new york city
12.10.2016 / alan garcia, alianza lima, chapecoense, copa america, family, futbol, new york, new york city, peru, peruvian, soccer
De La Victoria A La Gloria
Rimaykullayki!
*por si acaso, esta es mi primera vez escribiendo en español despues de mucho tiempo **
*por si acaso, esta es mi primera vez escribiendo en español despues de mucho tiempo **
La gente de Alianza Lima se va, se va...
Hace una semana todo el mundo amaneció con la devastadora
noticia que el avión que tenía el equipo brasileño, Chapecoense, y también muchos
periodistas brasileños, había estrellado. Nomás sobrevivieron 6 personas, 3 de
ellas jugadores del equipo, y al cielo se fueron sus compañeros de la vida.
En este avión fallecieron jugadores con un futuro muy brillante en el
futbol que se murieron con los ánimos en alto para jugar la final Copa Sudamericana
con Atlético Nacional de Medellín, Colombia. No habrán
podido jugar ese partido tan esperado, pero salieron triunfadores. Al fin
ganaron la Copa Sudamericana y más importante, se ganaron los corazones
del mundo entero. Nunca los olvidaremos, igual que nosotros los peruanos nunca olvidaremos a los potrillos de Alianza Lima que también tuvieron ese trágico
destino igual que el Chapecoense.
Y sobre el cielo de Lima, llegaron hasta
la cima, y sobre el cielo de Lima se quedarán...
Hace dos días fueron 29 años, que en un día como el 8 de diciembre,
el Perú fue impactado por unas de las tragedias mas conmovedores en toda su
historia, El día en el que todo el equipo de Alianza Lima, con su entrenador y cuerpo técnico que estaban en el Fokker (un
avión de la marina de guerra del Perú), fallecieron. Nomás hubo un solo sobreviviente,
el piloto que estrello el avión quien ahora dicen que vive en Australia. Al
cielo se fueron jugadores que hacían parte de una de las mejores generaciones del futbol peruano que querían llevarnos a
otro mundial después del 1982 y un entrenador increíble. Marcos Calderón, quien fue el
entrenador del equipo peruano que ganaron la Copa
América en 1975. Ese día... también
se fueron esas alegrías que alumbraban al Perú en unos tiempos bien oscuros políticamente.
No volverán, no volverán...
En 1987 el Perú estaba bajo el gobierno de Alan García, quien con su gobierno aprista y corrupta inspiro a muchos peruanos como mis padres de irse del Perú. Trajo al Perú en una gran recesión económica donde la gente ya ni tenía suficiente para comprarse un pan o taro de leche por la inflación. Mi padre, quien era ingeniero en esos tiempos, tuvo que trabajar como policía también porque el dinero no era suficiente. La gente, quien estaba con el alma caída por estos tiempos de frustración encontraban felicidad al ver su equipo triunfar. Eso es lo maravilloso y mágico del futbol y los deportes en general (pero más el futbol). En tiempos oscuros, como en aquellos tiempos en el Perú, estos chicos se rompían el alma en la cancha para traer esa felicidad tan necesitada para su gente. Ellos no les debían nada al Perú, pero ellos se ponían ese peso en sus espaldas y por eso siempre valdrán un Perú.
En 1987 el Perú estaba bajo el gobierno de Alan García, quien con su gobierno aprista y corrupta inspiro a muchos peruanos como mis padres de irse del Perú. Trajo al Perú en una gran recesión económica donde la gente ya ni tenía suficiente para comprarse un pan o taro de leche por la inflación. Mi padre, quien era ingeniero en esos tiempos, tuvo que trabajar como policía también porque el dinero no era suficiente. La gente, quien estaba con el alma caída por estos tiempos de frustración encontraban felicidad al ver su equipo triunfar. Eso es lo maravilloso y mágico del futbol y los deportes en general (pero más el futbol). En tiempos oscuros, como en aquellos tiempos en el Perú, estos chicos se rompían el alma en la cancha para traer esa felicidad tan necesitada para su gente. Ellos no les debían nada al Perú, pero ellos se ponían ese peso en sus espaldas y por eso siempre valdrán un Perú.
