In the past 3 or 4 years, my family has established a new tradition of going sledding sometime in the week after Christmas. For those of you that know me well, you know that when I say family, I don't just mean my mom, dad, and brother and sister in law, I mean my "family" to include my aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, grandparents, and whoever else you'd like to throw in the mix there. The whole Cordova clan. I consider my extended family my immediate family. I love them all dearly and spending time with them is always the highlight/reason of my Colorado visits.
The day started well enough, all 14 or so of us gathered at my house for some homemade chili soup, cornbread, and Bonda Sandwiches (it's a Cordova thing) before heading up to one of my favorite mountain cities- Breckenridge, Colorado (elevation 9,600 feet) to sled at one of the best sledding hills in the state- Carter Park.
We were armed properly with our cheap plastic sleds (they go the fastest), gloves, scarves, hats, and everything else that you might need to brave 20 degree weather. It was gorgeous! There were snow flurries, and though today was the coldest I had been in a long time, it was all completely worth it.
And the Sledding! Now those sledding aficionados know that the more packed the snow is, the faster you go. Well the snow was pretty darn packed and people had even been nice enough to make a few bumps and dips along the way. This is where the trouble started. Whew, buddy. Those dips were rough on the tailbone. My cousin Nikki on her second run, unfortunately hurt her ankle and had to retire to the car for some hot chocolate. My mom actually braved the dips too. Not on purpose of course, but the sleds are hard to steer so she hit them. She quickly retired to the car for some hot chocolate as well. My little cousin Isaiah is a 4 year old trooper, but the cold can overtake the little ones quickly- he ditched us for the hot chocolate too.
The rest of us decided that we would continue conquering Carter Park hill, one awesomely fast sled run at a time. We were flying at ungodly speeds; often hitting the dips; narrowly missing sacking other sledders who weren't aware that you shouldn't stand in the middle of the hill; and going on two, three, and four person sled trains. Those are always fun. Then came our brilliant idea to do another train. This train consisted of my dad, my brother, his wife Tiffany, and me.
We started out well enough, then we went a little to the left.
Then we started going alot to the left.
Uh oh, now we can't stop going to the left.
Now We're completely turned around and I, who was once in back, am now in the front going backwards.
Now my hat has fallen over my eyes and I can't see.
Now we've suddenly stopped and my spine has made contact with something hard and tree-like.
Oh wait, it's a tree. Needless to say, I'm hurting right now.
Our train ended up somewhat disastrously. I hit the tree dead center, my dad's head hit the tree a bit, everyone else wiped out beyond all belief. But luckily, we were ok and laughed awhile about it....laughed and sat there for a bit while regaining the ability to stand.
Overall, it was a rough day to be in the Cordova Family, physically speaking. But the family that bruises together, stays together.
For Pictures from the day and others in Colorado, you can visit my flickr account here
And for videos of a few of our sledding adventures, you can visit my youtube account here
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Umm.....is this the right blog?
Well, 2008 is almost here, and in the spirit of change (and being an art major) I decided to shake things up a bit and create a new color scheme for the old blog. Sorry if you were partial to the old colors, but alas, what is life if not but a series of changes? Anyway, I might stick with this one for awhile, until I decide that it's time for a fresh coat of paint again. If you give a design major a blog, She'll probably want to play with the colors all the time. I think there's a book about that...or maybe it's about giving a mouse a cookie. Either way.
I hope that everyone's Christmas was good and that you all had a very merry time with your families, friends, or whomever you might have spent Christmas with. Here in Colorado, we received 7 inches of fresh snow on Christmas Day making it...what does that make it? Oh yes, of course. A White Christmas! It was beautiful and I'm glad that I got to see some snow before I head back to my summer in Peru. This break has been nice for me. A nice chance to step back, see my loved ones, relax a little, and realize that I want to go back to Peru.
Don't get me wrong, I love it in Colorado, and seeing my family again has been wonderful and very much needed for my soul. But at the same time, it only takes a second to step back and realize where you want to be. Sometimes, I suppose I wish there were two of me, so that I could equally spend my time here with my family as well as in Peru, with my other family. But God didn't quite make the world like that, so I'm stuck with a heart in two different places. However, I'm just thankful that God has given me a heart that has room to call two places "home."
I hope that everyone's Christmas was good and that you all had a very merry time with your families, friends, or whomever you might have spent Christmas with. Here in Colorado, we received 7 inches of fresh snow on Christmas Day making it...what does that make it? Oh yes, of course. A White Christmas! It was beautiful and I'm glad that I got to see some snow before I head back to my summer in Peru. This break has been nice for me. A nice chance to step back, see my loved ones, relax a little, and realize that I want to go back to Peru.
Don't get me wrong, I love it in Colorado, and seeing my family again has been wonderful and very much needed for my soul. But at the same time, it only takes a second to step back and realize where you want to be. Sometimes, I suppose I wish there were two of me, so that I could equally spend my time here with my family as well as in Peru, with my other family. But God didn't quite make the world like that, so I'm stuck with a heart in two different places. However, I'm just thankful that God has given me a heart that has room to call two places "home."
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Writing from the Motherland
Well I'm sitting against a wall on the floor of the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. This is the first time that I have been on US American soil for almost six months.
How do I feel?
I feel short. Seriously. Any given time that I walk down the street in Peru, there's a good chance that I'll be taller than about 70 percent of the people I pass. Peruvians are a short people. I am not. That was one of my first reactions to being back in the US. And as I sit here, eating my sesame bagel with plain cream cheese (the first I've had in 6 months) I find myself constantly looking around, looking at people trying to study their faces and learn about them quickly as they scurry to catch their flights. I feel as if they are strangers to me.
Not that I knew any of these people before, but now I feel as if they are really strangers to me. Almost as if I don't identify as much with them anymore. I think this is because I now am identifying myself more with Peru....I suppose not any less with the states, but enough that things look different to me. But...things look different, because I'm different.
Ésta es la belleza de La Vida.
How do I feel?
I feel short. Seriously. Any given time that I walk down the street in Peru, there's a good chance that I'll be taller than about 70 percent of the people I pass. Peruvians are a short people. I am not. That was one of my first reactions to being back in the US. And as I sit here, eating my sesame bagel with plain cream cheese (the first I've had in 6 months) I find myself constantly looking around, looking at people trying to study their faces and learn about them quickly as they scurry to catch their flights. I feel as if they are strangers to me.
Not that I knew any of these people before, but now I feel as if they are really strangers to me. Almost as if I don't identify as much with them anymore. I think this is because I now am identifying myself more with Peru....I suppose not any less with the states, but enough that things look different to me. But...things look different, because I'm different.
Ésta es la belleza de La Vida.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I believe I should be receiving a Partridge in a Pear Tree soon.
Dear friends,
I am 12 days away from Christmas. On a similar note, I am giving my last test to my December students tomorrow, then they will be taking their final exams on Wednesday and that night I will be catching the bus to Lima in order to fly back home for Christmas. Busses are the most common forms of travel for Peruvians like myself and the trip to Lima from Trujillo will take about 9 hours. The night bus is by far the better way to travel, and depending on which bus company you take, it can be relatively comfortable. Especially if you take the Cama Cama.
The Cama Cama is a magical, mythical beast that transports people to and fro throughout all the land of Peru. Literally cama cama translates to "Bed Bed" and the reason for this is because the seats actually will recline 180 degrees making your seat into your own bed bed. Interesante, no? I think so, and what's more, everytime you talk about the Cama Cama, you can begin to sing Boy George and Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon."
I have many thoughts about going home...first of all, I am very much at peace that I can soon see my family again. You may think that the opposite is true, but I am actually very much a homebody; despite the fact that I went to a university 25 hours away from my house and now with me living on a different continent. I've always felt like my home is in Colorado, and though God has and probably will continue to lead me to other residences, I'm thankful that God gave me strong roots as well. I'm also excited to take some time to reflect upon these last 5 months I've spent in Peru. I have grown in many different and completely unexpected ways. Too many to recount at this moment, but I will be writing down alot of these scattered thoughts soon.
Probably on the Cama Cama. Thank Goodness for long bus rides. And seats that turn into beds. Amen.
I am 12 days away from Christmas. On a similar note, I am giving my last test to my December students tomorrow, then they will be taking their final exams on Wednesday and that night I will be catching the bus to Lima in order to fly back home for Christmas. Busses are the most common forms of travel for Peruvians like myself and the trip to Lima from Trujillo will take about 9 hours. The night bus is by far the better way to travel, and depending on which bus company you take, it can be relatively comfortable. Especially if you take the Cama Cama.
The Cama Cama is a magical, mythical beast that transports people to and fro throughout all the land of Peru. Literally cama cama translates to "Bed Bed" and the reason for this is because the seats actually will recline 180 degrees making your seat into your own bed bed. Interesante, no? I think so, and what's more, everytime you talk about the Cama Cama, you can begin to sing Boy George and Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon."
I have many thoughts about going home...first of all, I am very much at peace that I can soon see my family again. You may think that the opposite is true, but I am actually very much a homebody; despite the fact that I went to a university 25 hours away from my house and now with me living on a different continent. I've always felt like my home is in Colorado, and though God has and probably will continue to lead me to other residences, I'm thankful that God gave me strong roots as well. I'm also excited to take some time to reflect upon these last 5 months I've spent in Peru. I have grown in many different and completely unexpected ways. Too many to recount at this moment, but I will be writing down alot of these scattered thoughts soon.
Probably on the Cama Cama. Thank Goodness for long bus rides. And seats that turn into beds. Amen.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
There's only one more day left of November...
This morning I didn't have my usual Spanish lesson so I've spent the morning doing precisely...nothing. It's been a nice change actually to take a morning off.
Usually my day schedule is to wake up about 8:30 or 9, have a Spanish lesson in the morning, spend the rest of the time planning and doing other work for the mission or music ministry, after lunch about 1 or 2, I finish planning and preparing for classes, then I teach from 4:15 until about 9. Sometimes there's stuff going on at night like a bible study or youth group which I go to after classes. The schedule is a little tiring I suppose, but it's good. The work is honest, and I can't complain. I'm just kidding, I really love the work. I can't believe that I've been here for almost 5 months.
What's more is that I can't believe that Christmas is less than one month away. Oh and by the way, if you didn't know, I'll be home for Christmas...yes, you can start singing the song now. I originally wasn't planning on flying back for Christmas, but I need to. I need to see my family and spend time with them, so I will be going back December 20th and will be in Denver until January 3rd. So now, with that said, I really can't believe that I am 21 days away from being home. I look forward to his time of being with my family and friends, anxious to see how I feel about the US when I get back, and definitely looking forward to Mexican food. (No Peruvian food is not anything like Mexican food) I miss me some green chile and tortillas!
I'll post more updates soon, but for now, I need to actually get my day started.
Blessings in Christ!
Gillian
Usually my day schedule is to wake up about 8:30 or 9, have a Spanish lesson in the morning, spend the rest of the time planning and doing other work for the mission or music ministry, after lunch about 1 or 2, I finish planning and preparing for classes, then I teach from 4:15 until about 9. Sometimes there's stuff going on at night like a bible study or youth group which I go to after classes. The schedule is a little tiring I suppose, but it's good. The work is honest, and I can't complain. I'm just kidding, I really love the work. I can't believe that I've been here for almost 5 months.
What's more is that I can't believe that Christmas is less than one month away. Oh and by the way, if you didn't know, I'll be home for Christmas...yes, you can start singing the song now. I originally wasn't planning on flying back for Christmas, but I need to. I need to see my family and spend time with them, so I will be going back December 20th and will be in Denver until January 3rd. So now, with that said, I really can't believe that I am 21 days away from being home. I look forward to his time of being with my family and friends, anxious to see how I feel about the US when I get back, and definitely looking forward to Mexican food. (No Peruvian food is not anything like Mexican food) I miss me some green chile and tortillas!
I'll post more updates soon, but for now, I need to actually get my day started.
Blessings in Christ!
Gillian
Thursday, November 22, 2007
It's the Great Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown!
Well, my first Thanksgiving away from home has come and gone. It was odd. Good, but odd.
My "First-Thanksgiving-on-a-different-continent" activities were multifarious.
