Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Meeting and Greeting


Life is such an adventure especially in Panama. Just walking the streets around town you get that big city feeling with a unique mix of poor, rich, nature, and concrete. I like the mix and I like the vibe. With the obvious construction EVERYWHERE it's a little dirty in places but you can definitely see how much this city is changing day to day. It is cosmopolitan in areas with high end shopping malls (multiplaza with Fendi, Cartier, and Carolina Herrerra stores) and a few blocks away you have some of the poorest shanty neighborhoods that probably won't last much longer due to the sought after land by the water where they are located. It's pretty cool and very interesting to speak to people who have lived here and experienced this change.

Today I got to see the condo, Pacific Sky unit 12D where my parents bought. It's so beautiful with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and all the ships waiting to go through the canal. I'm pretty excited about this because I think I am going to be a big part in decorating this place and trick it out to my style and liking.

Last night I hung out with Jaime again, got to meet his wonderful girlfriend and a bunch of his close friends. They all seem incredibly nice and excited that I am here in their country to try out living and working. It seems as though they are all doing pretty awesome things for themselves and want only the best for their country. It's so nice to see the patriotism they have and the wishes they have for their country. I'm all for meeting other people my age who have the drive to do something politically, environmentally, and socially for the better. The continuation of optimism is such a nice feeling coming from Obama's inauguration to a place where I see so much potential and people willing to devote their lives to make a difference.

I haven't had much of an actual vacation feeling being here. From the moment I've got off the plane I've been meeting so many different people in the real estate business, property management, expats who are investors, and local Panamanian friends. It's pretty incredible. Ideas have been flying through my head like crazy on many things to do.

Right now I know that I want to be here and that is all I am sure about. I love the culture, the country, and even though the heat is intense at times, the weather is pretty incredible with an ocean breeze as a constant savior. I'm really looking forward to the weekend to have a little down time and possiby get out of the city and see a little rainforest and nature. Then, Monday, it's off to the beach! : )

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Panama City Day One



I've made it to Panama City! I didn't really sleep Sunday night. Excitement to leave, anticipation, and celebration was more of my concern before leaving for the airport Monday morning at 3:30AM. My 23rd Birthday was absolutely wonderful minus the whole being exhausted and tired part. Landing here in Panama City from Washington, DC was a drastic change but I'm surely not complaining about it.
We're staying in a nice apartment in Punta Paitilla. It's on the 20th floor and filled with bright colors and happy decor. My parents, who are with me decided it would be a good idea to rent out an apartment here for a week instead of doing the whole hotel/hostel thing to get a feel for what it is really like to live here. I can honestly say that I love this area of the city! It's very high end with the Multi Plaza mall near by and Punta Pacifica across the street (most expensive high end area of Panama City/Panama the country).
The man we are renting from, his name is David is an expat who is originally from Portland, Oregon, lived in San Diego for some time, and now, since 2005 has lived in Panama City. He probably speaks less Spanish than me and has no trouble living here. He loves the city, the sunshine, the people, and his amazing 4,000 sq. ft. apartment in Punta Pacifica (who wouldn't?). He spent much of the day with us yesterday after picking us up from the airport in his fancy BMW SUV. I think he might be a little lonely because he was all about hanging out with us. I don't blame him though, we're pretty awesome to hang out with, but I was SO TIRED after the flight and lack of sleep that once he finally peaced I took about a 3 hour nap in my own very chilly airconditioned bedroom. My parents, on the other hand stayed up, walked around, and met with our property manager that is taking care of the Pacific Sky condo across the street that they recently purchased. I was also lucky in the fact that I was the only one to receive my bags at the airport. My mom and dad's didn't make it on the plane and hopefully they will be arriving today sometime soon. Ok, I am rambling and don't know how to do this whole blog thing. I need to know how to pick and choose what to write because I probably could go on and on.
Ok, briefly, after I woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvanated my parents were back from their day looking a little worn. I rallied them up to at least do a nice dinner for my birthday and meet my friend Jaime who lives in the area. They did, thank god and we found a Sushi restaraunt a block away and had a fabulous dinner, drinks, and company! : ) My friend Jaime found his way and hung out with us for a bit. He's awesome and I am really looking forward to hanging out with him this week and in the future to come! Alright, I'm done for now. Sorry if you are bored lol.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Cheers


