gratitude
12.06.2016 / dancember, family, gratitude, immigration, itsjudyslife, pencils for promise, peru, peruvian-american, unhcr
Count Your Blessings
Hello there,
It's finally December! Christmas is just around the corner (as well as finals week but lets get our minds off that just for a bit) and I know many people that have their mind set on all the gifts they yet have to buy for their friends and loved ones. I think we should also take some time to reflect on the billions of people in this world that have their minds set on how they're going to make it through the next day. I was actually going to write millions when I then decided to google how many people in this world are living in poverty and it's really heartbreaking to see the statistics that are part of our reality. Just a little over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day and at least 80% of our world population lives on less than $10 a day...and to think that there's that 1% of individuals that owns 50% of the world's total wealth.
Knowing this makes me feel so thankful and full of gratitude for the circumstances I was born into which is better than 80% of the world. Escaping from the inflation and terrorism that was occurring in Peru, my parents didn't have much in the beginning and we were very humble yet very rich. Very rich for the simple fact that we had a roof over our heads, running water, yummy food to fill our bellies, and to be living in a nation where my sister and I had many freedoms and opportunities we would've been deprived of if my parents stayed in Peru.
We have the tools and laws in this great nation where with an education and hard work, you can make what you dreamed as a child a reality. There's so many children who wish to have the luxury of being able to go to school and become the person they envision themselves to be, and it's so important for us to not take that for granted. To not take for granted whatever tools we have here in this country, because by simply having access to the internet and by simply owning an electronic device, you are so much far ahead and wealthier than over half the population in this world!
Every single person in this world, as our brothers and sisters, deserve to have the right to every single life necessity. No one should be sleeping tonight on an empty stomach which happens very often for example in Yemen where their children are currently suffering with severe malnutrition. Every child deserves the chance to make their dreams come true and have the right to an education and not have to drop out to start working at very young ages. We have the means to restore faith in so many people around the world and an impact so much greater than a Huda Beauty Rose Gold palette for a make-up lover can for Christmas and it doesn't take much!
I don't have much, but I know for certain that the little amount I can give to some charities has contributed in making a difference in someone's life. And that by little by little, when we all come together, that 20% of us (especially that 1% on the top), we can make a great impact and monumental step forward in helping eradicate the severe poverty that is still existent. My mom always tells me,
It's finally December! Christmas is just around the corner (as well as finals week but lets get our minds off that just for a bit) and I know many people that have their mind set on all the gifts they yet have to buy for their friends and loved ones. I think we should also take some time to reflect on the billions of people in this world that have their minds set on how they're going to make it through the next day. I was actually going to write millions when I then decided to google how many people in this world are living in poverty and it's really heartbreaking to see the statistics that are part of our reality. Just a little over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day and at least 80% of our world population lives on less than $10 a day...and to think that there's that 1% of individuals that owns 50% of the world's total wealth.
Knowing this makes me feel so thankful and full of gratitude for the circumstances I was born into which is better than 80% of the world. Escaping from the inflation and terrorism that was occurring in Peru, my parents didn't have much in the beginning and we were very humble yet very rich. Very rich for the simple fact that we had a roof over our heads, running water, yummy food to fill our bellies, and to be living in a nation where my sister and I had many freedoms and opportunities we would've been deprived of if my parents stayed in Peru.
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| My loves |
Every single person in this world, as our brothers and sisters, deserve to have the right to every single life necessity. No one should be sleeping tonight on an empty stomach which happens very often for example in Yemen where their children are currently suffering with severe malnutrition. Every child deserves the chance to make their dreams come true and have the right to an education and not have to drop out to start working at very young ages. We have the means to restore faith in so many people around the world and an impact so much greater than a Huda Beauty Rose Gold palette for a make-up lover can for Christmas and it doesn't take much!
I don't have much, but I know for certain that the little amount I can give to some charities has contributed in making a difference in someone's life. And that by little by little, when we all come together, that 20% of us (especially that 1% on the top), we can make a great impact and monumental step forward in helping eradicate the severe poverty that is still existent. My mom always tells me,
"Lo ultimo que se puerde perder es la fe" ~ "Faith is the last thing we can lose"We CANNOT allow them to lose hope in a better tomorrow. Here are some charities that are my favorite and where donations will be great Christmas gifts to give:
- itsjudyslife and benjimantv with their Dancember movement. Every December, they dance every year for their viewers in order to raise money for the charity of their choice. Other Youtubers also tend to tag along and I know this year is supposed to be HUGE! The charity of their choice for 2016 is feedONE, a Convey of Hope initiative where they plan to raise $500,000 to feed children in poverty.
