Yes, Hello! I do realise that I have been absent for quite some time. After New Year’s, I continued working every weekend at Hostel Bekuo. I felt something a bit awkward tho- I felt that I needed something more in my life. I had been recovering from a bout with pneumonia since Sept. 2011 missing 5 weeks of work and friends bringing me soups and warm cozies, and their friendship made the healing process heal quicker. I continue to have small bouts of coughing to this day. The doc told me that I would have a cough 2-5 months after being sick (Sept. to Nov.) I had been on 8 medical treatments daily, and now my body is recuperating from all of that plus living in the mountains where the climate is cooler so time will tell when I am ALL healed.

I guess I chose today to write due to Escott, a Black Labrador, he was in the laundry room, and my room is adjacent to that room, I called to him and he gladly entered my room placing his head on my bed waiting for soft affectionate pets. Usually, I get dressed and go outside to bark and howl with the dogs, and then go for a leash-less walk with them or go to their secret spot, so now, I ‘m writing instead.

As for the hostel, my intuition felt it was time to move forward as I accepted a full-time job as an English Professor. I wanted to make sure that my boss at the hostel HEARD what I wanted to say so I wrote it in a letter with drawings and inspirational messages on it, but when I began reading it, I got all emotional and my voice cracked. So, he read it, and then we embraced a hug and I cried softly, he kept the letter and thanked me. NOW is the time for the eagle to spread its wings and fly to new heights and experiences and adventures. I thanked him and returned to work. This was April Fool’s Day that I put in my 13-day notice and my last day was Friday the 13th.

Now, I am teaching English 40 hours a week. Since coming abroad this has been the reason, my passion, why I came here, and the reason why I took Spanish and Latin American Studies for my Bachelor’s Degree. Now, I am truly happy. :) Thank you!

26april2012

Worked at HostelBekuo after hosting a hostel spaghetti dinner and selling passion fruit mojitos.

01jan2012

Took a TicaBus to Panama City to be picked up by a guest that I had met at HostelBekuo last year before the SLAYER concert. He, Luis, told me when I last saw him for the Judas Priest concert that he would be my tour guide. After he dropped me and 2 guys from Norway, who I had met on the bus, the 2 guys, Ed and Ted and I walked along Balboa Drive at 8 in the morning. We walked the WHOLE way in the HOT Panama sun. As we trekked, we asked a fellow where the Megapolis Mall was. We backtracked and walked over a walking bridge. The shops in the mall were just opening so we sat and chatted for a bit. I had water and they drank coffees. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe store, I bought an orange girly tank top and Ted bought a shot glass. Then we walked about the mall after the shops opened and then took a taxi back to Hostel Mamallena so not to walk in the BLAZING sun. I phoned Luis and we met that night to discuss what all I wanted to see over the next couple of days.

05-06jan2012

10am, Luis came and we ventured West for 4 hours until Chitré where Basilio lives. He has AMAZING artwork that is sci-fi related, and WHAT an imagination he has too! We visited for a few hours, and then Luis drove me back to Mamallena.

07jan2012

10am, Luis came and we ventured to Panama la Vieja. We visited 500 year-old ruins. Back then pirates came and blew the town. Then we went to Casco Viejo, a 100 year-old poverty area that is becoming developed over time. There were many BEAUTIFUL doorways and streets made of cobblestone. We parked and walked into the plaza there and we posed with Courage and Lucy. Then we drove to Causeway Marina; an old U.S. army base made up of 3 islands connected by a road. We ate at one of the islands for lunch. We both had Sea Bass, mine was a whole fried sea bass and Luis´ was grilled. mmm

I told him that I was going to the beach on Monday by taxi or bus. I would figure that part out.

He drove us onto the Centenario Freeway and later over the Bridge of the Americas and while we were driving down some road, I asked him to pull over. I told him that I would be right back as I walked 2 blocks down and out of sight. I saw a store of hammocks, and when I was in Changuinola I had seen hammocks that I wanted to purchase. So this was the chance except I was on the other side of the country. I barttered and bought 2 hammocks (they both say Panama, one is orange and red, and the other is yellow and blue). Then he drove me back to Mamallena. He surprised me and told me he would take me to the beach.

08jan2012

8am, Luis came and we stopped at the grocery store so I could buy suntan cream. (ty Melanie) Then he drove to a Panamanian Beach without tourists. He got a $4 rancho (shade) and I went out onto the sand, and into the ocean! Time… I laid on the sand for an hour. Then I went and woke him up, we sat under the rancho talking for 2 hours, he bought lunch. I ate fried fish with plantains and a Panama beer, and he ate chicken and a Pepsi in the bottle. We left and I asked him to show me where he lived, he did - and- I met his 2 nieces and parents. We had a great conversation! Then back to the hostel.

09jan2012

Junior came by and we went to get a taxi to go to a Metal bar. ROCK.N.ROLL! at 9pm and Luis and Manuel met us there. I bought Napalm Death cds. Had a few beers, and Luis drove me to the hostel, and informed me that I am going to need a taxi or bus in the morning to get the TicaBus.

10jan2012

Took a taxi to the Albrook Mall and waited in line, and waited in the station, and then got on the bus. Arrived in Ticolandia at 2.14am and took a taxi to HostelBekuo for 3,000 colones ($6).

11-12jan2012

Went to Playa Jacó on the 7am bus. And later that night, I worked the night shift.

13jan2012 Friday

I stopped a bus for Cartago and asked if they went past San Luis East. Yes! Took that bus, got off at the school, walked a bit , and went to see Daniel at Ink Juice Tattoo. % hours later, I had a seahorse with blue, green, and white coloring.

