Santa Rita Sports and Leadership Camp! And coming attractions...

And now, you can all relax and sit back from that position on the edge of your seats that you've been maintaining for the past month, because Here It Is! A peek at the Sports and Leadership Camp that I hosted at my Primaria at the beginning of September.

First of all, if you haven't seen the album because you aren't on facebook, don't care to use facebook, or just haven't seen it, here's the photographic evidence: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556128133732.1073741827.113100113&type=1&l=59ca637b16

It all started in late July when I went to help a friend's English Day event with about 10 other volunteers. One of those other volunteers is one of our GAD coordinators, GAD being the volunteer board that focuses on gender development, AIDS awareness, youth programs, and suchlike. Her name is Whitney, and she was looking for someone to host a sports camp. A third party connected us as my having a site of suitable size, and so I agreed to host a sports camp. Which I thought for a while was slated for the summer vacation in December through February, but was actually for the trimester vacation, at the beginning of September. I connected the dots on the actual dates before long, don't worry.

Over the month of August, I scurried around town talking to the Padres de la Familia to get some mothers to cook for the kids, talking to the vice-principal of the Primaria about using the grounds and resources of the school, and getting kids signed up and registered. Towards the end of August, the PE teacher at the colegio (secondary school) proved invaluable in helping to recruit students from that school, and later in using his sports equiptment.

In the last week of August, you can review what I did in my previous blog post :-D That is the same Whitney, by the way, in San Blas/Comarca Kuna Yala and in this lovely youth opportunity.

On that tragic final Saturday of August when my vacation ended and visiting friend Andrew left, it was back to work for me. Whitney and I put together workbooks for the kids, and on Sunday went to the mall to pick up supplies and prizes, because prizes are awesome and supplies are terribly useful.

The rest of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday flew by in a whirl of preparations that included buying out a vendor's supply of certain produce, making final arrangements for lodging of facilitators, who were other PCVs from all over the country, reviewing seminars and organization, and suchlike.

Over those few days and the rest of the week, I got to know Whitney and another PCV named Julie really well, in the way that only a week of practically constant company can do, as they were the ones to help with preparations, and stayed with me at my house from Monday to Friday. Ish. The other PCVs slept on mats at the school where we held the camp, because it would be very uncomfortable for 12 or so PCVs to try to cram into my house. To the kids' disappointment, we did not have a real, overnight camp for them.

What we did have were fun, interactive presentations on leadership, setting and achieving goals, following dreams, decision making, nutrition, sexual health, physical fitness, and more, in the mornings, and after a delicious lunch prepared by local madres, they had dance and basketball on Wednesday afternoon, Ultimate Frisbee and soccer on Thursday afternoon, and “Olympics” on Friday afternoon, which was a combination of the other 4 activities plus whatever other games we felt like inflicting on them. All in all, the kids had a fantastic time, and all got certificates and prizes at the end.

In the days and weeks following the Camp, kids and parents asked me when I would hold another such camp, or if I could offer something for kids under 12 (this one was for 12-18 year olds), and one kid asked when the other PCVs would be back again.

Of course there were challenges that arose throughout the camp, but it was a remarkably harmonious experience. Difficulties were resolved and/or navigated, and good times were had by all. And choreographies were begun for a flashmob which will be coming in late November/early December, so watch out for a youtube video...in a couple of months.

Since the camp, I had the surprise, spur of the moment opportunity to return to The City almost immediately to visit with my sister-in-law's sister and family who were there for a conference. In addition to letting me enjoy A/C and running hot water, they showed me a few of the Smithsonian research facilities around Panama City, and I saw my first SLOTH! Two-toed variety, in case you were wondering. I didn't have my camera (spur of the moment trip, remember; I was heading into Penonomé for an errand and went to The City when I would have returned home), so no picture, but just imagine a shaggy, rough-furred grey ball way up in the top of a tree.

After that was preparing for Seminar 3 of our Traveling Seminar Series, which is a seminar for Panamanian English Teachers that the Coclé PCVs are carting around to reach as many teachers as possible, and getting the ball rolling on the recycling program, at long last. Incidentally, the recycling program has somewhat catapulted out of my hands, but into Panamanian, so hopefully that'll be a good thing! And I attended our trimestral meetings, a presentation on seed preservation and garden bed preparing...oh, and went down to Pedasí, Los Santos to see a new part of Panama, visit a friend, and help said friend facilitate a couple of Elige Tu Vida seminars to her students. Elige Tu Vida, or Choose Your Life, is a seminar that some past volunteers put together to teach youth about dreams, goals, and sexual health. If it sounds familiar, it's because we used almost all of Elige Tu Vida in the Sports and Leadership Camp.

