Last week in B.A. It goes so fast. Last minute visiting has taking all week. On Monday, nothing happened. I still had some people I wanted to see but were supposed to call me, so I was in the waiting game. Monday afternoon, a friend of my mother, a muslim lady called Fatima, came over for tea. She is a nice lady, just can't agree with her beliefs. Can't understand why my mother has to hang out with her. At least she is not trying to convert anybody.
Tuesday morning I met Marcelo at a confiteria (cafe/lunch place)a few blocks from my mom's house. Marcelo used to live across the street from my mother's, but we actually met at college. It was one of those funny things. You live next door but you have to go someplace else to meet. We were friends all through college, used to hunt used books together -we were studying spanish grammar and literature, and latin and greek. We watched so many strange cult movies together. We had a great time. He is now married and has three children, and continues teaching. We haven't seen each other in 15 years.
I passed by my grandmother's apartment while my mother took the kids to play soccer at the park. My grandmother and I had some time alone for a change. She is very forgetful and is wondering how much longer she has to live, but other than that she is in pretty good shape.
After that my mom took us to Martinez to a huge McDonalds with an enormous playground. The kids loved it. I met again my ex boss, this time with his wife, little daughter and his grown up son Guido. We talked about all kinds of things and enjoyed each other's company.
Wednesday we had lunch at Eneida's house, a friend of my mom. We had empanadas and ice cream. It was a beautiful day, very sunny.
I've been trying to figure out what to bring back as a souvenir. I really didn't want to go downtown by myself to shop, so I had to make do with what was available around my mom's neighborhood. Prices are crazy, and there is no buying in bulk, so I tried to be conservative.
Some neighbor friends Juan and Nico came to play with Blake and Brett. They had fun but they were acting up some. After a while they all went to their house to eat dinner. A few minutes of peace!
Thursday my friend Laura that lives around the corner came over, and we walked around the neighborhood - we actually have sidewalks - talking for over an hour. Then my kids went to her house to play the playstation with her kids and have lunch while I had lunch with my mom, grandmother and a friend of my mother Eduardo. Eduardo is a great storyteller and we had a lively lunch.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Day 26
Gloomy, rainy day. We were supposed to go with my uncle Jorge, aunt Carmen Luz and cousins to the Lujan Zoo where you enter in your car and drive around and the animals are loose. But it was a horrible day for that, so the zoo was closed. Instead we went to a restaurant called Plumas Verdes that belongs to a popular folkloric singer called Horacio Guarani. It was a nice place, except that the service was awful. The food was okay. The kids ate pasta, I ate some salad and several different pieces of argentinian barbecue(asado). Then we came back to my uncle's house. We had coffee and watched on YouTube a conference by a chilenean (my aunt is from Chile) Psychologist named Pilar Sordo. If you understand Spanish I highly recommend her talks. The one we listened to was in Valdivia. She talked about the differences between man and woman but from a different angle than women are from venus and all that. Very, very enlightening. We had tea at 7:30pm and they brought us home around 9pm. We are going to be a mess when we come back... it will take a few days to get back to a normal eating/sleeping schedule.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 24 and 25
Friday July 23
My sister came today with her family to visit and spend the night. She brought some gifts for the kids and they played with their new toys for a while. In fact, her son Tobias and Brett seem to be in the same selfish period and can't share or let the other play with any toy whatsoever. It's frustrating. To that add the language difference and they are a mess! But a funny one.
Tomy is such a big boy at 14. He arrives and confiscates the computer and IM's all his friends for hours. Blake tries to make him play and he does for a little bit, but Tomy is in his own world.
Nicolas, my sister's second son, has a genetic disorder and mostly sits and observes. He is 12.
Later, Tomy and his Dad Maxi went to watch a soccer game. They came back after dinner.
Today, Saturday, the kids went with Maxi to wash his car. They had a ball. Uncle Maxi likes to spoil kids. We ate lunch and then Mom, Jessica and I went to the closest shopping center that is about 5 blocks and had a coffee. A new to me mix of condensed milk and coffee. Interesting. After we spent an hour watching people up and down the escalators we came back home where uncle Maxi was still spoiling his kids and nephews.
At dinner time (9pm!!!) we went to my high school friend Laura's house to have dinner. She lives around the corner from my mother's house. She had invited some friends that live in Puerto Rico and were in for a visit with family. There were also two other couples, and another high school friend and a prospective boyfriend for her. It was sort of an undercover blind date if something like that is possible. Laura was trying to introduce these two friends, and both were shy about meeting in a smaller setting. There were several kids and my kids and them played video games for a while, watched TV, ate pizza and had fun. The adults sat at the table and ate pizza too. We talked about life in the States, capitalism, same sex marriage, adoption, Argentina's landmarks, and many more things. It was a very lively evening, that ended for me after browsing my friend's wedding album. It was beautiful. I was the first one to leave with reluctant kids at 2 am....Buenos Aires has a night life even for families with young kids.
My sister came today with her family to visit and spend the night. She brought some gifts for the kids and they played with their new toys for a while. In fact, her son Tobias and Brett seem to be in the same selfish period and can't share or let the other play with any toy whatsoever. It's frustrating. To that add the language difference and they are a mess! But a funny one.
Tomy is such a big boy at 14. He arrives and confiscates the computer and IM's all his friends for hours. Blake tries to make him play and he does for a little bit, but Tomy is in his own world.
Nicolas, my sister's second son, has a genetic disorder and mostly sits and observes. He is 12.
Later, Tomy and his Dad Maxi went to watch a soccer game. They came back after dinner.
Today, Saturday, the kids went with Maxi to wash his car. They had a ball. Uncle Maxi likes to spoil kids. We ate lunch and then Mom, Jessica and I went to the closest shopping center that is about 5 blocks and had a coffee. A new to me mix of condensed milk and coffee. Interesting. After we spent an hour watching people up and down the escalators we came back home where uncle Maxi was still spoiling his kids and nephews.
