Monday Morning Thoughts

It’s nearly 6 a.m. today, Monday, March 14, 2011. I was lying in bed with many random thoughts swimming in my head and decided what better way to start this week than resurrecting our blog! Actually, I am feeling SO out of touch and disconnected with peeps at home. Family and friends, we miss you! I have not yet acquired the skill of being fully engaged in our immediate environment while maintaining a strong connection with those we care about who live far away. Facebook, email and skype help, but how can I reach everyone all at once when I have limited time? Oh yeah, WE HAVE A BLOG.

I’m not going to try to catch you up on the last however many months it’s been since I last wrote. I just want to “hang out,” fill you in and let you know what’s up with us… and reiterate that you are in our daily thoughts.

After at fabulously cold and snowy trip to Massachusetts and Minnesota for the holidays, we’ve been back in Lima for nearly two months. It is summer here, which we’ve fully embraced with the usual summertime activities. Through the generosity of friends, we also had the chance to spend the weekend at the popular Lima beach community, Asia, and visit some of the private summer clubs on several occasions (pools, playgrounds, restaurants.). Such a fun glimpse into what Peruvians do during this time of year.

I have been giving Luke, Caroline and their friend, Lilly swimming lessons a couple of times a week at Lilly’s roof-top pool. The kids are always so excited to show me and each other their skills. “Watch this! Watch this! WATCH THIS!” They have turned into such enthusiastic, good little swimmers. They get such a chuckle out of going underwater with their goggles on and waving frantically to each other. It makes me laugh every time, too!

Caroline started school just over a month ago at the International Christian School of Lima (ICSL). She wears a uniform that makes her look a lot like a high school field hockey player (blue kilt and tan polo – Plymouth South, anyone ;). She is in school from 8:15-3:30 every day – a really long day, but she has adjusted well. She loves her teacher, Miss B.,and the class of 9 and just started Lego Club last week. She continues to be an avid reader and LOVES getting new books from the school library as well as e-books on our Nook Color. She’s getting really good at math and lately walks around counting in 2s or 5s or asking me to quiz her on evens and odds. Tell me how she got to be in first grade again?

Luke started school a few weeks after Caroline. He was in a word – thrilled – to have the one on one time with his mom (sweet boy) before returning to school. He’s back at Nido Welcome for 4 hours each morning. He’s in a class of 8 with a teacher he knows and has quickly adjusted to being back. His passion besides swimming is the Wii – and Peru is the place to have it as you can get a million games for cheap! I think he and his dad have formed a new bond.

Matt and I are doing well. With the help of a small babysitting core, we are trying to have some more nights out. We sat at a table for 6 and ate pork chops and lomo (beef) at a great restaurant Saturday night called Panchita. We always enjoy date night in Miraflores as we try to figure out the direction of our lives. Notice, I said “try”J.

The plan is that we will leave Lima in June. Where we go will be determined by Matt’s next position. We don’t have any idea where we are headed at this point, but we just take it day by day and control what we can (and pray!). In addition to his job with Peru Waste Innovation, he is constantly working on job search stuff - except for Friday nights when he dominates in futball and volleyball. Today he starts Spanish lessons twice a week. (We’ve ONLY been here 14 months ;). This school year - he's able to walk either Luke or Caroline to school almost every day (and are they ever cute!). Our favorite times in Peru are the ones we get to spend with Matt.

My weeks are full with Bootcamp classes, swim classes, a women’s fellowship at our church, training for another half-marathon, spending time with friends and being with my family when they’re not at school or working. I LOVE the Bootcamps and bringing fitness into the lives of individuals and families. I can’t imagine what the last 10 months here would have looked like without it. Facilitating fitness, strength, friendship and confidence to this incredible group of people has been a true joy.

The women’s fellowship is a collection of 25-40 women who meet on Wednesday mornings for fellowship, coffee and a devotional. The women’s ages range from 25-85! I love being around these different generations of women who have literally gone through every life experience – in Peru. Their stories are AMAZING. The head of the group has so many striking similarities to my Auntie Annette that I always feel at home.

