Barack.

I’m going to give you a rundown of today because it is worth it. So, my day started off with a one hour hike (it’s one hour each way!) to a nearby town. This hike was actually one of the most beautiful that I’ve done near my site because there was a mini forest. I loved walking through the trees and sweating my ass off. Well once I got to the nearby site we began working on a small mural outside of the health post. The mural is encouraging that community to wash their hands with soap and water. It’s pretty simple but I think worthwhile. When we finish it, maybe I’ll post some pics on here but don’t hold your breath. Well, the most interesting part was the story that my counterpart shared with me. The story was of a little boy that was recently born. Guess what his name is? Yup, Barack. I was fucking laughing my ass off because there is a boy in Peru called Barack. Uhuh, that’s right! After this discovery, I decided that I have to meet him. I will be meeting Barack of Peru in the upcoming weeks. Aren’t you excited too? Haha. So, yea…that’s my story of the day. :)

The one present and a date with milk and cereal.

Original title, ay? So Christmas was pretty blah but that’s ok now. I was pretty Grinch like with the exception of giving one gift. The gift was a set of 100 blocks, Lego-like but way cheaper and bigger, to my host brother of 3 years old. As it turns out, it was a success! I remember I always loved Lego’s growing up and I kinda still love them. It was a success among the 3 year old, the neighbor’s kids, and even the Dad. They are just so addicting and want to build! Haha. So, besides that…nothing much was done on Christmas; ate some Paneton, which is like fruit cake, and oddly, also got a chicken leg at around midnight. Then I went to sleep and got awoken by a phone call from the land of amazing. Thank god for friends( and snacks)!! So yea, lesson of this story: Kids, parents, and EVERYONE love blocks of some sort!

If you are wondering about milk and cereal, well it is pretty much my favorite meal. I was left home alone today with boiled milk and had to make a meal. Luckily, I had been looking forward to this day for a very long time. I had bought cereal (Corn Flakes baby!) the last time I was in my regional capital and had not been able to eat it properly. I was snacking on it but had yet to make my dream come true. It was actually annoying considering how much milk my host family has; we have 2 cows!! Milk straight from the nipple is delicious. Haha. So yea, that was my success story for the week. Now, looking forward to getting through New Year’s day…should be interesting. I won’t jinx it by saying it should be fun but we shall see.

XOXO…Barbarita (that’s what they call me here)

Christmas Eve..Christmas blah.

It’s Christmas Eve and it doesn’t feel like it; AT ALL. It’s not bad, it’s not good; it just is. So what have I been doing on this merry day? Ha. I am almost embarrassed to tell but here goes…I’ve been watching Gossip Girl while babysitting my 3 year old and 10 month old host nephews. That was NOT a joke. GG is an escape and so are those little monsters. Festivities might be big in Peru but not really in my household. I mean it’s not midnight yet so that could be why I haven’t felt the merriness. I’ll keep you all posted.

Can I just say that Christmas music doesn’t do it for me these days? It’s just not the same but I like to torture myself a little. “I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.” Go, Josh Groban!! It’s the most appropriate Christmas song, for me at least.

Keeping my fingers crossed with hopes of merriness on what can be such a great holiday.
…………
Dear Old life,
I miss you today. Thank goodness for god sent Cheez-it white cheddar or this Christmas could have been even harder. Peace out!
Love,
New Life

So, it is a few days before Christmas; 8 to be exact. It’s my first Christmas for a couple of things: 1. Being outside of the USA. Never had I ever passed a Christmas, with or without my family, outside of the States. 2. Being far (and I mean far) away from my family and loved ones. Yup. 3. I think it’s my first Christmas without a Christmas tree. I hope it’s up at my house in Jersey or that would be a true tragedy. 4. Being in Peru! 5. Being in the campo in Peru! Haha. 6. Eating dinner made in a firewood stove. Well, get my point? The list can go on…

So maybe Christmas isn’t what I’m used to. I’m not going to lie but it doesn’t even feel like Christmas here. It could be that I didn’t get to go Willowbrook Mall and see the North Jersey madness while listening to Christmas music in every store I entered. Yea, as much as I hate that shit..it’s part of me and I definitely will NOT be getting that here. Haha. So yea, it’s going to be different (sometimes sad too) but it’ll be fine. Experiences are all we got and I’m just filling myself up with more of them…it’s kinda like getting a shitload of presents. I said..kinda.

