Settled in Huancayo :]

I am safe and in Huancayo at my home! Let me just start from the beginning because so much has happened already! (I now know why some people's blogs seem to go on forever)

I left Cincinnati and arrived in Miami, FL at midnight on Tuesday and then boarded the plane from Miami to Lima which seemed like a never-ending 5 hour plane ride. I was worried about getting my visa, but everything went smoothly just like people told me it would! I went to baggage claim to get my luggage...and what do you know, they lost both of my bags. So typical! haha :] I then took a taxi to the bus station and waited for my bus to leave at 8:45 am. While waiting for my bus, I ordered toast and a juice (in spanish!) and let me tell you....IT WAS AMAZING! It was the best bread I have ever had and the juice was freshly squeezed papaya and pineapple...I would eat that every day of my life if I could! I boarded what I thought would be a rickity old bus but was actually a swanky tour bus. The bus ride was painfully long but exceptionally breathtaking. Never in my life have I seen more beautiful mountains, hills and landscape. Gorgeous!

I arrived in Huancayo with my family greeting me at the bus station. Tino is the director of the organization and I couldn't ask for a better host. His wife, Mari, is quiet and soft spoken but has shown me the ropes thus far. Mari only speaks a few words of English, so it nice helping her with English while she can help me with my Spanish. Mari and Tino have two daughters, Angela and Pilar, who are adorable! They both greeted me with hugs and kisses! Last night, I had my first meal in Huancayo which was surprisingly awesome! It was rice with beef, lots of vegetables and bread! One thing I definitely miss already is cold water. All the water has to be boiled and they keep the boiled water in a thermos for drinking. I WANT ICE! Besides the ice issue, breakfast this morning was wonderful and so was lunch! Besides the fact there were chicken feet in my soup AHHHHH.

For the living arrangements, I have my own room which is a nice size. I still haven't received my luggage, so once I do then I can officially unpack! The family has one side of the house while the volunteers use the other half. The halves are connected by the kitchen and dining room which is very warm and cozy.

Everything isn't all peachy though :/ In Huancayo, there is so much poverty it is ridiculous. Most houses are made out of tin and wood and have a tin door on the front. Children as young as four years old beg on the streets for money and food. Trash is everywhere in the dirt streets. Seeing children that are constantly begging for food with tears running down their face makes my heart ache. Last night, I cried myself to sleep thinking about the poor children and families that have gone days without eating, weeks without showering and years without good news. No one prepared me for the things I would see here...I have only read about this type of poverty in books or in movies. People living simply in Huancayo is an understatement. My family loves watching the sunset for fun or playing with rocks for boardgames they made up. I am very very homesick mostly because when the family is resting I have all the time in the world to think about my family and friends. I hope that with time, it gets easier and easier to be here. Before I left, one of my good friends reminded me that even Mother Theresa had doubts and it's okay to be unsure of what I am doing. I definitely have doubts...but after teaching today, I think everything will be alright!

Today was my first day of teaching at Tinkuy and I had one of the best days of my life! In the morning, Mari and I walked 30 minutes up the mountain to the school where 10 girls were waiting for us. Mari told the girls about me in Spanish (how long I would be staying, where I was from etc) and then I was able to teach them for 2 hours! Today I picked up where another volunteer left off, directions, prepositions and vocab. The girls were so nice! If I needed help in Spanish they worked it out with me and they seem so eager to learn English! I look forward to seeing the girls tomorrow!!!! After my morning class we came back to eat lunch and then made the trek back up the mountain for the afternoon class. The afternoon class was something I will never forget. 20 boys and girls, ages 3-7, lined up outside my classroom. We worked on simple English vocab...parts of the body, family members, animals and sports! After teaching was the best part...recess!! Playing with these poor children who are just happy to have a friend is something I will never forget. This is what I came for. Impacting lives, one child at a time! :] The smiles, the noises and the happiness is forever in my heart!

I can't wait to keep teaching these children and watch them grow for the next 9 months! I hope with time, things will get better for me. I am experiencing a lot of culture shock and am very homesick but I am here for one reason...."to be the change I wish to see in the world!"

