Monkey Tales

As I have already BLASTED across my Facebook! I am officially going to be attending law school in the fall! All my sitting, waiting, wishing, anti-socialization, and legitimate hard work paid off. And I guess that just goes to show, if you work at it, you will be rewarded.
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This doesn't just go for academia, although I'd argue thats probably the biggest aspect of my life I've witnessed it in. I tend to be one giant stressball, and over the last year, that stress has turned into some ugly anxiety. But it managed to transfer itself into other aspects of my life. Including my term of service. Going into the unknown, it tripped me out! But I really just have to do my best, make the most with what I have, and leave the rest in God's hands. And I'd argue thats exactly what happened yesterday in my second children's class.
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If you guys can recall, a few posts back I had introduced you guys to a group of kids who are coming up out of some not so ideal living situations. They're all cousins, and they're the ones that occupy the pink house by that tree...ya know? That one tree? Over there? Ya well turns out that tree has a bunch of little monkeys living in it! Which should probably pain a nice picture of my environment. We're pretty much in a rain forest!

 Well yesterday was my first children's class with them. And Im sorry but Im pretty sure I want to kidnap all of them and keep them all to myself. I know it's messed up to say I've picked favorites. "Since we're all created equal" and all that jazz. But this group has really won my heart.

I mean look at her hip pop! Who wouldnt be proud of that! Im kidding, but really THEY make the most of what they have and they're so happy and enthusiastic to learn that I'm blown away every time.
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Lesson plan was the same as the one I had planned for the other group of kids that I taught the day before. But our numbers were much smaller this time around. Somehow, the class was so much more successful!
They already know "O God Guide Me" in Spanish, which is probably the most precious thing to watch in the world. But quickly absorbed "Is there any remover of difficulties..." They dont read, so the poster board I had brought along was kinda pointless because they simply mimicked my horrible Spanish. But before I knew it, they were running through the prayer, faster than I could read it!
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My favorite part of this group though, was teaching them "We are drops" They were so enthusiastic to learn it no matter how many times I asked them to sing it with me! I wanted them to learn it! And this time I got creative. I had them doing the hand motions and everything. I'll admit the moves weren't that creative, they consisted of what I could remember doing throughout my childhood and some sweet attempts to act out the lyrics. But I swear these kids are like sponges! They had it down by the end of class and we're showing me whats up! And that really put a really big goofy smile on my face!

[insert video of the kids singing the song, damn this internet connection!]
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After some arts and crafts, we played a few games and this time I got to join in! I managed to explain Pato y Ganso (Duck Duck Goose) and a really entertaining session of Simone Dice (Simon Says) we closed with prayers. These kids really are shining stars! And when they ask me if Im coming back tomorrow, I smile one sad smile only to tell them that I can only come once a week...but I'll be back next Sabado por un otro clase!
They light up! And thats a really good thing worth waiting for!
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One incredibly wise women once told me:

"The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt"

I'm going to have to agree with her, this experience is all about growing up.
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After children's class and pre-youth class (their siblings are in the pre-youth class, which I do not teach, but get to watch in amazement as they discuss virtues and principles of the faith) we ventured to the mall in search of a router! I had to do something about my limited access to the internet! $30 dollars later and you have some happy teenagers!
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After wasting away in the mall for about 4 hrs (I was reminded why I hate hanging out in Bellevue so much)
We headed home, freshened up, and were off to a community fund raiser. Its funny because last night, my parents called me to tell me they were going to a fund raiser. And after sitting through this one, its so funny how every community has its quirkyness and how different one world is from another.

My host sister (Desiree) and I

Im sure, back at home, we'd be getting all dressed up, only to walk to a house packed with about 100 other incredibly Persian Bahai's who are offering to pay "alot more" per plate than they would in Panama. But with the 7 of us who attended last night, we had our own fun! $100 per plate back in the States, $3 per plate here in Panama!
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Just goes to show, its all about the Faith!

Maestra! Maestra!

Today was my first day as a childrens class teacher…in SPANISH! Sure we’ve all taught a Daystar class or a neighborhood childrens class here and there, but this really felt like a real class. Not that it was obsessively compulsive about sticking to the program, but the children are so receptive and cooperative it’s amazing. 

