Peru by Picture Tour

As you probably expect, I have many more pitures I would love to share with everyone. Unfortunately Blogger will only allow me to upload 5 photos. These are some of my favorite memories from my time in Peru. In the first one I am with one of our abuelas, Eulogia. We are standing in front of the cart she uses to make her living. Whenever we visited her we were sure to try some of her soda. My favorite was the pinapple flavored. The second photograph is of some of my friends and I during our horseback riding trip through the mountains near Huaraz. Next - a rather silly picture of my buddies in the Chan Chan ruins outside of Trujillo. The fourth is a group picture of everyone who helped repaint Los Martincitos. Not only did the paint give the center a fresh face, but we had a great time getting the job done. Finally, is a picture of myself, Tom, and Missy at the beach below Barranco. Sven, sadly, is taking the picture. The four of us had a great time that night. Not only was it my first time swimming in the Pacific Ocean, but I got to know those three well.

I'm home.

It was amazing.

I love Peru.

I have been in Peru for the last three weeks and I have two more weeks left. I have come to the conclusion that I love Peru and, if I could, I would live here for a year or so. My placement at Los Martincitos is much better than I anticipated. On MWF the the elderly in need come into the center and recieve two hot meals and a social atmosphere. I help prepare food, serve food, do activities with the abuelitos (cute grandparents), and do very little paperwork. On T, Th, I visit those abuelos that are too ill to come into the center. We go into their homes and provide company. Sometimes there are desperate situations that we have had to deal with. In general, however, people mostly just want love.

As far as travelling, I have been lucky enough to visit Huaraz, Trujillo, and Chiclayo. All were wonderful. I much prefer the smaller cities and towns of Peru to Lima. If it is financially feasible I would like to visit Huacachina this weekend, but we shall see.

I hope everything is going well at home. See you soon!

Cyanide and Happiness

I laughed. . . out loud.


Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

I'm struggling: Is the real problem money?

Everyday it seems that there is not enough money. When all I pull from my pockets at the end of the day is an addictive tube of lip balm and a hair tie among balls of navy-colored lint, I get depressed. However, this isn't a post about my financial issues. Although I do have a number myself (attending a private college and having no job creates a seemingly infinite need for green). My concern is the broader issue of distribution and global demand for more money to fund more services for more people. Is it the real issue?

As I learn more about the world, I am finding that very few people of the six plus billion can honestly afford to "waste" money. Arguably, this group of comfortable individuals is shrinking--greater amounts of money is being funneled into fewer bank accounts. Accordingly, larger groups of people worldwide are running out of things to empty their pockets of. There is a correlated strain on service institutions of local, regional, national, and international realms.

This comes to what started this whole rant: today, the World Food Programme (WFP) appealed for increased funding. The United Nations agency just started a new program in Azerbaijan to feed some of the 300, 000 people that will have continued food dependency throughout the coming years (WFP Food Security and Nutrition Assessment 2005). This new program is slated to provide "26,833 metric tons of food assistance valued at $15.7 million to the most vulnerable of the displaced population, particularly women and children," and is the last phase of a broader operation in Azerbaijan (United Nations News Centre 2006). According to WFP’'s Regional Director for the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, Amir Abdulla, continued financial support from donors is vital as this final phase needs to provide a smooth transition to government control of this service.

Over the past twelve years, WFP has provided more than 100 million dollars to Azerbaijan for the food security of some million displaced people. Since the creation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), WFP has coordinated its operation in the west Asian country to parallel and compliment the State Programme for Poverty Reduction and Economic Development and with the Millennium Development Goals which works to remedy a number of socio-economic issues. Also, this WFP operation has included a Food For Education component (improves primary school enrollment through providing school meals) and a Food for Work component (increases employment opportunities for rural households, particularly for women).

It is noteworthy that the WFP runs operations in over a third of the countries of the world and is working in every continent except Australia and Antarctica. While it is a United Nations Agency, the General Assembly does not appropriate funds to WFP--all of the WFP operations are funded by voluntary donations. Most of these donations come from governments, but there are also contributions from businesses and individuals. Despite these donations, WFP programs are frequently underfunded. The WFP emergency operation in Kenya has been funded 60% of the necessary US$352,322,333 to feed 3.5 million children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and pastoralists who have gone hungry due to drought. The operation in Niger--56%.

