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 :)

for health ;)

Health...
we usualy talk about it a lot , but what we do for it?
- a lot of stress,
-bad sleep
- not regular meal, probably jank food
- staying at office late
- all time in the close space (without fresh air)
- of course not walking and spending time in front of TV ???
aha!?
and with all this we are so much caring about our health....
really???
When did u last time do smth for ur health???
I just did:)))
proud and happy....
...just back from swimming pool
small step in our future :)

about Brazil

Didn't have much time to think and reflect everything that happend.
but write couple of thoughts :)
here are they :)

Yes, Brazilians tend to have 3 bathrooms in a house(at least they are striving)

2)they eat rice, beans and farofa ( as my friend told “sand” –some vegetable ), don’t eat much bread

3)have a lot of fruits and they are cheaper ;)

4) they are in mad love with football , it’s family tradition to be a fun of one foodball team

5) they can easily approach u and try to kiss at 30^th sec (not mine but opinion of my friends)

6)the water in ocean is much colder then here, in Puerto Rico-cause now they have "winter "time:)))

7) they are the BEST in hospitality in the world :) and care about their guests so much!

8) they can easily change plans (actually as some people from central/latin America that I met recently do the same. I kind of getting used to such culture.

9) their language after Spanish seems so cute ;) and funny to me:)

10) they like to go to beach and I support it!!!

11) they have variety of different races, colors, as natioanality (I was told like this -it's true)

12) contrasts of richness and poverty.

13) “love” relationships between citizens of Rio and Sao Paulo (it's funny to listen how they talk about each other)

13) one language at such huge territory -it;s interesting fact :)

14) so many different people – it’s true that Brazilian passport was the most popular on black market because of it

15)When Brazilians dancing samba - “African type of dance”(I call like it for myself) they get into trance. Very interesting to see.

shortly it;a all about this so close for me now, and so far away from my homeland country:)

what is going on with me?

evetrything is ok:)
International congress...Brazil...A lot of undefined expectations...A lot of people...A lot of sleepless days and nights...
Unbelievable month! Challenging month! Full of memories month!
here is the more information what is happening at IC - enjoy - http://mcinpuertorico.blogspot.com
Greetings from Brazil
Katya

again a road is forward me:)

It was very tough timeJ and still isJ just magic of travelling and changes environment a bit make everything smother.

What were these weeks? Members at last back to school , so now I met all people (or almost all ) that will work with during next 6 months).it’s more pleasant to communicate with people, see them and get to know the true situation by ur own eyes. And here it works better if u know person and saw her at least once. So time to get to know came. Now it’s time to move things further! As usual I’m doing it not in the very usual way. Yes, I moved to Brazil. My preparation for Brazil – it’s better to say – 4-5 hours of packing, 2-3 day lunches in searching stuff to buy. And short talks with my Brazilian friends , that I don’t know what I’d do without them.

My ukr friend came to visit me and see what is PR . she was satisfied. I’m very happy that she liked. I took her to Culebra – beautiful place , for us, ukr, image of paradiseJ here , for local ppl – just the best beach in PR and second beach in the world :)

Now I’m in Sao Paulo alreadyJ!!! One hour till my flight to Rio. Still it’s hard to realize all my routs that I made during the last 2 months. ..when I see the map , my heart starts to beat faster and I feel some special enjoyment … I like to do such unbelievable for some people things:)

I’m very ordinary person. Sometimes even too much.There are a lot things that worry me every day, make me happy , crazy , sad every day .There are the best moments and moments when u want to cry or shout from the pain…strange human beings nature. But very important is to remember that everything that happens to us is only up to us. And we can change all flow of our life story. And we can and should enjoy this life. We were born to be happy:)

I love my team! I love MC PR:))

