Falling asleep thinking...

"Today was such a good day"...again.

What else is there to do with our lives, than to love one another?

Inspirational words of the week

"Da lo mejor de ti y lo mejor vendrá."

Madre Teresa

"It's the little things."

I've been catching myself saying, "it's the little things" over and over again.

To me, the little things are what matter. By being easily pleased, you will be happier. Appreciating smells, food, and a person's laugh are what I'm talking about...it doesn't take much to make a person happy. Here are some of the little things I love here in Peru:

This past Saturday, my host mom and I played Peruvian music and washed our clothing, by hand, on the roof in the blazing sun. Got my tan on! Moves were busted and memories were made.

Last Friday night Emelie and I bought ourselves some milk and oreos and watched Sex and the City. Sleepovers with your girlfriends are my favorite thing.

Some photos to help you better understand "the little things."

Jamie took me for a tour in Washington, D.C. and pumped me up mentally for my adventure right at steps of the Lincoln memorial.

 

 Ali came for not even ten minutes to the Miami airport to give me a hug goodbye! Had to get back into security for the flight to Lima in 40 minutes so she hugged, kissed and gave me wise words before my life changed completely. What an absolute angel, right?!

The whole group at the Miami airport before take-off, Peace Corps Peru 20:

At the retreat center when we first arrived:

The first day I met my mom, Gregoria Rutti. She picked me up to take me to my new home during training!

The beautiful training center during lunch, where parrots fly around every so often:

Scrappy (cocker spaniel) and Chatin, my dogs.

 

First day of doing laundry by hand slash tanning in the hot sun:

The street I live on:

Little Chatin:

Sunday, preparing the FEAST that is pollo pachamanca:

Mi prima and I did our nails that day too:

Our ducks:

The backyard:

The literature I'm reading these days:

Some more of the world around me:

 My fav kind of flower, sunflowers in Yanacoto:

The outside of my lovely home:

 Pollo pachamanca: you dig a hole in the ground, put the food inside of it then bury it so the heat doesn't escape from the rocks you've burned and come back an hour later and WA-LA, you've got yourself a gourmet meal. Just have to dig it out!

MY FAMILIA!!! Mi hermano (Francisco), mi mama (Gregoria), mi papa (Francisco),  mis hermanos (Fernando, Francin, Rudy), me, mi prima (Lizet) and two family friends that came over on Sunday for the feast:

 Pollo pachamanca, all cooked in the ground:

Yanacoto, where I live, and Chosica off in the distance from the chapel up the hill behind my house:

 Seth, Emelie and I went for a hike up to la capilla:

"FAMILIA!!!"

 Mi hermana/closest friend here in Peru, Emelie:

Although I can't explain the beauty in words, I hope these photos help paint a picture for you, family and friends. I also can't explain how happy I am that I'm here. Life is SO good, because of "the little things," like sunflowers, pollo pachamanca, Ali, Jamie, Emelie, la capilla, the view from my house, Chatin, mi mama...the list seems to be infinite here in Peru. Makes me wonder - how did I ever get so lucky??? :-P

I gotta say...

I've been sick here. It's totally normal, the doctors warned us. New bacteria = diarrhea up the wazoo. I've even vomited a little in my mouth a couple times.

Well, yesterday was the first day I didn't have diarrhea. PEACE CORPS MILESTONE!

I feel alive...

...and I think this is the way life is exactly supposed to be.

A note from my 10 year old prima (cousin):

I'm, for sure, without a doubt, in the right place. Thank you, Jesus!

Amor.

I just got done doing my spanish homework with my host mom, Gregoria Rutti, at the dinner table. We were the last ones left as mi papa and my brothers went to sleep. Our eyes were closing but we kept talking/enjoying each other's company. In time we both washed the dishes, turned off all the lights and decided to go to bed. I always hug and kiss my mom goodnight. Tonight she opened up her arms to give me a hug and I couldn't help but take a mental snapshot of that moment. She is just such a good mom. We both didn't let go for a while and I thanked her for being my mom. She said, "Gracias para estar mi hija." ("Thank you for being my daughter.")

