Busy Busy Busy!

wow... all I can say is wow.

I have been SO busy! All such cool things!

First things first. I filmed the APEC Education Ministerial Meeting. APEC is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, composed of 21 member economies. There were education ministers from around the world. I interviewed most of them for a UNESCO/ministry of Education video. I was the only one they spoke with individually. It was pretty cool.

Then I filmed an event on the day of the Andean Song, I will post pictures soon. They are amazing. Daniel is VERY talented.

Speaking of. We have started our own production company together and all of the videos that I am doing are being produced under our company. It is called Pure Life Entertainment. (www.purelifeentertainment.com) - more coming soon.

We now have 5 little puppies! Leopoldo, Luigi, Amelia, Matlida and Isabella :)

AND 2 SQUIRREL MONKEYS! Georgina and Stanley :) OMG holding them is just amazing. I never would have imagined that I could have monkeys!

The documentary is coming along... took the first trip to Chicha. It is so sad to see the conditions that these people live in. Almost one year after the earthquake, their city is still destroyed, it looks as if it had happened last month. The school that UNESCO is rebuilding is so so sad. THere are 31 children in a classroom half the size of a bedroom in the states. They have ONE toilet for the entire facility, including ALL of the children and teachers. There is NO ventillation whatsoever so it smells horrible. THe children play in a very small concrete area no larger than a typical outdoor patio one might see in a nice home. THe walls are cracked and about to cave in at any moment. There is a large husky that is tied up at all times, just waiting to bite one of the 3 year olds who do not know any better than to hit it. There are rusty cars and glass outside of the school that the children often run over to and play on. While I was there I saw one child fall through a plate of glass.

I can't tell you enough how sad their lives are. The families lost everything in the earthquake and are still struggling on a daily basis to just survive. Making 10 soles a day (3 sol = $1. I am excited to tell their story.

There are so many things to be said, I am sorry for not updating sooner. Pics coming soon.

MONKEYS!

I Live in Lima now!

As I write I am sitting at my very own desk in Rinconada del Lago, La Molina, Lima, Peru. Nothing much has changed on the blog writing front. I still like to sit in dimly lit rooms, with a glass of red wine, all alone with sad music playing.

Looking back, this whole trip seems a little surreal. I met a man I love, moved to another continent and am working for the UN. It is all a lot to take in.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

A little bit about my life here:

I live in a 2 bedroom apartment on Daniel's parent's land. One room is our office/editing bay. We have a living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining room filled with all of Daniel's photo stuff.

I am working for UNESCO which is a division of the UN (United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization). I have recently started working on a short doc about APEC and its effects on the global community and in Peru. I will begin working on my main documentary shortly. The people are all amazing, and I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity I have.

Daniel's parents are both amazing. His mother is such a hard worker, going going going all the time, kind of reminds me of my mother in that regard. His dad is hilarious, warm, smart and makes me feel like a part of the family constantly. His brother Erick is here for about 2 months for his simmer break from college and it is great to have another English speaker around.. even if he does say "thats what she said" after almost everything I say. It is still funny every time.

The whole, not knowing Spanish thing is a bit stressful, but I feel as if I will catch on pretty quickly. The puppies will be born around July 5. I can't wait.

I will make sure to update this blog often and with many many pictures.

Leaving California was bittersweet. Everyone from my office was amazing, supportive and at least pretended to be sad to see me go. I will miss the Skouras Agency.

My birthday/going away party was fantastic. I am so lucky to have the friends I do. People that genuinely care for me and love me. Friends that I can count on and can count on me. Having everyone together at once was one of the best nights ever. And Bossa Nova wasn't too shabby a dinner either. Even Ali was there :) And thanks to Mica for throwing the party friday night and meeting me for coffee on the final drive away.

The drive across country was good too. I couldn't sleep at all. I think once I left Cali it finally hit me and I got anxious. By the time Ali and I reached El Paso I could barely keep my eyes open, but no sleep for me. I just tossed and turned all night. Letting my mind spin. The second day was a little rough. I snapped at Ali and he snapped right back. He is a great best friend. We fight like family, and I will forever imagine him as a part of mine. The fact that he would fly to cali to drive back to Texas with me is such an honor. I will miss him a lot while I am here.

Dallas was good. I didn't call many people, just kinda hung out with the family. My sis is doing amazing. Has a great boyfriend Tyler (j/k Mal ... I KNOW his name is Taylor) is on break from college and makes a mean cosmo ;) I can't believe she is 21 and has turned out to be the most sane of all of us Hall women. My mother is opening her 3rd store (www.openingbellcoffee.com) for those of you who did not know. It will be in the mosaic building, thanksgiving square in Downtown Dallas. I am so proud of her. She is doing something that most people are too afraid to do. She is taking a huge risk and it is paying off. She is helping people reach their goals and in turn, she is reaching hers. It was so cool to see the store come together. Saw Bob Schneider at Poor David's Pub. He is so great live.

I went to Austin for one night and saw some friends from college. This has only solidified the fact that I am no longer a party girl as I once was. I can't even do shots all night anymore! Who am I? The queso was tasty but the margaritas were better. I miss Austin.

Saying goodbye to my family was hard for me. My sister did my hair again. I have no idea what I am going to do while I am in Lima.. she is the best hairdresser in the Americas :) I made my grandmother promise me over her mac and cheese that she would be at my wedding. I have a small family, but I will miss them.

I want to thank everyone for supporting me in this move. I know that I could not have pulled it off, had the guts to do it or actually have gone through with it if I wasn't surrounded by people who I know want the best for me. I have said it before and will say it a million times again. I am a lucky girl. To have all of you by my side. I just hope that I can be as good of a friend as you have been to me.

Now off to finish unpacking. :)

P.S. If you have a blog, I would love the addy so that I can keep up with everyone while I am away.