There's a great positive atmosphere here and people are being fed, both great!
But I am physically and mentally drained. It’s only been a day and I already vomited twice; my body isn’t used to so much sun exposure…
I am using a “public source” of internet so I can’t write much.
Keep me in your prayers :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Travels to a developing country here in the US
It’s been quite hectic these past few days but it is about to get a little harder. Many of you know I like to travel to developing countries in the hope to one-day change the poverty statistics. If is unfortunate that half the world’s population lives on $2 a day or less. I am reminded by Dr. King’s words, “As long as there is poverty in the world I can never be rich...As long as diseases are rampant, I can never be totally healthy...I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.” So what am I doing?
For three days starting Wednesday I am living outside on cardboard pretending to live in a developing country while surviving on $2 a day.
Produced through PLNU-3:37 minutes
Broadcasted by CW 6-1:56 minutes.
http://www.sandiego6.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=599975@xetv.dayport.com&navCatId=5
There are two main reasons why I am choosing to lead and participate in the $2 challenge. The first and most important is to spread awareness on campus about what it means for people to live on $2 a day or less. Besides being a slum town in the middle of our campus road we are also posting information on worldwide poverty along the campus “Caf. Lane” and are going to be exposed to the media to spread this message all over San Diego. But secondly, I choose to participate because the money raised by this even will go towards the Grameen Foundation and its partner organizations to support economic recovery efforts in Haiti. As many of you know I worked for Esperanza International, a microfinance organization that promotes development, in the Dominican Republic. Esperanza Int’l is a Grameen Foundation partner organization. I got to experiences first hand how well organized and efficient Grameen is. Grameen is the largest microfinance organization in the world, it is known for its founder Muhammad Yunus, a nobel prize winner. Grameen is also partnering with Lazarian World Homes (LWH) in Haiti to rebuild homes, having worked for LWH in both Armenia and Mexico, I too know this is a great Christian organization.
Prayer. Pray for safety so our group can make a statement without getting sick (one student had a seizure last year). Pray for me as I am in charge of feeding all the participants, a little nerve wrecking since I am not a good cook. Continue to pray for Haiti so it can rise from being the poorest country in the western hemisphere to a developed country. And lastly, donate to this cause. We are having a friendly competition with the University of San Diego, they had their $2 Challenge a couple weeks ago and raised $300. I think we can beat that!
Thanks.
Love,
Maira
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We changed our minds...next trip... Dominican Republic
When my parents announce that I had a choice of a graduation present, one being a trip to any country I wanted, I not only expressed shock but a lot of excitement. My first choice was the Dominican Republic. But there was one exception to my present, my sister would have to approve and come with me. The trip then became a trio when my friend Paola decided to join us in our unknown journey. We had all decided on Peru since it was a country that we all found interesting and worthwhile to explore, but at the last minute when it came to purchasing tickets, Paola didn’t seem so sure anymore. She was scared. I don’t blame her it can definitely be scary to travel outside the country for the first time, in exception to Baja. So in our struggle to find common ground, and after other options were thrown on the table, we decided to go the Dominican Republic. This would be a safer choice considering the DR is close to the US and being been there before I have contacts of people I trust. I couldn’t have been more thrilled at our choice. As much I want to one day go to Peru I am ecstatic to be able to visit my friends that I left behind last year. We purchased out plane tickets this evening, we leave May 26th and return June 9th. I’ll keep you posted on more details as the time approaches.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Update on surgery
Wednesday:
Surgery was done exactly a week ago. I went into the dentist office at 8am. I was taken to an x-ray room where they shot a digital 360 degrees x-ray of my jaw. They seated my mom and sister in a private surgery waiting room and I was taken to the surgery room where they proceeded to take my pressure and hook me up to a machine that would monitoring my heart beat and my overall well being once I was under. I forgot to take my antibiotics so they injected them through an I.V. I believe at the same time they injected the sedatives. The surgery took about 30 minutes; I woke up soon after and was walked to the waiting room to be reunited with my mom and sister. I felt like I was in the clouds so I of course needed help to get into the car. I pretty much stayed in bed sleeping and reading Much Ado About Nothing all Wednesday evening.
