Official Start Date: June 30, 2009

Start date: June 30,2009-----End date: June 30, 2011

I have exactly 2 years from TODAY to accomplish everything I want to accomplish in my Peace Corps Service!

What exactly that is, I am not sure right now, but as time goes by, I hope those goals start taking shape as the needs of my community become more clear!

The last couple days have been pretty hectic, running around the Peace Corps office filling out papers, getting malaria medication, making copies of teaching manuals, learning how to fill out VRF (Volunteer Report Forms), and just ironing out details before officially getting started.

On Friday at around 2pm I'll be arriving at my site....to STAY! Between now and then we were given a little break to gather ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. A peaceful beach on the pacific coast awaits my arrival later today. Who can say that the first couple days of their new job, they get vacation days... No wonder Peace Corps ranked 5th on the List of Top Employers in 2008 ( http://www.black-collegian.com/issues/2ndsem08/top100_ranking.htm )


Keep in mind that Goal #3 of the peace corps is to teach other Americans about Panamanian culture......sooooo....I can't for everyone to come visit.

I miss you all and want to thank you all back home, as well as the friends that i've made here for helping me through the first part of this trip.

Chapter one ended yesterday.

Chapter two starts today!

I am officially a PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER

As the Vice-president of Panama, Samuel Lewis Navarro, thanked us on behalf of his country for being here and wished us much success in our communities, tears started rolling down my face. I wasn't sure why I was so emotional. It could be that we had just been sworn in by Barbara Stephenson, US Ambassador to Panama and sitting there I was thinking about how fast the last 10 weeks had gone by. It was all a burr. I couldn't recall an exact moment, all I could recall were feelings and emotions that had overcome me in the last couple weeks. Just 10 weeks and I feel like this time has forced me to change. I've become more appreciative of little things, simple comodities have brought me so much joy, and the value of certain things has gone up while the value of others has decreased.2 years seems like an eternity from now but it's going to fly by...i know. I wonder what else I will learn and adapt to.

After the ceremony was over I got to mingle with the Vice-President, the Ambassador, a life size poster of Obama, and other honored guests, as well as all the Peace Corps Training Staff and my fellow VOLUNTEER friends...lol.

Though the food was incredible, my favorite part of the evening was discovering that THE GATOR NATION truely is EVERYWHERE!! In the middle of my conversation with the Mrs. Stephenson's husband, I realized that both he and his wife were GATORS, as well as a former Peace corps volunteer from Liberia and her husband! Here I was in the middle of a room full of people from all over the US of all ages and what did we share...our GATOR PRIDE!
(we even took pictures doing the Gator CHOMP!)

From the napkins stamped with the US seal, to the different style toothpicks, all the details were perfect. It hasn't been an easy couple weeks having to adapt to bug attacks, crutches, traveling in sufocating diablos rojos but here I am now, OFFICALLY a Peace Corps Panama Volunteer. I am offically one of the 182 peace corps volunteers currently serving in Panama and one of the thousands around the world!

I will post pictures soon...=)

I WENT TO MY SITE!!!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

-Mark Twain

I read this quote on another volunteer´s blog and I really liked it. Next week I will be sailing away from the safe harbor of new friends and familiar places to catch the trade winds around Santana. There is so much to explore, so many dreams to fortify and realize, and endless treasures to discover. I hope that in twenty years, the tears that are rolling down my face will be ones joy for having risked everything and at the same time gained more than I can ever imagine. Experiences in our lives are as ¨once in a lifetime¨as we make them...I plan on soaking in this entire adventure.

SANTANA
not SANTA ANA

A week ago I was in El Farallon at a seminar where I met my community counterpart, Yanira Velazquez Rodriguez. She picked me out of the crowd because she had been told that her volunteer was wearing a boot.