Now, heading into October, I'm working intermittently with my co-teachers, still teaching roughly once a week at my Friday Primaria, trying to help advance the recycling program, and researching school codes of conduct for my main Primaria. Also, 'tis the season for school festivals (one or two schools every week has their Dia del Campesino, or Farmer Day, which amount to cultural exhibitions) and bigger festivals. This weekend isn't anything here, but next weekend is the Feria del Sombrero Pinta'o (Painted Hat Festival, a celebration of the true Panamanian hat, not the Panama Hat), and following that is the Feria del Torito Guapo (the Handsome Little Bull Festival, and I don't know the story behind that one, but the “bull” is very stylized and involves lots of colors and shinies). And then is a PCV Halloween party, and then to finish October, I'll be climbing Vulcan Baru, aka, tallest peak in Panama and a dormant volcano! And some other stuff...a presentation at an English week for a teacher who attended one of the Traveling Seminars, Santa Rita Foundation Day, Santa Rita Independence from Cabuya Day...fun times. Regular school doesn't really happen from here on out, because of all of these Fun and Exciting other activities, and the marching bands and folclorica dance teams travel to different events.

And then it's November, and that's couple of Independence Days, Flag Day, a few other holidays, plus Thanksgiving for us United Stateans...it's going to be a busy last 4 months or so!!

Btw, I'll either be coming back on February 28 or March 14- I'll let you know in December. :-D 

El Valle, San Blas, the City, and a tiny bit of work update!

Actually, I'm the 4th-time lucky winner of a Visitor from the States!!
This past week was pretty amazing.  A wonderful friend from Prin by the name of Andrew came to visit, and excitement and adventure ensued!  While Cecily's visit almost exactly 1 year ago had a Westward and slightly Southern adventure, Andrew's headed to the Northeast.
Of course, we started by heading into my familiar haunts.  There was hammocktime and dinner by my host mom, and a hike in El Valle along the India Dormida (the Sleeping Princess).

On the Sleeping Indian's Eyebrow!

He also got a taste of Peace Corps life- when walking around my town, some neighbors gave us bollos (polenta sticks? still working on how to accurately and succinctly describe them in English), and ample hours of nothing much, in which there was chatting and movie watching.

After seeing normalcy, we headed back into The City, because as you recall, there is only one city in this silly little country, and wandered along the Cinta Costera, which is the greenspace with park-y-ness that follows the Pacific Coast.  Wednesday saw a very early morning, as at about 5:45 we were collected from the hostel with my friend and fellow PCV Whitney (with whom I'm organizing a Youth Leadership and Sports Camp), to spend a couple of days in the islands of San Blas.

San Blas, and the Comarca Kuna Yala (I don't know what each name specifically refers to), is much of the Caribbean coastline east of the Panama Canal.  It is home to possibly the most insular, literally and figuratively, of the indigenous peoples.  The Kuna used to host Peace Corps Volunteers, but some time ago requested that no more be sent, and are controlling of who comes into their region, and are picky about what pictures can be taken.

Worth protecting, I think!

However, we went on a tour program suggested by another friend, and had a wonderful experience.  We lived for 2 days on Isla Diablo, about 30 minutes from the mainland.  We were essentially hosted by our guide's family, who provided us with a cabaña/rancho with mattresses, and all of our meals.  Breakfast was pretty American, pancakes one day, and scrambled eggs the next, but lunch and dinner were catch-of-the-day seafood and fish! There was a little restaurant on the island which had solar panels for a smidgen of electricity, but there was nearly none, so the bedtimes were early, the mornings were early, and the stars were fantastic.  Also, there were little glowing spots in the water that were really cool!!

After a couple days in the Caribbean Island Paradise with snorkeling and coral brilliantly colored fish, we came back to The City for another evening, which was spent in a hotel with a Pool and an (unheated, but colorfully lit) whirlpool.  

By the way, snorkeling is awesome.  This trip was my first time trying it, and it's rather disorienting, but it's incredible.  And disconcerting.  But fascinating.

