Here I am. The day before New Year's Eve. Less than 4 weeks until departure and a fraction more than 24 hours until 2008. I've got the quasi-outdoorsy look going already, the one where I pretend to be back in college by growing out my 'fro and having sideburns that require a comb, followed by a tuck behind my ears. Factor in my unshaven face and I'm pretty much back to a life of what seems like little care, and little responsibility.
Lucky (or some may call it unlucky) for me, I've learned a bit about responsibility since graduating from college. I've learned about professional responsibility - the kind that requires you to wear a dry-cleaned shirt and tie to work even though you're staring at a computer screen all day. I've learned about financial responsibility - the kind that requires you to carefully watch your credit charges, pay your bills promptly, and accumulate a little stash. Lastly, I've learned about social responsibility - the kind that requires you to look out for the people you care about, yourself, and the community you live in.
It is impossible to quantify how much I've learned about responsibility over the past three and half years. But it's all culminating now, as I prepare for a journey I've longed for since studying abroad in Spain 5 years ago.
In about a month, I'll be heading to Masaya (the city of flowers), which is located about 45 minutes Southeast of Managua, Nicaragua. I will be working for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that specializes in Microfinance - simply put, financial services for small businesses. My day-to-day activities I do not know, but I hope to put the skill sets I've developed over the past three and half years to good use, and help others in need. For those of you with follow up questions, let me nip those in the bud right now:
Where will you stay? With una familia.
Is it safe? I hope so...for I think my program is on top of that.
Who is the sponsoring organization? The Foundation for Sustainable Development.
How did you find them? The Internet. Ever hear of it?
Are you taking a pay cut? I think extinction is more appropriate than cut.
How long are you going for? Half a year. No wait, six months.
Are you nervous? Actually, I am so nervous I can hardly type right now.
Will you have to speak Spanish? Gee...let me think!
What will you do when you get back? Good question. Want to find me a job?
And why are you doing this?
Stay tuned in this blog and you will surely find out.
