Cenas Familiares

Things that keep me sane in the United States....Family!

Coincidentally enough, this is also the thing that sometimes drives me insane. Hmph...funny how that works.

But because I live on a different continent, my family moments are treasured because they are so few and far between.

So it just warms my heart when the family can get together for Christmas, birthdays, random events, and what we took part of tonight The Tuesday night family dinner.

The menu? Chicken Pot Pie. The Dessert? Peanut Butter Cake. The conversation? Priceless.

It's my family, every bit as unpredictable and hilarious as one family can be. Come over some time, we'll feed you...and you might even get a few laughs in.

Things that make me go...Que?

So, every time I come to the U.S.A., I am culture shocked in some form or another. Sometimes it's something small, sometimes I feel a little disoriented, sometimes I feel like I fell into a vortex and am living in an alternate universe.

Luckily for me, this trip hasn't been too rough on me, minimal shockage. But there have been a few things that have caught me off guard on this trip, so I thought I'd share.

1) December 21st, 1:45pm Flatirons Mall...It was just gross. That's all there is too it. A Monday afternoon and there were so many people. Consumerism at its peak. Blech.

2) Sooo many previews...and So many movies I haven't ever heard of. My family went to go see Sherlock Holmes on Christmas Day. It was super crowded and we got to celebrate the joy of the season from the 2nd row. Nothing says Christmas like a crick in the neck. It was a very good movie though, and I got to see all the previews for movies that I might not ever see!

3) Baking...in Peru, we don't do cake mixes. Everything is made from scratch, and I've gotten used to it. So imagine my surprise when I was able to bake a cake that was NOT from Scratch. I made some cake balls to take to church on Sunday, and successfully put together two cakes and had them in the oven within 13 minutes. It was easy, but I felt a little unscrupulous.

4) Snuggies...I just don't get it. How does one ugly blanket/robe become such a vogue?? 4 million have been sold. Is the US finally starting to take pleasure in the simpler things in life?

And to all a good night...

The world would be a much better place...

If everyone had the type of friends that I do.

I am beyond privileged and blessed to have the friends I have. I think if everyone had the type of friends I had, a lot of the world's problems wouldn't be so difficult to overcome.

I just said goodbye to a lot of great friends in Peru, in order to go reconnect with a lot of great friends in the United States.

This past weekend I spent a weekend that can only be described as too short, too funny, and too fantastic. My first stop in my US endeavors was South Carolina, where Julie and I met up with our college roommates and had a weekend full of non-stop laughter, silliness, nostalgia, and the questions- Are we really almost 25? and Can you believe we used to laugh this hard everyday when we lived together?

A trip to Anderson, a trip to asheville, a trip greenville, it doesn't matter where we are...we'll have a good time, guaranteed.

Want to watch some silliness? This was a song we made up on the way to Asheville...we didn't have a radio.

The Lime.

Well, here I sit, once again, at the starbucks in the Lima airport, awaiting a flight that will transfer me from my South American comfort zone, to my North American "somewhat comfortable in a distant kind of memory way" zone.

We (Julie and I) spent the day in Lima spending too much stupid money on overpriced taxis and other assorted inevitable fees including but not limited to transportation, luggage lockers, and airport taxes. But we had a fun time at the US embassy (Julie's getting married and had to do some paperwork), eating a delicious lunch, and shopping until almost dropping at the Lima Markets, where only the persistent hagglers will walk out with a fair price and the dignity of not getting ripped off. After all the mayhem of the day, Julie and I finally ended up at the Jorge Chavez International Airport, where we checked in, and booked it to the Starbucks, where wifi is free....relatively speaking.

Last time I was here, I waited until about 5 in the morning for my flight to leave, and I was exhausted. This time, I leave at 12:45am and I am not cranky. Why? Two reasons.

1) I am excited to go home, see family, be in Colorado, have a cold winter experience, and catch up with old friends i haven't seen in...ooooh, just about forever.

2) I am wearing the coolest things I've bought...maybe ever.

Today in the Lima market, I was shopping around, finishing up the last of my Christmas gift frenzy, and then I saw them...a positive vision in burnt orange, two beauties before my eyes. Yes friends, I bought...

Two handmade rib knit baby alpaca open finger arm warmers. Not just any arm warmers, my first pair of arm warmers, that are so sensibly, fashionably, and awesomely fantastic. Plus, when I wear them, I feel like a superhero. I just need to find a handmade rib knit baby alpaca cape. Next time, Lima Market...next time.

In the meantime, Look out USA...things are about to get Peruvian.

Peruvians know how to have a good time.

End of Story.

One thing that I do alot here, that I rarely did in the US is dance. Well, dance with a group of people. Dancing alone in your room as you get ready in the morning does not count.
I love to dance though, and one more reason that Peruvian culture fits me like a glove is our shared love of the baile.

Weddings, Birthday Parties, Baptisms, National Holidays, Monday nights, you name it. Any time is a good time to dance in Peru.

So what did I and two of my favorite amigas do last night? We danced.

There's a (relatively) new Discoteca in town called AMA. Normally I would not go because of the steep cover charge, but my friend Ivka gave us free passes, so of course we couldn't pass it up. The locale was nice, though ridiculously smoky, and the music was great, and then came a peruvian custom that I luurrrrved.

La Hora Loca.

Yep. The Crazy Hour.

As described by the events group Santiago who you can contract for your next Peruvian party:

"EL SHOW DE LA HORA LOCA full fun without end! Hora loca is the height of fun in every type of party, wedding receptions, quinceañeros, anniversaries, birthday parties, business events...in other words, where there is a celebration, there's the Hora Loca Show that will turn your party (big or small) into an unforgettable Super Party!

Guests will be surprised with a carnival of joy when colorful characters on Stilts, Clowns, Mimes Harlequins, Dancers, and more appear at the moment least expected, throwing confetti, passing out noisemakers, masks, balloon hats, and more!"

Here's a visual if you still just can't quite picture it. La Hora Loca Video

In La Hora Loca, there's a non-stop mix of music that has every type of genre imaginable. Last night, it started with a giant Balloon Drop that began when the music started for Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" and then went everywhere from YMCA to a mashup from Grease, to Reggaeton to a lot more mixed in there. Balloons were passed out, clowns were dancing on stilts, and just like at any good Peruvian party, a fun time was had by all.

