The "P Word"

I will never use the P Word again.

The P word was used too much during my college education, way too much during Peace Corps training, and wayyy wayyy too much when PCs feel like they are "doing nothing".

(Hint: Peace Corps is not the P Word.)

As Omnibus 102 closes in on a year in country, we start to ponder our p.....s - our successes and failures. The problem with thinking and evaluating our time with the p-word, is that we have little control over them and how they turn out (during our two years, or after we leave). I came down to Ecuador thinking, or at least hoping, that I would be able to change the world after two years. Well, after 9 months in site, I've seen my share of failures, misunderstandings and frustrations. Meetings that went flop, conversations that went south, potential understandings that I found out later are completely wrong.

But, I have also realized that these set-backs are always related to the p-word. When describing my challenging days to others, when I use the p-word, my days quickly appear horrible, miserable and un-lively. I start to think of deadlines, schedules, organization, structure ... and usually, it never exists (at least in the way I look for it).

When you change this p word for another, things look up.

When I take a step back, and focus on people (I know this starts with "p" too, but don't let it confuse you, it´s not the ¨P Word¨ ... It´s the new and improved ¨P Word¨), I smile. The people I have met here make everyday amazing. The people I have met here have taught me about myself. The people I have met here have been accepting, hospitable, crazy (good, fun crazy), and encouraging. The people here have become my family. When I change my mentality to work with and through people, suddenly, my times here has been and looks increasingly successful.

This doesn´t come as a shock. It´s one of those ¨duh¨ moments. It´s the amazing people (like you) who have always turned life into living.

So, for the next year, I´m eliminating the P Word (not Peace Corps or people) from my vocabulary. I´m concentrating on faces, individual dreams and strengths. The people in my life will forever remain my sense of strength, enjoyment and freedom.

Peace Corps is a time to time to help others achieve what they want to do.
Peace Corps is a time to achieve what you want to do.
Peace Corps is a time to live.
Peace Corps is a time to pass time.
Peace Corps is my life, right now.

New Photos up!!

Tungurahua

Yesterday morning, I was enjoying the morning sun with some of my co-workers from the Foundation (we often take the first hour of work to catch the warm morning rays and catch up on gossip). Thirty minutes later, things got cold ... we looked up into the sky, and a huge, black cloud was rolling in from the east. Rain? Hail? Funny Guarandinian weather?? I was hoping for rain, the corn still needs to grow more!

Another half an hour later, when I was working hard in my office, the economist (that's really what we call him "el economista") knocked on our door and told us to come out. Not rain, but ash was falling from the sky. The roof-top was covered in a layer of gray ash, and you could hear the impact against your jacked when standing in the open.

On the streets of Guarada, people hurried around with masks and cars circled the streets with loud-speakers informing people of the health concerns and recent news, Tungurahua erupted!!


So far, in Guaranda, I've experienced my first earthquakes (usually small and at night, takes me too long to even realize what they are to react in a safe and conscious fashion. I usually wake up, think, "wow, an earthquake?" and then it's over) and now my first volcano (well... ashfall).

But, no worries, this happens all the time :)