Jeepers. It's definitely been a while since I blogged. I suppose that's a sign that I have basically adjusted to my life here--in the sense that I don't see daily activities as bloggable, blog-meriting, or blog-demanding. Just awesome to know for myself and whoever happens to ask. BUT, the opportunities I've been blessed to encounter are well worth sharing.
Monday, I worked in the office, continuing my translating and revising tasks. Little J was sick, so we again missed out on English lesson time.
Tuesday, I worked as well. Fun lunchtime conversations with the coworkers about the psychology behind characters in books, and the differences in reading into them/associating yourself with them and in just observing. Or something of that nature. After work, I went shopping with a colleague, M, and she and I found a marvelous summer dress for me, as well as some really fantastic ice cream. Mmmm.
Wednesday, again, began with work. Then I headed out towards the area of the church for the weekly visit to the villas for the music class. I'm going to miss that. How often is it that one has an in with some of the most dangerous places in Argentina, and that one can be a blessing there? Lovely. We really had to practice, for the performance of two worship songs at the Anniversary fiesta of La Mision (yesterday) was coming up.
Thursday, work came first. How rare to have Thanksgiving not be a major national holiday in one's current place of residence. But, I did have a very diverting, fascinating experience that day at work: I got to attend a sort of kick-off meeting for one of the Globant "Corporate Social Responsibility" department's programs, which consists of Globant representatives visiting high schools in some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in Buenos Aires (the villas) to offer to tech- or math-passionate students the opportunity for English, technology, software, and other related classes. After graduating the program, the students can either pursue further studies at the university, or are offered a position in Globant. What fascinates me currently is the new career of CSR, and how it pretty much neatly ties up all my possible career trails with a neat little bow. Like a mix of advocating, office job, bilingualness, educating, and making improvement through change. We shall see if I continue to think this way as time passes!
Also Thursday, I went out for Thanksgiving dinner to an American restaurant with the Zs and a few more fellow US friends here. It was delicious; not the same as at home in Philly, though. Then, I went towards the church to spend the night at Vero's house. We talked, had an English lesson, and she made my sides split with laughter. I enjoy her very, very much.
Friday I woke up with the kids and V, and watched the younger boy while V took the elder to school. Fun to have some quality time with a Hotwheels puzzle and a 4-year-old who has a glorious way of speaking. :) Then I went to work, and savored it. Then there was a jazz concert at the church, and so I went, and brought a colleague who I had recently discovered was one of the students from the program discussed above. After that, a group of us went to get something to eat, and we chilled, laughed, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...the entire night. :) We returned to V's house, and laughed more, continued to have fun and took advantage of the great friendships. I faded a bit and slept a few hours, but, hey, I am from the States--where people actually sleep.
Saturday was LAZY, and grand. I spent the day with Vero and the kids, I watching them while she slept a bit, and then all of us going to spend some time in the park. We played soccer (teams Colombia and Paraguay...I, Paraguay, lost), played alphabet games, and played some tic-tac-toe with sticks and leaves and stones for the playing board. Then we all had magnificent naptime, back at home. After that, there was an asado dinner (like a mega-awesome barbeque) at the church, and it was scrumptious and the chat was wholesome and thought-provoking.
Sunday, the service for church was in the evening, so I finally had the opportunity to go to the Feria de Mataderos. It's an outdoor market, brimming with cultural activities--singing, food, dance, artisan crafts and things. I went with A, especially because it happens to be really near to a baaaad villa. Then we returned to the church, he went to work helping for the Anniversary party, I went to hang out with V and boys, and then pretty soon I had to return to the church for practicing with the Sonidos de Esperanza kids.
How fun it was to be with them and help them sing their songs. I'll never forget that time.
Then I helped with the children during the sermon, and later enjoyed the food, drink, and always-inevitable (with-Colombians-around) dancing that comes with fiestas! Later we went for ice cream, and J (a Colombian friend; met her a few weeks ago) and I went back to V's house, and spent the night on her balcony. Lovely night!
And, here I am, late Monday night...okay, more honestly Tuesday morning, blogging. Today was a holiday, so nobody worked. V, J, the boys, Ari and I spent the day bumming around, enjoying fruit salad, lively conversation, the park, popcorn, and various other things. All in all, a great weekend.
This is the beginning of nostalgia.
I only have two more weeks plus a day here in Buenos Aires. Needless to say, the time will fly. That's why I had to make a list; I won't let any moment go to waste, even if not-wasting manifests itself in a rather outwardly-looking wasteful way. Take Saturday, for example.
Last day of work is tomorrow, and that won't be fun to say goodbye. It's truly been a wonderful experience. But we'll see what tomorrow brings later--now, off to sleep!
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