monicazorrilla - Monica Zorrilla

Monica Zorrilla - Photographer / Blogger

Aug 23

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Food, Inspiration, Life Experiences 0 comments tags: food blogger, foodie, lomo saltado, peruvian food, yummy

Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado — A Taste of Peru There are certain dishes that are more than just food, and for me, lomo saltado is one of them. It is one of those meals I truly enjoy cooking — maybe because it has so many things I love all together: tender pieces of beef, onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and that wonderful flavor that comes from cooking everything quickly in a very hot pan. And of course, it wouldn’t be lomo saltado without French fries and white rice on the side. Yes, potatoes and rice. That’s the Peruvian way. I usually start with good pieces of beef, cut into strips and seasoned simply with salt and pepper. I sear the meat over high heat, then add sliced red onions and tomatoes, keeping them slightly firm instead of cooking them too much. A splash of soy sauce brings everything together, creating that savory sauce that gives the lomo saltado its delicious flavor. Then come the fries. Some people mix them into the lomo so they absorb the sauce; others prefer them on the side so they stay crispy. I like a little bit of both. But what I love most about making lomo saltado […]

Aug 20

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Inspiration, Life Experiences 0 comments tags: acceptance, habits, life, life experiences, patience, respect, we are different

We Are All Different

We are all different. We think differently, we talk differently, we have different habits, and we all have our own ways of doing things. And inevitably, some of those things may bother, frustrate, or simply not make sense to someone else. That’s part of being around people. Sometimes another person may point out something about us that we never really noticed before. And if it’s something we recognize we can improve, there’s nothing wrong with making an effort to work on it. But there’s another side to it too. When we genuinely care about having someone in our lives, we also learn to understand the things that make them different from us. Not everything needs to be changed. Sometimes it simply takes a little patience and acceptance. And I think that’s where balance comes in. We can work on ourselves without losing who we are. We can communicate when something bothers us without expecting another person to change overnight. And we can try to understand each other instead of expecting everyone to think, act, or react the way we do. Because no relationship—whether it’s a friendship, family, a partner, or any other connection—is made of two people who are exactly […]

Aug 12

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Food 0 comments tags: Cooking, enjoy Cooking, home cooking, joy of cooking

The Joy of Cooking and Sharing

I like to cook. I really do. I don’t know if I would say that cooking is a passion or use some big word to describe it. I just know that it’s something I enjoy, something that has been part of my life for a long time, and something that makes me feel good. There is something about being in the kitchen that relaxes me. Sometimes I know exactly what I’m going to make. Other times, I open the refrigerator, see what’s there and think, Okay, what can I do with this? And that’s usually how it starts. I can follow a recipe, but I also like changing things. I add something because I think it might taste good, use something I already have, or make something completely different with leftovers. Does it always work? Of course not. But that’s part of cooking too. I also love sharing my food. Actually, I think that’s one of my favorite parts. I like when somebody tries something I made. I want to know what they think — and I really want to know. Tell me if you like it. Tell me if something is missing. Tell me if you would eat it […]

Aug 06

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Lexi, Life Experiences, Nature, Photography 0 comments tags: beach day, calm, Lexi, life experiences, peace

The Beauty of Quiet Moments

There is something special about sitting by the ocean with no plans, no rush, and nowhere you need to be. Just the sound of the waves, the breeze playing with your hair, and the company of someone who is simply happy to be there. Lexi doesn’t ask where we’re going next. She doesn’t care what day it is. She simply enjoys the wind, the sunshine, and every new scent the beach has to offer. Watching her reminds me how beautiful simple moments can be. This afternoon reminded me that some of the best moments in life are the quiet ones. Sometimes, all we need is a beautiful afternoon with someone we love, the breeze on our faces, and the chance to slow down for a little while. We often remember the big milestones in life, but it is the small, ordinary moments that quietly stay with us. A peaceful walk, the sound of the ocean, a loyal companion by your side, and the feeling that, for just a little while, everything is exactly as it should be. Maybe happiness isn’t always found in extraordinary places. Maybe it’s waiting for us in moments like this. — Monica & Lexi 🐾🌊

Jul 15

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Lexi, Life Experiences 0 comments tags: 10years, dog, Lexi, lifecompany, maltipom

Ten Years with Lexi in my life

Ten Years with Lexi in my life Some dates pass unnoticed by the world but mean an entire lifetime to us. Today I realized that ten years ago, Lexi, you came home. It’s funny how we often think we’re the ones who rescue or choose a dog. Over the years, I’ve come to believe it’s often the other way around. Somehow, they find us exactly when we need them. Ten years ago, you were this tiny little ball of fur that fit perfectly in my arms. Today, you’re still my baby. The only difference is that the calendar insists you’re ten years old, even though your heart still belongs to a puppy. People still stop us and ask, “How old is she?” When I tell them you’re already ten, they always look surprised. Yesterday, someone smiled and said, “She looks amazing. You’ve taken such good care of her.” And yes… I try to love and care for you with everything I have. But if I’m being completely honest, you’ve taken much better care of me. You’ve been there through my happiest moments, my hardest days, my laughter, my tears, my travels, my quiet evenings at home, and the moments when […]

May 21

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Life Experiences, New York 0 comments