At dinner time (9pm!!!) we went to my high school friend Laura's house to have dinner. She lives around the corner from my mother's house. She had invited some friends that live in Puerto Rico and were in for a visit with family. There were also two other couples, and another high school friend and a prospective boyfriend for her. It was sort of an undercover blind date if something like that is possible. Laura was trying to introduce these two friends, and both were shy about meeting in a smaller setting. There were several kids and my kids and them played video games for a while, watched TV, ate pizza and had fun. The adults sat at the table and ate pizza too. We talked about life in the States, capitalism, same sex marriage, adoption, Argentina's landmarks, and many more things. It was a very lively evening, that ended for me after browsing my friend's wedding album. It was beautiful. I was the first one to leave with reluctant kids at 2 am....Buenos Aires has a night life even for families with young kids.
Day 22 and 23
Remind me next time not to let so much time pass without posting. I am glad I took some notes to remember what I did each day, otherwise they all melt in my mind like one big blob.
On Wednesday we went again to visit with my grandmmother. She is feeling better, thank goodness. No hospital in the horizon. In the afternoon we went to another restaurant with playground, called Madrilia, that is relatively close to my mom's house. By now we know every single restaurant with a kids' zone. My friend Mercedes came over with her two kids, and while the kids played we had tea and visited.
Thurday I visit my grandmother again. And then I had my mini high school reunion of 9. The girls have met before a couple of times, so the level of interest has decreased these last two years. I guess my presence only gather 9 of the twenty something that have been meeting together. We had a great time. We ate pizza and talked about everything and anything from social justice to the health care system, from private schools to education and teachers in general, kids and discipline and limits, and jobs and relationships. I came back home at 2am. I haven't been out that late in over 10 years!
My mom and kids went to my brother Axel's house and they spend a few hours playing with their cousin Ivo. Ivo has been coughing a lot, and gone through a few rounds of antibiotics without much improvement. He is 6, his parents are worried about the constant coughing. My mom said they played well together.
Pictures are in my Facebook page.
On Wednesday we went again to visit with my grandmmother. She is feeling better, thank goodness. No hospital in the horizon. In the afternoon we went to another restaurant with playground, called Madrilia, that is relatively close to my mom's house. By now we know every single restaurant with a kids' zone. My friend Mercedes came over with her two kids, and while the kids played we had tea and visited.
Thurday I visit my grandmother again. And then I had my mini high school reunion of 9. The girls have met before a couple of times, so the level of interest has decreased these last two years. I guess my presence only gather 9 of the twenty something that have been meeting together. We had a great time. We ate pizza and talked about everything and anything from social justice to the health care system, from private schools to education and teachers in general, kids and discipline and limits, and jobs and relationships. I came back home at 2am. I haven't been out that late in over 10 years!
My mom and kids went to my brother Axel's house and they spend a few hours playing with their cousin Ivo. Ivo has been coughing a lot, and gone through a few rounds of antibiotics without much improvement. He is 6, his parents are worried about the constant coughing. My mom said they played well together.
Pictures are in my Facebook page.
Day 20 and 21
We went to my grandmother's house today because she is not feeling too well. She went to the hospital yesterday and was told to stay in bed at least for 3 days or she was going to be hospitalized. She is 95, so she has more chances of getting something in the hospital that the rest of us. It's better for her to stay home if possible. So we went for a visit with the kids. Let them play with my computer and watch tv while I was sitting with her and talking.
I lost my voice yesterday, so I am not very happy about it. It is hard to visit when you can't talk or start talking and can't stop coughing. Ugh.
Nevertheless, I got to meet a friend later on in a restaurant with a playground. That seems to be the only kind of restaurant we can go to because the kids get too bored and it's impossible to talk. So I met my friend Patricia there. The restaurant was a complete fiasco. It was cold as a refrigerator, the service was awful - they even brought a cup of coffee without the plate that goes under the cup! we had to ask for it - and there wasn't soap or paper towels in the bathroom, just to mention some of the problems. But my friend was coming from another neighborhood and there wasn't any other place to go then, so we stayed for a while. It was a good visit, the second one of this trip, and we parted our ways decided to keep in touch.
On Tuesday we were going to meet a lifelong friend of my mother in Palermo. She was coming all the way from Corrientes, about 10 hrs driving. She never called, and when she did, she said she was going someplace else. My mother needed to run an errand downtown, so we took the train and the subway and went downtown. Unfortunately, the errand about the cell phone she needed to run was fruitless and she didn't solve the problem. A total waste of time, except for the trip for the kids. So in the spot we decided to go to Palermo anyways - without the friend- to another restaurant with a playground called "La Payuca". I think it means a kind of plant, but I haven't had time to figure it out. The kids loved it. We ate well and stayed for over three hours with my mom. Then someone called my name. It was a friend from high school, Maria Eugenia. We haven't seen each other for over 20 years, but we are friends in Facebook. Palermo is 45 minutes from where we used to live and go to school, so it was a surprise to find someone familiar. The world is so small after all.
Brett didn't like the subway, but both of the kids loved the train.
I lost my voice yesterday, so I am not very happy about it. It is hard to visit when you can't talk or start talking and can't stop coughing. Ugh.
Nevertheless, I got to meet a friend later on in a restaurant with a playground. That seems to be the only kind of restaurant we can go to because the kids get too bored and it's impossible to talk. So I met my friend Patricia there. The restaurant was a complete fiasco. It was cold as a refrigerator, the service was awful - they even brought a cup of coffee without the plate that goes under the cup! we had to ask for it - and there wasn't soap or paper towels in the bathroom, just to mention some of the problems. But my friend was coming from another neighborhood and there wasn't any other place to go then, so we stayed for a while. It was a good visit, the second one of this trip, and we parted our ways decided to keep in touch.
On Tuesday we were going to meet a lifelong friend of my mother in Palermo. She was coming all the way from Corrientes, about 10 hrs driving. She never called, and when she did, she said she was going someplace else. My mother needed to run an errand downtown, so we took the train and the subway and went downtown. Unfortunately, the errand about the cell phone she needed to run was fruitless and she didn't solve the problem. A total waste of time, except for the trip for the kids. So in the spot we decided to go to Palermo anyways - without the friend- to another restaurant with a playground called "La Payuca". I think it means a kind of plant, but I haven't had time to figure it out. The kids loved it. We ate well and stayed for over three hours with my mom. Then someone called my name. It was a friend from high school, Maria Eugenia. We haven't seen each other for over 20 years, but we are friends in Facebook. Palermo is 45 minutes from where we used to live and go to school, so it was a surprise to find someone familiar. The world is so small after all.