I like people with whom I work! I like people , with whom I live! I have people with whom I can share my best and worst times...and IT's really really important and good!
Tonight nothing special happened. Me and my dear co-worker Fati stayed at home- partly bacause of "budgeting issue"-in 10 days we are going to Brazil and Rio also...so imagine, saving money nowadays is extra important:))
But as it's Saturday and Fati at last bought her tickets to Brazil we felt, and me especially, felt that we need celebrate it!
So.. I felt this kind of wierd feeling that says - "lets drink ukrainian vodka!":)) and realization of my "wish" came true couple of hours later, when my dear mexican co-worker and friend was @ready for drink ukrainian drink. So after 2 months of living here I remember the taste of Ukrainian vodka again:) no big deal, it seems. But U can't say it. if u don't live far away of ur country, and u don't really know, that if next 11-10 months u will have smth from ur native country:)
It's really wierd feeling, When u begin to cherish really simple staff, which u got used to and never noticed. I don't mean vodka:) ...but it's also kind of special feeling - when u drink at Puerto Rican kitchen, with Mexican girl, and she keeps repeating "druga za druga":)
I love my XP here:) and it's only one episod from whole chain of events and moments in my amazing life here, in Puerto Rico... I need to be happy:)) I need!!!!
and decoration of the end of this amazing "calm fiesta a la casa":)

My MC life....

I'm not writting here much about my work and MC life..kind of official and what I do the majority of time.
But I want to say about yesterday meeting. It was inspirational one. after this I thought that work in MC it's kind of challenging and meanwhile developing XP. and MC in Puerto Rico is so special and exciting. in comparison to another MCs - here U work ur memmbers every day...U talk to the, they just come to LC-MC office. U share some moments with them. U call them often.U communicate with LCs so often...It's kind of different for me, from another MCs that I knew before. I knew that it's be like this , and now it's time to live this unforgetable experience.
Yesterday I proved once again that I'm getting inspiration when I'm with people -talking to them, having meeting, discusing and brainstorming. Creation of new ideas is smth that makes u feel so increadible and proud of what u are doing.
i liked yesterday IC delegation meeting. It was very spontaneously and very cool.
i felt soooo motivated after this meeting , thought it was pretty late and Ididn't eat anything from lunch...
I like to be in these moments of motivation and inspiration by people that U are working with:)

three wishes, or how my dreams came true suddenly..

Cabo Rojo (my first picture about Puerto Rico...)

OK, I haven't been here for ages...
moments are going and life is running so fast.I don't believe sometimes, but it's true. I'm here already for almost 2 months.
This time I want to tell about all trevels that I had here...
my wishes came true...I was in these 2-3 weeks ,when I can feel "magic" in the air.
I've been to ocean every Sunday 3 weeks in a row. After it u feel so relaxed and calm and great.
All my weekends I spent so great that I was feel ready for next working week. I like this feel ing! It's kind of feelingthat u are really have professional job and u dont' work when U have time, but U have full day job and full weekends off. It was what I was searching for a long time...
about places and wishes...
I bought camera!!! So now I'm able to take pictures whatever and whenever I want:) yehhh
I had very very good and relaxing evening at my friends house. with barbeque, vine and just nice atmosphere around...nice house, nice people...what else u need for great time?
Next day I unexpectedly went to the most North-Western part of Puerto Rico - Aquadilla. It was actually the trip of my dream. all life I had somewhere in thoughts this weird dream to take car and just go through the island, watch the sea/ocean and admire the feeing of some kind of freedom...It's so amazing...and so unbelievable...that now I can't even believe that it was with me. It was really with me:)...

after that 2nd wish...
I was dreaming about going to Caribbean seashore....from my arriving here. I was waiting for it for a long time...
and it happend:) I was there. actually I went for coaching LC visit, and LCP with VP TM took me and CEEDer from Czech Republic to very very beautiful place in Puerto Rico. special place for me. Because from there (from place with name Cabo Rojo) my advanture with Puerto Rico started. when I was searching for any pictures from PR for first time in my life - I got the first and it was from Cabo Rojo - the fantastic and super romantic place...I fall in love with this place. of course, there are many things that brought me here...but this place is so meaningful;) and so great to see it by ur own eyes, and to compare ur imagination and how it's in reality.

and 3rd wish...
I was thingking about tropical forest...how is it? and wanted to watch it also...and I got it out of sudden:)uph...these weeks were full of unexpected things!
on Saturday when I didn't plan anything particular, suddenly interns came and I went to National Park (tropical rainforest ). It's amazing! Different that I was expected, but also different from our forests:)

