힘없는 민초들 죽이고…

먹고 살려고 씨퍼뜨려서 대를 이어가고…

먹고 살려고 돈 더 주는 데로 알바옮기고…

지금 이땅엔 “루저”라는 말이 유행어가 되어버렸다.

어느 방송에서 시청자 패널 중 한 명이 한 발언이 화제가 되었다.

아마 다들 알 것이다. 그러다 몇가지 의문이 생겼다.

만약 그 패널이 “패배자” “낙오자” “실패자” 등의 우리말을 썼다면 어땠을까 ?

루저라는 외국어를 알고 있다고 뽐내고 싶어서인가 ?

아니면 자신이 그 루저의 범주에 해당해서인가 ?

설령 그렇더라도 그게 뭐 그리 중요한가 ?

나폴레옹이 루저가 아니어서 세상을 제패했는가 ?

철저한 계산으로 사전협의하에 내뱉은 정치인들의 한마디보다 “노가리”를

모토로 하는 “쑈”에서 무심결에 나온 대중의 한마디가 뭐 그리 중요한가 ?

설령 한 시청자 패널이 그리 했다고, “우~”하면서 돌팔매질할 필요가 있는가 ?

나는 다른 사람이 잘 안쓰는 나름 “창의적”인 발언을 한 그 사람이 대견스럽다.

비록 외국어를 빌려쓰고 다수의 루저에게 정신적 피해를 줬을지언정…

또한, 어설픈 억지 웃음이나 유발하는 개그 프로보다 오히려 그 “쑈”가 더 신선했다.

The X Factor: Kyle enters The X Factor to follow his passion of singing and love of Girls Aloud. Will his idol Cheryl put him through to the next round?

El Peor Cantante del Mundo

La Mas Agresiva Del Factor X

This is probably the angriest contestant we’ve ever had on The X Factor. Rachel thinks she’s got what it takes to win – but her reaction turns nasty when the judges don’t agree.

The X Factor 2009: 40-year-old Daryl from East Sussex is a cabinet maker by day, but is following his passion in his brother’s memory. Will he make it through?

Eighteen-year-old, Leon, shop assistant wants to sing, but his mum’s not too sure. Has he got what it takes?

John & Edward The X Factor: Twins John and Edward from Ireland bound onto the stage with incredible confidence – but have they got the voices?

X Factor – Crazy girl, she is angry. Enjoy!!

The X Factor 2009: Olly Murs is an ‘ordinary geezer’ but dreams of making it big. Does he have The X Factor?

These girls certainly make an entrance! They give Dermot quite a surprise too!  They call themselves Fallen Angels

Lloyd Daniels The X Factor 2009: 16-year-old Lloyd has only ever performed in school plays, and is nervous about his audition. Will the judges be impressed?

The X Factor 2009: With a member of the group who has failed The X Factor before, have Miss Fitz got that spark the judges are looking for?   MISSFITZ

18 year old shop worker Matthew thinks he can be the next Robbie Williams… but he starts with some impressions of previous winners…

Leer esta entrada en español

“For me the experience has been invaluable. Although, working in the office, I’m not directly working with families or building homes,  I’ve found it fulfilling to be able to help out behind the scenes  and allow the team here to get out into the field and do what they do best: coordinating construction, supporting families, coordinating and hosting  volunteers.”

I had never volunteered before. I had thought about it, but was always too busy with work and life getting in the way. But when I recently gave all that up and had the opportunity to move to Costa Rica I realized that this would be my chance to get involved with some type of NGO. I also selfishly thought it would be a great way to learn about the country outside the isolated ex-pat community we had moved into.

For me the experience has been invaluable. Although, working in the office, I’m not directly working with families or building homes,  I’ve found it fulfilling to be able to help out behind the scenes  and allow the team here to get out into the field and do what they do best: coordinating construction, supporting families, coordinating and hosting  volunteers. 