Saturday morning were the last few hours of wandering in the City, and then we headed over to the airport where I got to be diplomatish, and wait on the gate-side of security until boarding.  And so ended a fantastic visit!

Saturday afternoon brought a return to life, as Whitney and I got into working mode for the Sports and Leadership Camp that I'm hosting this week, from September 4-6 for youth in my community.  Here's hoping it all works out!

And a brief summary of other bits of the job.  The Coclé TE volunteers are coordinating a series of seminars with MEDUCA (the Ministry of Education) for teachers around the province, and we have completed 2 of 4 proposed seminars.  Next week is the beginning of the 3rd Trimester, which, if I can pull it off, will include the inauguration of a recycling program, and a papier-mache art project to make models of endangered animals with selected students from the Primaria.

I always said I'd start to think about the future in July...

Over the weekend, I successfully grilled two chicken thighs with garlic, onion, broccoli, and green pepper. I made grilled pizza, with a cobbled together pizza sauce made of tomato sauce, Panamanian oregano that I'm growing and barbeque sauce. I splurdged on a block of colby jack, and some mozzarella sandwich slices. Oh, and sourdough crusts. Now, I won't lie that there wasn't definite room for improvement, like putting more coals on at the right time (whenever that is) so that there's enough heat to cook the pizzas completely, but it was pretty delicious!

Tonight's dinner featured more of the grilled chicken mix, reheated with honey and Thai curry sauce, and chunks of mango that one of my co-teachers gave me, and served over tri-color penne. In case you haven't heard, curry + honey, at least this variety of red curry, is AMAZING. And easily adaptable to different levels of heat tolerance; just adjust the ratio.

So, obviously, Peace Corps continues to be a rigorous challenge to body and mind. Mostly yours, as you fight the urge to run to the airport to come visit me and have non-Panamanian cuisine in the middle of rural Panama.

In other news, I am down to 8 months left! 8, by the way, is my favorite number, ever since I was 8 years old, in the middle of a very formative experience of my life, which was the forever known (at least to me) as The '94 Trip. This trip was a courageous venture was a road trip undertaken by my mom and grandmother wherein my brother and I were introduced to the western ¾ of the United States, visiting a slew of relatives and friends and people whom I unfortunately don't remember very well, as well as stopping all sorts of canyons, national parks, landmarks, learning all sorts of things, some accurate and some things, less so. We saw prairie dogs. About 8. On this trip, my brother informed me that I only said that 8 was my favorite number because I was 8 at the time. I don't know if I was determined to prove him wrong, or if the comment was immaterial, but 8 has remained my favorite number consistently from that summer.

(Side note, as I'm writing this in my doorway, I just looked up in this lovely 80ish degree evening, and the sky is entirely a uniform slate blue with minimal cloud definition except for a brilliant magenta streak in the middle of the sky.)

On one hand, 8 months is still quite a while, particularly when I think about how my longest international experience prior to this one was 10 weeks, and that seemed like a long time, and now I feel like I'm on the home stretch with nearly 3 times that remaining. On the other, generally more convincing hand, it seems like an eyeblink, in comparison to the ~18 months I've already had in country. And so, despite my efforts to stay in the present, my thoughts turn to the future, BEYOND THE PEACE CORPS. I suppose I'll have to find another organization/institution that can be abbreviated to PC, since Principia College and Peace Corps served me so well. Anybody know of another good one? ;-)

Seriously, though, as I look to the future, I wonder what to do after this. Here in Panama, I declare that I am not a school teacher. But, if a really good offer came along, something with lesson plans, or guidance, or something, well, I can't make a definite statement. However, I'm thinking I'd probably like to spend some time in the US. So, if you have any suggestions of organizations that make you think of me, or cities where I should look, do let me know. As small as the world is becoming, the US, and the future, are still crazy big. I only ask for a swing scene in whatever city, but happily, that isn't a terribly limiting factor!  For jobs, something non-profit, preferably with an eye on the international scene would be nice ;-)

I'm not looking for an immediate job; actually, I'm looking to start working again in a bit over a year from now. First, I want to honor the memory of that fantastic '94 Trip with another cross-country exploration. Although there are some people from that first trip whom I'd like to include, unfortunately the limitations of this world prevent my seeing them, I have added many wonderful people to my life in the past 19 years- 20 next summer. Yeesh, seriously 20? Woohoo 20^th anniversary trip!