The Postre Lady

I'm not quite sure when this started. I'm not quite sure when it developed.

But somehow, here in Trujillo, a love for cooking, desserts and baking of all sorts has blossomed within me...and I think I'm starting to get the reputation of being the girl who makes all the desserts.

I'm pretty sure that the love has always been there thanks to the many great ladies in my family. My Grandma, My Mom, My Aunts. They're all great cooks and bakers. So much so, that I remember a certain joke about my mom and my Aunt Connie being WWI and WWII...(World's Wonder I and World's Wonder II)...I believe Aunt Stephanie at the time was a WW-IT (World's Wonder in Training).

If one day, I can cook/bake half as well as the women in my family...well then I am halfway to being an awesome kitchen connoisseur.

I love cooking. I love to create things in the kitchen, and I believe that cooking reflects the personality of the cooker. The manner in which a person (or in this case, me) pulls things together in the kitchen, shows something about how said person (once again, me) carries on in life. For me, I am a fairly reckless cook/baker. I always am looking for fun new things to try, throwing in crazy ingredients, and I rarely every follow the recipe exactly. I don't stop until things taste good to me, even if it means alot of trial and error, and ending up with something I didn't plan on doing in the first place. I cook based on what I have, how I feel, and everything depends on the moment.

Even more than I love cooking, I love sharing whatever it is I've cooked with friends and family...or heck, even with complete strangers. For me, food is a unifier. Everybody eats, so why not use that as common ground? What's better than sharing a good meal with someone you love...or like...or might like in the future if you just get to know them a little?

So...just in case you might like a recipe to share with your friends, or families, or somebody who might be your friend in the future if you just get to know them a little, here is my latest recipe creation.


Cheesecake Swirl Mocha Brownies

Brownie base:
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate coarsely chopped
1/2 cup butter
1 cup + 2 tablespoons white sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup hot water
2 Tablespoons instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder

Cheesecake swirl:
8 oz cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 tep vanilla
1/4 cup flour
5 Tablespoons sugar

For the Mocha Brownie Base:
In a saucepan over low heat, melt the 2/3 cup chocolate, 1/2 cup butter and pour into bowl. Beat and add 1 cup + 2 TBSP white sugar, and add 2 eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added. Combine hot water and instant coffee in a cup or bowl--stir until dissolved and add to chocolate mixture. Add cocoa, baking powder, vanilla and flour and beat well.

Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 x 2 baking pan.

For the Cheesecake Swirl:
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, vanilla, remaining 1 egg, sugar, and flour until well-combined. Drop by tablespoons evenly on top of mocha brownie layer. Use a butter knife to swirl the cheesecake mix into the brownie layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (ok...maybe more if you live in Peru and you bake with gas, and then the gas runs out halfway through and you have to then call to order more gas) or until toothpick inserted on side comes out clean. For the love of all baked goods, do not overbake, lest you want to break your tooth on a chocolate rock. Remove from oven and let cool completely....if you can wait that long.

Don't forget to share!

Happy Baking!

A foreigner's guide to Peruvian Transportation

I thought I would take this time to share with you how to get around town without looking like a foreigner...you know, just in case you ever decide to come to Peru, and don't want to look like a foreigner. We have four main forms of public transportation here. All will get you where you want to go, some will get you there with a little extra motion. Forms 2-4 always have a driver and a porter, who will take your money, and make sure that you can get off at the right stop (read: the right any corner of any street along the route you need to stop at).

1) The Taxi-
Advantage: Taxis in Peru are your best bet if you need to get somewhere fast and specific.
Cost: Taxis generally start at 3 soles (= 1 US dollar) minimum to go wherever, though if your destination is close and you are a persistent haggler, you can get 2.50 once in awhile.
Foreigner's Safety Rule of Thumb: Do not get into a taxi unless it has the logo of a known taxi company, a license plate and identifying numbers painted on the side, and a non-creepy looking driver. That last one perhaps is a little subjective...go with your gut instinct.
Do not be afraid to: Bargain. If you don't like the price. Don't get in the taxi.
Be careful of: unmarked taxis, and taxi drivers who don't go the normal route.

2) The Colectivo-
Advantage: This shared taxi follows a constant route. You get in where you want and get out where you want. Because you can only have 6-7 people in the colectivo, they're a little bit safer
Cost: 1 sol to 1 sol twenty. The cost went up when the gas prices did, but when gas prices fell again, some drivers continued to charge 1.20 while others went back to the price of the good old days.
Foreigner's Safety Rule of Thumb: Make sure you know where you're going and that the colectivo passes by where you need to get off, otherwise, settle in for an hour and a half tour of the route
Do not be afraid to: break all your former personal space boundaries. 7 people in a Buick. you do the math of how much room you'll have.
Be Careful of: Filling up the Colectivo in the correct order. Start in the back, scoot all the way over. Don't mess with the system

3) The Combi-
Advantage: a van that in the states would carry about 9-12 people, combis can and often do take 18-25 people where they need to go along a specified route. Cheap and Reliable. That's the combi way.
Cost: 1 sol for however much of the route you need to take.
Foreigner's Safety Rule of Thumb: Just like the colectivo, make sure you know where to go.
Do not be afraid to: Squish in tighter than you ever thought you could, and speak up about exactly where you need to "BAJA" (get out of the combi).
Be Careful of: not holding up the bus when you get off...even if you feel like your hurling yourself out of the van when it's still moving.

4) The Micro-
Advantage: the largest of all the public transportation vehicles, the micros will get you where you need to go and give you a little extra leg room. A nice feature for those of us who are 5'9" and don't fit well into combis.
Cost: 1 sol for however much of the route you need to go, though a few are only 80 cents, and the ones to get you alllll the way out to the beach are 1.50
Foreigner's Safety Rule of Thumb: Be careful about the micros, because there are more people that can ride on the micro, there is more of a chance of your cell phone getting robbed.
Do not be afraid to: tell the door guy exactly which street you're about to get off at.
Be Careful of: sudden stops. If you are not sitting down in a seat, Hold on tight. Seriously.


Happy Peruvian Traveling!
Your Guide to All Things Peruvian

Oh Oscar....you always know what I'm thinking.

