Banking

So banking in Panama is fun! Our AMIGOS project needs to open a bank account in Panama so we can run our programs through money wired from the US.

You need:

• Several letters of reference from banks in the US and in Panama. These must be signed originals.
• To have life insurance in Panama through the bank itself. Yes, I am the proud owner of life insurance in Panama! We signed lots of forms and even had to name beneficiaries. This means that my brother is now a beneficiary to all of the money in our account if both Ryan (my Project Director) and I die crossing the Panamericana highway.
• Two forms of ID
• The phone numbers and addresses of personal and commercial references in the US and Panama

We are still waiting on one bank reference for Ryan, but by this Saturday we will officially (cross your fingers!) have a Panamanian bank account. Yahoo! First task, down. 

En route to Panamá

Hello loyal followers, however few you may be.

I have been re-inspired to continue this old blog, Aventuras, by my most recent blog obsession, Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project. What started out as a paradoxical journey toward both self-improvement and self-acceptance, taking herself seriously and lightening up, being more efficient but also carving out time to wander, play, and simply be, has become a delightful book of the same title that I received as a graduation gift from my aunt. I have found that many of Gretchen's challenges, her daily paradoxes, resonate with me as well.

I am adventurous and free-spirited, yet highly perfectionistic and against wasting time.

I travel the world, yet I am a serious homebody.

I hate clutter, yet I despise throwing or giving away my possessions.

I have a desire to "Be Sarah" and accept myself, but I want to perfect my nature.

I want to live fully "in the moment," yet I unwantingly stress about the future.

Gretchen decides to spend an entire year trying to learn how to be "happier." To live in the moment, to appreciate the small things, and to not let her life pass by unnoticed. Each month, she dedicates herself to a new set of resolutions, and tries to achieve them cumulatively so that by December she is perfectly following all of them. Among the twelve themes are "Be serious about play," "Lighten up," "Remember Love," "Contemplate the Heavens," and "Keep a Contented Heart." In the month of February, "Remember Love," she writes about her marriage, attempting to follow such lofty resolutions as "Don't expect praise or appreciation," "quit nagging," and "fight right." I love Gretchen's honesty and humor as she is tackling the everyday reality of both improving and accepting her own nature. It's a great read!

So, as I read this happiness project of Gretchen's, I will be posting bits and pieces of my own, as well as recounting my many Panamanian adventures to come. Boarding the plane in Houston now!