One Must Enjoy Life: Day 24

Best of the past few days: friends and adventures with them. :)

Worst part of the past few days: still in the doldrums on the work process. They are going to call me when they know what our options are.
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The past couple days have been a wonderfully fast-passing time. I spent Monday running around and having F over. We wrote a song, chatted, compared families, and I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure.
Tuesday, I slept in, and then went to help Mr. Z. at the church. They are continuing construction on a nursery. I spackled with the best of them. Then I spent some time that evening at their house, pretending to be the girls' car, and then airplane, as they were headed to Hawaii for some hula and some cleaning up. Once there, I hula'd, and they cleaned up. No idea why they started to clean up, but, it works. What a sweet time.
Wednesday I practiced guitar, went grocery shopping, and then went out to Bajo Flores to help M with her music class again. I was encouraged to find that this week, even more of them have started recognizing me and desiring to hold my hand. They all love to ask how to say their names in English, and how I pronounce United States, and how did I make my bracelets. Easy, I say; I made friends. The friends took it from there. :) As we dropped off kids afterwards, I felt very happy to be a little part of their lives, for however long. It's a gift. A--a young boy with a charming smile--handed M and I a flower as we left. It's the craziest looking, most intricate flower I have ever seen, and M and I both marveled at it. Needless to say, he enjoyed the reception of his gift!  M told me on the way home that she is grateful for my help, my accompanying her. But what do I do? She knows all their names, she knows what they want to do and balances it with what they ought to do, and she can keep the peace. I just come, hold hands, laugh at English pronunciations, share smiles, and attempt to keep up with conversations. For now, I suppose, that's good enough. I sure as heck enjoy it!
After that, hungry, I bought facturas (SWEEEEEET BREEEEEAAAD) and then went to Bible study. What a wonderful time; I love the people, and the discussion, and the growth that come. As I was walking with Mrs. Z, her friend, and A (with the motorcycle), he asked if I had plans. Being only me and having nothing to do, I said so. So, we headed for Rivadavia (a pretty big avenue) and went to dinner. Via moto, of course. :D
The place he took me was incredible to me--like a buffet, but of all the best best best food selections available. Spanish, Mexican, Italian pasta, fish, asado, salads, cold cuts, and...desserts. What a lovely time, for food and conversation. By the time we had talked our way through a few rounds (salad, pumpkin ravioli, asado, and fish), we were too late to get panqueques (crepes). SO sad. But, as he noted, it only means there must be a next time. I like those kinds of promises--those that involve desserts.
Yet another fabulous (and safe--both behelmeted) moto ride home. That will never get old.
This morning, I woke up to meet F and head out to see the rose garden in Palermo. When we got there, we found a bench by the gorgeous little lake, and kind of dozed. We talked, listened to music, fended off ducks and geese. He brought us some fresh fruit--strawberries and bananas. They're so good here! Apparently, we spent about three hours there. Time flies...when you're basically napping and you're with a really good friend. :) Then we saw the roses--exquisite, enchanting--and they even had my favorite variety! The smell of that sweet, Spring-fresh air was delightful.
I returned to the apartment to eat, clean up, and get ready to head out the door again. I was heading back to Rivadavia to meet with another friend from church, J. We (and by that I mean "I") had a bit of confusion meeting up, but eventually we found each other and he could stop worrying.

Interruptive thought. I really do receive a rather princess-like treatment here. I feel incredibly spoiled. But that doesn't mean I'd like for it to change. Lovely friends. :)

Aha, yes. Well, we went to McDonald's, which here are quite classy. They have a dessert ordering counter, and one for coffees, and one for the food. We got frappes, and talked for hours. Again, I shared my Amazing Ankle Adventure, again in Spanish. Me encanta decirlo, y poder hacerlo en castellano. :) Eventually, I had to head back so I didn't get stranded by the closing of the subte. It was kind of raining, and that explains the little more-than-usual ankle pain I'd been having. Made it home safely, cooked beans and rice, and here I sit.

Contemplating: dulce de leche, or no dulce de leche? and I smell someone's asado...yum. :)