Cusco is declared a zone of emergency

I was evacuated to Cusco on monday for fear of the main bridge collapsing as the others had, leaving no way out of Urubamba. Well I must tell you I made my way back to Urubamba on tuesday to gather the rest of my belongings as well as check on Ada and the children of Mosoq Runa(I couldnt leave without making sure they were alright) there were lots of tears and goodbye kisses. I told them that I didn't know how but sometime before the year was over, I would find a way to come back so we can complete the work we had begun. they all shouted with Joy at that point. I left them with more learning gifts and then headed back to Cusco early wednesday morning to take refuge until my flight from cusco to lima on monday morning. If all goes well(which I am sure it will) I will be back in the states by tuesday. Send us all your positive energy and prayers, more especially for the children and all of Peru.
Your donations are needed now more than ever, Please click the link "Donate" on the right of this page to send in your donation of $10 or more if you are able. Think how many times you've spent $10 at Starbucks or Mcdonald's, The same ten dollars can be used to help save the life of a child or their entire family. Thanks for sharing and thanks for caring
Love you all and I will see you soon

Diva

The following is a letter I received via email....

Dear Diva,


Cusco is declared a zone of emergency

The past three days in Cusco have been tense and tragic for both stranded tourists around Machu Picchu and townsfolk left homeless due to continued rains. Ten people have died as of Wednesday afternoon, including an Argentine tourist and her guide on the Inca trail. Hundreds of tourists are stuck in Aguas Caliente, the town outside of Machu Picchu. Read a compilation of important and breaking news by LivinginPeru.com. Keep informed by visiting our news, our Facebook page or our Twitter account.

Progress Report update

A list of a few of my accomplishments from ¨My International Mission to Peru¨

1. Masterfully traversed the language barrier and promoted English awareness by implementing alternative learning strategies; including art education and games.
2. Utilized heritage awareness and cultural pride exercises to create a learning exchange of languages and traditions.
3. Created a jovial and immersive learning environment as an alternative to the existing rote and rigid paradigm of Peruvian public schools.
4. Imbued and earned trust via mutual respect, honesty, acceptance and tolerance.
5. Engendered self-awareness, positivity, expression and love with active lessons in storytelling, listening, games and song. Example, I can see clearly and "El sueño imposible." (The Impossible Dream.)
6. Introduced the value of creative visualization, belief in oneself, and holding onto dreams. Example, the Wall of Dreams project, entitled "Nunca renuncies tus sueños." (Never give up on your dreams.)
7. Negotiated to bring a free Equestrian Therapy program to the children.
8. Encouraged the kids to write a history of their lives from beginning to end,
How it has been from their earliest memories and how they see it through to their adult life, using creative visualizations

Sneek peek of the wall mural artwork

These kids have a wonderful talent for art

The Psychology of learning by use of games

I began familiarizing the kids with Left/right hand and foot, by teaching them the Hokey Pokey dance, now they are using a game I brought them called "Twister"(I'm sure most of you remember this game from your own childhood)They are able to have a total recall of their colors and distinguish which is right/left hand and foot. The other kids are using hula hoops to recite their numbers in english. We also use jump ropes for number counting

Memory Review

Here I'm working with the younger kids. They really are enjoying learning the english vocabulary. I'm giving them a quick memory review of the english words we've studied before, by use of dual language flash cards purchased in the United States, Because these are not items that can be easily found here in Peru. The educational system for these kids are so inadequate that it's really sad. But because of your generosities, these kids are being exposed to a new way of learning not provided in the school systems here. I thank you and the kids thank you!

Hey Hey The Gang's All Here!

Well it's not quite the whole gang, but it's most of them. We're taking a break from working on the wall mural. The sun got a little bright, So we decided to make the best of it and have a little kodak moment

Your Donations at Work!