It was good! To be on the nature..I like it. and I'm glad that I spent so great Saturday!
Yes, I saw a lot already. and I hope to keep such active rest further;))
out of all this I understood : I have really strong habit (from my last years inUkraine) to do smth all time.I can't just stay at home and doing nothing...It's unbelievably boring and insain...on this land, on this island...:)

intercultural communication

I like such words, as intercultural communication, multicultural environment, cultural sensitivity...and so on...but one thing it's read or going to read or to know about it, and another thing is to experience it and to know how it feels when u are trying to explain person from different culture and country some peculiarity of life in your country -ur past life:) I'm working and living in multicultural environment not first year. and I'm very happy to have such opportunity for almost 4 years. and for now it's the most intensive experince that I've lived ever. and It's what I like and passionate about in this life. I like when u everyday communicate, work and have fun with people from different countries - it enriches u , develop ur communication, negotiation skills, for u the world become one step closer;)
yesterday I was talking with my Puerto Rican friend here, and I got this feeling , that intercultural communication is interesting , amazing thing , and sometimes it's not the easiest one. sometimes in ur country u can misunderstand person and what to tell if u are from different cultural backgrounds, with diffrent past and "maps of this world" in ur head.

But there is one recipe to not have problems with it, (as for me)don't worry about this too much- anyway u will have funny and not very moments. but the more u know the person the smoother it'll go:)

cultural dinner - use this opportunity

I like my organization of many many reasons - and one of which is cultural diversity here and that we recognize it and actully productively use it with pleasure and "enjoying participation".
So my cultural XP here: (small schedule):
last Thursday - I was at salsa concert that was organized in one part of San Juan by major of this area. so it seems for me like ukrainian outdoors concerts at big holidays - but less people here and everybody was dancing salsa. Even I got to know 2 basic steps . and now I want even more to know how to dance it:) so will search for classes in autumn. :) it was very great - to be among people that are dancing and having fun ina bit different way, that we got used to in Ukraine;)
second - it was yesterday - Ukrainian dinner :)
It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!a lot of work and worrying from my side:) Mexican assistant when I was chopping potatoes and very good feedback from all guests that we had in our house:)
I really like the idea - it's delicios and great way to get to know more about other countries, to use AMAZING opportunity and condition taht we have - as here right now we have people from Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Belgium, Ukraine, France, Ecuador and of course - Puerto Ricans:) soon it'll be even more - Italy,Hungary and Brasil will join our lively company. So...yeh it's the moment and we need to catch it!:);)
and here it's what I cooked yesterday;)
and it;s only the begging:)

my past year

Now it's history:)

last day as LCP

Sometimes u have (especially in @) to take some time and “pack” ur XP – ur previous term, year. Now I have to “pack”- or re-realize 3.5 years of my life and especially I feel that I have to “pack” my LCP term. As It’s already finished. I still can’t imagine:) Everything changed so fast. And now I’m far away- new place, new people. Yeh, I know the work , but in new environment it’ll be new to me also.

Last evening I was just watching pictures from my @ life in the past year. It’s amazing! A lot of different thoughts. But u can’t believe that everything changed and u don’t have any chance to back the things – u have only road in front of u. It’s definitely good! But I think till now (I’m already for 3 weeks here) I didn’t realize that my LCP term is over and it’ll not turn any more. It’s kind of pleasant feeling – U feel smth complete. But u know that u could do better. Try not to thing about this.

Definitely LCP term is year of leadership – activating leadership and it’s amazing opportunity. And u have to remember that u need to use every single day in order not to waste time and learn more . Sometimes u are tired, sometimes u don’t want to do anything . but at the end of the road , if u were persistent, U get amazing results and feeling, that u can’t feel anywhere else.

I know there are always weak sides and negative aspects, but We need to focus at positive!!! U are not going to live 100 years, life is too short to waste it for complaining.

