iLOVE - I Think

iLOVE - I Think

recent reflection

I know, I owe tons of posts about all my trips, new countries, new amazing XPs and so on...but now is happening smth inteersting an dmaybe I want to write about it:)
I'm finishing my amazing "fairy-tail" about me and Puerto Rico - the place on this earth , that smth like 15 months ago I even didn't have any idea about :P ...Now things changed.. I know the place, I know people, I have a lot of memories , amazing XPs and so on. PR is very very special place for me :)
Why? Cause first time is always special :) and te place is also itself is special ))
I have many "first times" here - first time so far away, Spanish for first time -ttally unknown, firsttim eso long , first salary and living almost alone, first island, first time I lived near sea, the position and work that is giving u always a lot of challenges and opportunities to grow, first time Caribbean amazing and wonderful (except May :P) weather and climate...so many many things that makes this XP -unforgettable and so valuable, that u don't want to finish...But there is smth inside u (1 part of u) that tells u: "it's ok that u need to fly away now - u need to look fo rnew horizons , u need to see another parts of teh world, to live another XPs, to meet another people...anyway, if u want to back - u can..always can" :)) It's probably the voice of some ambition and wisdom and leadership is talking :) There is another voice - that tells U - "ho wwill u back? Visa, money, blabla-bla...?" and u feel a bit scared...as U were always afraid to lose some opportunity in this life, some life-needed option...But this dialog is the evidence , that everything in our life -depends on our point of view - HOW we see it - problem or opportunity ;)
I became more optimistic this year :) It's what I wanted always - to be more optimistic, relaxed and not to take myself so seriously, as I usually do :) anyway, I had a lot of suffering because of all my nature this year :) But I did it - I took from PR - this mood more relaxing and happy:) I was noticing every day , while walking to the office -sun and bauetiful trees nearby :) I loved coqui -small melody of grey frog -special for PR :))
Recently I was searching ways to reflect and I didn't know which Qs should I ask myself, with whom to talk, where to be...but it happened today very natural and pleasant for me:) I was at sea side and just started to think about some things and after I asked to the sea to tell me the story :) (don't think I'm crazy :) I 'mnot :) and I know that sea can't talk:) but when u are near such beautiful and relaxing place ur brains are starting to use imagination very actively, so in few minutes I noticed myself -deeply in some dreams and just thoughts , that were about future - maybe small things -but very pleasants :) and after , when I was on my way back home - I started to think how I wil write this post and make up the text . u know it;s very cool, I started to follow my thought, and asked myself - so why am I suferingor have this internal dialog?What is better for me -to stay here or to go to new place -to challenge myself? WHat does it mean to me PR and if it's really so strong love to this country that I can back here, even if it's a bit hard and a lot of fuss?...I discivered and really calmed myself :) I understood - that it's like test that lovers have when they need to live in different cities/countries. In that time u can understand if u love this person so much that want to reunion with her/him and stay forever...the same is happening with me and PR :) I love this place, I adore it, I;'m deeply-madly enjoying everyday staying here. but I need to go for a while to see another places, to see if my love will last for a long time and to see if I want to back...so now I'm leaving with more clear heart and less worring and doubts of i did right....but anyway, I know myself and I know that I'm very loyal to people and things that I love :) so probably my story will need to be continued...here...;)

soon coming ;)

I feel that I need to make public promise, than probably it will happen :)
So soon, wait the post about my amazing March -discoveries about Mexico, Guatemala.
And also the post about Dominican Republic and the last conference in my AIESEC career...

coming soon :)

month post

Good tradition :))
15 day of month came and I see , I need to write smth about life here:)at least to leave some memory about this crazy,happy, contradicting time...
In 1 month a lot of things happen:)especially recently.
During this month I had exellent opportunity to train my flexibility and especcialy adaptability, ability to work in open space, to be more flexible and adapt in rapidly changing environment.
My life in the West of PR started somehow I was frightened how I will deal and live not at my place, somewhere with another family , how will it to work without office with some extraactivities sometimes.
BUt I'm very happy -I overcome it -I become more flexible and get things not so "close to heart", don't worry, just try to do the best :)
I really like that I was there -I integrated more into their company, I saw that they are really working and commited (I always knew it, but now I proved it with my eyes).
I had amazing opportunity to live in PR family! U know, that they say -at least once u need to live in the family to get the culture and true country spirit. I think I almost get it:))
at least I saw how the almost average family lives, eats, has rest and works. It's sometimes hard, cause u need to be in the same flow with them, but it's cool to see.
Sometimes I missed my mom, and I recalled her, and wish she could talk to me, as Carissa's mom toalked to her about some details of her work, day, food, cooking, some things that I always passed through my ears as I didn't have any time always for such simple but needed communication. With time, I think I will change more and will cherish and behave according to it with my relatives...
I had just amazing working place, and with it I also understood what disturbed mein the past, and see that I'm enough flexible, and for work only need table, chair and Internet :D
I saw and lived in Mayaguez -I undersatood the city (somehow:)still missing taking the picture of the Plaza:)
I got more skills in coaching, especially on-job-training:)
I spent many evenings (especially Thursdays and Tuesdays) in Borders (US bookstore), I was reading-studying Spanish, some books in HR management.
Also big big + (even that I could finish all needed stuff-as always:(() was that I almost didn't work after 6, at least I didn't stay at office:))
During this month I applied to big conference in Iberoamerica and I got place-it was really unexpected:) Now time to get all logistics done, and I will write about everything in next edition:))
I got through very important and at the beggining scarry decison making process - we selected next MC team. I know already my successor. She is just amazing! I loved her from the first day after elections;) SO I really see the big opportunity for growth in the next term. And it makes me happy:)) but at the begging I was so nervous, cause a lot of different people, and decision making never was my strongest side :S BUt I learnt a lot and I thnked this XP:)
I also started to get used to know that from now on , I'm not alone and I need to think how to make the best and leave "in peace". Time is coming,...I know, I'm draging my decision about next steps, and it's foolish , but it's liek this, still can't undersatnd myself...
At last week I got so effective and quick executing , that I really amazed myself and it seemed as from my dreams. I hope to keep on in the same path!at least I need it like this!
I got to 2 really beautiful places - "Gozalandia"-hidden waterfalls and "Playa sucia", where I had been before already:) Also first time I was sunset in the sea -just amazing!
I subscribed to 4 classes -2 HR management and 2 Spanish (mostly writting) ,but got there only once, as I moved to Mayaguez for 3 weeks, have to back this week again and start to study really :)))
It's pretty all, that I can remember now.. month seemed to be full of different learning and cool stuff. I was really really happy to work and live in Mayaguez! It was so brave for me step , but I really satisfied w ith everything and wish to back there another day:))