Cuando la gente venía con el alma caída a casa después de
ganar una miseria que era común en aquellos tiempos, en el 75’ con Francisco Morales Bermúdez y en el 87’
con Alan García, ¡nuestro equipo
peruano nos daba la vida! En los 70's
el
Perú era el país que hacía temblar a los grandes como Brasil, Uruguay,
y Argentina. Mi padre, con
mucha alegría que se transmite por el brillo en sus ojos, me cuenta como era
vivir en esos años dorados. Los años
dorados que inspiraron una generación de chicos para que ellos también sean
grandes y lleven el nombre del Perú en alto.
y al vernos llorar por
ellos, pidieron permiso al cielo, y con los negritos nuevos
regresaran...
Al perder básicamente todo el equipo, excepto 4 que
no habían bordado por estar lesionados y cosas de la vida, ya no se veía un
futuro promovedor para el Perú. La Alianza Lima era uno de los mejores equipos peruano,
pero ese día hinchas del Sporting
Cristal como mi padre (¡y yo!), del Universitario, del Melgar, todos se unieron al dolor de los aliancistas. Ese día todos fueron uno y la
solidaridad que es una de las características más hermosas y humanas que
existe, se veo en los gestos de muchos clubs en el Perú y también a nivel
mundial. La U, quien es el gran rival de la Alianza, fueron uno de los primeros
en ofrecerse en dar algunos jugadores para que tengan un equipo de 11. Otra
gran sorpresa fue del equipo chileno, el Colo
Colo, quien presto a 4 de sus
mejores jugadores, y con este gran acto de solidaridad de un país que es el eterno
rival del Perú todavía se aprecia hasta hoy y los Aliancistas le hicieron una canción.
Alianza Lima y Colo Colo, simplemente uno solo...
Y nomas dos años después, Alianza Lima pudo levantar otra
copa Sudamericana como lo hubieran hecho en 1987. Otra vez alegrando a su
gente, y aunque ahora no estén pasando por sus mejores momentos, este equipo sabe
que nuevamente podran ser gloriosos.
y volverán, y volverán...
Y con esto quiero concretar que tengo la FE que el equipo Chapecoense, que está
pasando por unos de los momentos más dolorosos en su historia, volverán a
alegrar a sus hinchas que les serán fieles por toda la vida, generación a generación.
Con diferentes jugadores que jugaran a todo dar, a sudar y llevar en alto la
camiseta que llevan puesta y con jugadores en el cielo que los estarán guiando
por toda una eternidad.
También, tengo la fe que algún día voy a
poder gozar al ver a mi Perú darlo todo en un mundial, igual que mi padre. Que
gritare y los alentare igual cuando fui a verlos jugar en Foxborough,
Massachusetts para la Copa América contra Brasil. Nunca olvidare ese día tan
especial, el primer partido que fui a ver con mi papa y fue un partido HISTORICO. Esta es la magia del
futbol, una magia que existe hasta en los momentos más dolorosos para
alegrarnos la vida.
Que tengan una bendecida y feliz fin de semana.
Con mucho cariño,
Karen
-The Chic Engiruvian
Un video de lo que sucedio el 8 de diciembre:
11.15.2016 / civil engineering, cornell university, earthquakes, engineering, family, geophysics, gratitude, jean-baptiste massieu, minority, new york city, peru, stem fields, tio
In Your Memory, Tio Felix
Good morning, good evening, or good afternoon...wherever you are,
In the words of Jean-Baptiste Massieu:
This passion became your passport to several opportunities that took you to many places around the world. You were one of the first Peruvians to travel to Antarctica on an expedition to research the tectonic plates that shake this planet we all call home. You were also invited to Japan to share your research in the movement of tectonic plates where you bought me a kimono, a kimono I still have with me 20 years later and greatly treasure. From Japan you were invited by Cornell University to speak to the Geophysics Department there to share your knowledge. If it weren't for this invitation where you needed to travel to the United States for the first time, I wouldn't have met you, and this is something I'm so thankful for.