The point of this blog is - I really love my mom here in Peru. How can I ever be homesick when she makes me feel right at home? I never called her "momma Gregoria," "Senora Rutti" or just "Gregoria." I debated what would be appropriate/less awkward when we were informed we were living with host families. From day one, I chose to call her "mom" and you know what? I'm happy I did...because I genuinely love her like one.

Buenas noches, mundo maravilloso. :-)

Help someone everyday.

I'm in Peru and my mission is clear.

My eyes are open.

My heart is open.

Every day, I am to help someone. I will not change the world, but I will change lives. It doesn't matter how many, it just matters that I do.

This simple hope comes with immense responsibility. It comes with living under conditions that not many can live in, not to mention I have fleas and it's the second day of training and I've already had diarrhea on accident when I coughed. New bacteria, people - that's what happens. I'm not ashamed one bit - I was told it's normal and all the volunteers will have the joy of experiencing poop in their pants. Thank God for senses of humor, right?


Back to the point - yesterday I got to help Emelie, a new friend that I can tell will be a dear friend of mine. She came over and used my computer to go on the internet. She started to cry reading a loved ones e-mail and I gave her a hug. Sometimes, that's all a person needs. Help person - check!

She helped me too though. We went running slash fending off stray dogs with rocks on the dirt roads of Yanacoto and afterwards when we stopped in front of my host mom's house, she said, "Wow we really live in Peru." For the first time, it hit me a tiny bit that I was in another country far away from home. For a millisecond, my mind rushed with anxiety and fear, then another millisecond passes - "Get it together Gia! You're breathing! You're fine!" Then the next millisecond, "Hey...Emelie's here too." And finally, comfort. My mind settled down because I knew I had someone there with me...and that was simply all I needed as well. If you can help, you must. Helping doesn't have to mean discovering new scientific research or donating thousands upon thousands of dollars. Helping is a hand willing to open and a heart willing to give.

Watching my world here in Peru, I can't help but think of these things. What drives us as human beings?

I think the answer is very simple.

The human spirit is fragile and only becomes strong with love. Love courses through our bodies to strengthen our ability to be great, to be ourselves (flaws and all), to be happy, what-have-you. Love moves not only mountains, but us, in ways we can't take for granted. My love will move me to sacrifice hot showers (cold water at least wakes you up in the morning!), my bed for cardboard basically, frequently getting spider bites, catching fleas, and I don't have the comfort of having friends and family close to me when I feel lonely or get sick. Love has brought me here to Peru to help families suffering from disease. What will your love do?



Anyways, all Peace Corps volunteers have many funny stories. Here's one from yesterday:
 Emelie was over eating dinner with my family. The conversation became very interesting very fast. My mom told me about a dog they used to have...named "Donde estas?" (Where are you?). I can't tell you why. You know what she gave him though? Glasses. Legit reading glasses. Did he need correction or was the sun too strong? Neither. My mom just liked the way they looked. Now, imagine a dog walking around a dirt road town in the middle of nowhere, Andes mountains, Peru, with glasses on? Donde estas is famous to this day. If that doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will! Hasta luego, amigos!

I'm scared, but I'm ready.

I just have to say I'm sorry if I don't make sense at all today. Today I left for the Peace Corps in Peru. My first stop was Washington, D.C. for welcoming then the next day, we're shipped to Lima. It's a whirlwind and I'm overwhelmed by emotion, but I'll try to pour it out to you as eloquently as humanly possible.

My goodbyes were casual. I have some really solid, wonderful friends. They inspire me - every single one of them has a critical role in my life. God surrounded me with angels. I know we'll keep in contact just fine. Saying goodbye to my mom wasn't even that dramatic. I did end up yelling, "Mom!" as she walked away for one more hug, but I think my mom realized it was time to let go. She's raised me well. It's time to show the world that.

The reason why I say I'm scared is because it's okay to be scared. When you're afraid it means you're challenging yourself. I accept that I am afraid of what I don't know, because I also know, with every ounce of my being, that I'm ready. I was born for this kind of job. All the questioning, love/encouragement from friends, vaccinations, and long runs along the beach or in the hills behind my house have prepared me well.

One second you know everything, the next second you don't...and it's okay.