Some would argue that, if the WFP does not have the money to run these programs to feed people, it should not run the programs. This is valid--to a point. If the WFP does not feed these people, they are left without access to necessary food and water. The families that benefit from the aid provided by WFP depend on it for survival. Does the WFP, then, have a choice? If they start a new program that is underfunded because the need is too great, should they have not tried to remedy the situation; thereby, leaving millions without resources necessary for life? 'Cut back or kill' does not seem a very civil choice.

I think what the real issue boils down to is: can we, as a planet, continue to grow and, through smart development, survive? Forever an optimist, I feel that we can. Forever a realist, I don't think it will happen. Every person in the developed world and many in the developing world realize that the manner of which we go about living on this planet--taking and rarely giving back--has to stop. We have to live better. The planet is full of too many people and reckless absorption of irreplaceable resources. We suck oil from the Earth. We cut down trees and condone air pollution. We dump trash in our water. We waste. For many of us, this destruction has been subconsciously justified by the idea that humans are, after all, the dominant and destined species on the planet--I daresay, the universe. Humans are in control, take no heed to the laws that govern the rest of creation.

Most of this thinking is inspired by a novel I have been reading (I lost it and cannot find it to finish it). The novel: Ishmael. The book explains our problems simply. All over the planet, species are subject to basic laws of ecology. Those are: if there is an abundance of resources, populations will increase; If the food disappears, so do the populations. What we have done to ensure that our needs are met with the growing population is to destroy natural threats to our resources. Hypothetically, a bison is roaming the plain. We eat the bison, but we need more bison to supply our meat demand. So, we protect the bison from it's other threats. We kill off it's predators and take it into captivity. Husbandry. Bison populations increase, human populations follow suit. Soon, the bison is no longer enough--we need more. We kill off the threats to the bison food supply. One grass takes over, the bison populations rise, human populations grow. The cycle continues.

We have been reducing diversity of the world to cater to the human race, but at a cost that we are now beginning to realize. We destroy something that is not necessary for our survival, like the grass varieties competing in the same field as the bison grazing grass. This destruction echoes through the ecosystem. Humanity can only evade ecological law for so long.

It is my opinion that the WFP appeal for money is only a symptom of Mother Nature's karma-like impact on humanity. Unless we shape up, look at the larger mistake (destroying the world because we are humans and we can), and change our lifestyles worldwide, we are entering war with the rest of the planet. That isn't to say we are completely disabled. I think we could do it--if we want to. However, I don't think enough people care and, for me, the future seems a dark place, ridden with serious challenges for humanity.


Nevertheless:

"Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind" Qur'an 5:32

... keep trying.

Perhaps the best weekend ever, despite failing health

There is one thing that can overpower the negativity of physical pain: the company of someone special.

This past weekend I went to Ann Arbor to visit Andrew. I was originally planning on leaving Thursday afternoon to be with him after he finished his classes. Unfortunately, I had to babysit and didn't leave Greenville until 9 pm. I couldn't get there fast enough. On Friday I woke up and had an earache. All I could think to myself was: please let it clear up so I can enjoy this weekend, please, oh please. After a wonderful dinner on the roof of Palio's my silly ear problem got much worse. Andrew was a great friend and he cared for me. I didn't sleep much that night, but by the next morning I felt much better. I was able to enjoy our visit with Eric and Anna.

Most of the Saturday was a double date. As an unstoppable wrecking ball of coupledom, Andrew and I successfully defeated Eric and Anna in tennis and bowling (in all actuality it was quite close many times during our tennis competition). Although my ear still hurt (not as badly, but I didn't want Andrew to worry about me), Saturday was still very enjoyable. It was the first time Andrew and I had played any sport together. I think we make a good team. He was very supportive of me when I goofed and I tried to reciprocate but, we did tease each other for silly mistakes. It felt very natural for me to be with him.