When you passed away, aside from grief, I felt a great sense of regret and frustration, frustrated that I was never able to see you again after that one visit because of our past circumstances and regret that I never got to share with you my passion for the sciences and the way things work, the same way you did (as well as my father and Tio Moises, both engineers). Now that I'm older, I feel so grateful for the few memories I got to make with you, from that visit when I was 2 years old in which my mother tells me that before even greeting them after not seeing them for so many years, you said "No, no, a donde esta la princesita?!" and that's when you carried me into your arms for the first time. And let me tell you, I was very picky, and it was an amazing thing to see me greet you with such ease and trust...la sangre llama. Throughout the years, I got to speak with you on the phone a couple times and I always remember you telling me to continue excelling in school and to be the best student I can be. Education was emphasized greatly in our family, you being a testament to how far an education can take one.These few memories I reminiscence them with happiness, eternally grateful for the moments I got to spend and speak with you.
I'm grateful for being your niece and having followed your footsteps in fields very similar to each other, you'd be surprised to see how similar geophysics and civil engineering are and the fruits from merging them together. I struggled so much my last year of high school figuring out what I wanted to major in when I realized being a doctor was not something I felt that was my calling. When I discovered civil engineering and how much I connected with this profession since it included my three loves which are science, math, and helping others...I immediately thought of you. I realized how much I can help others and I know it was you that helped me out and looking out for me from above.
Studying engineering has been incredibly more challenging than I expected and I made many mistakes (emphasis on many haha), but besides my parents, I would think of you and how much I wanted to become a person that will make you proud the same way you have inspired me and the rest of the family. Whenever I would feel discouraged which has happened many times and there was a time I almost entirely gave up, the thought of you would eventually come into my head. Even though you're not physically here, I feel those pushes of encouragement from above during these low times. It would've been awesome to have you be my partner in the projects I will be doing as a civil engineer in the coming years which one of them will definitely be helping the impoverished communities of Peru that are continuously promised schools by the government and ultimately aren't built, but I know from above you'll be guiding me into the right path, through the ups and downs.
You've taught me that when it comes to your goals, there are no limits, especially when you really want it. To push through the boundaries that have been imposed to me as a double minority in my field, being both a Latina and female, and to do all that I can to help others using my profession.
All that I do, I do for my parents, family, and few loved ones who are my biggest fans, but I also do it thinking of you. Knowing how much more important it is to do something that will bring you the wealth of helping others instead of material/monetary wealth. It is this type of wealth that I find truly more rewarding and I know you did as well.
Feliz cumpleaños Tio Felix, always in our hearts and thoughts, siempre en nuestros corazones y pensamientos. Although dead, you're more alive than ever with every memory of you. Aunque ya no estes con nosotros, estas mas vivo que nunca, con cada recuerdo, revives en mi corazon.
-Karen
The Chic Engiruvian
Btw, here's a video of him speaking to our family, giving us life advice like always:
In the words of Jean-Baptiste Massieu:
"Gratitude is the memory of the heart"This was my quote of the day in my National Geographic, 365 Days of Reflection book, and I couldn't help but think of you. Today also happens to be your birthday, another birthday without you, another year of feeling that same knot in my throat I felt 12 years ago on the day we found out you had gone on to a more peaceful place...to a paradise where you no longer felt any pain and where you're now more alive than ever. It is also another year of reminiscing all the many accomplishments you achieved in the few years we had you with us. Despite the humble beginnings and struggles you experienced from being the second oldest from a family of 7 children, you as well as the rest of my 6 uncles and aunt, including my father, are all college educated, graduating from some of the best universities in Peru. Your interest in the way our Earth is composed of and the effects of the many earthquakes that strike Peru sparked a passion for physics and geography...geophysics.