The Peru Mission team is a close team and we spend a lot of time together, so our team is like a family (to me anyway). One big happy family of about 50 Gringos, so what else would we do but spend Thanksgiving together? It was nice and in order to follow suit with the obligatory US custom of telling everyone what we're thankful for: I'm thankful for family. The genetical kind as well as the emblematic kind.
Our Thanksgiving Feast was just that- a feast. No, no, no. A Smörgåsbord.
Seriously. Just like the one that Templeton the Rat sings about in Charlotte's Web. I'm so stuffed, but it was good.
Afterwards, I returned home to finish up some final grading for my November classes. Later, I ended up back at the Bradfords house to hang out with one of my favorite missionary families where we chatted, had some quality time with a puzzle, ate one more slice of pumpkin pie and the Bradfords let me use their vonage phone to call the old familia. I had the traditional game of Pass the Phone to every member of the family to catch up for a few minutes and discuss important issues such as "What did you eat today?" and "How is school going?" It was wonderful- I really love getting to talk with my family for at least a little bit. They are my world and for that, I really am thankful (not just in the cheesy "I have to say I'm thankful for something because it's Thanksgiving so I might as well say 'Family' way").
And theeeen, Caleb and Amanda, two friends/housies and I decided to go to the local Cine Planet theater to see whatever movie was our best option to see. We chose Beowulf (this was our best option from the 5 they were showing, mind you) and bought our tickets for the 11:00 showing. We immediately regretted the decision. Especially once we learned that the movie was made with CGI (think Pixar's Toy Story style).
At midnight, I no longer had to be thankful, and we left the movie halfway through.
My "First-Thanksgiving-on-a-different-continent" activities were multifarious.
The Peru Mission team is a close team and we spend a lot of time together, so our team is like a family (to me anyway). One big happy family of about 50 Gringos, so what else would we do but spend Thanksgiving together? It was nice and in order to follow suit with the obligatory US custom of telling everyone what we're thankful for: I'm thankful for family. The genetical kind as well as the emblematic kind.
Our Thanksgiving Feast was just that- a feast. No, no, no. A Smörgåsbord.
Seriously. Just like the one that Templeton the Rat sings about in Charlotte's Web. I'm so stuffed, but it was good.
Afterwards, I returned home to finish up some final grading for my November classes. Later, I ended up back at the Bradfords house to hang out with one of my favorite missionary families where we chatted, had some quality time with a puzzle, ate one more slice of pumpkin pie and the Bradfords let me use their vonage phone to call the old familia. I had the traditional game of Pass the Phone to every member of the family to catch up for a few minutes and discuss important issues such as "What did you eat today?" and "How is school going?" It was wonderful- I really love getting to talk with my family for at least a little bit. They are my world and for that, I really am thankful (not just in the cheesy "I have to say I'm thankful for something because it's Thanksgiving so I might as well say 'Family' way").
And theeeen, Caleb and Amanda, two friends/housies and I decided to go to the local Cine Planet theater to see whatever movie was our best option to see. We chose Beowulf (this was our best option from the 5 they were showing, mind you) and bought our tickets for the 11:00 showing. We immediately regretted the decision. Especially once we learned that the movie was made with CGI (think Pixar's Toy Story style).
At midnight, I no longer had to be thankful, and we left the movie halfway through.
Friday, November 16, 2007
El Día de Acción de Gracias...
I am currently one day away from Friday; two days away from having a weekend; five days from finishing classes for the month of November at SALI; and 6 days away from Thanksgiving. I'm excited about Friday, more excited about the weekend thing, ecstatic about finishing classes for November, and a bit taken aback by the Thanksgiving thing.
Obviously, Thanksgiving is a U.S. American holiday and with Peru not being the USA, I have not been surrounded by thoughts of turkeys, mashed potatoes, and cranberries dancing in my head. It's very surreal having to remind yourself that there is a holiday that has been a very important of your life since you've been on this earth coming up soon. There is no mention of crescent rolls, pilgrims, parades, Mayflowers, giving thanks for families, or pumpkin pies in Peru. Next Thursday will be another day. Just any old Thursday.
Living in Peru has given me a better understanding about what it means to be an immigrant, and in turn, a profound respect for those people who have chosen to leave behind families and countries for various reasons. So many immigrants have left behind traditions, cultures, and much more to establish a life where they feel called to be. This is my first Thanksgiving that I haven't spent with my family. Ever. I'm a little saddened by it I suppose, but at the same time, content with where I am and comforted knowing that I was called here for a purpose.
From: Addams Family Values (A simply stunning movie)
Obviously, Thanksgiving is a U.S. American holiday and with Peru not being the USA, I have not been surrounded by thoughts of turkeys, mashed potatoes, and cranberries dancing in my head. It's very surreal having to remind yourself that there is a holiday that has been a very important of your life since you've been on this earth coming up soon. There is no mention of crescent rolls, pilgrims, parades, Mayflowers, giving thanks for families, or pumpkin pies in Peru. Next Thursday will be another day. Just any old Thursday.
Living in Peru has given me a better understanding about what it means to be an immigrant, and in turn, a profound respect for those people who have chosen to leave behind families and countries for various reasons. So many immigrants have left behind traditions, cultures, and much more to establish a life where they feel called to be. This is my first Thanksgiving that I haven't spent with my family. Ever. I'm a little saddened by it I suppose, but at the same time, content with where I am and comforted knowing that I was called here for a purpose.
With that said, here's a little tribute to the old giving of thanks as well as to my old roomie Diana- A Turkey Named Brotherhood
From: Addams Family Values (A simply stunning movie)
Friday, November 9, 2007
She's Baaaaaaack...
Actually, She's been back for almost a week now, but let's not worry ourselves with paltry details.
The point is that I am back from a miniature size vacation to Cajamarca, a city in the mountains of Peru. I loved being back in the mountains again. I loved being back at high altitudes, and I really loved finding out that I haven't lost my ability to not get altitude sickness. Secretly, it's a big fear of mine that if I live away from Colorado too long, I will lose my mountain lungs and be subject to altitude sickness. But happy news, I can still live at 9,000 feet with no problems.
Some highlights of the trip (besides just being in las montañas again) were:
- Spending time in the market of Cajamarca
- My first experience with eating cuy or guinea pig for you english speakers out there!
Spending time at the baños del Inca, natural hot springs in Cajamarca- Spending time with Pastor/Dr. Alonzo Ramirez and his family, missionaries with Peru Mission who work in Cajamarca.
- And last, a two hour horseback ride through the mountains of Cajamarca...in the rain. I haven't seen any form of rain since July, and I loved it.
I posted pictures to my flickr account, which you can access by clicking here
The trip was nice, and it was much needed. This month has been...well it's been a heck of a month. I've been living/working in Peru for nearly four months now. When I return home for Christmas break, it will have been for five months. It's been wonderful, I truly love it, and truly feel called here, but like every road, you may grow a little weary along the way. No worries though, because as always, God's strength is sufficient.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Truth...
Ok guys, I'm not going to lie. This week has kind of sucked.
Every week, not just on the mission field, but in life, obviously will present different challenges. Sometimes those weekly challenges vary in strength and number, and for me, the strength and number categories seemed to have increased this week. In a nutshell? It's just been one of those weeks.
My friend Kat from Anderson (who also served in Peru in the southern city of Arequipa) sent me this little prayer though, which was encouraging at just the right moment:
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you . May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of us."
Every week, not just on the mission field, but in life, obviously will present different challenges. Sometimes those weekly challenges vary in strength and number, and for me, the strength and number categories seemed to have increased this week. In a nutshell? It's just been one of those weeks.
My friend Kat from Anderson (who also served in Peru in the southern city of Arequipa) sent me this little prayer though, which was encouraging at just the right moment:
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you . May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of us."
This week may be rough, but it's good to know that His love will never fail.
Tonight I will board a bus to travel to Cajamarca, a city in the "Sierra" or mountains of Peru. This city is located at about 8,900 feet (a little bit lower than base elevation at Breckenridge, CO) and I am incredibly excited to get back to mountains. I love Trujillo, but what with it being a coastal city and what with me being a mountain girl and all....well you Coloradoans know what I mean.
Pictures, of course, to follow.
Tonight I will board a bus to travel to Cajamarca, a city in the "Sierra" or mountains of Peru. This city is located at about 8,900 feet (a little bit lower than base elevation at Breckenridge, CO) and I am incredibly excited to get back to mountains. I love Trujillo, but what with it being a coastal city and what with me being a mountain girl and all....well you Coloradoans know what I mean.
Pictures, of course, to follow.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
What is a Vampire's Favorite Holiday? ..... Fangsgiving!
It's final exam season here at SALI as the month of October is quickly coming to an end. In fact my students are currently taking their last Basic 8 exam before they (hopefully) pass on to Basic 9. I'm so proud of them!
I'm sitting here trying to rack my brain for any sort of an important update about Peru and life in it, and I'm coming up with nothing. I'm definitely looking forward to this extended weekend as tonight concludes October classes, and the next cycle begins on Monday. I plan on spending this weekend accomplishing precisely two goals: Cleaning and making pumpkin pies. That's right. Pumpkin Pies.
Up until recently pumpkins were merely fabled gourds in the land of Trujillo. I was disappointed when I found out that I would not be able to eat pumpkin pie this year. Especially since everyone who's anyone knows my mom makes the world's best pumpkin pie and I had been granted the recipe. I didnt know what I was going to do; but then...the miracle that is Plaza Vea occured. The Vea (aka Plaza Vegas, aka Valhalla) is essentially a Peruvian Target or Walmart. It is the only one of it's kind in Trujillo. Before, all your shopping would be spread out over various markets in town or specialty shops, but now with Plaza Vea, anything you could want can be found in one spot, and don't forget at Plaza- Todo cuesta Menos! "Everything costs less!
In any case, I bought a pumpkin from P-Vegas and now Thanksgiving will contain one more very good reason to give thanks.
I'm sitting here trying to rack my brain for any sort of an important update about Peru and life in it, and I'm coming up with nothing. I'm definitely looking forward to this extended weekend as tonight concludes October classes, and the next cycle begins on Monday. I plan on spending this weekend accomplishing precisely two goals: Cleaning and making pumpkin pies. That's right. Pumpkin Pies.
Up until recently pumpkins were merely fabled gourds in the land of Trujillo. I was disappointed when I found out that I would not be able to eat pumpkin pie this year. Especially since everyone who's anyone knows my mom makes the world's best pumpkin pie and I had been granted the recipe. I didnt know what I was going to do; but then...the miracle that is Plaza Vea occured. The Vea (aka Plaza Vegas, aka Valhalla) is essentially a Peruvian Target or Walmart. It is the only one of it's kind in Trujillo. Before, all your shopping would be spread out over various markets in town or specialty shops, but now with Plaza Vea, anything you could want can be found in one spot, and don't forget at Plaza- Todo cuesta Menos! "Everything costs less!
In any case, I bought a pumpkin from P-Vegas and now Thanksgiving will contain one more very good reason to give thanks.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Strikes, Sickness, and Some other word that begins with S for alliteration's sake...
I am beginning to write this blog at 5:46, precisely one minute after my 5:45 ESL class is supposed to begin. However, the language institute is not bustling with Peruvians scurrying to their various classrooms and conversation groups. Why? Because today, October 17th, the transportation drivers decided to hold a one-day strike.
Ok, Ok, the transportation strike in general is probably a negative thing; but because we all have selfishness issues, I was thankful for this today. Working on the mission field often means that you do not have a 8-5 job and the weekends off. Many times, I feel like we work in three and a half week cycles and then have 5 days off. Sort of like a five day weekends...that occurs once a month and takes the place of the rest of your weekend. But I do love it, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else right now.
In other news, I am currently sick. Those that know me know that usually being sick is a silly little thing that slows me down a bit, but I ignore it until I feels better. Unfortunately, I've had this pretty persistent cough that eventually, as I found out yesterday at the clinica, has turned into a bacteria, thus requiring me to get antibiotics.
I actually was pretty stubborn about not going to the doctor, thinking that I surely could kick this thing with plenty of green tea and as many home remedies as I could try. Peruvians are awesome for knowing home remedies to get rid of the cough, including such favorites as drinking tea with honey and cayenne pepper, gargling water and a slice of ginger root in your mouth for a few minutes and this next one, that I sort of regret.