- Angelina Jolie with USA for UNHCR, a charity that focuses on providing aid to dislocated people, refugees, where sadly the numbers keep increasing. They help those who are fleeing Aleppo and Mosul as well as many other places.
- Pencils of Promise where since 2009 they have been able to build 380 schools. It takes $35,000 to build a school, so if just the people of NYC each gave one dollar to this charity, and in NYC there's 8.4 million people, that would make 250 schools. Just one city with 1 dollar.
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| Gotta add a Mulan quote up in here because Disney can be deep. |
Count your blessings this holiday season and try to give the gift of opportunity and faith to those who need it so much. So little can do SO much.
With lots of love,
Karen
-The Chic Engiruvian
11.27.2016 / changes, dreams, eleanor roosevelt, fearless, gratitude, los angeles, peruvian, peruvian-american
Fearless Changes
Hello there,
Don't be scared to go with your gut feeling and what your heart is calling for. Don't be afraid to try new things, whether it be a new vegetable or a new hobby. Don't be judging to get to know someone just because of their appearance or religion or sexual orientation. Being scared, afraid, and judging are all fears, fears that are stopping you from being open to experiences in your life that you may come to love and value. I know so many people who have these fears ingrained in them and they are deprived of so many wonderful experiences.
A few years ago I was very fearful of many things, of thinking in a different way and leaving someone I was used to be around always. I was afraid of change because I was so comfortable with where I was. Little did I know, that this mindset and this person didn't go in sync with the kind of person I wanted to become. The decision to make this change in my life suddenly happened and I'm no longer the person I was when I started college and that itself has been very rewarding to me. I now care more about what I need to do to achieve the goals I've set for myself and what I can do to better myself in order to help out my community with my heart and soul. To be surrounded by only people who truly love and care about me, no matter how few of them it can be and to try new things that will lead me to enriching experiences. I became exposed to new places and new opportunities that I wouldn't have known of if I didn't make these changes.
If you are in a position where you're afraid of change and feel fearful of the unknown and uncertain, just know that, "Things happen for a reason"(life motto). What would've happened to the bird in the nest if it decided to stay comfortably and safe in there? It would've never learned to fly and discovered all the incredible places in this beautiful world of ours. Every mistake you may make comes with a lesson that will make you a wiser and better version of yourself. Every experience in life, whether it be bad or good, is intended to bring you closer to your dreams and purpose in life.
I believe that we are all destined to do something great in our lifetime, with a special gift that no one but YOU has. Destined to live life fully and this is only possible if we are courageous to overcome the fears that live in our mind and stop you from making the changes in your life that will lead you to your life purpose.
This week, challenge yourself and do something different everyday, BIG or small.
With love,
Karen
-The Chic Engiruvian
Long time no see! I've been a bit busy these past few days with assignments, work, and catching up with my sister who lives in Massachusetts and was back for Thanksgiving break. I've also been pretty pensive...can you believe that this week it'll be December, the last month of the year?! It blows my mind how quickly this year went by and also all the things I was able to do that I had my mind set on doing back in 2015. Many of these goals I achieved wouldn't have been possible if I wasn't fearless and accepted making some changes in life. Without overcoming whichever fear you may have, you will never see the change you want to see in you...in your life. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt:
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences."This quote happens to be my reflection of the day in my beloved National Geographic book, Daily Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection (click on the title if you are interested in purchasing it). Through being fearless and accepting change, I've had wonderful experiences this year that have been enriching to my soul and have helped me in discovering who I am. Helping me to become the very best version of myself.
