When I was a little girl, living in Sweden, I had the privilege to begin to learn English in 3rd grade, a year before my classmates, due to the fact that I had and American father. One of my most vivid memories from that class, which consisted of the teacher and one other student, was the day I learned the word hippopotamus. In Swedish, it is just a boring word, Flodhast, which translates to Riverhorse. But hippopotamus on the other hand, is like having a party in your mouth. I remember saying the word all day long, and eventually sharing what it meant with my other classmates.
Well, today one of the girls asked me, while we were at the football stadium watching the boys practise soccer all afternoon, how to say hippo in English. As soon as I said the word, all the girls started laughing hysterically, and they made me repeat it over and over again, and each time it was followed by loud giggles. It brought me back to the time when I was a little girl, just like they are, when I first began the journey to understand a new, different language.
Each new word of we learn, is like a key that opens another door, bringing us closer and closer to finding a treasure. The treasure is a place where connections and relationships are made. A place where I can become a part of a different life, culture and people. It is so exciting.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
New student
Yesterday I started spending some time in the afternoon teaching my friend, the taxi driver, English. We met a couple of years ago when I first came here, and when I came back from Lima the other day, I asked if he wanted to practise his English with me. He works a lot, from early morning to late at night, 7 days/week driving his cab, but we managed to find a few hours throughout the week to schedule a class. It is very different to teach an adult. He has different questions and interests than the kids, but I really enjoy it, and we are moving along as slow as we need to. Pronunciation is a big one and I didn´t realize how hard it is for Peruvians to make the th-sound or adding the proper t or n to the end of a word until I started teaching English. Makes me more conscious of my Spanish pronunciation too. We spent most of the time on the alphabet and some basic words, especially some tricky ones. We have now spent a couple hours in the afternoon together and I am amazed how well we are understanding each other. Once in a while I have to look up a word in my dictionary, but today in the car on our way back to drop me off, we actually discussed genetics and height!! Based on my limited Spanish and his limited English, we should not have been able to understand each other, but we did!! I am glad I am being forced to try to make myself understood. If there were more English speakers here I wouldn´t be getting this much practise.
Today´s class at the orphanage got cancelled. When I arrived, water and soap bubbles were oozing out from under the metal gate and it turns out they were scrubbing the floors, cleaning the place. I was a bit sad I didn´t get to see them but that´s just life down here...
Tuesdays here are cheap movie night, $2. I only had two options in English: The new T om Cruise movie and a horror flick, easy choice. Not a huge fan of horror movies. As I walked home in the dark, as quickly as I possible could (although there were still lots of people around), I heard my name and was attacked by lots of little hands and arms, dragging me down for hugs and kisses. It was the girls for the orphanage, on their way home. Highlight of my day for sure!!
PS. I have been drinking "magic wand" tap water for a couple of days now and no stomach problems. WooHoo!
Today´s class at the orphanage got cancelled. When I arrived, water and soap bubbles were oozing out from under the metal gate and it turns out they were scrubbing the floors, cleaning the place. I was a bit sad I didn´t get to see them but that´s just life down here...
Tuesdays here are cheap movie night, $2. I only had two options in English: The new T om Cruise movie and a horror flick, easy choice. Not a huge fan of horror movies. As I walked home in the dark, as quickly as I possible could (although there were still lots of people around), I heard my name and was attacked by lots of little hands and arms, dragging me down for hugs and kisses. It was the girls for the orphanage, on their way home. Highlight of my day for sure!!
PS. I have been drinking "magic wand" tap water for a couple of days now and no stomach problems. WooHoo!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Agua
I have lived many years in houses and apartments with the wonderful convenience of being able to turn on a faucet and drink clean water whenever I was thirsty. I have also lived in places where I had no water, but had to either pay a water truck to deliver it, or haul it myself in jugs from the harbor, downtown or friend´s houses. When you have it available to you at all times, it is easy to take it for granted. If you don´t have access to it, you learn to conserve it and treasure it.
Preparing to come to Peru, knowing that drinking from the faucet here would most likely get me sick, I researched water purifying devices. My dental hygienist, and avid camper, informed me about a "pen" or "wand" used by campers to purify water with ultra violet light. Just fill up a container with water, push a button and stir it around. When the green button comes on, it is clean enough to drink. Sounds like magic to me. It is hard to trust something we don´t understand. My roommate was as sceptical as I was when I asked for advice if I should buy it or not, but I ordered one...
I´ve now been here for 2 months and I´ve avoided using it from fear it wouldn´t do what the instruction manual claimed it would do and I would end up sick. Instead I have been buying and hauling water bottles from the store almost every day. Today I decided to take a leap of faith and try "my magic pen."
How many times do we chose to, at great cost, haul our heavy burdens around, because we are too scared to trust in God? The one who loves us and gave himself to us, but a God who is sometimes hard to understand because His ways are not our ways. Things that are difficult couldn´t possibly be good...? Will He really do what He said He would do? I have to confess, during the many years of struggles I experienced, I asked my self that a lot. It is easy to trust Him when things are going well in our lives but we can trust Him always.