Peace! :]
-teaner

TODAY IS THE DAY! peru, here christine comes :]

This is it. Today, August 29th, I am departing for the adventure of a lifetime to Peru to volunteer for 9 months. I honestly can't believe it. I have been anxiously awaiting this day all summer and it is finally here. My excitement level is through the roof!

As for my itinerary, I leave Cincinnati at 6:30 pm tonight and I arrive in Lima, Peru at 5 in the morning. From Lima, I will take a 7 hour bus ride to Huancayo.

I will definitely post once I arrive in Peru and will keep you all updated. Thank you to everyone who has supported my decision and believed in me. I love you all :]

PEACE OUT AMERICA. HELLO PERU.

This post has to end with this quote, otherwise it wouldn't be right.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy. 3 days.

I can't even believe it. 3 days from now I will be traveling to Huancayo Peru to volunteer for the next 9 months. This is a dream come true and I can't believe how fast the summer went! Let me say it one more time...I just can't believe it!!! :] hahahaha!

It's so weird to think about that only 3 months ago, I had no idea what was in store for my upcoming year...and now I am being the change I wish to see in the world. It all began on May 22nd when I messaged my best friend, Lizzy, on facebook about my plan. Below is the actual conversation ahahhaha :]

Me: okay....you know that feeling when you see something or watch something and it just feels right? like you were just born to be doing something? well I have officially had that feeling. never in my entire life have I read something or seen photos and just immediately fallen in love. UNTILLLL NOWWWWW. BASICALLY....this is what i want to do. after reading about this and seeing what people have to say about it, I can't imagine doing anything else. i know, i technically have a commitment to go to school next year. but this experience would mean the world to me. THOUGHTTTSSSS???? obvs your opinion matters a ton to me so i'm asking you first before i fully commit to this plan!!!!!!


Lizzy: DO IT. no joke. this sounds so amazing and soooooooo perfect for you. 
im seriously not kidding. i really really really think this is the most perfect thing for you at this point in your life. like it could change absolutely everything from here on out and would be an AMAZING experience.
ok, so its been decided, you are going. end of story.

What a crazy conversation. I can't believe a crazy idea that started on facebook is now a reality and it will be happening in 3 days. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. After this late night facebook message, Lizzy and I had a game plan night where we sat in her room for hours deciding if I was actually going to commit to this plan. Obviously, the rest is history. I can't thank my friends and family enough for all of their love and support. So many friends have given me words of wisdom, good luck wishes, gifts, inspirational messages and love! And my Mom and Sister have been incredibly supportive of my decision. There is no greater feeling than having a support system that will celebrate my triumphs and find happiness within hardship. I love you all so much and will keep each and every one of you updated!

This post probably makes no sense and I apologize for the absolute randomness of it, but my thoughts are all over the place! ONLY 3 DAYS!

I am going to close this crazy post with a few quotes/lyrics that have kept me going this whole summer!

Love you all :] 

Peace.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

"My heart beats standing on the edge, but my feet have finally left the ledge.

Like an acrobat, there's no turning back.

I'm letting go, of the life I planned for me."

"She believed she could, so she did."

There's gotta be something more...

On Saturday night, three of my friends and I went to Indianapolis to see Sara Bareilles and Sugarland in concert. Before Sugarland could perform, their stage collapsed on thousands of people because of a huge storm. The night was one of the scariest of my entire life. Dozens were injured and 5 are dead because of the stage crash. Even in the event of a disaster, it put so many things in perspective. As the stage fell and chaos erupted, I went into emergency mode. Helping those in need and staying calm during an emergency are second nature to me. Making the decision to volunteer abroad couldn't be more spot on to my abilities and passion. The disaster also made me realize how lucky I was to leave unscathed from the concert. So many others were injured or died and my friends and I left with only sore legs and a few scrapes.

