So, NEW EVENT! YAY!
Planning this event was so fun, reminded me of how much I enjoyed doing this. The owner was so willing to apply anything we proposed. He, also, generously gave ideas and said he'd participate in finding raffles. Honestly, it was so great. The fulfilling feeling after planning something is so great. I know this is going to be a success!
I'm excited to reach out to the adult community. Hopefully they all show up! I think it would be great fun. As for the babysitting, I already spoke to sitters and it's going to work out perfectly.
Wrote this for the newsletter:

Saturday, June 15th, SSS and the Oveja Negra in Tamarindo are collaborating to host an exciting event for the adults of the community. Come to the Oveja Negra bar from 6pm to midnight to dance and enjoy a child-free night while raising money for La Paz's scholarship program. There will be a live band and DJ. Tickets at the door will cost 2000 colones and go towards a raffle for a special prize. In addition, Oveja Negra is kindly donating 10% of proceeds from the bar raised during the evening.

The best part is that SSS will also offer babysitting! In Tamarindo, the location will be Carolyn Herman's house, and the Flamingo locating will be announced soon. The price per child is $20 or 10,000 colones, and all proceeds will also go towards the scholarship fund. Please reserve your child's spot ASAP tobjavogue@gmail.com with the preferred location.

More Analysis

Planning the poetry night was fairly simple. I had to ask the owner if the restaurant if she was willing to host the event as well as give a percentage of the profit. Once that was covered, I discussed with the rest of SSS and agreed on a date and time. We proceeded by advertising the event. And there's all the before planning. The only thing left was to set up the night of the event. 

The night of the event there was a good crew, we had lights, sound system, music, microphone, tables etc., etc. The night of we changed our set up but it worked out perfectly! I learned that with a good group of people everything will work out.

At the beginning, planning this event was risky in the sense that open speech was the key. We knew there were going to be controversial topics and we weren't sure how the authority would react. It concluded that everyone was in agreement that speaking one's mind was great, even without filter. The topics were justified by applauds and respectful reactions. 

The actions did respect the moral rights of everyone, because even within the edgy topics it was clear from the beginning that they had to be communicated in a respectful manner. This went both audience to speaker and speaker to audience, it was essential to remain respectful whether agreeing or disagreeing. 

Some may say topics of speech were discriminating or favoring but the objective of the event was to speak about whatever one desired. The objective was to responsibly and respectfully criticize or share about events/feelings/ways.

This project could most definitely stir ethical debates. People with different opinions could easily contradict each other. For example if there were machistas, they would have not been in agreement with the more feminist poems. Or if one thought sharing deep feelings was to be kept private that would stir debates. Basically, this was the main concern of the event.

The skill set of organizing events will help me in the future. For one I know I'm not scared to put myself out there. And although I know I consistently embarrass myself in front of my peers I don't really care. This is beneficial towards developing a more independent attitude. 

After this event, my perception of myself did not change…Sorry to break the news. (haha!) It was just another event, but one that will become regular.

Poetry Slam Night

Last Friday night, SSS hosted a Poetry Slam Night for the La Paz colegio. The event was a success! Many highschoolers performed and around 60 people showed up. 

At first, all performers were worried about the audience's reactions to their controversial, edgy poems, but every poem ended in a loud applaud. I felt relieved when no one complained about the content, one of the themes of the event was freedom of speech, being able to speak your mind openly.

Of course last minute set up changed occurred, but I've realized with SSS nothing looks good till 30 minutes before the event. With this event we didn't make much money, but the objective of the event was to share poetry, not make bank.

There was very positive feedback and we will definitely host many more of these! 

PART 1- Analyzing Self

More to come!

Whenever there are obstacles, I just figure it out. I already have the goal in mind and no obstacle will affect that. I find a way to solve the problem or just find an alternative. The worst thing to do when there's an obstacle is give up, because if you know that's you're reaction more obstacles will arise, but if you are calm and solve them, it's not intimidating.

Overcoming these obstacles is normal, that's what I expect to happen. If I didn't overcome then I would feel very disappointed. I think I'm just naturally an overachiever for these kinds of things so my expectations are high.

I procrastinate for many things, but not for planning SSS events because I love it! It's so easy for me and I like it so there's no space or need for procrastination.

When I feel overwhelmed I write everything I have to do on paper, every single step. The I analyze whether it truly is a lot or if I'm making it up. Usually it's not a lot but if it is I get to work right away to start crossing things off on my to-do list. 

Camila has really helped me because I can trust her with a big project and I know I can focus on something else. This makes it so we can work on several projects at a time.

I think something I did last trimester was work on two big events and then nothing else. I should have managed my time to do things throughout the whole trimester. This trimester we're planning lots of good things.

Right now I really need to work on the Oveja Negra night. The thing with me is when I have something to do, I can't stop thinking about it till I do it. So I got to get this done ASAP.

I like CAS so much better than other classes. It's so much more productive and meaningful. I don't know how much SSS actually helps people but I know that it is a lot of organizing which is a good skill. And for the future could be useful to help others. I learn a lot. But now I wonder if I stay in my comfort zone, to be honest I don't know what my comfit zone is in this realm. Physically, of course, but I mean mentally. That's not necessarily bad because in the future I can do lots. I'm not scared to do things or ask, which makes me think maybe I don't go to my full potential. 

Okay, why am I good at this…? Because I like it? I mean I definitely procrastinate in other things, but I believe this is my passion. I'm good at it because it's for others, if it's for me it would be completely different. I mean honestly, even without CAS I'd being doing this. If I didn't I'd be disappointed in myself. I expect more from myself.

SORRY!

Okay, VERY sorry for the blog delay, but I didn't have access to my computer.

Anyway, I have still been working! Tomorrow night, Friday, there will be an open mic night. The secondary school will be participating and we are trying to incorporate both educational aspects as well as fun/pop activities. 

Also, for Abriendo Mentes I've been in contact with the new coordinator. We will meet next Wednesday.

Honestly, I've been really busy. I have been busy but between the chaos of not having a computer and continuing to write posts it's been difficult. I wrote a very long reflection last CAS class, I will post it as soon as I type it.

For now, thanks!

Promise to post more often!