The Essence of Life

VW in Beirut

Hello my friends! Hola, Oi, Mar7aba! How have you been?! It has certainly been a unique and challenging year for us all. However, there has been a sweet side to the year; One where self-growth, discovery and gratitude takes center stage. I would like to share a few of my highlights and lessons of the year with you and most importantly, express my happiness and appreciation for your friendship! Feel free to read at your leisure, as I’ve many thoughts and I hope we may engage in conversation and swap stories one day soon. :) 

LEBANON

I was able to welcome 2020 in lively and lovely Beirut, Lebanon. Visiting Lebanon had long been a dream of mine because I adore Lebanese food and my Lebanese friends, so I decided to visit. Secretly, I also hoped to discover another side of the world too...the life of refugees. Why? Well, I always read about refugees around the world in the news; About their displacement, their suffering and about their hopes and dreams. I wanted to meet some of these people, to better understand how I can excel in my work and in my life to help my local community and impact the global community as well, which they are a part of.

I arrived shortly after Christmas and after a long, yet amusing, layover in London. I wouldn’t have many days alone, as a few friends from Denmark were meeting me in Beirut and we planned to head up to the cedar forest for some snow. Hence, my first line of business was trying to make contact with local NGOs, as I needed them to guide me through the check-points and to share any volunteering opportunities.  However, I would not be successful in securing a connection and I decided that I would meet and learn about some of the refugees directly. 

Within a few hours, I was in a taxi to Camp Shatila and I was trying to figure out if I was super excited or super nervous?! I was excited to meet new people and learn about them, but I also didn’t want to offend anyone with my presence either. The way to the camp was full of action and I really got to know Beirut’s cityscape. I knew we were getting closer when I saw more and more Lebanese military personnel and walls--of a city within a city! My stomach sank when I saw the cars in front of us rolling their windows down and stopping to show identification to an officer. I felt this uneasiness come over me, like the kind that sets in when you’re Mexican American trying to cross the border from Tijuana into the United States, LOL! It’s hard to explain if you haven’t experienced this and even though you’re doing nothing wrong. With luck on my side, the officer waved us to go past! 

Now that we had crossed in, the taxi driver asked me where I needed to be dropped off exactly, which I had no clue as to where...I hadn’t prepared that far in advance! So, I decided to get out and walk around. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon an outdoor market, where I stopped to buy some fruit and began chatting with the family who owned it. I am passionate about education and I was curious as to how schools were administered and by whom (schools are run throughout the camps, primarily through NGOs). Then, I spent hours walking around the camp and I stopped to say hello to anyone who made eye contact and even shared a laugh or two. 

I will never forget this experience because I felt a strong connection to humanity, to be able to share feelings and thoughts with someone from a completely different background, yet rooted in hope and the desire for a good life. After another adventure trying to get through Sabra Street and back to my neighborhood, Mar Mikhael, I began to get ready to meet the oldest cedar forest on Earth--The Cedars of God, and my friends! 

The scenery en route to the Cedars of God

The rest of my days in Lebanon were splendid; There was always good food, good drinks and even better company. Many streets reminded me of Paris and lots of people still speak French, which was nice to brush up on it as well. However, what I admired the most about the Lebanese was their resilience. I saw protests--peaceful, yet bold and a community coming together to stand up against corruption. I feel fortunate to have experienced Lebanon, especially before the explosion in August and I know the Lebanese will stand strong and rebuild better than ever! 

BRAZIL

I had been to Brazil before, yet it was another dream of mine to visit during Carnival. Yes, I have many dreams and of different sizes, but isn’t that the point of life? That’s the point of this blog anyways! :D So I booked a trip to visit São Paulo, Salvador, Bonito and Rio de Janeiro. It was lovely to visit good friends (some of whom I met while working as a hostess at Espetus Churrascaria in San Francisco during university and others that I made during my first trip in 2018). 

