Gracias Japón. Hola Nicaragua!

Thank you.

That's the first thing I had on my mind when I realized that I was actually going to Nicaragua. Yes, Nicaragua. A country in Central America. A country that I swear even my colleagues at work would have never heard before (and this is true... I did a geographical explanation to them when I told them about my plan and until this day, some of them still think I'm somewhere in Africa!). A country without many Indonesians. A country that I have never been. A country at the other side of the globe.

I had a dream that I will go to Latin America. Because I love Spanish, I love the culture, the people and the energy. My image of Latinos and Latinas, apart from "they must be dancing a lot" is that they look like warm and nice people. Again, at that time I didn't know. I knew nothing and yet I decided to take a plunge.

Yes, it was sudden. I was working in Tokyo and I found this opportunity to work in an NGO, a local grassroots organization that provides education, meals and health aids for underprivileged children in Granada, a colonial town in Nicaragua. They need an accountant and i need to follow my dream. Yes, I have always wanted to work in an NGO or an organization that provides education for children. When people ask me why I wanna do this work, I usually give them this long speech about how I feel that small things can make a difference. Long stuff :P So some of them smile, agreeing, and some of them not. Which is fine. I am not trying to change people's opinion. But one thing that they always tell me is that I am always glowing when I tell them about it.

Glowing. Just like a pregnant woman (... or so I have heard, not that I really know haha). I am like a mother expecting a baby. My dreams are my babies. They are surprising and come with big responsibilities, so, just like a normal mum, I am proud and happy. But most importantly, I am grateful.

I am grateful with what I am doing. Working in Education Plus Nicaragua, as teaching assistant and accountant. I got to work with more than 50 children every day, in 4 different classes. I got to help them with their English, read with them and prepare their meals. Also, they are more than happy to be my Spanish practicing friends! We hug, we laugh, we exchange stories about our day as I learn thousands of new words, new traditions and new culture.

This trip is not just about studying Spanish in one of the classiest town in Central America (which I didn't really expect before). For me it's about being honest of what I wanna do. Cliche? Yeah. Was it hard? Hell yeah! Leaving Japan and going to a land unknown? I bet most people still think I'm loco.

But i love this. I love teaching them, I love being with them. I know I have only passed my 1st week but I am driven to work hard for these kids. As I am not sure how long I will be here, every minute I have with them is precious.

So thank you God for this amazing opportunity. To amazing friends and family, agradezco por sus amistades. I am thankful for your friendships and supports. I couldn't make it to the other side of the globe without your pushes and prayers!

Gracias mil! My adventure will still continue and I will try my hardest here.

Life isn't a dress rehearsal and you won't get a second chance to do your best.
So, wish me luck ;)