The Gulping Elephant in the Room

Since 2008 I have been married to BECA.

And while the relationship continues to be a joyful one, 2014 will be a pivotal year for both of us.

How so?

I'm looking for my "wife" of five and a half years to exert herself and stand up on her on own.

At least a little bit.

Yes, I think the BECA program is truly wonderful and deserves a place in the Charity Hall of Fame, but . . . . I'm mildly partial. ;-)

At the end of the day the local participants should be the judges of that, right?

Herein lies the elephant question in the room: "Would BECA survive without Walter?"

 
At the end of January I intend to relinquish my formal role as Executive Director. (My supervisory role will continue.)

For the balance of 2014, I will be paying attention to the following three indicators:

• The willingness of working program graduates to support new program entrants financially.
• The level of student participation in the weekend community projects. (They will be optional in 2014.)
• The will of the Nicaraguan staff to act impartially.

Ultimately, Nicaragua will decide my marriage's fate.

And I have no problem with that. 

[gulp]

@RSVP

Is it just me or is it that no one replies to e-mails anymore?

People just don't get back to you.

Or even acknowledge receipt!

Why?

• Is the social etiquette different for electronic communication?
• Is it the sheer informality of the medium?
• Or is it a larger sign of our latest modernity?

(I hope it's not the latter. I'd prefer to opt out.)

One thing that I have always tried to impress upon the BECA staff is the importance of acknowledging all communications. Including e-mails.

And they do!

But they must really be wondering why so few respond in kind.

Well, what is it? Why don't you respond to e-mails?

I promise to get back to you.

A Tico Christmas

It looks like I'll be spending this Christmas in Costa Rica.

I came across the following brochure in a Costa Rican bank.

Scotiabank Costa Rica Brochure (December 2013)

Rough translation: "Costa Ricans are famous for their saving habits."

Oh really? I would never have guessed that. But it got me to thinking . . .

What would Canadians consider themselves famous for?

And Nicaraguans too?

With respect to Canada, I would say for being polite. And maybe a little bit boring.

Now in the second case . . . well, I would have to ask. But after six years -- if I had to choose one word -- I would say decent. Nicaraguans are a very decent people.

Not said lightly.

It's how I describe a man I know. A man I happen to admire greatly.

My father.

2013: The Beauty and the Beast

This video captures some of BECA's finest moments of the past twelve months.

Very much to celebrate!




But . . . it doesn't tell the whole story.

Of my six years in Nicaragua, 2013 goes down as my most challenging to date.

Frankly, 2013 was a beast.

Where do I begin? My pet project (Project Call Center) was shuttered, BECA experienced lower than expected student participation in our weekend social projects, the ex-director of BECA started legal proceedings against the foundation, and the program received poor marks from -- wait for this -- the students themselves! [sigh]

We have plenty of work to do.

I should say, the BECA team has plenty of work to do. 

2013 was the first year with BECA's own graduates in charge and they responded positively to my calls for independence and professionalism. Most of the decision-making was theirs.

And, despite the adversities, they passed with flying colors. 

It has been my dream that BECA's staff be composed entirely of its own graduates. And my dream will be realized in early 2014 when I plan to formally step down as Director.

I believe with my whole heart in these young people.

And next year's video?

It'll be a beauty. 

My Illegal Activities

The other day, a friend of mine suggested to me -- subtly and indirectly -- that he doesn't do anything illegal.

Nothing.

Absolutely lives 100% by the book.

Hmmm. It got me thinking. What about me?

Being the listmanic person I am, I started (finished?) a list. I limited my illegal activities to the last two years of my life and to the two countries where I spend the most time.

Illegal Activities - Canada

• Not declaring everything to Canadian customs when entering the country
• Jaywalking
• Not wearing my seatbelt
• Talking on the cell phone when driving

Illegal Activities - Nicaragua

• Not stopping for pedestrians when driving
• Speeding 
• Bribing transit officials
• Watching sports and TV shows on rogue websites
• Downloading music (without paying)
• Downloading books (without paying)
• Buying pirated DVDs
• Buying controlled medicines without a prescription

Two themes emerge: driving, and technology/entertainment . . . with the occasional valium purchase thrown in for good measure. To ease the moral burden, no doubt!

An interesting exercise in transparency.

And you? Are you willing to publish something similiar?

Oddly Enough

In my years away from Canada, I have come across other North Americans residing permanently outside of their native country.

The fancy term used to describe us people is expatriate.

Who are these expatriates?
 
There is no simple answer but attitudinally I classify them into two broad groups.

People that embrace the challenges and oddities of living in a foreign country.

And those that don't.

I'd like to think that I fall into the first group -- see my previous blog post on the subject here -- but it isn't always easy.

And I wasn't always this way. 

What provoked the attitude adjustment?

Oddly enough, I can't tell you. 

 

A park near my house in San José. Would you bring your children here? (September 2013)

Steve Who?

I have written about Steve Jobs before.

 
And I'm a huge fan.

But this authorized portrayal by Walter Isaacson has stirred me up.

"History will place him in the pantheon next to Edison and Ford." (Isaacson, 2012)

Are you kidding me? This seems a bit much.

Indeed the iPod, iPhone and iPad are revolutionary products.

For rich people.

I see no evidence of impact in the developing world. Where most of the people on this planet happen to live.
 
May I suggest a rewrite.

"History will place him in the pantheon of gadget makers." (Hunchak, 2013)

Sorry Steve.

#iJustSaying