The Fullest of Houses

Just a few of my housemates.

This post has been a long time coming. I am going to breakdown every single person I am living with in Lima and my relationship with them. These people have had such an amazing impact on me, my self esteem, and my compassion. I can't fully put into words how much they mean to me and how each one has taught me something so different. The respect I hold for my roommates has made them much more than that; these people are my family. I am beyond lucky to now have family from all over the world.

Alessandro

I'm starting with him because he is just MIA from the house 24/7 and I literally seem him maybe once a week! I'm not saying this is a bad thing at all, but actually makes him super interesting and kind of mysterious. He made friends here very quickly and is just always hanging with them and I don't blame him since he lives in a house with almost all women. Ale is from Spain and I think he speaks like 5 languages...could be more, who knows? He is extremely intelligent and I know this because I share a class with him and any time he opens his mouth, he says something smart. I feel like I am always learning from him. When I do see him around the house, he is always making someone laugh. Ale is absolutely hilarious and his personality is infectious.

Laure

One thing I can always count on from Laure is that she never fails to ask people how they are and how they are feeling. She isn't doing it to be nice, she's doing it because she genuinely wants to know. She remembers things you tell her like if you mention you're feeling sick then she will ask you a few days later how you're feeling to make sure you're okay. She has this quality of compassion about her that you can't help but feed off of it. Laure looks out for her friends and is a very loyal one. She cares with her entire body and has no issue showing that.

Anne-Marine

Where to even begin with Anna? Well first, I'll say she's from France! This girl is so witty and has the quickest comebacks. You can always count on a good laugh when talking to her. I love just sitting and laughing with her because it could go on forever. She also happens to be the chef of the house. She cooks every night and it's always something crazy; even if she says "oh just something simple," because then she proceeds to tell you all the different ingredients she's putting in. She's super healthy and I just don't get how she does it. Anna is one of those people where you don't wanna do anything fun without inviting her. Her positive and hilarious attitude assure you, you'll always have a good time.

Mayssoune

Mayssoune is also from Belgium and one of the oldest in the house (but so am I so...). This definitely doesn't mean she isn't partying as hard, if not harder, than everyone in the house. She is also one of those people who really cares about the people around her. She is consistently trying to save the world one plastic bottle at a time. Mayssoune is always trying to get the house together and have fun whether it be going to a bar or just having a family dinner. She's super easy to talk to about anything and I appreciate how personable she is.

Denis

Well, Denis was fairly new to the house but I think he showcased his personality pretty quickly. He started making jokes and teasing a few housemates right off the bat and I thought was very bold of him, but hilarious. He's really kind from what I have gotten to know from him. Unfortunately we have pretty diverse schedules so I don't see much of him, but when I do he's always polite and will spark up a conversation. Denis is from Germany and is here for work rather than school like many of the housemates. He's one of the only guys in the house so it must be hard for him living with a bunch of girls.

Daniek

Oh Daniek. First of all, before she came the entire house thought she was going to be a boy. We started calling dibs on "him." And when Daniek arrived, she was clearly a girl. That was her first impression of us...luckily she loves us anyway. Daniek is from Holland and she is actually my neighbor in the house! She's great and just perfect in every way it's annoying. She has a boyfriend back home, luckily for us because then none of us would get any male attention if she was single. Daniek is just a really positive person to be around, too. The first time I ever met her, me and another housemate Kendra were getting drunk in my room and I invited her to hang out with us. She got to witness first hand how annoying and insane we are but she STILL loved us. Like how great?

Kim

Kim is the most selfless and kind soul. Everything she does, she does it with politeness and warmth in her heart. To me it seems impossible to be such a light every day. She keeps her head up at all times and is such a "go with the flow" kind of person. Every interaction I have with Kim has been a good one. She cares about everyone and always wants the best for people. Kim is from France and she is just absolutely incredible. She, like many of my housemates, speaks 3 languages! She is a huge part of the household in that she offers a little bit of everything. What I mean is she can party all night, sit and have family dinner, you can study with her, or she's just down to have a movie night with some junk food. Kim is an all around wonderful person and I've personally learned so much from her!

Dylan

Okay so Dylan was actually the first person in the house I got to know. This is because he is in my exchange program (ISA). Nobody else in the house is. Dylan is from the U.S. too so I can relate to him on certain levels. I'll be honest, at first I thought Dylan was your typical American Frat boy; and he can be sometimes. But underneath he's a really good guy with huge dreams and a big imagination. You cannot deny his passion for life and his work ethic. I think Dylan has benefited greatly from his time in Peru and has really discovered himself. I hope that when we both return to the states that we stay in contact. I want that for all my housemates, but it'll be a bit easier for us considering we live in the same country.