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| Overlooking Los Angeles from the Griffith Observatory. Always a dream of mine to go here at night. |
A few years ago I was very fearful of many things, of thinking in a different way and leaving someone I was used to be around always. I was afraid of change because I was so comfortable with where I was. Little did I know, that this mindset and this person didn't go in sync with the kind of person I wanted to become. The decision to make this change in my life suddenly happened and I'm no longer the person I was when I started college and that itself has been very rewarding to me. I now care more about what I need to do to achieve the goals I've set for myself and what I can do to better myself in order to help out my community with my heart and soul. To be surrounded by only people who truly love and care about me, no matter how few of them it can be and to try new things that will lead me to enriching experiences. I became exposed to new places and new opportunities that I wouldn't have known of if I didn't make these changes.
If you are in a position where you're afraid of change and feel fearful of the unknown and uncertain, just know that, "Things happen for a reason"(life motto). What would've happened to the bird in the nest if it decided to stay comfortably and safe in there? It would've never learned to fly and discovered all the incredible places in this beautiful world of ours. Every mistake you may make comes with a lesson that will make you a wiser and better version of yourself. Every experience in life, whether it be bad or good, is intended to bring you closer to your dreams and purpose in life.
I believe that we are all destined to do something great in our lifetime, with a special gift that no one but YOU has. Destined to live life fully and this is only possible if we are courageous to overcome the fears that live in our mind and stop you from making the changes in your life that will lead you to your life purpose.
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| With the sister at LACMA clinging for dear life. |
With love,
Karen
-The Chic Engiruvian
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| Wearing aviators while leaning on an aviator mural. |
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.
10.23.2016 / familiy, gratitude, peru
Heart of a Fighter - The Sacrifices of Volunteer Firefighters in Peru
Good morning, good evening, or good afternoon,
This year I was blessed to spend my New Years in Lima, Peru for the first time with my huge family and warm next door neighbors which you can watch part of that experience in my Peru vlog to get a glimpse of it. Well, a tradition that is typically done to bring in the new year is something that's known as La Quema de los Munecos, dolls that are made up of old clothes and burned. This is done in representation of letting go of negative energy and bad luck. As you can imagine, this is dangerous because of how flammable clothes is and how easily the flames can get out of control.
Sadly, this very nightmare occurred that night a block from me when some kids had placed fireworks in their muneco (smh) and the sparks got into the school nearby .Luckily we had a firefighter among our neighbors. While the fire truck was coming, he first screamed out to see if anyone was in there and luckily there wasn't and then he stormed into his house and asked the neighbors to get buckets of water to help ease the fire. Without any hesitation, he climbed over the gates of the school and did all he can to end the fire. The firefighters soon came afterwords and in the end there were very minimal burns to the school which could've been a whole other story if it wasn't for the quick actions of our neighbor the firefighter who btw was definitely not even in his 20's.
This situation quickly replayed in my head as I watched the news earlier this week in shock over the disappearance of three firefighters who had gone in to try to rescue a man trapped in the inferno of a fire that occurred in La Agustino where there was a shoe factory and a health government building (which was going to be checked for corruption reasons). I was even more devastated when they were found dead.
In the United Stated, firefighters are paid well, have all the latest material and gear, and are given several benefits; deserving for risking their lives everyday to save ours, the utmost sacrifice. In Peru, that's not the case. Becoming a firefighter there is like being initiated in a beautiful brotherhood where they VOLUNTARILY sacrifice their life everyday, and they wouldn't even want to be a firefighter anymore if it meant that they had to get paid. It's still incredulous to me that these men go through so many ordeals, but to them it's still a complete honor to be able to serve others. This has been going on since 1860 and many times you see entire families that have been involved in this brotherhood for generations, their own legacy.
These men, who are asked of so much...are given so little. You would think...hey, if you're not getting paid for protecting and saving the lives of those in danger, might as well allocate money in order to provide them with the necessary equipment. Also, wouldn't you think that these heroes AT LEAST deserve a proper pension after retiring or health insurance benefits when they're injured from putting their life on the line? Unfortunately, nope. Peru is a country where politicians that spend their time in Congress playing PokemonGO and sleeping are paid WAY too much money, money that can be used to benefit the lives of many, even their own.
