normal week

From lying in a horizontal position for two weeks to suddenly hauling myself around the city, things have definitely picked up pace. So much so that I now have business cards and a sign off on my emails with my name, position, and contact, what I have always considered a warning sign of adult life. What’s even more surprising, however, is how much I have been enjoying working this week. Bureaucracy aside, which left me waiting many days to get simple things done, I now feel I have the resources I’ve been needing to get the ball rolling. Currently what my job entails is updating the international webpage that we have, meeting with our medics who will be the principle surgeons for international patients, networking with hotels and tourist agencies, and then marketing abroad! Starting on Thursday I began my meetings, having people come to my office as well as driving around the city to meet with hotels, essentially negotiating to see who will give us the best deal; makes me feel important and powerful.

Once we have things organized here locally, then comes the international marketing for which we will be targeting Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. This of course if very exciting for me as it may mean some “business traveling” since this work is very personalized and social. First opportunity is coming up November the 12th – 14th in Miami where I am pretty sure they are sending me with the soon to be new marketing manager. First, never been to Miami, and while im sure it will mostly be just work hopefully I’ll get to enjoy a little as well. Second, it’s the weekend after my birthday so a further reason to make it a celebration. Third, my soon to be boss is actually a friend of mine who is the president of the Aproquen Jr. board (now called Los Amigos de Aproquen) and from Miami, so assuredly a good time! A lot of work to be done, but I’m sure once we have a manager it’s going to help get things organized and give us more specific direction. I swear, never in a million years did I think I would be doing some sort of job like this.. or like it for that matter. Life is full of fun surprises.

Along with work I have also been adjusting to my new living situation! Well, its not much of an adjustment really, I love living here. Although I usually get back late every night so I don’t end up spending too much time with the family. But my younger brother Gerald, who is 19, a I get along great. I’ve always wanted to play the older sister role, smack ‘em into shape a lil bit, so it’s fun, giving him advice on the girlies and school, he’s a cool kid. They have been doing some reconstruction and moving around of things so once I get my things organized I’ll post some pictures of my new home, with the family as well of course.

Lastly, its been amazing having a set of wheels! Not only do I help out driving the little one to kindergarten in the morning, but just getting to work and doing things afterwards is so much easier. Furthermore, with my work now its pretty much an essential. It’s been causing me a few problems recently in terms of its functioning but nothing that could be avoided or unexpected in a used car in Nicaragua. Have yet to name it as I’m still trying to get a feel for it.

Yesterday was Dra. Icaza’s son Claudio’s 13th birthday. I spent all day over there where ‘we’ cooked, organized, hung out, danced, and eventually feasted on arroz a la valenciana, frijoles molidos, pollo frito, ensalada, tostones, and cake! Here are some of the pictures:



(Claudio y Ivette)



(my dance partner)



(rocking out to Jay-sean...of course)



(me, Ivette, Catarina)



(it took way too many tries to get this little guy to smile..best he would give)



(the little dancer)



(what happens when you give a camera to a six year old)



(bday smothering)



(Claudio and the Piñata)


Lots of love! Feel mooooore than welcome to leave comments, I love reading them.

Besos

Alana