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Aside from the fact that the kids showed up an hour late, I would say it was very successful. As the kids slowly trickled in, our worries disappeared. A few minutes before noon, we had ten gorgeous kids ready for class to begin. To begin, we all moved to the scene of our classroom, an open garage. All we had were 10 plastic chairs, one of which I almost broke by attempting to sit in it. A table, a pack of papel blanco, crayons and well, our high spirits! After a quick introduction about myself, my name, the fact that Im from Estados Unidos, we began class.

photo cred: my kids

Empezamos con un oracion (Lets start with a prayer) and so we did just that! I had written out “O God Guide me” in Espanol on a giant, naranja poster board. It read:

“Oh Dios, guiame, portegeme,

ilumina la lampara de mi corazon

y haz de mi una estrella brillante.

Tue res el Fuerte y el Poderoso.”

-Abdu’l-Baha

So sure at first this sounds like a breeze right? Hold up a poster board, read it, and ask them to recite it along with you. Easy enough right? Umm sure if I could stop sweating bullets! So much for the help Abuelo! I thought this was a team effort! All I got was a smile of encouragement! I continue to encourage the kids to the best of my ability to recite it with me. They do, in hushed tones.

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They are all shy in the beginning. But what’s that they say about each class having a shining star?!? Well we had a firecracker! Soooo sheytoon and adorable! We hate to smile when they’re being disruptive, but we cant resist. They lighten the mood! Anywho, after a few recitations of this prayer, we moved on to a cancion. As you can guess, I don’t exactly know any Bahai songs en Espanol, and so I taught them one in ENGLISH! Te hablas Ingles Maestra? Si! Yo hablo Ingles y solomente un poquito de Espanol. “Eeenggeeeellleeshhh?” Si! 

 Our little firecracker taking pictures of himself!

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So I taught them the words to “We are drops” and to the best of my ability explained the significance of the song, aka translated the lyrics into Spanish. In case you guys are curious this is what it would translate into:

“Somos cotas de un solo oceano,

Somos olas de un solo mar.”

“Somos flores de un solo jardin,

Somos ojas de un solo arbol”

Ok so that might not be what the entire song means, but they caught my drift. I explained to them that the cancion es sobre de unidad de las personas en todo el mundo, and suggested that I would give them un hoja de papel y crayons, and told them to: “Pinte la que apprendieron en la cancion” (To draw me what they understood of the song). They were enthusiastic to start drawing, even the boys!

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As they drew I continued to read over the lyrics and theyre meanings en Espanol, and before I knew it I had Picasos appear before my eyes! An unique collection of oceans, trees, flowers, and rain! If you know the song in English, then you know they understood what I had taught them! And that was such an exciting and rewarding feeling! After they finished their masterpieces, some of the kids asked for more paper to continue drawing while their peers finished up. Some even presented me with works of art! “Para ti maestro!” “Ayyy que bonito, me gusta mucho! Gracias!”

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After a quick water break, we were ready for a story. Or atleast I thought we were, I think the boys used the water break to recharge their engines! But I managed to herd them all back into our classroom area, and once we had all settled into our chairs, I read them a story en Espanol sobre la vida de Abdu’l-Baha as a child and his relationship with his father Baha’u’llah, during times of exile and persecution. A little much for the kids if you ask me, especially since we had just finished drawing flowers, trees and gardens and the like. But they were already asking “Baha’u’llah?” “Si!”

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To wrap up our class, we played a few rounds of “Gato y Raton” which was incredibly entertaining to watch since the kids assembled themselves and explained the game to yours truly.

[insert video of the kids playing, if only the internet was faster]

And thank God they did because I was planning to struggle explaining “Duck Duck Goose” to them in Spanish. We closed our class with one last recitation of “O God Guide me” en Espanol, and this time, I heard the little ninos loud and clear!

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Ready for snack time: Orange Tang? I haven’t seen that stuff since the 90’s! Well Tang and a pack of Oreos later (which turned out to be incredibly popular, my kids have good taste just like me) we were ready to say goodbye. We decided to tell the kids we would move the time for class next week to noon and asked who would come back and all TEN hands shot up! They make mama proud!