My Portuguese was better than the first time and I was more relaxed this time around. I knew how to handle Reais and how to get around easily, therefore I was invincible! I had fun at all of the blocos and I enjoyed dressing up. Some days, you would start early in the morning, go home for lunch and an outfit change and head back out until dawn. This was paradise! Or at least someone’s paradise. 

Historic Salvador in Bahia, Brazil

The highlight of Carnival was attending the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio. I had seen it on TV and in movies, but to be there in person was surreal. The atmosphere was vibrant and there were no cares or worries in the world during it. I even wore a special glittery outfit with matching crystal tights because it was only appropriate. Afterwards, I made the mindless choice to walk a few blocks home because traffic was horrible. I quickly became uneasy because I had to face another reality of Brazil; I didn’t feel unsafe myself, but I felt this sadness come over me as I passed by homeless people and families. There were more than I remembered in my last visit and then it started to rain this tropical downpour with no end in near sight. I didn’t mind it because I would be home and dry soon, but what about them? Would they ever be dry? Do they stay around here? Did they come from the favelas? I had so many questions and no courage to ask; It was late, so I picked up my pace and made it home soon.

After a few days in Rio and in Salvador, it was time to disconnect from the world in beautiful Bonito! I stayed in a rock and wooden cabin in the middle of some forest, just outside of the main town. I hoped to visit Rio da Prata and some local animal sanctuaries while I was there because I wanted to learn more about endangered animals and what we can do to ameliorate the current situation of the illegal trade of exotic animals. To see these exotic animals in the wild, especially while lounging on a hammock in the forest, was my paradise! I knew I could never own a bird or animal that needs to be kept in a cage, because they’re just so beautiful in the wild, where they belong. 

Wild Macaw birds

CALIFORNIA

Following the initial COVID lockdowns and adjusting to remote work, I decided to deeply reflect on my life aspirations and desires for the world. I had made some dreams of mine come true over the years, such as visiting my favorite countries, learning certain languages and material arts. Yet, there was something within me that desired to help contribute to society on a larger scale and if I could do that with my life and work, I would be the most fulfilled. I knew I wanted to get involved in children’s education somehow or help fight for civil rights, but unsure of exactly how. Perhaps by becoming a teacher? A counselor? No, that wasn’t quite it. I’m more of the behind the scenes type person. Or perhaps by creating an official platform for, “Project Goodie Bag”, a passion project where I put together school supplies, toys and candies for children in areas around the world where I have visited and have connections in.

Without a clear path, I felt I needed to relax and enjoy my family on the Central Coast. I stayed there for most of the year, as well as spending time in beautiful Santa Monica and San Francisco. Mainly, I hung out with my dog Pelé, enjoyed the crisp air of the nearby beaches and occasionally helped my Dad out at the winery. This was my Paradise! :) 

My dog, Pelé.

I also made it a point to accomplish various miscellaneous goals of mine during this time: I became a public notary, I got certified in Brazilian Portugese from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas in Brazil and even picked up an Amazon Web Services certification too. Why all these random things? These may seem random, but I have used or needed this knowledge in the past and figured it would be awesome to learn more and have something to show for it. It was worth investing in myself and it wasn’t long before the Universe brought forward the most fitting thing--the opportunity to join a philanthropy tech company, focusing on learning science and how to improve learning experiences for youth all over the United States, with research driving the efforts. How fitting is that for me?!

FUTURE

Although the world’s future is uncertain, I am so happy to have you, my friends and family; I appreciate your companionship in this journey of life! Thank you for your continued support of my awkward humor and genuine curiosity, and I am grateful to have amazing people around who always teach me new things and to share a good laugh with. Most of all, thank you for allowing me to experience the magical essence of life.

Perhaps you will soon find me on the small streets of Catania, in the mountain roads of Patagonia or on the beaches of Greece; Wherever and whenever we meet, know that I strive to become a better person each day; I am learning, I am striving and I am determined to make this life as extraordinary as possible!