I’m inspired by the Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica staff and the work they are doing.  They are so dedicated to the cause, so interested in the families they are helping and so determined to find new ways to bring hope to people it’s contagious and I’m learning that the rewards are so much more gratifying than the ever changing bottom line of the corporate world I came from.

Besides all of that, my Spanish is improving. I’ve learned a lot about Costa Rican culture and continue to learn more about the country and the people every day.

I’m grateful to be part of organization with such a spirit of generosity, kindness and such high levels energy and engagement from Habitat staff and supporters.

Christine Rothdram
Costa Rica

Hi Ann Marie,

I have been following your work with Tamian and young Antonio…just wanted to congratulate you. It brought goose bumps to my body and was inspiring , encouraging and did spark action for me in other areas. It is said that we lose our Humanitarian spirit when we stop fighting for each other…and truly you and the team brought that spirit alive with your action (Kerrel McKay, Facebook “chat” conversation, November 26th, 2009).

Hi Kerrel,

Why should we sit down on all this knowledge and allow all these skills to go to waste when Jamaica is literally burning?

Kerrel: Hmmm, truth.  

A Prayer for His Parents

Father of  Heaven and Maker of the Universe, I come to you about this son

I would love to meet Antonio’s parents Dear God. May Thy Will be done

As I come before you this morning, I am aware of your awesome power

I thank you for all that you have done so far and my ability to recover

There is no other force now or ever in this world that is stronger than you

I can feel and smell your presence right now in this room as I pray true

Your sweet scents inspire me, guide me and protect me day by day

Your Divine intervention is needed now, so I ask that you make a way   

Amen.

Remembering Miss Puncie

October was but the music still lives on. Holding on to the present I traveled to the past and immersed myself in a pool filled with Soul music. Everything makes sense now. Enjoy these bangers and future classixxx and remember to spread the love.

Click on pic for download.

TRACKLISTING:

Antonio called me yesterday at 6:08 pm while I was on my way home. I recognized his name on my cell phone screen.

“Hi Antonio!”

“Hey.”

“How are you doing man?” The tone of his voice was different. He was comfortable.

We exchanged more greetings as my son and my cousin listened in on the conversation.

“Allison gone till Sunday,” he said, sounding as if he was really missing her. 

“Really? But Tamian comes back on Friday, right?” I had to give him hope that his angels were not far away.

“Yes,” he replied, with a soft and relaxed tone.

I knew he was feeling more comfortable. I could tell by the sound of his voice.

“Are you going away too?”

My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice asked the big question that all my men had been asking for months now and I knew that I was going to be honest with this young hopeful boy.

“No Antonio, I am not going anywhere right now. I will be here for a while.”

I then decided to ask him about his parents. “How do you feel now that your parents are back…?”

“Mi feel good.”

“Did you get into anymore problems? I hope that there is no more war.”

“No man.”

I told Antonio that I called St. Joseph’s on Wednesday to talk to Mr. Calmright but was told that he was out of office and that I could call again on Thursday. Antonio confirmed that Mr. Calmright was indeed away on Wednesday but would be back on Thursday.

Mediator

My cousin who is here visiting from the US called me a “mediator” this Ben Johnson morning. I smiled and told him that I was never trained as one but somehow God was using me to mediate in the lives of people in crisis.

“Yes man you are a mediator and a diplomat too.” He insisted.

I did not challenge his statement. If he felt that I was a mediator and a diplomat, then what could I say?

Then we started to talk about the grandparents and their way of life. I laughed out loudly, clapped my hands and jumped three times in the kitchen as I explained My Truth about Rastafari and the Church with Miss Liz paying close attention. 

My husband looked at me quizzically. He had never before heard me talk like that. He asked:”What is Babylon?”

And I explained.

There was silence.

Mrs. Prospect

I called Mrs. Prospect as promised to tell her about the interview. I knew she was eager to learn about the job prospect. I gave her all the information that I had about the organization with which I took the interview. 

“Oh!” She said.