Thanks for all people that make this XP real and I’m doing my next steps in this life.

up-date!!!:) - my "first times"

Today is 3 weeks that I came here:))
can't belive :)! really so fast :) I need to do so many many things and one of them -studying Spanish:))ahh...........
ok, what was I doing last and this week:)

Ok. I need to write it!I needJeveryday is unique, is something new, new tasks, people, placesJ

Last week I had my first day in NGO “Nuestra escuela” –that deals with youth education and leadership development program for schoolchildren also. First day I was at “Institution of leaders” – it’s monthly program for youth (whose parents working in one bank of Puerto Rico). So during this program they attend every day this “institute”. They have different developing activities and after this month they can be volonteers in youth organization for one year. After that they can apply for advanced level of this program, which is more complicated. After it U also can continue to work in this youth organization and keep volunteering. I like it very much. When I got there in the morning there were a lot of people – it was interesting meeting (actually activity). Children were coming into the room –one by one and they were showing how the person that they consider him/her a leader acts and behaves. After this each child invited her/his leader and talked to his/her leader why he/she think so. It was really touchy – everybody was crying –even men. I was ok, and was not crying , but at the end I remember my mom in the airport – and yeh, I had this feeling- a bit sad and nostalgic. It’s too sharp change inmy life to go very smoothly, I’d feel more comfortable, if before I lived out of home for some time, in Ukraine I mean. But it’ll be ok. I feel that I have strong support here, and it helps me a lot – my dear dear teammate –Fati and my caring “boss”. And people in general are very-very friendly. Fati once came to the office with words: “ I have cultural shock”. I was scared – what happened to her. She just came to buy coffee. But it was good “cultural shock”-positive one. Before this, in the morning Fati burnt her fingers with steam while she cooked. So it hurt a bit. When she was buying a coffee in local student fast-food, she told to lady (without any purpose) that today she burnt finger and it hurts . (People here can talk to each other , even if they see first time in life and they don’t know each other. It’s kind of habit and culture. I like it:) and then the lady was very caring about Fati – she proposed her ointment and plaster , she was so caring about her, she told her that Fati can take the medicaments and back them next day. She cares about the girl so much as she was her mother. Fati was astonished and really excited about this cultural fact. And actually if u are lost , or u want to get to know something – it’s not a problem – people will help u , and help u a lot. Only one thing can happen – that they don’t know English (not some many people don’t know English – but u can meet tem:)

And more about my first day at my Development internship – second part of the day – it was “Talent show” from children. It was amazing! I loved it! All of them turned to have really hobbies or sports that they are doing and it was great , to see that actually. I remember about what I can do and how was it when I was small and younger –actually I was doing a lot. and it’s cool!

Next day I was also at my internship – we have agreement with MC- that I’m working there half of week for internship – half for MC. So next day I was going to another city (it’s 15-25 mins by car). There is the school for children that drop from the school. I like it also very much. For me it was new – that bigger part of teachers stuff didn’t know English . it’s not huge stuff – there are only around 7 teachers and social workers. But still…It was new to me. But people are friendly and asked a lot about Ukraine and all staff. I was just spending time with them, seeing the process of giving credit notes for parents (it was the last day of studying ) and they will have vacations till begging of September. But this school is special also about the treatment and relations teacher-pupil. It’s different – teachers are here friends for young people. Cause all students have some sad or difficult story behind them – they need another treatment. And u can notice it from the first days – for example it was not studying da –but a lot of children were hanging around just because (I suppose) They feel comfortable here. Here they can talk, make jokes, surf internet, spend their time in a company of interesting and friendly people. I like the place? People. Hopefully I will back for couple of days.

After that was working day in MC. not much done work – but slowly I’m strating – and it motivated sometimes me a lot. I think that I’m very very happy person – to live such experience – to work in such organization and to have such work. It’s really creative and developing XP. It gives u a lot.:)and it opens for u more and more space in this world.

Also new intern – from Mexico came. And all together we went on Friday to the area –that has the name –“ Santurce” – where is a lot of bars and minidiscos. New for me was a lot of people at the streets that were drinking beer and chatting, sometimes dancing – u can’t see it in Ukraine – only our concerts outside – but it’s square or park or smth like this. Here people can crowd half of the street. And it crazy to drive among them – but usually it’s ok for them to move through crowd of people in the street. They somehow manage it (don’t know howJ) so we were drinking beer and watching dancing , listening to music. I saw very very common here dancing style and music – “Regaton” . I can mistake the spelling , but I never heard about it in UA. Here it’s really popular. So we were there, but I was tired and actually I was not so mad about this.

