12 April 2013

Diario de una funcionaria pública apartidaria en Bolivia - IV - Mediocridad e ineficiencia

Entre las fórmulas clásicas de sub desarrollo, el combo MEDIOCRIDAD + INEFICIENCIA, deben ser una de las razones prioritarias de que la situación de estancamiento y conformismo... NUNCA CAMBIE!

En las experiencias previas que tuve de trabajo (que incluyen trabajos fuera de Bolivia), el quedarse más de 8 horas al día en la oficina indica ineficiencia. Sin embargo en Bolivia, uno que se quede más de las 8 horas (así este jugando, chateando o viendo videos) es calificado o visto como "eficiente", "esforzado", "dedicado" y quien sabe que otro mito más.

Pero eso si, cuando las papas queman y a los directores o jefes les pasan la cuenta de semejante sistema de trabajo....tiemblen inocentes y culpables! Pagaran todos con la misma moneda.  

En nuestro sistema, al mediocre e ineficiente no se le llama ni la atención! al contrario se llama la atención a TODOS, incluidos los pocos que si responden y que en 8 horas de trabajo diario cumplen sus objetivos programados. 

Programar, organizar y sistematizar. Son atributos que muchos funcionarios públicos parecen repeler y si pueden evitarlos, mejor.  Al contrario, intentaran justificarse a toda costa sobre el trabajo no ejecutado a tiempo. 

Fruto de toda esta desorganización, se impone el trabajo en sábado, sin sueldo. Si fuera una de estos individuos, no me quedaría más que agachar mi cabeza y cumplir las obligaciones que no desempeñé responsablemente durante la semana.

Sin embargo, TENGO MI VIDA PROPIA en sábados. A raíz de ello, como persona honesta y profesional responsable, programo lo que tengo que hacer en la semana para cumplir mis metas. No encuentro razón para ser puesta en el mismo pozo que el resto y más aún no encuentro explicación de como esta gente no recibe ni una llamada de atención!

Las palabras que más asustan a los directores y jefes en este medio son: Proceso! La idea de que puedan aplicar una medida correctiva y en contra ataque que la persona "ofendida" les inicie un proceso administrativo o laboral, los cohíbe de realmente corregir. Actitud más cobarde no comprenderé jamás.

Y mientras tanto el sistema seguirá espantando a gente eficiente que sabe trabajar y los mismos mediocres de siempre, acostumbrados a reaccionar sólo cuando se sienten amenazados o atacados, seguirán viciando y alimentándose de ineficiencia.

08 February 2013

Cult to Carnival ... No wonder why Bolivia is where it is!

Yesterday I was about to go to have a meeting with my girl friends, though for them it was "comadres" (a pre-celebration of carnival, a meeting among women, where in most cases they get drunk). Then I check my mail and there it is....an official INSTRUCTIVE from the External Relations Ministry. The objective of this one? CHALLA!!



This instructive invites all authorities to a big celebration and to all public workers to come disguised and ready to party. See that? half day off to worship carnival. And 2 entire holidays to celebrate and adore Bacchus and other deities (selfishness, envy, gluttony, lust...)

I am totally surprised of maybe I finally realized that specifically this country is about THE CULT TO CARNIVAL!  We have a big holiday for it, people will scratch their pockets in order to have the main "ingredients" for the celebration, condoms will be distributed like there is no tomorrow, costumes will be ready and even decoration will go around. 

Of course I've been walking a different path for the last 2 years, once that has demanded from me more than I thought. I've surrounded my life to follow Christ and 3 weeks ago I've decided to start my path and become a consecrated lay woman.

Now this might be a good and probably the main fundamental reason why I'm so shocked about all the fuss around me and carnival. I'm just wondering that all these carnival fanatics (that in other times during the year mock, criticize and feel proud to be agnostics or even atheists) that also include pseudo Catholics; if they could put half the effort they do in these celebrations, and 1/16th of their joy into pursue the greater Jof of God.... I wonder how much different this country would be. 