"Any place you love is the world to you"

The Catherine Wheel from The Remarkable Rocket by Oscar Wilde

So one thing that every immigrant or expatriate must get used to, and which sometimes proves to be difficult, is not being able to find his or her preferred products from his or her specific corner of the world.

For me, living in Peru, I actually haven't had too many products that I was attached to so much that I actually lamented not having them. Actually, come to think of it, living in Trujillo, I have access to so many things, and as globalization continues to strengthen its influence, I find myself not missing much. From Starbucks, to US brands of snacks, drinks, and even toiletries, to dunkin donuts, a cinnamon roll place and what I'm almost convinced is going to be a Bubble Tea store once it opens in the mall, I sometimes forget that I am living in what is officially considered a developing country.

I've had a fair share of luck too with the products that I have actually missed from the states being food items that I end up finding recipes for on the internet. Bagels...check. Tortillas...check. Pumpkin Pies...check. Well, you get the idea.

The point is, I haven't really really missed anything terribly. However, I will tell you one product from the states that I currently am in possession of, but will soon run out of, and thus will soon be mourning the loss of this product.

My friends....I am almost out of....

Toothpaste.

More precisely, Tom's of Maine Natural Toothpaste.


I love this toothpaste so much, and actually, was well stocked, thanks to an amazing care package my parents sent back in March...yeah they did send me a lot of toothpaste. The reason I like this toothpaste so much is because it has no artificial sweeteners, so when I brush my teeth, I'm not actually putting more sugar into my mouth than I did when I ate that piece of carrot cake I just made.

If you've never used this natural toothpaste, you need to go buy two tubes right now and compare how much sweeter your colgate/crest/whatever popular brand is than Tom's. And then, you should send me the other tube in the mail....please?

The life of an immigrant is difficult sometimes. Sigh.

I told the witch doctor I was in love with you...

So one thing you should know is that when you live 15 minutes from an ocean...the climate tends to be humid. Always.

One humid climate, plus one girl who grew up in a semi-arid climate, equals said girl to be frequently having sinus problems. I find that about once a year, I tend to get some sort of sinus infection/sinusitis type thing which knocks me out for awhile. Even though they are so very readily available here in Peru (you don't need a prescription to buy them from the pharmacy, I try not to take antibiotics, because if Scruff McGruff ever taught my anything, it was that users are losers and that I need to say ugh to drugs.

I suppose that yes, he was talking more about narcotics, but I figure his message can extend into the antibiotical realm too, and no, I'm not sure that antibiotical is a real word.

Anyway, the point is, because I knew I didn't want to resort to antibiotics this year, I began my search for an herbalist who could help me with my problems, though I've been joking around all week about how I need a witch doctor. After Jamesson and I visited a couple of markets with no luck, Jamesson remembered that somewhere over by the cemetery lived a "curandero" who might be able to help me.

And thus, my fun adventure for the week happened.

We knocked on the door, which was opened by a man who was immediately telling us to "Come in! Come In!" It was a yellow living room, but without furniture, only a few benches where some people were waiting. On the back wall, there were two doors, and two little windows. Without us saying one word, and without him giving us a chance to say one word, he ushered us in and pointed us to the closed door on the far right and told us to knock. It was almost like he was expecting us. Weeeeeird.

So we knocked on the door, and a kind faced old Peruvian man, dressed like any typical grandpa came to the door, invited us into his office, which contained precisely one desk and two chairs. The man asked me to sit down, and said "Let me see your hand please" I gave him my hand, he touched my wrist and said to me "You're here for the herbal remedy" And began to reach into his desk drawer. At this point, Jamesson said "Well..she's had sinusitis..." and the man looked at him before he could continue and said "yes" with a facial expression and a tone that very clearly stated that he already knew that.

He pulled out an antique glass device which looked like an old perfume sprayer or a glass air brush. He told me "Tilt your head back" and then he sprayed once in each nostril. My sinuses began to burn, but not a painful burn, just a...Hey this is really working kind of burn, and then about .7 seconds later, everything that appeared to be clogging up my sinuses was quickly making it's exit from my nose and my tear ducts. He then sprayed a little bit on my forehead. Handed me a tissue and said "There...you feel better." It wasn't so much a question, but I enthusiastically said "YES!" Because for the first time in a week and half, I could actually breathe with my mouth closed. He gave me a bottle of his magic remedy to take for the next few days until I feel better, charged me 3 soles (about 1 dollar) and I was on my way.

It was insane. The whole process from us stepping foot inside the door to us leaving with my recently cleared sinuses took no more than 4 minutes, and I'll be darned if know what in the world he actually sprayed up my nose (as far as I can tell, it's some sort of mixture of ginger, pepper, herbs, and what seems to be peruvian moonshine), but whatever he did...it worked and I can breathe and just like always, natural medicine once more has won me over.

When it's time to change, you got to rearrange...

Sha na na na na na na na na....Sha na na na na! (Think Peter Brady from the Brady Bunch)

It was time for a change. The background, by the way, is a closeup of a Peruvian bill that is worth 10 soles...or about 3 dollars and some change.

I can't believe that October is over. I mean, honestly. What the heck? Where did it even go? I spent the majority of my October teaching english classes, working with compArte, and quite possibly my favorite part of the whole month was dedicating a lot of time to carrying out Pumpkin Fest 2009.

What is Pumpkin Fest 2009 you ask? Oh my. It's amazing, that's what it is.

I'll explain. Pumpkin Fest is at least a month long festival that involves making a lot of delicious things with alot of delicious fresh pureed pumpkin. You see, in the Baikie family, we alllllllways boiled down our own pumpkins in order to make pumpkin pies (my mom makes the world's best...don't try to argue with me, you'll lose as soon as you taste hers), pumpkin bread, and other assorted pumpkin things. we neeeeever use canned pumpkin, and if you think that those fake orange pumpkin pies that canned pumpkin makes are good, well...you just sadly don't even know what you're missing.

Anyway, so with me living in Peru, I do not partake of the same fall festivities of the United States so much anymore. However, thanks to globalization, Peru has recently began to pick up on Halloween, and thus, once a year for a few weeks in October, the globalized grocery stores sell pumpkins, which I quickly buy in order to quickly boil down and quickly puree, in order to quickly begin pumpkin fest, which basically just includes making a lot of pumpkin based things. 31 recipes technically. So far, Pumpkin Fest 2009 has included the inaugural pumpkin pie, pumpkin chocolate bars, pumpkin swirl brownies, pumpkin brownies, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bagels, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, a chocolate pumpkin layer cake, pumpkin pie fudge spice cookies, aaaand....there's some more coming.

