Somos Iguales

If I’ve learned anything at all while I’ve been here, it is that no matter how much we put up borders or have our opinions of things, we humans are much more alike than we are different. As much pain and suffering goes on in the world over differences of religions, color of skins, gender, sexuality, personal preferences, sports teams, nationalism… it’s often just our egos saying we are better than the other.

We all feel hurt.

We all want to be comforted.

Friendship, among Peruvians.


Friendship, among Americans.




We all love. We all, at some moment, let down our guard. We all make mistakes.
We cry, we laugh, we wonder, we know.

We eat, we drink, we sleep. We all worry. We trip on sidewalks. We want to belong in groups. We all find a purpose.

We have moments of strength, and moments of weaknesses. We care for our young, we find ways to have fun, we are attached to the love of our mothers.


Peruvian women caring for their children.


American women caring for their children.



There are so many things that we all share. We often get so distracted in the details that we forget the overall truth.

We have different education levels, we have different backgrounds, we have different cultures, experiences, and habits. Some of us are rich, some of us are poor. The color of our skin is different. Everyone has their own story. Everyone was randomly given their set of cards.


My Peruvian mom.


My American mom.



But on a very basic level, we all share so much.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”

Elephants, Not Hamsters

"Being busy doesn't necessarily mean bring productive."

I am awake for about 16 hours everyday. So let's say I spend 3 hours in the morning exercising, eating breakfast, getting ready for the day; an hour eating lunch; another hour with dinner. That now leaves a total of 10 hours left in the day that are all MINE.

I used to fill that time with rushing, stressing, meetings, programs, being frustrated, fake conversations, not enough time to really get all the juice out of the certain activity. I was often tired, usually stressed, and never satisfied.

In plain terms... I felt like a hamster spinning in her wheel. Working hard, but not seem to be getting far.

Somehow, after over a year of pain and frustration, I finally understand how to maneuver. At a steady, calculated pace with each step leaving a clearly defined footprint. More like an elephant.

So for a week and a half now (ever since I've been back) I have been working as so- at a steady pace, taking my time, following through, preparing well. And I like it. I am so much more happy!!!!! I also treat my relationships so much better with friends, family, and people within the community. Ahhh, very nice.

Being so, I now have more time on my hands. I have been thinking about a few books that I really want to dig into. If anyone has them lying around or sees them in the bookstore, send 'em my way! I am STARVING for more stuff. I will reimburse you in either money or llama hugs and kisses.. whichever you prefer.


"More Than Good Intentions" - Dean Karlan and Jacob Appel
"The White Man's Burden" - William Easterly
"PATHOLOGIES OF POWER: Health, human rights, and the new war on the poor" - Paul Farmer
"Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered" - E.F. Schumacher
"The End of Poverty" - Jeffery D Sachs
Any National Geographic Magazine, Scientific American, etc.


Alrighty, I hope to hear from y'all soon. And remember... take the day like the Elephants, not Hamsters. ;)

Quick Trip

Tears streaming down my face, eyes open wide open, unable to form a single word. One would think that I was stepping into a foreign world, lost and confused beyond all belief. And in a sense I was. One year and four months of living in another country, coming back to America, my home, was a deeply impactful experience for me. (I now fully understand “culture shock”). Being amazed and curious about almost every other thing I saw. Not to mention the emotional reunion of seeing my family again. I have never meant a hug so much in my life. It was as if in that moment they were extracting all of the pain, hardness, and negativity that I had felt the previous year and were washing my soul clean with their love, simply wiping it all away.

Two weeks of fun, relaxation, adventures, shopping, eating, enjoying, laughing, crying, conversing, driving, learning, reflecting. With family and friends. At home and at the beach.

















I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better break. I ended rejuvenated, recharged, and focused on what I need to do. Now I am here back in Nasca and am happier than ever. I have cut out negative parts of my life and have been focusing on the positive. I have been setting specific goals and working for them. I am on my way of really coming into myself. It’s amazing how much we still have to learn about ourselves. As long as we continue to push ourselves out of our comfort zone’s we will continue to explore our beautiful selves. It’s not easy, but the rewards are vast.