By now, I just have to close my eyes and keep on walking! Soon I'll feel again everybody's hangover and I'll be heading to my desert during Lent. 

While reading Ezekiel.... I can only conclude that it is easier to take the soft yoke of the Cross than to challenge a mighty God while worshiping all the pleasures your flesh desires (out of lack of self control).

Ezekiel 16:

36 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you poured out your lust and exposed your naked body in your promiscuity with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children’s blood, 37 therefore I am going to gather all your lovers, with whom you found pleasure, those you loved as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you in front of them, and they will see you stark naked. 38 I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood; I will bring on you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger. 39 Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you stark naked. 40 They will bring a mob against you, who will stone you and hack you to pieces with their swords. 41 They will burn down your houses and inflict punishment on you in the sight of many women. I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers. 42 Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry.

43 “‘Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices?

16 January 2013

Diario de una funcionaria pública apartidaria en Bolivia - II

El Apocalipsis a la Boliviana

El pasado 21 de diciembre de 2012, muchos creyeron (ilusamente) que el fin del mundo ya sucedía  Sin embargo, en Bolivia el verdadero apocalipsis se da entre el 21 y 22 de enero de cada año. Al parecer (puesto que no estuve acá para "vivirlo"), el 22 se conmemora la "fundación" del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia. Es en esta fecha también donde la piscina partidaria se revuelve y los busca pegas hacen hasta lo imposible para aferrarse a la mamadera. 

Usarán cualquier estrategia para mantenerse de pie y desterrar a quien esté debajo de ellos y no les agrade. Literal... no les agrade. Olvídese de ser profesional y comportarse con una mínima dosis de ética profesional. Acá eso no cuenta! 

Actualmente me toca experimentar el conflicto entre mi jefa de dirección y el propio viceministro (vaya a saber cuantos mas estén en la olla). ¿Cuál es el conflicto? No tengo idea, pero llegaron los comentarios de que tiene mucho que ver con rencillas personales. ¿Y esto qué me importa? Francamente debería valerme 3 cacahuates y seguir haciendo lo que debo hacer, total que no es mi bronca y menos me importa si me corren bajo sueños de "lealtades" o pendejadas similares.

Sin embargo, hoy quise mandar un fax a una institución en Santa Cruz, a la cual pedimos un informe sobre algo que uno de sus investigadores hizo y cuasi publicó! (¿Cuándo aprenderemos que tiene que haber publicaciones reales?). Al no tener respuesta de ellos por un mes, decidí enviar otra carta y pues como acá todo sigue en la era de los picapiedra.... no queda de otra que emplear un fax. La novedad esta vez?. Para enviar un fax hay que pedir una nota (chotas notas) o mi director tiene que hablar con otro director para que nos deje usar su maquina de fax. 

Mi nota de fax no afecta ni añade nada a mi jefa o al viceministro.... pero me pregunto porque cuernos tienen que bloquear el trabajo del personal técnico por sus broncas personales? En el país de locos, el rendimiento laboral no se mide por tu verdadera capacidad profesional, pero por tu llunkerio y cuanto aplaudas y beses el piso de los mal llamados "lideres". 

Mientras tanto, un gen con resistencia a ciertas plagas en el sorgo, que se desarrolló en Bolivia y que podría representar un tipo de beneficio a las comunidades en donde crece este espécimen, será patentado bajo el ala de una de las poderosas y generará grandes ganancias... a OTROS! no a los Bolivianos. 

BRAVO Presidente!! usted ha amaestrado magníficamente a sus "lideres" para entorpecer con sus conflictos infantiles el progreso y mejora de un país.

03 January 2013

Diario de una funcionaria pública apartidaria en Bolivia - I

Uno siempre se puede preguntar cómo ser la diferencia en un país que está plagado de corrupción, mediocridad y mentiras. Cuando acepté un trabajo en una dependencia de un Ministerio del actual Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, el reto era ser el cambio, no parte del mismo.

