New Beginnings

Hey everybody, welcome to my blog. I never thought that I would write one of these things but after an inspirational example or two, I decided to give it a try. That and enough people have thought that I should maybe write a book about all the crazy stuff that's happened in Paraguay over the last year.

Anyway, let me get started by reminding y'all why the hell I'm here etc. After almost two years working at a law firm (shout out to the Nash peeps) I decided that the time was right to take a drastic leap. I knew I wanted to learn spanish and that I wanted to leave the country. Paraguay was NOT my first choice. I applied for Ecuador, Honduras, South Africa, Ghana.... several other non spanish speaking countries but sadly most programs were full or even defunct. So Paraguay it was.... for some strange reason they had plenty of openings... hehe

I spent the year with AFS volunteering at a hospital for children and women. My first couple of months were spent doing data entry, learning the language, and trying not to get robbed. I was very lucky and my boss, Jose, and I became good friends. From then on things slowly turned me in a new direction. I was moved to the cancer ward. I was offered a job. I met my boyfriend and made contacts in Buenos Aires. So when I returned to the states in July, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to work and live in South America despite all the crazy things that have happened... despite my acceptance to law school... despite missing my friends and family. I couldn't really put in words how my time in Paraguay had effected me but I knew if I didnt at least try, I would always regret it.

What I'm really trying to accomplish with this blog is three fold: 1) keeping in touch with friends and family 2) sharing some really funny stories and 3) recording my time here. In no WAY SHAPE OR FORM do I know EVERYTHING or am claiming to know everything about Paraguay (I dont even know guarani) but most of you know me well enough to know that I'll write things as I see them. But do please feel free to comment, send me notes... etc....