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!