On Saturday night we went to the down town (Old San Juan ) it’s really very beautiful place with a bit European architecture in Spanish style of course:) I didn’t have money , and amazing thing I was in 3 diferemt places (for sure not drinking anything and, but u can go to place and have fun with friends. U can go to place that I like actual, and it’ll cost u nothing. It’s not for all places , but if u want u can find such place. I enjoyed some kind of “suchi” bar with electronic music. But after that when we were on our back way – I was almost sleeping. It was good evening.

On Tuesday I first time in my life was in small small tiny airplain, where only 6-7 people can be and 2 pilots. It was scaring feeling at the begging , but after it became ok. The trip lasts for 12 minutes – it time to get to nearby island with the name “Vieques”, where beaches, resourt places are and 9,000 people are living. I was going there , cause NGO where I have my DT internship has department (school) there. So academic manager was going there and she took me also. I was not there for long time, but it was good to see the place, to see the picture of that school and to get to know more about this NGO. So it was my first time in life to travel on such planes (as I took back also the same, but a bit bigger). When I was at the airport I saw a lot airplanes and thought – why not to try to learn how to drive it one day in life? It must be very interesting feeling when ur small airplane takes off or lands or u run it in the air. Should try it one day of my lifeJ

This week I was planning with my MC team. It was quite ok. We were developing or strategic planning and analising skills. I think it’s amazing organization for perspnal and professional development. U can do such things that average student even can’t imagine sometimes. And I was pretty motivated. In 6 month we plan to have growth in 70 members. Now we have 30 , and for 1^st January we want to have 100. it’s really big growth , but we need it and we can do it! We have chance – amazing chance in this life –to try this strategy – to learn from this XP. It’s great!It's amazing!!!!

this week

Ok , maybe it's even habit to write here on Friday;)
so I will start from previous weekend :)
Previous weekend we had mini team building at small island that is situated to the East-South of PR (main island). the name is Culebra. It's the 2nd world recognised place about the quality and beauty of the beaches. it's amazing. U can't believe ur eyes that U are here - where the ocean is azure ( like in the best travel ads), u can see palm trees around the beach and the sand is white-white and so fine (like flour:)))
we had great team building at first with my team - we fix the tent with blind eyes - it was great . really great!!!:) after that we went to the beach (actually 5 meters from the tent place :) the water is so warm here - u can stay forever there:)))
then was evening - talks about ur strong and weak sides, talk about urself and Qs from ur teammates, calm and slowly talk about previous MC team XP and so on ...till 1 a.m.
on Sunday we were on this island only till 1 p.m. and had to leave for ferry ;)
it's really relaxing place - where u have nature and u can enjoy the beauty and relax. U can go there in cheap way - I mean to have tent at special place and it'll be not so expensive and the weather here is cool , so it's convenient way:) even we had rain at night - after it we went out and kept talking outside.
Unfortunatelly , nobody had camera there from us, so have to show only photo from the Internet. but I'm sure I have to back to this place and now even 1 time. It's unbelievable beauty!


Before coming back we visited and had lunch at local very cool restaurant "Mamacita", where we can watch a lot of iguanas, that were freely going around:)


Monday
Working day - I had transition with my lovely predecessor. and girl that I are going to Ukraine for DT internship in Lviv came to the office. Her name is Dorys. She's amazing. We talked for 2 hours without any break - it was "extensive cultural" eXchange :) she told me about some traditions of Puerto Ricans - it's really interesting and so mixture of different nations and so cool to get to know new people with their way of life:)
I'd talk to her for ever , but I had start my transition talk with Mirje , as she was leaving next night and we completely had no time:) and I felt that I'm not ready to start:0
But at the end of the day I was very motivated to act and to begin my term. it's such kind of feeling when u see what amazing job these ppl made before me and u want to do also something big and important:) and u highly believe in success and great achievement :)
at Tuesday morning - I was a bit sad - my room (previously full of packing stuff) was empty , and only my cloth was somewhere. My predecessor (the member of TMU now:) left PR. It's great person that great a lot great work for development of @ in PR.

