Category Archives: Blog Peru

Life Priorities from Mom to Mom

Posted on April 30, 2013 | 6 Comments

“There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.” — Charles Dickens

Struggles are often the source of many life lessons and Sandy Hubbard has had more than her fair share of both as she balances life priorities including family, work and school. Co-owner of Luxurious Pet Supplies, Sandy shares about her mom, Linda, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Please send some encouraging words and love to Linda if you get the chance.

Sandy Hubbard en Viviendo con Gusto

Linda shared words of wisdom that Sandy lives by to this day.


Growing up, my mom always worked 2-3 jobs at a time. My parents had divorced, and she was desperately trying to save the house she, my sister, and I lived in. She missed school functions and didn’t always know what we were up to at night. We never held a grudge. We knew she was doing what she had to — for us. But to this day, my mom constantly apologizes for missing so much of our pre-teen/teen years. In one of these apologies, she gave me the best career advice I have ever received. “Don’t ever forget what you’re working for. You work for a living, you don’t live for work.”

As important as your career is, your family and life are much more important. Don’t let your job overwhelm you, and take away from family time. When you leave the office, leave the job behind. Focus on your family, relax and enjoy every minute.

Are you finding work-life balance? Why or why not?

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Work Ethic from Wise Men

Posted on March 19, 2013 | 8 Comments

“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” — Alfred Lord Tennyson

When it comes to role models, Rebecca Bangayan Ting has grown up with her fair share. Now that she’s a successful businesswoman, she reflects on how she observed different family members living with gusto and the lessons she learned from those elders.

Rebecca Ting en Viviendo Con Gusto

Some key family members were important role models for Rebecca as she grew up.


It has been said that modeling has a greater impact than mere talk. We live above a textile store and I grew up watching my papa constantly teaching and admonishing his proteges. Sadly though, my papa had a stroke when I was in college. He was paralyzed and couldn’t speak. However, I’d say that although advice was not directly given to me, I gathered my first career wisdom from Papa’s “teachings.” He not only taught, but he “walked his talk”; that is, to be honest in all your dealings with people in all aspects. This establishes your trustworthiness as a person.

The first career wisdom that was actually imparted to me directly was from my brother Ruben. He saw it fit to “preach” me with “the ethics of being true to your word” since papa wasn’t in the physical condition to do so and he being the big brother and all. Having a “palabra de honor” (word of honor) as they call it is also part and parcel of being honest and establishing your trustworthiness.

Although both pieces of career wisdom from my papa and my brother Ruben were meant to be applied to all aspects of my life, they have translated into my work ethic and have impacted my life a great deal. I am very thankful to my family for equipping me well. It has helped me avoid a lot of pitfalls in my career.

What important values did you pick up from role models in your childhood?

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The Natural Path to Passion

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 8 Comments

“Our passion is our strength.” — Billie Joe Armstrong

Being a software development engineer plays a part in but doesn’t define Kin Ming Li and his passions. Below, Kin shares thoughts on his path to passion and how you can carve out your own path:

Kin Ming Li en Viviendo con Gusto

Kin’s theory is that you need to question your passions.


When I was asked to write about my passion, I had to think twice about what my passions truly are. Despite having written a section about my passions on my personal web site, today I still constantly question myself whether those are my true passions. I mentioned that my main passions are technology and sports, but like many of you I am a person with many interests. However, it is definitely because I question my passions, it made me realize that those are my true passions.

There had been many times in the past when I was too lazy to play sports. Yet, I find myself being drawn to sports-related activities. I would be watching sports on the television, or reading fan comments on sports forums, or looking up sporting events in the future that may be of interest to me. Simiarly, with technology I would read blogs with news of the latest or trending technology. I could easily spend hours and hours on what I am passionate about, albeit not the most healthy lifestyle to have.

No matter how I question my passions, my life naturally gravitates towards related activities. The more you question them, the more you realize that those are unquestionably your true passions! So sit back, relax, and spend some time to question your passions. You will soon weed out the pretenders and find your true passions.

What so-called passion have you discovered to be one of the “pretenders”?

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Living in Peru: Firsts from a Peru Blogger

Posted on January 22, 2013 | 24 Comments

Coming to Peru in 2008 was one of the biggest “firsts” of my life. It was the first time I had moved to a developing country on my own and the entire experience has been string of firsts, even to this day. I guess that’s just the nature of living in a new, foreign, and unpredictable country!

Conociendo a Ollanta Humala

The president of Peru shook my hand during a country-wide earthquake drill.

  • The first time I touched down in Peru, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to communicate with anyone. Thankfully, my high school Spanish came back to me and I was speaking within the first week.
  • The first place I stayed at in Peru was my friend’s relative’s apartment in Lima that was filled with art and culture. I still feel that it was a perfect introduction to the country.
  • The first time I “watched a movie” in Peru, it was in a cabina: a little room with two beach chairs and an old TV. They put the movie in a DVD player. Huancayo has since graduated to a movie theater.
  • The first week I was in Peru, I went to a huge celebration typical of the Andes with hundreds of people packed shoulder-to-shoulder in two plazas passing beer around and dancing to groups of orchestras. I still have a scar from a castillon (pyrotechnic tower) spark that burned a hole through my shirt.
  • The first Peru blogger I ever met in person was Karen from Karencita de Peru. She has since moved back to Vancouver where I’m also originally from, so it’s easy to stay in touch.
  • The first pet I ever owned on my own was a cat and I became addicted. Roy and I ended up welcoming a second cat into our home, not knowing that there could be territorial issues. Thankfully, they ended up loving each other on their own.
  • The first time I met the president of Peru, Ollanta Humala, he shook my hand. It was during an earthquake drill at the main plaza in front of the government place in Lima.
  • The first time I was ever hospitalized was this past November when they found gallstones in my gall bladder. After all my concerns about my health in Peru, the most serious issue turned out to be a condition that probably has nothing to do with Peru at all. I’m currently waiting for surgery to get my gall bladder removed and I’m scheduled in for March, much earlier than I expected!
Tell me about one of your momentous and memorable firsts!

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Passion That Resurfaces

Posted on January 2, 2013 | 21 Comments

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” — Oprah Winfrey

A psychologist by profession, Hajra Khatoon has been through such a journey these past few years as she has been rediscovering her passion with gusto. Catch more of her writing at her blog, Life, Laugh and Me.

Hajra Khatoon en Viviendo con Gusto

Hajra has spent the last few years rediscovering her passion for writing.


As a kid, I always loved writing. I thought it was the best thing ever happening to me and that I could be the best writer ever. But then, I was a kid. I could think anything and everything. Somehow I lost touch with the interest and shifted to different fields.

Through a stint with voluntary unemployment (which was longer than I hoped for) and encouragement from family, I went back to writing again. I began with freelance content writing and juggled between blogging and writing. And I love it. I do like my work but writing is what makes me really happy. That is how I discovered my passion – writing. Although I am more practical and don’t think of myself as the best, I am trying my best. I have also joined a freelance writing course to indulge in my love for writing.

Though many people go around for years searching for their one true passion, I feel it is right there in front of us. We just have to realize it. Maybe I was lucky enough to pick up the pen and write and find my passion. What if I had never thought about giving it a try? So I don’t really feel that you have to go out there. Whatever makes you happy and gives you that joy might as well be your passion. Writing is mine and I have been very lucky to find it.

What is one thing that has always made you happy that naturally became a passion for you?

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