Angela

She joined a bit after I did, but made her mark right away. I got to know Angela pretty quickly and everything about her shines. By the way, her name is pronounced An-hel-a; she's from Spain. Angela is this amazingly selfless person, but has such an edgy side to her. She has piercings and tattoos and has this bad-ass feminist aura around her, yet the way she carries herself is so elegant and gracious. She has a passion for her job and loves animals. Angela appreciates life and love and art. She has all these amazing qualities and she's compacted into this tiny little person! Angela is always down for sad movies and junk food like many of us and we're always having girl's nights. She travels a lot here in Peru and is always working so I try to enjoy every second I do get to spend with her. She screams kindness and compassion.

Reka

Her name is as awesome as she is. Reka was one of the first people I really got to know in the house, too. We went out one night and I just loved how crazy she was right away. Reka is from Hungary and she also speaks 3 languages. She is such a feminist and I love that about her because she is such a strong and amazing woman. She also has the best taste in clothes. She's always wearing the best stuff whether it be to class, the club, or even just around the house. Reka inspires me constantly to just be my most authentic self without even telling me to. She is 100% apologetically herself and that is what inspires me. I plan on visiting her sometime in Europe because she is a friend I never want to lose. There is something about her that makes me feel like she's been my best friend for years. She is loyal and honest to all her friends. Reka is always down for a night out and takes like 5 minutes to get ready and always looks flawless. She's a queen to say the very least.

Bethany

Honestly there's so much I could say about Bethany but I can't write that much because there's already so much to read! Bethany is from Australia and has the coolest accent of course. Bethany is one of the greatest friends I currently have in my life and I think she always will be. I really hope to visit her and her to visit Jersey eventually. Her and I have had heart to hearts about life and we always have girl's nights. She happens to be the mother hen of the house and is always looking out for us. She gives us the hard reality check when we need it but does it in such a nice way. One time she basically told me to stop being fat and start buying vegetables from the store, but not in so many words. Bethany is very close and devoted to her religion and it's inspiring. I envy it because to have that kind of faith means having a different kind of strength. I am eternally grateful to have met Bethany and to be able to call her one of my best friends.

And last, but not least...Kendra

If you've read this far, please don't quit now. Kendra is hands down the biggest bitch I know (in the best ways). We're so much alike, yet so different. Kendra is also from the U.S. but the mid-west. I know for a fact her and I will visit each other often. She's such a crier when we watch sad movies and even cries at funny or happy ones. She's an odd one, but that's the best thing about her. Kendra and I have gotten really close during my time in Peru and I wouldn't want it any other way. We've cuddled together, taken naps together, order McDonald's together, and get rowdy together. If I'm trying something new, Kendra is always with me. Kendra is a loyal friend and one of the funniest people I know. We have the same sad humor and often contemplate how single we are; once we looked up a Youtube video on how to flirt with guys properly. If anything crazy happens in my life, Kendra is most likely the first to know. I don't know how much I would've enjoyed this journey without Kendra being a part of it.

To sum it all up, these people have impacted my life in ways I can't describe. Everyone brings something different to the table. I hope they see me in a similar light that I see all of them. I am truly going to miss living with all these insane people and trying to cook dinner at the same time. Every good memory or ounce of happiness I have experienced in Lima is all thanks to them. We party, we cry, we laugh, we don't wash dishes, and we enjoy every single second of each other. This family is nothing short of just that. If you told me I'd create such a bond with so many people from around the world like I have, I would laugh in your face because I hate people. But I am so lucky I did. There isn't a single negative thing about the experience I have had living with them. It has truly been a pleasure. I can't even begin to explain the sadness I feel about leaving them. I hope I have touched their lives even half as much as they have touched mine. And I wanna shout out Laura and Eva from Germany who lived in the house for a brief time that I did. You guys are amazing in so many ways, as well. And I guess shout out to Sarah for living here for like 3 seconds and yelled at us for being too loud...Anyways, my love for all my housemates is infinite and I hope to see them all in my future and to keep the close bond that we all have. I love you, Casa Yllika and thank you for giving me the best home (besides my own) I have ever come to know.

~Feed the Soul