So, Tuesday was my first working day as MC VP Talent Management :)
How does it feel to start some huge and long trip?
Scarring , some thing inside is trembling :) yesterday , just yesterday u had a lot of things to do and plans - and today when u can do them - u don;t know from where to start. it's very strong feeling for me, but U need go through it during u life - then U would know what challenge means :) I had some kind of te same feeling when I was starting (electing ( as LCP ) . but it was smaller .
In the evening we (new MC team and Janeth (current MCP) and Odetter -LC VP ER) met one very very cool alumni that was MCP in 99-01 here. Now he is working in some government department. His phrase - " what the @ gave me - it's very very usefull, and u can use it in every sphere of ur business life". It was really pleasant to meet such man that are proof of @ relevance and AIESEC impact. This organization defenetely is needed for society:)

На фото : ( зліва на право) - Фатіма (МС ER), Я, Janeth (current MCP) , alumni (Hiram), Betsy, Odette

Ok next my days of life here I will write about in next message - hopefully very very soon;)
Have a nice weekends:)

Puerto Rico and me

nice picture of the national flag;)











Day by day I'm more realising , that I'm so far away from Ukraine...sometimes good feelings, sometimces, not so happy:) but I'm sure , I will understand my country better and my identity - who I'm and from where I'm and what things are vital and essential for me...its kind of very very strong personal discovery. It's cool!
Wish everybody to have life changing XPs:)

....продовження;)

ще кілька обличь:)

Джонатан (стажер з Бельгії і бойфренд Бетсі) і Карола (стажерка з Мексики, яка живе з нами:)









Я і океан:))

фото

Я з своєю МСП (Бетсі).вона з Колумбії. але тут більше смахує на індіанку:) Це в перший мій вечір, на кухні, МС квартири:)











Я і стажерка з Перу - Маве.




















Трохи фоток :) і обличь:) про які я буду ще напевно не раз писати:)
То я, на пляжі , в неділю:)

at last ....I'm here:)

Цілий тиждень , відколи я тут, збиралась написати сюди...
отже публікую трохи записів з свого лептопа, які я робила цього тижняЖ)

Hola everybody!!!
ні перший пост я буду писати українською.
отож...з чого почати? напевне саме краще з початку:)
отож, моє знайомство з Пуерто Ріко і Центральною Америкою ( а вірніше сказати, Карибами=) почалось в аеропорту Нью Йорка , де я біжучи і абсолютно не встигаючи ( цього я тоді ще не знала і не говорила собі ;), я натрапила на представницю прекрасної половини людства з тутешньою зовнішністю (ну тобто Латиноамериканською:). я запитала її чи можна здати багаж на літак до Сан Хуана. і вона сказала, що я дуже щаслива особа, бо він на годину запізнюється, тобто я ще зможу встигнути. якби не запізнення, я б не встигла на цей літак. причому я мала різницю з укр літаком в 1.45 хв. але мені пощастило. і навіть більше, ця дівчина сказала, що у мене вантаж перевищує ліміт на 9 кг і це буде коштувати 50 баксів мені. я була така виснажена і розгублена, що була ладна заплатити абищо, аби тільки нарешті встигнути на 2ий літак. але, виявилось люди тут привітні;) і вона запропонувала мені перепакувати мої речі.це був найсмішніший епізод всієї тої довжелезноооооооооої подорожі, коли я розривала Бориспілівський ретельно запакований в скотч мою величезну валізу. Але дякуючи саме цій привітній дівчині , я зберегла 50 баксів і нормально перепакувалася. Потім було довге-довге очікування свого літака . який запізнювався і все запізнювався. А чоловік , схожий на Коельйо, весь час «спілкувався» із знервованим народом, якому натерпілось вже по швидше сісти в літак. Я б теж воліла чим швидше приземлитись в Пуерто Ріко. Але мене гріла думка, що попереду не буде вже більше пересадок і скоріше всього мої мене дочекаються в аеропорту. Засмучувало одне – що я не маю зв’язку ні інтернета.