Things I don't know:
1. Where I am exactly...all I know is I'm in Washington, D.C. at some hotel near Georgetown
2. Where one of my bags are...American Airlines lost one, ha!
3. How to be "business casual" tomorrow for my welcoming...Lord knows all I wear are bathing suits and shorts
4. How I feel about what's happening...I think this is what they call "shock" (I literally feel nothing right now)
5. What to expect in Peru

I'm in a new world, uncharted waters. Tomorrow I'll be meeting fellow volunteers. My life literally changed overnight.

On my flight over, I sat next to a couple interesting souls.

Enter Micah, this dreamy eyed reporter from Redondo Beach. 29 years young with a baseball cap on, he was asking me so many questions true to his reporter nature. He told me he always wanted to do the Peace Corps but "life got in the way." He got a job and there went that dream. He was traveling to Madrid for the hell of it with his friends. It sounded like he was in search of something. I hope he finds whatever he was looking for.

The flight attendant asked me where I was going and the whole Peace Corps story came out...how I feel it's a "calling from God." She was saying how lucky I am to have felt a "calling." She said she hasn't felt a calling in years but she doesn't want to force anything. Maybe she's exactly where she needs to be in life.

Next flight - Jake, 6 year old little boy, with his mom of course. Jake is an avid soccer player, loves transformers and lives in Washington, D.C. He woke me up when we were landing by way of punch and said, "Gia want to see where the president lives?!" I could barely open my eyes, I was in such a deep sleep. He reaches over to push up the window cover and I instantly see the White House, my eyes pop, my mind races, then the Lincoln memorial, then the Jefferson memorial...the city lights making Washington, D.C. look so alive. I may or may not have screamed a bit. Jake got a kick out of it, that's for sure. I haven't felt this feeling since I went to Italy. I thrive on this feeling.

I'm so excited. I'm stupid happy. I haven't even worried about my missing bag. I can't with everything going on. Life is good. I'm alright, this is going to be great. I'm a Peace Corps volunteer now. :-)

Surrounded.

You'd think I'm lost.

The way I stare at people on the streets, the Pacific ocean's endless waves, my friends when we're having fun. My thoughts overwhelm me at some point in time of every single freaking day. Sometimes I lose myself, but I always know where I am...California. One adventure after the other, I'm always on the hunt...and it's not hard to find when you're surrounded.

California's different...the feel of it, the way it makes you feel. You're on a movie set 24/7. I don't want to forget any of it. Every moment's so precious to me. In a sense, this place is magical. What you see in the movies actually has some truth to it.

Los Angeles is one big, fat playground. One second you're surfing County Line, the next you're on your way to a bar in Santa Monica...but this blog is about the drive. It's about Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Canyon, my streets heading back home in the green rolling hills of Simi Valley. It's about the friends that keep you in good company. God bless our crazy friends and God bless the journey!

Everyone's always rushing to get somewhere and I'm just realizing that I need to savor the journey, because that's the best part. It's the part that matters the most at least. Your goals are worth all the while because of the steps you took to get there - they are usually hard and they may smack you in the face a little or feel like they're bulldozing your entire body, but they teach you unforgettable lessons. These lessons are all pieces to the life puzzle.

This past month, my best friend flew in from Miami to see me graduate at Regis University and she helped me make the road trip back to California. Even waiting at the airport in Denver to pick her up, someone told me, "You seem awfully happy to see your friend." I was holding a big, obnoxious hot pink sign that said, "My best friend in the whole world, Carolina." I responded quickly, "Yeah we haven't seen each other in a year." As I'm saying this, the phone starts ringing and this means she's landed and we're in the same building for the first time in a year. My mind starts racing, I pick up and we're yelling and screaming so much into the phone about how we can't believe it's finally happening. We're finally reuniting. We haven't even logically asked each other where we are. We're just freaking out over the phone for a solid 30 seconds - in freak-out time, that's a long time to be freaking out.

Someone walks by me and I hear, "This is going to be cute. Let's watch," referring to me and Car's reunion. I all of a sudden hear Car...she's already at baggage claim...three, two, one...EYE CONTACT.

