sunshine and thunderstorms!

Saturday, after Grandma saw me walking about the apartment wearing my scarf wrapped tightly around my neck, she slid her rocking chair into the sunshine by the large window that overlooks the street below. Saturday was a gorgeous day with the sun shining like the world depended on it. So I studied the afternoon away rocking in the warm sunshine and watching the activity in the street below me. As I write this little update, I'm once again rocking in Grandma's chair by the front window, but this time to the sound of raindrops against the glass and cars splish splashing through puddles. Every so often I can watch the flashes of lightning reflecting on my computer screen. I think every time there was a thunderstorm at home, my mom would tell me to stay away from the big front window. Apparently, there is some danger in being too close to a window during a lightning storm. I'm not sure. Grandma hasn't called me stupid or warned me away from the large window here. Maybe the same rules don't apply here in Uruguay. I will let you know if anything happens.

Today marks the beginning of finals month at the university. 5 exciting, studies-filled days ahead of me then relaxation to follow. The week after I will be traveling in Buenos Aires with two friends from Mississippi and then heading to northern Argentina (Mendoza y Córdoba) for a few days to meet up with two different friends. After which I will be back in Montevideo for some time with my friends here, before I leave on the 24th. Oh how the time is flying!

Every Monday morning as I'm eating breakfast in the kitchen, Grandpa slips through the kitchen and out the door, mumbling a few good-byes and see you laters. A few weeks ago, Grandma shared the secret with me: Grandpa is taking computer classes. He doesn't like for it to be a big deal, and he still doesn't know that I know. But I can tell he likes them and is learning quite a big for a 70-something fellow. Just the other week when I was in the kitchen, I spied Grandpa on the computer showing Grandma what he had learned. She was ooo-ing and aaah-ing over what he had learned. It was cute.

That last rumble of thunder shook my heart I think, it felt like the bass you can feel at a concert. I like me a good storm!


Above are the kids that 3 friends and I worked with each Wednesday. We were helping them practice their English through songs, games and dances. Always a good time!

Cru friends after the graduation of Leticia (the one with the flower) I think Juan and Maycol fell over after pretending to propose to Leticia.

Besos

Month 4 and still going strong

A collection of short stories from the past week:

Thursday night my friend Leticia graduated from college. She is now officially a nutritionist! I had the chance to attend her graduation ceremony and the celebration that ensued. She had her hair done at a hair dresser for the special event and it looked gorgeous. So of course my shaggy do with curls sticking out at all angles received the brunt of the jokes for the night.

When I was a young girl I loved reading The Little House on the Prairie. I always thought it was so cool that in the winter the girls would warm bricks by the fire and then put the bricks under the covers by their feet. Now I understand. Last Thursday I bought a hot water bag. It cost me only $2.50, it is a lovely color of red and it has my name on it! Now every night before I go to bed I boil a pot of water and fill the trusty little hot water bag. I’ve been sleeping better lately and I’m down to only 3 quilts. I don’t know why I never thought of this before.

In general, I’ve been feeling more confident with my Spanish. There are still the days when I feel as if I can’t express myself, but in general I’m improving. I am far from fluency, but I’m making progress. On Monday, I have the opportunity to lead the weekly Cru meeting Bible study. I’ve never done such a thing, but I think you could classify my emotions as a healthy mix of excitement and nervousness.

Wednesday for dinner I ate Pasculina. This is the name of the spinach tort I’ve talked so passionately about in the past. Either something is wrong with me or we have proof that change is possible because I enjoyed it tonight. Believe me the spinach was just as plentiful and strong tasting as before, but I truly enjoyed it.

Malena (grandma) calls her husband Luis (grandpa) her besito, which in English is little kiss. I smile to myself each time I hear her pet names for him. The best is when she sings to him.

I entered my first casino. Haha but that is where the story ends. I had never been to a casino so Thursday night on the way to the bus stop my friend Juan and I walked in so I could see one in real life.

Today is Grandparents' Day as well as the birthday of Uruguay's national hero, José Gervasio Artigas. For the sake of his birthday there are no classes today. My plans include possibly making pancakes, studying for upcoming finals, and baking chocolate chip cookies for the students of the English club I help with.

Icicles Anonymous

In recent news, I’ve added a fourth quilt to my bed—without it I am cold. Whenever I’m in the apartment, I find that I’m magnetically drawn to my bed. It is one of the few places that I can truly be comfortably warm. Even though this doesn’t sound too fun, I’m doing fine and adjusting to the humid cold. And while classmates and locals alike are falling prey to the flu and weather-related illnesses, I’m determined to elude both. We shall see how I hold up when winter arrives.

The time is passing oh so quickly and I simply cannot believe that it is the second week of June. I have only 2 more weeks of classes, one additional week of finals and then my semester in Uruguay will be complete. The next three weeks will be challenging as I study for finals, prepare several culminating presentations and continue with all my strength to improve my speaking abilities.

Since I’ve last written, my apologies for the break, several exciting things have happened. Well more than several, but I will only share a few. Instead of traveling extraordinary places I’ve been spending more time in Montevideo and I love it. I love that I can explore new places and still know the city well enough to not get lost. I like that there are individual stores for your every need (meat store, fruit market, yarn store, bakery). I’m learning how to make Grandpa laugh. I like that I only eat freshly baked bread. I enjoy bundling up in June. I like being an adult. I like talking about Jesus. I like when it is just my Uruguayan friends and I, drinking mate and talking late into the evening. I like eating dinner at 11pm or later.

My friendships are becoming stronger.

I turned 21.

My friend Leticia and I are teaching a 4-week English conversation class.

I met my niece Lydia via Skype!

I learned how to play handball and kicked butt.

I rode my friend Maycol’s motorcycle.

I attended a 15th century organ music concert.

I make new friends often.

Some recent photos...

Juan and Maycol, two of my friends from Cru, helped me teach my friend Erika to ride motorcycle for her 21st birthday. I was the photographer and helped with the explanations, Maycol was the real teacher and Juan was the entertainment.

My new red shoes

This is what today looked like in Montevideo. I snapped this picture on my walk home from the university.

The neighborhood dog walker. He doesn't mess around.


The United Nations Buddy Bears are currently installed in Montevideo
Uruguayan bear and I