Tag Archives: expat in peru

After featuring Hajra Khatoon in last week’s post on her passion to start off the new year, I thought it was only pertinent that I continue with this gratitude-filled blog post for being nominated for the Inspiring Blog Award. I noticed that this is the third blogging award I’ve received from Hajra who blogs at Life, Laugh and Me where I’m a regular reader. And then another good blogging buddy, Muriel Jacques from 40blogSpot, bestowed me with the same award. You know I love you and that I’m eternally thankful to you, Hajra and Muriel, especially because you’ve spoiled me so much. =)

Someone thinks I’m inspiring? What an amazing feeling!

• I need to nominate 7 other inspiring bloggers who have inspired me in my journey.
• I also need to include 7 favorite words or phrases, which I’ll try to do in languages I’ve learned, understand, or speak.
• Finally, I need to share 7 little-known facts about myself.

1. Dare to Dream Big! by Sandy — It was an utter surprise to hear that Sandy passed away just last month. She blogged every week on inspirational people, young and old, and the last post is her children’s tribute to her.
2. Don’t Hang Up! by Pennie — Although Pennie’s blog is on hiatus, there’s much inspiration to peruse and I’m sure that she’ll be back blogging again soon. I’m subscribed and can’t wait for her to be back!
3. My Rivendell by Bonnie — There is so much humility and peace in Bonnie’s posts. She finds that perfect balance between identifying with her readers and encouraging them to be the best they can be.
4. What If Today… by Betsy — It’s such a joy to imagine alongside Betsy as she presents different scenarios that have us reflecting on why we are the way we are and how we can be better.
5. JanetteFuller.com by Janette — Through her expertise of writing book reviews, Janette is a well of information and the books she shares range from resources that can help us with our businesses to heartwarming children’s books.
6. Get Out of Stuck Excel by Roberta — We all find ourselves stuck again and again in one way or another. Roberta opens our eyes to how we can find ourselves stuck, and provides practical ideas and solutions.
7. Leaders West by Jim — Consistently packed with information on business, the Internet, and social media, this is a blog that has truly exploded within a year and it’s all because of Jim’s savviness and personality.

1. Perspicacious – Deceivingly sounds like “perspiration” when stuttered through but has nothing to do with sweat.
2. Guacamayo – Spanish for “macaw,” Roy’s favorite type of bird.
3. Katakataka – Filipino short form for “makes you wonder,” a tongue twister that’s easily misread.
4. Waa Ka Kuyapi – Cebuano slang for “You must be kidding” (literally, “Haven’t you fainted?”). Note: Cebuano is a Filipino dialect my dad speaks.
5. Cusi Cusi Japarispa – Quechua for “happily whooping for joy” (loose translation) from a children’s song a neighbor in Peru taught me. Japarispa refers to joyful shouts that go with the music during traditional Andean dances while Cusi means happy.
6. 金魚の糞 – Japanese for “goldfish poop” (pronounced kingyo no kuso), used to refer to clingy people, followers, or groupies as goldfish poop can “cling” to the fish.
7. 雷 – Chinese for “thunder” (pronounced Lui in my dialect, Minnanese), my Chinese surname.

My parents got a kick out of when I sang and danced to “I’m Too Sexy.”

1. A memory I have of childhood is singing “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred to my parents. I vaguely remember some sort of dance involved, accompanying “I do my little turn on the catwalk.” Phantom of the Opera’s theme song was another favorite.
2. I’m slightly allergic to kiwis, peaches and apple skin.
3. I used to run 10 km races and my fastest time was around 48 minutes, which is not a very competitive time but a huge improvement from when I first started.
4. Sometimes, I still accidentally say “it’s so traffic” and “open the light” because this is how they’re literally translated from the Filipino-Chinese language blend we speak at home.
5. I got my first smartphone, a BlackBerry, in December.
6. I’m a non-serious collector of unique American and Canadian coins I come upon, and movie tickets of movies I’ve been to. I haven’t collected many movie tickets from Peru because they’re ugly and just look like receipts.
7. I can count the number of times I’ve used makeup in my life on one hand.