The next couple of seconds are a total blur because we ran toward each other with such force that the pink sign gets ripped in half from contact, the things in her bag fly everywhere, her luggage is left off in the distance...we completely knocked each other out and now, we're lying on the airport floor just hugging each other, still yelling and screaming...that's why we're best friends. We yell and scream constantly. There's never a dull moment. Here's the story of some of our moments.

Car being here means summer's here...I am graduating on Sunday and I am about to embark on the hardest weekend of partying I've ever partaken in. It hurt. The partying is part of the journey. Cinco de Mayo was that weekend and my Ecuadorian cousins also came into town, so of course we go to the bars of downtown Denver. It's one block of bars but it's something. Car and I have mustaches and I'm wearing my favorite article of clothing, acquired last Halloween - my sombrero. From that night, I just remember having a burrito in my hand and some guy wanting it and so, to get it, I told him, he had to tell me the Our Father. Next thing I know, there's a crew of people screaming, "I love Jesus!" Lesson learned from this night - God is good, even when you're wasted and want a burrito.

I genuinely don't remember Saturday night. I know I partied though. Must have been fun...

The morning of my graduation, I told Car, "I don't want college to be over. I feel like I'm walking to my death." She stopped me and said, "G...I just got this feeling...it's all just beginning. You're going to the Peace Corps, then you're going to be a mom and a doctor and so much more stuff is going to happen...so don't call it your death, because that scares me." And we both chuckled and marched out of the house to Hilltop (a dive bar that it's a tradition to go to before graduation at Regis...it's conveniently across the street). On our walk over, we were singing "Good Life" by OneRepublic. I'll never forget that. "Paris to China to CO-LO-RA-DO...when you're happy like a fool, let it take you over!"

About 15 minutes before we were supposed to walk to our seats to listen to speeches of how great our lives will be and yada yada yada, I didn't want to leave Car and I wanted her to sit with me so bad that drunken me pretended to lose my cap and gown and I got another one while Car was wearing mine. We were pretending she was graduating too. All of my friends were laughing so hard as we tried to stand in line with this preposterous graduate. I was wearing my sombrero that morning too. The very last second, we came to our senses and Car scattered to find my mom and sit down with my family. I did a victory run between the two lines of people in caps and gowns giving out high fives, then quickly ran back to my spot and proceeded to walk the aisle to our seats while hurriedly fixing my cap. I'll probably always be a bit of a mess, but that's just fine with me. It's fun to be a mess. You're not living if you aren't a mess.

When I was sitting down, I actually tried to listen to the speeches and remember something, but I really didn't like them, or take anything in, so there was nothing significant that happened there. I was just thinking about the "beginning" Car was talking about...the Peace Corps...kids...medical school...bills...back to the Peace Corps, then back to bills, then thinking about how the hell I'm going to be a doctor and have kids at the same time, then it was finally my turn to walk...thankfully because my brain was about to explode...I was dancing so hard while walking to get my diploma, I almost forgot to stop and shake the president's hand. I was trying to do something crazy that I'd remember but to be honest, it was very anti-climactic. It just happened...and like that, I'm a college graduate.

I went to a low key lunch with the people I love most and it was just what I wanted to celebrate. You'd think I'd have this extravagant party but all I wanted was my mom, brother, cousins, Marcelo (my 5-year-old godson), "Coachie" (the lacrosse coach I worked for in college who became like a second mother), her 4-year-old son, Dylan (babysat him all four years of college and got extremely close to this little guy...I can't wait to be at his graduation from college), Vinnie and Brittany (they're older and I look up to them so much...Vinnie's going to dental school and Britt Britt's off to medical school, and they're both rowdy too yet they understand how to work hard...it's a beautiful thing to watch), Car, and Brittany's parents (the most wonderful, down to earth people on this planet). I don't ask much from anyone but love and that's just what I got on graduation day and it felt great to be surrounded by it. I was in heaven. It's my favorite thing to have all the people I love the most in the same place!

Regis rents out a bar in celebration of the graduation for the seniors. Car and I danced the entire night on stage because we loved every song...every single song. "Wild One" was never played but that is our anthem. It sounds stupid, but we're each others wild ones. We're always down to do whatever as long as it involves a good laugh. Lesson learned - that night, I was so happy to have a best friend...to have someone who will always understand me and I can call at any time of day to tell her anything...someone who'll hold my hand and dance with me all night. That was the moment I realized how grateful I need to always be. There is also nothing like dancing the night away with your best friend. Nothing.

