Flowers in your hair: Day 47

The house is empty--Z kids to music school, Mrs. Z. with them, Mr. Z. to a conference. I'm listening to the worship songs I'll be singing with the worship team tomorrow morning. I've washed the dishes, kept out of the cleaning lady's way, and now it's time to face the blog. Also, the fact that it's been three days since I blogged.

Bah. Unintended, sorry.

Highlights of the week:

• roller blading after work Thursday night--first time on the new SPIFFY blades, and F came with me. He patiently played the role of older brother while teaching me a new way to skate. I have to practice more... But the blades roll like a dream. I'm rather chuffed. :)
• lunch and ensuing discussions with my colleagues. Also, the fact alone that I have colleagues. Wednesday we talked about cultural differences, in particular pertaining to food/diet. Yesterday it was existentialism and nihilism, and other personal beliefs. Other times it is all about picking on someone, in affection. Love it.
• receiving an "urgent" project from "Pancho" (his nickname)--translating a document that he was going to fashion into a powerpoint for a presentation the next day or something. Yessir, you've got it. Stayed until I finished. It wasn't late.
• going back to help with Sonidos de Esperanza (music class in the villas) with M. We are practicing a song that will be the main feature of the presentation on a coming Sunday when the kids come to the church to celebrate the anniversary of Sonidos. Forever--Chris Tomlin--pero en castellano. :)
• small group discussion and ice cream outing last night. I love these guys. Please pray for their various struggles in the faith arena...so many situations and states of belief, and they are such fantastic people. Life is really tough in this neck of the woods. My hope is that they just grasp onto the hope and light God sheds over us in those times.
• wearing a shirt today that I have not yet worn. Seems so trivial, but really, it is lovely to finally be able to wear one article of clothing as of yet unworn these past weeks. I am certainly getting to know my wardrobe intimately. And, along with that, having to grow in the fashion creativity department.
• gorgeous cool, sunny weather. Rock on, Spring. Keep it comin'.

Any questions? I think it would be neat to know if there are any particular things you (few) followers are wondering about my time here.

Consider the floor open. Enjoy your Saturday, all!

Mundane doesn't exist: Day 43

Nothing should ever be allowed to be called "mundane", I have decided. Never let wherever you are, however long you have been there, permit you to ignore life's chiefest joys as they peer out from around street corners, or from behind the chocolate bar you purchase at the kiosco, or from behind the waving hand of a familiar local--whom you now call friend--as you head towards another friend's apartment. Notice the tourists throughout the day in the central downtown area, and appreciate along with them the novelty of the subte and of Plaza San Martin. Never let the bagpiper of the Plaza escape your ears' notice as you pass. Savor the first time in a long time you get to ride your favorite subte line--the one with the sublime warm wood smell. Never forget the fact that you have ice cream in the freezer left over from last night. The newness of the project at work. The fact that you know, and no longer fear, public transport at night. The knowledge of where is best to go for certain groceries. The giving of directions to someone, and moreover in Spanish. Having locals tell you they assumed you were just from another region of Argentina until you told them you're 100% US made. Your know roller skates.

Life is absolutely a treasure. And if you don't take care to choose to notice how God fills each day with joys, it almost imperceptibly zips away into history. Much like the "dientes de leon" seeds that fly through the Spring breeze in Buenos Aires--those that don't get caught in your braid and become a Spring pixie-like accessory, that is.

Content. :)

Treasures: Day 41

Worst part: the Sunday-night lonelies.

Best part: Ema's goodnight, after I sang him my Fernando Ortega lullabye: a little peck of a kiss on my cheek, followed by, "Hasta mañana."--"See you in the morning." That, my friends, is the definition of precious.




Good day. Marvelous day.


Sang in church, despite all odds, and hearing the songs for the first time midnight last night. Enjoyed lunch at V's house with the boys, A, E (chica from the youth who often hangs out with the older age group due to her sweetness, maturity, and solid faith that differ so much from the younger youth), and a new friend and her dad (visiting from Colombia). Went to the park after lunch. Played with the boys and A. Enjoyed E's little Spiderman suit. Bought the boys cotton candy. Went back to Vero's house, enjoyed bedtime prep with the boys. Sang to them, kissed them, received kisses--treasure kisses. Made it home, felt intensely lonely, called family and chatted Joshua.


Going to bed soon. :) Chao.

Work, and Ensuing Busyness: Day 40

Best part: being seated at my desk tikkering away at the keyboard while conversations go on around me; I flicker in and out of those, listen to the Argentines who have learned all the English swear words and love to use them, hear the "ping" of the chat from my work email (I have more friends!), get up to get some water or a coffee and pass the ball pit (where someday I'll do my work) and the hammocks (where you can have meetings or chill). Yeah. :)

Worst part: I have to go grocery shopping again?
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Thursday I woke up ready for yoga. I went to the gym at the time of the class (8:30), but there had been complications with the trains that morning, so the teacher couldn't make it. There was another class at 9:30, so I decided to work out until then. A little bike, a little elliptical, and a little strength training easily fills an hour. The yoga class was really an experience--I'll be learning all sorts of terms in Spanish, and also it's not like the College yoga classes. Not "tree pose" and then "boat pose"...it's just like stretching and stuff in a planned manner. Still, it felt good after a workout! Didn't participate in the chant at the end. Jesus is always here--we don't need to chant to get him to fill us. ;)
Pretty soon I was on my way to work, looking forward to another day of translating the ethical code and such. I went out to lunch with three other ladies in Communications, to a place called BreadPoint with really scrumptious sandwiches. Then I plugged away, translating. Joy of all joys!