I went to a little market in Peru and found a vendor that had all sorts of honey. The honey here is amazingly good because it's all fresh, so I was pretty excited when the vendor told me about this product called Bronco Miel (Bronchitis Honey). It's a jar of honey that supposedly gets rid of what ails ye with only 1 teaspoon, three times a day. I was personally excited to learn that honey is a natural expectorant, so I quickly bought the jar for a mere 8 soles (roughly $2.50) and went on my merry way. After I returned home, I grabbed my little teaspoon, ready to enjoy a delicious spoonful of honey, but before I did, I decided to take a whiff of how awesome this honey smelled. I put my nose to the jar and inhaled deeply. Then jerked back wondering how and why a seriously offensive odor creeped into the Old Factory. Surely this rancid scent could not be my newly purchased honey?!
Then I turned the jar over and read the back: (Translated from Spanish)
Recommended for coughs, it serves to cure asthma, and facilitate the secretion of phlegm. This formula is processed with honey, eucalyptis, and garlic.
No transportation=No Students=No Classes=Happy Gillian.
Ok, Ok, the transportation strike in general is probably a negative thing; but because we all have selfishness issues, I was thankful for this today. Working on the mission field often means that you do not have a 8-5 job and the weekends off. Many times, I feel like we work in three and a half week cycles and then have 5 days off. Sort of like a five day weekends...that occurs once a month and takes the place of the rest of your weekend. But I do love it, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else right now.
In other news, I am currently sick. Those that know me know that usually being sick is a silly little thing that slows me down a bit, but I ignore it until I feels better. Unfortunately, I've had this pretty persistent cough that eventually, as I found out yesterday at the clinica, has turned into a bacteria, thus requiring me to get antibiotics.
I actually was pretty stubborn about not going to the doctor, thinking that I surely could kick this thing with plenty of green tea and as many home remedies as I could try. Peruvians are awesome for knowing home remedies to get rid of the cough, including such favorites as drinking tea with honey and cayenne pepper, gargling water and a slice of ginger root in your mouth for a few minutes and this next one, that I sort of regret.
I went to a little market in Peru and found a vendor that had all sorts of honey. The honey here is amazingly good because it's all fresh, so I was pretty excited when the vendor told me about this product called Bronco Miel (Bronchitis Honey). It's a jar of honey that supposedly gets rid of what ails ye with only 1 teaspoon, three times a day. I was personally excited to learn that honey is a natural expectorant, so I quickly bought the jar for a mere 8 soles (roughly $2.50) and went on my merry way. After I returned home, I grabbed my little teaspoon, ready to enjoy a delicious spoonful of honey, but before I did, I decided to take a whiff of how awesome this honey smelled. I put my nose to the jar and inhaled deeply. Then jerked back wondering how and why a seriously offensive odor creeped into the Old Factory. Surely this rancid scent could not be my newly purchased honey?!
Then I turned the jar over and read the back: (Translated from Spanish)
Recommended for coughs, it serves to cure asthma, and facilitate the secretion of phlegm. This formula is processed with honey, eucalyptis, and garlic.
Yep. That'll do it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Back to Reality...
Well Ecuador, in case you were wondering, was wonderful. Guayaquil, Ecuador is considered the economic center of the country. But it was a little strange though, as I definitely felt like I was taking a miniature trip back to the US. The currency is the US dollar, and there are many US businesses there including Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Payless Shoes, and many others as well. Payless was a special treat for me and here's why: Peruvians in general are short people with small feet. I am not a short person, nor do I have small feet. What this normally means is that I cannot ever go shoe shopping here. Not without being ridiculed about my giant feet by peruvians with much smaller feet anyway, so I usually just avoid that mess all together. However, when I went to Ecuador, and found a Payless Shoe Source, I went directly to the size 10 section, and tried on every pair of shoes in my size. Not to buy them of course, but just to be reminded that the world really does make shoes in my size. It was nice.
I took over 200 pictures, there. It was nice to be a tourist. When I'm in Peru, I do my best to never look like a tourist, but since I was actually going to be a tourist in Ecuador, I figured it wouldn't be a problem to let my hair down a little, and whip out the old camera every 15 steps. I've posted all my pictures to my flickr account, you can view them by clicking on the flickr banner on the right side of my blog. It was a wonderful trip, very renewing (again, visas and spirits-wise). On top of that, when I was leaving, I definitely realized that I was ready to go home to Trujillo. I liked Ecuador, but I wouldn't want to live there. Sometimes, it's nice to get away to get your bearings about where you should be.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
I'd like to dedicate this next post to my brother...
Dear Marcus,
I know that you are supposed to be working right now, doing vicar-like duties- such as: looking up obscure Greek words, discussing theological matters, studying complex scriptures, changing the lightbulbs in the bathrooms, and dead guy duties. However, I appreciate that you are taking time out of your busy schedule to read my blog.
Love,
Your Hermana
So I'm going to Ecuador tonight. I have to renew my visa by leaving the country, and then coming back into the country. There's an entire process that accompanies visa renewal that I refuse to go into- mostly, because I don't understand all the ins and outs, nor am I convinced that anyone truly understands the entire process. However, rest assured that it involves a lot of running to and fro between offices and banks and copy shops. Seriously. An entire lot. And, like most bureaucratic processes, there are some pretty colorful characters sprinkled throughout it. Anyway, the point of those last few sentences is just that I am taking a 4 day trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador to relax and renew (spirits and visas). This is one of those horrible suffering for Jesus trips.
Not.
I am definitely looking forward to this trip and to resting a little bit in Ecuador. Pictures will definitely follow, I plan to visit the art market there, hang out in the iguana park (yep it's real), and visit other ecuadorian like attractions. I, however, am not entirely sure of the 17 hour bus ride to Guayaquil. But, like all good things, this trip comes with price. The price is a 17 hour wait. I just hope that this wait includes a bathroom on the bus.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Movin' on up....to the East side!
So it's been about 57 years since my last post, and for that I am heartily sorry. However, allow me to plead my case by telling you about my life for a bit and we'll see if we can't make amends for the absence of communication.
Many things have changed since my last post! I don't teach all the same classes, I don't live in the same neighborhood anymore, I'm diving into new areas of ministry AND I'm no longer a brunette! Just kidding. I wanted to make sure you were still with me. The first two items are true though.
First things first- Classes!
I'm now teaching 2 Basic 9 English classes with most of the same students. We're having alot of fun too. Or I am anyway. The basic 9 class focuses on reviewing what the students have already learned and prepares them for advancing to Intermediate level classes. Also, my students are reading their very first book in English! We're reading an abridged version of A Little Princess and so far I think everyone loves it. It almost brings a tear to my eye to think how far they've come.
Next on the agenda- Living situation!
I am no longer a resident of the Vista Hermosa neighborhood. All of the English teachers have moved into a new neighborhood called Recreo, which is a very good word for practicing rolling your r's. It's nice- it's a lot closer to SALI- the language institute where I work and I really enjoy living there. I have a few pictures of my view from the fourth floor of my room.
This is neighborhood of Recreo. I see that teal house every morning. I think it's a pretty color.
However, there are things that I miss about Vista Hermosa. Por Ejemplo (for Example), Zu-Zu. which is short for Azucar, which means Sugar. Zu-zu was our roof top friend at vista Hermosa. Most people keep their dogs on the roof because yards are rare, and zu-zu was our night guard. Fare the well zu-zu, I shall miss thee. Here are some pictures to help the memory live on.
aaaaand FINALLY!-
Please be praying this week for new ministry opportunities that are coming my way this weekend. Tomorrow (being Saturday of course) I will be launching myself into a strings music ministry program designed for kids who can neither afford instruments nor lessons. You're looking at/reading the words of the brand new cello teacher. This will be interesting with my lack of fluent Spanish....
Tune in next folks, same Peruvian blog time, same Peruvian blog channel for the update!
Many things have changed since my last post! I don't teach all the same classes, I don't live in the same neighborhood anymore, I'm diving into new areas of ministry AND I'm no longer a brunette! Just kidding. I wanted to make sure you were still with me. The first two items are true though.
First things first- Classes!
I'm now teaching 2 Basic 9 English classes with most of the same students. We're having alot of fun too. Or I am anyway. The basic 9 class focuses on reviewing what the students have already learned and prepares them for advancing to Intermediate level classes. Also, my students are reading their very first book in English! We're reading an abridged version of A Little Princess and so far I think everyone loves it. It almost brings a tear to my eye to think how far they've come.
Next on the agenda- Living situation!
I am no longer a resident of the Vista Hermosa neighborhood. All of the English teachers have moved into a new neighborhood called Recreo, which is a very good word for practicing rolling your r's. It's nice- it's a lot closer to SALI- the language institute where I work and I really enjoy living there. I have a few pictures of my view from the fourth floor of my room.
This is neighborhood of Recreo. I see that teal house every morning. I think it's a pretty color.
However, there are things that I miss about Vista Hermosa. Por Ejemplo (for Example), Zu-Zu. which is short for Azucar, which means Sugar. Zu-zu was our roof top friend at vista Hermosa. Most people keep their dogs on the roof because yards are rare, and zu-zu was our night guard. Fare the well zu-zu, I shall miss thee. Here are some pictures to help the memory live on.
aaaaand FINALLY!-
Please be praying this week for new ministry opportunities that are coming my way this weekend. Tomorrow (being Saturday of course) I will be launching myself into a strings music ministry program designed for kids who can neither afford instruments nor lessons. You're looking at/reading the words of the brand new cello teacher. This will be interesting with my lack of fluent Spanish....
Tune in next folks, same Peruvian blog time, same Peruvian blog channel for the update!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Gringlish....
My new favorite Popcorn Stand in Peru:
Krip Crap's Specialty Popcorn. For all your Popcorn needs.
Krip Crap's Specialty Popcorn. For all your Popcorn needs.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Hoy es Viernes....
Today is Friday and I am tired.
The week hasn't been busy beyond the normal, but the normal is busy in and of itself, and I think the last three weeks of normal have united their powers to bring down the great Energy machine. It's very captain planet-esque. En este caso, however, it is more like Captain Busy / He's our hero / Gonna take your energy / Down to Zero.
Well. Anyway....
It's Friday and I'm definitely am enjoying the perks of teacherdom, such as happily posting a new blog instead of taking a quiz, like my students are right now. Suckers! Just kidding. My class is great, I really love my students! Last night, after my 8:45 class let out, two of my students, Milagros and Guiliana stayed after class for a little and we got to talking about many different things. It was a very encouraging conversation, I shared a little bit about why I was down here and why I was teaching at SALI. They asked questions about my family, my life, and shared many stories about their lives and snippets about Peru. They promised to take me out and show me their city, and share their culture. It was very nice! They also promised to take me out to eat anticuchos (that would be cow hearts for those in the dark). I think I've actually had them before, but I'm up for trying anything once. They asked if it was hard to leave my friends and family behind. At the end of the conversation, Guiliana and Milagros told me "Somos tu amigas en Peru "We are your friends in Peru" It was so nice. It's amazing how one little phrase can mean so much to someone.
Reaching out to someone in the smallest way might end up having the biggest impact. I think it was a very good lesson to see. It's easy to be under the impression that mission work invovles something big elaborate tent revival or organized effort to deliver the Bible and spread the Gospel by preaching from the pulpit. I believe that sometimes this idea may hinder people's views of what the Gospel can look like. Sometimes it seems like we expect mission work and the spreading of the Gospel to appear like a Christian dog and pony show, with a magician that pulls tracts and Bibles out of a hat. However, the Gospel is not spread because of our human efforts and campaigns and sermons, etc. The Gospel is love, and sometimes God works through the smallest gestures that don't involve a pyrotechnic display of Christianity.
"Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:32
The week hasn't been busy beyond the normal, but the normal is busy in and of itself, and I think the last three weeks of normal have united their powers to bring down the great Energy machine. It's very captain planet-esque. En este caso, however, it is more like Captain Busy / He's our hero / Gonna take your energy / Down to Zero.
Well. Anyway....