Over the course of the next few days, we hiked Colorado, ran miles on end (Car is an avid runner like me), ended up river rafting Clear Creek...we were on our way to a hike, saw the number from the highway, had a "I really want to do that Car!" "Okay let's do it, G!" conversation and booked it within 5 minutes. I also hung out with friends...said my goodbyes and "see you later's". I understood, even though it'd be a long time because of how I'm leaving to the Peace Corps, I'd definitely see a few friends again. We'd write to each other and be in each others hearts. I also understood I'd never see most of these people again. You just remember people for the good times. Everyone has someone to teach you, in my opinion, especially the people you stay friends with, but you can't underestimate the ones that come in and out of your life. You just have to make sure you let the right ones come in.

My mom always told me to be "selective" with your friends. I always thought that was the meanest thing I'd ever heard...until I met some idiots. You are who your friends are, therefore, you better surround yourself with positive people. From there on, I made sure I told the people I care about how I felt and how I want to keep them in my life. Some friendships, I put more effort into and some friendships, I let slip...it's what was best for the both of us in the long run. It just sucks when only one person gets that and the other thinks you're an absolute asshole. Car is someone I always made sure to text and she did the same to me. We wrote extensive letters, Facebook messages, text messages every so often, just to check in on one another, even though we were on opposite sides of the country in school with internships and obligations up the wazoo. I'm so glad I did this, because the second I saw her in the airport, it was like I saw her yesterday...and this is how you should feel with all the people you're close to - you know them no matter how long the distance or time spent apart.

With this one in a bajillion kind of friend, we packed up my room true to our spontaneous lifestyles. We had gone river rafting the day before and there was this hike I really wanted to do before we left - Hanging Lake in Aspen. Google it. I bet your jaw will drop. It was VERY important I checked this off my bucket list. We had been told by the rafting guides the weather was not going to be good the day we were planning on going. So, there we were - chasing the sun, packing a couple of days before we were supposed to just to go on this hike. Within two hours, my life was in trash bags being hauled to my Rav4, whom I call Sky, and my room was as clean as it had ever been. Hope I get that damn deposit back!

The road trip began. We drove at night and woke up early in the morning to do this hike. It was unbelievable and I think everyone who resides in Colorado hasn't lived until they've seen Hanging Lake. Car and I walked on the log that extends to the middle of the lake - we didn't know if it'd hold both our weight, we just couldn't help but want to be more of a part of this lake. If we fell in, we were in it together, and together, Car and I can face anything. I mean, our friendship started with us being lost in the Swiss Alps and having to hitch hike with all of our snowboarding/ski gear on this narrow highway. Cold water would have been a piece of cake. Just gotta keep swimming!

As we continued on the road to Vegas, Car and I sang to songs and talked about everything from what our future husbands would be like to the cereal we like. Car was an awesome co-pilot, making me nutella croissant sandwhiches...she even put them in the "microwave." You know what the "microwave" was? The dashboard. Imagination will get you far in life!

Second stop: Vegas...and what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Ya had your pool party in the story, the bachelor party, we got this kind of alcohol that is supposed to taste like cake - def ruined the taste of cake for myself. I also had "fell in love" one day with this doofus from Delaware claiming he had a Mazarati and his own business in LA...my friend introduced us at a pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel saying, "Gioconda, this guy is perfect for you." The introductory conversation went a little like this: "Want to go down the water slide, Jared?!" Without missing a beat, Jared goes, "YUP!" Then later, I asked if he wanted to be best friends and he answered, "Want to make out?"  and I got sad because I'm not your average 21 year old girl...I genuinely just wanted to keep going down the water slide and not make out. The friends we met up with from home talked Car and I into staying an extra night. We wanted to see Snoop Dogg in concert. Mom wasn't happy about that one.

