First, let me just say that patience is not one of my strengths. I spend more time here waiting for meetings to happen, than actually in meetings. Always the same response, UN RATITO (just a moment). I’ve learned that un ratito can mean anywhere from 5 minutes, to 1 hour, to infinity. Sometimes it even means this meeting won’t ever happen. Un ratito has become my least favorite Paraguayan phrase because I can never be prepared for how long I will be waiting.
Yes, I know that I can bring a book, play games on my phone, count to a million. It’s just so frustrating! By the time I usually get into a meeting, I am already pretty annoyed at the people I’m meeting with. I’m still looking for projects to do here, and it’s much more difficult than I expected. I thought I would come here and there would be so many people who would want my help, but it turns out that I practically have to beg people to let me work with them. Everyone here keeps telling me I need to be patient, give it more time, etc., and I’m trying to do the best I can. I just have so much personal drive and motivation to help people NOW, and no one here wants my help. I’m still pretty clueless about what I will be doing here for the next 2 years, and that makes me very uncomfortable.
Also, I’m still on the search for an apartment here. Since I don’t know where I will be spending most of my time working, it’s difficult to narrow down locations to search. I did find one that I really liked, but was told that the 30 minute walk is too far. I’ve been asking everyone I meet if they know of any places, and everyone here keeps telling me to be more “tranquilo” because I don’t need to move until November. Hello? November is only a few weeks away! One major difference between Paraguayans and Americans is our vision of short-term and long-term. While Americans typically think of long-term as anything more than a year from now, Paraguayans view the long-term as anything happening more than 2 weeks from now! Everyone here seems to think that I will just magically find an apartment when the timing is right… I sure hope they are right.
In summary, I’m having a tought time here right now. I really hope things get better soon, and wish there was something I could do to get things moving a little faster here. I’m not sure if this is just a phase, or if this is how things will be for the next 2 years. And just to make things a little more uncomfortable, cockroaches have invaded the house where I live. This week one crawled over my shampoo bottle while I was in the shower (yes, I ran straight out of the bathroom), and another one snuck into my room under my bed!
I guess things can only get better from here…
Yours Truly, Julie G
YoursTrulyJulieG 
It is with heavy heart that I ask the following question. Is it possible to look for an international position in the private sector? It has been made very clear, from the people,house mother,and peace corp administration, that perhaps you are not welcome. I don’t even understand your function in the scheme of things. I want you to be happy and in control of your destiny. The situation you descibes does not fulfill that notion or even attempt to give you a feeling of purpose. International buisness sounds exciting and rewarding. Julie do you think it may be time you search the web and use your connections from Thunderbird to seek opportunities elsewhere. I hate the idea of you spending another two years getting the run around from ungrateful people and government agencies. I know you are not a quitter but I don’t want you to think of it that way. Perhaps it is just not a match. When I saw the folks that graduated with you at Thunderbird, the world was their’s for the taking. If those kids got into a job that was not a match for them, they could leave. You have two years left. Do you see things changing? With all my love, DAD
Hey Dad,
I am not entirely sure that Peace Corps was the right match for me, but I’m doing everything I can to try to make it work. I am contacting different types of organizations here to see if there is any work I can do for them. I understand that things take time here, but I can’t wait forever.
I do know that I am good at networking, so I have been playing to that strength. I’ve been attending events for social entrepreneurs, expats in Asuncion, meeting with people from grad school, and setting up my own meetings with companies here. I really do hope that something will work out, but if it doesn’t, at least I know I tried everything.