This passion became your passport to several opportunities that took you to many places around the world. You were one of the first Peruvians to travel to Antarctica on an expedition to research the tectonic plates that shake this planet we all call home. You were also invited to Japan to share your research in the movement of tectonic plates where you bought me a kimono, a kimono I still have with me 20 years later and greatly treasure. From Japan you were invited by Cornell University to speak to the Geophysics Department there to share your knowledge. If it weren't for this invitation where you needed to travel to the United States for the first time, I wouldn't have met you, and this is something I'm so thankful for.
 |
| Clearly always eating haha |
I'm grateful for being your niece and having followed your footsteps in fields very similar to each other, you'd be surprised to see how similar geophysics and civil engineering are and the fruits from merging them together. I struggled so much my last year of high school figuring out what I wanted to major in when I realized being a doctor was not something I felt that was my calling. When I discovered civil engineering and how much I connected with this profession since it included my three loves which are science, math, and helping others...I immediately thought of you. I realized how much I can help others and I know it was you that helped me out and looking out for me from above.
Studying engineering has been incredibly more challenging than I expected and I made many mistakes (emphasis on many haha), but besides my parents, I would think of you and how much I wanted to become a person that will make you proud the same way you have inspired me and the rest of the family. Whenever I would feel discouraged which has happened many times and there was a time I almost entirely gave up, the thought of you would eventually come into my head. Even though you're not physically here, I feel those pushes of encouragement from above during these low times. It would've been awesome to have you be my partner in the projects I will be doing as a civil engineer in the coming years which one of them will definitely be helping the impoverished communities of Peru that are continuously promised schools by the government and ultimately aren't built, but I know from above you'll be guiding me into the right path, through the ups and downs.
You've taught me that when it comes to your goals, there are no limits, especially when you really want it. To push through the boundaries that have been imposed to me as a double minority in my field, being both a Latina and female, and to do all that I can to help others using my profession.
All that I do, I do for my parents, family, and few loved ones who are my biggest fans, but I also do it thinking of you. Knowing how much more important it is to do something that will bring you the wealth of helping others instead of material/monetary wealth. It is this type of wealth that I find truly more rewarding and I know you did as well.
Feliz cumpleaños Tio Felix, always in our hearts and thoughts, siempre en nuestros corazones y pensamientos. Although dead, you're more alive than ever with every memory of you. Aunque ya no estes con nosotros, estas mas vivo que nunca, con cada recuerdo, revives en mi corazon.
-Karen
The Chic Engiruvian
Btw, here's a video of him speaking to our family, giving us life advice like always:
Always remember to fight for what you truly believe in, no matter how absurd everyone else may think, your faith in yourself is all that matters.
11.02.2016 / alfajores, catholic, el señor de los milagros, immigrants, mes morado, new york, new york city, peru, peruvian-american, picarones, san benito, the lord of the miracles
Mes Morado in NYC
Wuynas nuchis!
Besides June (birthday is on June 11 btw) and December, a month I eagerly look forward to every year is October. In Peru, October is known as Mes Morado aka The Purple Month (cue Purple Rain please) and this month is filled with stunning processions every Sunday honoring El Señor de los Milagros ~ The Lord of Miracles, as well as eating yummy turrones and picarones with their orange scented honey. I'm about 3,648 miles from Lima,Peru but this doesn't stop my family and I from celebrating this very special month for millions of Peruvians all around the world.
We had the opportunity to attend two processions here in New York City and eat all the things that we would traditionally eat in Peru. That's the magic of New York City, there's people from all over the world, making sure to do all they can to keep their traditions alive despite being thousands of miles away. I hope that this past month, New Yorkers, regardless of their beliefs, were able to feel the moving devotion that can be felt from the fervorous chants of the women with white veils carrying the incense that perfumes the air for blocks, to the tears of gratitude in the eyes of the 32 men and the many others around there, overwhelmed by the sense of hope this image gives us, for the many hardships many of us have to deal with by immigrating to this land of opportunities.
This procession is extremely special, it's the largest procession that takes place by the Catholic community, every year. Peruvians that have immigrated to other countries have continued this tradition in their new homes for their children and later generations, and now there's processions in over 260 cities worldwide. I had the chance to attend two in NYC, one at Saint Patrick's Cathedral on October 16th and another at Saint Paul the Apostle Church on October 23rd , both were done by a group known as Hermandad de Cargadores y Sahumadoras del Señor de Los Milagros de NY, INC. (you can read about them here). New Yorkers have been able to witness processions that were once very small in the initial beginnings of the group on September 30th, 1971 and now thousands of Peruvians attend, in full faith that el Señor de los Milagros will be by their side in the most difficult of times and thanking Him for his miraculous blessings.