Але час пройшов і ми сіли в літак. Перше враження, це те ,що люди говорять іспанською. І всі вони були або афро або латино.

Майже всі 4 години я проспала. Так як шлях мені здався дуже коротким. В літаку з Києва я майже не спала – думки , чи я встигну на другий літак і чи все буде ок тривожили. До того ж я за майже 20 років перший раз летіла.

Після недовгого очікування свого багажу і гадання, чи чекає мене хтось там , знадвору, я все-таки вийшла. І дійсно, мене чекали Бетсі (моя МСП ) і Мір*є (моя попередниця). На дворі вже була 2га ночі. Але було тепло, навіть душно. Тут не буває холодно(принаймні зараз).

На машині Алекса ( корінного пуерто ріканця і друга Мір*є) ми приїхали до мого нового домуJ гуртожиток (звичайно , не схожий на наші). Трьохповерхова приватна будівля,яка повністю здається в ренту. Другий поверх весь наш – тут живе (чи житиме 3 МС мембера – я , Бетсі і Фатіма (ER МС ) + 2 стажерки – Маве з Перу ( супер енергійна, дуже скоро розмовляюча і низенька J) та Карола – теж низенька, симпатична стажерка з Мексики , яка ще й до того ОСП одного з ПБоКСів. Квартирка наша не є маленькою. Правда у мене кімната з темно синіми стінами, а на вікнах зовнішні жалюзі і сітка від комарів. Взагалі в більшості домів вікна не такі як у нас. Тобто не зовсім такі. Форма та сама, але немає скла, але зато жалюзі, через які і не багато світла потрапляє в кімнату. Тому виходить ніби кімната без віконJ

У нас немає чайника – навіщо, якщо весь час + 27 і який там чай?? І немає духовки. J)

Зато є машинка пральна на першому поверсі ,яка пере за 1.25 $ і сушить так само платно:)чи щось таке J)я вже купила невеличкий тазик ,щоб прати свої «делікатні» речі і можливо “save the money”.але який там сейв моні??щоб поїсти в фаст-фуді , що вони всі вдало і роблять ( а потім не дивуйтесь побачити на вулиці купу людей, у яких я не знаю яка ступінь ожиріння..) отож, щоб поїсти чогось жареного і не дуже то корисного для організму треба від 5 до 10 баксів. А най найдешевшеJ-біля 4 баксів. А щоб пройтися по супермаркету і купити «3 томата і 2 капустини» треба мінімум 50 баксівJ

Ок. Що ж я робила ці дні – коли мій МС термін ще офіційно не почався, я не могла підєднатись до інтернету в офісі, мій лептоп сів, і т.д. і т.п.?

Перший день я на диво не довго спала. Коли встала, звичайно , було незвично. Незвично від всього нового і незнайомого. Було жарко , ну як і зараз))як завжди)). Коли ти виходиш ввечері, то ніякого резону брати щось на довгий рукав, температура не змінюється.

В перший же день ми з Бетсі поїхали в старе місто , яке славиться своєю іспанською архітектурою, мурами давніх фортець і багатьма туристичними місцями….Супер гарно. Мушу повернутись туди з камерою і нафоткатись вдосталь. Я б могла купити тут камеру –вони не такі дорогі , але ІСчекає мене …але про це колись іншим разом.

10.06

It’s kind of feeling that I’m going exited (I don’t like this word but who caresJ)about the new kind of life I have, about people here, about what I’ll be doingJ. It feels really cool. “Shock of first days” seemed to become very light. I think I was looking very funny and somewhat scared , cause everybody was asking me – if I’m not afraid of them (as here people are communicating very loud and messy;) but it’s kind of fun for me. I like how they are open and can easily talk to u at the street. It’s cool unless it’s not annoying. They (especially MC , that I’m communicating now mostly with) use a word “random” very very oftenJ I like that they are very kind, caring, polite and people that can handle challenge very very smoothly. U will not see them (until now I didn’t) panic or confused – if we have to move agenda for half of day –it’s ok, everybody is calm. Yeh, I’m here only for 5 days, but it feels very optimisticJ.