Well, I hope that everyone in the land of amazing has an awesome holiday season.
Fo’ real. I am doing well and I can’t wait for the next year. 2010 is going to be the shit. It’ll be the first year I spend more time in Peru than in the States which would naturally mean I’ll have some awesome stories to tell.

Love you all! <3

Dreams and reality.

What used to be just dreams are now nightmares. This sounds horrible and sometimes it is but, for the most part, it is just a statement. All that is familiar is not a part of my daily life which includes the people. I don’t wake up in my room in Jersey and eat cereal and go to work at HD. Now, I wake up in the campo to the yells of my name by newly found friend, my 3 year old host brother (Kevin). I eat sometimes soup for breakfast or maybe just some potatoes along with a drink of some sort – it can be milk or hot water with tea or nesquik (that I bought when I went to the supermarket 6 hours away- haha). I must say when it is milk it is delicious and straight from the cow. I’m going to milk cows soon or at least when my host family stops laughing at the idea. As for work, it’s really a 24/7 thing. I am a role model and therefore must perform at all times which means being conscious of what I do when I do it…at least while in community. ;) So, yea…at first, the opening phrase sounds tragic but it’s more that things are different now. At first, dreaming of life before PC seems like nightmares until I got to sit back and realize that it’s just that things aren’t what they used to be. I am ok with that and, most days, in love with THIS all. Get it? Ha.

I can't believe it's December tomorrow!

Well, it’s the end of November and I’ll be officially making 3 months outside of the land of amazing next week. Isn’t that pretty darn crazy?! Fuck yeah it is!

Well, I can say I’ve only been about a week in my community and it’s already been intense. I’m still not too sure of my exact role but I’ m slowly working on establishing one. Since I have time today, I’ll give you a mental picture of my location exactly. I’ve probably said something about this but it doesn’t get old. I LITERALLY live on the mountain. So, it takes about 30 minutes from the bottom of my “town” to get to my house. I walk because there is no road that goes up there; there is barely even a path for me to walk on. I’ve surrendered to my situation and it doesn’t feel like defeat. I’m living with a family of 5, a grandma, her son and his wife with 2 kiddos (9month and 3 years). It’s a good family; they are slowly getting accustomed to me and vice versa. I am technically supposed to figure out a rent and food situation but I won’t be doing that for a while. I do not want them to see me as a money sign but instead to treat me as a part of their family; I think my plan is working.

Side note: I’m sitting in a room at my house and a cock fight is pretty much happening in front of me. Unofficial, of course. It’s quite funny. I would like to attend a real one soon…and it WILL happen. Haha.

What else can I blog about? Oh, maybe about what I’m actually doing or going to be doing? Yea, well I am health promoter. Now, I kinda have a better idea of what I’ll be doing and who I’ll be working with but now it’s becoming more overwhelming. Fo’ realz! I pretty much have the freedom to work on anything that will make my community a better place to live. My program is Community Health and that’s what I’ll try to focus on but no promises. While I’ve been here, there is a huge need to place attention on the Environment. Burning trash, throwing trash in rivers, or anywhere for that sake is super common and it KILLS ME. I remember when I was younger I never used to be so conscious about the environment but now I understand the importance. I want all the people I encounter to understand because I do believe it’s everyone’s responsibility. I think it’s great how the campo life really fosters this idea to actually work. By this I mean, the people here all have animals and live off the food that they plant and therefore use organics for compost and don’t produce much garbage. The problem is the little they do is not disposed of properly and it’s simply because of a lack of knowledge. We’ll see if I can aid in bringing more knowledge to at least some people. Should be fun.