Brett didn't like the subway, but both of the kids loved the train.
Day 18 and 19
Saturday, Jessica stayed with her kids at Mom's house while her husband went to some birthday party. We had a good time talking and visiting, and later on we walked to a commercial street called Lope de Vega (a famous Spanish writer) to look for a red coat she wanted to buy. She found one. On the way back, her husband found us walking and picked us up in his car and brought us home. We watched "Eclipse" with twenty interruptions from the kids, but we watched it. Where the movie came from is a mystery for me, since it is still in the theaters.... right, I am in South America.
Sunday I went to church to Asamblea Cristiana again. It was raining, so my mother took me there. It was a great service. The music was very moving, and the speaker was a peruvian pastor that used to be a "sendero luminoso" terrorist militant. Sendero luminoso was or is, I don't know, the marxist extremist group that killed people in the name of the revolution in Peru. This particular person was a leader during the Fujimori government. His name was Jorge. Couldn't get his last name. But he was captured and imprisoned and his penalty for being a high rank leader was being shot. They needed a judge order though. During his isolated confinement, he was visited by a blind pastor that told him the gospel. Jorge wanted to kill him for even talking to him, his marxist convictions were so deep. But one of his marxist dogmas was that you can't kill the lame, the mute, deaf or blind. So he couldn't touch the pastor. When the day of his execution arrived, Jorge decided to turn his life to God. He was blindfolded and taken to a police station where he was kept for three days. At the end of those three days, he was released. Free to go. His papers had mysteriously vanished and there were no proof of his terrorist activities, so they couldn't execute him. There were also a group of human rights visiting Peru and the government couldn't risk the international exposure of executing a prisoner without solid proof. Jorge couldn't believe it. He went and found the blind pastor and accepted Jesus in his life. He has dedicated his life to minister to all kinds of people in need. He has been living in Argentina, in the very cold south, for 20 years. He was blessed with a fruitful ministry and a wife and two little daughters. After ministering in the north of the country for three straight months, he and his family were returning in a bus to their home when the bus was hit by a truck. His year and a half year old daughter died instantly. His wife was in a comma. While he was buring his daughter he told God that he couldn't understand what was happening, Scripture about protection and God's care for His people kept coming to his mind to accuse him. Finally he told God that nothing could stop him from preaching and asked God for his wife to be healed. She recovered. That was 12 years ago. Jorge still today ministers and preaches all over the country. Wow, it was such a powerful testimony.
After church we went to a small music festival at my old high school organized by a choir. I know the choir director, Ines. She was my music teacher in high school. She isn't that much older than me really. Her husband Alberto used to be my psychologist when I was doing group therapy in the 90s. So we went to my high school and there had some tables set up and there was a guy with a guitar that could play anything you wanted and we did some karaoke. The choir sang beautifully many songs, and some people sang folkloric melodies, tangoes, and some other popular songs. We ate some empanadas, cake and sodas. I had a very good time. I sang one song with the lyrics in my hand because I couldn't remember anything to sing. I remembered a thousand songs that night though. Funny how your mind can play some tricks on you.
The kids walked all over the high school with my mother. They enjoyed getting into the classrooms and writing on the blackboards. For me it was so weird to walk into the school. It's been over 20 years. A lot of memories were brought back by walking the hallways. Now the school is for both boys and girls, but it used to be a girls only school when I attended.
Sunday I went to church to Asamblea Cristiana again. It was raining, so my mother took me there. It was a great service. The music was very moving, and the speaker was a peruvian pastor that used to be a "sendero luminoso" terrorist militant. Sendero luminoso was or is, I don't know, the marxist extremist group that killed people in the name of the revolution in Peru. This particular person was a leader during the Fujimori government. His name was Jorge. Couldn't get his last name. But he was captured and imprisoned and his penalty for being a high rank leader was being shot. They needed a judge order though. During his isolated confinement, he was visited by a blind pastor that told him the gospel. Jorge wanted to kill him for even talking to him, his marxist convictions were so deep. But one of his marxist dogmas was that you can't kill the lame, the mute, deaf or blind. So he couldn't touch the pastor. When the day of his execution arrived, Jorge decided to turn his life to God. He was blindfolded and taken to a police station where he was kept for three days. At the end of those three days, he was released. Free to go. His papers had mysteriously vanished and there were no proof of his terrorist activities, so they couldn't execute him. There were also a group of human rights visiting Peru and the government couldn't risk the international exposure of executing a prisoner without solid proof. Jorge couldn't believe it. He went and found the blind pastor and accepted Jesus in his life. He has dedicated his life to minister to all kinds of people in need. He has been living in Argentina, in the very cold south, for 20 years. He was blessed with a fruitful ministry and a wife and two little daughters. After ministering in the north of the country for three straight months, he and his family were returning in a bus to their home when the bus was hit by a truck. His year and a half year old daughter died instantly. His wife was in a comma. While he was buring his daughter he told God that he couldn't understand what was happening, Scripture about protection and God's care for His people kept coming to his mind to accuse him. Finally he told God that nothing could stop him from preaching and asked God for his wife to be healed. She recovered. That was 12 years ago. Jorge still today ministers and preaches all over the country. Wow, it was such a powerful testimony.
After church we went to a small music festival at my old high school organized by a choir. I know the choir director, Ines. She was my music teacher in high school. She isn't that much older than me really. Her husband Alberto used to be my psychologist when I was doing group therapy in the 90s. So we went to my high school and there had some tables set up and there was a guy with a guitar that could play anything you wanted and we did some karaoke. The choir sang beautifully many songs, and some people sang folkloric melodies, tangoes, and some other popular songs. We ate some empanadas, cake and sodas. I had a very good time. I sang one song with the lyrics in my hand because I couldn't remember anything to sing. I remembered a thousand songs that night though. Funny how your mind can play some tricks on you.
The kids walked all over the high school with my mother. They enjoyed getting into the classrooms and writing on the blackboards. For me it was so weird to walk into the school. It's been over 20 years. A lot of memories were brought back by walking the hallways. Now the school is for both boys and girls, but it used to be a girls only school when I attended.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Day 16 and 17
My grandmother came over like every day. She is having some memory problems. Like not remembering that the jacket you are trying to put on her is hers. Or what day of the week, month or year it is.
