Home for the Holidays

Yes! I am home for Christmas. I don't think I've been home for Christmas for several years. Usually I was working or just couldn't get time away enough to make it worthwhile. Even further ironic, I was here in San Diego only three weeks ago! It's bad enough to the point mom was talking to some little old Lady she was friends with at church and the woman was surprised to find out I lived in Peru. "How is that possible?" she said, "You're always here." Well, between the six weeks I was home in August, then Thanksgiving, and now, it's not an illogical conclusion.

Believe me though, if it weren't for Mom and Dad's birthday party and all other celebrations, I would not have made the trip in November. I was back in Lima for only 3 weeks! The time in November was busy and productive and I'm finding it to be true for December also. Overall I'm here for about two weeks.

Christmas Eve my parents and I went to my brother Matthew's house for dinner. With his four children under the age of 8, everyone was easily entertained.

Mom with Matthew's youngest, Amanda who just turned a year old

Reading Christmas stories, with some grandchildren more interested than others

Amanda enjoying the train under the tree. Matthew says they don't put gifts out under the tree because Amanda will open them. 

When we did the Nativity story, Derek, age 3, said he wanted to be a wiseman. I'm wondering where the costume came from.

Cory, who is 6, said he wanted to "be" the manger this year. His mom said it was an improvement from the other role he desired, "the manger Potato." I have to admit, he was a very reverent, calm, manger.

Amanda was to be baby Jesus. Here her parents put her on the manger (with her older brother Cory under the blanket). Didn't work out too well. 

And I got to be a shepherd. 

Christmas morning it was just Deborah and I with Mom & Dad. It's funny how no matter how old you get, some things never change. We were up at about 7:44 am and I looked at Deborah and asked, "When do we wake up Mom and Dad?" They got up shortly after that. 

I was happy to not get a lot of stuff. It means more luggage space.

For dinner that night we had about 20 people over for dinner. Deborah's fiance, his four siblings, father, my brother Matthew and family (6 people), only to be joined later by my brother Michael and his 4 kids. And Mom decided to make a turkey! We were in the kitchen ALL DAY!  I was so over cooking by the end of it! Next year, my goal is to go somewhere for Christmas where I'll be the guest and not the host. 

Los Hombres Peruanos

For those of you who don’t know Spanish, the title is Peruvian men. I figured it is about time they deserved an entry.

First people I ever told in Indiana that I was moving to Peru were John and Karen Chipman. As many of you know, they were mission presidents up north in Piura, where my roommates Mari and Gabi are from.

John had a few words of wisdom he shared with me that have stuck in my head. When I first told them I was moving to Lima, John took a long serious look at me and said, “You’re not naïve, you’ll be okay.” For me that was a compliment.

Another piece of advice John gave that I often repeat is, “Remember, you’re an American, and you look like one.”

But the one I will address today is when he said, “There are a lot of Peruvian men down there who will be happy to pair up with you.” Man, was he not joking.

Most of my street smartness comes from my time in Hungary. The only difference was in Hungary you couldn’t tell I wasn’t Hungarian until you heard me speak. In Peru, well, it’s kind of obvious sometimes. But I had a couple of guys be interested in me as a missionary. Not just because I was young and female, but also because I was a visa opportunity to the United States. I told John I had already experienced that, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some Peruvian guys would have similar ideas.

So friends, this is where you might think I’m a little silly (course you already knew that though, right?) But when I came down to Peru, I was pretty determined, and still fairly am, that I do not want to marry a Peruvian. I just don’t. I have met some very nice ones, but I often say unless he’s fairly wealthy I just don’t see it happening (because he will need to be able to pay for plane tickets back and forth between Peru and the US).

So I know my friends from game night will be smiling about this. So far I have been on two dates. One was a blind date set up by my roommate Mari with a friend of hers. His name is Jose and he is a lawyer. Nice guy. Haven’t talked to him since, but if Mari were to invite him over, I would be happy to see him again. Course, I’m one of several friends she has set up with him.

Second was a guy named Luis. I met him on the bus like my second week in the country. He gave me his seat on the bus and later when it was open he sat by me. His skin was so fair I asked if he was Peruvian and he said he had some European ancestry. He started talking with me a bit. It was a day when I just came from the College of Nursing to find out what I needed to do to get a nursing license in the country. He said he worked at a University that was heavily into the healthcare sciences and he could inquire if there were any possibilities for me. He seemed nice.

Two months passed and I had not given him a second thought. He e-mailed me one day (because I had given him my e-mail address) and asked if I was still in Peru. He wanted to get together to talk some job possibilities. My roommate Mari was suspicious and was pretty sure he had a crush on me. I said I had met him for only a few minutes on the bus. How could that be possible.