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White paper: $2

2 Boxes of Crayons: $2

Poster board: $1

Oreos: $3

3 Packs of Tang: $1

Knowing your 1^st children’s class in Panama was successful: Priceless.
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Just got home from Ruhi Book 6, time to post!

Dias Tranquillas

Buena! I've finally had a breather and a chance to collect my thoughts properly. For some reason the past two days have felt hotter than my first few days en Panama. Luckily they've been incredibly laid back, which has given my body and mind some time to recharge!
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Yesterday I enjoyed a lovely nap en una hammica (context clues people) and then tried some "different" food. I use the word different for lack of a better and more descriptive word. Because it wasn't bad I just couldnt wrap my head around the combination. I think its safe to assume we've all grown up on "Pasgetti" si? ya no? Pienso que si. Regardless, its obvious that "Pasgetti" is universally loved as the comfort food for a lifetime. Whether you like your bow tie pasta or your angel hair, there is something out there for everyone. This "Pasgetti" however was one for the books. Call me picky, but it was mixed with tuna. It could be the fact that Im not exactly a tuna lover, unless its smothered with mayonnaise and other condiments that will help me forget Im eating one fishy sea creature. I mean it's fishy,and warm!
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Anyways, a giant slice of Sandia later and I was recovering from this unique experience. Thank goodness I had one authentic Tamale the size of my head for dinner. Or else who knows what would have happened.
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Today however, was my official day off. I decided to head to Panama City to visit some family friends. And Im so happy I did.

Panama City

They have this little moosh baby boy who basically stole my heart! Watch out gentlemen! You've got some major competition. He is half Persian, a quarter Panamanian, and a quarter Chinese. He speaks un poquito Ingles, a whole mouthful of Spanish, Farsi, and for the win...FRENCH! Ayyyy que lindo! He is absolutely the most adorable thing ever. I spend the day layin out by the pool, playing con los HOTWHEELS con esto chiquito, and napping to my favorite slow jams.

Jingle Bells anyone?
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I should mention about an hour after I came in from the pool, the rain hit. And when they say it's the rain forest they mean it! It poured and then stopped, and there was basically no oxygen left to breathe!
After a lovely relaxing day, I enjoyed some helado brought to you by Panama's biggest mall. And when they say es mas grande they really mean it! Felt alot like home...You can see why...

McDonalds, Dairy Queen, KFC, Pizza Hut, Wendys, Burger King: la casa de el Whopper! Popeyes' Louisiana Chicken, Cinnabon, and pretty much anything else you could imagine. Including the worlds largest selection of Helado y Frozen Yogurt!

Just an ordinary girl...

Two days and three home visits later…Im really exhausted today. Today was my first day flying solo. And its really exhausting trying to fend for yourself when no one speaks any English. I know I’ve mentioned this multiple times but I cant emphasize it enough. It makes serving insanely difficult. But it’s a challenge and I can sense Im growing a lot from it. Even if its mentally exhausting.

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Today I got up at 7:30am to shower…I should mention, I didn’t have to be ready till 9am but after yesterday’s lovely surprise (the water was shut off) I didn’t wanna risk it. So I woke up extra early to get under that insanely cold water and when 9 oclock rolled around I was ready to go. My ride was supposed to pick me up and take me to a home a Bahai family in a neighboring community that wanted to have a “deepening.” What do they wanna deepen on? What materials do I take? At 9oclock I got a call from my host sister saying that my ride had no left yet and that I should probably take Ruhi Book 1 in Spanish cause they’re daughter has questions about some sections. Ok sounds good, well how will I know they’re here? Oh they’ll honk. Oh ok. 9:30 came and went, 9:45, at 9:58am, I heard honking outside the house. Finalmente! My ride was here. I locked up the house and hopped in the car. They’re dad had picked me up.

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Understanding that I didn’t speak much Spanish he slowed down his speech, asked where Im from, how old I am, what Im studying, I somehow explained running start to him and the fact that I just applied to law school which explains why Im younger than the usual grad. After a stop for some Pina (Pineapple) y un Melon, we headed to the house. I was greeted with warm hugs y besos, and was offered a seat by the door, home visit style. As I wait for the lady of the house to get ready to start our deepening, I hear the girls singing “Just an Ordinary Girl” by Miley Cyrus, I crack up, because they don’t speak English yet they know every word. I sit waiting and am told that I’ve brought the wrong book. Where is my book 5? Umm book 5? I was told to bring book 1! Oiiii!

