I'm here in Panama!
I arrived safely in Panama this morning and am currently enjoying internet, air conditioning, and the company of my fellow amazing trainees in our 6-girl villa. So far I really don't know how much I can tell you about this experience except that it feels extremely surreal. I have not slept more than 8 hours in the last 2 days and am definitely suffering from the effects.
As for my initial impressions, I am so overjoyed to be in Peace Corps and even more so to be in Panama. The staff seems amazing so far and everything is very organized for us. My only worry is that I over packed and my luggage is already ripping.. oops. That and my other bag suffered from a wrinkle release fiasco. 33oz of my favorite laundry product emptied into my backpack. No bueno. Thank God for ultra absorbent towels!
Panama City, from what I have seen driving into our compound, is a huge paradox. The skyline resembles a growing metropolitian city with cranes visible building new gorgeous skyscrapers. The slums, however, were also very apparent and clashed with the giant bilboards advertising for Tommy Hilfiger. I am sure our eventual training and placement sites will be even more of a contrast to the glamorous parts of the city.
I will try to update often and apologize for the lack of photos so far.
Miss everyone,
Natalie
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Here We Go...
4/26/2011. It's here.
In 5.5 hours I will be waking up, getting on a plane and arriving at staging.
Lord I pray for wisdom and guidance, show me the way I should walk.
Deep breathes and I will see you all on the other side. I promise to upload my random farewell videos soon.
Peace and thank you to my amazing friends and family, I love you all so much!
Besos,
Natalie
In 5.5 hours I will be waking up, getting on a plane and arriving at staging.
Lord I pray for wisdom and guidance, show me the way I should walk.
Deep breathes and I will see you all on the other side. I promise to upload my random farewell videos soon.
Peace and thank you to my amazing friends and family, I love you all so much!
Besos,
Natalie
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Dad, 16 days until departure...
So it's been some time. Lately I have found myself finally removed from my addiction to checking peacecorpswiki.org and reading blogs. I quit the packing preparations and the obsessive online shopping (sorry Amazon, I do love you still). Many say I am in denial. You see, I leave for Peace Corps Panama in 16 days. To say it less eloquently; Holy Crap!
My feelings at this point could be described as a "calm before the storm" mentality. I am calm, and almost lazy. Avoidance is a better word. I am avoiding studying my books of Spanish verbs, I am avoiding researching everything like I normally do, I am very happy and feel like this is all a dream. Maybe that means I am ready.
As paradoxical as that may seem, I think I am just so very ready that my brain just sort of shuts off to prevent myself from developing unrealistic expectations or worries that I can't possibly soothe without more knowledge. I don't even know where I will be living for the next two years within Panama, and that is truly liberating. I am finally doing this!
Another reason I feel so happy is because I honestly say that my chapter of self growth did not start with me stepping foot on Panamanian soil. It has already begun to manifest. I recently took a trip alone to New Orleans by myself. I felt the same type of calm avoidance as I left. I knew I would wing it and it would be amazing. Turns out I was right. If you are ever in NOLA stay at the India House Hostel (that's my shameless plug). It was everything I hoped for in my first true hostel experience. Jazz music is also one of the greatest pleasures in life. Well, actually any live music that hits you full on in that case. I also rediscovered my love for hula hooping. After a good 10-12 years, I still got it!
I have a ton to do in only 16 days, but I am ready. I do not feel panic, only poise. My Spanish is pretty rusty, but I will adapt. I am so excited to meet my cohort of fellow volunteers and start this adventure. I am ultimately so thankful for all of this. God has gotten me this far (as much as I fight him on everything) and I can only hope that I continue to trust in his pace and plan for my life. Now don't get me wrong, I am not extremely religious, I just believe in the core concepts of my Catholic upbringing. The real important stuff. And I have no doubt in the cliche that things happen for a reason. Call it fate, nature, or His work; it's all relative. It is real and so is love. A willingness to allow the process to work and have faith in it is essential. At least that's how I see it, you are more than welcome to your personal opinion. If we all thought the same way life would be pretty bland.
Just some ramblings. Shout out to my amazing father, he turns 54 today! Go dad! I am hoping for at least another 30 years with you so make it happen! Keep up the pilates and the music. :)
Besos a todos,
Natalie
My feelings at this point could be described as a "calm before the storm" mentality. I am calm, and almost lazy. Avoidance is a better word. I am avoiding studying my books of Spanish verbs, I am avoiding researching everything like I normally do, I am very happy and feel like this is all a dream. Maybe that means I am ready.
As paradoxical as that may seem, I think I am just so very ready that my brain just sort of shuts off to prevent myself from developing unrealistic expectations or worries that I can't possibly soothe without more knowledge. I don't even know where I will be living for the next two years within Panama, and that is truly liberating. I am finally doing this!
Another reason I feel so happy is because I honestly say that my chapter of self growth did not start with me stepping foot on Panamanian soil. It has already begun to manifest. I recently took a trip alone to New Orleans by myself. I felt the same type of calm avoidance as I left. I knew I would wing it and it would be amazing. Turns out I was right. If you are ever in NOLA stay at the India House Hostel (that's my shameless plug). It was everything I hoped for in my first true hostel experience. Jazz music is also one of the greatest pleasures in life. Well, actually any live music that hits you full on in that case. I also rediscovered my love for hula hooping. After a good 10-12 years, I still got it!
I have a ton to do in only 16 days, but I am ready. I do not feel panic, only poise. My Spanish is pretty rusty, but I will adapt. I am so excited to meet my cohort of fellow volunteers and start this adventure. I am ultimately so thankful for all of this. God has gotten me this far (as much as I fight him on everything) and I can only hope that I continue to trust in his pace and plan for my life. Now don't get me wrong, I am not extremely religious, I just believe in the core concepts of my Catholic upbringing. The real important stuff. And I have no doubt in the cliche that things happen for a reason. Call it fate, nature, or His work; it's all relative. It is real and so is love. A willingness to allow the process to work and have faith in it is essential. At least that's how I see it, you are more than welcome to your personal opinion. If we all thought the same way life would be pretty bland.
Just some ramblings. Shout out to my amazing father, he turns 54 today! Go dad! I am hoping for at least another 30 years with you so make it happen! Keep up the pilates and the music. :)
Besos a todos,
Natalie
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