I didn't end up leaving until 8:30 last night. The drive home stunk. I missed Andrew, I hit a deer, and, come to find out, I forgot my typhoid vaccination in Ann Arbor.

As if I needed another reason to appreciate him, Andrew got up early this morning and drove my Vivotif to me. I feel like an idiot but, secretly, I am glad I forgot my medicine; I got to see him again.

Overall, it was the best weekend I can recall. Andrew made it so enjoyable that it was easy to overlook the extent of my earache (popped ear drum - eek!). Maybe he's dangerous for me? ha ha. Who cares?

I will miss him very much.

I am such a girl. . .

I love this movie:

Not much has changed. . . .

I figure that it has been quite long enough since I last posted (or at least since I posted anything worth reading).

To be frank, I haven't posted because I have not felt like I have anything happening in my life that is appropriate material for my blog. Nevertheless, I will update you on the general landscape of recent day-to-day life. Perhaps the most important thing, of which I am most proud, is my sister's graduation from high school. Today we hosted her open house and went over very well - if you ask me. Stephie, of course, looked wonderful wearing a dress she bought in New York City. I wish she knew how beautiful, wonderful and talented she is. When I think about everything she has put up with and her attitude - there are fragments of her that I wish I had in my character. I am proud of her for her bite. If you are lucky enough to know Steph, you know what I am referring to. She doesn't take crap from anyone - which sometimes can be unpleasant when I am the one dishing out the trash. Many times I feel like I am too placid. I turn around and see her there telling some jerk-face-loser-pants that he needs to get a life, and I wish I could dish it out like her. I cannot wait until she gets married ( just a warning to her future husband : she never loses). I am proud of her unwavering commitment to right and wrong. If something is immoral, inappropriate, or uncouth she's there to make sure it doesn't happen in her presence. I wish I had that - at least to the degree she does. I look up to her in so many ways. Watching her graduate tomorrow is going to be emotional; my soulmate is grown up; our careless childhood memories have a finality like never before; my home is changing and there is a threat that it could leave and I would not be able to stop it. More than this, I have confidence in her.

Also, I have been ill these past few days. It's dumb, and I have been trying to ignore it.

I have been reading a book called Ishmael. If you ever wondered why, historically, advanced civilizations have never survived, this book offers an interesting thesis. What is more, it is put into a digestable fiction form with helpful anecdotes. Solutions are inherently obvious. . .

I won't write about Mexico because there is too much to type. I will have to figure out an effective system to update others about happenings while I am in Lima.

Nights are bad for me too.

Viva Chihuahua!

Mexico was amazing. I set some goals and am rethinking my life.

" And if you are sitting by the side of the man or woman you love, then it seems time has wings; it is flying. Hours pass like minutes, days pass like hours, months pass like days."

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh on "psychological time",Theologia Mystica

A Response:

Friend: one attached to another by affection or esteem (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th ed.)

Friend: A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. (Dictionary.com)

If either of the above apply to you - regardless of contact over the past weekend - re-read previous post and keep in mind that the term "friend" is not exculsive to only those that I happen to mention.

Thank You.

Good ole Alma

I am back in Alma - it's fun to look forward to what I will be doing in Mexico, but I was home too long. I got a taste of how nice it is to see my friends again - meaning friday Andrew took me to a movie, saturday I watched movies with Corey, and sunday Andrew took me to lunch and then we went to Andy's and talked for about an hour and half. And now, as much as I wanted to leave, I want to stay. I remembered how wonderful Greenville can be with the right people around - my friends. And I miss you already.

Love,

Kim

So true. . .

Your Power Color Is Indigo

At Your Highest: You are on a fast track to success - and others believe in you. At Your Lowest: You require a lot of attention and praise. In Love: You see people as how you want them to be, not as how they are. How You're Attractive: You're dramatic flair makes others see you as mysterious and romantic. Your Eternal Question: "Does This Work Into My Future Plans?"

What's Your Power Color?

Hot Car

Hi everyone. I took this quiz and I am pretty sure that I'm a hot car. Not to mention I really like this one. So, I would say "nice match." I don't really know about the 'up-to-date technology' part though - I am fairly certain I am the only one without a cell phone. . .except you Corey. We can be phone-free together!