Como lo supuse, el estribillo que el gobierno  lanza a los cuatro vientos sobre estar ejerciendo un “proceso de cambio” no es más que una pantalla. Es cierto que la parte técnica y las largas horas de lectura (para ponerme al día y entender los vacíos ocasionados por la discontinuidad de personal) me engancharon. Elaborar informes técnicos se me hizo sencillo, aunque tropecé con el problema de no contar con el poder de la información. Aun así, fundamentar opiniones o respaldar un caso de biopiratería no son complejos cuando uno entiende la situación más allá de los límites fronterizos.

Al mismo tiempo, y aunque no lo consideré, me encuentro realizando un programa (no certificado)  sobre administración pública. Lamento confirmar que en efecto, el sistema de comunicación, documentación, archivo, siguen siendo precarios. Me siento muchas veces como una Vilma Picapiedra, enviando a un pajarito a que mande el mensaje y esperar que este no se pierda en el camino.

Resulta irónico que los funcionarios públicos de cargos más jerárquicos, se sienten con toda la potestad de exigir que se elabore nuevamente una carta entera, simplemente porque la persona que la transcribió cometió el  error de nombrar a un licenciado,  ingeniero. ¡Y olvídese!  Sus notas podrán ser devueltas si no incluyo una muesca, si el margen no es bajo el formato caprichoso que manejan o no utilizó el tipo correcto de letra. Una nota, carta, informe no llegó a destino? Lo invito a bucear en el fabuloso bosque manglar del CITEC. Si tiene suerte, encontrará su hoja de ruta y podrá ver la cantidad de monitos que se necesitaron para que esta fuera sellada más de 3 veces y por tanto la razón de la demora en llegar a destino.

La productividad no es medida en cuanto a la calidad de los productos requeridos, pero por un relojito marcador, que una vez activado bien puede ser sólo un saludo a la bandera. En muchos paseos a otras unidades del Ministerio me ha tocado llegar justo a la hora del “refrigerio”, que curiosamente parece durar de 9 a 11:30 y de 3 a 5:30….lo que nos deja con míseras horas de trabajo real. Pero eso sí! A usted lo controlarán deshumanamente. Tiene una emergencia de familia? Un accidente? Que Dios tenga piedad de su situación, pues el personal de recursos humanos y los miembros del “control” social, no encontrarán sus razones personales válidas.

De todo, lo que más asco me ha provocado son sus famosos cobros, o como son llamados acá: Aportes ”Voluntarios”. ¿Y para qué es utilizado este dinero? Campañas políticas, “canastones” y sabrá Dios a quién más estamos beneficiando.  Lo más descarado, es escucharlos decir ante cámaras y micrófonos: No somos un gobierno corrupto. Cuando estos aportes “voluntarios” sean registrados en planilla y realmente se conviertan en voluntarios, reconsideraré mi posición.  En la foto? la última de las beneficiarias de nuestro aporte "voluntario"... que desesperación! que no dejan al trabajador ganarse y gastarse su sueldo como le de la gana! 3% arrebatado para las manecitas de otra inutil.


30 December 2011

Everything will be ALL RIGHT!!

There hast to be something MAGICAL about this song. No matter how messed up a week turned out, or how much anger, frustration I've experienced. This song has a magic formula to put a smile back in my face and give me an extra push to solve the problems, find alternatives and stand up again to keep walking. To sing it out loud with a microphone and in front of others, without giving a dang what others say... that just completes the day and the last week of 2011.

READY, SET, GO!!!

29 December 2011

Lebst Du noch??

Lügende Mann... Ich habe gedacht du warst ein bisschen wahr. Immer lustig, immer doof. Ich wollte nicht wissen alles was du versteckst. Ein Küss war gut für mich. Nichts mehr. Aber du wolltest mehr.

Ich kann nicht mehr geben. Nicht wenn ich habe gemerkt...du bist noch ein andere verrückte Mann. Weißt du was du willst? was du fühlst? Kleine Junge, in diesen Welt du bist ganz verloren. What a waist of life!

Ich glaube du bist tot.