Well, I guess environment work is related to health but there are more focused areas I would also like to work with like child stimulation, washing your hands campaigns, boiling water, and simply emphasizing on healthy practices. For the beginning months I have to conduct a community diagnostic which pretty much means I have to make surveys and gather lots of information about my town. I’ve looked through what my diagnostic is supposed to be and it is definitely intimidating. It’s like a college senior thesis assignment. Intimidating but I guess it could be fun. I can compile different studies on any health issues I want to address including domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and malnutrition. Isn’t that kinda cool? There is a lot of work ahead of me and I think I can do it.

Work hard, play harder! That’s pretty much how I’m going to be thinking about my PC experience. I think in order to work as hard as I’m thinking about working; I will definitely be having just as much fun. I can’t wait for the few that want to and will visit as well as simply going to visit all my fellow volunteers. Our experiences are all going to be so different and I’m excited to get a glimpse of everyone’s journey. Two years will be interestingly challenging in so many ways that I could never even have imagined.

I miss home a bunch but I know this is for the betterment of all parties involved.
Just before I end this super long blog, there are a few things that are happening that I need to share (more like two things). First of all, my English is suffering greatly. I think the only thing that will save it is to read and read – which I plan on doing! I can’t spell for shit anymore. UGH! Secondly, I’m walking a shit load. Just the other day, I walked oh about 6 fucking hours. It’s painful but I think I got it. Just saying…

Internet isn’t too accessible but I can’t live without it so I’ll find the way to keep it in my life!

Hasta luego amores!!! <3

Shit, Who am I?

Sooooo much has happened and I have been horrible at capturing it through my blog. Sorry, Megan..my loyal reader. I heart you.

Anyways, so I´ve been to other departments in Peru and it has been amazing.

Where to start?
For my FBT (field based training) I visited Ancash, home of the glacier mountains, and Cajamarca, home of the cows on mountains. haha. Well, it has been stressful and amazing sometimes at the same time. We did things like build cocinas mejoradas (bettered kitchens since people in the mountains cook with firedwood), latrines, talked with youth groups, talked with teachers about HIV-AIDS...you know wonderful health stuff!!!!!!!!!!

As far as how I´m feeling...
I´m doing super duper better...well, in comparison to how I felt just last week. Training ended last week and I was a wreck. I fell in love with so many people here...it was an awesome time while we were all together BUT there are many more to come and I know it. So what we are all in different departments of Peru and some of us don´t have cell phone reception (I do!!)...I know ít´ll happen. Besides all this emotional craziness, things are steady now.

Where am I?
I am finally at the place I will have to call home for 2 years. It´s a small little village just outside of Chota in Cajamarca, LOOK IT UP!!!!!! It is mountaineous indeed...my house is a 30 min hike up from a main ¨road¨. It´s beautiful tho and I have a baby host bro and a 3 year old host bro...in case you forgot, I love monsters. It´s going to be a while until I feel super comfortable here but I know it´s possible and I don´t feel bad so that´s good at least.

So, this is a short short version of how things are going but I wanted to at least do this. This blog was my idea and I will be keeping it updated now that I am once again settled. I just want to say that I miss a lot of things but that only makes me more grateful. Please continue to keep me updated with your lives.

Lots of love and kisses. MMM...haha.

p.s. Who am I? was the response I had for when I found where I was going....I had absolutely no idea and I was completely disoriented to the point where I didn´t even know who I was...lol.

Teleport me there...and there! ::sigh::

Why not?

Well, here I go. So it seemed like everything was all fun and games here in Peru, until now. Homesickness is a terrible, terrible thing and here I am feeling this way. I can’t really pin point my reason for feeling this way. I figured that I must have one but maybe not. I’m pulling through but I miss my home and most importantly, my comfort. I’m trying so hard to find a happy place here and today I just can’t.