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 So her husband decides he will sit this one out and lends me his book. Ofcourse, its in Spanish, but to my surprise reading makes it much easier to understand Spanish than simply listening. It doesn’t help that Panamanians also have a distinct accent and their own version of abbrevs. Three hours later and a good 5 sections completed. We take a break for lunch.

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As we wait for lunch to get ready, I go visit with the kids. I see their 14 year old daughter sitting in the hallway with a sketch pad and ask her what she’s working on. She shows me a piece of paper with pictures of the Houses of Worship. She has completed sketching one, and it is BEAUTIFUL! She is incredibly talented. She mentions she also has “gallery” pieces. She means she has completed a few paintings as well. So I ask her to show me one, and she brings in a canvas decorated with gorgeous colors. 

Im amazed and realize that the painting I had been staring at during Ruhi was one of her own. I pay attention to the fact that she has signed and dated all her paintings. The most recent from the Badi School. For those of you who don’t know, the Badi School is one of Mona Foundations project schools. I ask her if she attends and she says only for one year, now she goes to a school closer. The Badi School is located in Panama City and its too far for her to attend on a regular basis. But she loved the time she spent there.

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After a modest lunch, Im entertained by little “Navid” who wants to show me a card “tricko”. So his first name isn’t Navid, his middle name is, but when I told him I had a friend with the same name they were amazed! And asked me what it meant. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I couldn’t remember but I told them I would ask my good friend and report back to them during our next deepening. 

A few games of “Burro” (Donkey) later, we made a quick home visit to a Bahai neighbor and it was back to the house for me. Im soooo tired right now, I fell asleep in the middle of drafting this post. Whoops! Thanks to the Kermaloo who woke me up!

“Do you see that tree? Which tree? That tree! Huh? Well the house is after that tree.”

Day by day, it gets easier. Adjusting that is, service itself is very hard, in more ways than one. You leave your home to come to a land that nothing on earth can prepare you for. You remind yourself to stay open-minded, yet you find yourself frazzled and confused when something un-expectant takes place. Today however, was better than yesterday. Quite an adventure, but as usual I will start my story from the beginning instead of jumping back and forth in my timeline. 

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So I began my morning with corn flakes con leche, and a lovely side of Papaya. That’s right, fresh Papaya! I’d never had it before and my host brother swore it was quite a “fragrant” fruit (for lack of a better word) but I didn’t smell a thing. Maybe I didn’t want to, but I actually really liked it, it was chilled and mixed in with fresh pineapple and pear! Yum! Are you salivating yet? Cause I sure am…Anyways after desayuno, we headed out to begin our adventure. 

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Today was the lucky day Miss Hediyeh got to learn to take the bus and taxis. So I found myself walking a quarter mile to the beginning of our barrio to catch a taxi. Thank goodness I wasn’t alone because I could understand a word the taxi driver was saying and we were heading to a neighborhood that “doesn’t really have street names.” Cool. So I should tell you guys where Im located on the map. I live in a neighborhood called Vaccamonte, in the town of Arrejon. For home visits we travel to the communities of Chorerra, Chapalla and Capira. This morning, we headed to a non-Bahai home for a home visit en Chapalla. We were dropped off at the last street en Chapalla with any time of name and proceeded to walk through the streets in search for the “Pink House.” This area of Chapalla is lower class. The family we visited was non-Bahai but we have a children’s class with the kids of the house hold. I’ll explain to you how this is possible. We get off the main road and are now walking down a unpaved hill into what looks like a forest, and alas we see the bright pink house. I see clothes hanging from clothes lines and stray dogs roaming around, drunk off the heat and emaciated by hunger. We walk up to the house and Senora is sweeping. She is an old women, withered away by the age and the sun but she welcomes us to sit. We visit her for a while and ask about the children. She is they’re Abuela (grandmother). She mentions that a few children are playing out back, some are still asleep and the babies are in the other house. There are two houses, one across the stream running down the hill. The babies are sleepin inside she says. Where are they're parents we ask? She replies: They left this morning to get the children breakfast but that was at 7am and now it is 10am and the children still haven’t eaten. Im pretty sure they have gone drinking. You see, the children in this children’s class do not go to school. Although they want to, their parents wont sign their forms and don’t wake up in time to take the kids to school. Often times the children do not eat and two of the older boys have fallen behind in school two years in a row. This year it seems the children’s class is all that they participate in.