13 December 2011

Silly smile

End of year is around the corner, and here I am, sitting where ever I can get free WIFI to send one more job application....and a silly smile in my face. 

It seems impossible or should I say: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL... AND A JOKE FOREVER??? I recognize I have certain of permeability now in my life and I feel that something is repelling (or trying at least) to push away this silly smile, this longing for an ohh-DEER!!

My subconscious is MEAN, MEAN, MEAN! It play these ridiculous tricks on me. The other day I woke up from a dream where I was dancing "Let's dance, the last dance toniiiiiiight...'cos I need you.." with no other than the one who is allergic or genetically incompatible with dance. Yet we were able to hike.

The song from Sasha "Rueda mi mente" rewinds and plays once more:
Dicen tus ojos algo               Your eyes say something
muero de curiosidad              I die out of curiosity
como seguirte al paso?         How to follow his step?
como saber a donde vas?     How to know where does he go?
Casi no te conozco                I hardly know you
y no te dejo de pensar           And I can stop thinking about you

There is a SIGNIFICANT difference this time. A sort of spell in my heart, mind and soul. Yes, I enjoy the laugh, the talks, the company but my whole being doesn't feel like running and jumping into the big gap. I'm walking, tasting slowly... who says it all has to end always in the same alley?
Silly smile!

03 December 2011

Life carries on....

DSC02959 by rodrigogzz
DSC02959, a photo by rodrigogzz on Flickr.

and on. Pablo and Jorge are now toddlers. The baby faces are gone. Their world has been "invaded" by Daniel, but I hope they learn to share and care each other.

Praying (like a crazy!) every Friday and Saturday in front of the abortion clinic, I can only feel blessed to have these kids connected to my life.

For LIFE never ceases to amaze me, and the more I see and live it, the more I BELIEVE!

01 December 2011

A Sign, when you need one!

"Conflict is a sign of life. Only those who are engaged enough to care enter into such conflict." © Bryan Froehle, 2011

:)

01 November 2011

Outside like all, inside like no one else!

Sister Lucia used to repeat this phrase in her humble and simple life. Though I live in this world, I now know that this is not home. 

Yesterday I heard 2 shocking things. One that one should get married with a pre-nup. THEN WHY EVEN GET MARRIED???? Marriage in this US society (and extends to other cultures as well) is nothing but a legal/human institution. Its creation and how it started has been forgotten, erased or just ignored. Marriage before God's people, didn't exist. This symbol, was not given to mock it or even worst, to use it only for our own SELFISH benefit. Who ever thinks about getting married in terms of the big dress, ring and party; or in terms of having secure sex every night....should consider the legal figure of CIVIL UNION, not MARRIAGE! and there, you can use your ridiculous pre-nup that screams how much you were hurt in your past relationships (go figure how much you hurt others too). 

The second thing was slavery in our days or human traffic. Apparently Russian families are selling their daughters to PIGS under the idea of providing them a better life in US. Oh the crashed american dream!. Paying $5000 they have a pseudo-wife-prostitute-made-"companion"-cook-go-figure. Paying for any human life... isn't this SLAVERY??? 

"oh no, you are doing a favor to those families" REALLY???

Human relativism won't stop amazing me, how low and corrupted humans can fall.

10 April 2011

John 11: 40-42

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

I keep asking that You can grant me the gift to heal my impatient. More than just that, You know my other wish. Until today I've only done it thinking at the same time that was not possible. You remind me that what is asked with faith and from the goodness You feed us in our hearts it is not just considered, but it has already been GRANTED.

For Vanessa, Daniela, Amanda and Chiu. You know us better than anyone, You know our strength and our weakness. Give us according to what You believe is best for us. Bless them and bless those who are not yet in our lives. For our Love and Peace, amen.

