A Few Pics for You

Coffee Roaster at Juan's
He roasts the same coffee beans as you've had from Bolivia's Best for sale in Bolivia
Your beans are sent in bulk to the States for roasting
He uses direct fire heat and the whole process looks insanely complicated
He has to stay diligent and pay attention the whole time
I know I'm grateful for my cup of java each morning!

Roberto's 2 sticker projects
He has the best handwriting I've ever seen
And he's pretty good at Uno too!

Me, Jen, and Craig
IOU interns with the orphanages and center
Jen and Craig are hilarious, kind, amazing friends

Living and Loving in Coch

Roberto, Erlan, Samuel, and Elian
Making sticker Projects at Villa Israel

Hola todos mis amigos! I’m here in Coch and already absolutely love it. This first week was a whirlwind of travel. There was a team here from NH and we did so many things including:

1. Sipi Sipi – outskirt village of Coch for a bread run to the kids, see Incan ruins
2. Coffee Roaster – Juan, a friend of the Timmers, has a coffee roaster for local sales, similar to that for the States
3. Chapari – jungle site of a few orphanages in progress, visit and bring mattresses, visit monkey park

I’ve been getting into the intern routine with Jen and Craig. Each week, we visit two orphanages, Frutillar and Villa Israel. We do homework, go to the playground, get afternoon snack, read Bible stories, play games, and color. We also go to the center to help tutor and play with neighborhood kids. God’s work is amazing and I’m blessed to be chosen in this setting, with these people. I absolutely love the kids and have been trying my hardest to savor every moment with each of them. I’m also enjoying simply living here—shopping in the market, going for runs, riding the buses, and cooking with roommates are just a few of the day to day events. I look forward to playing and attending soccer games, hiking a few mountains, and trying out new restaurants. I have a few firsts as well:

1. Riding atop the trufi up the mountain to the Incan ruins
2. Riding a moto (motorcycle) with Patto and Craig

International Cuisine

I'm getting really excited for Bolivian fruits and vegetables and the open air markets. As always, before I start on a new adventure, I ask myself, "What would Steve Brule do?" (Peter, how's that second stomach going for ya?")

In light of my Italian heritage, I wanted to share a sample of some pretty authentic, Italian cuisine I'm sure you've never tried before...and hosted by my favorite infomercial lady.

Lessons from the Moose Lodge

1. Remember what state you’re in. Laws vary.

2. He’s not staring at you. He’s watching the game on TV behind you.

3. Pre-packaged food can absorb unwanted flavors from the environment, no matter how thick the plastic.

4. There’s a reason children aren’t legal in bars, no matter how cute they look sipping 7-Up with Grandma.

5. Music makes the world go round.

6. Never go against the family. Moreover, do everything you can for the family.

Because I'll laugh about it anytime anywhere

"'Does he have it?' Is that what' they're singing? (pause) Why have I been singing 'Monkey hatchet'?"

"Is that the biggest popcorn ya got? That bucket?"

"If we were your kids, we'd punish ourselves!"

"Gee Porky, you sure know how to make a sandwich!"
"That's not sand. That's kitty litter."

"I see your drinking 1% milk. Is that 'cause you think you're fat? 'Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted."

"Pebble. There's a pebble there. Somebody should put up some orange cones..."

"Awww, she tripped. No, wait. She's running. No, she's slowing down. She stopped. She tripped. Yep, she tripped. You tripped!"

"And the waitress said, 'I have a problem with procrastination too.' And I said, 'Really? Get my sandwich.'"

"So I put my face in my backpack like this, and I just went (screams into backpack)."

"I'm sick of all the haters."

"I can't give you for $30. I give you for $30, tomorrow I close down!"

"Is your hot pocket cold in the middle?"
"It's frozen, but it can be served boiling lava hot."

I am beyond thankful for laughter. It's pretty much my favorite. These are just a few samples my friends and I quote and they always make me laugh. Spread the joy.

Chicago to Cochabamba

Given my current condition as a recent graduate of North Park (BA in biology, minor in chemistry) and heading to Bolivia, many people have asked me, "Leann, how do you feel!?!?" And I figure since everyone keeps asking, maybe you want to know too. So, I feel blessed, thankful, able, trained, anxious, excited, curious, and more all in one. I have had a great college experience, filled with amazing memories and learning experiences. I will miss sitting on my porch soaking up the afternoon sun, talking with anyone who walks by or stops for a chat. I will miss The Babe House (a.k.a. DiverCity), my seven beautiful, hilarious roommates, quoting youtube videos and having spontaneous dance parties. I will miss jumping on the trampoline at the stack and working out at Helwig. I will miss El rides, Kedzie restaurants, and walks in River Park. I will miss downtown, Evanston trips, and the daily life a college student.
However, I have so much to look forward to, including summertime, speaking Spanish, saltenas, trufi ride adventures. I am looking forward to the kids, holding, washing, reading, traveling, feeding, playing, playing and more playing! Oh man, I can't wait for the kids. I am looking forward to projects and hands-on activities. I am looking forward to new relationships and strengthening/rekindling old ones. And believe it or not, I am looking forward to the unknown.
I know, with my type A personality and plan-ahead nature, it doesn't come naturally, but I am still learning and growing. So, I count this excitement as God-driven, for sure. My heavenly Dad is taking this simple girl on a trip and I just can't wait.
For as many blessings as I've been given (just in these past 3.5 years!), I'm trying to give back as much as I can and serve the One who gave it all to me to start with.

Roommates
Nykki, Hannah, Tiffany, me, Laura, Mical, Liza, and Hanna

River ParkApple Orchard
Jami-Leigh, Emily, me, and Lauren

Cafe con leche

As another Chicago winter quickly approaches, I justify my coffee consumption with the fact that it's freezing outside. A more admirable rationalization is that I buy coffee from Bolivia's Best. This coffee business supports the International Orphanage Union in Bolivia by donating 100% of the proceeds to the kids. This coffee is DELICIOUS and it makes for great gifts! To buy coffee and learn more about how this business works, check out Bolivia's Best website.

http://www.boliviasbest.com/home.html