"all kinds of visa"

My 'other' parents (my neighbors from growing up) told me that I should write a book filled with all of the funny moments which happen while living abroad.

While I'm not sure I have it in me to write a book, I also know that so many other people have really funny moments that I'm not sure my book would be bought by anyone other than my family.

But, within the forum of this blog, I have decided to include more 'funny moments.'

One of them is the 'reciprocity visa' receipt I received from the Brazilian Embassy.

It's a very official (notice the stamps on the bottom right) and polite way (although, not exactly perfect in diction) to say:

"Hey, if you're going to charge us for visas, then we're going to charge you."

In response I say: fair enough.

Lazy in Lima

Since coming back to Lima, I haven't done much of anything.

No, that's not true...but it's shocking how little I have done.

• I read a couple of book (my favorite is Obama's memoirs)
  I went to the beach (thank you Maria for the invitation)
• I slept. A lot.
• I went to the dentist (first time since coming to Peru)
• I decided to stop being a martyr and to take advantage of things here: I hired someone to come and clean/cook once a week ($10 per day; 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
• With the help of our building's 'portero' I got the bedroom curtain fixed (it had been broken since November) and the shower fixed (it had been leaking since December).
• I watched all episodes of Grey's Anatomy that are available online.
• We booked a short visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil over Easter to visit Arturo's friends who live there...and then I got my tourist visa (and Arturo didn't since Brazil only requires visas as a form of reciprocity. Basically, Peru doesn't require Brazilian's to have a tourist visa, so Brazil doesn't require Peruvians to have one. On the other hand, the US does...so...I now have a 5 year visa to Brazil).
• I cooked some interesting new recipes (my favorite is garlic chicken).
• I finally got around to buying big 20L water instead of just boiling water trying desperately to keep up with our water needs.
• Did I mention that I slept a lot?

Back in the US of A

I've been lazing around Lima for a couple of weeks now...and have decided it's finally time to bring my blog up to date. What's happened the last couple of weeks? Not much. I went to the beach once. I've done some reading, lots of bad tv watching, and lots of sleeping. Actually, it's been great. Except that I haven't written about another great part of my summer holiday - Winter in NY!

FAMILY
I got to spend lots of time with my family which was great. My brother flew in from LA and my sister (and the adorable niece and nephew) to help me plan wedding details. Grandma housed and fed me...and put up with my mess...all in a loving way...and I got even got to visit Mom and Dad in Gloversville for a couple of days instead of my usual fly-by-night day visits. Mom even threw a special Gloversville shower which was like an enjoyable episode of "This is Your Life" where I got to catch up with people I haven't seen in 10 or even 20 years Luckily, I even had time to see Arturo's family, including, of course, the adorable Sebastian!

SPECIAL OCCASIONS
My friends planned both a bachelorette party and a bridal shower. I knew the date of both, but nothing more than that. So, not only was I excited to see everyone, but the best part was that I didn't have to do a thing - just show up!

Of course, there were some uncontrollable events such as the big stowstorm, sick babies with high fevers, ill husbands, small car accidents and people who got lost.


However, regardless of the 'Comedy of Errors' as my grandmother called it, I had an amazing, wonderful time with my friends and family. I left NY feeling incredibly loved and very special. Thank you to all who planned the events...and to all who came or wanted to come. It was a very special time that I will never forget.

I got to see the "longest running show on Broadway" and visit all our favorite haunts in NYC...

Plus, we ate Korean food for dinner!

And sang show tunes in a piano bar! And...

I now own some very pretty lingerie! And...

I now have a quilt from Lyn of my own! And..

I have new recipes, marriage advice and more! And...

I have a beautiful scrapbook filled with memories and special messages from those I love!