On average per week, there are 190 fires and 1,050 car accidents (how surprising) that goes on in Lima and in the whole country, there are only 12,000 firefighters that carry this heavy weight. They are only given one bunker gear, an oxygen tank that lasts only between ~ 30-40 minutes, and one pair of boots. The boots are typically worn out quickly so they then have to resort on using old ones from others which can many times not even adequately fit them. The firetrucks are very outdated, for the past 80 years, some of their equipment and gear has been renovated only 3 times so eveyone does their part in taking really good care of everything. They don't have an adequate health insurance, many times injured firefighters have been dismissed and turned down from hospitals for this very reason. They aren't given a pension after they're 70 years old, money is only given if they DIE and in that case, their families can be given at most...only 68,000 soles, about 22,250 dollars, that's if they die.
So many sacrifices on their behalf and it's so disheartening to me that the government and the people themselves don't take the action of doing something to help these heroes out, they need our help. I've seen first hand the passion these men and women have in this job where they are willing to give what's most sacred to us, our life. They have kids and loved ones waiting for them at home with great pride in what they do, even if it means not seeing them ever again. They don't ask for any monetary pay, only for money to go into getting the material they need to save as many lives as possible and also a proper health care and pension which they are SO DESERVING OF!
I've realized that true happiness is not found in seeking things of monetary value, those things don't come in the tomb with you. True happiness is found when you can make an impact in someone's life, leaving memories that no one can ever take away from you. This is exactly the reward for these heroes, los Bomberos Voluntarios del Peru.
How will you impact someone's life today?
Karen Monge
-The Chic Engiruvian
This year I was blessed to spend my New Years in Lima, Peru for the first time with my huge family and warm next door neighbors which you can watch part of that experience in my Peru vlog to get a glimpse of it. Well, a tradition that is typically done to bring in the new year is something that's known as La Quema de los Munecos, dolls that are made up of old clothes and burned. This is done in representation of letting go of negative energy and bad luck. As you can imagine, this is dangerous because of how flammable clothes is and how easily the flames can get out of control.
Sadly, this very nightmare occurred that night a block from me when some kids had placed fireworks in their muneco (smh) and the sparks got into the school nearby .Luckily we had a firefighter among our neighbors. While the fire truck was coming, he first screamed out to see if anyone was in there and luckily there wasn't and then he stormed into his house and asked the neighbors to get buckets of water to help ease the fire. Without any hesitation, he climbed over the gates of the school and did all he can to end the fire. The firefighters soon came afterwords and in the end there were very minimal burns to the school which could've been a whole other story if it wasn't for the quick actions of our neighbor the firefighter who btw was definitely not even in his 20's.
This situation quickly replayed in my head as I watched the news earlier this week in shock over the disappearance of three firefighters who had gone in to try to rescue a man trapped in the inferno of a fire that occurred in La Agustino where there was a shoe factory and a health government building (which was going to be checked for corruption reasons). I was even more devastated when they were found dead.
In the United Stated, firefighters are paid well, have all the latest material and gear, and are given several benefits; deserving for risking their lives everyday to save ours, the utmost sacrifice. In Peru, that's not the case. Becoming a firefighter there is like being initiated in a beautiful brotherhood where they VOLUNTARILY sacrifice their life everyday, and they wouldn't even want to be a firefighter anymore if it meant that they had to get paid. It's still incredulous to me that these men go through so many ordeals, but to them it's still a complete honor to be able to serve others. This has been going on since 1860 and many times you see entire families that have been involved in this brotherhood for generations, their own legacy.
These men, who are asked of so much...are given so little. You would think...hey, if you're not getting paid for protecting and saving the lives of those in danger, might as well allocate money in order to provide them with the necessary equipment. Also, wouldn't you think that these heroes AT LEAST deserve a proper pension after retiring or health insurance benefits when they're injured from putting their life on the line? Unfortunately, nope. Peru is a country where politicians that spend their time in Congress playing PokemonGO and sleeping are paid WAY too much money, money that can be used to benefit the lives of many, even their own.
On average per week, there are 190 fires and 1,050 car accidents (how surprising) that goes on in Lima and in the whole country, there are only 12,000 firefighters that carry this heavy weight. They are only given one bunker gear, an oxygen tank that lasts only between ~ 30-40 minutes, and one pair of boots. The boots are typically worn out quickly so they then have to resort on using old ones from others which can many times not even adequately fit them. The firetrucks are very outdated, for the past 80 years, some of their equipment and gear has been renovated only 3 times so eveyone does their part in taking really good care of everything. They don't have an adequate health insurance, many times injured firefighters have been dismissed and turned down from hospitals for this very reason. They aren't given a pension after they're 70 years old, money is only given if they DIE and in that case, their families can be given at most...only 68,000 soles, about 22,250 dollars, that's if they die.