It's Friday and I'm definitely am enjoying the perks of teacherdom, such as happily posting a new blog instead of taking a quiz, like my students are right now. Suckers! Just kidding. My class is great, I really love my students! Last night, after my 8:45 class let out, two of my students, Milagros and Guiliana stayed after class for a little and we got to talking about many different things. It was a very encouraging conversation, I shared a little bit about why I was down here and why I was teaching at SALI. They asked questions about my family, my life, and shared many stories about their lives and snippets about Peru. They promised to take me out and show me their city, and share their culture. It was very nice! They also promised to take me out to eat anticuchos (that would be cow hearts for those in the dark). I think I've actually had them before, but I'm up for trying anything once. They asked if it was hard to leave my friends and family behind. At the end of the conversation, Guiliana and Milagros told me "Somos tu amigas en Peru "We are your friends in Peru" It was so nice. It's amazing how one little phrase can mean so much to someone.
Reaching out to someone in the smallest way might end up having the biggest impact. I think it was a very good lesson to see. It's easy to be under the impression that mission work invovles something big elaborate tent revival or organized effort to deliver the Bible and spread the Gospel by preaching from the pulpit. I believe that sometimes this idea may hinder people's views of what the Gospel can look like. Sometimes it seems like we expect mission work and the spreading of the Gospel to appear like a Christian dog and pony show, with a magician that pulls tracts and Bibles out of a hat. However, the Gospel is not spread because of our human efforts and campaigns and sermons, etc. The Gospel is love, and sometimes God works through the smallest gestures that don't involve a pyrotechnic display of Christianity.
"Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:32
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Whoops! there goes another rubber tree plant...
WHEW! Did you catch that last week that just flew by? I barely did. It's once again, Tuesday, and I have just realized that another week has quickly passed. However, as short as the last week seemed to go by, I know that I am not the same person I was a mere 7 days ago.
In the last 7 days, I have learned more about God's grace; 7 different times, I have been made aware that God's mercies are new everyday; I have learned lessons from my students; I have made new friends; I have become closer with other friends; I have made mistakes; I have failed at various things; my perceived boundaries have been stretched farther than I thought possible; my Spanish vocabulary has expanded, perhaps by only one or two words, but has expanded nevertheless; I have been content, confident, grouchy, amazed, scared, humbled, happy, sad, wanting, selfish, stressed, and many other things. But I think above all, I have been blessed.
I don't think we always realize that everyday we spend alive is a day we spend learning. I don't always know why God is teaching me the lessons he is teaching me. Aw heck, who am I kidding? I rarely know why God is teaching me the lessons he is teaching me; however, it is my prayer for all of us that God will give us a heart that is yielding and eager to learn.
In other news-
Today, August 21, 2007 is quite the auspicious occasion...for me anyway. Today, dear friends and family, is my one month anniversary of moving to Peru. My first month of living the life of a Peruvian is over. How does it feel?
Blurry. Oh well. ¡Feliz Aniversario a Peru y mi!
How did I celebrate? I ate my first item of food with meat in it from off the street. Usually this is somewhat of a no-no in Peru, for somewhat obvious reasons- I live in a developing country (used to be known as third world, but that's not PC anymore) and it's fairly easy to get sick here. I however would like to think that I have been building up immunity to bad food for the past four years at Anderson University's cafeteria. So, today, I broke the rules and ate a papa rellena off the street. It was good. I'll let you know if I regret it later.
In the last 7 days, I have learned more about God's grace; 7 different times, I have been made aware that God's mercies are new everyday; I have learned lessons from my students; I have made new friends; I have become closer with other friends; I have made mistakes; I have failed at various things; my perceived boundaries have been stretched farther than I thought possible; my Spanish vocabulary has expanded, perhaps by only one or two words, but has expanded nevertheless; I have been content, confident, grouchy, amazed, scared, humbled, happy, sad, wanting, selfish, stressed, and many other things. But I think above all, I have been blessed.
I don't think we always realize that everyday we spend alive is a day we spend learning. I don't always know why God is teaching me the lessons he is teaching me. Aw heck, who am I kidding? I rarely know why God is teaching me the lessons he is teaching me; however, it is my prayer for all of us that God will give us a heart that is yielding and eager to learn.
In other news-
Today, August 21, 2007 is quite the auspicious occasion...for me anyway. Today, dear friends and family, is my one month anniversary of moving to Peru. My first month of living the life of a Peruvian is over. How does it feel?
Blurry. Oh well. ¡Feliz Aniversario a Peru y mi!
How did I celebrate? I ate my first item of food with meat in it from off the street. Usually this is somewhat of a no-no in Peru, for somewhat obvious reasons- I live in a developing country (used to be known as third world, but that's not PC anymore) and it's fairly easy to get sick here. I however would like to think that I have been building up immunity to bad food for the past four years at Anderson University's cafeteria. So, today, I broke the rules and ate a papa rellena off the street. It was good. I'll let you know if I regret it later.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Mi primer temblor...
Never fear friends and family. Trujillo was safe from the terremoto!
Terremoto is the Spanish term for earthquake, which was what happened in Lima. However, in Trujillo, because we are so far north, we only felt a temblor (more akin to a tremor). I was in the middle of my conversation class. I was pretty fidgety all day so I just figured I was getting dizzy from being antsy, but my students quickly assured me that it was in fact the building that was shaking. It felt like it was swaying back and forth. It was definitely a new experience.
But anyway, definitely be praying for the people who were affected by the terremoto for the families of those who were killed and for healing for all of those people who were injured.
In Christ,
Gillian
Terremoto is the Spanish term for earthquake, which was what happened in Lima. However, in Trujillo, because we are so far north, we only felt a temblor (more akin to a tremor). I was in the middle of my conversation class. I was pretty fidgety all day so I just figured I was getting dizzy from being antsy, but my students quickly assured me that it was in fact the building that was shaking. It felt like it was swaying back and forth. It was definitely a new experience.
But anyway, definitely be praying for the people who were affected by the terremoto for the families of those who were killed and for healing for all of those people who were injured.
In Christ,
Gillian
Monday, August 13, 2007
How Quickly time flies when you are trying to make the English Present continuous fun...
It's true, this week has gone by quickly. I find myself already sitting at the SALI office late in the afternoon Tuesday, wondering how I will finish everything that I need to finish before tomorrow. The life of an ESL teacher in Peru is apparently a busy one. However, do not be fooled, it is incredible.
I am continuously learning lessons about the mercies of God while going through a little prunage (the act of pruning). But it's all good in this hood.
I'm still settling in I suppose. As usual, I find it easiest to express my feelings through an analogia (that's an analogy for all you English speaking cats out there):
Do you remember that game "Perfection" from Milton Bradley? No? Well here's the jingle (don't forget it's sung to the tune of Pop goes the weasel):
Essentially the game is this: You have a game board with different shaped slots in it and you have a whole mess of pieces that have been thrown on top of the board. Your job is to put all the pieces into the right slots.
I currently feel that with coming to Peru, or really going into any new situation, the pieces of my life were all of a sudden thrown into the game and I must put them back in order (read: put my life in order) I am currently putting the pieces into place. But there is no clock in my game. All I have to do is put the pieces in. And I am working on that right now.
***************************************************************************
In other news, I am also having a blast teaching. I enjoy teaching my students with the use of fun activities and exciting games. So, naturally, we played what is quite possibly the most fun game I have made up yet. What game, you ask?
Gringo Bingo.
That's right. Gringo Bingo. We were studying future tense (I am going to, you are going to, etc.). The object of the game is simple. Each student gets one Gringo Bingo gameboard with various activities listed in each square. Such activities include "Go to a Movie, Spend time with friends, Travel to Lima" and other exciting life events. Downstairs in the lobby were some strategically placed gringos (p.s. this isn't an offensive term, it's just any white foreigner, tourist or otherwise) and students had to use the correct future tense question format to interview the gringos. If the answer was yes, the students could mark their square. The winner was the first person to get five squares in a row and to shout GRINGO BINGO! Flores won. We will undoubtedly be playing gringo bingo in the future. Patent Pending.
That's about it for now. This was a long post, but I made it colorful so that you would remain engaged with all these words.
Oh and one final order of business. Please feel free to check out two Youtube videos at the following links:
Click here to see a video of my friends playing traditional Peruvian folklorica music.
Click here to see how gringos stay entertained between classes.
I am continuously learning lessons about the mercies of God while going through a little prunage (the act of pruning). But it's all good in this hood.
I'm still settling in I suppose. As usual, I find it easiest to express my feelings through an analogia (that's an analogy for all you English speaking cats out there):
Do you remember that game "Perfection" from Milton Bradley? No? Well here's the jingle (don't forget it's sung to the tune of Pop goes the weasel):
Put the pieces into the slots
Make the right connection
Just be quick, You're racing the clock
POP! Goes perfection.
Make the right connection
Just be quick, You're racing the clock
POP! Goes perfection.
Essentially the game is this: You have a game board with different shaped slots in it and you have a whole mess of pieces that have been thrown on top of the board. Your job is to put all the pieces into the right slots.
I currently feel that with coming to Peru, or really going into any new situation, the pieces of my life were all of a sudden thrown into the game and I must put them back in order (read: put my life in order) I am currently putting the pieces into place. But there is no clock in my game. All I have to do is put the pieces in. And I am working on that right now.
***************************************************************************
In other news, I am also having a blast teaching. I enjoy teaching my students with the use of fun activities and exciting games. So, naturally, we played what is quite possibly the most fun game I have made up yet. What game, you ask?
Gringo Bingo.
That's right. Gringo Bingo. We were studying future tense (I am going to, you are going to, etc.). The object of the game is simple. Each student gets one Gringo Bingo gameboard with various activities listed in each square. Such activities include "Go to a Movie, Spend time with friends, Travel to Lima" and other exciting life events. Downstairs in the lobby were some strategically placed gringos (p.s. this isn't an offensive term, it's just any white foreigner, tourist or otherwise) and students had to use the correct future tense question format to interview the gringos. If the answer was yes, the students could mark their square. The winner was the first person to get five squares in a row and to shout GRINGO BINGO! Flores won. We will undoubtedly be playing gringo bingo in the future. Patent Pending.
That's about it for now. This was a long post, but I made it colorful so that you would remain engaged with all these words.
Oh and one final order of business. Please feel free to check out two Youtube videos at the following links:
Click here to see a video of my friends playing traditional Peruvian folklorica music.
Click here to see how gringos stay entertained between classes.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Get out your schoolbooks, kids. There's a new teacher in town.
Ok, Just kidding. But it's official. I'm an ESL teacher in a foreign country.
Yesterday marked the first day of August classes at the San Augustin Language Institute, affectionately referred to SALI by all who pass through its hallowed halls. Here at SALI, we encourage students through small class sizes, opening and closing class with prayer, great teacher/student relationships, and by kicking bad grammar in the face.
Classes, as stated before, began yesterday and more specifically, Basic 8 with your friendly neighborhood Denverite began yesterday. The Lesson: Teach students how to describe people and objects around them. I knew what I had to do, I had no other choice; so I did it. I broke out Guess Who. Yeah that's right, the original mystery face guessing game from Milton Bradley. Alright, maybe it was just a rip off of it, but hey, it got the point across. Students had to use their deductive skills and their newly learned format for describing to guess which object, person, or animal teacher was thinking of ("teacher" being me, for I am now a teacher).
I'd like to think that I might have made a little difference in the world of English yesterday. I suppose we'll find out today when I review with my students, who by the way, are pictured below. All in all, it was good day yesterday, and now I must return to my teacher-ish work, and find a good topic for my 5:45 conversation class.
Chao!
Mis Estudiantes, Junior, Cynthia, Flores, Milagros, y Renzo. Chevere, di?
Let's practice some spanish by the way:
Chao- Peruvian farewell, you do not say Adios.
Mis Estudiantes- My students
Chevere, di?- A sort of slang phrase which means something along the lines of cool, right?
Yesterday marked the first day of August classes at the San Augustin Language Institute, affectionately referred to SALI by all who pass through its hallowed halls. Here at SALI, we encourage students through small class sizes, opening and closing class with prayer, great teacher/student relationships, and by kicking bad grammar in the face.
Classes, as stated before, began yesterday and more specifically, Basic 8 with your friendly neighborhood Denverite began yesterday. The Lesson: Teach students how to describe people and objects around them. I knew what I had to do, I had no other choice; so I did it. I broke out Guess Who. Yeah that's right, the original mystery face guessing game from Milton Bradley. Alright, maybe it was just a rip off of it, but hey, it got the point across. Students had to use their deductive skills and their newly learned format for describing to guess which object, person, or animal teacher was thinking of ("teacher" being me, for I am now a teacher).
