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Monday, May 31, 2010

New Perspectives...

Greetings again from Honduras. May has brought downpours and Tropical Storm Agatha to Central America. It feels like it just wouldn’t stop raining. Then came a state of emergency from the president. The next day (today) we finally get sunshine. We will see what happens next. All is calm here in Santa Rosa but in other parts of the country and beyond, not so much. Click here to read more about it.

The other morning, my great site-mate Kat cooked a fantastic brunch here in our town. I don’t think I have mentioned this but she happens to be one of the best cooks/bakers in all of Peace Corps Honduras and I am lucky enough to have here in my site. We were also joined by great site-mates John and Elizabeth (a married Peace Corps couple living here in Santa Rosa as well).

We feasted and enjoyed and then proceeded to have a 2.5-hour conversation about Peace Corps, living life, and the ways of the world. These conversations happen a lot here, some times under the influence of local fermented magic which makes things interesting (not this time). But with what’s been going on in my life lately and the situations I find myself in here, a lot of realizations came out.

You see, sometimes down here I get frustrated. I get frustrated about the people, the way things are done, and how other people choose to live their lives. Sometimes I think everything is so out of whack but I have some tools that will work to fix that.

But what I think is important to remember is that certain things work for me because I am me. Certain things work where we come from because that’s where we come from. Just because something works in my life, and where I come from, doesn’t mean it’s right, or better, or so beneficial to someone else. I read a quote today from a Brazilian writer that said

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”


I have a hard time remembering that sometimes. When I settle down to remember this my mind opens, and I gain and understanding that moves me forward in the right direction.

It’s all about understanding, gaining a new perspective, and seeing what happens from there.

Everyone is tryin to do the same thing in this world…live a good life, be happy, and contribute a little bit. The thing is, everyone has a different way of getting there. Honduras is reminding me of that, and for it, I am grateful.


…Until next time





P.S. I know some blogs are getting serious. I have been told many times that I am too serious sometimes. If you know me I am a joker on the outside and all this comes from the inside. Okay okay. I promise the next blog will be full of light stuff. Stay tuned…

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Life and Times...

Greetings again from Honduras. It’s almost been a month since my last post. Time continues to fly by on this crazy journey. I am always experiencing something new that creates new interest, and new challenges.

In the time since my last post, some important dates have past.

April 30th marked one year left of service for me here in Honduras. Its crazy to think I have a year left with all that has happened already.

April 27th marked my 27th birthday. Life keeps happening. If someone would have told me 5 years ago that when I was 27 I would be working in Honduras with the Peace Corps I would never have believed it. How happy I am that I am here though. My gratitude is great for this experience.

Lastly, April 22nd marked the date that my greatest friends came and visited in Honduras. Chetter, P, the Big Man, Connie and the Aussies Tally Mate and Ben came down for quite an adventure. We went off to the island of Utila for some fun in the sun and scuba diving. Yes, I went again. We hit the lotto when we swam with 5 different whale sharks. These rare creatures of the sea are the biggest fish in the ocean. We hit a record and saw 4 in one day. We jumped in the water with our snorkel gear on and saw the giant fish face to face. It was an experience most will not get in their lives but we did. Just amazing.

After the heat and sand flies sent us bitten, burnt, and bruised, we headed off to some river rafting in the northern rain forest of Honduras. The lodge and rooms are right in the jungle and we had a nice finish to the trip.

What a time it was. You can check out pictures here

I want to leave you with the beginning of an entry to my personal journal I wrote. I would like to share it because often times people wonder exactly how it all works down here; what the experience is like. These times are truly unique, and this is what goes through my head during it all…

I rode a bus home today from a training trip for new volunteers in Tegucigalpa. The familiar feeling of heat coupled with wind at my face accompanied me the whole way. In a country where all is foreign, I am beginning to feel foreign too. All the thoughts and emotions about who I am, what I am about, and how I am supposed to live this life continually go off in my head like fireworks on the 4th of July.

Sometimes I welcome them and sometimes I turn them away, and tell them to come back another time. Some make me feel good, some not so good, and some make me question it all. Sometimes I just want to get away. I feel the need for constant stimulation for fear of what I will hear during the silence. Although I don’t know what’s better, to sit and feel the discomfort and emotion, or to occupy the mind and let it phase out with time like a candle that just needs to burn out?

I think it’s both.


…Until next time