So, I was robbed...

11 Nov 20 - Robbed at El Valle (1) 

Two weekends ago, my family was robbed while vacationing in our country house in El Valle (a mountain area of Panama). I've been going back and forth whether I should write about this or not since I like to keep my blog happy and positive. In the end, I decided it was best to come clean and tell you all about it.

Basically what happened was that a thief broke into our home while we were sleeping and robbed several of our things. This person stole a smartphone and cash from my brother; and also stole my smartphone, my videocamera, my professional camera, and my cash. In total, the thief stole a about $3,000 worth of things. 

11 Nov 20 - Robbed at El Valle (2)  

The worst (or perhaps the best) part of it all was that all of this happened while we were sleeping. We didn't realize that we had been robbed until we woke up the next morning to find our kitchen door wide open and many of our belongings gone. It is kind of creepy to think that this random person was walking around my bed while I was sleeping. Thank God I didn't wake up, I'm not sure how I would have reacted to that situation.

Needless to say, I was completely bummed out about it all. These are MY things you know? I worked really hard to pay for that Professional Camera and it was something I used every single day for my blog. It was kind of gross to think that some stranger had my things, was touching it, and was looking through my photos and videos (oh yes, there were some photos and videos in those cameras).

11 Nov 20 - Robbed at El Valle (3)  

I was kind of depressed for several days to be honest. I felt very nervous all the time and I had many nightmares of strangers walking around my bed and/or being robbed. But you know how I got over it? By reminding myself that the most important thing is that everyone was safe. The situation could have been MUCH worse, and I am so happy that all of my family members are ok. That is by far the most important thing.

11 Nov 20 - Robbed at El Valle (4)  

Sooooo, there is my story. You don't have to worry, I'm over the whole robbery thing now. In fact, as you could see from my outfit photos, I'm back to my cheerful happy self. Why shouldn't I be happy when my entire family is safe and sound?! The things that got robbed can be replaced, but my family is irreplaceable. That's the way I see it ;) 

11 Nov 20 - Robbed at El Valle (5)

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54 comments

  1. You always have an amazing attitude which I really admire.I am so glad everyone is safe. You are right-things can be replaced. God bless!

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  2. Wow, that is terrifying that someone was walking around your house, your room while you  were all sleeping, that would give me nightmares for months! (actually, this is one of my greatest fears!)  I'm so happy that you all are okay and that the only thing lost was your possessions, although that really is awful about your camera! 

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  3. Good thinking! That's what I tell myself when I lose something. Like when my car was totalled. At least my fiance and our friend are okay. I think we always need to be open to thinking about looking at things in a different perspective. I'm glad you and your family are okay! :)

    xo,
    janmloves.blogspot.com
    I'm having a giveaway on my blog if you're interested. :)

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  4. Holy moly! How scary!! What a good outlook you are having though. You would rather have your family than a fancy camera any day :) I hope things are looking up for you now!!

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  5. Ew creepy. Glad everyone's safe!

    xo Ashley
    luckylittlebird.blogspot.com

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  6. Stay strong indeed, Marie. I've experienced the same before.
    Good thing you guys are safe. Don't let it get you down indeed. :)

    ~Chai
    http://chenmeicai.blogspot.com
    http://lookbook.nu/chenmeicai
    http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2957855
    http://www.nuffnangx.com/user/hJK222B
     

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  7. I'm sorry about the break in.  I'm glad that your family is safe!

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  8. I'm so sad for you, at least you got over it, and you and your family are safe, that's in fact what matters.

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  9. love that you show your sense of humor in your photos...amazing and beautiful

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  10. Wow, Marie, I read something about this on your Twitter and was wondering whether you would post something about it or not. It's absolutely horrible that there are people who would do something like this, steal stuff from people who worked really hard to get those things in the first place... But, at the end of the day, you are absolutely right: you and your family are all okay, and that's something that is much more important than 'things', which you can replace. I'm really really happy you and your family are okay and I admire you for your continuing positivity! Don't let this horrible event keep you down.. You know what they say: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger; and I'm glad to see this applies to you as well! :)

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  11. Thats really sad but i am glad all of you are safe. Is theft common in Panama ? And i  am thankfull that you shared this here cos it keeps the blog "real".