So basically, I've been baking.

Alot.

And yes. It's all been good. Come visit me in Peru, and I'll make you something pumpkiny.

Elbow Room.

Being here in Peru for over two years, I'd like to think that I'm comfortable in the culture here. A lot of times I feel more Peruvian than I do like a U.S. American. However once in awhile, something will catch me off guard here and the cultural differences stand out a little.

For example. I'm sitting in Starbucks waiting to go to a compArte website meeting in just a little while. I was happy to find that the leather couch was unoccupied, which was great because I also needed to plug in the ol' laptop and the couch is home to one of the not so many seats that come with an outlet. As I was/am enjoying my hot chocolate, a group of business people came in, and with there not being a wide array of seating left right now, they decided to occupy the other 3 seats on this 4 person couch and the chairs surrounding. I'm currently in the middle of their business meeting. It's going well...sales are up.

Sorry, Edward Hall, A U.S. standard of personal space is a frivolous thing to try and treasure here. Good thing I quit that awhile back.

Heavens to Betsy.

I started out my day really really wanting to feel productive and not like a bump on a peruvian log. So I, true to Gillian Baikie form, made a "Things to Do" List.

I love things to do lists. They help me to see my challenge. They let me organize my plan of attack on the monster before I start, and the satisfaction of being able to cross out a completed task and make that to do list a lot weaker is amazing. Picture Street Fighter, and you're Ryu, and you get a sweet combination punch-kick to Ken, making that red bar surge. That's the satisfaction you feel when you cross one of your tasks off the list.

Anyway, one of the things that has been on my to do list for about...oooh...forever, was to update this blog. Check.

The other that has been on there since forever as well was to go back and review my emails and catch up on those. I'm way behind, so this is my public apology to all those who I have left hanging on the e-mails. If it was my turn to e-mail you back, I'm sorry. I'm still working on it. I'll try to do better.

Anyway, apologies aside, it has been awhile for me to give an update, and I'm happy to report that things are going well! I've been teaching private english classes, and working on CompArte stuff too. We're getting closer to having a website set up, and then I'll be able to give you guys more updates about how everything is going for the music ministry. I'll hopefully be working on an e-mail newsletter soon as well, so if you'd like to receive that, send me an e-mail! (I promise that I'll respond to that one). In the meantime, the big news of Comparte is that we're planning to do some fundraisers so that we can take the kids to an international music festival again this year in Lima. We've also been in alot of planning meetings trying to nail down some new methods for teaching as we continue to grow, and plans for this next year. We appreciate your prayers and support for CompArte as we try to motivate the children of Porvenir with music.

I hope that things are well with all of you guys. I am coming home for Christmas in December, so I'll hopefully get to catch up with everyone, but until then I leave you with a fond happy trails to you until we meet again, and some pictures of my latest Peruvian adventures.

Ok really it's just two pictures of the same adventure. Apparently my camera has been getting a little dusty.






I found a Salamander in the Kitchen!

Why don't you join the group, it's better than being a party poop...

Oh man...another week over, a new one beginning and I find myself smack dab in the middle of wondering whether I should have done more during the last week and wondering what I can do next week to feel like I can legitimately call myself a productive member of society.

It's a terrible rock with a bothersome hard place unfortunately placed next to it.

But anyway...I'll take this limbo and share about some general developments in my life.
Things are going well here, fiiiinally I feel like I've got my new routine down. In addition to working with comparte it also includes teaching private English classes 3 days a week to some former students from SALI, whom I love dearly. It's so great to be able to spend time with them and help them improve their English, and maintain good friendships through english classes. I really like teaching, and I've been very blessed to have enough students to keep my schedule full osea- just the way I like it.

Allllso, a very important union between two fantastic countries has taken place. At least that's how the Peruvian Justice of the Peace labeled the wedding of my two dear friends Heather and Calin that took place this Thursday. For those of you that know, Heather came to Peru the same time I did two years ago, and about less than a year ago, she began to date Calin, one of the best Peruvian friends anybody could ask for, aaaand less than 4 months ago, they decided to tie the knot. Here are a couple pictures from their wedding. Soo....you know....Congratulations to those two crazy kids!

Other than that, things are all quiet on the Western South American front. I'm looking forward to spring with great anticipation. I hope everything is going well for all of you guys.

With Love,
Gill Pill

This has absolutely nothing to do with Peru...

However...

I want.

Denver Zoo raising orphaned monkeys

This one goes out to my Algerian fans...

So I was checking my Clustrmap today, and noticed that Algeria is my number 4 country for visitors. I just want to thank all four of those Algerians who have taken the time to sit down and read Ms. Baikie goes to Trujillo. I hope that this next post doesn't disappoint.

Actually this next post won't be anything grand, so don't get your hopes up.

Things are going great here. On the personal side of life, it's been great catching up with friends I haven't seen in awhile, and also just figuring out my new routine. Because I have a lot more freetime than I used to, I'm also going to be able to teach some English classes on my own which is great since money that I can earn for myself means more money that can be used for CompArte!

And oh yes, speaking of CompArte...

I'm excited that Ronald and I as well as Ronald's family have been in multiple planning meetings and we are well underway in order to developing CompArte's strategic plan. We've been doing our SWOT analysis and are going to be deciding on our misson statement this week. We also will hopefully be nailing down our logo and getting everything started for launching our website soon. Lots of organizational work to be done, and the faster we get it done the better!

I hope that you will continue to keep CompArte in your prayers and we get ready to finalize our plans for the official curriculum, continue our search for funds, a facility, more instruments, more students, and basically just as all the pieces fall into place...and hopefully the right place.

I will keep you updated as we continue to make developments!

Easy like Sunday Afternoon.

This past week has been great getting back into my routine in Trujillo. Although, technically, it might not look like a very structured routine, the fact that is in Trujillo gives it a lot more stability.

One of the highlights was this past Sunday afternoon. I love Sundays in Trujillo. My typical schedule is to get up and attend Larco church around 9, then after church, a big group of our friends will get together and we'll either go eat in a restaurant, or someone will cook in their home, and we'll all spend the afternoon in good company, content to just hang out with each other with full bellies and fantastic conversations. Then, we'll head back to church for the night service and then many time, hang out again after church. All in all, it's just a lot of friendship time in general.

