Three Weeks in Review

My apologies to any still- faithful blog follower—three weeks without a single post is quite pathetic.  I find it interesting that just when I have so much to write about, I end up being nearly too busy to write anything.  I hope to change that soon, and you can look for a number of blog posts in the coming week to detail the interesting and exciting things that have consumed my time since I last wrote.  In the meantime, here’s a 3-week review, with details to follow.

Week 1: Medical Interpreting

Thanks to a stint working as a Steward for the World Communion of Reformed Churches, I can inform you of the difference between translating and interpreting.  In my line of work, most of my bilingual skills go into translating—taking the written word in one language and transferring it into another.  The key word is written (or I suppose, typed)!  Interpreting, on the other hand is all about listening and speaking, and most importantly, remembering in between.  I had never spent a prolonged amount of time facilitating the verbal communication between two groups, so agreeing to do so with medical terminology mixed in was a bit of a stretch (bringing  back memories of AP bio—my last life science class).  I can now say that I have interpreting experience, though translating entire 5 minute run-on paragraphs in a satisfactory manner is still a struggle.  I like to think it would be for anyone, though.

Week 2: Quito Training Graduation and Las Mercedes Business Plan Reviews

I got back from medical interpreting on Friday evening so that I could attend the Quito business training class graduation on Saturday.  That class was a bit of a whirlwind because the Partners Worldwide local affiliate that I work for, Partners for Christian Development – Ecuador (PCD-E), decided to teach the entire class in 3 full Saturdays, instead of 12 mornings.  The class went extremely well and I think we will keep the new format with some tweaks, but it sure helped to make the last month fly by.

That Wednesday my co-worker, Edwin, left for another trip to Las Mercedes.  He has been making monthly trips since January to teach the business classes, and since the March class, 12 people submitted business plans.  I helped Edwin review a couple, and he spent 3 days last week in Las Mercedes to hold a graduation ceremony and go over edits and questions on the business plans.  I’m looking forward to visiting personally either in May or June to see the results of all Edwin’s work.

Week 3: Looking Ahead

I never knew that April was the prime time to plan the next year, but I’m finding out quite quickly.  This afternoon we are reviewing the annual plan with the PCD-E board of directors, I’m gathering documents to renew my visa for another year, and plans are moving along for the annual visit from the Global Business Affiliate (US business supporters and mentors) that will happen in June.

In the meantime, I figure I might as well start the countdown to two other events:

11 days until my parents arrive for a week-long visit to Ecuador, and

75 days until I arrive in the US and get to meet a new baby niece or nephew!

I’m not usually one for countdowns, but these two events definitely are worth being excited about.  So there’s the quick summary of life as I know it, and watch for posts on Medical Interpreting in Santo Domingo, an Interview on Asomavision, Business Training in Quito, Businesses in Las Mercedes, A Weekend in Sardinas, and Fanesca--a Holy Week Treat.