I walked to the pharmacy to get some medicine for Brett. He is coughing and looks like he has a little fever. The sidewalks are all broken, and there is dog's poop everywhere. It's unbelievable. You have to walk looking down or either you break your neck or step on poop.
Jessica, my sister, her husband Maxi and my three nephews finally arrived today. Then I had to take Brett to the pediatrician just in case, because he was very congested and had a cough. Dr. said it was nothing. To keep him comfortable with ibuprofen. Then my brother's wife arrived with my other nephew. So yeah, I got to see all my nephews. It's funny to see them trying to communicate with Blake and Brett. Tobias, Jessica's youngest, told Brett "well, now you can speak to me in Spanish" They all played well and had a good time. We ate empanadas and pizzas, and then Axel, my brother came from work and he got to eat something all by himself.
My grandmother wasn't feeling well so she stayed home.
I am mad I didn't bring my regular photo camera and brought only the new video one. I didn't have time to play with it and it doesn't seem to have a flash, so you can barely take any pictures indoors. I am very disappointed. Missed a lot of photo opportunities.
I walked to the pharmacy to get some medicine for Brett. He is coughing and looks like he has a little fever. The sidewalks are all broken, and there is dog's poop everywhere. It's unbelievable. You have to walk looking down or either you break your neck or step on poop.
Jessica, my sister, her husband Maxi and my three nephews finally arrived today. Then I had to take Brett to the pediatrician just in case, because he was very congested and had a cough. Dr. said it was nothing. To keep him comfortable with ibuprofen. Then my brother's wife arrived with my other nephew. So yeah, I got to see all my nephews. It's funny to see them trying to communicate with Blake and Brett. Tobias, Jessica's youngest, told Brett "well, now you can speak to me in Spanish" They all played well and had a good time. We ate empanadas and pizzas, and then Axel, my brother came from work and he got to eat something all by himself.
My grandmother wasn't feeling well so she stayed home.
I am mad I didn't bring my regular photo camera and brought only the new video one. I didn't have time to play with it and it doesn't seem to have a flash, so you can barely take any pictures indoors. I am very disappointed. Missed a lot of photo opportunities.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 14 and 15
Very cold. I don't feel like doing anything. Axel, my brother, showed up and we drank some mates. He only stayed for a little while. I haven't seen his wife or my nephew yet. Awful. My sister is supposed to come on Friday after the kids come out of school and she'll stay till Saturday night. So much for staying here 5 weeks, the people I really wanted to see I barely get to see. What a waste of time. I am really frustrated. The more I know people... I still don't care about my dog, sorry Jake, not a dog person.
Today a friend of my mother that also drives a school bus came over. It was hilarious. His name is Eduardo. He used to work in different multinational companies like Perez Companc and a Gas company. He traveled to Scottland and was telling the stories of his trips, especially the issue of the food. It seems that the food there is nasty. Porridge and hard meat of doubtful origin. He said that people that were temporary in Buenos Aires, when they realized they were going back home to Scottland or England, would eat only steak for lunch and dinner for months at a time, because they were not going to taste a decent piece of meat in a very very long time. That and the deodorant issue. Seems to be that in Europe nobody cares about body odors. Just an interesting afternoon conversation over coffee.
Also not having a car is a bad deal. Here you depend on taxis and they are not always available. And I don't feel safe to be taking a bus when it's dark. So there are limitations to the outings. And it's getting dark at 6pm when everybody is working or coming out of school.
Oh well, next two weeks, school is out for winter vacations. It will be chaotic to go anywhere, but at least some people will be free to visit for a while.
I got finally to talk to my nephew's mom. It looks like after three weeeks we'll get to see him, woohoo. It will snow, JK.
Meanwhile I am reading "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre", as a complete brainwash, so I don't have to think a thing. It's entertaining, but I don't have too much time to read without interruptions. This (fake) sequel to Pride and Prejudice is obviously about Mr. Darcy being a vampire. I am half way into the book and the truth has not yet been revealed, Elizabeth has been married for three weeks or so and she is still a virgin, and I am letting it take me through Europe, especially a pintoresque description of Venice and the masquerade balls, and stuff like that. I went and bought some Omega 3 today. I quit taking it when I came and I can see that my moods have gone way down. The winter time doesn't help either, and the exercise I would normally get here walking every where it's lost in the cold. So I'll try the pills again.
Today a friend of my mother that also drives a school bus came over. It was hilarious. His name is Eduardo. He used to work in different multinational companies like Perez Companc and a Gas company. He traveled to Scottland and was telling the stories of his trips, especially the issue of the food. It seems that the food there is nasty. Porridge and hard meat of doubtful origin. He said that people that were temporary in Buenos Aires, when they realized they were going back home to Scottland or England, would eat only steak for lunch and dinner for months at a time, because they were not going to taste a decent piece of meat in a very very long time. That and the deodorant issue. Seems to be that in Europe nobody cares about body odors. Just an interesting afternoon conversation over coffee.
Also not having a car is a bad deal. Here you depend on taxis and they are not always available. And I don't feel safe to be taking a bus when it's dark. So there are limitations to the outings. And it's getting dark at 6pm when everybody is working or coming out of school.
Oh well, next two weeks, school is out for winter vacations. It will be chaotic to go anywhere, but at least some people will be free to visit for a while.
I got finally to talk to my nephew's mom. It looks like after three weeeks we'll get to see him, woohoo. It will snow, JK.
Meanwhile I am reading "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre", as a complete brainwash, so I don't have to think a thing. It's entertaining, but I don't have too much time to read without interruptions. This (fake) sequel to Pride and Prejudice is obviously about Mr. Darcy being a vampire. I am half way into the book and the truth has not yet been revealed, Elizabeth has been married for three weeks or so and she is still a virgin, and I am letting it take me through Europe, especially a pintoresque description of Venice and the masquerade balls, and stuff like that. I went and bought some Omega 3 today. I quit taking it when I came and I can see that my moods have gone way down. The winter time doesn't help either, and the exercise I would normally get here walking every where it's lost in the cold. So I'll try the pills again.
Day 13
Today I took the plunge and made some phone calls. It wasn't that bad. I went to visit the mother of a friend from college and had a good time talking and catching up. The kids went to my uncle's house to play with my 14 year old cousin. She loves kids and is enjoying having Blake and Brett to play with.