After the 2 day seminar, Yanira and I left to Santana. I wasn´t feeling well and I was nervous. I had all these questions running through my head: What if I don´t like my community? What if the people don´t really like me? What if I don´t feel safe? Before getting to my site, my host stopped in Las Tablas to get groceries. I walked in and out of every isle. As i went through, my unhappy feelings started to fade away as I salivated over all the varieties or fruits, cerals, house products, school supplies, books, cheeses, and shampoos they had. I knew I was off to a good start: AT LEAST THERE WAS GOOD FOOD NEARBY!

When I got to the site...this sign welcomed me:

My new entourage:

I talked with the Yanira´s parents, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters (who are the bulk of my community...hahaha plus a few others to add up to a grand total of 45 people in 17 houses). I was a bit overwelmed being surrounded by so many people who looked at me with eyes full of curiosity, hope, and sheer astonishment. They did not understand why I would come visit them, why i would come live with them, and help them.

They asked me questions like how far NY was from my house? How I looked so American if my parents were Colombian? If I had cattle in Miami? How many famous people I knew?

They are all really exctied to teach me things, words that they use (like gueguerro for throat---which they get a kick out of hearing me say), but most especially, learning...learning english, learning new agriculture techniques, learning about American Culture, learning about our food, learning how to draw and paint, learning how to make themsleves marketable, and learning how to work together.

At times, I felt like I was in Peace Corps Commercial. I got asked all the questions that the training staff warned we would be asked. Though there is no right or wrong answer...but I felt ready for all of their questions. The more I answered them, the more I really started beliving that I could really be a change agent in their community. I started noticing the potential for projects this community had. I saw how my sole presence in the community brought an aire of excitement, motivation, and encouragement to the few people I got to meet. The rummor mill ran fast around my area. I had invitations by the 3rd day to work in nearby towns.

All the families i met in the week i was there, openned their doors to me with hugs and kisses. They talked about how much they are going to miss me when I leave in 2 years....I kepted thinking...I JUST MET THEM,lol.

I felt important everytime I was introduced to someone new, not because I was an ¨extranjera¨, but because to them I was la Licenciada Valeria Rodriguez, or la Biologa Rodriguez. A college degree that didn´t really feel like a big deal when I recieved it a couple months ago is now what identifies me in this community as someone who has achieved the impossible.

The grandfather, Benigno, sat to dinner with me the last night I was in Santana. As he looked over at me, shyly he said: I would have never imagined that in my lifetime I would find myself eating with ¨an americana¨ in the house I made with my own hands, on the land that my father and grandfather both worked and loved.

I didn´t know what to say. I need them as much or maybe even more than they need me. By helping them build themsleves up, Im going to be able to build myself stronger too. This experience isn´t going to be easy, [especially with terrencial rains, not the optimal commodities, and an inconsistent workforce], but as I looked around Santana I knew that I got off to the right start. I am going to be surrounded by good loving people.

I can´t wait to get back on July 3rd and start the contruction of my NEW HOME! It is going to be very small because i´m on a small budget but it will be mine and it will have 2 spectacular views, and it will be welcoming. Plans are to make it with Penca roof, and 4x8 fibrocement slabs. The goal is to have the home done in these next 2 months!!

I learned how to make cheese with Freddy

And I have a NEW BEST FRIEND: CHANDOSO!

Im gonna call him Chandis (nickname). I met him the first day I got to my site. I havn´t been able to touch him YET cause he is fully of flies and ticks. But I already got him puppy food, medicine, and a shampoo. When I get back in a couple days, Im gonna take him into the vet´s office to get some shots and a check up! I wanted to buy a dog, but Chandis is already in Santana´s streets and needs love....which is exactly what he is going to get! and food, and showers, and a warm cozy bed, and more love!!!

Dear Snoopy,

I miss u and love you!!!...but Chandoso isn´t as lucky as you.

He doesnt sleep in a warm bed everynight and eat good pedigree

canned food mixed with the hard dog food. He is lucky if he gets some

rice scraps. He will never replace you in my heart snoopy...I promise.

LOVE YOUUUU...pórtate bien!

In other news, our Swear-in Ceremony was moved to this FRIDAY! I will offically be a PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER!!!

Can you believe I have been living in Panama for 9 weeks?