So many sacrifices on their behalf and it's so disheartening to me that the government and the people themselves don't take the action of doing something to help these heroes out, they need our help. I've seen first hand the passion these men and women have in this job where they are willing to give what's most sacred to us, our life. They have kids and loved ones waiting for them at home with great pride in what they do, even if it means not seeing them ever again. They don't ask for any monetary pay, only for money to go into getting the material they need to save as many lives as possible and also a proper health care and pension which they are SO DESERVING OF!
I've realized that true happiness is not found in seeking things of monetary value, those things don't come in the tomb with you. True happiness is found when you can make an impact in someone's life, leaving memories that no one can ever take away from you. This is exactly the reward for these heroes, los Bomberos Voluntarios del Peru.
How will you impact someone's life today?
Karen Monge
-The Chic Engiruvian
10.18.2016 / book recommendations, gratitude, peru, peruvian-american
The Conquest to My Heritage and Manuela Saenz
Good evening or good morning, wherever you are,
First of all I would like to share my quote of the day in my "Daily Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection" book which I love;
First of all I would like to share my quote of the day in my "Daily Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection" book which I love;
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."
- Helen Keller
Just two days ago I finished reading an incredible book that by fate I randomly came across at my local library, Nuestras Vidas Son los Rios by Jaime Manrique, which in English translates to, Our Lives Are the Rivers which by the way, the book was originally written in English. I've recently become very engrossed on Latin American History, especially on Incan Civilization and the birth of La Ciudad de los Reyes, Lima. Why? Well because I've been tracing back my family tree, in particular my mother's side as of now and I've always been curious on my ancestry and my family's position in the early 1800's when Simon Bolivar was starting to liberate nations from the Spaniards.
In order to learn more about the history of Peru, I purchased the book History of the Conquest of Peru by William H. Prescott and this book is a treasure to me, especially since I was lucky to purchase a collector's edition for a great price! About 2 weeks after buying this book, after work I felt this desire to visit my library and I had no idea what kind of book to get but when I went to the Spanish section, the first book I saw was this one and after a quick read of the back of the book, I was hooked.
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| La Ciudad de los Reyes taken by moi. |
This book is a novela based on real life events that occurred in the life of Manuela Saenz, an Ecuadorian political activist who is most recognized for being known as La Libertadora del Libertador and to Simon Bolivar, Manuelita. She had a difficult childhood as an illegitimate daughter of am Ecuadorian mother who died when Manuelita was very young and a Spanish military officer who already had another family and didn't come into her life until many years later. She played a pivotal role in the liberation of Peru from Spain with the help of her beloved friend, Rosita Campuzano and because of her contributions she was awarded with the highest award that is bestowed in Peru, the Order of the Sun aka La Orden el Sol del Peru (#goals).
Not only that, but this brave woman actively participated and combated in battles alongside Simon Bolivar and the rebels like in the Battle of Junin and the Battle of Ayacucho (where my father's side is from, Larcay, Ayacucho) where her cleverness in the battles led her to being promoted to Colonel. This was in the 1820's, a time where women had very limited liberties, were not even entitled to an opinion, had to spend all day being modest and praying and here was Manuela Saenz, fighting and killing off Spaniards dressed in her soldier attire of red and blue!
Her very liberal views and her romantic love affair with Simon Bolivar who in the end was the love of her life and the force that pushed Bolivar to continue his fight against the Spaniards led to her heart breaking ending. She was forced out of Colombia, Ecuador, and most of Peru except Paita where she lived her last days reminiscing on her golden days with Bolivar.
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| Manuelita, la Libertadora del Libertador with the Order of the Sun #goalz |
I can see so much of my great-grandmother in this remarkable woman, two women who were way beyond their time. Manuelita is definitely a Latina to look up to, she was ridiculed for doing the right thing during her time and paid a harsh price for it, but I'm sure she's now proud to see that her sacrifices didn't go in vain and is admired by many women like me. I will definitely go to the museum that was made in honor of her in Quito, Ecuador.
Wuynas nuchis and I hope you make the best out of this new day.
-Karen
The Chic Engiruvian
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