17jan2012

A previous student texted me and asked how long I was going to be in CR. Then he sent called me asking if I would be interested in being an English teacher at his school in the downtown area. He told me to text him on Friday with my answer.

18-19jan2012

This morning Lila and I played a bit in the yard, then she laid in a crevice and I laid on the grass next to her. We played and I looked up into the clear warm blue sky, and then she put her paw on my hand and together we laid there, in the sunshine

20jan2012

1. worked 2 whole weekends after battling phnuemonia for 2 months and taking 8 medical treatments daily for 5 weeks.

2. Mom came to visit for 8 days and we went to many places as I played tour guide. I love you!!!

3. Dog-sitting and planning a Christmas party at HostelBekuo.

4. Attended Pearl Jam (press pass ) last month.

23dec2012

Sept. 17 I was sick with what I thought was the flu, and then I had a horrible cough with wheezing, and then it never cleared up. One Monday, 3.5 weeks ago my host mom and I went to the pharamicist and I bought Amoxicilin antiobiotics, yet I had an allergic reaction with the large intestine swelling so big that when I softly (barely) touched the area with my fingertips, the pain was intense. So I quit taking those and that is why I went to a doctor almost 4 weeks ago and he diagnosed me with walking pneumonia and microplasma pneumonia. He prescribed and I had taken multiple anti-inflamatory and antibiotic injection treatments in the backside (ouch). And then I had a bad stomach pain reaction to those, so they were discontinued. Then doc put me on antiobiotic pills and 8 other different medicine treatments. He wanted that I stay in the hospital, but he was empathic to treat me as an outpatient. The medicines he had prescribed were at a discount, so that made the pocketbook pay less (ty Dr. JLL). Also, I have to have someone, anyone perform respiatory therapy to me.. as long as they understand the directions of cupping their hand and make muffled claps on my back, not the spine, for 10 minutes 3x a day (ty Wilson). I am improving (YAY), which is excellent, so I hope that this weekend I am  able to return to work because I have missed 3 weeks :( I have an apt. with a ling specialist this evening.

Second, eventhough I have been accepted and approved by the GVN agency, the Panama volunteering app. fee is $94 and the program fee is $2098 for 7 weeks. What an awesome experience that would have been if I had this kind of money to spend on such a wonderful cause in this way. :)

Third, I had a blast at the WhiteSnake and Judas Priest concert. I had managed to buy discounted tix from a friend from Panama. We all went together; Anibal, Luis, Manuel, Carlos, Jorge and me. When I entered the floor I was alone looking for the guys, but I did not find them. However, I enjoyed being up close while listening to WhiteSnake and decided to look for t-shirts, and that is when Manuel stuck out his arm and called out my name, Luis was standing there too! They were looking for Anibal and Carlos, so I told them that if I were a man, I would be standing as close to the bass guitar player as possible, and that had been on the other side of where we were. So we stayed and danced. haha lots of fun, who would have thought that I would attend a WhiteSnake/Judas Priest show. Old-time songs from the 80s, and the stage displayed different song themes from the band´s 40 years. Sept-

I went to Panama for the 72-hour passport update. I stayed at RedFrog Beach for 5 days. beginning of Oct-

And yesterday, 3 neighborhood dogs and I went to their secret spot in the woods. One month ago it was vibrant with green and the paths were overflowing with foilage that yesterday when we trekked back there it had all been colored brown by the sun as it is preparing itself for the next stage in the cycle of life. I took a few deep breaths of mountain air and remembered why I live here and not in the city. 

03nov2011

I just applied for a global volunteer position in panama to start in Jan 2012. And, here is some info. about the position….

Community Outreach Programs

Our partner works with a number of small community based organizations that provide important services to enhance the local community. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a variety of projects; with the disabled, nutrition projects, animal wildlife, and community recycling. Most projects are not full-time, so volunteers can expect to be placed in a combination of projects. Placements will be allocated with volunteers interests in mind, but please note that you will need to be flexible. Below are examples of some of the possible placements in the Community Outreach Program.

Disabled Centre for Children and Adults:

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a center for the disabled giving physical therapy to both children and adults. This can include playing games, pushing someone in a wheelchair, reading a book, helping with handicrafts, or just being available to lend a helping hand where needed.

Animal Refuge Project:

Volunteers will work with an animal refuge and educational centre that saves and provides a home for unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals, and also provides a long-term home for macaw parrots. Volunteers are needed to assist in caring for the animals, maintaining the center, increasing awareness, and providing valuable information to guests of the center.

Youth Development Sports Project:

Volunteers are encouraged to engage children in physical activity to create a positive team environment and encourage healthy lifestyles. This includes community sports as well as the opportunity to develop projects in local schools.

Recycle it:

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in one of two community projects. The first project runs school based programs in conjunction with collecting recyclable products. Volunteers will promote art by using recycled items to educate school children about the value of recycling and their responsibility to the environment. The second project provides a service to the community by redistributing surplus goods to those who need them. They work with any serviceable commodity including, but not limited to, clothing, appliances, books, shoes, furniture, houseware, etc. Volunteers are needed to assist with the collecting, sorting, and distribution of materials.

The GEM Project:

The GEM Project is a jewelry-making empowerment program that inspires positive thinking, global giving, and creative power for positive individual and social change. The GEM Project is currently working with mothers with children with disabilities, and young pregnant teens who are struggling to care for themselves and their babies. They are currently seeking volunteers that are skilled jewellery designers, mentors, and motivational leaders. Both English and Spanish speakers are welcome. Male volunteers may be limited in participating with certain activities and events.

You have the opportunity to contribute to orphanage, school, wildlife, and environmental projects, working with the elderly, or handicapped, literacy projects, jewellery making, and much more!

Say prayers for me that this opportunity becomes real. Thank you..lovies to all !!!!!

30sep2011