What I must here explain is how fun it is to translate and why. I love to type in English while reading Spanish, not looking at the keyboard. I love to find phrases or stylistic differences in the Spanish version and learning their equivalent in English. I love those moments where I know what a Spanish word is saying and it makes sense, but I am stuck on the most accurate English word to stick in its place. I love that.

After work, I headed out to V's house--she is a single mom from the church with two fantastic boys (4 and 7ish, I believe, guessing) and had expressed an interest in learning some English. So once at her house, I met L, a Brasilian friend of hers and of the group that I go roller blading with. He is so talented. Oh my goodness. Started as a graphic designer, learned Spanish and English, studied medicine, and now is studying international relations. But his real passion is music. What a dude! He also made two yummy appetizers that basically served as dinner for us--both were ricotta cheese with various spices/sauces. Not much English was taught that evening, as you may have guessed, but we did all get massages from V and C (the other two ladies) and stand on the balcony to enjoy the wonderful breeze and stars for a while.

Friday morning, I woke up to go meet F, because with the way the health care system works here, if you need surgery, you must get two people to donate blood (of your type) in order to restock the bank, I suppose. Interesting, and problematic.
So we met his other friend, and she didn't have an ID document. Then they told me that I can't donate until a month after I finished Accutane. Rats. Sorry!
I came back home, and prepped for work. Then I was off.
I worked earlier yesterday--starting at noon instead of one--in order to allow time to get to M's house for the music class in the villas (Sonidos de Esperanza). I went to lunch with some fellow newbies to Globant that I met in the induction meeting Monday. We had hotdogs at a place that has frillions of sauces to put on them. Nice conversations.
Back to work (after an alfajor--kind of a cake-y, dulce de leche, chocolate covered dream come true), and continued translating. At some point in the afternoon M called to say that due to all the preparations for her neice's birthday party (today--I leave not too long from now), we'd postpone Sonidos until next week. So I continued to work.
Then I got on the subte for my guitar lesson, and that was nice. I really need to practice more!
After guitar I met up with A, moto man, and we headed back to my neck of the woods to meet up with F and friends to hang out. We left our bags in my apartment, and made orange juice while we waited. That fresh fruit juice thing will NEVER get old.
When we met up with the group, I was the only girl. But whatever, I can handle that. ;) It was A, F, J (F's good friend, from posts before), and a new J. Fun group. We went to a place that had insanely tasty pizza (parmesan, mozzarella, arugula, red peppers, and prosciutto like ham) and chilled and laughed and played with candles. Sigh. Boys.

Then it was bedtime, and I slept till noon. And now I must get ready and find a gift for S, the birthday princess! Chao and besos and abrazos to all!

Learning to use one of something until it's gone: Days 36-37

Best part of the last two days: STARTING WORK!

Worst part of the last two days: finishing the last cube of my giant Tres Suenos chocolate bar. But, in reality, that just means it's time to break out the cookies. (:
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Yesterday I was able to sleep in and wake up at a leisurely pace before work began. I arrived at the office on time, and without problem, and entered into the office.
The area in which I work is on the 9th floor of an office building right by the port here in Buenos Aires that is called Puerto Madero. Cool location, very cool. And the view is pretty spiffy, even though it is only 9 floors.
I kind of share a desk with a really sweet young lady, and all the Communications department is already welcoming me with open arms. The project they gave me to start is writing descriptions for the promotional YouTube videos that they have for Globant (the company).
After work, I came home and made dinner, and shared about my day with my family, and also all the friends here who have taken me into their concern.

This morning I went back to the gym, cleaned up, and headed out the door to work. I went earlier today (at noon, until four) to allow time for the music class in the villa that I love to help with.
Today I continued with my video description work, received my Globant ID card, and turned in paperwork. It was soooooooo fun! At one point, a lady the desk in front of me waved me down and asked me how to say the opposite of worthless. Valoroso? Valuable, of course. :) Love it love it love it!
Directly from work I went to the neighborhood of the church to go to music class. Unfortunately, by a combination of factors (including M making homemade ravioli today!) we were a bit too late to allow sufficient time for the class. So, we'll go Friday.
Instead, we went to pick up M's BEAUTIFUL son at the apartment of V, another church friend--a fantastic single mom with two boys who I am slowly but surely converting to best friends. :) We had mate, and snacks (bread with cream cheese, peach jam, and dulce de leche in various combinations) and it was lovely.
Then it was time for Bible study, and what a great time that was, as always. I love Mrs. Z's style of teaching and her presence in the classroom. And also, tonight there was a bit more discussion than usual, and I liked that a lot.
I made it home by myself on the subte, and had warmups for dinner. Then chocolate and cookies. Mala, but oh well. There's yoga at 8:30 tomorrow morning, and I'm going. :)

Shalom! xoxo

Days 34-35

Best part of the past two days: starting at Globant!