It seems as if, at least for a moment, that some of my readers thought I was being self-serving.

I smiled.

They really do not know me. They do not know Mar Campbell at all.

Seems as if they were saying that I was going after Mary Clarke’s job…apparently she is about to retire. 

Good Lord!

I am here for a specific purpose 

Let me assure you all that I am not going after anyone’s job. I am here for a specific purpose; to sow (thanks Bethany), yes, sow “Seeds of Insight” using the positive energies of men across Jamaica and the world. I am also here to help women to smell the sweet scents just before dawn through my “Senses at Dawn.”

And I want to thank you all for taking this journey with me. I know you are reading because I can “see” you through my computer screen and I can feel your spirits. I can even tell when people translate my blog posts into a language that they understand.

I am here! I am living in a new world and I love it!

Don’t worry! I am not possessed by evil spirits. Rather, I am merely following God’s Design for my life and moving according to the will of the Universe.

HALLELUJAH!

BLESS!

Nathan Pacheco, Amare Di Nuovo with Italian/English Subtitles!

The following bit of dialogue was part of a conversation (political debate?) I overheard recently at a local diner. The brief fragment that I caught, while standing and waiting for my lunch buddy to show up, involved the recent publication of a very popular book by an unsuccessful candidate for high office. My friend arrived and we were seated several booths away from the young couple in question, but as we ate I could still hear their voices, now coming through as only a soft rumble. From the tone I surmised that the Young Woman continued to dominate, as she had in the snippet that I had earlier overheard. Here it is:

Young Man: What I can’t understand is why the press gives that jerk so much attention.

Young Woman: Well, let’s say that Katie Couric and all those other news hounds  had ignored her — how would you have known that she’s a jerk?

Copyright © 2009 Jim Sizemore.

Leer esta entrada en español

I am Patrick Thompson, an international volunteer from Vancouver, Canada. For the past six months I have had the opportunity to serve as Volunteer Coordinator with Habitat for Humanity Argentina (HFHA). In this capacity I work as a volunteer, helping to recruit, train, and integrate other volunteers into the programs & priorities of a busy NGO. What began as an idea over a year ago morphed into a reality last June when my plane touched down in Buenos Aires.

“Why travel across the globe to volunteer”, one might ask (and many have!). For me it was an instinct – a strong desire to contribute my motivation and skills towards a cause that I believe in: community volunteerism. The inspiration for my role with HPHA stemmed from my own experience volunteering with Habitat in New Orleans, working side- by-side with volunteers of every conceivable age and stage. Not unlike myself, many were stepping outside of their comfort zone, spirited by a collective feeling that individual actions can matter.  My goal was to channel this powerful feeling into an organizational capacity.

Arriving in Argentina I was quickly made aware that this spirit of volunteerism, while alive and well in Habitat for Humanity Argentina, was somewhat of a nascent concept in the country. With this in mind my first task was to help the organization expand their local reach with the introduction of a new volunteer program. Through weekly meetings and training sessions, month after month, I came to realize that the spirit was more dormant than missing. With modest encouragement, local volunteers began stepping forward to assert their own instincts and develop their own roles within the community improvement projects of HPHA. Each step, while small and gradual, has revealed a much larger footprint.

As we continue to build the volunteer program in Argentina I feel quite privileged to be the point person at HPHA for the thoughtful curiosities of the potential volunteer. I receive emails on a daily basis from individuals around the corner, and around the world, each looking to participate in some form of progress. These messages encourage me about my own mandate, and remind me of the avalanche of interest that lays waiting for a call to action. My hope is that community volunteerism will continue to grow in places like Argentina, where the needs are so strong and the opportunities for action so present.

Patrick Thompson
Community Mobilization
Habitat for Humanity Argentina

Sources say that on Tuesday, President Obama will announce his decision on Afghanistan. Explore three different takes on the upcoming decision by:  Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied commander; Matthew Hoh, a former State Department official who resigned in protest over the U.S. policy in Afghanistan; and Tom Cotton of Vets for Freedom, an organization of combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were guests on “Larry King Live.”

