Wow... One year later!

This week is very special for me. It's a milestone in my life.
It was one year ago this week that I gave up everything to follow my dreams and start a new life in Colombia. I remember selling the house, the car, giving away just about everything in my home, packing 5 bags, and going to the airport. It was a hot, sunny day on the day I left Miami. I remember walking through my little house in Miami Shores one last time, feeling so uncertain about the decision I had made to go. My friend Jim Robinson, a cameraman at CBS in Miami, drove me to the airport. As we pulled out of my driveway, I could feel the knot in my stomach. There was no turning back. What would my new life in Colombia hold? Would I be happy? Did I make the right decision?

One year later, I can say that I have no regrets. It was the BEST choice I ever made in my life. The road getting to where I am at now has been hard (and filled with huecos just like the streets of Bogota) but it's been worth it. I reported on Colombia's biggest stories, worked for both of Colombia's biggest networks, created the News in English, made wonderful friends, partied like a rock star, and now life a more rich life. I remember going to Juan Valdez Cafe at Andino to shoot the Pilot for "Donde estas el Gringo." After we knocked out the stand-ups, this paisa guy came up to me with a big smile and said "I think its so great what you are trying to do for my country." And then he told me, "Here in Colombia, it's about adding life to your years, not years to your life." I'll never forget those words. They are so true. Two weeks ago, I heard something else that's so true. "You have to give up with you love, to get what you really love." Wow. Powerful. True. Now, I really love it here. Every day, when I look at the mountains, I am reminded that I am in love with the country. When I was in Huila last week driving through the mountains, I was reminded that I am in love with Colomiba. When I have my coffee at a little tienda, or am sitting in a taxi fighting traffic down the 30 to RCN, I am reminded how much I love the country.

And... each time I get an email from a viewer telling me how happy they are to see Colombia's news in english... and how we try to show the good things happening here, I am happy knowing my work is finally making a difference.

So, my first year in Colombia...
I overcame major hurdles, I learned patience, I learned a new language, I learned a new way of doing things, I created my dream job at the best network in the country, and realized there is one place in the world that truely makes me happy: Colombia.

This Saturday, December 6th, we are going to have a get-together with the RCN News in English staff at Divina Bar in Usaquen starting at 7pm. Cra, 5 119 - 47. 612-5202. Please join us!