immigration

9.16.2017

Mis Guerreros!

¿ Imaynalla kachkanki?

Yes, I have been MIA from my beloved blog and readers but I have a pretty good excuse, I got a new job over the summer that has been taking up most of mental energy and well in terms of physical energy, I've become immersed in different activities that have kept me exhausted. I decided to try kickboxing and I ended up loving it more than I imagined, it's an amazing way to get in shape and let out all that stress! I've also decided to try Colombian salsa and Brazilian samba classes after contemplating it for a while and they're both dances that require very quick feet movement. These are all things that bring me immense happiness and I've lately just been doing things that bring value to my life. No one will care or push you through your internal fears more than YOURSELF so always remember, to TREAT YO' SELF!

On that note, my blog has always been in the back of my mind, and now more than ever with what's been going on in the past few weeks with DACA. You guys are going through a difficult time and I would like to share a quote to anyone going through difficult times:

Tough times don't last, tough people DO
- Robert H. Schuller

Life in general, the life of an immigrant and being part of an immigrant family is one filled with many obstacles but think about all that we've gone through until this moment. Find strength in all the times you 've pushed yourself through the lows of your life and overcame them. You know what is something we all have grasped from these painful experiences? We. get. through. them. Fate puts these experiences in our lives to make us stronger and wiser...guerreros, warriors.

This may sound cliche but my parents are my heroes. When I'm in a situation where everything just seems dark and it's impossible to get out, I think of all that my parents have done to get to where they are now. Our parents didn't have the option to say "It's impossible" when they got here, there was no turning back. These experiences gave us the thick skin and perseverent mindsets that have made us unstoppable.


Achieving a dream never comes easy, and for those who do have DACA and for those that didn't qualify, the path is not as smooth and filled with bumps along the road, but never lose faith and get to the finish line. The plan you originally had may not work but change the plan, not the goal.

If you need anyone to talk to for some uplifting, I without a doubt am all ears and you can email me or send me a message through my instagram; kay_monge

Also, application fees are very expensive ($495) and by going to Undocumedia's page you can help sponsor a DACA beneficiary!
To donate, click here
And to see what other ways you can support the #HeretoStay efforts, click here 

With much love and support,
Karen

-The Chic Engiruvian

2.15.2017

How is it February already?!

Happy 2017 my lovelies!

This past month and a half has been filled with new changes that have taken time to adjust to and I really feel like I'm now in a position to get back on the blogging grind. Also the truth is that lately I haven't felt the inspiration to pour out my heart into this blog like I did last year and I didn't just want to write whatever for the sake of putting content into this blog. I have jotted down a list of things I plan to write about on this blog on my beloved bando 2017 planner for the next couple of months and I'm very excited!



Besides that, I will like to sort of update you on a few things I've been up to and share with you some of the things I did for:
- New Years which was one of the best thus far πŸŽ† (besides my Ano Nuevo in Peru)
- The going away party I planned for my sister who is studying abroad in Europe πŸ—Ί
- Some protests I attended (cause Immigrants Make America Great Again) πŸ—½, and
- A few pictures that I took yesterday for Valentine's Day πŸ’–

New Years 2017

This was my first New Year's Eve that I spent away from my family and instead spent it alongside my boyfriend, his sister who came to visit from Los Angeles, and her best friend. His sister is friends with a DJ who's a party promoter for JunXion and they planned an incredible, one of a kind event! The party took place at the Paper Factory Hotel in LIC and the place was divided into different rooms that each had their own theme. There was an electrical Chinese dragon going around, aerialists, contortionists, body painters, drummers, and incredible performers that made the night memorable (sober or not).  Some of the people who attended came in costumes and you danced around fairies and even an astronaut! The place was filled with nothing but positive vibes and I highly recommend any of their other events, you can check out their events here.



Johanna's Going Away

My jojo bear is currently in the Netherlands studying for the Spring semester and to celebrate I decided to throw her a going away/ early 21st birthday party with the help of my mom and her two besties.  It was definitely not as easy as I thought since she's such a chismosa and I really didn't want her to even sense that there was any type of planning going on. I also don't know the majority of her friends and what type of food they will all like that is affordable yet delicious and presentable and I couldn't think of a better option than...PERUVIAN FOOD πŸ˜‹. The place we went to is Mezquite Restaurant which has both Peruvian and Mexican plates, it's BYOB (yas!), and there's an Italian bakery AND awesome family owned liquor store across the street. It was difficult bringing her into the restaurant (did not expect that at all haha), but overall it all went great with the yummy food, moscatos, and the company of her great friends. Miss and love ya jojo.




SJW

It's been not even a month since the inauguration of...that person, and the country has literally gone haywire under the power of someone who is not even qualified to be president. As a first generation American, the order of the Muslim Ban ( which has thankfully been taken away) blew my mind not only as a human being, but as someone who lives in a strong Muslim community. Going to these protests gave me hope in the future of this country and that we do have an impact in what happens in this country. I've been told that going to these protests is a waste of time but history has shown that peaceful protesting not only increases the visibility of the cause but it demonstrates the power we the people have. Politicians and federal judges notice this and make the moves to go forward and make our voices heard.



Valentine's Day

Yesterday was literally the fastest I have ever gotten ready for a date.I got ready in less than an hour and anyone who truly knows me is probably shocked because I'm very well known for taking forever to get ready. My bf made a reservation at our favorite sushi spot for 8:00 pm and I got home at 6:45 pm!!! I still don't know how I managed to be ready by 7:35 pm but I did and I will be in awe from that achievement for a very long time haha. We ended up being in a food coma after underestimating their bento box but overall we had a great time laughing over random stuff and reminiscing on our past V-Day's experiences. So thankful for you. Also, shout out to the sushi restaurant with the sweetest waitresses, Aji Sushi House in Ditmars Blvd in Astoria, Queens.They were so busy yesterday yet were so accommodating to everyone and their food was bomb af πŸ‘Œ.




I will be posting a Peruvian goodies haul very soon!

Buenas noches and love always,

Karen
-The Chic Engiruvian 

12.06.2016

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.

My loves
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,
"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.
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


11.07.2016

~ October Favorites ~

Hello there,

The first week of November has quickly gone by and I'm sure most of us cannot wait for this week to be over with already. To sort of get my mind away from all this election drama (btw, PLEASE vote!) I've decided to make a list of my ultimate favorite items for the month of October. Some of these items have made a huge impact in my life and I know that they also would to my readers so I couldn't help but share them with you. If you happen to be interested in any of these items, I will be including links to purchase these 11 products. I hope you all had a productive and positive Monday and a wonderful rest of the week and once again, PLEASE vote tomorrow.


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