My nephew came to visit, he was such great company because he didn’t say much but state the obvious “you had surgery today, huh” and then quietly but soothingly played with his toys on the floor of my room. Anthony came by after work he brought me Neosporin, ice packs, a milk shake, and a purple rose. He was also great company. I loved hearing him laugh at all the silly YouTube videos he was watching. Anthony is so funny; I couldn’t help but smile at all the juvenile things he did. My sister, Noemi stopped by to see me after an outing with her sorority girls. She came in the door and talked to me for a bit not realizing that Anthony was also present in the room, he hid on the side of my closet, and then when she least expected he pooped out, she yelled out of surprise and then couldn’t help but laugh along with my mom, Anthony and I.
Thursday:
I stayed in bed most of Thursday morning. I worked from home for most of the afternoon updating our work’s website and replying to emails. And even though I looked like a chipmunk I decided to go grocery shopping with Anthony in our attempt to make homemade broccoli and cheddar soup. Besides looking awful I felt good for most of the day Thursday it wasn’t until we arrived to Anthony’s apartment that I started feeling a little lightheaded. I rested for a bit while Anthony worked on the soup. He did such a great job, the soup was definitely tasty but we both agreed that next time we would use a more of a mild type of cheddar.
Friday:
I felt well enough on Friday morning that I agreed to help babysit 2 year old Alessandra from noon-ish ‘till about 6pm. We had such a great time at the play ground, watching Ni Hao Kai-lan, having a small tea party, and going to Borders to read and play with stuffed animals. After babysitting, Jesenia and I went to the mall. After some quick shopping we decided to catch up on life over appetizers and coffee at Olive Garden.
Saturday:
Still looking like a chipmunk I went to a Red Cross CPR training class with both the Beckys (Noemi & Paola). Even though it was early, we arrived at 8:30am, we enjoyed watching a training video, cheating off each other on the written test, role playing emergency scenarios and practicing with dummies. I can officially perform CPR for a year now! After the CPR course we walked from city hall to Pokez, a Mexican vegetarian cuisine. Anthony joined us for lunch there, and then we took a quick detour back to my house since I started feeling a little sick after forgetting to take my second dosage of Vicodin for the day, after the quick stop we went to Balboa Park where we attended a Rummage Sale. At the Rummage Sale I bought a red Tea Pot with its four matching cups for an exciting price of $3, a lime green appetizer plate for $1, 270 crystal marbles for a vase Anthony and I bought for $2, and 40 yards of pink ribbon for $1.50.
Sunday:
But unfortunately the combination of activities, the walking, the sun, and not taking my medicine on time, made me feel really sick Saturday evening. I decided it would probably be best to not work Sunday morning. It was probably the best decision I could have made because instead of taking care of toddlers in the morning… I slept and slept until 3:30pm! I was re-energized again and was able to run a few errands with Anthony before church at 7pm. After church we called it an early night and I went home to get ready for school Monday morning.
Monday:
The swelling thankfully when down today so I didn’t look like a “cute chipmunk” anymore. School was great, work was also great, but it must have been the fact that I slammed my finger into a metal gate right before bedtime and running out of Vicodin that scared my sleep away.
Tuesday:
I went for my routine check up in the morning and the dentist said I was healing nicely. But after my check up I had a pretty stressful/intense school day and really packed workday. After getting out late, I picked up Chipotle for dinner and joined Anthony at his apartment while we watched Wheel of Fortune, it’s our must see TV show. After the half-an-hour show, I worked on homework until bedtime but unfortunately couldn’t get myself to fall asleep. There’s just so much running through my mind that I can’t get myself to stop thinking.
Wednesday, today:
Early in the morning I decided to take some medicine to help me sleep. The dosage worked so I skipped my two morning classes and decided instead to stay home and study for a midterm test I have tomorrow and to inform you on what’s happened since my surgery last week.
