First Attempt...

Hey everybody!

This is my first attempt at writing a blog and recording interesting experiences while I am in THE PERU, so feel free to offer suggestions on how to make it better! Also, pictures will probably be coming later.

 I am currently in Arequipa, Peru, as an intern with LDS Employment Services, which is an organization run by the LDS church that focuses on self-employment and career resource development workshops throughout the world. My companion Jenny and I are focusing on the self-employment workshop, which has four main cornerstones in helping people building their own small businesses. We will be teaching these workshops to members of the church in southern Peru for about the next three blissful, challenging months.

We're taking classes, too. I get to read books about history, culture, etc. of Peru as well as lots of writing.

Last week, training was in Salt Lake with 12 other interns, who are all going to other parts of the world.

We flew out to Lima, Peru, on Friday, and spent four days with Jenny's old missionary companion, Hermana Llanos, who is one of THE coolest people I have ever met. She and Jenny spent a total of seven months together on the mission and are best friends, naturally. So cool to see that between different cultures. We stayed at her stepdad's house for four days. I felt right at home when I walked in. So hospitable, loving and kind. Sometimes I wish I were Latina.

Highlights from our four day stay in Lima.

Culture shock-this time in experiencing INSANE traffic, Lima, Peru style. They don't really have rules as to how to drive, more like suggestions...

Killing cockroaches under our beds every now and then.

Exploring the catacombs where they buried a total of about 25,000 bones in the Centro de Lima. I love OLD things!

Went to the Lima temple to do a session of baptisms, but I got there too late. Jenny met up with some missionary friends and while they did a session, I watched Junior, a three year old indian boy with a love for Inca Kola.

Played in the water fountains in downtown Lima en el Parque de Los Aguas.

Explored Lima trying to find Jenny's missionary cousin in a brand new chapel, with the mission president standing right there.

Los Cerros de San Cristobal- went to the top of a hill in Lima via a crowded bus, and explored the surrounding areas. 10,000,000 people live there. INSANE.

Got my first ever sunburn in January.

Learned how to say "skinny dipper" in Spanish, as well as the fact that "yo-yo" describes a flirty missionary.

Messing up all the time when trying to speak Spanish, but loving learning something new every day.

Thinking that Inca Kola, the bright yellow soda started here in Peru, tastes like bubblegum and is an awkward color...but tasty nonetheless.

Missing friends and family back home, but loving the fact that I am lucky enough to have the internet and Skype and facebook.

We start teaching the workshops next week!!