I am particularly in the past 8 (8!) years, as I found friends who have been invaluable in my life since our paths met. Some have continued with various intersections, some have separated into different directions, but each one has contributed positively to my life experience, and I am so grateful!

So, although it's a year away, give or take a few months, I want to visit the various corners of the USA, and invite you to invite me to visit you. Preferably with a couch or floorspace where I can sleep.

P.S. In case you're wondering, yes, I am still working in the schools. I'm working with 7^th and 8^th graders again through next week, and then I'll go back to 8^th and 9^th graders for 3 weeks, before returning to the Primaria, where (si Deos quiere), we'll start a recycling program!

The Coclé volunteers are also coordinating a series of travelling seminars with MEDUCA (Ministry of Education) to take place in each district of Coclé, the first coming up at the end of July. My Fridays are still devoted to the Primarita Arriba, where I'm sure I'm learning much more than the kids are...but they're learning too...I hope. And on Saturday, I'm holding a meeting to plan future community classes. This meeting will determine whether I will continue having free-form time, or will become ridiculously busy running community classes for all of the various needs in town. Exciting, no?

In the 3rd trimester, I'm going to take more time outside of school, try to get a book grant to share between my schools, work on recycling, ballroom dance classes, getting re-educated, continuing the MEDUCA seminars, and running a couple life-development seminars for the 9th graders (they're great pre-packaged seminars called Elige tu Vida, or Choose your Life, and cover goal setting, and personal and professional life choices).

The necessity of necessity.

The first week of the second trimester has come and gone in a few classes, with a flurry of meetings, rainstorms, and a little bit of getting stuff done.  And the downtime that accompanies Peace Corps life.  Oh, and the zero attendance at my new attempt at community English classes.
After spending an hour and a half in the Community Center (Casa de la Cultura o Casa Comunitaria), with a nice big whiteboard that an actually helpful community member arranged for me.  Not that he came to the class, despite repeated interest in the class.  HOWEVER, despite how this may appear, despondency only lasted a few hours.  Ok, one more complaint; I've talked to a couple community members about the class afterward, and was told that the class time was too early (9:30am) on Saturday morning, which is when my potential students would be cooking.  Except that any time I can think if would be right before a meal (cooking), right after a meal (clean up), that brief time in between clean up and cooking, which is occupied by laundry, cleaning, tv, and sitting around on plastic lawn chairs.  Actually, sitting around and shooting the breeze, as it were, is pretty fun, but it's frustrating when I know that some people who've asked me repeatedly about when I'm going to have English classes don't show.
Now I'm done.
So, after I got home, it soon began to rain, and I proceeded to watch 4 or 5 movies, and make random shapes out of some random wire, including a couple rings, an armband, a kitty, and a thingy.  Some of it may get shown in public!  Unfortunately, my internet being what it its, you don't get pictures- sorry.  More's the pity that I can't do pictures, because in one interval in which the power went out (it was off and on from about 3-5), I got some neat rain-splashing-into-puddles shots.  Yay messing with my camera settings!  With luck, I'll be able to upload them before long.
In the midst of my messing around with random stuff, it led me to contemplation about the rampant boredom which seems to be an inherent part of Peace Corps.  Also, leads to the gratuitous consumption of...no, I'm done complaining for now.

Aaaanyway, I was sitting around doing nothing in particularly, I was thinking about the wonders of modern technology and the conveniences of grab and go, easily prepared meals.  Particularly on how having all of these fabulous things stymies creativity.  Not that convenience is a bad thing, but having to make do with what you've got can lead to novel and exciting creations.  But free time and raw materials aren't necessarily enough.  Without any training on how to think creatively, a newspaper is just for reading, plastic bags are just for carrying things home from the store, and rain is for ruining outside plans.  Training can come from parents, friends, siblings, acquaintances, classes, and occasionally, personal inspiration (but that one is hardest, at least for me).  Once started, I can keep going, but it's challenging to sit around and look at the various things and stuff that I've accumulated here, and I have to wonder, what can I do with that.  And sometime, maybe I'll figure out how to make something useful.  In the meantime, I'm newly inspired to teach recycled art classes here - so if you have ideas, send them my way, particularly if they use things like plastic bags or 6-pack rings.  Maybe someday.
But about the subject of this post, I ended up thinking about "Necessity is the mother of invention", and how lack really is inspiration.  Now, I had ramen noodles for dinner tonight, and it was good.  But it isn't nearly so rewarding as cutting up the random vegetables I have in the fridge and frying them up with honey to mix with the chow mein noodles that I'm slowly figuring out how to fry without half of them sticking to the pan.  A little necessity is a good thing, but only once you have an idea on how to make something happen; otherwise, in my experience, we'll just sit around and gripe until something happens to us.
Tangentially, I had my 1-year meeting with one of the TE office staffmembers, and she encouraged me to spend more time out of school and work on some secondary project(s).  So, I'm looking at continuing to work with my teachers, but less intensively, and see what else I can get myself into trouble with.  Crafts, dance classes, strongly considering a book grant for my schools...still currently brainstorming, but I'll probably let you know what I end up doing.

