Coming soon

I just noticed that it's been about three weeks since I've written any posts. And it's almost November. Not sure where all my time is going these days... we're not doing anything groundbreakingly different than we were back home, yet it's Friday when I think it's Wednesday and there are still plenty of things left undone when I go to sleep at night. Granted, I have been going to bed fairly early. Some nights I tuck myself in right after the kids fall asleep. I've also been putting a lot of effort into getting better at web design. It's so different from doing print layouts. I like it, though, and I'm figuring out the easiest and fastest ways to get things done. *fshew* Art sure is hard work.

We rearranged the rooms in the apartment and it's looking more like home. I'll be taking some pictures soon, and I promise to write you a real post to go along with said pictures. Oh! and one other thing, my computer's charger port is broken (again) and I'm in the middle of a two week wait for the part to arrive at the repair place. Sadly, there are no Apple Stores in Peru and everything for my five-year-old PowerBook has to be ordered from the US. The up side is that we accidentally found a really good Mac repair place in Miraflores, so that's something super right there. As I patiently await the new port's arrival, I'll be thinking of something dazzling to share with you when I do write that spiffy new post. Until then, hugs. Hugs!

All I really need to know about going to the doctor, I learned in Lima

Today I made the first "me" trip to see a doctor in Lima. About two weeks ago I landed a decent case of the flu and it never really seemed to disappear. A few days ago I noticed myself feeling progressively crummier, and this morning I knew it was time to bite the bullet and "head to hospital", as they say. And, boy, was it interesting. Frank's sister Carina had the day off from work and was kind enough to accompany me. She speaks a little bit of English, and is extremely well-versed in the art of making things happen. So. Off we went. First things first, when you're sick here, you go to the hospital. You might have your preferred medical professionals who might work at different hospitals, but the hospie is where you head.

After seeing a nurse for primary evaluation (after Carina took it upon herself to knock on the nurse's door without waiting in line - heck yeah), I registered, paid the equivalent of $8.66, and waited ten minutes to see the internist on duty. Much to my own delight, I was fairly competent in describing my cough, phlegm and its color, frequency of fever, and general malaise. The doctor, a very wise and learned man, proclaimed that I am ill with "broncitis muy fuerte". He prescribed a few meds. Pills for fever/aches, a botanically based liquid expectorant, and antibiotic shots. What, what? Yep. One shot immediately, and one a day for the next three days. After praising his intelligence and thanking him, we bid the good doctor farewell and headed to the pharmacy located in the hospital lobby. They filled the prescriptions and we headed back to the nurse, who kindly injected my left butt cheek with a three-vial antibiotic cocktail and sent us on our way. Wait, I forgot to tell you... the nurse told me I'd be getting the shot in my "nalga" and I looked at her and giggled. Partly because I knew it's the Spanish word for butt cheek, and partly because, well... who doesn't giggle at the thought of showing their nalga to a complete stranger?

So here I am, feeling much better already. And here is my medical goody bag which cost me $22.57. The first shot was included in that price. For the rest, I'll go to the corner pharmacy and pay about five bucks to have the tech there shoot me up. It'll be my daily thrill. You can see on the slip I am registered under one of my maiden names, since that's my family name and that's hows they works it down heres. Also, please note that the cough syrup has a handy dandy pour spout, the pills are cut freestlye with no labeled container, and I like honey in my chamomile tea.


All told, $31.23 for a doctor visit and medication at the hospital, and I don't even have insurance. Kind of takes the sting out of the ol' butt cheek shots, eh?

Curse alert, tellin' you how I really feel.

Upon unpacking my bag o' clean clothes this afternoon, I discovered my laundry service replaced my favorite white organic cotton long sleeve tee with a hideous ruffled white polyester blend turtleneck. Displeased, to say the least. I really need my own fucking washer and dryer down here. STAT.

Nico really likes trains

Nico: Mommy, can we watch Thomas?
Me: No, not right now, sweetie. We've watched enough Thomas today.
Nico: (brow furrowed) Mommy, I'm cross. Cinders and ashes!
Me: Exaaactly.

Crotch chatch deleted?!

It seems I have accidentally deleted the post in which I described how I was visually assaulted by half the male population of Lima. I was on a cleaning spree in my post editing/deleting list when I got a little overzealous and didn't check to see I was removing the wrong thing. Bummer, because I actually went back and read that bit several times myself. Rest assured, those of you who did get to read it, that when I do rock the leggings, now I do so with something that covers at least 75% of the goods.

Casa, part uno. Welcome to my roof!

My mom has a saying -- if you want to see me, come any time. If you want to see my house, make an appointment. Remembering these words of wisdom has really helped me keep things in perspective while I set up down here. I figured I can do a more detailed tour de casa if it's broken down into parts, so here's the first of several... the roof. Bear in mind that I haven't cleaned anything up here yet, but it has great potential and some lovely scenery.

Up we go...



So here's our rooftop. Let's see, what can I tell you... we are on the second floor of a two story building, directly above a café/sandwich shop. Photoshop yourself in some sweeping, chairs, potted plants, and maybe a table, and you can imagine what it'll look like once we clean it up a bit. That space in the roof down front is a cut out area that has windows for the room we're using as the studio. There's also a storage area. This whole space is just for us. We don't have to share it with anyone. It rocks.



It's overcast here most days. Not sure if that's because we live right near the ocean, or if it's because it's just barely spring and we're still shaking off the winter blahs. I've heard it does get sunny, so I'll update with something brighter later. In the distance you can see the coastal cliff, and in the right/center of the photo you may be able to see the ocean. Squint! Whatever you can see clearly is all that's there before you descend a couple hundred feet to the coastal highway, a slew of mini soccer fields, and an amazing line-up of Pacific surf beaches. The fields are always packed, and the other day I went for a run down to Agua Dulce and counted 70 surfers and 18 fishing boats in the water.



And here's my street, Ave. Grau. It's got enough hustle and bustle to keep the noise rocking through the night. My kids can now officially sleep through loud music, car alarms, taxis honking, people shouting, fire truck sirens... and so on and so forth.




Next up will be a tour of the kitchen. Woot!