I'd like to think that I might have made a little difference in the world of English yesterday. I suppose we'll find out today when I review with my students, who by the way, are pictured below. All in all, it was good day yesterday, and now I must return to my teacher-ish work, and find a good topic for my 5:45 conversation class.
Chao!
Mis Estudiantes, Junior, Cynthia, Flores, Milagros, y Renzo. Chevere, di?
Let's practice some spanish by the way:
Chao- Peruvian farewell, you do not say Adios.
Mis Estudiantes- My students
Chevere, di?- A sort of slang phrase which means something along the lines of cool, right?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Too Legit to Quit.
Happy Colorado Day! Colorado is 131 years old today.
Don't worry sweetie, you don't look a day over 125.
Don't worry sweetie, you don't look a day over 125.
Monday, July 30, 2007
What's a girl to do?
Sometimes, it's incredibly easy for me to start off my new posts. Sometimes I have a really hilarious story that I want to share and it's easy to let the words pour out. Sometimes my heart has been set on one thought that I feel I need to write down soon, lest it gets lost amidst the rest of my life, but other days, such as this one, I find it difficult to begin writing, and I know exactly why.
My eyes have seen so many things in just this short week or so that I have been here. From the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed on my 7 inch thick mattress, I am filled with new sights, new sounds, and new smells (sometimes pleasant, most times not so much); and with so many new things around me, my brain is in overdrive trying to absorb and process everything. Which for me, is interesting. I'm what you might call a quiet observer. Ok, quickly make your joke about how there's nothing quiet about me and we'll move on. Now, what I mean by being a "quiet observer" is that when I experience new things, I like to take them in immediately, and process later. I don't like to sound my judgement right away. However, I think what has been happening lately is that all I have been doing is absorbing things, without having any time to process them. Sort of like if you have a garage that you keep shoving stuff into to store it for later, but never organize it. What do you have? Just a big mess of stuff, right? Right.
So my thoughts remain scattered today. I have a sketchbook that I've been using to write down feelings, record emotions and thoughts, and ironically enough, to sketch. Sometimes though, I feel like that's not even enough to keep up. I want to remember every feeling and reaction during my time here! Is that so much to ask? Oh probably. I suppose that until I find a more efficient outlet, I will have to resort to blogspots and sketchbooks.
P.s. Please feel free to check out my online Peru photo album which I'm sure will become very full over the next year. For now, it's still a manageable amount of pictures to view. www.flickr.com/peruviangillian
My eyes have seen so many things in just this short week or so that I have been here. From the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed on my 7 inch thick mattress, I am filled with new sights, new sounds, and new smells (sometimes pleasant, most times not so much); and with so many new things around me, my brain is in overdrive trying to absorb and process everything. Which for me, is interesting. I'm what you might call a quiet observer. Ok, quickly make your joke about how there's nothing quiet about me and we'll move on. Now, what I mean by being a "quiet observer" is that when I experience new things, I like to take them in immediately, and process later. I don't like to sound my judgement right away. However, I think what has been happening lately is that all I have been doing is absorbing things, without having any time to process them. Sort of like if you have a garage that you keep shoving stuff into to store it for later, but never organize it. What do you have? Just a big mess of stuff, right? Right.
So my thoughts remain scattered today. I have a sketchbook that I've been using to write down feelings, record emotions and thoughts, and ironically enough, to sketch. Sometimes though, I feel like that's not even enough to keep up. I want to remember every feeling and reaction during my time here! Is that so much to ask? Oh probably. I suppose that until I find a more efficient outlet, I will have to resort to blogspots and sketchbooks.
P.s. Please feel free to check out my online Peru photo album which I'm sure will become very full over the next year. For now, it's still a manageable amount of pictures to view. www.flickr.com/peruviangillian
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Fun things I've seen in Trujillo so far...
Well folks, it's been precisely 4 days since my arrival. I have encountered a really extraordinary amount of fun things so far, but here are a two of my favorite experiences.
My Breakfast Walk-
My first day in Trujillo, I went out to breakfast with my friend Joshua Burdette, who is a friend from Anderson University, but is currently serving here as well. As we walked to the cafe of choice, we heard a commotion in the Plaza de Armas, the main square in Trujillo. We walked farther and realized that there happened to be a random parade in the middle of the square, complete with Marinera dancers (a native dance of Peru) A 35 piece marching band, flag bearers, men and women on stilts, and colorfully costumed men doing stunts. And by stunts, I do mean, making a 6 person pyramid in the middle of the road. It was nice and fun, but we sort of had to walk next to the parade for a while, and be followed for about a block by the marching band. But looking back on it, I now realize that this is how I want to walk to breakfast every morning- with a big brass band following me. You can't have a bad day with a parade backing you up.
Mr. Toad's Wild Taxi Ride-
Granted, every time you get into a taxi in Peru, you never know what sort of driver you'll get. Will he be one of the ones to give you whiplash as he careens around the Ovolo Papal? Will he slow down for the speed bumps that appear on random streets of Trujillo? Heck, will his transmission even make it over that speed bump before falling out onto the pavement? You never know. But two nights ago, my friend Katie and I had the good fortune of finding an exceptionally frightening cab driver. He was a bit disheveled, for a taxi driver anyway, and drove what is known as a Tico Taxi. Now, the Tico Taxi is like the hot rod of all taxis. Except that it's a Daewoo and nothing like a hot rod at all. In a CNN story, it was said that "The Tico is not designed for use as a taxi," says Lino de la Barrera, a traffic safety expert and an architect of the regulations. "The possibility of a fatal accident is greater in a Tico." However, does this stop anyone? Not so much, and ne'er wanting to appear the tourist, of course we end up taking Tico Taxis about every other trip. But I digress. So this taxi driver, who had his Tico pimped out with stuffed animals hanging in the window, and some neon beads, took us around corners at blinding speeds, stopped within mere inches (no exaggeration here) of hitting cars in front of us, beside us, and even somehow behind us (that might be exaggerated). In all my years of visiting Peru, I cannot remember a taxi ride that made the verse about life being a vapor clearer to me than the ride in that tico taxi. It was life changing.
My Breakfast Walk-
My first day in Trujillo, I went out to breakfast with my friend Joshua Burdette, who is a friend from Anderson University, but is currently serving here as well. As we walked to the cafe of choice, we heard a commotion in the Plaza de Armas, the main square in Trujillo. We walked farther and realized that there happened to be a random parade in the middle of the square, complete with Marinera dancers (a native dance of Peru) A 35 piece marching band, flag bearers, men and women on stilts, and colorfully costumed men doing stunts. And by stunts, I do mean, making a 6 person pyramid in the middle of the road. It was nice and fun, but we sort of had to walk next to the parade for a while, and be followed for about a block by the marching band. But looking back on it, I now realize that this is how I want to walk to breakfast every morning- with a big brass band following me. You can't have a bad day with a parade backing you up.
Mr. Toad's Wild Taxi Ride-
Granted, every time you get into a taxi in Peru, you never know what sort of driver you'll get. Will he be one of the ones to give you whiplash as he careens around the Ovolo Papal? Will he slow down for the speed bumps that appear on random streets of Trujillo? Heck, will his transmission even make it over that speed bump before falling out onto the pavement? You never know. But two nights ago, my friend Katie and I had the good fortune of finding an exceptionally frightening cab driver. He was a bit disheveled, for a taxi driver anyway, and drove what is known as a Tico Taxi. Now, the Tico Taxi is like the hot rod of all taxis. Except that it's a Daewoo and nothing like a hot rod at all. In a CNN story, it was said that "The Tico is not designed for use as a taxi," says Lino de la Barrera, a traffic safety expert and an architect of the regulations. "The possibility of a fatal accident is greater in a Tico." However, does this stop anyone? Not so much, and ne'er wanting to appear the tourist, of course we end up taking Tico Taxis about every other trip. But I digress. So this taxi driver, who had his Tico pimped out with stuffed animals hanging in the window, and some neon beads, took us around corners at blinding speeds, stopped within mere inches (no exaggeration here) of hitting cars in front of us, beside us, and even somehow behind us (that might be exaggerated). In all my years of visiting Peru, I cannot remember a taxi ride that made the verse about life being a vapor clearer to me than the ride in that tico taxi. It was life changing.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Where the parties don't stop till 8 in the mornin...
So what's a normal day like in Trujillo?
I don't know I've only been here one day. But I see myself settling in quickly. I've met alot of the interns that were here for the summer, but was told not to get too attached since most of them are leaving in a week. A new group, my group, will be coming in next week, but I got a little head start. But anyway, I'm currently sitting in my apartment, very glad to have some free wifi (gracias to Telefonica) and being soothed by the smooth sounds of a Peruvian guns n' roses cover band from the party going on next door. You've never heard Sweet Child o' Mine until you've heard it Peruvian karaoke style. The smell of gasoline from the taxis in the street occasionally wafts up to the second story. The street sounds and the horns definitely make it up here. But as the party continues, it eventually just becomes a part of the atmosphere around me, and the Peruvian rappers that are now performing no longer stand out as much, because I realize, I'm here- in Trujillo, my home for the next year, and this is my environment.
It's strange living in the middle of your life. Of course John Lennon once said, Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, but in my case, I planned, and anticipated, and planned some more about actually moving here to Trujillo, so much so that when I actually got here, it was in fact very surreal. I knew from the get go that the experiences that I would have in Peru were going to be amazing and become integral parts of my life, but I'm sort of in the process of making these memories, and that's what I mean by it being strange to live in the middle of my life. Which probably makes no sense at all, but it does to me...I think, and I'm ok with that.
Oh hang on, the Peruvian cover of Guns n' Roses Paradise City just started, and I really can't miss this.
Buenos Noches!
I don't know I've only been here one day. But I see myself settling in quickly. I've met alot of the interns that were here for the summer, but was told not to get too attached since most of them are leaving in a week. A new group, my group, will be coming in next week, but I got a little head start. But anyway, I'm currently sitting in my apartment, very glad to have some free wifi (gracias to Telefonica) and being soothed by the smooth sounds of a Peruvian guns n' roses cover band from the party going on next door. You've never heard Sweet Child o' Mine until you've heard it Peruvian karaoke style. The smell of gasoline from the taxis in the street occasionally wafts up to the second story. The street sounds and the horns definitely make it up here. But as the party continues, it eventually just becomes a part of the atmosphere around me, and the Peruvian rappers that are now performing no longer stand out as much, because I realize, I'm here- in Trujillo, my home for the next year, and this is my environment.
It's strange living in the middle of your life. Of course John Lennon once said, Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, but in my case, I planned, and anticipated, and planned some more about actually moving here to Trujillo, so much so that when I actually got here, it was in fact very surreal. I knew from the get go that the experiences that I would have in Peru were going to be amazing and become integral parts of my life, but I'm sort of in the process of making these memories, and that's what I mean by it being strange to live in the middle of my life. Which probably makes no sense at all, but it does to me...I think, and I'm ok with that.
Oh hang on, the Peruvian cover of Guns n' Roses Paradise City just started, and I really can't miss this.
Buenos Noches!
Nothing like a recycled post to get things started...
This is a little something from my first update e-mail I sent out about my travel experiences through the Lima airport. If you're not on my update e-mail list but would like to be, please leave a comment with your e-mail address on it, or send me an e-mail at gbaikie@gmail.com.
I´m staying with a wonderful woman named
Chela, who is my best friend Ruth´s aunt and a most compassionate
woman to have picked me up from the airport last night about midnight
so that I wouldn´t die trying to navigate Lima by myself. And she´s a
saint for putting up with my horrible, horrible conversational
Spanish.
Anyway, I made it through the airport alright, but my big fear was
passing through customs. If you´ve been through Peru´s airport
before, once you pass through immigration and reclaim your baggage,
you must pass through customs, which is the worst thing in the world.
Why? Because you have no control over your own destiny at customs,
which is a worker who gathers your forms and then tells you to press a
button that will either flash red or green before you pass through the
black gate. Now, once you press this button, your fate is nothing
more than a dangerous gamble, for this button decides your future.
