Short n Sweet

I don't really have time for a captivating update....

So, I'll just post an FYI: I added new photos!

Hopefully I will update the who/what/where/when part very soon. In the next couple of days I will be in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the beach on the Caribbean side just enjoying and hanging out.

Until next week!

These past two weeks...I haven’t stopped moving. Obviously, that has it’s advantages and it’s disadvantages, but overall it’s been an absolute blessing.

Work:
Meetings (!)... parents, Committee Against Familiar Violence, all school personnel, PANI (counterpart), my boss, Environmental Committee, my counterparts at school, new regional Women’s Office. etc....
Presentations to each class re: the history/celebration of “International Women’s Day”
Writing my diagnostic community report (riiiiight....)
Many cafecitos

Fun:
Playing soccer in flip-flops with random neighbor kids
Going to the Botanical Garden (with new friends!)
Bingo - to raise $ to pave a portion of the roads
Mango eating
Coffee drinking
Coloring everyday with kids at home
Many cafecitos

My bad!!:
Ruining a teacher’s (surprise!) baby shower by walking past her with my gift
Asking my school counterpart to collaborate on a project using sexual innuendo
Spending hours creating a powerpoint presentation on a Mac, acting shocked when the dodgey PC’s couldn’t recognize it at school

Tico Culture:
Being left off the “all personnel” agenda after the director (agenda creator) specifically asked me to give a (powerpoint!!) presentation. There goes 3 hours I’m never getting back...
Meetings starting an hour late, lasting for 2 hours longer than they need to
“Aren’t you getting a little old if you want to have children?”

Despite the aforementioned events, not EVERYthing has gone poorly. That’s just the dirt blog readers love, isn’t it? For every awkward event or frustrating moment, there’s been a counteracting high point as well... A lot of those include spending time with my host family, watching/listening to the rain, walking everywhere I go, reconnecting with the community, and eating “exotic” fruit/veg. And CR coffee!!

Another large part of the highlights includes potential projects:
Planting gardens in the school
Forming a women’s group in “the projects” to organize a cooperative
Educating adolescent mothers on parenthood, vocational skills, etc
English Club for children struggling in school
Lip-sync contest

It’s important to note the keyword in that sentence though...potential. Aka these are nothing more than ideas at this point. Almost everything is great in theory...whether or not I can get the ball rolling remains to be seen.

I added some new photos!

Deep Sigh

It is incredible to be back!!

This time, I'm returning to an entirely different experience. Suddenly teachers are happy to see me, my counterparts are interested in joint projects, I'm recognized in the community. I am more confident, focused, and can envision this experience in the context of my entire life, not only just the present.

Although countless things have changed-people have died, some have separated or divorced their partners, babies have been born-it is still the comfortable community I left just over 6 months ago. For that, I am thrilled and relieved.

It has become unmistakably clear that the happenings (read: stagnation and decay) of the last 6 months, were the best thing that ever happened to me. So far, I think I've counted 11 reasons why...but for boredom's sake I'll stick to this experience. It's difficult for me to explain, but I'm better prepared and I feel the community at large is better prepared to receive me as well. Aaand if nothing else, my absence has been a stellar ice breaker.

I'll be staying with my old host family (+ one new baby, María Celeste) for at least a month if not two. Then... we shall see. My new close of service date is 10/25/2011.

I also have the same P.O. Box and cell number! (hint)

You like me, you reeaaaaally like me

It's official...I've got a date! And it's next Thursday, the 25th.

I've been fervently practicing my acceptance speech, incorporating the Sally Field quote above, for the make-believe awards ceremony I will be returning to. Let's just hope my community feels even a pinch of that sentiment.

I guess all that's left to say is....yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahh!! And... don't let go, even when people doubt you, and there seems no hope. I'm back!!

I'm Coming Back!!

Well.....after 6 VERY long and trying months, I have received word that PC/CR has medically cleared me. (pause for shock-value)

But, it's true!! And I think I'm still in shock. About an hour ago I received an email from the Country Director with the subject line "Reinstatement Green Light." Needless to say it didn't take many Nancy Drew skills to figure out what was to follow. I am shocked, elated, stunned, in disbelief, and relieved.

Thank you for your support. I look forward to continuing the adventure and I hope you'll stay with me for the ride.

Details to come regarding dates, times, forms in triplicate, etc.

YAHOO!!!

Lookin' Fresh

Look! Everybody come and see how good I look!

And all it took was a swift click of the mouse... Thank you pre-made templates. Actually, that's not all. I added photos! And they don't take up 1/3 of your screen and 1/2 of my post!! Take a gander if you please.

Here's the latest re-instatement update:

Last week, (when my clearance was supposed to come through ahem ahem) the office of Medical Services in Costa Rica requested an additional update from my doctor that ensures I am better. (I am!) But, due to the snow storms in D.C., the office has been closed for the 3rd straight day and it's not looking much brighter for the rest of the week. So I'm currently at a stand-still until that office can receive that fax, read it, send it, folks in CR receive it, read it, and send news back.

So I could know tomorrow...friday...next wednesday...next friday...a month from next friday...who knows. But it is being worked on (or thought about??) so I continue to move forward. Fortunately, my counterparts in my community, my host-family, and my old boss are all rooting for me.

So, I'm trusting the system. (eeks)

New Year, New Start

As in.... a "new start" back where I was. Although still just a hope and a plan, I'm feeling confident change is in the air.

Health and happiness in the start of the new decade!