The Adidas half-marathon is May 15 and I’ll be in the field. This will be my third “half” since coming to Lima and fifth ever. A large group of my friends, The Nomad Runners, are running the “full” – and it’s been inspirational to witness their training. However, the 1998 Boston Marathon fulfilled my marathon completion goal – unless Lori wants to make a comeback with me J. I love the distance (and the training) of 13.1 miles. I’m hoping to have another great racing experience. Time to beat is 1:38.04.

It is hard to be away from our families and our friends. I guess this is just how life – or our life – at least, is playing out for now. It makes me sad and frustrated that I’m not able to be as connected as I’d like to be – phone calls, personal emails, visits (gasp!). I hate not feeling more present, but we keep you close in our hearts and love and appreciate any contact you send our way. We are thrilled that my cousin Ed (most of you know him as Sketti), Shirley and their two little girls will visit us in May. Judging from last night’s enthusiastic skype call with their 5-year old, Sofia, it’s going to be a GREAT time (especially if she brings her Barbies!). We are all looking forward to their arrival.

I am so thankful for the friends that we have made here in Lima. This is such a transient situation for almost every family that we know here, but to witness interaction among friends, you’d never know it. We have been fortunate to make bonds quickly. The people we have met here are trustworthy, genuine – and so much fun to be around! I am so thankful and feel truly blessed that our time here has overlapped with theirs.

Lastly, I am thinking about the destruction in Japan. When we were at Thunderbird, we knew many Japanese students and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and their families during this frightening time in their country and the world. We pray for their safety and for all of Japan.

It’s not always easy for me to sleep these days, especially in the early morning hours. As you can probably tell from this post, my mind is swimming. If you’ve made it to this point, to the end – thanks for swimming along with me.

And now, it's time to greet this beautiful summer day....

Photo: Caroline and Luke visiting Huaca Pucllana (an adobe and clay pyramid near our home).

Border Run and Beach

Our family had to make a last minute “border run” recently. We found out on Monday exactly two weeks ago that we needed to leave Peru that Thursday in order to avoid the penalty that would come from exceeding our 183 day visa. With the great assistance of Matt’s employer, arrangements were quickly put in place for us to travel north into Ecuador.

Because of Fiestas Patrias (July 28 – Peru’s independence day) and the 11^th hour nature of our trip, we had to take a bus from Lima to Tumbes in the north of Peru and then go through an assortment of steps, the last of which entailed crossing the bridge to Ecuador on foot. Once in Ecuador, we needed to take a taxi to Machala which is a little more than an hour from the border. The best parts of the trip were the posh bus “suites” with 180 degree reclining seats and the incredible patience of our young children. The worst part – there’s only one. It took us 25 hours to get from Lima to our hotel in Ecuador!

We only spent a little more than a day in Ecuador, but got to see thousands of banana trees on our taxi ride in and out of Machala, the banana capital of the world (no we never actually ate a banana there). We also experienced some unique travel as we took a 20-seater motor boat to the island of Jambali, sailing past mangroves and lots of exotic looking birds. In Jambali’s tired beach town, we rejoiced at being in the sun, warmth and water! We ate oranges the way the locals do with the orange peel removed leaving only the thick white pith and top removed. Just squeeze and suck the juice. (They also have Magnums in Ecuador, which a few of you will appreciate.)

After only 2 nights in Machala, it was hard to convince Caroline and Luke that it was time to hit the road again. Luke’s response to this information, “I’m not leaving this hotel again, EVER!” Somehow (read: chocolate), 4 hours later, we were back in Peru and truly on vacation in Punta Sal.

All I could say was, “Wow, this A LOT nicer than I thought it was going to be.” Matt totally agreed. Remember that we had almost no lead time for this trip so expectations were low and we were very pleasantly surprised.

Our little place, the Hotel Sunset, was expecting a big turnout for the holiday on July 28 (my brother’s birthday, incidently), but the first 2 days of our stay, the place belonged to us. We enjoyed the pool deck overlooking the beach, the shaded outdoor seating area, our room with private porch (and bunk beds for the kids ala my parents’ house in Chatham) and a great sandy beach and healing ocean. I said more than several times, “This is heaven.” For those of you who read my last blog entry, I could feel a smile spreading through my sad soul.

