Semana Uno

I survived my first Remote week! Here’s a little bit about how:

Overcame Awkward Introductions

• We’ve done a couple “lunch roulettes” – you pick a card from a deck and go out to lunch with whomever has the same card number
• Little and Big Orientation Days – we had tacos and drinks on the rooftop of our work space one night and then a full day’s worth of RY info including Pecha Kucha presentations (we all had to create one slide of photos and talk about what is important to us for 20 seconds)
• Dia de Los Reyes – we had the traditional bread and hot chocolate to celebrate (if you find the baby Jesus in the bread, you have to throw a party)
• Yoga on the rooftop
• I’m starting private Spanish lessons next week!
• Some unique conversation starters:
  • “Describe your dragon” – if you had a dragon, what color would it be and what special trait would it have?
  • “What’s your favorite scent?”
  • “What would be your super power?”
  • “What’s your surface level RY goal – what’s your deeper level goal?”
  • Two truths and a lie

Worked Remotely

First week back was busy! But…I’ve already used the robot, Slack video chat, Join.me, my cool headset for calls through my computer, Duo, Skype, WhatsApp and Toy Mail (with my nephew). Project Fi has been working wonderfully too. I already feel like a pro (thanks to Alex)!

WIFI on the patio doesn’t suck.

Learned About Other Careers

Did you know that Innovation Consultants exist? I had a conversation with a Creative Strategist for USA Today and her old VP quit and became an Innovation Consultant. She goes around to companies and helps them to research trends and products that they should be offering for specific clients, or focuses internally. I’m going to look into this more! Apparently there is someone here who used to be one.

Quite a few freelance programmers here and even someone from New Zealand who works for a VR/gaming company…and a professional hacker?

There are two novelists – one is writing a romance novel.

Tried Something New

I ate grasshoppers…I don’t recommend this.

Went to this grungy, punk bar (Caradura) thinking there’d be a band to see – nope, it was lead singers from Mexican bands DJing and lip syncing to their favorite American music (like Blink 182, All American Rejects, Fall Out Boy). My roommate and I were the only white girls, but at least we were able to sing along with the crowd (who knew EVERY word).

Reality Set In 

There have been some major protests happening here due to the rise in gas prices. We’ve been avoiding certain areas and there a are a lot of police around, but it’s been quite a reality check that we are a part of this culture now – we’re not just tourists.

Speaking of being aware, one of us ventured a little too far out, by himself, and it did not end well for him. He is a photographer and was trying to get a shot from the top of an old church…he must have been followed and was jumped. All of his equipment, watch and wallet were stolen and he was knocked unconscious. Our program leaders and city managers went to his rescue immediately and he is doing fine, but what a reminder to us all that this can happen.

The beauty in it is that someone organized a little fundraiser and we all Venomed donations to help him buy back some equipment that won’t be covered by insurance. Our Meraki family raised $1,200 for him within a couple days. Felt very Kindle-y : )

So, how’s your week been?