All I can really say about Vegas is we went around going up to people shoving my clenched fist below their mouth posing it as a microphone saying, "CANDID CAMERA! I JUST GRADUATED COLLEGE. WHAT'S YOUR LIFE ADVICE?!" We got, "Be a thinker, not a stinker" from this 30-year-old guy who still wore his shirt half unbuttoned so his "oh so buff" chest showed for all the ladies. He acted like a total playboy and spent big bucks on shots for me and Car. Poor guy had a crush on me and I wasn't catching on - I was just having fun, ya know? Car felt bad for him and she told me to give him a kiss before I left, because that's what a guy in Vegas really wants - they don't give a damn about your feelings, much less your name. Anyways, I told him to close his eyes and I kissed his cheek then me and Car ran off giggling like idiots. I also got, "Don't get married" three times, in a row. After that reoccurring fail of an answer, it hit us that Vegas probably isn't the city to be asking life advice.

At Hilltop my graduation morning, I asked someone that same life advice question and he said, "Take your time." I liked that one the best. I will, kind sir.

What's crazy is we made it home...all in one piece.

California girls are some of the luckiest girls on the planet. I wake up, work on the beach or drive to the beach...no matter where I am, I am surrounded by beauty. Car and I let the sun have power over us - we try to use up all the sunshine possible. Maybe that's what's gotten to our heads! We went camping with my cousins, had our first fight, which is pretty funny looking back now. Misha, my cousin, has this boat and you can go tubing in the lake, right? Car and I go on the tube together, because we do everything together, and something went very wrong. Misha was going fast and making crazy turns to get us thrown off and I was slowly losing my grip. Car and I were also getting a bit competitive and seeing who can last the longest on the tube. Basically, Car pushed me off the tube, I felt awkwardly into the water and hit it so hard that my neck/back tweaked and I felt like I was going to vomit - I was just in bad shape. Had a headache from hell that night and had to go to sleep early. Anywho, I told Car how mean it was to throw me off the boat. I was livid and we didn't talk for like 15 minutes, which felt like an eternity. Even though we weren't talking, I wanted to talk to her to just get the fight overwith because I love her so much. Then Car and I said those magic words ("sorry") and of course, we were back to how much we love each other. We jumped into the lake water from the boat and swam back together to our campsite. The sun was setting so we got into my car to get to the highest point around the campsite just to see the colors. There's also nothing like watching the sunset with your best friend. Absolutely nothing.

I taught Car to surf, which she took to quickly and one day out in the water when the sun was going down, Kelly Slater was surfing alongside us...it was unbelievable, he said "hello" to us. She met my friends at Taco Tuesday at Duke's, we went to The Standard in downtown LA with good friends too and again, took over the dance floor. Obviously saw a Dodger game with my brother and other best friend, Sarah. We went to Venice beach, rollerbladed the entire Santa Monica boardwalk, where a bartender took a liking to us calling us "the most beautiful girls in the world" and fed us shots, which were brutal, so when he wasn't looking, I poured them in the trash can. Car gave me the stink eye when she realized I did this. Like the vagabonds we are, we hitch hiked back to our car just to feel what it was like to be in the Swiss Alps again.

There is so much I'm missing about our journey, but it's okay - I know there was a night Car, Miklos (my brother) and I went on this wild goose chase for money I threw away in a trash can on accident, and when you're broke, you make sure you don't waste a dime. The money was sitting right on top of the trash can at this gas station in the middle of nowhere. Driving home, Miklos fell asleep and Car was dozing too but that song "Angel" by Jack Johnson came on. We turned it up and let ourselves have some quite time. That song is incredibly sweet.

I think rollerblading with Car was my favorite day. She loves rollerblading, she put them in her carry-on on her way over to Colorado. Needless to say, she got me hooked too. My 15 dollar blades don't have brakes - kind of dangerous. Fell really bad the other day, but I found them within 15 minutes of e-mailing a guy on Craigslist and his house was 5 minutes from the boardwalk...it was fate that I fall, laugh about it and get back up. I needed to laugh at myself that day.

Anyways, there's our journey...and it's still happening. I get to go to Miami to visit Car in August. I think my cap and gown are still in the trunk of my car. Car and I don't and CAN'T eat cake anymore. My sombrero did not make the journey without some tears, but that thing is like an official artifact of my college days, so tattered or not, I'm keeping it.

Not all those who wander are lost. We live in an insanely beautiful world. I'm surrounded and I love it.