Hey all! Hilja and I made it on the UPEACE Newsflash at http://www.upeace.org/newsflash/June12.html

Realizing that this life-changing experience called UPEACE was about to end, the two of us decided that it was necessary to give back to the community of Costa Rica. What better way to do this than by giving to those who need the most! This is where the idea of “Operation Leaving and Giving” came about. We are excited to say "Operation Leaving and Giving" is underway and now all of us are getting the opportunity to give back to the community and use what we have learned all year regarding compassion, service, and generosity into practice. We are currently seeking donations from all of those interested in donating items such as clothing and accessories, school supplies, bathroom and bedroom articles, and other items to places such as the HIV/AIDS Center, an Orphanage, a Battered Women's Shelter, and various other centers that would be very grateful for such donations. Many students have already donated items, and we are happy to say that the boxes in the hallway are filling-up just as the hearts of those who you will be donating to will as they receive your unconditional giving.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF ME IN CASE MOST OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT SEEN ME IN A WHILE CAN REMEMBER WHAT I LOOK LIKE!

Can you believe it? I have a female fashion line named after me- REYNA! I went to Houston for Easter and to participate in the Grand Opening of Spasso (Serhat's new clothing store). We has a grand opening with champagne and close to 1,000 people showed up for the fashion show. After that, we went to the Envy Magazine monthly release party where SPASSO clothing was debude.

The clothing is beautiful with gorgeous European male style clothing and female clothing and accessories. The shirts have the name REYNA printed in different form on the shirts. WOW! What a dream.

I never imagined how beautiful my life was going to turn out. I am so grateful for life each and every day!

Yey!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture of Pujya, Daniel and Me during a demonstration that we had for limiting Small Arms Trafficking. We took a class in Weapons of Mass Destruction and Small Arms where we got to examine how WMDs and SALW are surely destroying our land. I live by my quote and each and every day "AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST!"

I just wish people could have the same experience that I have had to see that there are so many things happening in the world that are causing so much damage for no reason. It is important to understand that awarness, knowledge, and compassion for all no matter their race, social class, ethnicity, sex, and religion is what will help us turn our world around. Remember, what you give to the world is what you get!

Think beyond yourself and think about those who might need from you and GIVE! don't take LIVE, LOVE, AND GIVE!!!

Here is a picture of the PRINCESS OF NORWAY and me! We were about to go and live it up Costa Rican style.

Me and Hilja practicing for a Scottish dance at the Costa Rican Country Club. We had so much fun! We danced the whole night and ate some thing that I forgot the name, but Hilja warned not to eat it!

She was my partner the whole night and you cannot imagine that we went to the dance rehearsal wearing sandals etc..without a clue that we were about to doci-do!

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Here is a picture of my class here at the University for Peace. This was a wonderful occasion where we all got together to take a picture. It was a very hot day and it took a long time to get the picture done, but all that matters is we finally got to take a group picture

Can you believe it, finally after 10 years I am on my way to start IConsul©. My dream became a reality when my wonderful friend Ka-Wing (a true genius) said that he would offer his graphic designing and web designing skills to me. This is just the first stage of many stages to come, but I know that I will not accept anything less than what I am committed to. I plan on initiating this venture in 2007. I will work hard to bring opportunity, service, and success to many international students in Houston or Washington. All I can say is, "True detemination and decisions are the catalysts for turning dreams into reality!" I will keep you posted..........

UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE

MASTERS OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL PEACE STUDIES AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

BY: ELIZABETH LISA REYNA

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY INITIATIVES
DATE: 1 MARCH 2006
ADVISOR: DR. AMER ABDALLA AND DR. JENNIFER HAZEN

Thesis Abstract

One of the key challenges to the international stability and prosperity of the United States, in the last couple of years, lies on its response to the ever-increasing international phenomenon of anti-Americanism. This escalating development of subvert ethnic discrimination and overt irrational hostility toward the United States has forced politicians and government officials in Washington DC and embassies around the world to examine the destructive transformation resulting from international public opinion and how such sentiments have had a negative impact on its image around the world. As a result, the United States’ understanding the disastrous effects that anti-Americanism has had on its economy, international image, and on its ability to retain and form international alliances has responded to this escalating epidemic by increasingly investing in a multitude of cultural, educational, and informational initiatives that promote American interests and values abroad. These initiatives, namely U.S. public diplomacy, focus on building mutual understanding and relationships through two-way dialogue. Public diplomacy seeks to promote the national interest and the national security of the United States through understanding, informing, and influencing foreign publics and broadening dialogue between American citizens and institutions and their counterparts abroad in the pursuit of building mutual understanding. Ensuing from 9/11, the United States has allocated millions of federal dollars to public diplomacy initiatives serving so-called international hot spots, such as the Middle East, and has gained considerable merit and attention by congress. This large investment by the United States in international human capital, to promote its political, cultural, and social values, largely revolves around the United States’ need to strengthen ties at the individual, communal, and societal level where such investments assist in preventing and ameliorating future conflict. As a result, building mutual understanding through public diplomacy initiatives by focusing on lessening or eliminating negative strong emotions, misperceptions, stereotypes, poor communication or miscommunication, and repetitive negative behavior assists with this objective. However, the impact that cultural, informational, and academic and educational initiatives have on fulfilling this mission differs greatly. The dynamic embedded in academic initiatives advances intellectual and professional development, total immersion and exposure, and two-way dialogue; thus inherently serving as a long-term success means through which the validity and legitimacy of American cultural, political, and social values are self-assessed, selected, and accepted intrinsically by the individual rather than being imposed on extrinsically.

Here is Hilja and I having a great time during our spontaneous trip to Miami. We had such a great time. We sat on Miami Beach and drank mojitos.

The great thing about the whole experience was this was Hilja's first time in the United States and she came to the conclusion that Americans are all

1. Cuban or Colombian
2. Speak spanish
3. Drink Starbucks
4. Have little white dogs
5. Wear big sun glasses

I am so happy I had the chance to help breakdown stereotypes. Don't you think I did a great job?

See ya!!!!!

Can you imagine this kind of beauty?

This picture is from the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and it symbolizes the tropical beauty that exists within this country.

We went to the coast and spent some wonderful time looking at all of the surfers and the beautiful sunset that you can see.

Am I blessed or what?

Here is my new house! After living with a family for a while, I decided the best thing and most economical thing to do is to move out with some other students to "Las Palmas." It is a beautiful residential property that has a little river running through it and a little jogging path that is so beautiful. I live on the second floor, the room you see in the front. I am so happy to say that moving here was a great decision.

Hey Ya'll!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I am running around with my head cut-off....

Well, I went with my two friends from Norway to Palmares. Palmares is a festival where all the Ticos come to drink like they never have drank before. We had a great time, but I had to leave early after the little rollercoaster ride.

Lisa and Ellen!