This past Sunday, Julie, one of my most favorite people in the world, and fellow ex-patriate in Peru, shared with us her new found talent of cooking Juanes (a traditional dish from the Jungle which consists of seasoned yellow rice and chicken, plus a purple olive and hard boiled egg, wrapped up in a banana leaf and cooked to perfection. It was amaaaaazingly delicious. Here's a photo from the group we had. It was the perfect sunday afternoon!


OH! And probably the biggest highlight of last week...maybe this whole month-

I'm going to be an Aunt!!!! Oy Vey!
I found out that my sister-in-law Tiffany is two months pregnant and due in March! So Congratulations to Marcus and Tiffany!!

Oh my word, a baby in the family. The first actually...well...the first of the James Baikie's. Craaaazy.

I'm not going to lie...Babies freak me out, and my niece or nephew will probably be no exception, but this of course is a very large milestone for the family and very exciting. I'm still trying to convince Marcus and Tiffany to name it Gillian. And if it's a boy, they can name it Gill Ian Baikie. It works either way...that's why it's so great!
Well in any case, from now on I get to be Cool Aunt Gilly who lives in Peru and brings home fun Peruvian things...Or Crazy Aunt Gilly who's always speaking in Spanish, eats guinea pigs, and brings back chocolate covered ants from the jungles of Peru.

I'd be fine with either one.

It's just all different, ok?

Yep. I changed.

I changed my job. I changed my house. I changed my schedule. I changed my blog.
In short. I changed everything.

Except for me and the fact that I live in Peru still and love every second of it. That's the same.

I recently returned from a trip to the US for a whirlwind two weeks filled with too many things for 2 weeks. You name it, I probably did it. And overall it was a very very lovely trip. A little rough for re-entry shock a couple times, but the fact that I got to see so many people that I loved trumped any sort of discomfort. It really was nice. I got to see one of my college roommates and one of my most favorite girls in the world get married (see picture on the left, eating at the BAGEL SHOP, aka the place where dreams come true), I also was able to see sooo many old friends, and I was able to visit both congregations that have supported me in the past as well as a new/old congregation.

When I was between the ages of recently born-5 years old or so, my family attended Concordia Lutheran Church. I don't remember very much from my time there, but I did knock out four of my teeth on their monkey bars when I thought that I had a solid career ahead of me as a gymnast. I didn't. But I did get the opportunity to visit this church once more and speak to them about the CompArte Peru Music ministry.

Overall, the trip was very encouraging, and I was so happy to be able to share a little bit about life down here with the churches in South Carolina and Colorado.

I was also so happy to return to Trujillo to begin the work here in with CompArte. I also am finding myself with the possibility of getting involved in a few other projects as well, so I'm trying to do my best to hit the ground running with everything! It's nice to be able to know that I won't be bored, but I also don't want to spread myself too thin with my time. But...well,
Here's to you life...you do always know how to keep me on my toes.

Ta Daaa!!!!

Hey Guys, Here's the latest of my newsletters....loooots of new information, so...I hope you enjoy!

July Update Newsletter

Dusting off the old blog...

After over a month of no updates, I am here to try to recount what my life has consisted of recently. And I can honestly tell you that SALI (the english language institute) has successfully consumed my life for the last two months. Especially in May, I have rarely been able to give time to anything else that was not related to SALI. Since taking the position as Academic Director in SALI, one the biggest projects the Fabian, the institute director and I have been working on is creating the institute's organizational structure. SALI started in 2004 with just over 10 students and now in it's 5th year, we continually have over 200 students each month. Which is fantastic growth that no one ever really planned for. God has blessed us entirely, and because we want to be good stewards of this blessing that God has given us, we want to organize SALI well and create a good plan for the future. So right now, Fabian and I have been up to our eyeballs in policies and procedures, strategic who knows whats and all those other wonderful things that make up an organizational plan. If you've ever had to do one, well...you know how it is.

Anyway. The point is, It's been a doozy of a month trying to reorganize SALI. So I unfortunately haven't been able to write as much as I've wanted

BUT, ever the idealist, I really believe that June will be much better and I will be able to have a little more time to breathe. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. But enough about that.

For something more heartwarming. Peru Mission has a team from Belhaven University doing music ministry all over Trujillo for these 2 weeks. They've been performing and teaching non-stop! Wednesday, we had a concert in the Casa De La Emancipacion with the Belhaven Team, Muyupampa (a Peruvian Folk group from our church), and last but not least, with some of the kids from CompArte Peru! (see previous entries for more info)

The kids played soooo well, demonstrating their talents in front of a very large group of people. Most would have been terrified, but not these kids- they're too awesome to be nervous. We played Twinkles (as if we wouldn't), Minuet 1, and the big finish was an ensemble piece of Ode to Joy. I was very impressed by the kids and their ability to play together as a group. It was fantastic.

Today was Saturday and that also means that I go to Porvenir in the afternoon to teach music as part of the CompArte Peru Program. Today we were very blessed to have 3 guest violinists from Belhaven Univeristy who gave mini-master classes for the children in our program. They helped by giving tips about posture, intonation, and listening to each child play a piece. They finished by playing a piece by Vivaldi, and I know that the kids in Porvenir were motivated by their visit. Thanks to Rachel, Arthur, and Gracie from Belhaven!

My new favorite place in the world.

Two weekends ago, it was Holy Week...or as my people call it "Semana Santa" It's very common for people to travel during the long weekend, as everyone gets Thursday and Friday off from work.

Well being in Peru, the 4 other girls I currently live with (who, by the way, are awesome) and I decided to follow suit and skip town. We decided that a beach trip was in order, and since I've been dying to go to a beach close to Ecuador for a while now, I suggested Mancora, which turns out is a magical beach full of nothing but happiness and relaxation. Fountain of youth my foot. Live in Mancora and you'll stay young forever....and Happy!

Guys, it was the best trip! It was soooo relaxing. Essentially, we just spent 4 days on the beach, getting tan, and doing fun activities for a very low Peruvian cost like Riding horses for 5 dollars, getting a massage ON THE BEACH for 3 dollars, and other assorted funness. The waves in the ocean were MASSIVE so we didn't brave boogie boarding too much (although I think I found my spiritual gift the first time I rented a boogie board in Trujillo). But even just getting knee deep in the ocean was good enough for me! I loved every second of it! Now, granted, because the town is pretty touristy, the food was a little more expensive. On the other hand because there are so many foreigners, the town has many restaurants to cater to the diversity of the tourists.