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  12. Viviana Alma Falcone MolinelliNovember 21, 2012 at 12:17 AM

    love your bracelets! xo, Alma
     http://www.soulofashopper.com

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  13.  Hii!! Thank you for being so kind. Actually, Panama is a very safe country compared to other LatinAmerican countries. Of course, no country is perfect and people get robbed from time to time, but in general it is pretty safe. Thanks for your support and nice wishes :)

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  14.  Hi Jody! Thank you so much and you are totally right. My family is all ok and this is what keeps me happy and cheerful. I'm lucky enough I guess that this Friday is Black Friday, so hopefully I will be able to buy new cameras and such at a lower price. Thank you so much Jody for always being so supportive and nice to me, I really appreciate you.

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  15.  Thank you so much!!

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  16.  Thank you very much! Yes, that IS what matters. I'm happy that we are all safe. Like I said, everything else I can just buy again at some point. Thanks for your kind wishes :)

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  17.  Thank you Rebecca, that is very kind of you!

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  18.  Thank you Ashley! Yes me too, Im glad we are all ok :)

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  19.  Thank you so much! Yes, that is definitely the case. I would rather they steal everything we own than hurt my parents or one of my brothers (or even our dog for that matter... haha). Thanks for your support :)

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  20.  Thank you Jan! It makes me happy to see that you have adopted the same mentality in your life as well. Its the only way to be happy don't you think? Life throughs you curve balls and you have to roll with the punches. Thanks for stopping by and being so nice :)

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  21.  Thank you Katie! Yeah, it is definitely a very creepy situation. The good thing is that my home in the city has an alarm system, so it isn't posible for someone to come in without me knowing it. You should try one someday, it really gives some peace of mind when sleeping. Thanks for being so supportive and sweet :)

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  22.  Thank you!!! It makes me increeeeedibly happy to hear that you admire my positive attitude, I'm so flattered. Thanks for being so sweet :)

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  23. Ah, Black Friday, the best excuse to go on a good shopping spree! ;) And hopefully you will be able to find some new cameras for a good price, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! And no problem, you're a great person, Marie, you deserve it! :)

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  24. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this! It's really not the same at all, but my car was broken into on the street near my apartment 4 times in a period of about 2 months. I felt so violated to go outside and find my car with all of my belongings scattered around as the thieves looked for cash or valuables. One time, they even broke my window and my now-husband's car window on the same day! It makes you feel icky and violated, but you're right - the fact that everyone is safe is the most important thing!

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  25. You have a very good outlook in life Marie and i so respect you for that. U are right, material things can be replaced. Ur family's safety is the most important here. :) i just dont understand how some people can sleep at night knowing they got something that doesn't belong to them.

    Keep safe always.

    www.celerhinaaubrey.com

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  26. Hi Marie, I read your post last night and you are still on my mind glad you are okay and so is your family. But maybe I can help you with a tip. If any of the smarthphones were apple, you can trace the location of it and perhaps you can get your items back. All you need to do is the find my phone application and you just sign in with your apple id and password and It will tell you the exact location of the phone. And you can even lock it! Hope that helps, if not I hope you find some good deals this Black Friday! Stay positive!

    -Karen
    Www.littlemisscibelle.com

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  27. Love your blog!! So happy I found it but gutted for you! Thank god you are ok!Would love to follow eachother on Bloglovin' & GFC! Check out my blog and let me know what you think.www.kellyjade.co.ukKelly xoxoxo

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  28. I am glad to hear that you were able to get over the robbery and to hear that you all are safe! I don't know what I would have done either if I woke up! You never know what they would have had on them. :( 
    Were you ever able to catch the thief?  I would be worried for my personal information though than the items being replaced LOL Glad to hear you and your family is ok though! :) 

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  29. Oh my goodness, Marie!!! Thank goodness you're okay... I mean, that's obviously horrible that they got away with so much stuff, but I'm just really glad you're okay. I'm glad you didn't wake up, either! :( There are some awful people in this world. I love that you're still so positive through this and can still find the silver lining. You really are lovely, you know that? :)

    Here's to hoping there's a chance you'll get your things back or that these robbers are aprehended or something! Even if not, at least you're safe and well. <3

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  30. Since there's no turning back just keep with the good spirits: everyone is ok, and after all, that's what really matters.

    The world is kinda crazy these days, but if we give up thinking positive, depression is all we get. I'm really sorry for your "lost" things, but lets just keep positiv thoughts, life goes on.Hope your nightmares are gone.Beijos de Portugal ;)

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  31. So glad all is safe.. Thats the best thing ever!!