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As the children slowly trickle into the front yard, I find that there are ten total, ranging in age from 13 to 2, although none look like they’ve matured physically past the age of 10. The last two are carried in by their older siblings. This isn’t saying much because I literally watched a 6 yr old carry his 2 yr old brother across the stream up to the front yard. They’re really happy kids, and when introduced to me, gave me hugs. Although they were shy they recited a Bahai song in English that previous youth on service had taught them. We ended our visit with a prayer in Spanish. The little girl said “O God Guide Me” en Espanol. I wanted to cry. 

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Its really amazing. To me, that’s how you know Faith is real. If you don’t believe me, here’s a quote to remind you:

This is Faith

To walk where there is no path

To breathe where there is no air

To see where there is no light-

This is Faith.

To cry out in the silence,

The silence of the night,

And hearing no echo believe

And believe again and again-

This is Faith.

To hold Pebbles and see jewels

To raise sticks and see forests

To smile with weeping eyes-

This is Faith.

To say: “God, I believe” when others deny,

“I hear” when there is no answer,

“I See” though naught is seen-

This is Faith.

And the fierce love in the heard,

The savage love that cries

Hidden Thou art yet there!

Viel Thy face and mute Thy tongue

Yet I see and hear Thee, Love,

Beat me down to the bare earth,

Yet I rise and love Thee, Love!

This is Faith.

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The rest of our day was spent hopping on one bus to another, from taxi to taxi. Its unbelievable how cheap things are around here. To get a taxi, its 1-2 dollars max! The bus? A quarter! 75cents max and that’s if you’re really hauling it out there. And after our second home visit, one large coconut, and a few tan lines later, we hopped on a bus to La Ferria.

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Can you guess? The FAIR!!! It was quite the cultural experience, with traditional dancing, and some not so traditional dancing, music, food, games, and goodies galore. Para almuerzo, La Saca y Chorizzos y un Pepsi “Light” For all my DC/DP lovers out there this was one hell of a can of refresco! I guess in Latin America they use real sugar? Lets just say you can definitely taste it.

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For my Latin Lovers out there: “El Choke” is MY JAMMMM RIGHT NAW!

Como se dice "Ob Goosht" en Espanol?

So it’s the end of my 4^th day and the emotions kinda hit me. Everyone knows Im a cryer so its amazing I made it this long without getting tooo emotional. Its not my fault! I cant help it! But I will let you guys know I got through most of my day without it, it wasn’t till after a lovely little prayer session at the Temple that I lost my marbles. So I took my second cold shower today and for some reason it felt a lot colder than yesterday. Maybe because I had to wash my hair, which explains the “Au Naturel” all of you were cracking up about on Facebook. I meant the hair on my head people, come on! Anyways, I started off my morning with some errands, still trying to get a phone but I will let you all know once I have it. Im already so busy I barely get a chance to get online. Maybe once in the morning and once at night. Im actually writing this blog as a draft because my host family does not have wireless internet and we have to share a cable and I don’t wanna be hogging it all while Im trying to express what Im going through and my adventures. 
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But after we ran some unsuccessful errands, I went on my first home visit. Its so interesting, the way it works in Panama. You basically just show up outside they’re flat and holler till someone comes opens the gate. Always unannounced unless we plan on it which doesn’t seem to be a part of the culture here, but the people are so warm and welcoming. Its simple, we sit outside the house on some plastic chairs. We’re offered ice tea or water, maybe some dulces if the family is better off. Today we visited one of the members of the LSA of a neighboring community in the same cluster (note: Im serving in an A cluster) It’s quite impressive really, with the little they’re working with…But people are so content with they’re lives it really makes you realize all that you should be thankful for living in the U.S. Anyways, after our first home visit we proceeded to another home to visit a community member. We drove up to the house, and there were chickens and roosters running around on the front lawn. The door was wide open, and there were cats loungin around, drunk from the heat. Yet again, we were offered to take a seat near the door, which let the breeze in. Yo hablo espanol solomente un poquito. So it’s hard for me to communicate, but I do my best and my host helps with the rest. She speaks broken English and served in Haifa for a year a few years back. 
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I should mention, I've been relocated, and I am staying with a host family, they live about 1hr from the Temple and 30 min from the city, but it doesn’t seem like they leave this area except for Universidad. The family Im staying with has un coche (car) but all three members work or are in school or both. So they’re schedules and transportation are a bit crazy but it amazes me how active they are. People generally take taxi’s or buses called Diablo Rojos and they’re basically like a discoteque on wheels! 