Ohhhh the food. Let me take a minute just to make you hungry. We had Mexican food, and giant Margaritas, Thai food, and a lot of just good old Gringo food from the states, one of my favoites was a TBG sandwich- Turkey Bacon Guacamole and the other girls ate some Fish tacos. My easter breakfast was a giant plate of French toast, coffee, Pineapple juice and a big bowl of fresh fruit with yogurt...all for 4 dollars (believe it or not, that is fairly pricey for a breakfast in Peru..even of those unbelievable proportions.) And quite possibly my favorite part of the gastronomy in Mancora was Papa Mo's Milk Bar...strange name, but world's best milkshakes and brownie sundaes! Seriously, a giant milkshake for 2 dollars!?! and a homemade brownie Sundae for 2 dollars?! honestly...I know the Biblical way of handling conflict..."If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." -- Matthew 18:15, But I really think that you can make your brother listen to you more if you take him to Mancora and buy him a Papa Mo's Milkshake!

Oh my word. I wanted to stay in Mancora forever. But I am now back to reality and all I have left is my sweet memories and the pictures, some of which are in this blog. I hope you all had a great Easter! And come to Mancora! We'll get some shakes!

Again?!

Oh man guys....I don't even know where to begin! So clearly, it's been awhile since I've posted anything, and that means that you'll be receiving the nutshell version that focuses heavily on more recent events...mostly because that's the only part I can remember.

Part of the reason why I haven't posted very much is because of the numerous changes in my life...well, actually just one or two big changes that are super big so they count more than once. I'll post a little bit more about some of those later, but one of the bigger ones has been my change in jobs here in Peru.

At the beginning of March, I was asked by the director of the SALI language institute where I teach to step into a more administrative role. So rather than teaching classes, I am now the academic director of SALI. I work alongside Fabian Moreno (our awesome director of the institute) and work with our academic staff to help make sure that things are running smoothly for our teachers, making the class schedules, handling problems the students might have, throwing drunk guys off the doorstep of SALI (technically it only happened once, but I'm ready to make sure it doesn't happen again), etc.

It's been great, I've spent March and April settling into the position, and it's going well. A big part of the job which I like is the problem solving aspect of it. SALI began a few years back as a very small institute and no one really knew to expect it to grow so much. Alot of the past few years has just been the administration trying to keep up with ourselves without a solid plan, so Fabian and I are now trying to go back and fix some problems we may have had in the past as well as to create a really good structure for SALI so that it can continue to function well in the future and so that we can be good stewards of this blessing that God has given us.

Like I said, it's been a great fit for me so far, and I look forward to the work that lies ahead.
Soooo....maybe you're wondering how I plan to do all this work when I scheduled to be back in the states in July. Hmm...well about that.

Ok look, I know it's not a big shock to anybody that I've extended my time again, but honestly...this time it was a big shock to me. I'm not lying! I really really really thought that I was going home in July and was already preparing myself and looking for jobs and everything, and then bam. All of sudden, God changes directions on me, and I'm not going to lie...I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me. I spent a good chunk of February fighting God on that one too, not because I hated Peru and wanted to go home, but mostly because I was lacking in the trust department. especially because I really thought that July seemed like the obvious time for me to go home for a few different reasons- I didn't think that God could possibly be calling me to stay any longer. But apparently it had been awhile since God demonstrated Proverbs 19:21...well slapped me in the face with it anyway, and so here I am. a week away from my 24th birthday, humbled once more by the infinite wisdom of God's workings, and apparently staying longer in Peru.

I don't know how long I'm staying now. At least until the end of this year I think...maybe longer. We shall see. But anyway, the truth is, that I am content with it. I'm at peace, and even though it's not my plan, it's good that way. It's not my plan..nor should it be.

So there you go, I guess I won't see you in July, but if you want to come visit Peru, you can count on me to be here if you'd like a tourguide and translator!

Sooooo...I haven't posted in over a month...

And tonight's not the night either. Sorry.

Just to let you guys know, I'm still alive.

AND...I'm on my way to Mancora, a beach town close to Ecuador to celebrate Semana Santa...or as my people call it...Easter!

So Blessed Easter to You all, and I'll send you pictures later!

Por FIIIIIIIIN!!!!!!

Finally, she makes a new newsletter.

I didn't think she had it in her.

GB February Newsletter

Medical Campaigns and Frenectomies.

Whew....What a week!

This week, Peru Mission was very excited to host a team of 22 doctors, nurses, and assorted other people from Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. The team from IPC came down for one full week to do a series of Medical campaigns in some of the more impoverished areas of Trujillo. This is the teams second year here with us, and after the success of last year's campaign, everyone was so excited to have them return. The team worked non stop 5 days straight by ministering, bringing down their own mobile pharmacy and consulting in the areas of general medicine, dentistry, nutrition, obstetrics, and even minor surgery to help out some of the severely underdeveloped parts of my wonderful city of Trujillo. Everyday the team saw well over 150 patients, and touched some communities in extraordinary ways. It's very difficult to explain the sort of poverty that is a reality here, but I stole a slide show from Allen Bradford (a missionary wife) to give you a glimpse of some of the areas we were working in- mostly in the really underdeveloped areas, including a few squatter towns that have only been established in the last few years.

Side note: I HAD more pictures of my own from the week, but one of the missionary kids asked to take a few pictures with my camera, and then I ended up with all my pictures erased,
Concept- Kids don't know how to work digital cameras.
Application- Don't ever give a kid your digital camera when you have 200 images that are important to you.

Anyway.

Click HERE to be taken the slideshow

I spent the last week translating for the doctors that came down here. I really enjoy medical translations. It's such a great privilege to meet so many more people in the Peruvian communities that I don't get to visit very often as well as to be able to spend some time with some really great doctors from the States at the same time. We were able to listen to the stories from the patients and after many exams, the doctors prayed with the patients as well. I met one lady- Rosa, a single mother who has anemia and about a million other problems that could very easily destroy a person's spirit, but Rosa continues on. She is outside of the church right now and seeking peace, seeking comfort, and seeking anyone to make her feel like she is not alone in this world. We talked for a while and I tried to share the light of the Gospel with her and give her passages so that she could see the hope she has in Christ alone. We prayed for awhile and I continue to pray for her as I ask you to do the same, for Rosa, and for everyone else that has similar stories. This week was tiring but filled with profound and abundant blessings!