In conclusion, it's kinda entertaining to hear the chorus of groans up and down the street when 'se fue la luz' aka, the power goes, and the corresponding chorus of cheers when it comes back.

On returning to Site

Last week, I had the very great pleasure of visiting home for about a week.  I got to hang out with friends,  my immediate family, and extended family, including some semi-extended family that I got to meet for the first time!  There was silliness and swing dancing, and games and galavanting.  We touristed with out-of-town visitors, and celebrated my cousin's first step into her next stage in life in her gorgeous, lovely, perfectly suited wedding.  Also, it was freezing until the last day in which we went to a Reds baseball game, which didn't get rained out, and culminated in a win for the home team!
After a brief 6 days on the ground, it was time to come back to real life.  Side note here: It amuses me to think of taking a vacation from the beautiful tropical paradise of Panama to go to Cincinnati, Ohio, Midwest.
Here is Tuesday, May 28th.
4:30AM: my dad and I got up to get me to the airport for a 7AM flight.
               Mental state: ughhearlyyy.
6:30AM: everything is in order and on time, and lots of sleepy people start boarding.
               Mental state: goal- find seat and sleep.
8:00AM: starting to approach Miami.
               Mental state: commence sinking feeling- "I'm not ready to go, turn around!!"
9:30AM: ish, at least.  In Miami, find new gate, find food, wait.
                Mental state: "Oh hey, this is the same part of the airport where we took off last January!  That was so different...oh, for the days of ignorance"
11:00AM:  getting on the plane to leave the country.
                Mental state:  "Please don't make me go.  It's nice and cool and clean here, and people pay attention to meeting times!  I don't want to go back to work!"
1:30PM: (After time change), find out that my Colombian seat-neighbor is in the Panamanian sugar business, and learn about the random things that sugar cane can be used for.
               Mental State:  decidedly sunken feeling in my stomach, turning to resignation that I need to prepare myself for the flying bugs, ants, wall lizards, spiders, heat, humidity, communication issues, and job challenges coming.  "Wargh."
2:30PM: Going through immigration and customs (woohoo diplomatic lines!)
               Mental state: "Is it really too late to get on a plane back to the States?"...but with less sincerity.  I'm way to proud to willingly admit defeat and surrender.
3:00PM: Made it out of the airport, and start walking THROUGH THE RAIN to the metrobus stop.
              Mental state: "Ok, I'm here, may as well make the best of it."
5:00PM: Somewhere in between the City and Anton: still rainy
              Mental state:  "Let's do this!  9 1/2 more months!  It's on!"
7:30PM: A selection of busses later, I arrive at my house.
             Mental state: "No water.  no food.  Too late to go to the store.  Mrarg."
Next day: got water back; "Let's go!"

And since, I made bread with a couple other PCVs for a fundraiser, finally met the owner of my house, went to Regional Meeting (trimestral provincial meeting), met the new Coclesanos/as, went to the beach, and now, getting ready for the afternoon session of school, starting work with a new Teacher!