Green means you haven´t angered the universe, Red means....well, red
means bad news bears for you. Everything you own will get searched,
and it will be thorough (i.e. time-consuming). So before you get in
line, you stand there trying to gather as many statistics as possible
on how many times it´s flahsing red to best determine which line is
the least likely to ruin your day. However, in the bottom of your
heart you know that you have absolutely no way to pick a ´´good´´
line, so you just pick one, and then you hold your breath. Palms
sweating, you watch as people get the green light, wishing so badly it
were you that was passing through so easily. Finally you´re almost to
the front. One more person to go, she hands her form to the customs
worker, reaches up to press the button with confidence, and there it
is. The red button of doom. And it seems as though a silence falls
over Lima, you can almost hear the trombone´s ´wah wah waaaaahs´´ in
the distance.
But only for a second, because I then realize. I made it! The girl in
front of me got the axe and doom won´t flash twice in a row! The
music changes to an upbeat whistling tune most likely from the fifties
as I happily hand my form over, press that button, and walk past that
beautiful green light with a little extra spring in my step because I,
Gillian Baikie, did not have to get searched at customs.
Well, update from yesterday, I did make it to Trujillo alright with no major disasters, so now I guess I can finally get my Peru blog on the way! Hooray!
I´m staying with a wonderful woman named
Chela, who is my best friend Ruth´s aunt and a most compassionate
woman to have picked me up from the airport last night about midnight
so that I wouldn´t die trying to navigate Lima by myself. And she´s a
saint for putting up with my horrible, horrible conversational
Spanish.
Anyway, I made it through the airport alright, but my big fear was
passing through customs. If you´ve been through Peru´s airport
before, once you pass through immigration and reclaim your baggage,
you must pass through customs, which is the worst thing in the world.
Why? Because you have no control over your own destiny at customs,
which is a worker who gathers your forms and then tells you to press a
button that will either flash red or green before you pass through the
black gate. Now, once you press this button, your fate is nothing
more than a dangerous gamble, for this button decides your future.
Green means you haven´t angered the universe, Red means....well, red
means bad news bears for you. Everything you own will get searched,
and it will be thorough (i.e. time-consuming). So before you get in
line, you stand there trying to gather as many statistics as possible
on how many times it´s flahsing red to best determine which line is
the least likely to ruin your day. However, in the bottom of your
heart you know that you have absolutely no way to pick a ´´good´´
line, so you just pick one, and then you hold your breath. Palms
sweating, you watch as people get the green light, wishing so badly it
were you that was passing through so easily. Finally you´re almost to
the front. One more person to go, she hands her form to the customs
worker, reaches up to press the button with confidence, and there it
is. The red button of doom. And it seems as though a silence falls
over Lima, you can almost hear the trombone´s ´wah wah waaaaahs´´ in
the distance.
But only for a second, because I then realize. I made it! The girl in
front of me got the axe and doom won´t flash twice in a row! The
music changes to an upbeat whistling tune most likely from the fifties
as I happily hand my form over, press that button, and walk past that
beautiful green light with a little extra spring in my step because I,
Gillian Baikie, did not have to get searched at customs.
Well, update from yesterday, I did make it to Trujillo alright with no major disasters, so now I guess I can finally get my Peru blog on the way! Hooray!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Five finger calendar...
You can count the days I have left in the United States on one hand now.
I have the feeling that my life will be changing drastically.
No duh, Gillian.
But, beyond stating the obvious, I feel that my life will be changing much more than I expect. And to be perfectly honest, I'm excited about the unexpected. Every time I go to Peru I learn lessons I never counted on learning and experience things I never imagined. I suppose I am finding peace in the unknown. Knowing that I actually have no idea what will happen makes me throw any preconceived notions out the window. Maybe this should be scary to me, but it's not.
I'll tell you what is scary though. Adulthood.
There comes a time in every twenty-something's life when they must step over that threshold of a college student life and into the proverbial "real world." And supposedly, my time has come. Here's why one might be tempted to believe that I am actually becoming an adult- I just bought my own health insurance plan.
And now, here's why that adult rumor should not be taken too seriously- After carefully going over my insurance packet that explains my coverage, I realized that I understood somewhere between 7 and 8 percent of what I read. I know absolutely nothing about health insurance (or probably any insurance for that matter), I can't understand their insurance jargon, nor could I even give you a decent definition of a premium, deductible, or what a PPO is, or even what it stands for. Frankly, I'm not sure what I just paid for, but modern bureaucracy tells me I need it, and it's time like these when I wonder how hard it would be to become a hippie of the 21st century.
So there you have it, I'm being forced into adulthood, and I don't understand the lingo. That's how they get you. Phooey on this, I'm moving to Peru.
I have the feeling that my life will be changing drastically.
No duh, Gillian.
But, beyond stating the obvious, I feel that my life will be changing much more than I expect. And to be perfectly honest, I'm excited about the unexpected. Every time I go to Peru I learn lessons I never counted on learning and experience things I never imagined. I suppose I am finding peace in the unknown. Knowing that I actually have no idea what will happen makes me throw any preconceived notions out the window. Maybe this should be scary to me, but it's not.
I'll tell you what is scary though. Adulthood.
There comes a time in every twenty-something's life when they must step over that threshold of a college student life and into the proverbial "real world." And supposedly, my time has come. Here's why one might be tempted to believe that I am actually becoming an adult- I just bought my own health insurance plan.
And now, here's why that adult rumor should not be taken too seriously- After carefully going over my insurance packet that explains my coverage, I realized that I understood somewhere between 7 and 8 percent of what I read. I know absolutely nothing about health insurance (or probably any insurance for that matter), I can't understand their insurance jargon, nor could I even give you a decent definition of a premium, deductible, or what a PPO is, or even what it stands for. Frankly, I'm not sure what I just paid for, but modern bureaucracy tells me I need it, and it's time like these when I wonder how hard it would be to become a hippie of the 21st century.
So there you have it, I'm being forced into adulthood, and I don't understand the lingo. That's how they get you. Phooey on this, I'm moving to Peru.
Monday, July 9, 2007
I just flew in from Peru and boy are my arms tired...
Well folks, I'm ten days away from moving to Peru, and it's just a little bit surreal. I've been looking forward to this for so long that once the day finally comes, I don't think I'll quite know what to do with myself. But no worries yet, I'll figure it out when I get there.
So, what have I been doing to pass the time, you might ask? well, for starters, my brother get married last weekend, so the whole family traveled to Southern Illinois for a five day wedding blitz. It was nice...and stressful. Nice and stressful indeed. Then I visited friends in South Carolina one last time. That was also nice...and humid, but mostly nice.
Then, yesterday, which of course was Sunday, marked the very first Peruvian Luncheon/Talent show at King of Kings Lutheran church, my home church in Colorado. We put it together to help raise more support for my time in Peru. It was a great day and so far, about $1350 was raised, and Thrivent promised 3/1 matching funds which means that the whole event will bring in about $1800- which of course, is overwhelmingly encouraging to see people becoming active with Peru Mission. I cooked a Peruvian meal for 60 and gave others a chance to experience lomo saltado and aji de gallina, even some chicha morada and Inca Cola (Peruvian drinks which you can get in Denver if you're interested by the way). We had about 10 acts for the talent show after lunch which included a magic act, some stand-up comedy direct from Pastor Schlecte, and the soulful stylings of Mr. Jim Rasmussen playing the bagpipes. I believe everyone had a great time. But to wrap this post up in true church bulletin style- A fun time was had by all.
So, what have I been doing to pass the time, you might ask? well, for starters, my brother get married last weekend, so the whole family traveled to Southern Illinois for a five day wedding blitz. It was nice...and stressful. Nice and stressful indeed. Then I visited friends in South Carolina one last time. That was also nice...and humid, but mostly nice.
Then, yesterday, which of course was Sunday, marked the very first Peruvian Luncheon/Talent show at King of Kings Lutheran church, my home church in Colorado. We put it together to help raise more support for my time in Peru. It was a great day and so far, about $1350 was raised, and Thrivent promised 3/1 matching funds which means that the whole event will bring in about $1800- which of course, is overwhelmingly encouraging to see people becoming active with Peru Mission. I cooked a Peruvian meal for 60 and gave others a chance to experience lomo saltado and aji de gallina, even some chicha morada and Inca Cola (Peruvian drinks which you can get in Denver if you're interested by the way). We had about 10 acts for the talent show after lunch which included a magic act, some stand-up comedy direct from Pastor Schlecte, and the soulful stylings of Mr. Jim Rasmussen playing the bagpipes. I believe everyone had a great time. But to wrap this post up in true church bulletin style- A fun time was had by all.
Monday, June 25, 2007
dum de dum...
I'm running out of things to post about on my blog. What with this being a blog about being in Peru, and seeing as how I'm not in Peru yet, it seems like I'm a little fluffy hamster, just spinning in my squeaky metal wheel.
Or something like that.
I have been itching to be in Peru ever since, well ever since I went there the first time in 2005. I knew I would go back. Don't ask me how, but I think in the back of my mind it wasn't ever really a question. Then when I did go back in 2006, I knew I would be going back for a more permanent visit...someday. Again, don't ask me how I knew. Actually maybe it's more of a hindsight bias thing Either way, the fact of the matter is that I am exactly 24 days away from leaving and now that it's close (well, closer than what it was 2 months ago) I just don't know what to do with myself before I leave.
I guess that's only partially true. I leave in 3 days for my brother's wedding- the last of the trilogy- and after that, I'll be in South Carolina to see friends one last time (possibly ever John Boyte) and then FINALLY I'll only be 13 days away. Does anyone know how to make time go by faster?
Or something like that.
I have been itching to be in Peru ever since, well ever since I went there the first time in 2005. I knew I would go back. Don't ask me how, but I think in the back of my mind it wasn't ever really a question. Then when I did go back in 2006, I knew I would be going back for a more permanent visit...someday. Again, don't ask me how I knew. Actually maybe it's more of a hindsight bias thing Either way, the fact of the matter is that I am exactly 24 days away from leaving and now that it's close (well, closer than what it was 2 months ago) I just don't know what to do with myself before I leave.
I guess that's only partially true. I leave in 3 days for my brother's wedding- the last of the trilogy- and after that, I'll be in South Carolina to see friends one last time (possibly ever John Boyte) and then FINALLY I'll only be 13 days away. Does anyone know how to make time go by faster?
Friday, June 15, 2007
It was bound to happen eventually...
I don't consider myself a girl with regrets. I am a firm believer that every experience, whether good or bad, has occurred in my life thus far for the benefit of me and God's perfect plan for my life. Still, there are bad times in my life, and I am quite afraid that my first borderline regret has just occurred.
I just watched Bob Barker's farewell and final show of The Price is Right.
For the past 35 years, good old Bob has warmed hearts of millions of people and warned millions of the dangers of pet over-population. He taught us how to bargain, how to be discerning when it comes to considering the costs of wall to wall carpeting, jukeboxes, and year-long supplies of Centrum Silver (Centrum complete from A to Zinc). He tested our abilities to think under the pressure of a screaming audience when trying to correctly guess the price of hot pockets and blenders while a yodeling swiss man climbs up the mountain, hoping to not fall to impending doom. He even tested our motor skills with the Hole in One Golf Game, and was always ready to help a little old lady from Boca Raton wearing a shirt that says "Kiss Me Bob" that just couldn't quite spin the Showcase Showdown wheel on her own. Need I even say anything about Plinko? I don't think so.
Anyway, the reason why this is a borderline regret for me, is that one of my life goals was to be on the Price is Right. Alas, I believe Socrates once said "you snooze, you lose." Roughly translated of course. Somehow, though, I must press on. Here's to you, Bob- I will always spay or neuter my pets.
I just watched Bob Barker's farewell and final show of The Price is Right.
For the past 35 years, good old Bob has warmed hearts of millions of people and warned millions of the dangers of pet over-population. He taught us how to bargain, how to be discerning when it comes to considering the costs of wall to wall carpeting, jukeboxes, and year-long supplies of Centrum Silver (Centrum complete from A to Zinc). He tested our abilities to think under the pressure of a screaming audience when trying to correctly guess the price of hot pockets and blenders while a yodeling swiss man climbs up the mountain, hoping to not fall to impending doom. He even tested our motor skills with the Hole in One Golf Game, and was always ready to help a little old lady from Boca Raton wearing a shirt that says "Kiss Me Bob" that just couldn't quite spin the Showcase Showdown wheel on her own. Need I even say anything about Plinko? I don't think so.
