Monday, August 17, 2009

10 Benches, 6 Peace Corps Trainees, 1 Tarantula, & A Whole Lot of Fun!


I probably should have added the 7 painful blisters that I inherited during this past, eventful weekend...but I guess it´s always best to start out with something positive, right? lol. aite so I, along with 5 other PCTs, joined a youth group in making bamboo benches for our community´s playground (aka ¨La Cancha¨). It was definitely a fun and interesting experience, one that I´m excited to share with you all. So go ahead and enjoy these videos...and don´t be afraid to pick my brain and share your thoughts. peace ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOj4myOPbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5uDJjYOwxo

Sunday, August 16, 2009

La Prosseción de Santo Domingo

Here´s a video I made during Santo Domingo, a religious festival here in San Vicente, E.S. It was a pretty wild day! There were people dressed up in all sorts of costumes...there were even cross-dressers in the mix. Anyway, enjoy the video! =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5BjvC9WERY

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tour de San Isidros


Here are a couple of videos I took of my host-community in San Isidros, San Vicente. Enjoy! =)

Part 1 or 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eOHbCutWpI
Part 2 of 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh-2Kzuoqds

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Hola!

Alright, so it's been about 2 weeks since I've arrived in El Salvador and I'm loving every minute of it! Yes it's HELLA hot, but the people and food make up for that. My host family is super nice too. I live with a mother and father and their two beautiful kids. I'm in San Salvador today and plan on buying a couple of birthday presents for my host dad and brother. Oh, did I mention that birthdays are pretty big here? yeah, just imagine a low scale wedding lol. it's pretty awesome. Hasta luego

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Another Reason Why Coincidences Don't Exist!

It would have been another typical Saturday night at the movies, at least until my dad offered me a better opportunity. He asked me if I would like to accompany him at the Human Development Foundation's (HDF) annual benefit dinner. I recall reading my dad's daily memos on the fridge about the event, so in the back of my mind I kind of didn't want to go. Not because the event wouldn't be fun, but mainly because my dad would know that his memos work, which isn't exactly desirable in the Abdullah household.

Ok, so I ended up going to the dinner. The food and the company were good. They even raised about 90K, which will go to the development of schools and clinics in Pakistan. My story almost ended here, but fortunately my dad wanted to stay til the end of the program.

Later that night, something surreal happened. Congressman Mike Honda of the 15th district was the final speaker of the night. He's a pretty respectable man. As a young boy, he endured Japanese interment camps and mass discrimination. He immediately had my attention. But the crazy thing about his speech was his Peace Corps experience in EL SALVADOR! yeah, it was insane! As soon as he finished his speech, I went up to him and told him about my PC plans. He was estatic and he gave me the biggest hug and advice I've ever heard. He gave me his personal email and told me to conjure up a fiance before I leave. I laughed, at first, but then soon realized that his advice was totally legit. hmm...I guess I have about 2 weeks left to find a girl. Who's interested?! LoL

Thursday, May 28, 2009

"Meet the Newest PCVs!"

Here I am, honored in a Peace Corps newsletter! =)
http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/LandingPage.aspx?id=390360&p=1

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My Peace Corps Timeline

January 2008: I began to think about the Peace Corps and the application process.

August 2008: I started the online application

December 2008: I submitted my application. I really only spent about a good two weeks getting my application together; however, I spent months deciding whether or not to go through with it. I prayed a lot and, ultimately, I felt great about my decision.

December 18, 2008: I had my PC interview with THE best recruiter, Ms. Heather Driscoll =)

January 16, 2009: Heather nominated me for the Environmental Education program. I was so stolked, because I love teaching about the environment =)

January 23: I received my medical toolkit, which was probably my least favorite part of the process. You'd feel the same way after 5 vaccinations, 6 fillings, and 2 wisdom teeth extractions =(

February 2009: I was medically cleared and received my invitation to become a PCV =)

April 2009: I should have been in Latin America by this time, but my program was pushed back to July. It worked out nicely, because now I can be here for the birth of my new niece, Mariam =)

April-June 2009: Just chillin', doing some acting, rollerblading on the pier, hanging out with friends and family, and brushing up on my Spanish.

July 7, 2009: My orientation in Washington, DC.

July 8, 2009: I arrive in San Vicente, El Salvador where I'll be completing my first three months of training.

September 8, 2009: I will be sworn in as an official PCV and serve for 2 years!

Hasta Luego ;)