-Maira
Surgery was done exactly a week ago. I went into the dentist office at 8am. I was taken to an x-ray room where they shot a digital 360 degrees x-ray of my jaw. They seated my mom and sister in a private surgery waiting room and I was taken to the surgery room where they proceeded to take my pressure and hook me up to a machine that would monitoring my heart beat and my overall well being once I was under. I forgot to take my antibiotics so they injected them through an I.V. I believe at the same time they injected the sedatives. The surgery took about 30 minutes; I woke up soon after and was walked to the waiting room to be reunited with my mom and sister. I felt like I was in the clouds so I of course needed help to get into the car. I pretty much stayed in bed sleeping and reading Much Ado About Nothing all Wednesday evening.
My nephew came to visit, he was such great company because he didn’t say much but state the obvious “you had surgery today, huh” and then quietly but soothingly played with his toys on the floor of my room. Anthony came by after work he brought me Neosporin, ice packs, a milk shake, and a purple rose. He was also great company. I loved hearing him laugh at all the silly YouTube videos he was watching. Anthony is so funny; I couldn’t help but smile at all the juvenile things he did. My sister, Noemi stopped by to see me after an outing with her sorority girls. She came in the door and talked to me for a bit not realizing that Anthony was also present in the room, he hid on the side of my closet, and then when she least expected he pooped out, she yelled out of surprise and then couldn’t help but laugh along with my mom, Anthony and I.
Thursday:
I stayed in bed most of Thursday morning. I worked from home for most of the afternoon updating our work’s website and replying to emails. And even though I looked like a chipmunk I decided to go grocery shopping with Anthony in our attempt to make homemade broccoli and cheddar soup. Besides looking awful I felt good for most of the day Thursday it wasn’t until we arrived to Anthony’s apartment that I started feeling a little lightheaded. I rested for a bit while Anthony worked on the soup. He did such a great job, the soup was definitely tasty but we both agreed that next time we would use a more of a mild type of cheddar.
Friday:
I felt well enough on Friday morning that I agreed to help babysit 2 year old Alessandra from noon-ish ‘till about 6pm. We had such a great time at the play ground, watching Ni Hao Kai-lan, having a small tea party, and going to Borders to read and play with stuffed animals. After babysitting, Jesenia and I went to the mall. After some quick shopping we decided to catch up on life over appetizers and coffee at Olive Garden.
Saturday:
Still looking like a chipmunk I went to a Red Cross CPR training class with both the Beckys (Noemi & Paola). Even though it was early, we arrived at 8:30am, we enjoyed watching a training video, cheating off each other on the written test, role playing emergency scenarios and practicing with dummies. I can officially perform CPR for a year now! After the CPR course we walked from city hall to Pokez, a Mexican vegetarian cuisine. Anthony joined us for lunch there, and then we took a quick detour back to my house since I started feeling a little sick after forgetting to take my second dosage of Vicodin for the day, after the quick stop we went to Balboa Park where we attended a Rummage Sale. At the Rummage Sale I bought a red Tea Pot with its four matching cups for an exciting price of $3, a lime green appetizer plate for $1, 270 crystal marbles for a vase Anthony and I bought for $2, and 40 yards of pink ribbon for $1.50.
Sunday:
But unfortunately the combination of activities, the walking, the sun, and not taking my medicine on time, made me feel really sick Saturday evening. I decided it would probably be best to not work Sunday morning. It was probably the best decision I could have made because instead of taking care of toddlers in the morning… I slept and slept until 3:30pm! I was re-energized again and was able to run a few errands with Anthony before church at 7pm. After church we called it an early night and I went home to get ready for school Monday morning.
Monday:
The swelling thankfully when down today so I didn’t look like a “cute chipmunk” anymore. School was great, work was also great, but it must have been the fact that I slammed my finger into a metal gate right before bedtime and running out of Vicodin that scared my sleep away.
Tuesday:
I went for my routine check up in the morning and the dentist said I was healing nicely. But after my check up I had a pretty stressful/intense school day and really packed workday. After getting out late, I picked up Chipotle for dinner and joined Anthony at his apartment while we watched Wheel of Fortune, it’s our must see TV show. After the half-an-hour show, I worked on homework until bedtime but unfortunately couldn’t get myself to fall asleep. There’s just so much running through my mind that I can’t get myself to stop thinking.
Wednesday, today:
Early in the morning I decided to take some medicine to help me sleep. The dosage worked so I skipped my two morning classes and decided instead to stay home and study for a midterm test I have tomorrow and to inform you on what’s happened since my surgery last week.
