Life Experiences - Monica Zorrilla

Sep 12

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Español, Life Experiences 0 comments

The Fart, the Elevator, and the Fragile Human Dignity

Today, sitting at a bar, we decided we didn’t want to talk about work. No politics. No religion. No serious problems. No heavy conversations. Just something completely different. And somehow, I don’t even remember exactly how we got there, we ended up talking about how the human body works. Men. Women. Going to the bathroom. Peeing. Pooping. Farting. Yes. That was the conversation. And we were cracking up. We started sharing our own experiences, stories we’d heard about other people, embarrassing moments, things that had happened with friends, partners, family — and the more we talked about it, the funnier it became. At some point I started thinking: Why are we so embarrassed about this? Seriously. We pee. We poop. We fart. There. I said it. Everybody does it. It’s not something that happens to one weird person somewhere in the world. Our bodies literally need to do these things. And yet, depending on who we’re with, suddenly we’re terrified of anybody knowing that our perfectly normal human body is functioning. Think about it. There are people around whom you would NEVER say: “I need to poop.” Instead, it’s the very polite: “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.” […]

Sep 07

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Inspiration, Life Experiences 0 comments tags: body changes, life experiences, menopause

Menopause: Why Don’t We Talk About It More?

Lately, I haven’t quite felt like myself. I’m more tired. I don’t sleep the way I used to. I wake up in the middle of the night, and sometimes I just want to keep sleeping. My appetite has changed. There are days when I eat because I know I have to, not because I’m actually hungry. There are moments when I’m more irritable, others when I feel anxious, and others when I simply don’t feel like doing much of anything. And I started asking myself: What is happening to me? Is it stress? Is it anxiety? Is it menopause? Is it everything going on in my life? Or is it a combination of many things? Because menopause doesn’t happen in a bubble. Life continues while our bodies are changing. We still have to work. We still have responsibilities. We still have relationships with other people. We still experience good moments and difficult ones. And anything happening around us — work, a relationship, a worry, an unexpected problem — can affect us emotionally too. I don’t think we can say that everything we feel comes from menopause. It can be a combination of many things. But perhaps the important thing is […]

Aug 31

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Inspiration, Life Experiences, New York, Photography 0 comments tags: 25 years, life, life experiences, UN

You Never Know Where Life Will Take You

It feels strange to write those words. When I first came to New York, I never imagined that all these years later I would still be here. My plan was actually quite simple: come here, work, and stay for only three years.

Aug 23

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Food, Inspiration, Life Experiences, Peru, Peruvian 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 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 […]

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 […]

Jan 04

by monicazorrilla in Blog, English, Inspiration, Life Experiences, Photography 0 comments tags: architectural photography, clouds, landscape, lima, Peru, Reflection

2026

I look at this photo, and I don’t think about vacations or escape. I think about how I want to live. The sky is cloudy, the sea is not completely still, and the beach is almost empty. And yet, everything feels calm. A real calm, not forced. One of those that doesn’t come because everything is perfect, but because you learn to be at peace even when it’s not. That’s how I want my 2026 to be. I want a calmer mental life. I want less noise in my head, fewer unnecessary loops, and less anxiety over what I cannot control. I want to learn —keep learning— to live more in the present, like this horizon that doesn’t rush, that just is. But I also want the strength of the sea. Not the wave that crashes, but the constant, silent strength that never stops. That strength that keeps pushing even when no one is watching. In 2026, I want many things to keep improving. Some have already started, others still need time. I want to feel stronger emotionally, more confident in myself, clearer about what I want and what I don’t. I want to be more patient, more honest with […]