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I recommend the Kent County Health Dept. . .

Today, I went to get my vaccinations for my class in Mexico. And, after struggling with the Montcalm Co. Health Dept., the Gratiot Co. Health Dept., and my own primary care physician, my mother and I went to Kent Co. and -voila- vaccines pronto. I only had to have three - one of which was only bc an old doctor's office didn't do my hep-b correctly. Anyway - this is all going to one thing: I had to have a shot in my bum. And, why this is probably none of your business, I am happy to say that I have experienced the awkwardness that movies try to depict (i.e. Pearl Harbor. . . but I wasn't attracted to the nurse).

um. . . I hope that someone out there watched ER tonight. I don't normally watch tv, but I happened to catch this one. One of the doctors goes to an IDP camp in Darfur. It was very well done. They had stats - I wonder where they got them, although they sounded correct - conservative- but in the correct range I guess. Not that I have been to Darfur, or know anyone who has, I think that the director did a wonderful job conveying the culture shock. There are three more episodes left in the season - it's on Thursday evenings. I encourage you guys to check it out.

Ok...I have to be up early tomorrow - I am going with my mom to drop my sister off at the Gerald R. Ford- early as 4:30 am - *throws confetti* Catch ya on da flip.

Love,
Kim

Today is a great day.

Hi everyone. Today is a great day. I have not been this happy in a long time - I am so glad, that any other issues I might have been having - aren't of consequence. I slept in, called Cross-Cultural Solutions, called Kent County Community Health, registered to vote, and got my passport in the mail. I was very productive. It is amazing what that can do for someone's attitude. I still have more to do, but a lot of stress has been relieved.

And for those of you taking exams and whatnot - best luck.

I suppose, while I have time, I should do some shoutouts - bc there are some people that deserve them : )

Stephie - You are the greatest. Please don't let school or ex-boyfriends get to you. Please don't let mom or dad get to you. I just want you to be happy. It's almost time for you to graduate - and the people who know and love you - the people you know and love - although they are leaving, everything will work out. Afterall, You, Kitsy, and I are living together my senior year - just look forward to that! I love you and I am always here for you. Knock um dead in Dallas - and then again in NYC!

Andrew - You say you don't read my blog, but I know you do. Anyway, I wanted to publicly apologize for making you look like a complete ass to everyone. You aren't. Of everyone I have ever met, you have probably been the most honest, best friend I have had. I am sorry - and I hope you do well on your math final. Looking forward to seeing you.

Dad - I have no idea if you read this - hopefully you do, bc I read yours! I love you Dad and I want to thank you for all the time you have spent lately helping me sort my life out. Of everything I have done, I couldn't have done it without your unconditional support. Thanks.

Corey - I owe you an apology and a big fat hug. You are such a loyal person and I haven't been a very good friend over the past year. I am sorry. The hug is for being so genuine and kind. You're amazing.

What if I were a hippy?

Hello all. I was just having random thoughts. . . one includes me having a secret desire to be a neo-hippy. That's right folks. I sort of wonder what my life would be like if I was a hippy. Some parts I wouldn't be able to live with - including growing out the hair on my body - ew. But the henna tatoos and hemp jewlery - comfy, laid-back skirts with sandles all the time. . .I think I could do that. Sometimes when I am really lazy - like today- I woke up three times, but didn't get up until 2 pm. . . Sometimes when I am really lazy, i wish i was a hippy. I wouldn't shower, and I could be okay with that, bc I would be a hippy. I would wear the same jean everyday for four weeks and I wouldn't care bc I would be a hippy. I would never wear makeup. But no - I shall not become a hippy. I will shower today and I will shave my legs. I will probably wear the same jeans I wore yesterday but I will find something else tomorrow.

I need to clean - I found out that the last time my family cleaned our house was when I was home for Christmas. It isn't that messy - but too gross for me. So I clean. Then I will probably work on internship stuff - then spring term stuff. . . we shall see. Until then - call me Cinderella.