I want to have BIG faith, in every area of my life. I want to give him all my burdens and worries and let Him carry it.
Whether this "magic pen" can clean my water for me or not, I don´t know yet, but I do know I believe in a God that is trustworthy. He has proven himself faithful over and over in my life, in the big and small things.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight". Prov. 3:5-6
"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life". John 4:13-14
Preparing to come to Peru, knowing that drinking from the faucet here would most likely get me sick, I researched water purifying devices. My dental hygienist, and avid camper, informed me about a "pen" or "wand" used by campers to purify water with ultra violet light. Just fill up a container with water, push a button and stir it around. When the green button comes on, it is clean enough to drink. Sounds like magic to me. It is hard to trust something we don´t understand. My roommate was as sceptical as I was when I asked for advice if I should buy it or not, but I ordered one...
I´ve now been here for 2 months and I´ve avoided using it from fear it wouldn´t do what the instruction manual claimed it would do and I would end up sick. Instead I have been buying and hauling water bottles from the store almost every day. Today I decided to take a leap of faith and try "my magic pen."
How many times do we chose to, at great cost, haul our heavy burdens around, because we are too scared to trust in God? The one who loves us and gave himself to us, but a God who is sometimes hard to understand because His ways are not our ways. Things that are difficult couldn´t possibly be good...? Will He really do what He said He would do? I have to confess, during the many years of struggles I experienced, I asked my self that a lot. It is easy to trust Him when things are going well in our lives but we can trust Him always.
I want to have BIG faith, in every area of my life. I want to give him all my burdens and worries and let Him carry it.
Whether this "magic pen" can clean my water for me or not, I don´t know yet, but I do know I believe in a God that is trustworthy. He has proven himself faithful over and over in my life, in the big and small things.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight". Prov. 3:5-6
"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life". John 4:13-14
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Trampoline fun
Life is good, what else can I say. After yesterday´s cancellation of a visit to one of the orphanages here in Lima, it was great to again spend some time with kids. All the older ones had classes when we arrived, so we got to devote all our attention on five little crazy, energetic boys. (Heaven!)
They have a huge trampoline at this place, it´s the nice private Christian orphanage I visited last month, and we jumped until we couldn´t jump anymore. It was hilarious to launch them high in the air. When we couldn´t jump anymore, we wrestled. I had lollipop in my hair, and all over my shirt from their sticky little fingers, but who cares?!
Ate lunch with the kids, and by then, the older ones were done with classes. Three out of the four boys that spend Christmas with us, were there, and I was so happy to see them again. We handed out candy, and toothbrushes that came all the way from Homer. Then it was time to head back to Lima, with our hearts filled with love... We piled 7 people in our tiny little car for most of the way back to Lima. A couple of us had to take a taxi past the police controls.
Tomorrow I am going back home to Huacho on the bus so packed up all my clean laundry, made a few last minute phonecalls and used the Internet tonight. I am more than ready to get back to my kids.
They have a huge trampoline at this place, it´s the nice private Christian orphanage I visited last month, and we jumped until we couldn´t jump anymore. It was hilarious to launch them high in the air. When we couldn´t jump anymore, we wrestled. I had lollipop in my hair, and all over my shirt from their sticky little fingers, but who cares?!
Ate lunch with the kids, and by then, the older ones were done with classes. Three out of the four boys that spend Christmas with us, were there, and I was so happy to see them again. We handed out candy, and toothbrushes that came all the way from Homer. Then it was time to head back to Lima, with our hearts filled with love... We piled 7 people in our tiny little car for most of the way back to Lima. A couple of us had to take a taxi past the police controls.
Tomorrow I am going back home to Huacho on the bus so packed up all my clean laundry, made a few last minute phonecalls and used the Internet tonight. I am more than ready to get back to my kids.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
TaeBo and Tallarin
I have been craving a great workout for weeks and yesterday I splurged $11.80 on a day pass to one of the nice gyms here in Lima. A ridiculous price for the economy here, but I got my money´s worth.
Warmed up on the treadmill, did some weights for about 40 min, more cardio on the treadmill and then I noticed the big gym was empty after the Pilates class, so I went in to do a bunch of crunches and stretching. Right when I was about to leave, people started trickling in for the next class and everybody started encouraging me to stay for the class. I have always wanted to try a Taebo class, and I might even have a couple old VHS tapes from a yard sale somewhere in my storage in Homer.
The teacher convinced me to stay. My poor muscles were pushed way past exhaustion and my legs were extremely sore today, but it was a total blast. I was regretting the previous crunches because the class ended with 10 minutes of crunches. Man, I would have abs of steel if I could come here every week!
