I'm Peruvian NOW!!!

If you live somewhere long enough, eventually you are going to assimilate (SAT word) into the culture whether you like it or not. Well, I have assimilated in many areas after living overseas for almost 3 years.

Here are just a few ways that I have become Peruvian/Latin:

I drink, and prefer, my "water" (not soda though) without ice and at room temperature.

BEEP BEEP! My horn has become as important as the brake pedal! I probably average 10-15 honks per car ride.

I don't leave messages on voice mails anymore. Why be the only person who does it?

I wear Jeans when it is hot outside.

My baby doesn't go anywhere without a blanket so that he can have is body and head covered even if it is 85 degrees outside.

I eat rice at least twice a day (when I'm not trying to lose weight).

I stay up really late and sleep in (when the kids weren't and aren't in school).

Instead of eating at 7, 12, and 5 p.m., my eating schedule has become 9 p.m., 2 and 7 p.m. or later.

If I drink coffee, I prefer it with hot milk and definitely not a powdered cream.

We have at least 2 bags of fresh bread in our home at all times.

Our family eats at Menus (the cheapest place you can eat which averages $2-$3 a plate for an appetizer, meal, drink and desert) at least once a week instead of a franchised restaurant.

Instead of shaking hands, I greet everyone with a kiss on the cheek and a light hug.

And I greet EVERYONE in the room this way.

I don't wear much makeup anymore. Maybe this is laziness instead of cultural assimilation! :)

90% of all of our meals are prepared from scratch and we don't each too much processed foods.

And....we have an empleada that cleans our house 2 times a week. She does the laundry too. Okay, now I'm just bragging. :)

My life is rather laid back, very flexible and subject to change at a moments notice (typical Peruvian).

I have become more "non" commital.

I use to be a "confrontational" persona and didn't hesitate to say "no." Now I find myself saying yes even when I don't want to and I avoid confrontation at all costs.

I dream in Spanish and am constantly translating songs into Spanish in my mind.

Our house has gas stoves, gas dryers and a gas heater.

We have no air conditioning and the windows are open most of the time.

All the doors are locked and unlocked from the inside with a key.

What's a dishwasher?

I don't have to pump gas anymore because it's all full service.

WOW!! Boy have I changed and my life, too! And that's not EVEN touching on the spiritual realm. I could do a post about that later if you are interested.