08 April 2011

INTERDISCIPLINARY ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WILD PEANUT, POTATO, AND QUINOA RELATIVES IN BOLIVIA


By Cecilia Gonzalez-Paredes

21 April 2011 at 1:00pm in GIOS 401

Committee: Ann Kinzig (Chair), Rimjhin Aggarwal, and Netra Chhetri



ABSTRACT

Since the Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1992, more importance has been given to the conservation of genetic resources in the international community. In 2001, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) focused on conserving plant genetic resources, including crop wild relatives (CWR). Some of these genetic resources hold desirable traits—such as transfer of plant disease resistance, improvement of nutritional content, or increased resistance to climate change--that can improve commercial crops. For many years, ex situ conservation was the prevalent form of protecting plant genetic resources. However, after PGRFA was published in 1998, in situ techniques have increasingly been applied to conserve wild relatives and enhance domesticated crops. In situ techniques are preferred when possible, since they allow for continued evolution of traits through natural selection, and viability of seed stock through continuous germination and regeneration.

In my research, I identified regions in Bolivia and rated them according to their potential for successful programs of in situ conservation of wild crop relatives. In particular, I analyzed areas according to the following criteria:

a. The prevalence of CWRs

b. The impacts of climate change, land use change, population growth, and economic development on the continued viability of CWRs in an area

c. The socio-political and economic conditions that might impede or facilitate successful conservation programs and outcomes.

This work focuses on three genera of particular importance in Bolivia: Peanut (Arachis spp.), Potato (Solanum spp.) and Quinoa (Chenopodium spp.). I analyzed the above factors for each municipality in Bolivia (the smallest scale for which appropriate data were available). The results indicate which municipalities are most likely to successfully engage in CWR conservation projects. Finally, I present guidelines for the creation of conservation projects that pinpoint some of the potential risks and difficulties with in situ conservation programs in Bolivia and more generally.

04 March 2011

Moved for good

I've moved my personal and more intimate thoughts from this blog.

Moved for good to: http://cegzz.blogspot.com/

25 February 2011

Defeated..... NOT!!


I found the courage and the day. I'm no longer lost and even less lost in confusion. Ironically, I do recognize I'm not nearly as close as I would like to have solutions or answers in my head. Still, these two things are now over.


I started this blog almost 7 years ago, after my heart was broken. Ever since then, most of the posts made reference to my ups and downs in life, usually linked to a love life I tend to NOT have. For some women, I'm sort of a role model as I've done what "I wanted" and have gone wherever the wind carried me. Honestly? I never planned all this, it just happened. I did wish to travel, but who would have thought I was going to go so far in the most unexpected ways.

Seven is the perfect number, and it is time to move on. In the middle of some tears and melancholy days, I've found once more the source that has always shine light over me. The same light, that sheltered me so many times when I was alone and lost in confusion. It is transition time again, finishing my thesis and have to start to pack again.

I'm still lost in some issues. Lost in a deep sea of questions, ideas, dreams, hopes and wishes. But not confused. I'm lost to all those lonely nights wishing the impossible, lost to those persons who reject me for my faith, lost to the guys who think they don't deserve my love and company, lost to the world full of lies and created stories. Lost to the fake causes that claim to be for the better good of all. Lost to whomever tries to lie cheat or play with me.

For years, I've lost my life to my desires, my whims, my fragile emotions and sand dreams. It seemed good and correct for so many years. I had to fall down and deep to find out that if I had keep in that track I would have lost my first and most treasured gift.... life.

I’ve come to this life, not to suffer, not to slave myself into the world. But I’ve come to do my creators will. I may die and never understand what exactly that was, but life and years are giving me examples that through my life and in my small size, I’ve touched peoples’ life. It is by grace I have done this, and it is been done when I have abandoned my life into His hands.

So why keep wondering so many unspoken questions and doubts, why try to keep my self in this confusion? I guess it was self-pity or just a way to hide from my real call. Enough!

In God’s love, I’ve been proved that only being humble and meek is when my life has been more useful to others and made me happy. Humble, patient, meek and ready to love. For this love is not mine or is not borne in my guts. It is granted and has to flow free as it has been flowing into me. No more lost in confusion, from this day on, I’m following my Love.