It got cold today. Very cold. Depressingly cold, when you don't have central heating. My grandmother is coming to my mom's house almost every day. I have to visit with her while I can. She is losing her memory and it's hard for her to accept it.
It got cold today. Very cold. Depressingly cold, when you don't have central heating. My grandmother is coming to my mom's house almost every day. I have to visit with her while I can. She is losing her memory and it's hard for her to accept it.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Day 12
Two and a half hour service at Asamblea Cristiana. A lot of singing, praying and preaching. There even was some speaking in tongues today. Oh my. I am not used to that, but God was certainly speaking through his people. I can raise my hands, and all that, I love the sound of God's people praying aloud all together, unashamed, it's like an angels' choir. But I am not so sure about to the tongue's thing.
Then off to my former high school music teacher's house. She has two teenagers. A nice visit. Her kids entertained mine for a while.
Spain won the World Cup. At least they speak Spanish there, lol. The Americas didn't even make the 3rd place. Oh well, we'll have to wait another four years. With Brazil hosting it, it will be a carnival, literally.
Then off to my former high school music teacher's house. She has two teenagers. A nice visit. Her kids entertained mine for a while.
Spain won the World Cup. At least they speak Spanish there, lol. The Americas didn't even make the 3rd place. Oh well, we'll have to wait another four years. With Brazil hosting it, it will be a carnival, literally.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Mixed feelings Day 12
When you come back to your hometown, it is nice to visit with the people you grew up with. It is nice to see them and realize how their life turned out. On the other hand, it stirs a lot of history, feelings, and emotions that can be uncomfortable. Remembering how one decision led to another and brought you to where you are. One piece of the puzzle could have changed the entire thing. It is amazing and scary too. Last time I came I only saw a few of my high school girlfriends, and that was really all. I've seen already three people that I haven't seen in almost 15 years or more. And I am reluctant to call people that I've already committed to call, like more stirring is not good. I think it is easier once it's done. Like going to the doctor. It wasn't that bad once you went. Still it's taking me two weeks to make a phone call. I know I carry the light of Jesus with me, and I'll be alright. It's just that I feel like I am surrounded by the ghosts of the past.
Sometimes you just have to face your fears. The fear of awkwardness, the fear of remembering.
We watched Dorian Gray. Oh my. The actors are lovely, but I forgot how dark the storyline was. If I'd have to choose I really prefer Twilight, vampires and all. At least there is some romance and eternal bliss, instead of just evil and cynicism. Love conquers all.
Sometimes you just have to face your fears. The fear of awkwardness, the fear of remembering.
We watched Dorian Gray. Oh my. The actors are lovely, but I forgot how dark the storyline was. If I'd have to choose I really prefer Twilight, vampires and all. At least there is some romance and eternal bliss, instead of just evil and cynicism. Love conquers all.
Day 11
We are getting up late. That is because we are going to bed at indecent hours. We will have to get in order when we go back home since school will start in three weeks then.
We went to Palermo to the Parques and the Rosedal. It was very neat. There are some parks, lakes with ducks and gardens of roses (rosedales) and they had the good idea of blocking many, many streets and making them available for skaters and rollerbladers and bikers and walkers with dogs and kids. There were people everywhere. People having a picnic; kids, teenagers and adults playing soccer; we even saw a guy rollerbladding and playing castanuelas (sort of what Buzz Lightyear does in Toy Story 3 with his flamenco dance). Very colorful. Blake was introduced to a group of kids playing soccer and they played for a while. Then one of the kids' family offered Blake and Brett a drink and some candy. Everything was dandy, even though it was chili if you weren't in a sunny spot, until it was time to go to the bathroom.
Now you are thinking Meyer Park (or any American park) that has 4 bathrooms, one in each corner, with 5 or 6 toilets. Well, think again. Somebody pointed to some "chemical bathrooms" that were supposed to be someplace. We walked and walked only to find a standard bathroom with 3 toilets and a 20 minute line. (just like the Walmart line!) It took forever of course, so that needs a little improvement if they expect the thousand people that were exercising and playing outdoor enjoying the Friday holidad for Independence Day. I was told that it gets like this every weekend. It reminded me of Rio. Everybody exercises in Rio. It must be the proximity of the beach. You have to keep toned if you are going to enjoy the beach without taking the plunge with all your clothes on.
We also went to the Planetarium A huge dome like building with well, a rounded ceiling where a huge projector shows a 360 degree picture of the sky at night. We saw the "Solar System" show. Needless is to say that they got it all wrong. 5 thousand million years ago, a ball of helium and nitrogen, etc etc and a comet is probably responsible for life on earth. They surely didn't read the Bible. At least they had the common sense to say that the zodiac was nonsense. People seem to ignore that proven fact often here and everywhere. HELLO "In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth" Genesis 1:1. Let's start from there. It was a nice experience though. Brett and my mother took a small nap in there too. The darkeness and all. Sometimes you have to pay a ticket to take a nap.
Coming out I recognized a profile in the crowd. It was my first boyfriend from over 27 years ago. I went to say Hi. He is a friend in FB. He was with his son. It's funny how so many years can melt in a second. Hi and goodbye and life goes on. I knew I had to leave Buenos Aires back then for a reason. I can't go anywhere without finding a piece of the past. And you can't move on if you are anchored in the past.
After the planetarium we went to a restaurant in Belgrano called Casimiro. It has a kids' playground and obstacle course, computers with video games and a lady doing face painting. The kids had fun. We went so I could meet my former boss, his wife and daughter. It's a long story, but because this boss fired me, I got to meet Bill, my husband. Interesting how something you think is bad ends up being for your own good. We got to catch up on our lives. When you visit the past, make sure to leave it where it was. And appreciate the present, because that is the only thing we have. And thank you, God, that the past is gone.
We went with my mother to eat out afterwards, it was 9:30pm ( dinner time here). We had empanadas (meat turnovers) and locro ( a stew made of corn, some other beans, meat and bacon, yum! haven't had that in a decade). I went to sleep at 1:30am. I am exhausted. I'll need a vacation after the vacations.
Bill has started playing games with the kids on the computer and they are entertaining each other playing checkers and tick tack toe and other games.
