Do something you never thought you would do....4/20/09

3 Years ago TODAY I was preparing to leave to the Peace Corps! I posted on my Blog, LIFE IS CALLING. In that entry I wrote:

I propose that in the next two years you TOO try to do something you never thought you would do. Pick up a new hobby, take a trip, do something spontaneous, or COME VISIT ME!!!!A friend sent me a quote today that is so true: "You will always have time for things you put FIRST". Too often we are tempted to fall into a routine or live vicariously through others (T.v. Shows, movie characters, books, friends). Remember--YOU ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER in the story of your LIFE!! 

I'm happy to say that I have taken my own advice in this time. I have lived many experiences and done MANY things I never thought I would do (especially not in this time):

• Built an oven out of CLAY, COW Sh*t, rocks, sticks, water
• Eaten food that i've planted with my own hands
• had my mother teresa/ Princess Diana moments that i'll NEVER FORGET while teaching english on my back porch.
• Got married on a running trail to a person who inspires me to be better everyday.
• Delivered my son NATURALLY
• BECAME A MOTHER--and have started to learn what the truest definition of unconditional LOVE is.
• Lived in 2 beautiful US cities...now 3.
• horse back rode bareback on the beaches of Panama, on the beautiful beaches of Vieques,  and horseback rode on the Beach Side cliffs of MALIBU, CA
• OWNED my VERY OWN HORSE!!!
• hiked yosemite national park with my family
• sold furniture and artwork that I MADE!
• gone actual rock climbing on the green belt in austin
• ran my first full marathon
• I've swam in the FREEZING pacific ocean, like a true local...in my bathing suit!
• "surfed" on the beaches of CA
• lived 2 blocks from the beach!
• became a vendor at a farmers market
• been able to HOLD my entire family in my arms
• have taught FBI agents spanish
• Hung out with the US Ambassador to Panama and her husband (who were GATORS!)
• I've become a character in an ACTUAL book...my own PUBLISHED children's book!
• plussssss a million more.

SO WHAT if most of those things weren't what I had in mind when I proposed the challenge 3 years ago: try to do something you never thought you would do. Pick up a new hobby, take a trip, do something spontaneous---these still qualify!
It's been a ridiculous journey that LIFE has surprised me with and keeps SURPRISing me with. There have also been some not so happy things that I never thought I would live through, AND (if won't say but, because I don't want to negate what I just said...so AND) overall I must say that I've lived a life WELL LIVED and quite successful if I may say so myself (or according to Emerson):

• I've laughed a lot and LOVED with all my heart
• I have won the RESPECT of some intelligent people
• I have earn the affection of many children---which used to never really be a priority of mine until motherhood.
• I have won over some critics and made believers out of some non believers, but can't say that I was able to win over the critic that I most wanted to believe in me.
• I've appreciated the BEAUTY that has surrounded me, whether its taking in a spectacular view, a sunrise, or simply taking a mental picture an unforgettable moment.
• I have tried to find the best in others...though I have come short a couple times--I'm still trying.
• I've given of myself...my time, my energy, my thoughts, my ideas, my hopes and dreams. I've been there for friends in their hard times and they've been there for me in my hardest of times. 
• I know i'm leaving the world a better place with my healthy son, gardens in Panama, SEEDS that i've planted in friendships, and am working on social conditions part.
• I've played with enthusiasm 
• I have sung---poorly(so poorly that it has brought my son to tears), but i have sung none the less.
• I know that many lives have breathed easier because I have lived!

I've filled the passed 3 years with adventures, memories, and experiences that many people live their whole lives yearning for...and this post doesn't include anything about my other 23 years! I know I'm just getting started. Adult life isn't EASY and in the midst of all the hardships, heartbreaks, let downs, and struggles I deal with EVERYDAY I feel light sprinkles of blessing and joys that remind me HOW FORTUNATE I truly am.  Some days it's hard to feel blessed but when I step back and look at my life...I realize that I'm asking to have it all....and NO ONE has it all, especially not all together.

WORK-RELATED REFLECTION

Among the many child-friendly activities in my day, I try to squeeze some "JOB-SEARCHING" time whenever possible. In this quest, I have discovered that finding a job is NOT THAT EASY. (i guess a lot of people know that now due to the increasing unemployment levels all around us, but I didn't think that I would be in the situation)Granted, I know that i'm not AS AVAILABLE (because wanting to be with my pumpkin will keep me from putting in over-time...maybe even full-time) as a lot of other people searching for jobs, but still...I have a Degree in ANIMAL SCIENCE BIOLOGY...which for a lot of people doesn't mean much but for those of you who are in med-school now, you know that I had to take ALL the same classes as you for my degree. I also have invalueable LIFE EXPERIENCE in the Peace Corps, where my people, team-working, lost-in-translations skills were sharpend while having to overcome gender-roles and cultural differences in my work-environment. Living in a room the size of 1/2 a dorm room with 2 other teenagers, using an outdoor latine, washing my clothes by hand, wearing damp jeans that didn't dry by the time I needed them, finding snacks along my walks to meetings (fruits in trees), explaining to community members that there is MORE THAN ONE WAY TO DO THINGS, compromising, learning to pick my battles, and just working together with people who have always done things SO differently than me but still GET RESULTS was, I BELIEVE, as valuable or even more valuable than any laundry list of "JOB EXPERIENCE" that employers are looking for.

I thought that with my disposition, openness to learn, passion for making a difference, DEGREE, and experience in the PC, finding a job would be as easy as stealing candy from a baby...NOT!

One thing i've starting to realize is that some people think that the Peace Corps and other experiences like it are not as VALUABLE AS "REAL" work experience....since these same people believe that hippies and tree huggers are the kinds of people who want to "change the world". In Panama, in my group alone we had a couple so called "tree-huggers" who were there to spread the Peace and Love, but there were also guys and girls who had studied all sorts of different things in school (science, english, public relations, communications, Engineering, and linguistics..just to name a few) and wanted to try and make a difference, at least for a little, and gain a different perspective on life.

Instead of staying to work in a REGULAR 9-5 job, they accepted the invitation to serve in the Peace Corps and challenged themselves to actually TEST THEIR LIMITS, take a risk, and LEARN about who they were...before coming back and entering this money-making job world that sucks the life and passion out of the weak...brainwashing them into becoming people they never were when they first entered their line of work. I believe that once you've had a taste of REAL MEANINGFUL WORK...you can't help it but keep searching for another like-minded employer who values the same things you do and who will appreciate your dedication, passion, and drive.

I came across a pretty interesting website today:

http://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/group/jobsearchers

The website has a group for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers that are looking for work. The description reads:

This is for all us unemployed RPCV's that are now home and looking for work! Let's help each other out with advice, links, phone numbers, e-mail addresses of prospects or what not to help us all be employed in the future!

Members: 104
Latest Activity: Aug 18

What employeer wouldn't want to hire someone who understands the importance of TEAM-WORK, who knows how to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with co-workers and employees, who self-evaluates, is a goal-setter, and gives proper importance to detail while not loosing sight of the BIG PICTURE?

I am hopeful that GREAT OPPORTUNITY IS AROUND THE CORNER. I have too much to share and do to keep it bottled up inside soooo,

The quest continues...