Nothing left to do. But, of course, I lie.

So, I have just finished my English portfolio - turned it in and whatnot. I have nothing left to do. Which, we all know is a choice and not a fact.

About the picture - I was in the process of getting lost with Brittany in New York's financial district, when we passed this shoe store. I thought the 'probably' added a degree of hilarity to the sign. I mean, how much more did these people pay? Why not just put " We might be the lowest priced in the city" or "We think we're low priced" - or better yet "We're cheap." I am reading too much into this, I know. But, I am trying to do stuff that won't bring me down.

My quote of the day
"There are only four questions of value in life, Don Octavio. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same: only Love."

This quote is in a word - awesome. Why? Because it is true. I know not all of you are as bohemian as I tend to be, but tell me what is more worth while than love? It is my opinion, that if you can come up with a more accurate, honest answer than love, you haven't truly loved. It amazes me the power love has. What amazes me more is how humanity, which is capable of such a powerful positive emotion, can continue to live in hate and greed. . . This alludes to the possibility that love may not really be all it's cracked up to be. I guess it's all about choice. Each of us has the choice to live in love - we can promote it, show it genuinely toward each other, challenge one another to find loving qualities in our enemies (after all "Am I not also destroying my enemies by making friends of them?"). We can choose to love. Or, we can continue in a vein of hate and selfishness - turning our backs on atrocities, securing the viability of only ourselves, blaming the sufferers for their suffering. We can choose hate. But what is hate worth? Hate is not sacred. Hate does not compose our spirits. Hate most definitely is not worth living for -is a hateful life a life worth living? Hate is only worth dying for. Dying to put ourselves out of our misery.

I am frequently challenged by many intelligent people - arguing that my desire to help others and live in love is a waste. There is too much corruption. You aren't going to change mankind. People hate - they always will. I know as a race we are evil. But as individuals, we can save lives, help others - even just a few. And, though to some, that may not be a success, I cannot live a life in which I neglect others. In which, I left people who needed someone, alone. I know I cannot save the world. But if I could save just one - I would have done the only thing worth living for - I would have loved a stranger enough to spend my entire life striving to make their load lighter. I would have loved. That's the choice I have made. We all have the choice.

I need school. . . because I am bored.

If everything isn't okay, it's not over

Sometimes I wake up and feel like a million. Other days - not so much. Today, unfortunately, was a 'not so much.' And it all began with last night.

I was up to three talking to the same person, about the same stuff, which made getting up at 7 an impossibility. When I did get up and dressed (at 11), I went to turn in the receipts for my internship. The provost office was closed. Therefore, I could not get the reimbursement for next week - like my mother wanted. Also, that meant that I would have to wait until next week before I could even think about getting my reimbursement. Which was an issue, bc I was fairly certain I was overdrawn bc of NYC. So, I decided I better go to the bank and see if I could fix anything. With $20 in my wallet I figure, if all my transactions haven't come through, I can put $10 in my checking and I will still have $10 for gas to get home on Saturday.

And then - like a miracle of God - my day got a lot better. I am standing in the bank when I realize that my check was direct deposited, and I never included in my register. So, I ask her - "how much?" - It was a lot. More than I expected. So that made me happy. Then I decide I should try the Provost office again. And - lo and behold- it's open and I was able to get my reciepts squared away. They are mailing the reimbursments to me over break. Realizing I have money, I decide I better go buy my spring term books. So I go -with my old text books - and make another $87. Overall, this day has not been as bad as I thought it would be.

It just reminds me of the saying "Everything will be okay." How many times have you heard someone say this and you think what the heck!?! Well, about a month ago - while I was having a pretty rough time of it - my friend Erik, who I met in St. Louis, told me that: "If everything isn't okay, it's not over." I was ready to pay $20 in overdraft and give up on the stupid provost's office - but in truth, my day had just begun!

I know you guys are probably all still working on finals and projects of the sort. I wish you best of luck. Kim offers you her protection, while she naps on the lawn - in the sun- with a book -and silly music -and no worries(virtually. 1,800 children will die today, of preventable causes).

Ok -that was depressing. Sorry guys.