We went to Palermo to the Parques and the Rosedal. It was very neat. There are some parks, lakes with ducks and gardens of roses (rosedales) and they had the good idea of blocking many, many streets and making them available for skaters and rollerbladers and bikers and walkers with dogs and kids. There were people everywhere. People having a picnic; kids, teenagers and adults playing soccer; we even saw a guy rollerbladding and playing castanuelas (sort of what Buzz Lightyear does in Toy Story 3 with his flamenco dance). Very colorful. Blake was introduced to a group of kids playing soccer and they played for a while. Then one of the kids' family offered Blake and Brett a drink and some candy. Everything was dandy, even though it was chili if you weren't in a sunny spot, until it was time to go to the bathroom.
Now you are thinking Meyer Park (or any American park) that has 4 bathrooms, one in each corner, with 5 or 6 toilets. Well, think again. Somebody pointed to some "chemical bathrooms" that were supposed to be someplace. We walked and walked only to find a standard bathroom with 3 toilets and a 20 minute line. (just like the Walmart line!) It took forever of course, so that needs a little improvement if they expect the thousand people that were exercising and playing outdoor enjoying the Friday holidad for Independence Day. I was told that it gets like this every weekend. It reminded me of Rio. Everybody exercises in Rio. It must be the proximity of the beach. You have to keep toned if you are going to enjoy the beach without taking the plunge with all your clothes on.
We also went to the Planetarium A huge dome like building with well, a rounded ceiling where a huge projector shows a 360 degree picture of the sky at night. We saw the "Solar System" show. Needless is to say that they got it all wrong. 5 thousand million years ago, a ball of helium and nitrogen, etc etc and a comet is probably responsible for life on earth. They surely didn't read the Bible. At least they had the common sense to say that the zodiac was nonsense. People seem to ignore that proven fact often here and everywhere. HELLO "In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth" Genesis 1:1. Let's start from there. It was a nice experience though. Brett and my mother took a small nap in there too. The darkeness and all. Sometimes you have to pay a ticket to take a nap.
Coming out I recognized a profile in the crowd. It was my first boyfriend from over 27 years ago. I went to say Hi. He is a friend in FB. He was with his son. It's funny how so many years can melt in a second. Hi and goodbye and life goes on. I knew I had to leave Buenos Aires back then for a reason. I can't go anywhere without finding a piece of the past. And you can't move on if you are anchored in the past.
After the planetarium we went to a restaurant in Belgrano called Casimiro. It has a kids' playground and obstacle course, computers with video games and a lady doing face painting. The kids had fun. We went so I could meet my former boss, his wife and daughter. It's a long story, but because this boss fired me, I got to meet Bill, my husband. Interesting how something you think is bad ends up being for your own good. We got to catch up on our lives. When you visit the past, make sure to leave it where it was. And appreciate the present, because that is the only thing we have. And thank you, God, that the past is gone.
We went with my mother to eat out afterwards, it was 9:30pm ( dinner time here). We had empanadas (meat turnovers) and locro ( a stew made of corn, some other beans, meat and bacon, yum! haven't had that in a decade). I went to sleep at 1:30am. I am exhausted. I'll need a vacation after the vacations.
Bill has started playing games with the kids on the computer and they are entertaining each other playing checkers and tick tack toe and other games.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day 10
It was very timely that pastor Stephen Trammell preached on how to forgive difficult people just before I left town. I brought the notes here, but I think I need to listen to it again. Not that I am not difficult at times as well, we all are. It's just that it is so easy to build up the resentment and start rotting inside. Being miserable is not fun. Thank you Jesus for giving us the answer. It is not quick, or easy, or convenient, but it is the answer.
The Walmart Experience:
We went to Walmart. I wish I had taken a picture because it looks so American... McDonalds inside, and Blockbuster included (oops I forgot RedBox is sending Blockbuster to the poor house). Walmart here is like at home, wide open spaces. All the food is regional, with a few very expensive exceptions. But I was tickled that the clothes brands are the same: George and Simply Basic. Oh yes, the girl shops at Walmart every other day for clearances. Most products come from China and they are way more expensive than at home. I needed a couple of Sharpies and for two small ones was almost u$4. It hurt... things that we have available at the Dollar store are seriously not even close to a dollar here. And then... the bow to the evening. Because people get their paycheck at the beginning of the month, it was packed. We got into a line, and it wasn't moving at all. The cashier was a man. Yell discrimination, but he was slow. We moved to another line with a lady that seemed to know what she was doing. It took over twenty (20) minutes to check out. We were literally burning up, it was hot, and the kids were all over the place asking for the same candy and little toys, like they do at home, such a familiar feeling. Ugh. I don't think we are going back to Walmart anytime soon. The general food prices weren't as good as the competition from France Carrefour. Sometimes you have to go foreigner. Even if you want to save money and live better.
The Walmart Experience:
We went to Walmart. I wish I had taken a picture because it looks so American... McDonalds inside, and Blockbuster included (oops I forgot RedBox is sending Blockbuster to the poor house). Walmart here is like at home, wide open spaces. All the food is regional, with a few very expensive exceptions. But I was tickled that the clothes brands are the same: George and Simply Basic. Oh yes, the girl shops at Walmart every other day for clearances. Most products come from China and they are way more expensive than at home. I needed a couple of Sharpies and for two small ones was almost u$4. It hurt... things that we have available at the Dollar store are seriously not even close to a dollar here. And then... the bow to the evening. Because people get their paycheck at the beginning of the month, it was packed. We got into a line, and it wasn't moving at all. The cashier was a man. Yell discrimination, but he was slow. We moved to another line with a lady that seemed to know what she was doing. It took over twenty (20) minutes to check out. We were literally burning up, it was hot, and the kids were all over the place asking for the same candy and little toys, like they do at home, such a familiar feeling. Ugh. I don't think we are going back to Walmart anytime soon. The general food prices weren't as good as the competition from France Carrefour. Sometimes you have to go foreigner. Even if you want to save money and live better.