I like my new teammate –Mexican girl , with name Fatima (for us not really usualJ). She is ER girl and I like it. And I like the dynamics of our move through transition.

I like my predecessor –Finland girl – she’s so cute, when she is listening or talking smth. She’s calm and seems very kind and mild. And she did in@ a lot of things – EB, LCP , MC, national PBoX OCP, MC here in PR. Now she’s applying to Central Asia and Caucasus Coordinator positionJ really cool. And today she’s has her birthdayJ a lot of good wishes to her.

We just talked with old MC team about PR reality – history, economics, politics, people, environment and so on. So I knew already a lot about it, but now I have even more, and I feel I’ll have to explore much more and get to know the life of this country closer. I have time for itJ)

Ok, so a bit of theory about the place where I’m supposed to live for more then a yearJ.

Puerto Rico (usually I use PR J) – is Commonwealth of USA that is similar to our Crimea status. They don’t pay US taxes , but they don’t have foreign affairs, it goes from US. That’s why I was to get US visa. They have US passports , but if they move to US for studying they are treated as foreigners and have to follow all procedures . They don’t vote for the president of US, but they vote for democratic representative who will be participate in elections.

Historically they were a colony of Spain. And it was not so much developed. After US got it the affairs became better, but still. US developed industry here – medical a lot, engineering. After that in 50^th they got the status of Commonwealth and became for now. There are 3 political parties –one for staying the same status, one for becoming the state of US, and one for independence. From 60^s more people came to the part of independence of country –now it’s somewhere near half of people (there is about 4 million ppl on island). But was I was told people don’t care about politics much, and if they are involved they are voting for parties regarding their vision of relations towards US. Залежність від Америки, як я і передбачала є. But here from my prospective it’s really interesting mixture of US and Latin culture. People that are very open and emotional and easy going they follow US type of life.

Ok back to theoretical stuff, they have here governor that are like rules territory.

Economically they are developed in electronic, medical stuff and equipment. They have 80 % of imports from and exports to US. The link with Latin America weak economically .Interesting fact that I heard that CEO mostly are not local but people from Columbia, Mexico and so on. They have interesting situation with population , when nearly 47 % of people that can work (like physically and mentally) they don’t work and have social security –like cheaper houses, coupons for living (like for buying food in supermarkets)? And even some money. So people in this conditions usually didn’t change their status and receiving this support for whole life. So people are somehow secure (he-he not so usual for us J )and don’t worry about their tomorrows life. They spend all their salaries, don’t save.

For a big my amazement and pityL , they don’t have a big agricultural sphere. They shifted it somewhere 20 years ago, cause the payment for labor took a lot, and u can have cheaper products (like coffee, bananas, avocados and so on) from surrounding countries. So they developed more electronics and medical stuff is very very developed. Also people are working a lot in GO sector. They have a lot of department which are working with different type of things –from environment protection to things related to horse sport;))) and they employ a lot people. So in 2006 there was a huge collapse , when government didn’t have enough money for salaries and they have things closed for a week, after that they establish tax , and now if u buy anything u will pay 7% more as a tax. I noticed it in a store when the price was somewhere 5.76 and I paid 6.5. but now I realize that it’s everywhere –they write prices without this tax.

11-12.06.

Сьогодні ми в більшості працювали над ситуацією ,які маємо в країні – в ЛС. Тому нічого аж такого незвичайного. Тобто я вже звикла до їх реальності і є багатенько «работьонки». Для мене і для всього МС.

Ввечері таке відчуття , що ніби виснажений абсолютно.

А завтра паті. Вдома, а потім кудись поповзем. Треба починати берегти гроші. А то , їх не так багато, а видатки все будуть і будуть. …

Починаються думки і спогади з україни. Кожної ночі сни про Україну з людьми, місцями з Тернополя. Тому все більше і більше починається усвідомлення, що сталось зі мною і все таке.

Незручно те , що вони базарять коли разом іспанською і ти сидиш і ніфіга не розумієш. Частину розумієш, але меньшу:) тому треба братись за навчання:))

12.06