The disaster also made me realize that it could have been me who was severely injured or died and reinforced my goal of volunteering in Peru. If I were to die tomorrow, would I be proud of the impact I have made on humanity? By volunteering in Huancayo, dying in 4 weeks, 4 months or 4 years doesn't bother me. I should be more worried about living a life for others than being afraid of dying to early. As Sugarland describes in their song, "Something More", there has to be something more in life than just ourselves. "There's gotta be something more, gotta be more than this. I need a little less hard time, I need a little more bliss. I'm gonna take my chances, taking a chance I might find what I'm looking for...There's gotta be something more." Always Praying for the people of Indianapolis <3

In 13 days I will be on the plane to Huancayo, Peru. It is so crazy to think about. Only 13 days. It seems like yesterday I had no idea what was in store for my upcoming year...and now, I am about to accomplish my life long dream. Everything has been bought, packed and planned out. Now is the hard part, saying goodbye to my friends. As if I haven't said it enough...I have the greatest friends in the world. Friends that would drop everything they were doing to help in a crisis, friends I could laugh with for hours and people that just get me. Saying goodbye to my friends is like losing a part of my soul. They keep me going on rough days, they make me laugh until my stomach hurts and they inspire me to be better. What more could I ask for?? :] I love you all to death and will see you in May!

Only 13 days. 13. AHHHHHH :]
I'll end with a quote that one my teachers from Mount Notre Dame emailed me with her congratulations and best wishes.

“If you’re feeling frightened about what comes next… Don’t. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path towards happiness. Don’t waste time with regret. Spin wildly into your next action. Enjoy the present – each moment as it comes – because you’ll never get another one quite like it. And if you should ever look up and find yourself lost, simply take a breath and start over. Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart, where your hope lives. You’ll find your way again.”

Love my friends :]

Defining moments...

I'm sitting in my bed crying. Crying about nonsense that other people would think was stupid. For the last four years I have cried myself to sleep most nights because I dream of changing the world. I dream for a better tomorrow and I worry that I have not made my mark on the world. I cry for peace, justice, change, love and acceptance. I cry for all of those people whose lives are filled with adversity, hatred and poverty. I cry for others. And as much as I don't want to cry, if I stopped crying I would feel as though I have given up. Maybe my upcoming adventure is a way to stop the tears and act on my dreams. Maybe it is an outlet for so many things I couldn't change in my life, so I hope to improve the lives of others. Tears or no tears, I want to change the world.

This is in no way pretentious or pompous, but so many people have told me that I am going to save the world, be the next Mother Theresa and win the Noble Peace Prize. I hate it more than anything when people say that. I am following my calling by God and just doing what I love. It is the same thing as wanting to be a physical therapist, doctor, lawyer, artist, nurse or teacher. You are just doing what you love. I love making a difference. I love helping others. I love to travel. I love that moment when you figure out what you are called to do. I am a lover of life. Traveling to Peru to volunteer is simply a way to change the world, share happiness with others and being able to live in the moment. I am definitely, positively not a saint...I am just trying to get it right as often as I can. 


Finding your calling, is like the most special moment in the world. It's like knowing all the lyrics to your favorite song, a good book, burying your feet in the sand, watching the sunset, laughing until your stomach hurts, hanging out with your best friends, the smell of fresh cut grass, driving with the windows down, watching the New York Yankees win...everything is just right in the world. When you find what you are supposed to be doing for the rest of your life, it's like nothing else matters. It's you and a dream...and life is good :] I have always been a person that lived for moments. Inexplicable moments that define your life. Moments you can't put into words. I have had so many defining moments in my life and I can't wait for the next chapter of memories, moments and life. I have a feeling that when my shoes hit the ground in Lima, I will be overwhelmed with joy and it will be another defining moment. Can't wait!

So, I am 24 days away from the adventure of a lifetime. Extreme buying, packing and clothes freak-outs have begun. As excited as I am to leave, there is still so much to do! Here's just a little expression of my excitement....JSRIOUNSTNMCCCOULNSHSUHDJQBJBQJUGUCSSRATTCNKCOPPSNSBSGAEERWQQUXBBCCHJGHFIYERAESVCCPCOUSTSGSRATHXKXOZMZOXUTN wahhhhhhhhhhh :] :] :] :] :] :] :] :] so excited!

peace, love, good music, dreams, dinner with friends, nike shorts and happiness :]