Day 9
I didn't imagine that coming in the winter was as problematic as coming in the summer. I guess trouble follows you around no matter what. During the summer, people are on vacations and too busy. During the winter, people are here, but kids get sick, so they can't see you anyways. And they are planning their winter vacations. It almost seems like a joke, but it is not. It's not a very funny one. So here I am, trying to see people and their kids are sick. It's frustrating. And I really don't want my kids to get sick either. And Brett is already coughing. I have my private editor next to me, telling me what doesn't make sense so I can correct it. Blake is his name. He is reading as I write and making sure I get the story right. He is a doll. I love him very much. (He is reading this of course)
We stayed home all day and a friend of mine came for the afternoon tea, that ended at 10pm. Here people eat around 9pm, so it is not uncommon that a tea session that started at 6pm goes on for a while.
We are talking with Bill (Daddy) through Skype every morning and night, with the video included. It's hard to imagine how people manage years ago when there was only the snail mail to communicate when you were abroad.
My take on the Argentinian media: vulgar. It is shocking to listen to the radio and people are calling each other names and using a language that I never thought that I would hear in the air. Totally disturbing. Men using obscene words like it is the most normal thing in the world. It makes me sick. At home at least they bleep them. Here they are for all to hear, no problem. There used to be a fine for using bad words, not anymore. And then the kioks where they sell magazines and newspapers and pirated movies.... they have all the pornographic magazines on display. You can even see them from the bus while you are going anywhere. Disgusting. To think that kids pass by these places everyday and are exposed to see that. And the tv... well, it's MTV plus soft porn all over. Cat fights between women, calling each other names, the works. We used to be a cultural center and now it is more like a vulgarity palace.
The Argentinians were rooting for Spain since we lost with Germany, and were happy that they won. Not that it helped us, but at least Germany didn't make it to the final, that is the general thought. I was for Germany because I have a new friend from there. No friends from Spain, maybe a stray distant relative...
We stayed home all day and a friend of mine came for the afternoon tea, that ended at 10pm. Here people eat around 9pm, so it is not uncommon that a tea session that started at 6pm goes on for a while.
We are talking with Bill (Daddy) through Skype every morning and night, with the video included. It's hard to imagine how people manage years ago when there was only the snail mail to communicate when you were abroad.
My take on the Argentinian media: vulgar. It is shocking to listen to the radio and people are calling each other names and using a language that I never thought that I would hear in the air. Totally disturbing. Men using obscene words like it is the most normal thing in the world. It makes me sick. At home at least they bleep them. Here they are for all to hear, no problem. There used to be a fine for using bad words, not anymore. And then the kioks where they sell magazines and newspapers and pirated movies.... they have all the pornographic magazines on display. You can even see them from the bus while you are going anywhere. Disgusting. To think that kids pass by these places everyday and are exposed to see that. And the tv... well, it's MTV plus soft porn all over. Cat fights between women, calling each other names, the works. We used to be a cultural center and now it is more like a vulgarity palace.
The Argentinians were rooting for Spain since we lost with Germany, and were happy that they won. Not that it helped us, but at least Germany didn't make it to the final, that is the general thought. I was for Germany because I have a new friend from there. No friends from Spain, maybe a stray distant relative...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day 7 and 8
As for yesterday, let's just say that being here gives me an opportunity to appreciate what I have at home. The luxury of having a car just for starters. Here people drive crazy. There is no way I could drive in a country where there are no stop signs, and the few that exists nobody respects. But last night my mother made some little steaks and they were divine. I forget how good is the red meat. I eat too much ground beef mixed with stuff. But here, they eat the real thing all the time. Delicious. And the flan.... yes, I see that there are some extra pounds coming my way. The kids are in need of some friends, and the new ones are going to school and have to do homework and are busy. They played with them for an hour, but that wasn't enough for them. I need to find something for them to do.
Today I decided it was "kids' day" so we went to the Abasto shopping center near downtown to the Children's Museum. We took a remise and arrived when the museum opened. It was great. All kinds of learning experiences were missing because of the language difference. I tried to translate some, but it's difficult to do that while the kids are running, haha. They played for more than four hours. I was exhausted just by tagging along. My head was pounding. But they, they were happy. They went down slides, climbed ladders, run through things hanging from the ceiling, played soccer, threw balls, drew pictures, the list has no end. We came out of the museum to eat lunch around 3pm. They ate McDonalds, only a happy meal is u$s 5 here. Same packaging, same toys from China, just more expensive. When we went back in, they kept on going. I was dragging myself. Fortunately, there was a small soccer field and they played there for a while so I could rest. After the museum, I was undecided about how to go back home. I really didn't want to pay u$s 25 just to take a taxi, and I couldn't contact my mom to know if she could pick us up (I had no more money in the cell phone she let me have, and I didn't know it). So finally I decided to take the subway. We got there and the first one was so packed we had to let it go. We barely made it into the second one, but we only had 5 stations to go. When we exit the subway, we walked directly into the train station. I couldn't remember exactly the name of the train line and was confused for a moment, but finally figure out which train to take. Then my mother called when we were comfortably seated inside the train, and she agreed to go to pick us up at the train station closest to her house. It was good for the kids to see that there are other ways to travel than cars. They enjoyed the novelty, but of course, they are used to the convenience of having a car available all the time.
Midnight again. I haven't been able to open my Nook yet. I guess my idea of reading books while here, exercising, etc. was just one of those absurd plans that we sometimes make. I better go to sleep if I intend to keep up with the kids tomorrow.
Today I decided it was "kids' day" so we went to the Abasto shopping center near downtown to the Children's Museum. We took a remise and arrived when the museum opened. It was great. All kinds of learning experiences were missing because of the language difference. I tried to translate some, but it's difficult to do that while the kids are running, haha. They played for more than four hours. I was exhausted just by tagging along. My head was pounding. But they, they were happy. They went down slides, climbed ladders, run through things hanging from the ceiling, played soccer, threw balls, drew pictures, the list has no end. We came out of the museum to eat lunch around 3pm. They ate McDonalds, only a happy meal is u$s 5 here. Same packaging, same toys from China, just more expensive. When we went back in, they kept on going. I was dragging myself. Fortunately, there was a small soccer field and they played there for a while so I could rest. After the museum, I was undecided about how to go back home. I really didn't want to pay u$s 25 just to take a taxi, and I couldn't contact my mom to know if she could pick us up (I had no more money in the cell phone she let me have, and I didn't know it). So finally I decided to take the subway. We got there and the first one was so packed we had to let it go. We barely made it into the second one, but we only had 5 stations to go. When we exit the subway, we walked directly into the train station. I couldn't remember exactly the name of the train line and was confused for a moment, but finally figure out which train to take. Then my mother called when we were comfortably seated inside the train, and she agreed to go to pick us up at the train station closest to her house. It was good for the kids to see that there are other ways to travel than cars. They enjoyed the novelty, but of course, they are used to the convenience of having a car available all the time.