As a first-generation Peruvian-American, this experience has always been very overwhelming to me, especially when I see my mother's eyes filled with tears, year after year, through our roller coaster adventure in this country. Despite it being pretty emotional seeing so many people in tears. there's a sense of beauty in seeing all these immigrants, from all over Peru (mostly Lima though) come together. Seeing parents talk to their young ones explaining what makes this christ so miraculous and special to us (you can read about how the Lord of the Miracles came to be here) and the sense of enjoyment in seeing all these "entrepreneurs" selling Peruvian goodies like alfajores, tamales, Sublimes, Besos de Mosa, turrones, picarones, etc etc and finding the best ones and bargaining for the best prices of course!
I definitely look forward to sharing this tradition with my children just like my parents did with my sister and I, no matter where in the world I may find myself. We are the ones in charge of keeping our culture and traditions alive and the ones responsible to stand up for them. Without them, we would all be the same. This is what makes us unique, our fingerprint. We are a nation of immigrants, with thousands of traditions and cultures to share and embrace, how much luckier can we get?! If only we all had this same mindset, what a beautiful place this would be.
~ The original image of El Señor de los Milagros can be found at the Santuario de las Nazarenas in Lima, Peru. The mural was painted by an Angolan slave in 1651 and the image is still intact after several devastating earthquakes and the Spaniards who tried to destroy it were never able to do so.~
With lots of love,
Karen
- The Chic Engiruvian
P.S: A link to a video about how a procession in Peru looks like, click here
Besides June (birthday is on June 11 btw) and December, a month I eagerly look forward to every year is October. In Peru, October is known as Mes Morado aka The Purple Month (cue Purple Rain please) and this month is filled with stunning processions every Sunday honoring El Señor de los Milagros ~ The Lord of Miracles, as well as eating yummy turrones and picarones with their orange scented honey. I'm about 3,648 miles from Lima,Peru but this doesn't stop my family and I from celebrating this very special month for millions of Peruvians all around the world.
We had the opportunity to attend two processions here in New York City and eat all the things that we would traditionally eat in Peru. That's the magic of New York City, there's people from all over the world, making sure to do all they can to keep their traditions alive despite being thousands of miles away. I hope that this past month, New Yorkers, regardless of their beliefs, were able to feel the moving devotion that can be felt from the fervorous chants of the women with white veils carrying the incense that perfumes the air for blocks, to the tears of gratitude in the eyes of the 32 men and the many others around there, overwhelmed by the sense of hope this image gives us, for the many hardships many of us have to deal with by immigrating to this land of opportunities.
 |
| Carrying the image around Rockerfeller Center |
As a first-generation Peruvian-American, this experience has always been very overwhelming to me, especially when I see my mother's eyes filled with tears, year after year, through our roller coaster adventure in this country. Despite it being pretty emotional seeing so many people in tears. there's a sense of beauty in seeing all these immigrants, from all over Peru (mostly Lima though) come together. Seeing parents talk to their young ones explaining what makes this christ so miraculous and special to us (you can read about how the Lord of the Miracles came to be here) and the sense of enjoyment in seeing all these "entrepreneurs" selling Peruvian goodies like alfajores, tamales, Sublimes, Besos de Mosa, turrones, picarones, etc etc and finding the best ones and bargaining for the best prices of course!
 |
| Picarones |
 |
| Alfajores |
~ The original image of El Señor de los Milagros can be found at the Santuario de las Nazarenas in Lima, Peru. The mural was painted by an Angolan slave in 1651 and the image is still intact after several devastating earthquakes and the Spaniards who tried to destroy it were never able to do so.~
With lots of love,
Karen
- The Chic Engiruvian
P.S: A link to a video about how a procession in Peru looks like, click here
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