It was a perfect, relaxing family vacation. Our agenda was simple. Have fun. Laugh a lot. No fighting. Eat well. Lose track of time. Get plenty of rest. No sunburns. No throwing sand (Luke). We did it all and more – early morning walks on the beach, sunsets, a run or two, “girl time” and “guy time” (even some quality “grown-up time” on the porch post kids bedtime), dino-mans and pearls (an elaborate sand sculpture of dinosaurs and “pearls” and ocean-inspired bendaroos created by Matt and kids). Matt and I finished a book each – in only a few days. We happily stuck to the game plan and nailed it.

It was so simple, yet so great. After a 17 hour bus ride, we are now back in Lima and able to stay in Peru for an additional 183 days. It is still cloudy here and will be for months more. Things look much the way they did before we left, yet I feel different inside for there are great memories in my head and there IS sunshine… in my heart.

My Perfect Chatham Day

I have a serious case of "blogger guilt" (if there's such a thing). How do more than 2 months of great blogging material go by without being captured? A May visit from my friend, Julie, the start of my very own Bootcamp class, Matt's parents' 3-week stay in Peru, Machu Picchu, saying goodbye to friends who've moved away and July 4 in Lima to name a few noteworthy instances in our lives. I've wanted to write about these things - still do - but I just can't right now.

At the moment Lima, Peru is not where my heart is. My heart is in a quaint town called Chatham that sits alongside that other ocean. I decided that even if I can't be there, I can pretend that I am - just for a few moments. That might sound crazy, but somehow, it's comforting.

July 12, 2010

My perfect Chatham day.

I want to sit on the porch at 71 Seaview drinking water and coffee post-run, chatting with Matt and my parents while feeding the kids breakfast. I want to see the sun shining on all the plants, trees and flowers that surround the houses. I want Dad to show me his garden. I want to go to the beach - to take the kids down to Oyster Pond and watch Caroline swim and Luke learning. I want that feeling you have when you don't know the time and have no where to be and are just enjoying the beach - I love when the kids have it, too. I want to chat with my mom as we sit in low beach chairs and go bike riding with my dad and let him treat me to breakfast at Lazy Lobster. I want to see my brother, my cousins, my aunts, my uncles, my friends and their kids. I want to drink a summer beer on the deck immediately after I take an outdoor shower. I want to eat grilled vegetables and steaks and eat fresh tomato salad with lots of basil from the garden. I want American ice cream and pie for dessert. I want to put the kids to bed and walk into town with Matt. I want to go to bed too late and wake up early to watch the sun rise with my mom. And then, I want to do it all again.

Photo: Caroline and Luke with my cousin's daughter, Julia. Summer 2009.

Mis Amigas

Once you’ve moved to a new home, whether it’s across town or in our case, to another continent; once you’ve found your dwelling and unpacked your bags; once you’ve filled your fridge and gotten some rest, you need to find friends. I have learned that having contact with people in our daily life is not only preferential; it is essential to our happiness. I can’t think of any way to say this other than, “thank God for friends!”

I feel incredibly, incredibly fortunate to have found a great group of women here in Lima. It started with two families that we met at a weekend farmers’ market. While I was buying fruits and vegetables, Matt and the kids were talking with a group of Americans in an adjacent park. They spotted Matt as a fellow American from his baseball hat and the way he walked! Lis and Sergio and Heidi and Barron have four kids between then and generously gave us their contact information.

Twice that week we were swimming at Lis and Sergio’s place. We also had the chance to meet other American couples and their kids and attended a traditional stuff yourself until you feel sick, American cook out and pool party. We even met a little girl named Ava who is Caroline’s age. I should specify that she is EXACTLY Caroline’s age – they have the same birthday. Ironically, we had seen Ava and her mom, Julie, the day before while grocery shopping. We noticed them and even heard them speaking English. In any other situation, I would have introduced ourselves, but on that day, we were having one of “those kinds of days.” Did I mention we were grocery shopping? God or whoever is in control of people meeting, really wanted us to meet, I guess.