OH! The Frenectomy. That probably could go under the heading of Blessing as well. I think. Ok so first of all, one thing that you should know about me is that I have always had a medically odd frenulum (you know that stringy part under your tongue?) Well. My frenulum was always attached too far up, which meant that I could literally only stick my tongue out maybe 1 or 2 centimeters farther than my lips. No problem, I thought, it was always like that, it just gave me a little random fact to make me unique. Well. Anyway, the last day of the medical campaign, I was asking the dentist for some help with my jaw (it often pops so I wanted to know some stretches I could do to maybe help with that). He told me one of the exercises to do which involved touching the tip of my tongue to the roof of my mouth and curling my tongue back, to which I replied "I can't!"

My tongue couldn't easily touch the roof of my mouth, so Dr. John (the dentist) said "What??" He looked at my tongue, and said "Gillian! You're frenulum is tethered, why didn't you tell me? I can take care of that for you right now."

Um. excuse me, what? How? Well, it turns out there is a minor corrective surgery that can be done to cut that part and free my tongue from the slavery of the frenulum. He told me he could do it that day after lunch. I was a little nervous, because I knew my entire life as I knew it would be changed. How would my life look after I could easily stick out my tongue? And now what would I tell people about myself in a conversation that involved medical oddities???

So I thought about it a little, and then the dentist told me that number one, this would allow me to do that jaw exercise that would help my jaw stop popping and the big seller was that a procedure like that would cost between $400-$500 in the states. So I went ahead and decided that having that procedure in a third world country for free beat the heck out of paying for it. So after a delicious lunch of delicious Peruvian food, I gathered my courage and Dr. John and Dr. Mel numbed me up, laughed as I struggled over saying the th sound with the medicine, and did the deed. Snip Snip. My first surgery ever. After 3 minutes, I was freed from my former handicap of an oppressive frenulum. I know can pronounce things clearly, although I was unaware that I talked funny beforehand, and good news, I can now Roll my R's faster in Spanish! So all in all, I think not paying a dime for this thing was worth the sacrifice of my conversation starter.

So there you have it. Medical Campaign and a free frenectomy. All in all, another great week in Peru!

Short.

I have slowly regressed into the world's worst updater.

Soooorry. I'd like to tell you that I have already rectified this situation by making a giant 6 page newsletter. But it's just not the truth. I don't even know that I can promise to have a new newsletter out in February. But I should try to get working on it at least.

But for the record. Life in Peru is Fantastic.

I'm trying to relish these last short months I have here in Peru, knowing full well that in July, my life will be changing drastically once more as I readjust to a former culture. Oh, and the fact that I have no idea what I'll do when I get back makes the element of surprise all the more fun. Or something...

The future holds alot of unknowns, but God holds the future, so...one step at a time, no?

Theme of the Week: Pizza

From the www.theonion.com

Pizza Hut's New Pizza Lover's Pizza Topped With Smaller Pizzas

I realized something last night about this week that made me seriously question my better judgment about food this week; but then to throw better nutritional judgment out the window in appreciation of the more important things in life- The people I care about.

Are you ready for my realization? Here it comes:

I have eaten pizza every single Day this week. No joke. Everyday.

No skipping days, no additional nutritional supplements.

Only Pizza for lunch or Dinner every day this week, Monday through Thursday.

(Today is still Friday, and the chance of pizza still is looming)

Ok first of all....I have no excuse. I didn't even realize it until last night exactly how much pizza I had consumed. It wasn't necessarily my idea to get pizza all those times, but I will give you a run down about why I ate so much pizza, and why the people I ate the pizza with are much more imporant that the fact that pizza is now it's own food group in Gillian's Food Pyramid.

Monday- 9pm Pizza Hut (at the restaurant) When I first came to Trujillo, one of the families that I was closest with was the pastors family of my church. Pastor Ricardo, and his wife Dany and two daughters Dorothy and Martita and I plus a few other people always ate lunch together on Fridays in their home. I call them my Peruvian parents and they treated me like a daughter. Really incredible people, and it was hard to say goodbye to them when they moved to a small mountain community last year to help with the church there. But it was a very special treat monday to eat dinner with Dany, Dorothy, and Martita again when they came to visit Trujillo for few days. I loved every second.

Tuesday- 12:00pm Papa Johns (at SALI). Every Tuesday for lunch, all of the interns that work for Peru mission gather to have lunch and to share a time of discussion about different topics of ministry and spend some time in the Word. This week, we were talking about many different topics related to world views and our role in our culture today. Much too philosophical for this blogger to re-hash, but a fun a...lively discussion in any case.

Wednesday- 9pm Pizza Hut (my house). After rehearsing for a wedding that I and a few friends are playing for tonight, we got the phone call from the roomies that pizza was on it's way to our house and to hurry home so we could hang out with everyone. It. Was. So. Fun. We had about 10 of us or so and while we were waiting for the pizza, a few people, grabbed the guitar to give us a little background noise and our friend Ivan started up an alphabet game. In a circle, one person names a song or singer or band, and the next person has to think of a new song or singer or band that begins with the last letter of the first person's word. So for example I say Stevie Wonder- and then next person must think of someone or a song that begins with R. It's a lot of fun, and as we were playing with Peruvians and Gringos, that left a lot of room for accusations about who was making up names and songs and was just a lot of fun all the way around. We didn't even hear when the pizza actually arrived. But arrive it did, and eaten it was.

Thursday- 9pm Papa Johns (Ronald's House) I can't tell you exactly how much the Serrano Moreno family means to me. Ronald is the violinist I work with in Porvenir, and his family means the world to me. His wife Tatiana is amazing and quite pregnant with their fourth child. Branco, the oldest son at 16 is just a cool kid altogether and was my student for at least 4 or 5 months in SALI. Giacomo, 11, was named for Puccini and is always the life of the party, and is one of my cello students as well who has an amazing ear for music. Elsie Michaela is 2 years old and 4 months, and has a sense of rhythm that some people never have. she owns the worlds smallest violin and can play different rhythms on it. Ronald also made her a cello by taking an old full size violin, putting in an end pin, and changing the strings. She is currently enamored with her cello. In my opinion, she could be a prodigy. I try to go to their house alot...usually once a week, and we always have a great time laughing, playing music, and generally just being a family. Last night, one of our new interns Patty who is also a violinist came with us too, and was immediately adopted into this wonderful home.