Some assorted thoughts that aren't about Panama/nians

First, who I am.
I am an English Teacher with short red hair and bangs.
My birthday is the 31st of February, and I was born in Neverland.  I have seven brothers, and their names are Grumpy, Sleepy, Doc, Sneezy, Happy, Bashful, and Dopey.  My favorite subject in school was recess, and my hobbies are driving taxis and drinking water.  My favorite vacation was to the End of the Universe.  While dining there, I met Darth Vader who was still alive and just chilling, Sith Lord style.  One interesting fact about myself is that I have x-ray vision, and three words my friends would use to describe me are devious, uncanny, and bootylicious.
(my biography from an activity during Pre-Service Training last year)

And this part may turn into a bit of a rant.  I'm aware that my audience is more on my side than not, but I have to get some of these thoughts out of my head, as they've been accumulating for some time.
Since I have internet, I have an incomplete-but-existent peephole into current affairs in the world outside of my town.  There have definitely been positive notes- the first intimation I had of the bombing in Boston was the on how the immediate reaction of those in the vicinity was to come together and help.  As time went on, I saw other people making references to the bile that one might expect after such an event, but nearly all that came to my attention was wonderfully heartening.  Unfortunately, then I did start to see the filthy underbelly of knee-jerk anger, ranging from 'bomb the entire Middle East' to 'the Czech Republic is out to get is' (I mean, really?!?) to 'conspiracy by US government.'  Anger is understandable, but wantonly lashing out at anything that bears a slight resemblance to a target (including personal grudges) isn't productive.
On lashing out, I also have gotten to see the a short film entitled "All You Need is Love?" which is set in a world in which homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is regarded as disgusting and unnatural and follows a girl who discovers her heterosexuality, and the reactions of her family and peers.  It's quite well done, and creates a decently believable reality.  Apart from the homo/heterosexuality point, it makes me wonder: Why on Earth are kids still learning that physical violence is still the best way to communicate disagreement?  When has it actually addressed and solved a problem to the point of non-recurrence, and I do mean solved, not "ended" or "swept under the rug" or "eliminated the opposition"?
And the first time I saw this video was on Upworthy, I think, which seems to be a very interesting collection, although frustrating because much of the time, I don't have enough internet to watch their videos.  But, I've appreciated those that I have been able to see, as well as the textual pages that I've seen.  However, I have a complaint for them; they have an annoying habit of using misleading titles, which makes me watch the media with the mindset of finding out what their angle is, and not really paying attention to the actual point.  It is an effective way to attract attention to their media, but gives the impression of their being liars, which is detrimental to the cause of winning the confidence of their audience.
Now, how to contrive a brilliant transition to my next point.  Let's use 'the significance of maintaining the confidence of one's followers and supporters.'  To the Government, specifically Congressmen, but really, it applies to all of you.  Selflessness is hard.  It requires that one puts the needs of others before one's own, to make decisions on that basis, not personal fulfillment of success.  To our Representatives: please take into consideration the people whom you are representing.  I know that job security is important to you, and well it should be, but I believe it would greatly benefit the country (aka, fulfill your job) if you put greater emphasis on the good of the country, and not on being re-elected.  What good is being re-elected to a position if you put more emphasis on being re-elected than doing your job?  I know that you're in office because you were elected, and perhaps I'm just too disconnected from Average American, but it seems like you're disappointing everyone on all sides.   To my understanding, fighting for a lobby or single organization from your area is not necessarily doing the best thing for your constituency, although it may do great things for your job security (again: job security at the expense of doing your job?)  Some of you are wonderful congressmen, I'm sure, but particularly those who haven't left Capitol Hill in decades- do you even know what's actually going on in the US (let alone the world) anymore?  Reports are well and good, but will never convey a complete picture.  And no, you can never have a complete picture, because the complete picture is enourmous, but you could help by at least getting a little closer to first person perspective.  If you can't get a real-live first person view, try for a few different unedited perspectives (not from 3 different white upper-middle-class college-educated interns), and don't let them get edited before you have a chance to see them.  Personally, I think that you should have mandated stints in something like Americorps, to get a taste of the effects of the policies you're setting.  The US is a great country, and I am proud to be a citizen, but you're a part of making that a really hard position to defend.
I love the United States.  I believe in the American Dream (the one that says that a person from whichever background can rise to whicher high position of power [limited by the rules like only natural-born citizens can be President]), and I fully intend to live in the US after I finish in Panama...unless I join the US Foreign Service, and still probably work on US soil ;-)  But seriously, America, like I said, you make this pride unnessarily difficult to defend.
