On the Growth Edge

6/1/13

"I got hit by a tuk-tuk (taxi-like automobile) on my rented bike today. I knew it was a bad idea when I tried to make my way up the hills on the cobbled and bumpy road. I thought I was clearing from the drivers’ path as I slowly went downhill.  Then the tuk-tuk took a slight turn in my direction. It happened very fast – my left arm slamming into the side of the moving vehicle. I immediately went down on my left side – BAMN! The locals came to my side, the driver repeating “lo siento” and explaining in Spanish that he did not see me. He took my left arm and tried to pull me up from off the ground. Aching in pain, I quietly said “no – leave me”. Another man and the driver slowly lifted and pulled me to the sidewalk and a teenage boy moved my bike from the path of traffic. The tears came  (my natural reaction in any painful situation). Luckily, just a scrape on my left forearm, muscle aches and small bruises remain."

                                                               ****************

I enjoyed the beautiful lake views and the coffee in the towns around Lago de Atitlan. I did not particularly enjoy the party life as much...

It is still a cool place to see if you are visiting Guatemala.  

Enjoy the view. 

San Marcos ahead

San Pedro

Travel Tip

You are coming into contact with so many people, new environments and foods - so your immune system is already running on low. Eat as healthy as you can while you travel because it will help you avoid sickness. You can buy vegetables and fruit for very cheap in local markets and make your meals at your hostel. You will save money and eat more nutritious food than you will find at street vendors and in restaurants. Also, drink lots of non-sugary jugos (juices) for your daily vitamins. Your kept energy will not be wasted.

Antigua

Personal growth

I am now away from university academia and professional counseling. Time has dissipated my anxiety for finding work in the counseling field and being on this path of excellence – doing what is “expected” of me in the workforce. I felt this pressure back home to continue toward my licensure requirements. I know in my heart that I still have so much to learn about life and don't to burnout of the field just yet. As long as I continue to grow, educate myself and help others then I am doing the things that make me happy. And to my surprise, I still find that I am using my Masters.

I find interest in teaching and writing in addition to counseling families, children and the mentally ill. With my education in psychology/ counseling and time working/interning/volunteering in my field, this experience abroad is additionally developing my future, professionally and academically.

With this time, I’m learning there are many identities I can explore (with more education, training and licensure, respectively).

·         teach at a university,

·         teach English to non-native speakers,

·         do research in the counseling field and write articles for academic journals,

·         I can write travel blogs/books,

·         counsel abroad (government/privately),

·         volunteer as a crisis counselor at home and abroad (Red Cross),

·         counsel children and families in crisis (NGO agency),

·         open a private practice and/or be a consultant for schools/NGOs,

·         volunteer at shelters, after-school education programs and other important causes,

·         adopt underprivileged children who need love, support and guidance from a good parent,

·         be a host-parent to students from all over the world.

Quote to LIVE by

“Truly experienced counselors are those who live what they teach to others. They walk their talk and practice in their own lives that which they consider to be most important for their clients. As such, they are continually living on the growth edge, always looking for ways to become more effective as a professional and as a person. Such individuals would never consider themselves ‘arrived’ but rather see their own development and mastery as an ongoing process that will never end…”

 Jeffrey Kottler, PhD; “The Recipe of Truly Great Counseling”, in Counseling Today Dec. 2012. 

Travel Update
I've arrived to El Salvador and can't believe my eyes!