moving, running:)

Just have mood to share and tell:)
Yesterday, first time in my life:
-I was running (or jogging) in the stadium of University -nice place;
-doing sport excercises on the grass, watching dark sky and stars...
amazing feeling:)
Today I can feel all my muscles :) But it's so pleasant feeling...
Want to repeat such nice experience and so healthy...ah...:))
Thanks to Carissa and Cristina (amazing "trainer":)

at last, I'm back here:)

yesterday I had mood for reflection and sharing:)
so what I reflected:)

A bit about my cultural experience here;)

Yesterday was @ Christmas party at the “mansion” of new LCP. Very nice place with a lot of nature around, swimming pool, amazing , breath-taking view from the yard and a lot a lot space for cozy friendly talks –a lot of coffee tables and chairs, benches, couches – lovely placeJ

The interesting point of party was meal. It supposed to be traditional Puerto Rican food. SO we had sandwiches with “mescla” – it’s mix of cheese and ham, red pepper(sweet one) – smth like “massa for bread, rice – prepared specially with beans and some meet, platanos (banana –green)-boiled and with vinegar sauce , pork –I think, backed. And for dessert we had sweet rice and donuts (thanks to US influenceJ-donutsJ). Usually here people drink – “sangria” –mix of wine, juice, a bit fruits, rum (If I’m not mistaken)and of course ice. Also we had just wine, just mix of vodka and juice wit ice (we have a lot here drinks that called “vodka” even at label)J , Puerto Rican beer –that is not so delicious as oursJ

The party was going from 3 pm until 1am. But people started to come somewhere nearly 5pm. And till the night traditional Christmas songs were sung and played. The hostess have some instruments –that is very interesting – the look and soundJ once I’ll take photo of them, promiseJ

Also I enjoyed my time on hammock – the thing that I wanted to buy from nearly the first day staying hereJ I don’t have space at my flat, but my MC team mates moved to another place with huge terrace –would be perfect to put there hammock. But this hammock was so huge – it’s for 2 people, actually, and u can sleep there ;)

Also that day I made one small step to knowledge of my Spanish -20-25 min of talk rich in content – it’s my private pride and achievementJ

Also recently I got certificate that I finished basic classes of salsaJ it’s funny, cause still have to practice a lot to enjoy and show this dance at decent level, but I have a diploma.

I’m so getting used to the place, people, environment…J

Also already I got used to music – salsa, bachata , merenge, rega-ton. Rega-ton it’shard for me- a bit too tough music sometimes , as I like more relaxing, but all other types- it’s cool …

Next post will add some photoes -illustrations to my cultural experience here:))

up-dates...

briefly about events of last 2-3 weeks...time is running so fast, so fast:)))

Moments of life…

1) Visit to alumni – founder of AIESEC here. Very great woman with passion and enormous energy, that drives her through all life. She looks I think 10-15 years younger. I really enjoy meeting with her , at her cozy house, in the very good district, 5 meters from sea shore…house and owners are matching each other.

2) Alumni official dinner – it was great.40 anniversary AIESEC in Puerto Rico – man that establish AIESEC here 50 years ago, woman that separated it from USA branch, a lot of interesting and powerful people, people that built aiesec successfully and now with the same success build their life. The most important for us is that people were satisfied with event. And it can’t but make us happyJ It’s really motivating when people thank u for the work that u do and recognize ur efforts and how it’s important for them.

3) Exhibition about Moscow. Ahhhhh…it was unbelievable. I enjoyed it a lot. To see familiar photos, places, to talk about Russia and Ukraine, to be in nice atmosphere and new environment. It’s really amazing. IT happened unexpectedly , and I’m very glad that I agreed to go there. To be so far away and to visit such event- it’s so many emotions. Indescribable

4) Ocean. I like it! I adore it! And I know there is no magic behind it .any more. I now understand that we can be the same happy and sad everywhere. The place doesn’t make u happier. Yes, it could assist u to feel better. But happiness must be inside u, only in such way u will be happy.

5) Windows…I want a lot of things to have, to happen , to be…but now extremely want to have big and beautiful window to watch the shower that is going outside. Wishes,wishes…I want not to have them, then it´s easier just to live and enjoy life. Cause life itself is very very interesting and amazingJ

6) New discovery of Sunday – yoga…wanted to start for a log long time…first step is done! Now just need to follow upJLike it really much! After first hour, the exercises seem to be not so hard, but all body has pleasant pain in muscles. I need to do more physical exercises!!;) yeyehhh

7) HR conference and exposition today!!!! read more here - mcpuertorico.blogspot.com :)