So yea, that’s how I’m feeling but what I’m doing keeps me going.
I came back from Ancash at 6am this morning; it was a 7 hour bus ride. Yup, I left at 11pm. Ancash is soo amazing. The scenery is to die for…mountains, green, yesss! That was nice. I’ve definitely missed the mountains. There is just something about la sierra that makes me smile. Besides enjoying the scenery, we actually did some work; manual labor included. Digging holes for latrines and mixing mud for cocinas mejoradas. It’s all so cool and surreal…always. We also got to work with a youth group which was nice. The volunteers we met were ending their 2 year service and it’s weird to see myself in the beginning of this adventure and them at the end. Craaazy indeed.

Training is almost over and this is yet another bittersweet moment for me. I’m excited to find out where I’ll be for the next 2 years but definitely a little sad that Salud will be scattered across Peru. I am so thankful for an amazing group of people.

Close in proximity should not be the reason people are close. Make sense? Eh. I’ll stop blabbing.

Trying to stay sane and using music to comfort me greatly.

Stay tuned: On Friday, November 6th, my 2 year location will be revealed.

Breathe. <3

I hate passive aggressive soo much but everything else is more than OK.

Everything is not peachy keen. If you know me, you know how blunt I am and how much I hate passive aggressive. Please tell me straight out!! That’s like super impossible for my host mom here and I think she might be the most passive aggressive person I have EVER met in my life. I’m trying not to hate her but I am not one to pretend either. I only have less than 4 weeks in Huascata and everything is so bittersweet which IS the story of my life. I am truly having an awesome time despite that ridiculous annoyance of my host mom. I am excited to go to site even though I do not know where I will be…I COULD BE ANYWHERE IN PERU which is super nerve wrecking. I guess I can’t really control it so I’ve surrendered to the present. Going to continue to enjoy myself and do as I always do…take it as it comes. Step by step; one battle at a time! Ha.

Just as a side note: Yesterday, I felt my first mini tremble; like a super mini earthquake. That’s so crazy. It is the earth moving right under me. Duh, right?! Whatever, it’s amazing to me.

Oh, and yea…I broke my camera LCD screen and it sucks big time. Yea, it takes pics but that’s not good enough for me to be sane. Thankfully I have an amazing mother that understands my love for technology and hopefully I will be getting one soon. Spoiled? NAH! I’m loved bitches.

Ok, all this was just on my mind and hey, why not blog about it?! :)

Laters lovers! <3

P.s. I’m glad that even in Peru I am worthy of receiving a drunk phone call. Haha. Gotta love my peeps here!!!!!! ;)

Can't think today but I swear the passed 2 weeks were eventful. lol.

Hello world!!!
So, I’m entering week 6 of training. There are 10 weeks so that leaves me with about ONLY 4 weeks left. BUT only 2 weeks until I find out where I’ll be for the next 2 years… I’m semi excited and scared about this because I hope I’m with at least some of my favorite people here. Yea, that’s right favorite people here but honestly, I’m pretty much LOVING our entire group. It’s so comforting.
So, I haven’t updated in about 2 weeks. Yea, I’m horrible. Ha. Not much has happened. Yea, that’s a lie. I just keep having a good time, enjoying my time with the other volunteers, and recently really getting some hands on with technical aspects of what my work will be like as a health promoter. You want examples of some things? OK! Haha.

Well, this passed Thursday and Friday we did 2 things. First, we visited a Puesto de Salud and conducted a house visit to a man who was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. During this process, I remembered my time in Mexico because I had to climb a mountain and almost fall every second of it. Sounds horrible but I enjoy that a lot because once I do it, I feel so accomplished. Even if my visit would have been a disaster, at least I successfully climbed up and down. Haha. Well, luckily I got to feel a bit of both because we got to talk to this man and see his house. It was very much an overall interesting activity. Well the second place and thing we did was at a Centro de Salud. We got to see a little how the process goes in these clinic-like places by observing a session with the obsetrice, nutritionist for the babies, and the nurses who check-in the patients. It was interesting AND I got to see babies. :)

Hmmm...what else? I was in Lima last Saturday again. Ate some ceviche and it was better than my first experience. I have NEVER been a seafood fan so it still isn't my favorite dish. Now, chicken. Haha. But that was fun because we went with a big group of us which is always pretty fun.