So you see, Pizza everyday is gross, but pizza everyday with people you love is irreplaceable.

On the mend...

Last week.

Terrible.

Really Terrible.

But.

I am on the mend.

Amidst a flood of stressful situations, multiple trips to the police station, and some other drama that will not be dwelt upon too much...or at all, I actually somehow made it through last week. I don't know if I'd say that I made it through well, but it's done.

I don't even know where to begin for describing last week. But one of the the major stresses included being worried about my financial situation over the next 6 months (I think it's pretty common knowledge that I'm here as a volunteer and in charge of raising enough money to cover my living expenses through donations so if I don't have any donations, I don't have any way to pay my rent and monthly cost of living- about 280 dollars monthly.) Anyway, I'm in some pretty great need of donations right now, I had no donations in December, and am still holding my breath to find out what kind of donations are coming in for this month. I'm praying...Alot.

And the police station visits you ask? Well. Me and the Trujillo Police have gotten to be buddies since Thursday. First of all, it has been a rough week for other people as well. Unfortunately, the laptop of my dear friend and co-missionary intern Julie Rogers was stolen this week. But the really hard part was that it got stolen off the top of her desk during the middle of the day from our shared office in SALI while 7 other people, including myself were in there. A guy who posed as a computer tech guy walked in while the other real computer tech guy was busy with something, and essentially just walked right out with Julie's laptop. The robbers are bold here. No doubt about that. Anyway, so because everything official requires a multiple step process, we went to the police station, went to a different police station, went back to the same police station, and then the next morning had to go back to the same police station. Julie's only been down in Peru for about 5 months, so she didn't want to go through that whole mess in Spanish by herself, so I went with her to translate, and since I more or less "officially" was the translator, I ended up taking my passport the second morning in case they needed a copy since my name was also in the police report. Enter: The Problem. I normally never walk around with my passport. Ever. Why? Because things can get stolen.

And they did.

After the police station Friday morning, I was walking back to SALI and was waiting to cross the street, I had a purse with me, with a zipper that was closed. As I was waiting to cross the street, I felt something, and since I am pretty alert for pickpocketing in Trujillo, I turned around the second I felt it, but I didn't see anyone suspicious, just everyone waiting to cross the street. Well, a little bit later I felt something again, turned around quickly again, but alas, this time, my purse was unzipped and my passport and 20 soles were gone. In addition to being bold, Trujillano choros (thieves) are quite nimble...and stealthy. But the good news is that I had a lot more stuff in my purse (cell phone, wallet, credit card, etc) that did not get stolen, I think because I turned around to check, but because my passport was on top, that's what Grabby Gabby got away with.

So, I went back to the police station. Again. To file my own report. The Trujillo police know me now. By name. We chatted, we joked, we laughed...well actually, they laughed at my apparent bad luck, and I think some pretty strong friendships have been formed with Officers Reyna, Ramirez, and the rest of the boys at station. I figure it can't be that bad of a thing to have the police on your side.

I now must travel to Lima, go to the embassy, get a new passport for 100 dollars, plus travel expenses and try to figure out that whole mess too.

See my first paragraph about the cause of my stress and you'll understand why that last bit about going to Lima is even more stressful to me.

So I should probably also mention that for those of you who know me, I am not usually this open about what I'm struggling with, however, I think this is one area that God is trying to teach me to work on, this whole, letting others help me. It's difficult. But here I am, with these burdens and trying to float along and make it through (though comparatively, especially from the true struggles I've seen of my friends and others in Peru, I know that mine probably aren't that big).

I've been trying to see God's faithfulness through this. As I was reading my Bible the other night, and trying to encourage a friend who's going through a rough time, I found Psalm 73

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Last week was Terrible. But God is my portion. I am on the mend.

Raise your Hand if you haven't blogged since last year!

You can't see me, but I'm raising my hand.

WELL.

Anyway, I'm back in good old Trujillo, soaking up the sun and the 70 plus degree temperatures. This Saturday will be my first beach trip of the summer and I'm sorry if I'm making my winter weather readers a little bit jealous. So if you'd like, you can come visit me and we can go to the beach together....I don't mind going alot.

I'm still more or less recovering from my Christmas Extravaganza (which I don't know about you but to me that seems like it was 100 years ago). It was a good time...restful in the sense that it was soul-nourishing to see a lot of my family and friends...not in the sense of me actually getting rest. What really wore me out was the waking up at 4am on Friday morning and arriving to Trujillo at 5pm Sunday night. Yeah. It was a doozy.

But I did arrive and that's what's important; AND on Sunday, before I went back to Trujillo, I did get the opportunity to visit the kids from our CompArte Peru Music ministry who were in Lima for a musical festival. This is a weeklong music festival that is like a music camp for the kids to develop musically.

As you probably know, since our program is in a rather undeveloped part of Trujillo, the kids we teach wouldnt normally be able to afford this (The registration alone is 70 dollars, and the travel and foods costs are another 55, comparitively, which is really alot of money to spend, and almost an impossible fee for a Porvenir Income- I think I've read that the official minimum wage in Peru is about 500 Soles or $156 monthly) But thanks to many generous donations, we are able to pay the fees for the kids. 2 days before I left however, I received word from Ronald, the program director, that we were short on money for 5 children who wouldn't be able to go, but I am happy to report that thanks to generous donations, all 5 of the children who were not going to be able to go to the Suzuki Music Festival in Lima Peru were able to attend, giving us a total of 21 children!

I don't have any pictures yet, but hopefully will post them soon. Other than that, things here are going well, I'm back to teaching, and back to life in general, although these last six months are shaping up to be a little bit busier than normal as I have been selected to lead the choir for these six months as our normal director Julton is going through his medical internship at a hospital to be a doctor. We'll see how this goes.

Well, I'm gonna go plan some classes, or do some teacher like things, so good luck to all of you northern hemispherers. Hope you stay warm.