This morning E´s brother came over to practise his English. It was fun getting to know him a little better. We also go to spend the evening with the rest of their family, and I finally got my lesson in how to make Tallarin. E´s family owns a restaurant at the bottom floor of their house, and they make amazing Peruvian and Chinese food. As we were driving over there, about 10 min from our apartment, in the middle of rush hour traffic, we ran out of gas. Luckily we were only a few blocks from the gasstation and we could push the car over onto the sidewalk... Life in Peru is just one big adventure for sure! Never know what is going to happen. By the time we finally made it to the restaurant, and after watching the skillful cooking by E´s Father, I was ready to eat my megaplate of delicious noodles. We burned off some calories by playing volleyboll on the street with her niece. I managed to ruin the fun when one of my shots landed the ball on the balcony of one of the neighbors. Oops! I was reassured they would get the ball back tomorrow, but I felt terrible for ruining the fun. Came home late, but with a full belly!
Warmed up on the treadmill, did some weights for about 40 min, more cardio on the treadmill and then I noticed the big gym was empty after the Pilates class, so I went in to do a bunch of crunches and stretching. Right when I was about to leave, people started trickling in for the next class and everybody started encouraging me to stay for the class. I have always wanted to try a Taebo class, and I might even have a couple old VHS tapes from a yard sale somewhere in my storage in Homer.
The teacher convinced me to stay. My poor muscles were pushed way past exhaustion and my legs were extremely sore today, but it was a total blast. I was regretting the previous crunches because the class ended with 10 minutes of crunches. Man, I would have abs of steel if I could come here every week!
This morning E´s brother came over to practise his English. It was fun getting to know him a little better. We also go to spend the evening with the rest of their family, and I finally got my lesson in how to make Tallarin. E´s family owns a restaurant at the bottom floor of their house, and they make amazing Peruvian and Chinese food. As we were driving over there, about 10 min from our apartment, in the middle of rush hour traffic, we ran out of gas. Luckily we were only a few blocks from the gasstation and we could push the car over onto the sidewalk... Life in Peru is just one big adventure for sure! Never know what is going to happen. By the time we finally made it to the restaurant, and after watching the skillful cooking by E´s Father, I was ready to eat my megaplate of delicious noodles. We burned off some calories by playing volleyboll on the street with her niece. I managed to ruin the fun when one of my shots landed the ball on the balcony of one of the neighbors. Oops! I was reassured they would get the ball back tomorrow, but I felt terrible for ruining the fun. Came home late, but with a full belly!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Swedish and Soccer
I think I found a "COTR -Lima" today. Went to church a about a 10 minute walk from the apartment, and from the moment I stepped through the doors, I felt like I was almost at home. Everything from the greeters, to the set-up and welcoming speech was so familiar and it felt so comfortable being there. Today happened to be a day with a guest speaker from the States, so I didn´t have to focus on translating and could just enjoy the message.
This afternoon, I was determined to watch a soccer game between Peru and Uruguay, but since the TV in the apartment was claimed for American football for most of the afternoon and evening, I walked across the street to a cafe and found a TV. I shared it with a businessman from Iquitos and we chatted a bit in Spanish. When he found out I was from Sweden, he called his friend who had lived there almost 30 years, and we spoke a little on the phone. Later he joined us at the cafe and I got to speak more Swedish while watching soccer. Double treat!!
This afternoon, I was determined to watch a soccer game between Peru and Uruguay, but since the TV in the apartment was claimed for American football for most of the afternoon and evening, I walked across the street to a cafe and found a TV. I shared it with a businessman from Iquitos and we chatted a bit in Spanish. When he found out I was from Sweden, he called his friend who had lived there almost 30 years, and we spoke a little on the phone. Later he joined us at the cafe and I got to speak more Swedish while watching soccer. Double treat!!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Weddings
At the store yesterday I hopped on a bathroom scale in the bathroom isle and happily discovered I´ve lost 15 lbs in the past 6-7 weeks, despite a few ice creams and the heavenly chocolate mousse... I don´t cook much where I live now, mostly sandwiches and one bigger meal/day, and all that walking must have done it. An office job is probably one of the worst things for your health, sitting on your bum 8-9hours/day!
The weight loss inspired me to go running today, and oh my, what a difference to run with 15lbs less to haul around. Had to stop sooner than I wanted because I had forgotten my water bottle and was afraid to overheat in the hot sun, but it was fun to be running again.
One of the reasons I cam back this weekend was to attend a wedding at Wilma´s church, but the groom pulled out last minute. I feel so sad for the bride, but I guess it is better it happened now rather than in a few months or years.
On a happier note, a super sweet couple in Homer got married today, and I wish I could have flown home for just one day and celebrate with them and their families and friends.
The weight loss inspired me to go running today, and oh my, what a difference to run with 15lbs less to haul around. Had to stop sooner than I wanted because I had forgotten my water bottle and was afraid to overheat in the hot sun, but it was fun to be running again.
One of the reasons I cam back this weekend was to attend a wedding at Wilma´s church, but the groom pulled out last minute. I feel so sad for the bride, but I guess it is better it happened now rather than in a few months or years.
On a happier note, a super sweet couple in Homer got married today, and I wish I could have flown home for just one day and celebrate with them and their families and friends.
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