I've got about 48 hours until I leave for my Panama journey. I'm taking three weeks to explore the country, study a little Spanish, and decide if this is the right move for right now. Of course, three weeks isn't a whole lot of time to decide whether or not you want to live in a foreign land but it is enough time for me to feel comfortable with my surroundings.
One thing I want to express is how amazing I feel about the people in my life. I am SO BLESSED to have people who care about what I'm doing and my pursuit of Happiness. Not many people are so fortunate to have loving parents, siblings who understand you, and friends that inspire you. I've got all three! I must have done something in my former life to have deserved this.
One of my goals while in Panama/in my next few years of life is to find a way to make those people proud. I want to make a difference in the world. There is a purpose to being born right? I've definitely had the chance to travel and see the world and know that there are SO SO SO many opportunities out there to make it happen. I think a lot of people aren't proactive about it because they get stuck in the comfort of everyday life and see value in objects that should really have no meaning. Memories can NEVER been taken away, nor can education. Money, yes, I do find it important but only for the purpose of obtaining more knowledge and experiences that I will cherish no matter what.
Even if I don't find my career path or whatever I'm searching for in the next few years I think I am making the right decision by taking myself out of my comfort zone. I want to see, I want to experience, and I want to meet more people that will impact my life and guide me to be where ever I am supposed to be/do whatever I am meant to do. With that said, I want to thank you if you have been a part of my life. Even if you have said hello, I'm sure it has added to the many pleasures I've had thus far.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Footprint



I’m not sure if I’m feeling inspired by the change that is happening with our country or the change that is happening by my move but I’m becoming increasingly nostalgic and hopeful about life, future, and what’s in store for me. Recently I’ve been looking everywhere, talking to everyone, and listening to songs that can inspire me to make the most of who I am and what I have to offer as a person. I want to leave a footprint in this world somehow or another and this year is my year to search for the right shoe to make that footprint with. These two quotes I took from some close friends and in different ways they closely relate to my life. : ) Enjoy


1. “WOMEN WHO LIVE THE LIFE OF THEIR DREAMS DON'T GET THERE BY BEING DAINTY AND DARLING. THEY DEMAND WHAT THEY WANT AND DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THAT COULD MEAN BREAKING A FEW RULES, A FEW HEARTS, AND A FEW HABITS ALONG THE WAY, ESPECIALLY THE HABIT OF APOLOGIZING FOR WHO YOU ARE.” ~ Laurie Sue Brockway

(I haven’t achieved and attained all that I have thus far by waiting for it to happen. I’m a go-getter, and with that, I make things happen for me. I’m not saying I backstab or cheat, but I’m certainly competitive, and that I don’t apologize for. Sometimes it may be harsh, but it has led me to amazing opportunities and experiences that I would never take back.)



2. “There are those who pass like ships in the night, who meet for a moment, then sail out of sight with never a backward glance of regret; folks we know briefly then quickly forget. Then there are friends who sail together, through quiet waters and stormy weather, helping each other though joy and through strife. And they are the kind who give meaning to life.”

(This quote is directed toward my semester at sea friends who know me so well it’s scary. We’ve traveled around the world together and have shared a whirlwind of emotions that no one else can understand. They’ve seen me at my best, at my worst, and seen me grow into the woman I am today).

Friday, January 16, 2009

Leaving the day I turn 23

I did it on purpose, as cheesy as it sounds to make sure that I left for Panama on my 23rd birthday. January 26th, at 5 something AM I will start my journey and next chapter of my life. I've decided after finishing school in New York City that I need a change from the city and a change from normalcy. Not that anything I've done in my past has been normal, but since graduating and living at home in Maryland, I've had a taste of what the real world is and decided it's most likely not for me. I'm not knocking it for the people that have it, nor saying I won't want it in a few years, but right now I have no idea where I belong and that is what I'm off to discover.
Why Panama? Well, in all honesty it could be anywhere warm with an interesting culture but Panama has some of the comforts of being semi-close to home, (4 hour flight to DC), is relatively safe in most places, uses the American dollar, and has a surprisingly stable government for Latin America. I see potential there for a lot of reasons that I'm off to find out if I can be a part of what Panama has to offer in the future.
I'm not sure if I am going to be keeping up with this whole blogging thing like some of my other friends who have had AMAZING blogs but I definitely think I am going to try. At the moment I am home and just figuring out where I am going to stay and what my plans are so I have no stories to tell or even concrete facts to state. All I do know is that I am ready, I am ready for what's to come, the people I will encounter, and to head where the wind blows me.