The Familiar Feeling of a Neighborhood Bar

The Familiar Feeling of a Neighborhood Bar There’s another side to neighborhood bars that people don’t really talk about. Walking into one alone can feel intimidating at first. Not because anybody is necessarily rude, but because neighborhood bars usually have their regulars. People know each other. The bartender knows everybody. Everyone has their usual spot, their routines. And the interesting part is that all of those people usually come from completely different walks of life. You have people working construction sitting next to someone from an office job. Bartenders after their shifts. Nurses. Artists. Teachers. People coming from long workdays, night shifts, stressful jobs, lonely apartments, celebrations, heartbreaks, or just ordinary days. That’s part of what makes neighborhood bars feel different. And it’s not always about late nights or partying either. A lot of times people meet there after work in the afternoon to watch a game, have one drink, say hello to familiar faces, relax for a bit, and just unwind before going home. That’s what makes it comfortable. The bartenders know you. Sometimes they introduce you to other people. Over time, the place starts feeling familiar without anybody forcing anything. There’s no pressure. No expectations. You can sit […]

May 18

by monicazorrilla in Blog, Cities, English, Inspiration, Travel 1 comments tags: blog, life experiences, personal travel blog, storytelling, travel, Travel stories, world

The Places I’ve Been, The Stories I Carry

Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to experience different places around the world — some through work, others through vacations, and some simply through the unexpected turns life takes. I’ve visited countries that left me speechless, cities I still miss, and airports where I only spent a few hours but still walked away with a story. I’ve tried foods I never imagined tasting, listened to languages I didn’t understand, met people completely different from me, and learned that every culture has its own unique way of seeing life. Some places I experienced deeply. Others I only briefly touched during a layover. But all of them, in one way or another, left something with me. I have spent more than two decades living in New York after moving from Peru, with many journeys along the way. Over time, I realized I didn’t want to keep all of these stories hidden only in photographs or forgotten somewhere in my phone. I wanted to write them down. This blog was born from that feeling. From the places that shaped me. From unexpected stories. From people. From food. From quiet moments inside airports. From losing a phone in Japan. From unexpectedly running into […]

Mar 13

by monicazorrilla in Central Park, English, New York, Photography, Winter 0 comments tags: Central Park, horse carriage, landscape, lovely, magic, New York, NYC, snow, winter

A Winter Moment in Central Park

Some photographs capture a scene.Others capture a memory. This photo was taken many years ago during one of those magical winter days in Central Park, when New York transforms into something almost unreal. The snow had just fallen, covering the ground and the tree branches in soft white layers. The air was crisp, the light warm, and the entire park felt peaceful and quiet. As I walked through the park with my camera, I noticed one of the classic horse-drawn carriages slowly moving through the snowy path. The white carriage, the gray horse, the driver dressed in dark winter clothing — it all looked like something from another era. The contrast between the snow, the trees, and the elegant carriage immediately caught my eye. I lifted my professional camera and extended my arm as far as I could to frame the moment exactly the way I wanted. I wanted the horse, the carriage, the trees and the winter atmosphere all in the same frame. Click. That moment was captured forever. But the funny part of the story happened right after. As photographers know, sometimes we take a step back to see the composition better or to move out of someone’s […]

Feb 20

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Inspiration, Life Experiences, Photography, Travel 1 comments

I Don’t Put My Life on Hold

At some point, I stopped waiting for the perfect moment. The perfect trip.The perfect plan.The perfect company. I understood that life isn’t something you prepare for… It’s something you live. I’ve traveled alone because I wanted to go.Not because there was no one —but because I felt like going. I’ve reserved tables for one.Gone for walks without a plan.Organized my home as if it were a temple, not for visitors. It’s not rebellion.It’s an emotional responsibility. I learned that loneliness isn’t always about being alone.You can be surrounded by people and feel disconnected.And you can be physically alone and feel completely at peace. I’ve had long relationships.I’ve had deep friendships.I’ve lived shared chapters and individual ones.All of it is part of life. But what truly gave me strength was this: Discovering that I can hold my own life. That I can travel even if no one is available to join me.That I can dress up even if there’s no event.That I can cook beautifully even if the table has only one setting.That I can buy myself flowers without waiting for someone to bring them. My home is my center.My body is my home.My life is my responsibility. It hasn’t always […]

Feb 20

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Peru, Peruvian 0 comments

Loving Peru Also Means Demanding Dignity

Being Peruvian is not just about having been born in that land.It is about having grown up with its history, its struggles, its flavor, and its resilience.And that is why it hurts. In less than ten years, eight presidents.Eight faces promising change.Eight speeches talking about hope.And the result always seems to end the same: crisis, impeachments, corruption, prison, disappointment. It is not only political instability.It is a moral fracture. My grandfather wrote a book when he was nearly eighty years old.Eighty years of life.Eighty years of watching the country move through cycles of hope and disillusionment.And even so, instead of resigning himself, he chose to write. Not to become famous.Not to make money.But to leave something behind.To try to awaken awareness.To remind us that voting should be a responsible, informed act—done with heart and with judgment. He believed citizens needed to think before handing over the country’s future. But I grew up hearing something very different:“You have to vote for the lesser evil.” At what point did we normalize that?How can it be that we go to the polls thinking not about who is the most prepared, the most ethical, the most committed… but about who we believe will cause […]