1) I’ve become more practical/ realistic/ less emotional. I’ve never been the extreme emotional or dramatic type, but even more so here I have somehow honed a certain way of viewing the world in a more practical sense. I like it – having the ability to make decisions with a wider scope of view, not being bothered by minor scrapes n bumps, and I feel like I more quickly understand things to a deeper, more critical sense.
2) I understand suffering more. So I guess the other side of this is that I have become even more grateful for the life I have grown up with in the States... because we have it S O G O O D.
((Making ourselves beautiful))
3) I have learned a lot about developing countries and the various issues that come along with that: in depth on all water and sanitation issues, the corruption (on every level), and the social/political/economic dynamics. It makes me feel a certain deep and sincere empathy for people living in developing countries. That being said, I have also learned a lot about the action of development. And how incredibly intricate its processes are. (also, the seed growing in me is a more focused passion for working on issues in developing countries as a career)
4) Peru has now become my second home. I have learned a lot about the culture and have experienced many different things from all around: the food, music, dance, clothing, accents, rhythm of life, history, etc. This country has so much to offer. Their culture is so rich, and culture is something that can only be understood by experience, not words.
5) I have been learning the art of persistence. Being so, I have also continued to culture a more sure sense, or confidence, in my abilities to be successful in life. It’s all just one big mental game. Learning to play is part of the fun.
6) Being HOT now carries a new definition. I live in the desert where the “winters” are just “summers” with a different name.
((This is me at our halloween party some of us volunteers had, currently making hween cookies!))