Matthew Hoh: I think adding more troops is going in the wrong direction. Adding more troops does two things. It reinforces the Karzai government, a government that we’re propping up, you know, on the backs of our young Marines and soldiers. By propping them up, that means the Karzai government will not negotiate with the other side. The other thing this does by adding more troops is it only enforces or reinforces the Taliban’s desire to end the foreign occupation of the country. They’re only going to fight harder. So by adding more troops, you take away any incentive from the Karzai regime to negotiate, and you embolden the other side to continue fighting.

Larry King: Former Vice President Dick Cheney has accused the president of dithering and suggested that his actions toward Afghanistan are due to inexperience. How do you comment on that?

Wesley Clark: I think it’s been a very good process of the strategic review. I think they’ve worked it with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan. I think it’s been time very, very well spent. I have to say I’m in sympathy with General McChrystal’s request for more troops. I would certainly request them if I were there. But I also hear what Matthew [Hoh] is saying. I think that’s the effort of the review, is to square those two concerns. They are both sets of concerns. McChrystal needs more troops. The government’s not responsive. It’s not as legitimate as probably we would like to make it. And the other element is, of course, Pakistan has to do more, because we can’t succeed in Afghanistan alone. It’s not an isolated theater of war. All that is part of the review.

Larry King: Every public poll says a majority of Americans want us out. How do you respond to that?

Tom Cotton: The support for the war can ebb and flow based on the case that our leaders make for it. I think one draw back of the long and protracted review is that we haven’t had the president and senior Congressional leaders making the case to the American people for why we need to send more troops to Afghanistan, what they’re going to accomplish and how we can win. I think once that case is made, once the president explains that we have a victory strategy, not an exit strategy, the polls will begin to turn around, and the center of gravity in the war, which is really not the fight against al Qaeda terrorists or the fight against the Taliban, but maintaining American public support for our great fighting man, will begin to turn around, and the majority of Americans will see that this is an essential fight that we have to win.

Watch the full interview from Larry King Live

Name: NicolaBogo
Link: http://nicolabogo.wordpress.com
Location: Italy

Title: “economicrisis”
Description:
the feeling of loss and of misunderstanding on 9 overlapping voices of the first ministers of the 8 major countries and the President of the European Union talking about the NEW global crisis (every speech is taken from registration of the recent G8 or the World Economic Forum). so many words that no one can understand the sense.

Empty-CemetaryBelle

By the time I was old enough
to learn anything -
you had already chosen passive verbs
and spoke only in the third person.

Naturally, I have become nothing more
than a common noun.

Leer esta entrada en español

Kelsey Halena has been a volunteer in Costa Rica since September, and for the next six months will continue in her role as International Volunteer Program Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. In the following post, Kelsey offers a unique glimpse into life away from home.

Using Technology without Apology
Last night, I was on Facebook chatting with a friend about how people were doing back home in Minnesota. At the same time, my dad sent me a message on Skype asking how my day at work has been. After dinner, I called another friend on iChat for some face-to-face (in the technological sense) conversation. Needless to say, I am not too disconnected from my friend’s and family’s lives back home. Now, I know that some people might say that this is taking away from my experience here in Costa Rica – that I am spending time talking to friends that could be spent exploring Costa Rica. But it has also kept me from being homesick, and in some cases made me realize how happy I am to be here rather than back home. While my friends seem to do the same activities week in and week out, I am given this once in a lifetime opportunity. So in the evening, I’m able to choose from the many means of communication available at my fingertips and connect with anyone, whether they are in Minnesota or California. While it doesn’t beat being with friends and family in person, it is certainly quicker and more convenient than the hand-written letters that my mom had to use to stay in communication with her family when living in Sweden. She likes to remind me of the convenience of technology. Often. Usually via Skype.