We have the potential to be a great and glorious world leader.  We can guide other countries forward into peace and prosperity, with diversity and wildlife, and polar ice caps.  Yes, there are those in the USA who disagree with these as goals, but in order to keep myself going from day to day, I have to hope dearly and desperately that they are a tiny minority with disproportionately large lungs.  People, we have influence, if we want to use it!
I just watched "Food, Inc.", admittedly several years late.  I confess, I feel no inclination to become a vegetarian because of it, but I do have a stronger commitment to being a more conscientious consumer.  Hopefully it'll last until I get back to a world where I have options as to what to consume.  Hopefully, there will still be conscientious options by the time I get back, giant-gmo-patenting-what-formerly-a-really-cool-element-of-life-on-Earth corporations.  Honestly, how do you sleep at night?  I'll concede you have a wonderful, personally sustainable model, because as you develop resistant crops, bacteria etc develop resistance to your resistance and you then develop an new resistance, so you'll never be out of a job, always chasing down the next version of resistance, but that just really helps you, you (pardon me, but I can't find this sentiment in my usual vocabulary) selfish pricks.  Do you in the upper echelons eat the "food" that you produce?  I'm not convinced that it's still actually food.  Semi-animate abominations of science, perhaps, but that doesn't sound particularly appetizing to me.  Maybe I have weird tastes, but they aren't unique to me, and more power to the people who work with nature instead of trying to conquer it.  (Spoiler, nature wins.)  I think that capitalism and competition are brilliant, and you are more than welcome to do the best for yourself that you can...but within the limits of not actively causing massive amounts harm.  I do like a proposition from the "Food, Inc" which went something like, 'let's define success as having fewer people in the hospitals next year.'  With great power comes great responsibility- and that responsibility extends beyond a responsibility to oneself.
I know that there are a great many honorable, worthy, admirable people.  We hear about some of them, many go unsung.  The reasons for this are various, but include, I suspect in no particular order, (a) that it isn't sensational (PCVs spend 2 years working to results that might be evidenced 10 years down the line when we've moved on to other parts of our lives, and there isn't a news station on earth that would find an average day at all newsworthy), (b) good-deed-doers are more concerned with their work than seeking adulation, and (c) are frustrated with the blowhards and so go about their business trying not to be hindered by them.  And there are good people we hear about, important big names, and nobodies who see a need and work to fill it.  They fuel my hope, and my belief in the possibility of Onward and Upward.
I believe that the United States, and humanity, as incredible potential for good.  I believe that we can tap that potential.  I don't believe that capitalism and a concern for humanity are mutually exclusive.  I believe that we could approach each other with greater respect and an eye towards resolution instead of retaliation.  I believe that there are Powers that Be who are willing to use their power for the greater good.  (Yeah, it's hard, but that's KIND OF YOUR JOB.)
While I'm venting, on abortion: they already tried making it illegal, and it didn't work to stop it- how on earth are you going to stop it from happening?  If you're so pro-life, what about the desperate mothers who will not disappear?  Making something illegal doesn't make it go away, I'm sorry.  If it is legal, it can be controlled and regulated.  Also, homosexual marriage: what business is it of yours?  Where do you get off informing anyone else with whom they can or cannot form responsible relationships?  And I don't want to hear about the sanctity of marriage, because modern culture has already heartily defenestrated that one.  Unless you're going to address the divorce rate and so many ill-considered marriages between males and females, shut up.  Your church can decide whether or not to perform same-sex marriages, but that's not the government's lookout.
Moral courage, integrity, a sense of humanity, respect in agreement and dissent.  Communication and connection.
On a personal note, I'm a single white female.  This doesn't mean I'm a lesbian.  This doesn't mean I'm out to steal your husbands, boyfriends, or wives or girlfriends.  It doesn't mean I'm lonely.  I'm a Christian, and very religious in my way.  This doesn't mean that I will look down on you because you are homosexual, because you drink, do drugs, have an abortion, have premarital sex, hit on me, hit on someone else (though hitting me or someone or someone else will cause problems- prepositions are important!), or that I believe that all non-Christians are straight-up wrong.  I am an individual and I consider and wear my attributes with my own style and flair, not blindly wearing them in the stereotypical fashion, whatever that may be.  Please do me and whomever you encounter the respect of acknowledging that we are individuals and capable of making our own choices, even though an unfortunate quantity of people decline to do so.
I hope you, my actual audience now, made it through and that you understand that the vast majority of my usage of "you" doesn't actually address you.  For better or worse, I'm not too closely connected with people who disagree with me on these points.  Or they don't dare tell me that they disagree ;-).  Naturally, I don't know for sure how you feel about any of this, but thank you for your time and indulgence.  I hope I've expressed myself decently completely.  I'll probably wake up at 3 am with some other point to include that will be added in an edit or comment, or forgotten about.  We'll see, and I hope that in any event, you have a muy buen día!

