Kiki's Crossing

1.27.2016 Wednesday << Co mo fue tu tarde? >>   "How was your afternoon?" << Muy tranquilo. Gracias.>> "Very peaceful. Thanks." This has become the dull greeting that I robotically have with Danielito every night when he comes to take Kelsey and me to dinner. It's nice that he always asks about my day, but it doesn't look like I will have a riveting response anytime soon. Still, he tries.  Unfortunately, being that it's summer vacation for Peruvian students, I really don't have much to fill my day with. I try to stay productive with my free time, but there just aren't that many options out there for a white girl living in a foreign Red Zone neighborhood. During the day, I do feel safe outside alone, so I could go walk around, at the very least. However, there just isn't anything left to see and do in this populous pueblo. There are a few small parks/plazas, bakeries and restaurants, a garbage-dump river, and ...

01.11.2016 Monday The last half of my Colorado Christmas vacation as told by pictures: Christkindl Market in Downtown Denver with Becca and Laura is becoming an annual tradition. I get by with a little help from my friends... I'm sorry! I couldn't resist. If you didn't take a selfie of getting ready for church Christmas morning... did it really happen? Our Mexican-cuisine-themed Christmas dinner led Matt to decide to rock the 'stache. Looking good hombre.   Decorating gingerbread houses is significantly more difficult after a few glasses of wine... but I still believe that Polly's and my house would delight any gingerbread man and his family.  Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House with the fam bam. Congratulations to these two! Can't wait to be Maid of Honor for my sissy! Even though I sometimes pretend that I don't like her growing up and finding a man... Homemade gift exchange with the whole family...

12.21.2015 Monday Surprise! Unless you have been following my updates on social media (you can follow me at nikiki_94 on Instagram and Twitter), you probably didn't realize that I am no longer in Peru.  That's right.  I'm back in Colorado, U.S.A. for the whole month of Christmas! Frankly, I knew I was flying home since August. Originally I had bought tickets to come back from December 18 to January 3. However, in October, I was informed of some wonderful news: schools in our district of Peru would not be having English classes for the full month of December!  At first, I was heart-broken. I thought I had missed out on an opportunity to see friends and family for a longer period of time. I called my mom that night and tried to fight back the inevitable tears. But moms are pretty smart (something she seems to remind me of constantly) and she immediately suggested that I reschedule my flight. Due to the extra vacation time, Kelsey was able to fly home as well...