Anyway, we got together, he asked for a resume, then one day he invited me to come to the school. For Peruvian standards, it seemed a pretty classy school. But considering all courses were taught in Spanish, I had no clue how I would ever manage teaching any class there.

I realized he was interested in me, but I was getting ready to go home for Thanksgiving and other celebrations, so any further interest he had would have to wait.

I kind of thought it over later and decided he really isn’t my type. He occassionally works at the university as a sound technician in the auditorium. Kind of a free spirit that plays in a rock band, or used to at one point. In his 40’s, 50’s and lives at home with his parents (which is not that uncommon in Peru). He also has a 14 year old son from a previous marriage. I guess the past year he was living in Switzerland with his Swiss girlfriend. He only contacted me once when I went back right before Christmas.

Then the third Peruano happened this past Friday while I was riding the Metro Bus to get to the hospital in the morning. He asked me something about which bus was coming, so I answered. Heard my accent, and then asked where I was from. While I was on the bus, he started asking me more questions. Then, in my opinion, he was just way too aggressive. Asked me how old I was, how long I’d been in Peru. I told him I was leaving that night for the US. He said when I got back I should contact him and we could go out to eat, go for a walk. Of course while this is all happening he is pushing himself up against me and trying to whisper in my ear. I cocked my head at an angle so there would be some space.

He asked for my cell phone number and I told him I didn’t have one. Now the fact that he actually bought that me makes me question his intelligence. Though it actually is a believable story. In Peru you can’t sign up for a regular cell phone plan unless you have a Peruvian Social Security number. Right now I have what is called a pre-paid phone plan that anyone can have. In the end he settled for my e-mail address, so I gave him a fake one.

So there’s three, with I’m sure many more to come. I’m kind of used to it at this point between Hungary and Peru. I’m also getting to a point I’m not as nice. If I’m not interested, just let them know because I really don’t feel like wasting my time. I also need to start telling them I have a boyfriend or I’m married. Though sad part is, with some guys, that still may not stop them.

Peruvian Transportation

So I think it’s about time I start telling all of you some of the harsh realities of living in Peru. Number one, Public Transportation. It’s horrible. Even Peruvians will tell you that.

If any of you have ever traveled in Europe, we know how public transportation is. Runs smoothly, like clockwork, and of course you can find a schedule somewhere.

Yeah, well, here in Peru they don’t have that. Basically, what happens is someone decides they want to get into the business of being a bus driver, so they go ahead and buy their own bus. The buses look like normal buses, but then they have these things called Microbuses. It is basically a little bit larger than a volkswagon bus.

There’s no maps and no schedule. The way you know which bus to take is the names of the major streets are written on the side of the bus. This helps you know what route it will go. So if you don’t know your way around Lima, or what any of the major street names are, you are out of luck.

I tell my family this as a joke, but reality is I’ve done it several times. Public Transportation is not hard. You simply go to a bus stop, tell a Peruvian where you want to go, and they tell you which bus to get on. I’m at a point now where places that I go to often I can easily figure out how to get there, but unknown spots I still consult the natives on.

Hence, if you want to get anywhere in this city, when I look it up on a map, I look for the major street that’s nearby that will get me the closest to my destination.

And since there is not schedule you have to just wait at a stop till a bus shows up. Waiting 20-30 min for the right one to come is not abnormal for me at all. Which is why you need to have LOTS of travel time. Erin went to a gathering for women in the English ward who live in La Molina. When they asked what it was like in Miraflores, Erin replied, “You spend a lot of your day getting from one spot to another.”

She’s right. Let’s not forget the horrible traffic here. To go a mere 4 kilometers could take me an hour. Yes, I’m sure some of you are thinking, “Why not just walk?” You’re right, it would be faster. But something I learned when I first came to Lima is I really had to watch how often I walked long distances. If I didn’t, by the end of the day, my body was just exhausted. Four kilometers here, which could take an hour, 2 kilometers here, plus another three, that’s just too much. So I’ve learned public transportation is a better option.

You can always take a cab. They can cost a grand total of $3-5 dollars. But if you take one everyday or several times a day, it can add up. So I try to stick to the bus that’s 60 cents. That doesn’t mean I’ve taken cabs at times when I just don’t feel like handling the public transportation mess, I’m in a hurry, or I know there’s no direct route to where I want to go.

Course that’s in Miraflores where I live. That part of town, and the surrounding areas, are not the true Lima. Miraflores, San Isidro, and Surco, these are hyped up areas for tourists and foreigners to reside in. The rent there is very expensive, which is why many normal Peruvians can’t live there. For me to go to the grocery store and see other foreigners around is not abnormal at all. Kind of like living in Carmel, Westfield, and Zionsville versus downtown Indianapolis.

