Is it really December already?

Hello friends, family and people I love,

I've been filling up my time the past few weeks with Graduate School applications, an online economics course, teaching and, THANKSGIVING! It's been a full schedule, but really fun and keeps me on my toes.

I'm going to reflect a little on what I've learned about gringos while I've been here (which is a culmination of conversations I've had with some of my American friends. Particularly Michelle, Caitlin, Becca, Teresa and, while not American, Alvaro.)

Enjoy!

I feel like I've been on top of my applications, and have already turned in 1! (The UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy) It was difficult to write my Statement of Purpose because, while similar to undergraduate apps where you have to sell yourself, it is a much more comprehensive and direct structure. What background do you have? What are you doing not to prepare yourself? What are your future plans? and How does our school fit into your plans? It has to be somewhat creative, but mostly straightforward, clear and concise. It was a good experience to put all of my plans on paper, and would not have been able to do so without the help of Michelle, Leo and Marisa. Thank you guys for taking the time to help me :D

Teaching is great, but super busy. I've become accustomed to the sporadic and unpredictable lifestyle that comes along with teaching private lessons and am much better at just rolling with the punches. One of my students recently proposed an unusual project. He wants me to record myself reading a book on Project Management. Since he like audiobooks and he couldn't find one for this book, he offered me the job of making one for him. As curious as this project is, it certainly is an easy way to make some extra money.

Given that I have very little quantitative background and a Public Policy degree is certainly filled with quantitative analysis, I decided to step up my game and enroll in an online economics course. One problem is that to buy the book necessary for ht ecourse I'd have to drop at least another $50-60 for the e-book which seemed absurd since I HATE doing long readings from a computer screen and didn't want to wait 3-4 weeks until a hard copy arrived to Peru. Fortunately, Alvaro's university has the textbook I need (well, kinda, it's 3 editions behind and in Spanish, but hey, who's judging?). Advancing slowly, but surely like the turtle in the race against the rabbit, I know, someday, I shall finish.

Okay, onto my first ever top-10 list:

Top 10 Generalization about Gringos I've learned in Peru:

1. We always think we're right and we deserve the best of everything
2. We like camping and being "away from it all"
3. We get offended at almost anything
4. We're obsessed with exercise and diets, yet we simultaneously eat packaged and processed goods
5. We're over-achievers, and, consequently, stressed about everything and nothing at the same time. Similarly, We believe that if you work hard, you will be rewarded
6. On-time means 10 minutes early
7. We're never "American", but "from Texas" "from the Bay" "from D.C." (and it makes a difference dammit! yeah California!!!)
8. We are all afraid of the police
9. We take pills for everything since we all have a minor case of hypochondria (especially with stomach problems)

and, last but not least,

10. We refuse to acknowledge our need and love for family and people that are close to us because we insist on claiming independence at all costs.

Now, I don't want to expand upon all of these, but if you have any comments, please feel free to write away. I'm sure people in other countries might have some other reflections than I do being in Peru.

You may or may not agree with any or all of these statements, but they're all things that have come up fairly frequently in conversations over my past 16 months here. Realizing the differences between my society and that which I am living in in Lima, I have been able to recognize and try and change aspects of my personality that I do not like, and also realize and appreciate certain characteristics that make me who I am. One of those things is the joy of being away from urban civilization.

In Peru, urban=modern=civilized because the only legitimate comercial hub is Lima, the capital city. In the U.S., civilization and modernity can be seen in many ways otuside of a dense urban population. Seeing hills, trees, racoons, deer and other scurrying creatures near my house does not make me feel less civilized, but could very well freak the heck out of a Peruvian who expects to be away from all of that nature stuff. Even though we love our technology and creature comforts, the idea of the "rugged American" is still present in somewhat subtle ways. Even though it may not reach stereotipical and epic proportions, we still have a bit of "I can make it a night in the woods" attitude. Think of all of our National Parks. While they're not as popular as a Vegas trip might sound, if you think about how many people go trekking across in an RV to visit these places, you can see what I mean. How many of you have had an urge to go on a hike, go camping, go to the desert/mountains/beach with the intention of NOT having to be on a computer, surrounded by smog and cars, and certainly less people? Quite a few I can imagine.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that as different as we all are, there are still elements of a national identity that, while not VERY strong, still keep our nation together. They may not be what everybody imagines it should be (like in favor of a militaristic approach to international relations...), but we do have things in common that we are not always consciously and/or actively recognized.

I'll try and write one more time before I head to the US for Christmas holiday times! Love and hugs all around friends!