Since meeting these women I have done the following – visited a great fruit and vegetable market and meat market, been swimming in a pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, gone running and walking, been to the park numerous times, had a manicure and pedicure, been shopping for ballet and karate outfits, eaten at a great pizza place with wood burning ovens, sat and chatted in an actual home, been introduced into another playgroup, had coffee at Starbuck’s, played kickball at the American embassy, borrowed an aerobed and baking supplies, been gifted with toaster waffles, Jif peanut butter and cheddar cheese from the commissary, been given travel information, signed up for a half marathon and borrowed almost as many children’s books as we packed in our suitcases!

For my 35^th birthday, they treated me to brunch. As we chatted around the table, I couldn’t help but think that I’d already gotten the very best present I could have this year. They’re generosity and welcoming spirit has been an amazing example of friendship. – even more incredible when I realize that I didn’t know any of them until March!

I’ve live in many places – some for short periods, some longer – and the favorite places in my life have always involved great people. My friend Cara said it best recently. She said, “A place is just a place until you find friends to make memories with, then it’s a home.” I feel truly blessed to have the friends I do – both near and far.

Nido Welcome

Today is Caroline and Luke’s 19^th day of school and it’s time to write about “Nido Welcome.” After checking out several schools, we found one 5 minutes from our home where they could both attend. Their day begins around 8:45 and ends at 1:15 – at least it will eventually. The school is gradually building up to this ending time. This week, they are picked up at 12:30 (we’ve done 11, 11:30 and noon prior to!). Miss Elizabeth, who is the director of the school and also one of Caroline’s teachers, is fluent in English and studied at Rice University. She keeps me in the loop! Luke’s teacher, Miss Maribel, knows enough English that she can “assist” Luke. With her English and my Spanish, we are able to “talk” to each other.

Choosing a school for the kids was something that we were anxious about when moving to Peru, but the first day the kids and I stepped foot in the school, I knew it was the right place. Caroline is in the “kinder class” and is already singing in Spanish and bringing home new words every day. Her class has only 7 children and a teacher’s aid whom she adores. She is comfortable and happy. Luke is with the 3 year olds and appears to have made some friends. Miss Maribel says las ninas (the girls) like him a lot! When I pick him up, I often find him doing a new puzzle. Yesterday, he was working on a fruit puzzle. When he finished, he told me the names of the fruits in Spanish! They are learning and it is amazing!

Early childhood education in Peru is quite different from that in the U.S. Here, the kids dress in uniforms and have textbooks (which need to be covered with a clear material called vinifan – ask Matt about this one!). It is a little more academic than the U.S., but they are having fun, enjoying time with peers and learning a new language. Music, karate and ballet (for the girls), which start in April, are also part of the curriculum.

Each morning as I kiss and hug them goodbye, I stand in awe of these two brave souls taking on school in a different language and a different culture. And each afternoon that I pick them up, I’m so pleased to find them smiling and happy… and smelling good (“kid cologne” is applied after recess - another difference J)!

Father-Daughter Sunset Photo Shoot

This past week, Caroline and I had the chance to walk over to the Malecon to spend a little quality time together watching the sunset. We each brought a camera along and grabbed a patch of grass on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the ocean where the paragliders take off during the day. It was great just hanging out with each other and experiencing the glorious sunset together. These pictures do not even come close to showing the amazing beauty of the sunset (or Caroline).

Creme de la Cremolada

The “sweetest” thing about living at our apartment on Bolognesi is that we are directly across the street from Curich Cremolada which Luke calls “the fruit drink place.” A cremolada is similar to a slurpee, but about a million times better. It starts out as a treat you eat with a spoon and as it melts, becomes an icy drink. Caroline and Luke have learned that cremoladas are to be savored. One or two quick bites result in severe brain freeze! We are working our way through the many flavors including Peruvian fruits lucuma, guanábana, maracuya, camu camu and tuna (not the fish!). I think we’ve tried 14 different flavors with 30 or so more to go!

Here's a photo of Luke enjoying a new flavor - uva (grape).