Once you get outside of the wealth bubble, it’s a different story. I went to visit my sister-in-laws mission companion in a part of Peru called Independencia, the northern part of the city. That is a part of town I do NOT want to be walking around by myself. As long as I’m with a native, I feel fine. Her companion, Tania, has been sweet enough everytime I go they meet me right at the metro bus stop so I don’t have to make it to their house by myself.

Over there they have these things called Mototaxis. The only way to describe them are glorified golf carts. There’s a TON everywhere. Course I was apprehensive about stepping into one, but I was with Tania and figured if she was still alive, I suppose I would be also. They seem so dangerous, like they could tip over in a heartbeat. And seatbelts are non-existent. I remember Karen Chipman sending me pictures of them when John and her were here in Peru.

Oh well. One thing I learned when I was in Hungary, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. It’s not the best set up, but for right now, it’s all I’ve got.

And hopefully some day I’ll get my act together enough to take some pictures so you know what I’m talking about.

Parque de Las Leyendas

Erin said she wanted to go somewhere for our weekly outing so I recommended the zoo. One of the ladies I volunteered with said it was good place to go and it only cost $15. I thought it was a good deal. 

As far as the array of animals, they had mostly creatures from South America. We saw crocodiles, penguins, water buffalo, hippos, and the usual lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!), but no elephants. And a HUGE playground. This place would be paradise for little kids.

Apparently they were going to start constructing the zoo when they discovered a whole bunch of ancient ruins from previous Inca civilizations. So as your walking around the park, you see these brown hills at certain spots that you can peruse through. It was like an outdoor museum. 

I found out during this outing that Erin is a closet archeologist. She was really fascinated by it all. 

Poor bear had a bunch of visitors with him. Those vultures were all over the place. The filled up the turtle exhibit to where we didn't even know there were turtles there. 

Erin has in her hand "Flat Stanley." It's a childrens book about a boy who had something fall on him so he became flat. I guess a recent project they are doing for her nephew is to take pictures of Flat Stanley at various spots. So I was helping her that day put Stanley in certain spots for photo ops.

We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was a warm day, but cloudy so it wasn't miserably hot. 

Something that creeped Erin out. We asked a guy to take a picture of us with my camera, which he did. But then he took a picture of us with his own camera. Yes, we did not know this guy. Erin thought that was strange, but I've already had it happen to me once. At the hospital I work at people just want to talk to me simply because I'm a foreigner. Didn't realize we were such fascinating people. 

It was a fun day, but as any outing is, a little exhausting. I slept like a rock that night. Erin makes for a good playmate though. 

The Primary Program

I got recruited awhile back to play the piano for the primary program. Pretty much because there was nobody else to do it. There are about four other players in the barrio. One is the woman who usually does Sacrament meeting and is a music teacher. She is also the one nobody gets along with. The three others can play basic simplified hymns. Me? The primary book is a breeze and with a little practice I can pluck out about any of the hymns.

We had been practicing quite a bit right before I left. You need to understand, there is only one piano in the building, and it is not in the primary room. Hence, these kids are not used to singing with a piano. So not only were we preparing for the program, but it was like singing time for the first time ever.

I originally was going to come back Tuesday Nov. 29th because prices were cheaper then. But as I was getting ready to leave the Primary President was frantic because I wasn't going to be there and trying to convince her sister to play. Her sister does not play that well, and as any primary pianist can tell you, every song is in a different key, and it can be confusing.

I was a bit annoyed because here I had practiced so hard with them and was going to miss it. So in the end I just changed my ticket and came back early. I was just sitting at home getting fat at Mom and Dad's house anyway (no joke, between all the parties and Thanksgiving I had gained three pounds).

The program went well, but I have to give the presidency credit, they had been practicing with the kids alot. For about a month actually. At the end Johel got up and gave his usual end of the program bishop speech. He thanked me and said to everyone he was sure I had learned a lot patience throughout this process. I really hadn't. Being pianist is easy. Once I play, the kids sing. It's the primary leaders who I tip my hat to.

Afterwards the president asked me to join in with a little celebration during sharing time. I passed out some miniature candy canes I brought back because they don't have them here in Peru. Johel was kind enough to send me later a picture we had taken of all the kids and the leaders.

Check out that white girl in the back. I know there are some fair skinned Peruvians, but this is just one of those moments I sigh and accept the fact I just stick out sometimes. 

November visit home

Well, I've fallen behind a bit, but when I tell you all that's going on, you will realize there is a good reason for it. First and foremost, in October I failed to mention I did start working for a tutoring company here in Lima. It's run by a British woman and it mainly deals with helping kids with their English.

The biggest pain about it is having to travel. Transportation here in Lima has tons of room for improvement and it can take FOREVER to get anywhere. I think of what the Peruvian interpreter told me in Indiana that rings through my head many times. Think of Lima like New York City. Traffic can be a nightmare. It can seriously take you an hour to go only several kilometers. Sometimes walking is faster, but one thing I learned early one when I got here, I can only walk so much a day before I am totally exhausted. So I've kind of learned not to push it anymore.