-Maira
Monday, March 8, 2010
Next trip…Peru!
As a graduation present my parents are helping fund a trip to Peru. It’s going to be an all girls trip. My sister, a best friend and I are planning to fly to Lima and then from there work our way to Machu Picchu and maybe even Lake Titicaca. It’ll be a two week trip starting late may and finishing early June. After that I also hope to attend a conference in Washington DC.
I’ll be sure to blog about this.
Love,
Maira
I’ll be sure to blog about this.
Love,
Maira
Surgery this Wednesday
These past few weeks I’ve been experiencing a series of migraines. I finally went to the Wellness Center on campus when I couldn’t keep any food down. The doctor was so alarmed she wanted to send me to the emergency room. But I reassured her it wasn’t so bad. That week I had also had pain around my jaw area so I was almost positive the pain was due to the growth of my upper wisdom teeth. I went to the dentist on a Saturday, to avoid missing any classes, and sure enough my upper wisdom teeth were impacted (trying to come out but were putting pressure on my sinus, jaw, and surrounding teeth). I saw the surgeon today but unfortunately he was booked. I am scheduled to have surgery Wednesday morning at 8. I am excited to get them removed because this of course means I will get some headache relief and get to rest during spring break.
Keep me in your prayers!
PS
Pray for Anthony too, he is a little nervous about this.
I keep on telling him it’s just teeth…
Keep me in your prayers!
PS
Pray for Anthony too, he is a little nervous about this.
I keep on telling him it’s just teeth…
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Update on my life
I’ve obviously been awful at updating my blog, especially since I have traveled twice since my last posting. In September, Anthony and I went up North to visit his parents and attend a wedding in Oroville. We flew to San Jose, drove up to Oroville, on our drive down we stopped in Sacramento, and then took a day trip to San Francisco. Hopefully I’ll elaborate more on this and post some pictures. It was a grand trip. I’ll take the time here to thank the Lopes family for hosting me and being such an inspiration, now I know why Anthony is so awesome!
Since then, I passed all my classes for Fall 2009! – Yes and exclamation point, “seniorities” hit me hard this past semester and I was worried I wouldn’t pass some classes, but I did!
During winter break: Anthony and I got a Christmas tree; we decorated it, took some Christmas shots next to it and made our first Holiday cards to mail out. I’ll have to post those pictures here, they’re adorable. During break we also flew back to San Jose and spent Christmas day with the Lopes and Anthony’s extended family. Fun times. We spend New Year’s in San Diego, and celebrated my mom’s birthday together with my family and friends (Jan. 2nd). I’ll also have to post pictures for these events, I would do it now but I don’t have the files on hand.
I am now finishing up my time here at PLNU as an undergrad, I graduate in May with a degree in International Development Studies and a minor in Non-profit management. To satisfy the curiosity of many, after graduation I plan to attempt to become a real estate broker. I hope to work full time either in my field of study, real estate, banking, or at PLNU. I also plan to start graduate school to soon receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Keep me in your prayers.
Much Love,
Maira
Since then, I passed all my classes for Fall 2009! – Yes and exclamation point, “seniorities” hit me hard this past semester and I was worried I wouldn’t pass some classes, but I did!
During winter break: Anthony and I got a Christmas tree; we decorated it, took some Christmas shots next to it and made our first Holiday cards to mail out. I’ll have to post those pictures here, they’re adorable. During break we also flew back to San Jose and spent Christmas day with the Lopes and Anthony’s extended family. Fun times. We spend New Year’s in San Diego, and celebrated my mom’s birthday together with my family and friends (Jan. 2nd). I’ll also have to post pictures for these events, I would do it now but I don’t have the files on hand.
I am now finishing up my time here at PLNU as an undergrad, I graduate in May with a degree in International Development Studies and a minor in Non-profit management. To satisfy the curiosity of many, after graduation I plan to attempt to become a real estate broker. I hope to work full time either in my field of study, real estate, banking, or at PLNU. I also plan to start graduate school to soon receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Keep me in your prayers.
Much Love,
Maira
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