Anyway, the reason why this is a borderline regret for me, is that one of my life goals was to be on the Price is Right. Alas, I believe Socrates once said "you snooze, you lose." Roughly translated of course. Somehow, though, I must press on. Here's to you, Bob- I will always spay or neuter my pets.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Important Public Service Announcement!
Well in this spirit of change, Christian Missionary Society has decided to pay a little tribute of its own. They are changing their address as of July 1st. So what does that mean for you/me? It means that if anybody would like to make a very large donation in the neighborhood of 10,000 dollars or so...or you know, whatever you have lying around you can now send all cash or check donations to:
Christian Missionary Society
P.O. Box 53363
Knoxville, TN 37950-3363
Just a friendly reminder, if you do make a check donation, please mark Gillian Baikie in the memo line! Other than the address, everything is the same process.
Thank you again to everyone who has donated thus far. I currently have about 52% of my overall support raised, and my goal is 80% before I leave July 19th, so once again, if anyone has a direct number for George Clooney, Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, or Oprah Winfrey and can put in a good word for Peru Mission, it would be greatly appreciated :)
Christian Missionary Society
P.O. Box 53363
Knoxville, TN 37950-3363
Just a friendly reminder, if you do make a check donation, please mark Gillian Baikie in the memo line! Other than the address, everything is the same process.
Thank you again to everyone who has donated thus far. I currently have about 52% of my overall support raised, and my goal is 80% before I leave July 19th, so once again, if anyone has a direct number for George Clooney, Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, or Oprah Winfrey and can put in a good word for Peru Mission, it would be greatly appreciated :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Pieces of my past...
A few posts ago, I deduced that I must have missionary blood due to my family history of the women being missionaries (I'm quite clever apparently). Both my grandmother and my Great-grandmother spent a good chunk of their lives serving others, and while hanging out at the breakfast table with my mom this morning, she let me in on this little gem of information: I actually will be serving with Peru Mission, a branch of the Christian Missionary Society, which is in fact, the same missionary society that my great-grandmother Bonda served with. How do you like them small world apples?
Anyway, that was my little interesting tid-bit of the day. Second factoid is that in exactly 35 days, I will be on a plane headed to the great country of Peru to live my life down there. Hooray!
Some of the most gorgeous flowers in Peru are awaiting me in 35 days!
Anyway, that was my little interesting tid-bit of the day. Second factoid is that in exactly 35 days, I will be on a plane headed to the great country of Peru to live my life down there. Hooray!
Some of the most gorgeous flowers in Peru are awaiting me in 35 days!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Ch-ch-ch-Changes...
I love David Bowie songs. But..I digress, and I haven't even started yet.
The title is a not-so-subtle reference to what is happening all around me right now. Changes. Changes in location, in living situation, in my job, and especially in my friend's lives. My best friend Missy just started nursing school, alot of my college friends are starting their careers, and, oh yeah, lots of weddings lately, eh? My best friend's wedding (not the Julia Roberts one) happened last Saturday. Happy one week anniversary by the way Ruth & Jon! Ashley and Derrek are getting married on the 9th, and my brother is getting married on the 30th. Woo buddy, that's alot of marriage. It's wonderful though to see so many exciting life changes for my friends and family! Congratulations to all the happy couples!
The title is a not-so-subtle reference to what is happening all around me right now. Changes. Changes in location, in living situation, in my job, and especially in my friend's lives. My best friend Missy just started nursing school, alot of my college friends are starting their careers, and, oh yeah, lots of weddings lately, eh? My best friend's wedding (not the Julia Roberts one) happened last Saturday. Happy one week anniversary by the way Ruth & Jon! Ashley and Derrek are getting married on the 9th, and my brother is getting married on the 30th. Woo buddy, that's alot of marriage. It's wonderful though to see so many exciting life changes for my friends and family! Congratulations to all the happy couples!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
That old house...
As usual, my sinful nature took over yesterday and God's grace smacked me in the face soon thereafter. Yesterday, I was pretty down because I wasn't going to be able to go back to work and the thought of spending another week having nothing productive to do made me want to punch holes in the wall, just so I'd have something to fix. That and I was very concerned about the fact that I wouldn't have any income for two months, which was very scary to me.
Today, thankfully, my family presented me with a temporary job! The Cordova family is selling my grandma's house very soon (my grandpa passed away about 9 months ago and my grandma has Alzheimer's and must now live at a place where they an care for her 24/7) So, because my grandparents lived there for almost 50 years, the house needs a little work, particularly painting, so say hello to your friendly neighborhood painting machine...Me! Since the house has to be painted before it's listed, I will spend the next 2 weeks painting an entire house by myself. Holy Moly. It'll be good, it'll keep me busy and give me a chance to do something that will benefit the whole family too as it's raising the value of the house! So...this is the part where I sheepishly repent for my prideful worry and thank God for His goodness though I do not deserve it at all.
It's going to be a little weird knowing that house will be sold. My grandparents raised 6 kids there and then raised their grandkids there as well. I could type for 3 days just telling you about all the memories that house holds, and although it's sad to know how things are now, I couldn't be more thankful for the memories that that house does contain! It's weird when you know you're passing that bridge of all the memories that you've had so far, and the memories that you're starting to develop right now. Life's funny like that, eh?
Today, thankfully, my family presented me with a temporary job! The Cordova family is selling my grandma's house very soon (my grandpa passed away about 9 months ago and my grandma has Alzheimer's and must now live at a place where they an care for her 24/7) So, because my grandparents lived there for almost 50 years, the house needs a little work, particularly painting, so say hello to your friendly neighborhood painting machine...Me! Since the house has to be painted before it's listed, I will spend the next 2 weeks painting an entire house by myself. Holy Moly. It'll be good, it'll keep me busy and give me a chance to do something that will benefit the whole family too as it's raising the value of the house! So...this is the part where I sheepishly repent for my prideful worry and thank God for His goodness though I do not deserve it at all.
It's going to be a little weird knowing that house will be sold. My grandparents raised 6 kids there and then raised their grandkids there as well. I could type for 3 days just telling you about all the memories that house holds, and although it's sad to know how things are now, I couldn't be more thankful for the memories that that house does contain! It's weird when you know you're passing that bridge of all the memories that you've had so far, and the memories that you're starting to develop right now. Life's funny like that, eh?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Rainy days and Wednesdays always get me down...
Well, not everyday is filled with sunshine and lollipops. I just found out today that I'm not going to be able to work with my favorite design company, Citron Workspaces again this summer. Sigh.
Unfortunately, they've hired another full-time designer earlier this year which means that there just won't be enough work to hire on another designer. Sad day! Of course I still love that design firm. It's kind of funny, they told me they hired a girl that just graduated from design school, and one of the first thoughts I had was "that could have been me" However, I did not think about it with any sort of regret. Going down one path also means giving up whatever is on the other one. I know I could have been starting my career as I type right now, but that's not where God is leading me. I'll miss Citron, they're an incredible company, but they'll still be around when I get back. They also said that they would call me if they get busy some weeks and need some extra help around the office. Pray that they get smashed with work.
But the real reason that this whole thing is somewhat disconcerting to me is that I now have absolutely no source of income, yet I still have credit card bills to pay and student loans to worry about. Of course, my instant reaction was not what it should have been. I need to trust that God will provide, because He already knows my needs (and debts) so that's all I need to know.
So, if you or someone you know needs any sort of summer help, I do music gigs, I can do interior design consultations, I'm pretty awesome at answering phones and organizing files...and I'm willing to learn anything else you can think of in order to make some money this Summer. =)
Unfortunately, they've hired another full-time designer earlier this year which means that there just won't be enough work to hire on another designer. Sad day! Of course I still love that design firm. It's kind of funny, they told me they hired a girl that just graduated from design school, and one of the first thoughts I had was "that could have been me" However, I did not think about it with any sort of regret. Going down one path also means giving up whatever is on the other one. I know I could have been starting my career as I type right now, but that's not where God is leading me. I'll miss Citron, they're an incredible company, but they'll still be around when I get back. They also said that they would call me if they get busy some weeks and need some extra help around the office. Pray that they get smashed with work.
But the real reason that this whole thing is somewhat disconcerting to me is that I now have absolutely no source of income, yet I still have credit card bills to pay and student loans to worry about. Of course, my instant reaction was not what it should have been. I need to trust that God will provide, because He already knows my needs (and debts) so that's all I need to know.
So, if you or someone you know needs any sort of summer help, I do music gigs, I can do interior design consultations, I'm pretty awesome at answering phones and organizing files...and I'm willing to learn anything else you can think of in order to make some money this Summer. =)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Why I'm Me...
Last night I had an epiphany. Ok, maybe that's too strong a word for what I actually had; but, I did have a pleasant realization. It's always amazing to me the way that your upbringing more or less controls your personality. Think about it, your circumstances, especially as a child are primarily responsible for who you are as a person. That's why cloning people would be a catastrophe. Your environment is the primary factor in your personality- Even if you cloned someone you could never clone their personality, different environment, different person. Anyway, why cloning wouldn't work wasn't my semi-epiphanic moment. Not directly anyway. What I did realize was the reason why I have a heart for missions and why I want to travel the world. And do you know how this started?
It started because last night, I watched The Chipmunk Adventure. Yes, the 1987 classic where The Chipmunks and the Chipettes were on a balloon race around the world. I must have watched that movie a hundred times, and I'm pretty sure that watching that movie and seeing those loveable Chipmunks race around the world and see all those places was a big factor in why I am hungry to travel. Funny how things affect you, huh? Well, after I started pondering that for a bit, I started to realize more about why I'm me and especially why I'm going into the mission field.
Why I Have a Heart for Missions: A short essay by Gillian Baikie
When I was growing up, I probably had a fairly normal childhood. Well, as normal as possible in the crazy family I live in. But nonetheless it was for the most part normal. However, I did have a few things in my life that weren't so typical. For instance, My cousins and I (who all grew up together) spent about half of our childhood lives at Grammy and Grandpa's house. This was so that we wouldn't have to go to daycare. We would get dropped off at their house in the morning, they would take us to school and pick us up at 3:30 then our parents would pick us up from their house. Summers, we would do the same, except there wasn't any school, so we would spend the whole day there. This is where I learned that family comes first, and that what I consider my immmediate family is what most people consider their extended family. My cousins are more like brothers and sisters, my grandparents were a second set of parents. Second, while most happy-go-lucky kids spent their time after school playing and not having a care in the world, our after school time would consist of helping sort clothes, carrying boxes of food or toys or clothing, and loading up vans. "Why?" you ask. Because my grandma and grandpa started Roadrunner for Christ, a non-profit mission that was founded to collect food, clothing, toys, and all sorts of other things. What's weird about that? They ran the whole thing out of their house, which was constantly filled with non-perishable food items, boxes and all sorts of things that they sorted, stored in their garage, shed, basement, and yes, even their living room until they loaded up their 15 passenger van with all the donations. Once the van was ready, they would drive it down themselves to the Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, Texas, a small church focused very much on poverty relief across the Mexican border. Often they would take it themselves over the border, as well as to the Hopi Indian Tribe (my grandma is Hopi) and to the Tarahumara (pronounced Tawra-Mawra) Indian Tribe in Mexico. We essentially were free child laborers. Which leads me to my next example. While most kids spent their summers on the slip-n-slide and going on beach vacations, our summers consisted of vacations to some of the most impoverished parts of the border of Mexico. We would go with my grandma and grandpa when they would take a load down, help for a little bit at the Mission, and go across the border to take supplies and donations to poverty-stricken areas, and when I say impoverished, I mean cardboard boxes for houses and no running water. However, this wasn't weird for me at all. This was just my typical summer vacation and I loved it. My grandparents, without even knowing it, set an incredible example about caring for people and showed me about caring for others. I mean, for crying out loud! They spent their golden years packing up donations with boxes surrounding their entire house and then in 15 passenger van driving the same road 3 or more times a month down to Mexico to drop off all these things! I used to hate loading vans. I wanted to be the happy-go-lucky kid that just worried about how long it's going to take to set up the Slip-n-slide, but everytime we would complain, we were just reminded how much others needed our help more. My childhood wasn't normal I guess, but I'm glad for it, and so thankful that God blessed me with grandparents and a family who truly set a Christ-like example of caring for others. My great-grandmother was a missionary too. I guess I'm just carrying on the family tradition.
