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
Thursday, November 29, 2007
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.
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