For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a person who likes to help others. It was easy to be like this thanks to my parents. My mom has always been involved in volunteer programs, first with the local hospitals, and then with several church organizations. I thank her for putting in my heart the example and desire to give something to the community I belong to. And that quote up there? It’s my mother’s favourite quote.

A few months ago, there was a discussion in the KC Bloggers group about volunteer programs, and I started thinking I really wanted to join one. I managed to contact Bridging the Gap to join their Earth Day walk, and I had to do overtime that weekend. I sucked big time, and then I just let it go. Then I got in touch with a lady at church, and she gave my name to the education coordinator, and they want to enroll me as a catechist, which is awesome! I went to see her yesterday, and I have to go to a couple of meetings in August.

And then, a couple of weeks ago, John and I went to the Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake event and we decided to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. We talked to one of their recruiters, filled out the applications, did our interviews, and we had a visit from our case manager today. She asked a lot of questions, and exposed a lot of situations I never really thought I had to face by joining a program like this. But I’m very excited, and so is John. We’ll get matched with a Little Brother, and we will become a Big Couple. I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience.

So now I have my hands full, but being able to help others and get involved in my community makes me feel like I can call this place home. And getting to know more people I can connect with, will probably fill the void from being so far away from my family.

Tuesday July 22nd, 5pm, at

Tarahumara Mexican Restaurant
10001 W 87th St.
Overland Park, KS

A few days ago I overheard a conversation between two people criticizing and making fun of someone because the person couldn’t pronounce a name. It turns out the name is actually Spanish, it is always pronounced with an English accent, and that’s what they think is the correct pronunciation. I had to roll my eyes. Anyway, as I overheard the conversation, I started to wonder why some people in the United States are so intolerant when it comes to foreign languages and accents sometimes. This is, after all, a country made by immigrants; people who come to this country from abroad and actually learn a new language. That is more than I can say about a considerable percentage of Americans who can only speak their own language in a place where they could embrace other cultures easily.

When I lived in Quebec, I felt like most people were interested in talking to me when they learned I came from another country. My accent or the way I talked was never criticized or made fun of. In fact, they actually appreciate the fact that most of us immigrants moved there not speaking a single word of French, and finally managed to make ourselves understood. To talk another language requires a lot of brain work, and to adapt to other cultures without losing your own requires braveness. So when people lose their patience because of an accent, I find it rude.

And it isn’t only because we move to another country. I started using English as my second language when I was rather young, and I wasn’t even obliged to use it. I never attended a bi-lingual school, and English was never required, except to get good notes in English classes. It was a given for me to learn a new language; first because I liked it, and then because I knew one day it would be necessary. And then I learned French. And now I get a lot of “Ohhh Ahhh’s,” but I also get to hear stupid comments like the ones that were made next to me.

Now that the Colombian army has rescued a group of hostages, and that the Farc feel they really have to do something about putting an end to decades of non-sense, they decide they won’t negotiate with the current government. They say, and I quote, that only a new government, which is truly democratic, born from a national agreement, could retake the path of the search for a political solution.

What a bunch of crap! That is what they have been saying for the past 40 years. And they continue with their rampage of violence and abuse toward Colombians. And then they add they want to be in a meeting with Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega? Give me a break!

I think we’ve had enough with the circus that Chávez and Correa have put up. One of them has come to his senses (¡Buena esa, Hugo!), and the other one is still throwing tantrums. And now the Farc want to bring another clown in? I understand they do not recognize the Colombian government, but this is not about politics anymore. They are pretty much weakened and without ideals. This is about the 42 millions of people who are claiming for peace.

I think a group that has done nothing but torture my people has no saying in how negotiations will be. They need to put an end to it NOW.

One of my recurrent dreams involves a classroom, a random teacher of the many I’ve had during my life, and a test. Any subject that was hell to me comes to haunt me in the dream. Call it Physics, Calculus, Molecular Biology… Yeah, the hard ones. I wake up in the middle of the night sweating as if I were having a horrible nightmare. And it happens often… it happened last night.

It made me remember a discussion my friend Brittany and I were having with John over a Budlight pitcher at Applebee’s the other day. Britt insisted she thought school was way harder than work, and that it was mentally draining; I had to agree with her. John, on the other hand, told us we were crazy, and that work requires much more of you. In the end, I decided it was a personal thing… I prefer working.

Why? I have NEVER liked tests (who does?), they make me extremely nervous, I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I want to cry, I never think I’ll pass… it’s not nice. I like school, but I don’t like school deadlines, I don’t like being graded all the time, and I could have done without all that stress. I don’t have to deal with that a work. Sure, there is always something to worry about, and sometimes I feel like storming out of the office when situations become frustrating. But I personally think it’s better to have your manager telling you that you messed up, and not someone telling you that you failed a class and you have to take it again.

But like I said, it’s personal. What do you think?

Saturday, July 12th: Salsa WHITE Party (Bacchanalia)

http://www.bacchanalia-events.com/

* 8:00 pm Complimentary Salsa Lesson | Two DJ’s in One night
* $10 Cover INCLUDES (1) Alcoholic Drink or (2) Non-alcoholic drinks
* DJ PANA | Salsa | Merengue | Cha Cha | Bachata
* 18+ to Enter / 21+ to Drink | Air Conditioning | Dress WHITE |
* Salsa | Merengue | Reggaeton | Cha Cha | Bachata and Hip Hop
* Great Parking | Great Music | Beautiful People | Bring a Friend!
* Salsa Competition at 11 PM!
* Dancing till 2:00 AM

The place IS very nice. John and I have been there before. It’s going to be fun. If anyone in the area is interested, join us!

El Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos

Declara:

1. Su felicitación al pueblo y al Gobierno de Colombia, por la exitosa operación de rescate que, respetando plenamente los derechos humanos, condujo a la libertad de 12 ciudadanos colombianos y 3 ciudadanos de Estados Unidos de América que se encontraban secuestrados por las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), la mayoría de ellos por más de 10 años.

2. Que el secuestro es un crimen atroz y urge a las FARC y a todos los grupos al margen de la ley en Colombia a la liberación inmediata y sin condiciones, sanos y salvos, de todas las personas que mantienen secuestradas, exhortando a las FARC a renunciar a la violencia y a establecer un diálogo con las autoridades colombianas.

3. Su respaldo a los esfuerzos del Estado colombiano para el logro definitivo de la paz y la seguridad de ese país, esfuerzos que deberán realizarse con pleno respeto de los derechos humanos, el Derecho Internacional Humanitario y el Derecho Internacional”

The rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and other 14 people who were kept hostages by FARC, is not only about their freedom, but the freedom of a whole country. During decades, Colombians have been victims of a Marxist guerrilla that was never clear about its purposes. What started as a fight for the equal rights of people, became a war against people. Later, the guerrillas became part of the ugly drug market, and their signature included death, kidnappings, and other forms of violence that made Colombia well known around the world, not exactly for the coffee.

Today, the Colombian army triumphed against the rebels; a group that shows every clear sign of disintegration, thanks to a government that has shown no mercy, and to the decay of the rebel leaders whose ideals weren’t ideal. The special forces have rescued an important political leader who became the symbol of the victims of kidnapping, and who gave Colombia the chance to be heard all around the world. To hear Ingrid Betancourt tell the story of how she was chained when night fell on the jungle makes you want to cry. At the same time, seeing her alive and well after all these years gives our country a new hope, and new dreams.

To the armed forces of Colombia, my respect. To the president of Colombia, my admiration. To Ingrid Betancourt and the rescued victims, my best wishes. To my country, ALL MY LOVE.

See Yahoo! News for complete coverage.