CANVAS Training & PJSA Conference in PDX

Yes..it's official. I am coming home to Portland on September 8 and I can't wait to see everyone!!!!!!! Although I will be, of course, spending lots of quality time with my loved ones, I will also be participating in a two-day Centre for Applied Non-Violence Action and Strategies (CANVAS) training as part of the Peace and Justice Studies Association annual conference. Back in March, I applied for one of only 30 slots in this training, which has not been offered in North America previosly. The CANVAS approach was successfully applied in South Africa, Ukraine, and Serbia. You can learn more at http://www.canvasopedia.org/. It is an honor and an exciting opportunity to be able to participate in the training.

Can't wait to see you in September.

By the way, the picture is of statue with a beautiful sunset backdrop in the Centro Cultural de Recoleta. I went to a festival there the other day and took this picture. I thought that the posting was too dull without some sort of image. :-)

As for the master's program...

Well, I successfully finished my first term in the master's program. Although I have not received my final grades, I feel very good about the outcome. The new term has begun with four classes:

Public International Law
International Security
International Political Economy
Development Models and Processes in Latin America

I have a lighter load this semester, which is good because I hope to get a headstart on my thesis (To be determined shortly).

Not much more to report on this end...

Acting on and on...

Well...my acting career is slowing coming along. I finally got my official pictures taken that I will send to various agencies. Here are few. One of them is really funny b/c my friends that took the pictures insisted that I smoke a cigarette while wearing my black dress. Of course, I don't smoke (and have not taken up the habit...don't worry, mom), but I am an actriz after all. Anyhow, there is one particular photo of me in the background and the hands of one of my friends showing me how to hold the cigarette that is really great. Enjoy the pictures (my friend who is a professional photographer took nearly 300 photos! Don't worry you don't have to see them all ha ha). Also, you can go to http://www.freakmodels.com.ar/ (yes I know a little strange...I happened to know one of the agents personally so I though what the heck). Once you enter the website, click on Actores, Mujeres and then scroll to find my picture. Click on the picture to see my profile and other pictures. Who would have thought....wish me luck...

Singín for Rotary

A few weeks back I had the honor of singing along with my roommate Fernando, who also accompanied us on guitar, for the change of presidential authority for my host Rotary club (Rotary Club of Montserrat). It was particularly special because my Rotary counselor became president. Here are few pictures and a small clip of me singing my old stand by "Gracias a la Vida". If I didn't know if before, I know it now...I sing with my eyes closed almost all of the time. ha ha.