I can't think right now but please don't hate me. lol. Love everyone and I'll try and keep you all updated. Hasta luego! <3

So, the word AMAZING pretty much sums up the week.

So, this week has def been filled with so much stuff! Fun, random and work related. Yea, all in one week. AMAZING!

I think I'm going to start with today since it's what is most fresh on my mind. Yea, I guess I should blog more often but um I'm just too tired most of the time. blah. Anyways, back to today. :) So, I had to be awake super early on today because my program, salud comunitaria, has to learn about planting and fun stuff...gettin' down and dirty. Yes. Well, I do enjoy this a lot but today ended up being especially exceptional because of a bunch of things that went on in Lima. So, I was going to go to Jockey Plaza, which is basically a freakin' mall and if you know me...do I really enjoy malls?, instead I decided to go with another group that was going to las catacumbas. Las catacumbas was an underground cemetery, kind of; bottom line is that I got to see skulls and bones. FUN! So, after having to talk to a bunch of random Peruvian strangers to get to Lima, now it was time to go back "home." Well, this is the interesting and super random thing of all time (exaggeration? You decide!). Some of the other vols begin the "ask random people how to get home" process with some cops. So, the cops give us directions to where we have to walk but then say that perhaps it would be dangerous for us and although it's only like 10 blocks, they strongly suggest we take a taxi. As brave moneyless Americans, we decide to walk...with police escorts? YES, WITH POLICE ESCORTS! As we walked the 10 blocks, these cops decided to watch over us until we got to our destination to take the collectivos toward our "home." They would ride down the street on their motorcycles literally making sure we were fine. There were two so, logically, there was one on each of the block..in the beginning and end. Hilarious! Yup, police escort for the Americans; gotta love the special treatment. I like to think that they did it out of the kindness of their heart, even though they gave one of the girls their number so "she could call to let them know we were all home safe." Eh. Whatever. Still a pretty cool freakin' story to tell.

Warning: This is going to be a long blog post. haha. Should I have put this in the beginning? :P

What other cool stuff has happened? Well, it turns out that within our training group birthday celebrations are a huge deal. I've always loved birthdays but can't really say I'm a party planner...Who cares because other people here are! haha. So, far, two bdays have been celebrated. The first with a full blown marriachi, cake, and lots of laughter. The party planners needed to keep the momentum and so the 2nd bday was also a success. Can you imagine a dirty (I mean filthy) Barney costume made for a 5'1 Peruvian person but worn by a 6'4 gringo from LA? Well, that is EXACTLY what happened. Hilarious. Along with this special guest, there was a piñata and again, bangin' ass cake! So, yeah..birthdays have been full of everything you can imagine. :)

Two more stories. Promise.

As far as my mini project goes, I did my first charla, or talk, yesterday. I worked with parents on the importance of keeping in mind their child's self-esteem. The parents were luckily very participatory which is ONE of my big fears when doing these charlas. It's just super hard to talk to people that just stare at you. Get me? lol. Well, they discussed things and I think it overall went well. Most importantly, I gained the support of the church (the group of parents were there because all their kids are doing their first communion) and I will be working with the youth in the confirmation class which ages are either 15 or 16. I'm so excited about working with youth groups. I think this is actually something I enjoy. YAY! Well, I'd be working with them on topics such as their self-esteem, life skills, and preparing themselves for their future through goals and such. Sounds fun, ay? :)

Last story is super quick. I got elected as co-sheriff or "fiscal" of my training group. What does this mean? People are finally getting to know meee. haha. I'm that badass bitch. haha. Don't hate. I hope everyone understands the importance of this story. In case you are wondering, our training group had to elect officials to take care of certain tasks such as president, vice president, treasurer, etc...it included the sheriff to make sure that things/meetings run smoothly. No, this is NOT to be taken serious. All in good fun...

So, that's my week lovers! Hope this wasn't TOO informative. haha. Love everyone so much! Um, for anyone who reads this...Are you coming to Peru soon? haha. Give me dates if you haven't already!! ;)

Besos. <3

This is kinda related to Peru..