Though the advantage to that is I've lost weight. Eight pounds to be exact. But even before I had a chance to get on the scale I could feel it in my clothes. Nice part about it is, I feel no guilt in eating certain foods now knowing I will burn them off.

Gabi and Mari are jealous. Gabi got this idea in her head that the reason I'm losing weight is because I eat on a routine schedule (like breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I told her I do that because I get hungry. I guess Mari and her do only one or two huge meals a day and it's usually at a point they are so starving they eat not the healthiest stuff. So Gabi has this idea if they start eating on a routine schedule they might lose weight.

I personally think if they would walk as much as I do, that might be more effective. Gabi and Mari work from home, so they aren't traveling as much as I am.

I headed back to the United States in November. My mom was turning 70 and Deborah decided to have her wedding shower that weekend. My two older sisters were coming in from Oklahoma and St. Louis, so I decided why not. Dad's birthday is Nov. 15th, Mom's is Nov. 16th, so they usually celebrate them together.

I got home the morning of Nov 15. We had a small celebration for Dad Tuesday night, then one for mom Wednesday night. Friday afternoon my sister Julie came in. My brother had arranged for us to go the temple that night to do an endowment session where we did family names. Of the seven kids, two are inactive. It was the five of us who are inactive that went.

So here is the funny part. We were in the dressing room at the temple and my mom pulled out several family names. Many of them distant relatives from Spain. But there was one who was my Great Aunt Martha. Mom comes up and says, "Okay, who wants to do Aunt Martha?" My two sisters and I stared at each other in silence.

Course we all knew her before she passed away. The thing is, Aunt Martha wasn't mean, she was just weird. Really, really weird. She was nice, but just odd. Her husband was just as odd. One of the best things they ever did for society was to not have any children and I'm not saying that to be mean.

After a few minutes my sister in law said she would do her. As she said, she didn't know her that well.

The funny thing to me was reflecting what type of families get together and all go to the temple together to do family names? Usually ones who are these smiling, picture perfect, group that all gets along and likes each other. That's why I took a moment to think, "Wait! We are one of those families? No we aren't! We've got so many issues and rivalry between all of us." Humbling moment.

Saturday afternoon was Deborah's wedding shower. My aunt hosted it and had it done at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in town. This is a time of life I wished I had a larger stomach because the food was so good.

As you can see, Deborah was surrounded by Sisters, Sister in laws, Aunts, cousins, nieces, and friends. My cousin did two painless shower games. One of which she had called Deborah's fiance and asked a whole bunch of questions and then she asked Deborah the same ones to see if they would come up with similar answers. 

Later that night Deborah had coordinated a semi-surprise party for Mom and Dad for their birthdays. Deborah had arranged for catering to be done and while we were at the shower my brother and his boys along with Deborah's fiance were setting up tables and chairs at one of the ward buildings. Well, Deborah had reserved the stake center for this activity. We didn't find out till after her wedding shower though that Elder Dalin H. Oaks decided to come through town and meet with the missionaries. As a result, they had changed her reservation to another ward building, AND DIDN'T TELL HER. 

So there we were, a few hours before Mom and Dad's party, and we had told all the guests to go to the wrong building. Deborah was freaking out, but hey, she has siblings, right? She sent a message out on facebook to everyone she had invited, I contacted several of the non-facebook friends, and my brother wrote a sign that he posted on the other ward building to let people know where it was at. 

There was about 50 people there. Friends Mom and Dad had known for decades. My older brother and sister gave a couple of talks in tribute to mom and dad. 

As you can see, my nephew Jason really enjoyed the chocolate cake

Six of the seven kids made it that night, along with Mom and Dad.

My sisters left the next day, but I was sticking around because Thanksgiving was that Thursday. I left Friday morning from Los Angeles and my goodness, I have never seen so little traffic on my way up to Los Angeles! Great Day to leave. 

I usually wouldn't be traveling this much for just Thanksgiving, but as you can see, there was enough going on at home it was worth it. International travel is a pain because of having to go through security, customs, immigration, etc. 

My roommates Mari and Gabi had asked me to bring a bunch of stuff back for them from the US. My carry on was full of snacks that I felt I was packing a grocery store. I had to change planes in Mexico and believe it or not, two jars of peanut butter I was bringing back for them got confiscated by the security officials. They claimed it was a cream. Never mind the fact both jars were sealed and not opened. I got so mad as I sat there arguing with them. I said the United States has some of the highest security ever, and if they will let peanut butter through, why is Mexico not? 

Pretty much everyone I have mentioned it to since said the security guards probably wanted it for themselves. Oh well, put it in check in next time. 

I had arranged to head back to Lima a little earlier than planned because I had the next item on my to do list. The primary program.