The kids normally walk everywhere no matter how far, even a walk to school each day is a 30-45 minute walk. Now thanks to your generous donations all the kids have bicicletas(Bicycles). You should have seen their faces, one kid wanted to sleep with his to make sure nothing ever happened to it. Nexos Voluntarias originally chose to use the money to support their Nevo social fund, that would be used to create a competition for the artisans and other projects in the area, But anybody that knows me, Know that I raised the roof, I said "Hell to the No" I told them that was quite honorable of them, but my donations were raised to help the children at Mosoq Runa
I made that clear from the beginning and I don't stutter. So after a few hem and haws, they had a board meeting, and they gave in to making sure the money was given over to Mosoq Runa for the kids. Yay!! I've been told that no one has ever questioned their decisions as to how the donated money should be spent, That's just because they had never encountered "The Diva", I am totally 100% all about the kids.
I will write an expose' about Nexos in a "coming soon" Blog. so stay tuned. and please continue to send in your donations, I will personally make sure that it is the kids that benefit from your generosities. Go to paypal- "thetellingtree@aol.com"

The Wall Of Dreams

In addition to teaching English to the kids of Mosaq Runa, one of the most important of things that I have attempted to do with the kids at Mosoq Runa is to encourage them to believe in themselves and to dream bigger dreams and never give up on those dreams. So I initiated a project to paint a wall mural inside their courtyard as a reminder to them to always follow their dreams. This project is aptly named "Nunca Renuncies tus a Sueno".... "Never Give up on your Dreams!

As you can see from the picture, this dream team is hard at work and totally committed to seeing their project through to completion...So stay tuned for the finished masterpiece!

El Sueno Imposible - (The Impossible Dream)

Everyone has a dream at some point or another in their life, It maybe as simple as wanting a new pair of shoes, or it may be something that seems so far from our reach, that we deem it impossible. Well I have come to know that it's all about perspective.
If you are possible, so is everything else. Now look at the word "IMPOSSIBLE" again, but this time from a different perspective..
IM Possible...I am Possible!! and since you are possible, so are your dreams. You start by believing in you and the higher power that gave you the value of being. We are not Humans having a spiritual experience, We are spirit having a human experience.

According to the laws of the Universe, That which you believe is possible, is indeed possible. Just in the same way that when you plant a seed in the ground, It never occurs to you that it will not grow, even though it is beneath the dirt and there is no evidence of growth, you keep watering it, and keep believing it will one day sprout and blossom, and because you do, It does. So it is with our dreams. Keep dreaming the Impossible dream to be possible and it will. Wake up everyday expecting the miracle of your dreams to become possible, keep watering it with belief, excitement and expectation and watch it sprout and blossom into a joyous reality. I love you and keep dreaming!!
P.s Don't worry about the "how" or the "when"
In fact don't worry at all, just believe!

What we Take for Granted

I'm so accustomed to drinking cold water that I never even think about it as being a big deal. Since I drink water constantly throughout the day, I like to keep my bottled water in the freezer until it's time for me to head out so that it stays cold for most of the day. When I showed up at Mosoq Runa with my half frozen water bottle, the kids were simply astonished. They each took turns shaking it to watch as the ice floated vigorously in the bottle. The would shout hielo! (which sounds a lot like "yellow") or before passing it to the next kid. They were so amazed. I was also amazed at their innocent bewilderment.

That day I found out that most of the homes in Urubamba are not equipped with refrigerant systems. Therefore, all beverages are consumed at room temperature, even at most restaurants and stores. In Urubamba, you will not see neon signs in the storefront windows displaying "Cold Beer" even on the hottest days. At that moment, the bottled water wasn't the only thing frozen. My mind became frozen and my thoughts drifted as I pondered how much we take for granted.

The majority of homes in the United States have refrigerators to keep our perishables fresh and our liquids cold. We also have heat to warm us in the winter season and water furnaces to provide us with hot water for bath and/or showers or simply just to wash our hands. For a large number of us, walking is a leisure activity or a cardio sport to keep us fit. While for most of our goings and comings, we jump in our personal vehicles to go to a store, located less than 5-10 minutes away.

Now don't misunderstand, they have different modes of transportation here... mototaxis, taxi cars, collectivotaxis(which are usually crammed to the max, not only with people, but also with animals and their lovely, fragrant aromas). Every time I've had to ride in one, it was like putting your life at jeopardy as they whirl around dangerous curves. Can you say,Where the hell are the guard rails? Driving at incredible speeds, swirling in and around other vehicles so haphazardly that you almost pee your pants. I have learned to adjust by either tightly closing my eyes or just going to sleep with a prayer on my lips.