My Heroes:
My other Heroes- well, my inspirations:
It started because last night, I watched The Chipmunk Adventure. Yes, the 1987 classic where The Chipmunks and the Chipettes were on a balloon race around the world. I must have watched that movie a hundred times, and I'm pretty sure that watching that movie and seeing those loveable Chipmunks race around the world and see all those places was a big factor in why I am hungry to travel. Funny how things affect you, huh? Well, after I started pondering that for a bit, I started to realize more about why I'm me and especially why I'm going into the mission field.
Why I Have a Heart for Missions: A short essay by Gillian Baikie
When I was growing up, I probably had a fairly normal childhood. Well, as normal as possible in the crazy family I live in. But nonetheless it was for the most part normal. However, I did have a few things in my life that weren't so typical. For instance, My cousins and I (who all grew up together) spent about half of our childhood lives at Grammy and Grandpa's house. This was so that we wouldn't have to go to daycare. We would get dropped off at their house in the morning, they would take us to school and pick us up at 3:30 then our parents would pick us up from their house. Summers, we would do the same, except there wasn't any school, so we would spend the whole day there. This is where I learned that family comes first, and that what I consider my immmediate family is what most people consider their extended family. My cousins are more like brothers and sisters, my grandparents were a second set of parents. Second, while most happy-go-lucky kids spent their time after school playing and not having a care in the world, our after school time would consist of helping sort clothes, carrying boxes of food or toys or clothing, and loading up vans. "Why?" you ask. Because my grandma and grandpa started Roadrunner for Christ, a non-profit mission that was founded to collect food, clothing, toys, and all sorts of other things. What's weird about that? They ran the whole thing out of their house, which was constantly filled with non-perishable food items, boxes and all sorts of things that they sorted, stored in their garage, shed, basement, and yes, even their living room until they loaded up their 15 passenger van with all the donations. Once the van was ready, they would drive it down themselves to the Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, Texas, a small church focused very much on poverty relief across the Mexican border. Often they would take it themselves over the border, as well as to the Hopi Indian Tribe (my grandma is Hopi) and to the Tarahumara (pronounced Tawra-Mawra) Indian Tribe in Mexico. We essentially were free child laborers. Which leads me to my next example. While most kids spent their summers on the slip-n-slide and going on beach vacations, our summers consisted of vacations to some of the most impoverished parts of the border of Mexico. We would go with my grandma and grandpa when they would take a load down, help for a little bit at the Mission, and go across the border to take supplies and donations to poverty-stricken areas, and when I say impoverished, I mean cardboard boxes for houses and no running water. However, this wasn't weird for me at all. This was just my typical summer vacation and I loved it. My grandparents, without even knowing it, set an incredible example about caring for people and showed me about caring for others. I mean, for crying out loud! They spent their golden years packing up donations with boxes surrounding their entire house and then in 15 passenger van driving the same road 3 or more times a month down to Mexico to drop off all these things! I used to hate loading vans. I wanted to be the happy-go-lucky kid that just worried about how long it's going to take to set up the Slip-n-slide, but everytime we would complain, we were just reminded how much others needed our help more. My childhood wasn't normal I guess, but I'm glad for it, and so thankful that God blessed me with grandparents and a family who truly set a Christ-like example of caring for others. My great-grandmother was a missionary too. I guess I'm just carrying on the family tradition.
My Heroes:
My other Heroes- well, my inspirations:
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Back to little oxygen!
Well, I'm back in my home state of Colorado! It's nice to be back, I really love it here! I'm sitting once more at my favorite coffee shop- Coffee on the Lowell, drinking a perfect mocha and figuring out the next two months of my life. So far, I realize that I have 42% of my overall support raised, which is great news to me! Clearly though, I cannot sit back too much because as we all know, Money does not grow on trees. Well, not any trees that I know of anyway. I will start speaking at churches soon and If you know of any churches that I would be able to speak at and possibly receive support from, I'd very much appreciate the info!
I don't think I actually too much to write about right now, just wanted to give a little update. I'll write more later. But that's about it for now.
Oh and here's a little photo I took on my new mac! This is Clycloptic Clayton (aka: my pug clayton with the mirror effect on photobooth!)
I don't think I actually too much to write about right now, just wanted to give a little update. I'll write more later. But that's about it for now.
Oh and here's a little photo I took on my new mac! This is Clycloptic Clayton (aka: my pug clayton with the mirror effect on photobooth!)
Monday, May 7, 2007
Excitement quickly fades into reality...
Well...I'm now convinced that college life is stupid. No not the academic side of it, or the pursuit of an education, but come on, whose idea was it to have someone spend four years making new friends and even living with some of the best friends of your life and then within a day having to say goodbye to all of them?? Dumb idea all the way around if you ask me.
I graduated college on Saturday- it was wonderful. I'll try to put some pictures up later, but it was truly a happy day. And then came the goodbyes. Ouch!
I don't think anything hurts my heart more than having to say goodbye to family and close friends without being able to say when you'll see them next. Previous years weren't so bad because it was always, "see you in 3 months after summer!" Now, though...now it's different. Now it's "Have a nice life, I hope we run into each other again someday?" Tough Times. Well, I don't want to sound too depressed, I know that saying goodbye to Anderson University is maybe just little bit higher hurdle than the rest that I have to cross before I leave for Peru, which I can be completely thrilled about. Just one of those things I guess. Oh life...
Spanish Lesson:
"No llore porque termina. Sonríe porque sucedió"
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened!
- Dr. Seuss
I graduated college on Saturday- it was wonderful. I'll try to put some pictures up later, but it was truly a happy day. And then came the goodbyes. Ouch!
I don't think anything hurts my heart more than having to say goodbye to family and close friends without being able to say when you'll see them next. Previous years weren't so bad because it was always, "see you in 3 months after summer!" Now, though...now it's different. Now it's "Have a nice life, I hope we run into each other again someday?" Tough Times. Well, I don't want to sound too depressed, I know that saying goodbye to Anderson University is maybe just little bit higher hurdle than the rest that I have to cross before I leave for Peru, which I can be completely thrilled about. Just one of those things I guess. Oh life...
Spanish Lesson:
"No llore porque termina. Sonríe porque sucedió"
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened!
- Dr. Seuss
Monday, April 30, 2007
Well goodness Gracious...
Soooooo....
Here's what I did tonight:
Finished College.
Yep that's right, I just turned in (via e-mail) the very last paper of my college career. Well, my college career at Anderson University anyway, who knows what the future holds? So there you have it. No going out with a bang or anything though, actually that paper was quite possibly one of the very worst things I've ever written. Oh well, I suppose if Senioritis set it, at least it waited until the last assignment. So with that said, I am 4 days away from walking across that stage and grabbing the diploma and running away to Peru! Yay!
I haven't updated my support list lately, but I did have a Peruvian Luncheon recently at Abiding Savior Lutheran church, my congregation in Anderson, SC for the past four years where I got to share a little bit of Peruvian culture with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ here in SC and another 600 dollars or so was raised. I love that congregation so much, they're so encouraging and they have truly been a blessing in my life! I cooked some Peruvian food (specifically Lomo Saltado and Aji de Gallina) and it was actually edible! how about that! Here are pictures of two of my favorite dishes:
Ok, so the Aji de Gallina looks gross, but it really is delicious and one of my favorite dishes. So there's the update, I'll write more later, but it's 12:23 and darn it! I'm done with College!
Here's what I did tonight:
Finished College.
Yep that's right, I just turned in (via e-mail) the very last paper of my college career. Well, my college career at Anderson University anyway, who knows what the future holds? So there you have it. No going out with a bang or anything though, actually that paper was quite possibly one of the very worst things I've ever written. Oh well, I suppose if Senioritis set it, at least it waited until the last assignment. So with that said, I am 4 days away from walking across that stage and grabbing the diploma and running away to Peru! Yay!
I haven't updated my support list lately, but I did have a Peruvian Luncheon recently at Abiding Savior Lutheran church, my congregation in Anderson, SC for the past four years where I got to share a little bit of Peruvian culture with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ here in SC and another 600 dollars or so was raised. I love that congregation so much, they're so encouraging and they have truly been a blessing in my life! I cooked some Peruvian food (specifically Lomo Saltado and Aji de Gallina) and it was actually edible! how about that! Here are pictures of two of my favorite dishes:
Ok, so the Aji de Gallina looks gross, but it really is delicious and one of my favorite dishes. So there's the update, I'll write more later, but it's 12:23 and darn it! I'm done with College!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The number of hoops I have to jump through is dwindling
Last Anderson University Orchestra Concert- Check
Last String Ensemble Concert- Check
Last Day of Working in the admissions office- check
Senior Art Review and Exhibition for Interior design- Check
So....the last one was kind of a big important one. I, Gillian Dawn Baikie, have completed my Senior Interior design review as of one day ago. Phew! For those who may not know, part of my requirements for graduation include hanging up my work from the past four years in the gallery here at Anderson University and then presenting myself and my work for about 30 minutes. It's sort of a big deal and sort of not a big deal. It's not a big deal because I know that I'm graduating already and the work is completed. It was a big deal because it meant that I had to get up in front of my entire art faculty and about 40 other adoring fans (ha ha) to completely bear my soul. It was a little daunting because although I love talking, talking about myself and explaining me is a horse of a different color. But nevertheless, that horse pulled through in the end! I think it went well, although I cannot remember the last time that I was that nervous! Even in my music performances and auditions, I don't get quite that nervous. I rarely get nervous when I present my design work, but I think I was so nervous because I guess I'm not 100 percent comfortable talking about myself and trying to define myself. I'll probably post pictures once I get them, but for now, just imagine me in nice clothes behind a podium, in front of a wall of my work, with a very nervous face. You get the idea.
Anyway, the only thing that now stands in my way of boarding that plane to Peru is a little thing I like to call graduation, two wonderful months in Denver with my family, and then packing. I hate packing, but I suppose I can suffer through that though. Oh yeah, and the rest of my support raising.
Speaking of this by the way- Last official check- I had 3150 dollars in support raised, but I've gotten some more checks in, which hopefully will take me up to around 4,000 dollars. Once I have that, I will be 35% done with support raising, which to me is overwhelming! I'd like to thank everyone so far who has donated and I hope that you will keep me in your prayers as I continue to finish raising support!
Blessings in Christ!
Spanish Lesson of the Day!
"Tiempo vuela cuando estas teniendo diversion!" - "Time flies when you're having fun!"
Last String Ensemble Concert- Check
Last Day of Working in the admissions office- check
Senior Art Review and Exhibition for Interior design- Check
So....the last one was kind of a big important one. I, Gillian Dawn Baikie, have completed my Senior Interior design review as of one day ago. Phew! For those who may not know, part of my requirements for graduation include hanging up my work from the past four years in the gallery here at Anderson University and then presenting myself and my work for about 30 minutes. It's sort of a big deal and sort of not a big deal. It's not a big deal because I know that I'm graduating already and the work is completed. It was a big deal because it meant that I had to get up in front of my entire art faculty and about 40 other adoring fans (ha ha) to completely bear my soul. It was a little daunting because although I love talking, talking about myself and explaining me is a horse of a different color. But nevertheless, that horse pulled through in the end! I think it went well, although I cannot remember the last time that I was that nervous! Even in my music performances and auditions, I don't get quite that nervous. I rarely get nervous when I present my design work, but I think I was so nervous because I guess I'm not 100 percent comfortable talking about myself and trying to define myself. I'll probably post pictures once I get them, but for now, just imagine me in nice clothes behind a podium, in front of a wall of my work, with a very nervous face. You get the idea.
Anyway, the only thing that now stands in my way of boarding that plane to Peru is a little thing I like to call graduation, two wonderful months in Denver with my family, and then packing. I hate packing, but I suppose I can suffer through that though. Oh yeah, and the rest of my support raising.
Speaking of this by the way- Last official check- I had 3150 dollars in support raised, but I've gotten some more checks in, which hopefully will take me up to around 4,000 dollars. Once I have that, I will be 35% done with support raising, which to me is overwhelming! I'd like to thank everyone so far who has donated and I hope that you will keep me in your prayers as I continue to finish raising support!
Blessings in Christ!
Spanish Lesson of the Day!
"Tiempo vuela cuando estas teniendo diversion!" - "Time flies when you're having fun!"
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