Peru Peru Peru !!

Oh mi querido y adorado,Peru!!

I MISS IT!! I guess I forget how freaking amazingly wonderful it is that I AM FROM PERU! i was born in a 3rd world country where my family struggled but gained so much! A country that's poor, humble and with a corrupt government...but none the less...a country whose people have strong family values, traditions, standards, where people are humble but always sharing what little they have. Neighbors and friends who one is so close to that your children call them "tia" or "tio". i have several "tia" and "tio" 's in Peru haha :) . I love my culture!! growing up in the states, i do have a more dominating American Culture....but ohhh baby my Peruvian culture is a part of me and will forever be a part of me! I haven't gone back since 2008, but we plan to go in early 2010. I miss it SO much! my family, the people, the food, the environment...everything! Sure, after 2 weeks i start to selfeshly miss my comfort which is a huge bed, cell phone, car, etc....but it's so nice to spend weeks in a country where technology doesn't rule. Where you have to find a taxi to get to places and where you have to hurry on the phone so it doesn't charge you a lot. hehe. Having been born there and seeing the poverty level helps me to always remember who i am and where i want to go. I have the amazing opportunity to go to college!! to drive!! to have a cell phone!! things teens in Peru would never get the chance to have-such as an education, a car or phone privileges. I understand the value of a dollar-though of course i can sometimes be greedy and spend more than i have. Part of why i am SO educationally driven is because my cousins, brothers, parents, aunts and uncles in Peru never had the opportunity i have to go to college & get a degree. I WANT to go to school,...i GET to go to school. i dont HAVE to...i GET TO! what a BLESSING :) im rambling...this post makes no sense right now. haha but i LOVE PERU! i love where i came from, my traditions, my foods and my people. I am so fortunate to be an American Citizen and have the privilege to fly to Peru as much as i want. With each visit, my family and i do so much for the community and family. I couldn't begin to tell you all that we do-it's incredible how much we get done with the help of our Lord who guides and blesses us to be able to do what we do. When my family and i walk down the streets of our neighborhood in Peru, we LITERALLY get stopped every second by someone who knows or kenw my parents way back when! It's SO NICE to go to Peru and know that my community is more like a huge family. Everyone willing to give a lending hand at any given second, everyone willing to share what little they have and always ALWAYS sharing a smile and a hug. I give thanks for my unique life & blessing to be Peruvian-American and be able to do SO MUCH in both Peru & here. I cannot wait to go back and do more good work. Share the Gospel. Visit family. and more than anything....EAT EAT EAT...the food is AMAZING!!! oh con todo mi corazon, amo a mi Peru!

This would be my house in Peru :) homes in Lima are connected wall-to-wall and mines the corner one. it's actually 4 stories-you just can't see the other side. This is the home where little me took mah first steps and would dance around on the marble floors. I love it! I love having a home in Peru where i have my own room, pictures, radio, etc. It's wonderful-such a blessing!! I say it- I'M FROM PERU, I GO BACK OFTEN AND HAVE A HOUSE IN LIMA- but it doesn't hit me. It's a hard concept to grasp-I have a home and a life in South America where my family is, where i have neighbors and friends all 100% my original culture-WOW! it's wonderful to me!! i am tremendously blessed to be culturally competent and live both cultures :)

This is the presidential palace-im with my cousins.

My grandpa, Poli, and i at church. What a beautiful feeling to attend an LDS church in a country that not too long ago was lacking the Gospel. What a blessing to see that church absolutely full -past its capacity!! what JOY!!!





My ice cream buddy-8 years old working selling ice cream. I bought from him every day and prayed for him. I encouraged him to never EVER give up school and to always pray.To have dreams and to always go for his goals in life. He cried the day i left Peru, but i am sure he will remember my advice :) [[or so i hope]]

At a private navy port with my cousins!

Navy port with my papa!! He was in the Peruvian Air Force-he was top knotch. Everywhere we go he is greeted by all the uniformed guys...kinda dang cool!!

If anyone read this-wow you're amazing! it was long and all over the place :)