Mexican in Mozambique

Jan.17 Part of me feels like I should write a reflection of 2012, and perhaps something on my goals for 2013… but I don’t know. It feels forced. I’ve definitely reflected on the highs and lows of 2012 with some other volunteers from my group during my trip down south, but I don’t really feel compelled to regurgitate them here. I didn’t really make any resolutions for the new year… it was funny, I was on facebook one day and I saw a status from a friend of mine that’s abroad in Thailand, it read: ‘New Year’s Resolution: stay alive one more year’ I chuckled at it and wondered why I had not thought of that, especially considering the accident I was in on the ride back to site (no worries, wasn’t hurt)… surviving Mozambique has definitely been on the agenda since I rode in one of those death trap chapas down in Gaza (during site visits)… Anyway, I won’t rehash all my 2012 reflections, but I have been reflecting on my service lately. Jan 12 th marked my 5 th month at sit...

Oi!  Happy New Year, friends! I did a little traveling for the holidays down to the terra da boa gente , (Inhambane province). Here are some pictures of this stunning province: Vilanculos, Inhambane Reunited with my fellow MOZ18ers!! On our way to a secluded island of the coast of Inhambane Stunning, righttt?! A view of the island NEW YEAR'S EVE : Queshia & our german friends! Epic Dance Party on Praia do Tofo   5....4...3...2...! Happy New Year from Mozambique! Doing the Dougie with our Mozambican friend, aha Dawn, New Year's Day Praia do Tofo With my Chimoio travel buddy, Doug!

Monday, December 17th. My consciousness, and my overall emotional/mental being is like a flame- sometimes it burns strong… other times its barely burning and easily exhausted by the passing breeze. In an email that I wrote to my cousin in Mexico, I tried to convey to her an overall picture of how I was doing here in Mozambique… and well, its tough. When people ask ‘how’s Mozambique?’ or more often, ‘how’s Africa?’ It’s hard to respond in a brief statement because the reality is- this experience is a fucking roller coaster. It’s ups, it’s downs, and everything in between. I’ve never experienced such a range of emotions in such a brief amount of time.   Sometimes I have tons of ideas that run through my head, I feel motivated. Sadly, these past few weeks have not been defined by this burning flame of motivation. Today I found myself thinking, "I’m in a rut," I don’t feel motivated. I feel like the flame that usually burns bright is dwindling. Instead, the last couple of weeks...

12.12.12 I remember I use to look at the Peace Corps website and read the featured story of the month (or week or whatever), “Peace Corps Volunteer helps local community ______.” It’s always a great success story about a volunteer in some part of the world that designed an awesome event with their community and had a great local impact. I admit, I opened that website and imagined myself in that headline. Not exactly as the volunteer that helped her community develop a fair trade program for organic coffee, but you know… I fantasized about being THAT volunteer. That volunteer that would go out and actually help. That volunteer that would make the Peace Corps headlining story. Ambitious, right? Ahaha… Well, it’s December 12 th today…. Exactly four months into my service and sadly, my work as a peace corps volunteer is no where near that ‘success’ story fantasy of mine. I get it, I’ve only been here for a few months and should give myself a break… change doesn’t happen ...

I hope my friends/family don't mind when I share little things here and there that they write to me... but it just melts my heart when I read some of their emails :) "I can't imagine just what a rollercoaster it must be. It's trying enough to get through life in your twenties, trying to discover who you are, and you are doing under the most extreme conditions. I really can't express how proud I am of you. If ever you are having a difficult day, or feel like maybe you aren't having as big of an impact as you'd hoped, just know that the action of leaving for Africa alone is an inspiration to me and everyone I share your story with. Simply being there, you are the change. However, I have never known you to be mediocre in anything you do, so I know for certain that your presence is immense (no matter how small you may be :D ), and that your efforts are rooted deeper than you can see. You should definitely put some stuff out there to publish! Let me kno...

Wrote this over a week ago... but just getting around to sharing. -- Sunday night... December 2, 2012 “She added so much beauty to being human,” Celebrate her presence. I have a little book like this, full of inspiration quotes about unspecified women. Each phrase starts with “She…yadah yadah ya.” And it follows with, “Celebrate her….” I was cleaning/tidying up my room and I picked up this book. I bought it a few weeks before coming here and loved it so much. It’s full of phrases that I’d like to think describe me, or at best, hope that they will one day. I’ve read it over and over countless times. Out of the 30 phrases in the book, I have a few favorites. I bought this book because it inspires me … after skimming through it tonight I was reminded of my Mom… This past weekend, I was able to get on skype and talk to my brother, my mom and my friends- Ayk and Hennessy. During our conversation Ayk asked me, “what do you miss the most?” Without much thought I sho...

Oiiii, Here are some pictures from our central Thanksgiving celebration in Gorongosa National Park! Start off the trip by hitch hiking our way to the park Gorongosa is a wildlife park in the central region of Mozambique. In the past, it was one of the best wildlife parks in all of Africa. However, civil war strife greatly decimated the wildlife populations in the park. Currently, there is a great restoration project being carried out by The Carr Foundation and the Mozambican Government to replenish the park back to its original density. Camping out right outside the park Sunset stroll w/ the gang Can you see me reppin' LA? ahah pretty views African sunsets <3 Group picture Adrienne was a Moz12 volunteer that got a real job at Gor after her service! She hooked us up with a game drive and served as our tour :) Waterbuck Gor has several really diverse ecosystems... from dense forest to dry savannahs. baby elephant!...