Ok, so it's related to me and that's what matters. I just finished reading and responding to an email sent by a young girl that I met 2 years ago. I met her on my previous volunteer experience in a super small rural town in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. I guess she now has an email address and decided to fucking write to meeeee! How amazing is that? Super amazing is right! It's hard to actually ever see results when doing volunteer work like this...soo this feels amazing. My outlook on doing volunteer work is simply in the attempt and hope that someone will hear me. This young girl was always so level headed but I'm just so happy to know that she hasn't forgotten our efforts (I had 2 partners during that amazing summer) or forgotten meee. Just thought I'd share some of my thoughts because it's relevant to now.

It's like this solidifies things; this just makes 2 years in Peru appear to have endless possibilities. I was there for only a summer..imagine 2 years. If at the least, it keeps me going. Fuck yeah!!

Happy 2 weeks!

Happy 2 weeks!
So, 2 weeks have gone by peoples. Craazy but relieving too! There is so much going on which makes me think I should try to update more than once a week; we’ll see. I must say this second week has actually gone so much quicker which is good but scary.

I have been working on a mini project in my community of Huascata which is actually going pretty well. By pretty well, I mean I have an idea and an almost certain group of people to work with. I have found out that the church in my town is currently having their classes for confirmation. I have spoken with the people of the church and they are all being very supportive so I think that's going to def happen. The workshops would be on self-esteem and since the age group is of those kids who are just about to graduate la secundaria it would also focus on the importance of goals. This seems to be a topic of interest for many Peruvians that I've spoken with - kids here need to build their self-esteem. Once I actually put the workshop together I will update. I'm pretty excited about this.

So, I finally got to go to Lima this past weekend. Twice, kinda. We went with my spanish class and had to do some "talking to random stranger" activities, like usual. lol. Well, that went well. Lima is just so crowded. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I feel so relieved to be back in my peaceful Huascata with my dirt roads. This feels so much more like home then Lima and their malls. Weird. Well, that was Friday and then Saturday we went to La universidad de la Agraria which is for agricultural studies. We planted lettuce, radishes and peppers. It's weird I hate plants and flowers (except lilies ;) )...you know living things (haha) but I honestly enjoy learning about planting and such. It's fun to learn about it and then see the end result...food! We are actually going there pretty much every Saturday for the next 5 weeks so that will be good outdoorsy stuff that will def come in handy when I get to the campo.

So, food is pretty good. I'm enjoying everything but I will NOT be eating ceviche again. That was the reason for my last blog entry. haha. But chicken is pretty prevalent and still amazing. So, I'm happy with everything food wise. What I do need to invest on is snacks for my room. OMG, I need to munch on stuff sometimes and I'm running out of my bag of reeses pieces. Sad life. I HAVE found an amazing chocolate here called sublime. Chocolate is life.

I think this is it. Slowly becoming more comfortable here and that makes me feel good. I feel connected with those I love back home and that makes me feel great. Overall, still going strong! <3

The best and the worst thing.

O-M-G! So, what is the best and the worst thing about traveling?! THE FOOD!!!!!!

Sometimes it's just so good when it goes in but not so much when it's in there...or coming out. haha. I can't help and blog about this because it is consuming my life. I'll explain how...

I wanted to do yoga today but um, that would not have been a good idea; for others at least. haha. I went to Chosica, a nearby 25 min city, and that was hell because trying to find a public bathroom is a joke. Luckily, I held up. I think I'll stop but all in all...feeling horrible!

Ugh. I just hate diarrhea.

Hello internet.

Ok, so maybe it is time for another blog entry. Can you tell I am horrible at this? Wowsers.

Well, I am still doing OK which is how I like to stay. What's new is what some people may be thinking? EVERYTHING is the correct question.

A typical day for me is getting up at 6:15 am to shower and then have breakfast with my "family." For the most part, breakfast consists of a fruit shake (banana, orange, papaya...mmm..fruit), some coffee that's not really coffee and wheat bread (which the mom buys especially for me) with either butter or egg. Pretty good, ay?