There are some that cannot afford the 1-6 soles they charge. So they wrap their babies or whatever products they may have whether it's wood, food supplies or laundry in an Incan blanket called Mantas Incas traditionally used by indigenous Peruvians to carry their loads then they walk the mountainous miles home. Some of us will not walk to the corner if we were paid to do it (sad, but true).

Want to talk about culture shock? Here's one for the books. Imagine my most horrified Diva expression when I asked for a restroom (el bano) and was taken to an outhouse made of stones and straw. The toilet was a hole in the ground and it had no toilet paper (I've learned to carry my own…hah!), no handle to flush. Plus, the llamas kept their eyes on me the whole time. I was not sure what that was about but I did my business and got the hell (is that pronounced "yell" in Spanish?) up out of there, LOL!!




We have definitely become a society of overabundance, gluttony and ingratitude. Oh how we take things for granted! I, too, am guilty of the above charges. I pray that these experiences will not only make me more aware of my excesses and tendency to mistake my wants for needs, but also allow me to become a more grateful, non-glutinous person that no longer takes my life and everything in it for granted. I love you all and take heed!!

Sillustani:The Andean Taj Mahal
Sillustani is an ancient burial ground near lake Titikaka. The tombs are built above the ground,
and with deep symbolism. The ancient people in Peru believed in a mother earth that created and
regulated life. When a person died, they were mummified in the fetal position, just like they came into the
world. The doors of the tombs face east, because that is where the Sun is born from the mother earth
every day.

What is Enough?

Is there such a thing as enough? The dictionary defines the word enough as follows:

e⋅nough  /ɪˈnʌf/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [i-nuhf]
–adjective
1. adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire:

–pronoun
2. an adequate quantity or number; sufficiency.

–adverb 3. in a quantity or degree that answers a purpose or satisfies a need or desire; sufficiently.

4. fully or quite: ready enough.

So with those particular definitions in mind is there anything that is enough?

Is there ever enough love? I've met people who were loved and admired greatly, yet seemed totally oblivious or unappreciative to the affection shown to them. There are also those that are constantly showered with love and attention and still feel that it is inadequate.


Does anyone ever feel they have enough money? There are some that have riches, others only dream about, yet are consumed only with the desire to make more.

What of those that have been afforded almost every opportunity in life, yet dwell in the misery of what is not afforded.

There are also those that delight in the trivia of collecting things for the sake of ownership and possession, without regard to the fact that possession is only a figment of one's own imagination. For we bought nothing into this world and I have heard that we most certainly take nothing out.

I remember my daughter sharing with me a major premise, that all human beings operate either through the process of love or fear. I pondered that for awhile to find the truth in it because what is true for me always resonates within me.

I realized that I existed in my early years in absolute fear. Fear of not being loved, not being accepted, not being good enough, fear of being judged unfairly, fear of not having anything worthwhile to say, do or be, fear of not being pretty enough or fine enough, fear of being misused and abused..... again!

I discovered that everything that I feared, appeared. So I have decided enough is enough!

Because my spirit is akin to the Hummingbird that drinks the nectar of everything fragrant and beautiful. Therefore, I have created a flower where each petal represents all things I find joy in and I will drink from the nectar of that enjoyment as I flit through the fragrant beauty of all that life has to offer.

I have chosen to operate only through the process of love. Whether or not it is enough for you, it will certainly be enough for me. Let me repeat.....I choose "LOVE" and that is all the enough I need.

You Can't keep a Good Woman Down!

This is me, just before getting discharged from the hospital today.
Thank you for all of your well wishes and prayers. The doctor told me that if I allowed myself to rest for three or four days, and follow his instructions,that I should be able to continue my mission without any hindrances. I'll do just that, because I've come to far to turn around, Plus you can't keep a good woman down!!!
and you know this!!! (smile) Love you and thanks for keeping up with my journey