Worst part of the past two days: next to no sleep.
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Yesterday was the Argentine Mother's Day, which was fun to observe. The whole city befogged itself from the smoke of everybody's asados (gorgeous--and this is a veggie-head saying this--arrays of grilled meats) rising heavenwards. Mmmm.
I spent the afternoon with a very lively, large group from the church at the park in Palermo again, roller blading, eating cookies, admiring cute puppies, hoping for no rain, enjoying the friends. In the evening, we headed back to the neighborhood of the church (where they live) for dinner. What a fun time getting to eat Colombian food, learn a little more salsa, and love on some little boys (E and F). I also got to share my Bogota mission trip experience with someone who knows what Barrio Egipto is! THAT was cool. :) Also, balconies at night are fantastic.

This morning I went to a different Globant office than normal. It was hard to get to, because it's in an area not well-reachable by public transport. Once there, however, it was very fun! The other new employees in the "intro-to-the-company" meeting were all rather more or less impressed at my Spanish (SCORE) and my guts for doing an internship thing. Plus they still have those awesome coffee machines with zillions of types of coffee. (:
The rest of the day was slow--napping, getting laundry to the laundromat, practicing guitar. I'm headed to bed very soon; hooray!

Love to all. :)

Creative Title: Days 32-33

Best part of the last two days: playing Just Dance 2 (a Wii dance game) with the youth group, and trying out salsa and merengue (I think) with the same crowd. Hysterically fun. :)

Worst part of the last two days: the exhaustion that is hitting me like a wall. May have something to do with the dozens of galletitas (cookies, like variety pack) I ate when I was dying of hunger this afternoon. Poor choice. See that now. Still learning. (;
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Yesterday I had the chance to make a call to my PA cousins--what fun! It still boggles my mind that it's possible to communicate in (nearly) real time due to technology. Fantastic.
Then, I met up with F, a chica from that youth group that I enjoy so much, and we did a bit of shopping. We found just the right top and scarf to complete a "going out" outfit. Now let's see if I ever actually need said outfit. :) Vamos a ver.
Last night was small group at the Zs' house--but it really was only "small" in name! Everyone from the group except one girl I know of came, plus myself and three other US girls from Pepperdine, studying here. What a crazy evening. Soooo fun! Each personality makes it a group into which it's that much more fun to integrate myself. We talked about doubts, and how we see them, how God sees them, how we struggle to get out of them, how we view them in light of our Christian responsibilities and liberties. One of the Pepperdine girls shared her testimony. We talked about reasons why we believe in God's existence. We ate (lots of) pizza. We played Just Dance 2. I shamelessly tried to weasel several stand-by-and-watch types to participate; to, sadly, no avail other than laughter and smiley eyes and, "no, you go." I washed dishes, which I love to do to help out. I owe the Zs so much. I was the butt of jokes, I doled out jokes. We had some dancing lessons, and I took a turn with F and D (chicos) and E (chica). Then our group, at like two in the morning or something, started to head towards home. We walked as a group through the streets towards a bus stop, and waited forty-five minutes or so--chatting contentedly--for a bus that never showed. F and I took a taxi (the more reliable version of a taxi service--called Remis--rey-MEES) to our area, and the others headed to their area by another Remis. I slept; it being four in the morning and all.

When I woke up, it was gorgeous outside. What a sun, what a temperature, what an intermittent breeze. Magnifico.
Joshua and I tried our darndest to have a Skype call, but technology is incessantly frustrating, so it didn't work. A bit peeved at the faults of manmade things, I decided to try the outdoors for some of the God-made things. Much more glorious, and much more beautiful even though flawed (our bad).
After a bit of a walk (F--I remembered the whole way without looking at my GuiaT even once! :) ), I made it to the park and met up with the Zs. We enjoyed elastic/bouncy tight-ropes, bikes, cookies, mate, the breeze, and ice creams between the group of us.
A while later, we made for the car.

Now, I (the eldest Z kid, the only boy) has been trying for a while to ride a two-wheeler. For him, the ADHD inhibits balance in a very aggravating way, so it's been a real struggle. Today, on the way to the car, though, he did it.
Gracious me, the glory of that moment. Mama was tearing up, Dad was chuffed, I was trying to snap photos. What a conquest! "Lo hice! Lo hice! Lo HICE!" he shouted! ALELUYA. :)

Long car ride--as any is wont to be with tired, thirsty, hungry children--and a trip to McD's, and now we're nearly through the obstacle course of bedtime. I think I should try to sleep well tonight, for I have to be at church early tomorrow for singing rehearsal. Hopefully my memory serves me well for this--I heard these songs for the first time ever yesterday. All in Spanish. I'm a bit of an overachiever, don't ya know. (:

Well-contented. Full. Pleasantly tired. Quiet house. Twila Paris is playing for the kids as they fall asleep.
Lovin' life.
Chao!