Well after breakfast, another volunteer passes by my house to "pick me up" and we walk to the bus stop together where we wait until a not so full "combi" passes by. Usually at that time finding a not so full "combi" (which is a small bus) is pretty impossible. I don't mind though, I kinda like standing on them. It's weird, I know. I just feel like I'm on a mission or something. haha.

So, we get off at the stop near the Training Center and then we walk about 8min to the TC. That's what I enjoy a lot about going abroad; the amount of walking I actually get to do. It's just so liberating. Anyways, then the day really begins because there is training from 8-5. I've always been used to long days but here they just seem longer. It's like school and work put into all in one. I don't mind it at all.

I thought, at first, that it was going to be weird having language training but it makes total sense. Language training includes culture training. I have little knowledge on Peruvian culture so I'm enjoying it. Plus the teacher is a sweetheart. So, yea..that's the first part of the day. And then lunch. My "mom" packs my lunch for me. This is new to me in all types of ways because MY mom never packed lunch for me even when I was in elementary. So, it's an interesting little thing when my "mom" hands me this bag of food. Ha!

Well, the food has so far been delish. haha. I've eaten: papa a la huacaina (sp?), lomo saltado, arroz con pollo. You know, pretty much bangin' shit. A lot of potato and rice which is bad for me but mmmm. haha. In order to try and counter balance the carbs, I have also begun to exercise!! So freakin' great! I even did yoga! It's like an amazing little discovery for me. I kinda wish I would have done it before but better late than never!

This is long right? haha. Sorry, I suck at this shit.

Well, after lunch is technical training for my program which is also ran by some amazing teachers. So much amazingness, right?! I enjoy community health a lot but I think what I enjoy the most would have to be working with youth. As part of my assignments for language, I have to come up with a mini project in the community in which I am staying. I thought it was a little overwhelming at first but I have an idea!! I'm going to try and speak to a youth group about self-esteem or motivation or something of that sort. I'm still working on the idea.

I can't really remember what I've covered in this blog entry but I hope you have an idea of how things are going for me. :)

I also want to thank everyone who talks to me online. LOL. I love all my family and friends so much! I feel stronger whenever I talk to you all. Fo' realz. <3

Hasta luego lovers!

P.s. My mom got skype and that means everyone should get on it! Haha. <3

Peru, Peru...It's just me and you.

"People universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend on you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the earth looking for it."

I'm glad I came across this quote my first day here because it's exactly how I feel....how I've felt about it. It just made me feel good to read it. Fo' real. I guess I wanted to share and let everyone know that I'm ok, I've made it, and I think I'm going to be ok. It's just the beginning so nothing much but training. All the cool stories are yet to come. I will tell you Peru is pretty damn amazing!

Very brief yet informative, I think. ;)

Love me because I love youuuu!

P.s!! Shout out to my BTC girl, Kater for her wonderful gift. You don't know how much that helped me!! The quotes make me feel all freakin' good inside. Yup! <3

Soakin' in LOVE...

So, I'm pretty much down to 4 days of NJ life. Craazy! I no longer feel as uneasy as I did just...yesterday. I think I've finally got to the point where I remember why I made this decision. Bottom line: It's good for me!

The reason it was starting to get so hard to leave was because I honestly feel like I am the luckiest girl. I am so appreciative of everything I have and in no way did I want to feel like I'm abandoning life here. The thing is that...I'm living it the only way I know how. Can I just say that I loove all my friends! After sobbing sessions, I think they understand how much now. lol. Please keep me updated with your lives because, shit, I care!

I think this blogging idea is a little outside my character but my main goal is to stay connected. This is my effort to keep everyone that matters in the loop with my new experiences, new obstacles...pretty much I invite YOU to be a part of my new beginning. I've come to realize that I don't really need many materialistic things in life (except shoes, JK) but I do need good people around me. I think I've found plenty who love and care for me so I can't wait to see what the future has in store. Although I'll be geographically far, let that be the only distance between us...

p.s. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! :)
p.s.s. Sorry if it was a little sappy but I'm just so happy to know amazing people!

And now, I pack!