    Thanks for passing by at my blog.. Wanna follow each other?.. Keep in touch! Kisses..

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  32. very nice post dear!!

    httpa;//marylovesthat.blogspot.com/

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  33. thank you so much!. <3 omg that's terrible! but I'm so glad that you and your family are all okay...like you said that's what really matters! :)  you look as pretty as always! xx

    http://day-dreameer.blogspot.pt/

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  34. That is so scary, I can't imagine how horrible it must feel to have been invaded like that.
    You are right, it could have been worse, your family is safe, and the thief didn't even take your computer full of all your personal things and photos.  Still, really horrible. I hope this thief didn't rob you of your ability to feel safe in your home.

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  35. Oh I am sorry, but I guess like you said keep it joyful!

    www.peach-punch.com

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  36.  Thank you so much for being so understanding Lyddie. I did feel very invaded and unsafe for a while, but luckily my city house has an alarm system, so I feel much safer that way. You are so kind, thanks for your thoughtful comment ;)

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  37.  Thank you Catarina!! Yes, I'm so happy that my family is ok. Thanks for stopping by ;)

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  38.  Thank you Marie, yes that is definitely what matters. I appreciate your kind words!

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  39.  Thank you so so much for being so kind and sweet Teresa, I really appreciate your words of encouragement. Thankfully I have gotten over the whole robbery and I'm back to my positive cheerful self. Thanks so much for the support!

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  40.  Thank you SOOO much Ali, you are just too sweet!! Yes, I'm happy as well that we are all ok, that is all that matters. Everything else can just be replaced. Thanks so so much ;)

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  41.  Thank you so much Heidi! Nope, the thief wasn't caught. But at least we are all ok. Thanks for your sweet comment and for being so understanding all the time, you are such a sweet person.

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  42.  Thanks for your kind words Kelly, glad to hear you like my blog ;)

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  43.  Oh that sounds teeeerrible Kimberly!! I'm so so sorry you had to go through that. I'm sure you felt so violated and frustrated. I understand how you feel. At least we are both safe. Thanks for your understanding comment, you are so kind.

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  44. I know I'm way behind in commenting, but I kept this in my reader because I knew I needed to come and leave you a comment. I'm so sorry that happened to you and your family. Thank GOODNESS no one was hurt. I can't imagine the invasion to your privacy and how insecure it must feel in the one place that is supposed to be your haven. <3

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  45.  Thank you Sarah, I really appreciate your kind words of understanding. It definitely was very shocking and uncomfortable. But like you said, at least we are all safe and sound, thats what really matters. Thanks so much for keeping me in your thoughts and for your words of encouragement ;)

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  46. Oh my goodness. So glad to hear that you and your family are safe. I know losing things like that is a pain, but they're things. Family and safety is what's important.

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  47. Oh I am sorry to hear this Marie - the exact same thing happened to a friend and her family in Coronado. They think that the thieves probably sprayed something through the air conditioner because NOBODY woke up. I think that like for them and for you, the best was that nobody woke up because like you say you really do not know how you will react. Glad to know everyone is ok-

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  48. i am so sorry to hear about this.  i can completely understand that feeling of knowing someone has been through your things from when my car was broken into.  it is such a terrible feeling.  i hope that you have found a way to get past this experience and you will be able to replace your cameras in time.  i can't imagine how terrifying it would have been if one of your family members had woken up.  that just gives me chills!

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  49.  Thank you so much! Yes, you are completely right, things can be bought again but family is the irreplaceable! Thanks for your kind words ;)

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  50.  Thank you so much for your kind words Lorena. I'm so sorry to hear that happened to your friends as well in Coronado. Its funny you mention the sleeping gas, the police said the same thing. I guess its all for the better like you say, I wouldn't want to wake up! Thanks again for your sweet wishes.

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  51.  Thank you so much Heidi! I really appreciate your support. Yeah, I'm SO happy that I didn't wake up. I'm so sorry about your car being broken into, I remember reading that on your blog. At least we are both safe and sound, thats what's important :)

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  52. this is terrible! boo to the people who stole from you, and made you feel less safe. that is so wrong. :(

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  53. Thank you for your kind words of support Teddi. Like they say, these things happen right? I'm just happy to have my family safe and sound. Thank you!

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  54.  Thank you so much for your kind wishes. I really appreciate it ;)

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