Happy Father`s Day Next Weekend

I might not be able to get online or have phone reception on Father´s Day so I wanted to make sure that I said:

HAPPY FATHER`S DAY DADDY!!!

and all the other father´s out there!

Especially in my life, my daddy has been there for me in everything that I`ve done or tried to do, always supportive, always postive, always ready with some inspirational words.
He has taught me and my sister to never expect less of others or ourselves.
Daddy thank you so much for being you! Keep up the good work running!!! I know that you are going to do awesome when you come run the Panama City Marathon!!!

I love you daddy!

End of week 7 beginning of week 8

Sooooooo I´m on my way to El Farallon where I will meet my community counterpart.

The las couple hours in Santa Clara I spent packing.

SOMETHING THE PEACE CORPS DOESNT TELL YOU BEFORE YOU COME IS TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THEY WILL GIVE YOU 70OBS WORTH OF BOOKS AND BINDERS, A HUGE WATER FILTER, A BUG NET AND ETC.

I finished packing and brought half my stuff with me on this trip. I will leave this at the house that I pick as my host family for the next month or so!!!

little about yesterday... I spent sometime at the Santa Clara SPA in the morning. By SPA i mean the front porch of my host families house with my feet in a 5 gallon bucket half filled with water soaking my feet before I gave myself a Pedicure. Then I did other facial work....=)...you know what they say about first impressions!

my SPA Clients and helpers

In the evening i was invited to a 1 year-olds b-day party. Dejavu from the last one: arroz con pollo, chicha (5 gallon bucket of water with added orange powder), cake, and of course, a PIÑATA (of winnie the pooh). The two little girls i went with had the time of their lives.

the party
Well I must head out now...EL FARALLON and SANTA ANA await me!

Week 7

The parade in Santa Clara for Enviornmental AWARENESS put on by the CEC group

therapist on left and Mark on right

Most of the week I spent traveling back and forth between Santa Clara and the City. It was tiring but the therapy has been worth it; The physical therapy for my foot and the emotional therapy for my sanity.


Last night I turned down and invitation to go out with some friends in the city for some relaxing alone time to watch a movie in bed. A couple months ago I would have said, even if your tired, pull yourself together Valeria, get ready...lets´go! Now here I was with an incredible picnic dinner and a movie in an air conditioned room and I didn´t feel the urge to go out. Am I really starting to change?

Speaking of change, I`ve thought about it a lot lately, especially since my time in Santa Clara is almost up. Ive been questioning if i`ve left the impact that I wanted to leave in my short time here. Everytime, my answer is a little different but it hasn`t been YES.


I`ve slowly been arriving at the realization that CHANGE requires time, lots of patience, and focus. Time and focus that i didn´t really have with my accident and all the traveling we´ve done during training and the Patience that i still need to develop to ---change the things I can, accept the things I can´t, and the wisdom to know the difference.


Last night I read an article in LA VAINA (the peace corps newsletter)-THOUGHTS on EVALUATION.THe author said that when we as trainees arrive, we are quick to point out the things that do not work and we don`t take time to notice the things that do work.


The article also said that our confidence in our abilty to CHANGE things and DO THINGS BETTER is higher and our HUMILITY is lower when we arrive. As time goes by and our humility grows, our confidence tends to lower.

Reading this article I was amazed at howperfectly I fell in the category of new arrivee. How quick i´ve been to criticize flaws in the system that are seemingly simple to solve, flaws in current volunteers` air of complacence (I don´t know if thats a word), and flaws in the country as a whole.


I am begining to notice that it´s not as easy as suggesting that change happen. If it were that simple then people wouldn´t have to dedicate their whole lives to it, and countries wouldn`t find themselves on a downward spiral.

Our culture in the States teaches, encourages, and rewards hard work. I was raised in a home where my parents supported me in everything that I wanted to accomplish, always gave me the confidence to believe that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. And it just so happend to work out that way in a lot of areas of my life, school and running. I grew up with a sport that reiterates the importance of consistency, dedication, and hardwork; a sport where talent can only go so far and the rest is will power and guts.