***EDIT: So, it didn't take until 3AM for me to remember the other thing that I wanted to include.  Guys (warning, I'm going to start using "you" again, but gentle readers, I don't mean you), why do you insist on demeaning yourselves?  On a day-to-day business, it varies from laughably annoying to nerve-grating to walk around town and be greeted by whistles, confessions of love, "Hey baby", hisses, and a variety of other charming vocalizations.  I respond with Kat Stratford's line in '10 Things I Hate About You,' "I need you, I want you, oh baby, oh baby." With all of her heartfelt sincerity.  Granted some of those are regional, but similar things happen in the US and in waaaay too much of the world.  Now, you may think it's flattering, and maybe you think that that is exactly what will make us jump into your pants.  Alas for you, you are dead wrong.  Yes, there are some females who will follow favorably, but not too many.  One of the exciting parts about being homo sapiens is that "sapiens" part.  We have self-awareness and self-control.  We have developed fairly sophisticated language.  USE IT AND LISTEN WHEN WOMEN DO.  There are calls for women to cover up, and not go out alone at night.  I'm all for not taking stupid risks, but we could greatly reduce the number of risks with your cooperation, fellas.  Guys, regressing through millenia of evolution and acting like an instinct-ruled animal hurts your credibility more than it helps.  Why do you cede so much control to women?  Where is your integrity and self-respect as a human?  We can't telepathically enter your mind.  Surely you've encountered the idea that nobody else can make you angry, only you can; it isn't limited to anger.  You have a choice in how to react to a given stimulus.  Take control of yourself! (And leave the women in control of themselves.  Everybody is in charge of themselves and interacting like evolved beings!)  Embrace your humanity!***

Here's a pretty picture of Panama!

A day at un río in with mi familia panameña and friends

Santa Catalina- Site of Group 70 - 1year Anniversary!

Last weekend saw about 40 of the about 50 fabulous people in my Peace Corps group gathered to celebrate our 1-Year-In-Site.  It was a little late, but a month off isn't too bad, right?

Game: Spot the Surfer! (view from the hotel)

About half of the group congregated for a coinciding birthday celebration at the home of a PCV near Santa Catalina on Thursday, and Friday brought all concerned to a hotel right on the coast.  First, I will say that if you are into surfing, it is a fabulous spot.  Apparently internationally famous, and home to some big competitions, and the waves were great fun, but the beaches were very damp, and it wasn't too impressive for chilling on the beach.  Great tide pools, though, and tidal river thingies.
I'd seen a fair number of the group at the beginning of the month, when half of us trooped into the City to prove to the medical office that we were all alive and stuff, but it was great fun to see almost everyone!
The highlight of the weekend was a Talent Show on Saturday night- we had a couple of poets, an impressive rap lip sync to some well-known song that I'm unfamiliar with, a juggler, a meowed rendition of the American National Anthem (they were planning on performing the Panamanian Anthem as well, but weren't sure whether the nearby Panamanians would be offended...however all of us sang along with the American!).  And, in a performance beset by tragedy, I performed a belly dance to the Who's "Baba O'Riley."  It came through, but only after 2 or 3 false starts as we tried to get my hard drive, which held the song, to communicate with any set of speakers- we did eventually succeed, and with very slippery puddles of water from the leaking air conditioning units right above the "stage".  However, I'm told that it was great and wonderful and whatnot, and as I barely remember doing it, I'm taking the audience's word for it; they had a better vantage point to see how it looked.  Also, another volunteer, Stephanie, did my makeup, and did a marvelous job!  So, si dios quiere, here are some pictures!

The talented Stephanie, who did my make-up!

Aiiiyip!

Resident dog family at the hotel- mamadog, papadog, and puppydog- all very friendly, and full sized!

And in case you were wondering, if you come to visit, Santa Catalina may be the first Destination I've visited in Panama that hasn't garnered a definite spot in my "need to bring friends to see" list- unless you've developed an interest in surfing that you haven't told me about, OR if you want to go to Coiba Island and snorkel and do interesting things there (I hear it's great, but haven't seen it yet, and the boats out leave from Santa Cat.)

Hasta luego!