a la Noche

a la Manana (p.s. Thats supposed to be Britney Spears)

Anyways after the home visits, we came home to freshen up because my host family and I were going to head back to the Temple to visit the care takers and their family. I should mention people around here, the locals, don’t visit the Temple too often so it’s really a treat for them. After our visit and some prayer time in the Temple, that’s when the emotions hit me. It could be because a youth from the U.S. was also visiting and was telling me its basically “ok” to be overwhelmed and I’d been holding it for so long I kindaaaa started to cry? Ya…I didn’t lose it but it required some hugging and some reassuring words. I smacked myself a bit and got it together. 
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And so we headed back to the burbs. En Panama, the burbs are called “Barrios” aka neighborhoods, but when they talk about it they say they live in a rural area. Which if you ask me, is kinda confusing since what Americans consider rural is like farm land. Back to the barrios we went, off to her grandparents house, not gonna lie, old Panamanians are really cute. As “Martin” would say: “Saaahhhhhnnnn” we visited them for a while and being the “toroffy” person that I am, you’ll basically starve if you keep torofing. So my host mother grabbed me and served me up some food. So here is where the title of this post comes in, it was basically “Ob Goosht” but Panamanian style. Instead of bread, they add rice! Amazing isn’t it!? I told her of the similarity and she laughed and tried to stuff me with more. Ayyyy dios miooo! 
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After some family time and some grub, we packed it into the car and rode off to feast. The community is small, a lot like my own local comunidad. Except no one spoke English and my only solace was the lady of the house who is a Persian local. She spoke Farsi and was incredibly sweet. She had a daughter named Hediyeh too! What are the odds!?! Besides that, the community was incredibly receptive and warm. They were told of my new presence in the community and the purpose I would be serving and together we would move the community and cluster forward. Ahora, Im lounging on the couch while my host family watches Angelina Jolie en Espanol. Que extrano!!!

Bienvenido A Panama

Welcome to Panama!
At the moment I am playing a lovely game of "Mo-naw-polia" con una chiquita.

But lets start from the beginning. I'm already struggling. No one in customs spoke English, and somehow they let me into the country. I proceeded to the exterior of the airport and to my surprise found NO ONE waiting for me. I looked everywhere and none of the signs had my name on it. So like the lost little white girl that I am, I wandered around, tried to buy a SM card, almost got hustled, and then continued to wander brainstorming what I was supposed to do if no one showed up. And then, to my relief, a friendly man came up to me and said, "Hediyeh?" and I said, "Si?" and he said, "Allah-u-Apha!" (phew!) And so my adventure began! To my advantage he spoke broken English and we were able to talk during our ride up to the Temple. Let me paint you picture, its about 83 degrees and its very humid. However not as bad as everyone made it seem. Its definitely bearable. So we hop in the car and start driving, about 10 miles...took 2 hrs! Literally. There are only two main highways in the province of Panama, Panama Norte y Panama Sur. With two lanes each...which makes traffic unbelievable. Basically no one adheres to any rules. Its survival of the craziest driver and for me it was pretty entertaining because its simply the culture and everyone knows how to deal with it. They also have public transportation...the infamous Diablo Rojos! They're simply school buses that have been made into a club on the inside and out. At night they have flashing lights and music blasting out of them, and the passengers cram into the bus and often hang on for dear life because its so crowded the doors to the buses don't close.
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But alas we arrived at El Templo Bahai, and my was it a beautiful site. I was dropped off at the home of a young women I had been in correspondence with, she also lives on the Temple grounds with her little Moosh of a daughter. But when I arrived she was no where to be seen and I was left with her daughter and her daughters babysitter. Neither of which spoke any English. Yet the culture of Panamanians became clear at this moment, the little girl was so eager to play with me, and although I didn't understand a word she was saying she slowed down her speech and kept me busy until her mother arrived.When her mother arrived, she showed me to my room.
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I closed the door to hang up a jacket and saw a lizard on the door, it was soooo tiny though I didn't even stop to think it was real. But when I came back later it was gone. Hah! Anyways, you were all in my thoughts and prayers this morning at the Temple. I had it all to myself :)
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Although I'm still not sure what I'm doing here, I'm trying to make the most of being in this gorgeous country!

