A Few Things I Have Learned...(in no specific order)

1. Spanish (duh...still not fluent, though. But getting there.)
2. Salsa (yay!)
3. The irony in what we call valuables considering a few things: Our material possessions are constantly coming and going and therefore hold far less value than the non-material. The most valuable valuables are actually the least valuable, because they put you nearly within reach of the next best thing...enough to make you want it and inherently depreciate what you already have. Given the nature of valuables, a far more fitting term would be something like hold-looslies.
4. How frustrating it is to teach English as a second language.
5. How frustrating the English language is (here is the Rule. now here are the countless exceptions to the Rule.)
6. How long it takes to blog (a freaking long time. Especially if you're posting pics.)
7. That cereal in a bowl with ice-cold 2% milk is one of my great loves and I miss it dearly.
8. Pick-pockets have the gift of a ghost-like presence.
9. Having your purse zipped closed and slung across your shoulder and under your arm is not enough to deter pick-pockets from targeting you. Due to their ghost-like presence, you must clutch your bag in front of you whenever entering a crowd.
10. I have the best, most understanding, empathetic, and compassionate mother anyone could possibly get. (well, maybe I knew that already.)
11. That the saddest, worst part of being here is always having to say goodbye to the great people you meet.
12. I really enjoy painting.
13. All things have their end.
14. The vegetable-y flavor of coca leaves is best disguised when mixed with brownie batter.
15. I'm not as afraid of sharks as I thought. (went surfing twice!)
16. Wasi means house in Quechua.
17. I love Peru.