Cook the gnocchi first; or, Humility: Day 64

WORK: I continue to enjoy the company of my workmates, and the adventures we have together. Last week--on Thursday--we went to a town outside of the city to a beautiful golf club for a meeting to plan their moves in 2012, as Globant Communications. It was a lovely day, and all five of us from the BsAs office squeezed into W's car and got lost for an hour or so, eventually ending up in the parking lot of the golf club. The bread and jam, coffee, and fresh OJ for breakfast were very welcome. So was the opportunity to see exactly how communications for a corporation must work, and all that the umbrella of "communications" covers: the year-end party, fundraisers, raising awareness for causes. Cool to hear the propositions of each member there. Then a yummy lunch--veggie crepes with cheese for myself and two other veggie-heads, and ojo de bife (a certain cut of beef) for the others. Then we walked around on the golf course until they yelled at us, and we took some photos with an old man's golf clubs he lent us. Globant golfs. Hahaaaa. :)  Since then, work as usual. Awesome, that is. I'm hoping to have their powerpoints revised and ready for approved use by the time I finish at Globant way too soon.

CHURCH: What a privilege it is to sing with the worship team! I did it again this Sunday, and it continues to be an honor that even though I flub the lyrics or melody at times, even though I am human and fail in ways that blotch the cleanliness of my conduct or behavior, I am given the mercy and grace of staying on as a part of the team. I am extremely grateful for that.
This Sunday, I also received the blessing of prayer from F, an older woman who is truly a bulwark of the church and has a truly incredible gift for prayer and hugs. Sometimes God just knows exactly when to bless you with people like that.

Just kidding. He always knows.


FOOD: Right now I am very much enjoying a morning mate, and I am addicted. I might have to set up an importation system of my own for certain things from here--alfajores, yerba mate, fruit, veggies, empanadas, friends... :) I did make empanadas (kind of like mini calzones, but not cheesy--meat and red peppers) with A last week, and that was a really cool experience. I'm hoping I will be able to bring the basic idea back with me, although the struggle will be finding the equivalent of the pastry part that holds it all together. I think I'll have to ask how to make it myself. What else...mmm fruit salad never gets old. Nor does dulce de leche. I cannot believe I am still the same relative size as when I got here. It's a feat of nature. :) On the other hand, all food here is real, without any artificial ingredients, so that might have a lot to do with it. Plus the meat is all what we would call organic. When I get back, I will probably refuse to eat any meat out of disgust for the American system, now that I've seen it done right here. (Now is not the time for a rant, Anna...) Anywho...plus I walk everywhere, and that helps keep off the pounds. Thumbs up!

SPEAKING SPANISH: I am understanding even the little blips of conversation to be heard as you pass by a customer at one of the flower stands, or a couple discussing something at an outside table at a cafe. I love it. Now there's no conscious pause of thought before lunging into sentences in Spanish. I respond in whatever language comes my way. THAT I will miss intensely when I get home. I guess it just means I will have to have regular Skype dates with my Spanish-speaking friends. :)

SOCIAL LIFE: It's quasi-ridiculous how quickly the week fills up and escapes me. But I am persevering and trying to spend equal time working and hanging out with friends. I love the possibilities of going shopping with colleagues--so I want to follow through on that and make it happen. Maybe today. I love the possibility of going out into the province to Campana or other places where friends are living. We'll see what comes.

Thanks for patience with the slow-forthcoming blog posts, and for the prayers and thoughts which I am fully aware surround me wherever I go.