You learn a little every day...

I'm sitting in terminal B15 waiting for my flight to Houston to board...
Lets see...4 hrs to Houston, hr layover then 3 hrs to Miami, 2 hr layover then 2 hrs to PANAMA!!!
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How exciting! Except I'm pretty sure I'm going to be "delusional" by the time I reach Panama. Which wont help the fact that I'll be gasping for breath as I enter Panama City as they are expecting sunny skies and beautiful 90 degree weather. (note: 60% precipitation) Not to worry though, I'm incredibly optimistic. Thanks to the advise of some very supportive family members and friends...I've turned my nerves into excitement! Or at least I'm trying to. Obviously I'll be missing family and friends but its really the unknown that sets off my mixed emotions. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I cant wait to embark on this adventure! I just cant help feeling scared. I tend to be a person who fears the unknown, who loves to be "in the know" so this is a bit of a test. Yesterday I told a friend that I'm most afraid of being alone and not making any friends. They laughed at me...apparently that's "impossible" Lets hope they're right! Anyways I'm posting to update everyone that I know a little bit more of my whereabouts today. This morning I got an email from National saying that I will be lucky enough to spend my first night at the Temple. However, on Friday I will be relocated to the "Association of West Panama." I'm not quite sure where that is, some friends have served in David, near the border of Panama and Costa Rica, a friend mentioned it wasn't too far from Panama City, so we shall see! I guess look out for my next post! Oh shoot! Gotta run! Flights boarding! I'll write to you all soon! Adios!
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Yeeeeehawwww (neenaw neenaw neenaw) Welcome to Houston where George Bush has managed to get this airport named after him...Good one guy! And has found a way to milk the average American of every last dime they have. Looks like I only have 45 min of "complimentary" internet before I have to pay Mr. Bush here a whopping $10 bucks and hr. No thanks bud. Anyways, never been to Houston before so this is kinda cool, except that its 4AM Seattle time and completely dark out.
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Welcome to Miami, Bienvenido a Miami!

I'm in MIAMIIIII chickkkk! (Sigh) Since when did Miami become the tropics? It seriously looks like the Caribbean, or atleast thats what I would imagine the Caribbean to look like. Its beautiful! The sand is white and the water crystal clear! No wonder everyone here is sun-kissed. Anyways this is my last stop before Panama so I guess I will see you all on the flip side! Adios!!!

Where am I going?!

House of Worship in Panama

It's the day before I leave and I figured I'd get a jump start on starting my blog. I don't exactly know who is getting me from the airport or where I'll be staying or what I'm doing while I'm there. I'm excited and scared, a feeling a bit nauseous. But I've decided to take a handful of the advice I've received and take this as an opportunity to work on myself and to better serve this wonderful Faith. I figure...God's (hopefully) lookin out, and in the spirit of service, I'm sure I'll be tested, learn and grow! I think I'm going to leave you all with a quote a good friend of mine recently shared with me, its definitely giving me the courage to jump into this experience feet first! 

"To teach is to learn;

To learn is to work;

To work is to serve;

To serve is to love;

To love is to sacrifice;

To sacrifice is to die;

To die is to live;

To live is to strive;

To strive is to rise above all earthly limitations and to enter the eternal realms"

-Bahiyyih Khanum 

(written for Martha Root 1939)

Till next time...