Time Keeps on Ticking
As I stood in my new bedroom in San Jose, Costa Rica on September 4th, I wondered how I had thought I was going to be able to handle nine months here. That seemed like such a long time; so much that would pass and I would miss. Now, as I think about my last two and a half months, I wonder where that time has gone. How can I be nearly one-third done with my trip already? I still have so much to do, so many places to go. And those trips that my friends and family are making to Costa Rica that seemed so far away? I better get booking those hotels for them, because it’s right around the corner. The evenings that are filled with dinner and conversations with my host family are adding up. Even the seemingly uneventful evenings of staying home are melting together to create a chuck of time that has already been accounted for. So I intend to make the most of every weekend. To go to the amazing places that I’m not sure I’ll ever see again. Because time isn’t going to end, but this trip will. So when I’m back to enduring the cold Minnesota winter, I’ll be able to think of those fabulous days in San Jose when I could wear shorts and t-shirts in November.

What I Thought I Needed
Call it lack of funds, call it lack of access to stores – or a fine combination of the two that keeps me from purchasing things I don’t need. But since I’ve arrived in San Jose, I’ve found that the objects I found ‘necessary’ in Minnesota are anything but. Those 30 t-shirts I had in a drawer so full it couldn’t be shut? I’m getting along equally fine with the five I fit into my one suitcase. How about three of the same pair of shoe in different colors? The one pair I brought along is holding up. So, why do I feel the need to have all of this unnecessary clutter at home, if all I REALLY need can fit into one suitcase? Sure, there are times when I wish I had decided to pack the hair dryer. Or a book that I’m really wanting to read and can see right where it’s sitting on my shelf. For the most part my lack of objects has lead to increased simplicity in my life, and an easier decision making process. After all, how hard can it be to decide what to pack for the weekend when everything you own can fit into two bags?  I have all the essentials and nothing else to clutter my life.

Always Open, Always On
In the past, after work I have found it typical to head home, turn on the TV and turn everything else off – including my mind. Before coming to Costa Rica I was a nanny for a 1- 3- and 5-year old. This certainly drained all energy out of me, and when I came home I wanted to just be able to shut my eyes and clear my head for a while. My job with Habitat for Humanity is drastically different, requiring instead that I am in an office for the day, often sitting at a computer. Although my body isn’t as active as it was while nannying, my mind certainly isn’t getting a rest. Between Spanish e-mails, phone calls and conversations surrounding me, I am introduced to a new office, new co-workers and new methods. And at the end of the day, my brain doesn’t shut off like I so badly want it to sometimes. On a simple 15 minute walk home, I observe and discover new things every day. The patterns of traffic, the schedules of others, the environment… things change every day between my office and my house, tiny details I would never take the time to notice in Minnesota. Once home, I am greeted by my host mom who has spent her day cleaning and cooking dinner in preparation for her family’s arrival. Something that certainly took getting used to (although I can’t say it was ever difficult to do)! But until I close my eyes at the end of the day, my brain is a constant receptor, taking in everything that crosses my path. Which makes for a great nights sleep.

I am Capable
There have been a number of times where I thought I couldn’t possibly go to the mechanic alone because I didn’t know what to tell him about my car. Or when I didn’t do something as measly as going on a trip by myself for the weekend because I didn’t believe that I could do the planning and I was nervous that I would get lost or do something wrong. That’s the beauty of being thrown in the middle of a foreign country. It’s fight or flight. And if my decision had been flight, I would have been right back where I started without even getting my feet wet. So, fight it was. As it turns out, I’ve got a little more of a feisty, ready to rumble spirit in me than I thought. I am comfortable with weekend planning, a new job a new family, a new country. I can’t help but feel a little more independent every time I finish another weekend excursion. But it’s certainly not just the weekend getaways. Thankfully, capability sticks around seven days a week, ensuring me that with common sense and confidence I’ll be able to keep fighting the good fight.

Poas Volcano | Costa Rica

Subbed Video for Ritual De Amor (Desire) by Ender Thomas