Yet there are cultures where kids aren´t asked: What would you do if you were President? or What do you want to be when you grow up? There are cultures like, the one i´m experiencing now, that settle for the lifestyle that they were born into. To teach someone in these communities that they can achieve great things if they work hard at it is a difficult concept to get across. Something that is so simple and deeply rooted in some people, can be sooooo OUT THERE for others to grasp. In fact, it is so difficult that volunteers lose hope in their abilities. I do want to become more humble in the face of life and change but I want the confidence in my abilities to grow.


Some people whom I talk with or who read this my think that it is very romantic of me to think that I´m actually changing someone or something. And some even tell me that I am going to wake up one day to a sad reality....the reality of the REAL WORLD. When I come across people like that, I wonder why it is that I have to wake up from my world to enter theirs? I wonder the same thing about them. What will happen when they wake up one day to the REAL WORLD and realize that making money isn´t everything, that life doesn´t all have to make sense, and that there IS GOOD LEFT in the world if your willing to look for it.


I know that there are a lot of things that I could be doing right now, that would be WAYYYY more comfortable, closer to home, and easier, but then that would go against what I´ve been taught my whole life, HARDWORK PAYS OFF.

This week I leave to a Seminar with my counterpart and then later in the week I will visit my Community for the FIRST TIME. I will be taking half my stuff to MOVE IN!!!

Some more Pictures of the week =)

Special Post

CONGRATULATIONS DR. LEILANI Margarita Caraballo !!!

SHE IS GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL!!!!

She was accepted into Ponce School of Medicine!!!!

(FYI: this is the only time i will put this terrible combination of colors on my blog)

[GO GATORS!!]

Week 6...the pictures say it all

Where to start?
I was in EL CORTEZO this week for cultural week. It was in the Azuero region, where i will be for the next two years! I stayed with the cutest older couple Frai and Melida. I had my own room! So many things happend that I don`t know where to begin.
The whole week i got to horse back ride! There were horses roaming around loose just eating grass. I made Cutaras...sandals, I made a slingshot...biombo, played with iguanas, and I lasso-ed in a calf roping competition with the men from the community. I got to eat really yummy arepas, which they call tortillas here. I was incommunicated from the world for a whole week without cellphone service but we made it work! luckily I was able to talk to Peter and my parents the whole week!!! Thanks to COLLECT =)!!!

To top the week off, a group of us met up and went to SANTA CLARA BEACH! It was beautiful!!!! Yesterday we got in around 3 in the afternoon and went straight to the beach after putting all our bags in little cabanas that overlooked the water. For dinner I had CORVINA ENTERA FRITA with patacones. For the rest of the evening and night we hung out on the beach.

This morning i got up right at sunrise (5:45am) and walked (hobbled) over to the beach. I saw the sun come up and then at around 8:45 i had an incredible scrumptious breakfast...steak, eggs, and papitas fritas! with a huge glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

The morning kepted getting better and better...as i was paying for breakfast I saw a young man go by on a horse. Of course my heart jumped for joy....so i waved him down and he came over. I asked him if i could ride his horse and he said...yea...$3. Before he was done telling me how much i was on the horse!! I rode for about 1 hour up and down the beach. I was so happy. I couldn´t belive how beautiful and desolate the beach was, the smell of the horse, the sound of the waves, the fact that i was on the pacific coast in my home for the next 2 years! This morning I fell in love the ocean all over again.

After riding around, I swam in the ocean with gretchen, natalie, audrey, and damian for a while and then we all went to get ready for our teck back to Santa Clara of ARRAIJAN =(. We had an incredible lunch...super american of all of us to order hamburguesas and papas fritas, but it was delicious!




Now Im in the city...a little burnt and a little worn out but very happy!

There were some special days this week....

Happy Anniversary AMORCITO!!! 2 years!!!

Happy Birthday Annie, Al, and Angela!! Hope you guys had a great day....I remembered each of your birthdays but I didn`t have reception this week!! Ohh and Happy Birthday Andrew last week..=)