Midnight again. I haven't been able to open my Nook yet. I guess my idea of reading books while here, exercising, etc. was just one of those absurd plans that we sometimes make. I better go to sleep if I intend to keep up with the kids tomorrow.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day 5 and 6
I am noticing that if I don't write about the day on the same day, I forget what I've done. It must be an age thing. Yesterday we had an unusual warm day for July with almost 75 degrees. The perfect day for going to the zoo. It was great. The kids had fun and we got to walk for a while. Then the kids got to go to play with their new friends and mom and I watched National Treasure.
This morning I went to church by myself, since the service lasts two hours and was all in Spanish. It was interesting to listen to the same music we sing at home, but with the lyrics in Spanish, songs like "just like I am" and "Open the eyes of my heart". The pastor had just come back from Atlanta, GA from a pastor's conference about evangelism.
After that we went to my uncle Jorge's house for an argentinian BBQ. It was very good. My cousin Carolina (14) is playing Snowwhite in a kids' play and we went to see her perform. It was interesting to see the kids looking at her, dressed up and with a black wig, and tons of make up.
It was funny to see a group of 14 year olds looking at Blake and Brett like they were celebrities, just because they didn't speak Spanish and were coming from the US. Poor Blake he was shy for a while, until somebody started to ask questions in English. He looked so little in the middle of all those kids, and they were fascinated.
I got to talk to my aunt for some time and it was a good conversation. I think God sometimes speaks through the people you least expected.
My mother's van, her means of working, since she uses it as a school bus, broke down this morning. It's the second time in as many weeks. It's bad news, because she doesn't have the means to buy another one, and at 71 she should begin to think about doing something else. Meanwhile she must rely on a "rescue" van that will help her do her route tomorrow and until she can fix her own van. Problems seem to never end. Hopefully it won't be nothing serious, though it looks like it is the hydrolic steering, whatever that is, it already sounds serious.
I hope to go to sleep before 1am and start getting adjusted to Buenos Aires times.
This morning I went to church by myself, since the service lasts two hours and was all in Spanish. It was interesting to listen to the same music we sing at home, but with the lyrics in Spanish, songs like "just like I am" and "Open the eyes of my heart". The pastor had just come back from Atlanta, GA from a pastor's conference about evangelism.
After that we went to my uncle Jorge's house for an argentinian BBQ. It was very good. My cousin Carolina (14) is playing Snowwhite in a kids' play and we went to see her perform. It was interesting to see the kids looking at her, dressed up and with a black wig, and tons of make up.
It was funny to see a group of 14 year olds looking at Blake and Brett like they were celebrities, just because they didn't speak Spanish and were coming from the US. Poor Blake he was shy for a while, until somebody started to ask questions in English. He looked so little in the middle of all those kids, and they were fascinated.
I got to talk to my aunt for some time and it was a good conversation. I think God sometimes speaks through the people you least expected.
My mother's van, her means of working, since she uses it as a school bus, broke down this morning. It's the second time in as many weeks. It's bad news, because she doesn't have the means to buy another one, and at 71 she should begin to think about doing something else. Meanwhile she must rely on a "rescue" van that will help her do her route tomorrow and until she can fix her own van. Problems seem to never end. Hopefully it won't be nothing serious, though it looks like it is the hydrolic steering, whatever that is, it already sounds serious.
I hope to go to sleep before 1am and start getting adjusted to Buenos Aires times.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 3
We stayed home all day. At about 7:30pm we went to meet a girlfriend of mine at a restaurant with a playground (or so I thought). I haven't seen her since 1994. We reconnected on Facebook. We had a good time talking. The playground had been replaced with 4 tvs and video games and some kiddie games. Too bad, since last time I came that restaurant was a meeting spot. Now we'll have to find something else.
We get to talk to Daddy everyday through Skype. The miracles of technology. So we update ourselves twice or so a day.
We get to talk to Daddy everyday through Skype. The miracles of technology. So we update ourselves twice or so a day.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day 2 continued and beginning of Day 3
Well, I asked my mother about the argentinian movie that won the oscar this year. She said she've seen it and she liked it. So I wanted to watch it. It is called "El Secreto de Sus Ojos". We watched after the kids went to sleep. I was having a pounding headache and a stomache and couldn't figure out what was the problem. Until everything came up and out. Ugh. Nasty. I thought I had been spared after the kids got sick on the airplane. I guess I shouldn't have drank tap water. My thinking was that I've done that for 28 years. I thought maybe my system would be fine with it. I guess not. Or it may be a virus and I'll just have to watch what I eat and drink the rest of the trip.
There was nothing for me to drink in the house, except milk and coke. So I couldn't drink anything until this morning (day 3). My mother bought some Gatorade and she had made some jello, so I ate that. Then she got some 7up and bottled water. Hopefully I won't be messed up too long. I am meeting with a girlfriend this afternoon. I'll have to drink tea and be conservative.
We had a late start today. It is noon already and it seems I just woke up. It is cloudy and wet outside, so no play for the kids today. Phineas and Ferb it's pretty funny in Spanish. Perry el ornitorrinco...haha. My mom played with Brett pasting some stickers on a book. There is the universal language of play.
My head is pounding. I'll take it easy today.
There was nothing for me to drink in the house, except milk and coke. So I couldn't drink anything until this morning (day 3). My mother bought some Gatorade and she had made some jello, so I ate that. Then she got some 7up and bottled water. Hopefully I won't be messed up too long. I am meeting with a girlfriend this afternoon. I'll have to drink tea and be conservative.
We had a late start today. It is noon already and it seems I just woke up. It is cloudy and wet outside, so no play for the kids today. Phineas and Ferb it's pretty funny in Spanish. Perry el ornitorrinco...haha. My mom played with Brett pasting some stickers on a book. There is the universal language of play.
My head is pounding. I'll take it easy today.
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