Lately…

I have been a horrible blogger!  The truth is, there hasn’t been too much to write about as we’ve actually been living a pretty quiet “boring” life since the holidays!  Miguel works from the apartment Monday through Friday and it’s almost too HOT to even enjoy the outdoors at this point.  We have 11 more days here and as wonderful as it’s been, we are both excited to get back to our real life (which we have a whole new appreciation for by the way:)  I know Miguel is anxious to get back to work alongside other people and I’m actually looking forward to getting back to work myself!  I have some clients/families lined up through the Early Intervention group that I work with so I will start back pretty quickly.  For those of you wondering what I am doing for work these days, I’ll be working with infants and toddlers up to age 3 with speech and language delays.  I have spent the last 2 years working in preschool, alongside running our families infant and toddler center.  Both which solidified to me that I wanted to be and belonged in the infant and toddler world.  

I’ve posted a few pics from our recent day trip to Colonia, Uruguay.  Our tourist passport stamps were about to expire after 90 days which prompted us to head over to Uruguay to get new stamps and renew our time.  It was a beautiful little port town…..I’m so glad we went. 

New Years Eve

It’s New Years Eve and that means tomorrow starts a brand new year.  This is the time when many of us think back on the year and say “wow, so glad this year is ending”.  In fact, I think I’ve said that a few years running now.  Well, this year will be different.  Sure 2011 had it’s share of “stuff”, but I am thankful for all the time spent with family and friends and most importantly for a “healthy” year for those closest to me.  I’ve never been big on New Years resolutions b/c who keeps those?  Instead, I’m going to start 2012 with a much greater appreciation for my every day life, trying not to take even the smallest thing for granted.  Being gone for 3 months now and removed from my normal life, has given me a renewed perspective on the conveniences and privileges that we have back home.  I think people would spend a lot less time complaining about our country if they had the opportunity to be away from it for a substantial period of time.  On the flip side, there are so many great things about Argentina and it’s people that I wish we could incorporate more of such as slowing down and enjoying our day a little more or enjoying the company of others a little more…MAKING the time to do so.  

So as we’re coming into our last month here in Argentina, the homesickness is starting to set in a little bit and there are some things I’m definitely excited to get back to.  Of course my family, in particular my nephews and niece.  I don’t think I’ve gone more than 2 weeks without seeing them during their little lives and I’ve always been thankful that I get to see them so often but now I know how really fortunate I am.  Some other things I miss are my puppy Rossi, good friends, my washer & dryer, a garbage disposal, medium temp water that neither freezes or burns, Mexican food, spicy foods, driving, Target, Trader Joes, spicy tuna rolls, going out to breakfast, and Mexican food!  yes, that one gets in there twice:)  I think on Miguel’s list is our puppy and Chipotle. haha.

I hope this coming year brings you all much joy, health, and happiness.  Happy New Year!!

Christmas in Olavarria

For the Christmas holiday we went back to Olavarria to spend it with Miguel’s Uncle Jorge (his dad’s brother) and Aunt Amalia.  Miguel’s cousin Candela lives there too next door with her husband Mariano and their adorable kids Victoria 4, Santiago 3, and Julietta, 1.  We spent Christmas Eve and Day at the “Quinta”..a beautiful piece of property  his Uncle has just a few miles from their house.  It couldn’t have been nicer weather..absolutely gorgeous and it was nice to just relax there with the family, play with the kiddos and have some nice meals together:)  In Argentina, the tradition is to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.  This is when you have the big meal and get together and “Papa Noel” aka Santa Clause comes and leaves gifts for the kids to open at midnight.  We had a delicious lamb dinner and then waited until midnight for the real festivities to begin.  I had no idea at the stroke of midnight it would be like New Years Eve but it was!  Everyone got up and gave the traditional Argentine kiss to each person with a “Feliz Navidad” and then they broke open the champagne! We all then went outside to the tree to see the kids find their gifts from Papa Noel:)  I couldn’t believe they were all lasting that long but these kids are used to it!!  Some of the kids soon started to tire out but most were up and playing with their new toys till 1:30, 2am!  Christmas day we headed out to the Quinta again and just had a relaxing day in the sun.  Friends and family stopped by here and there and we had mate and snacks;)  Watching 3 year Santi drive the tractor around like he’s been doing it for years, seeing the smile on the kids faces as they rode the pony and then helping Grandpa brush her really reminded me that the simple life is so sweet;)  It made me think that this is what things must have been like for my Grandma in a way growing up on the farm..no technology, no big fancy toys, tv, or video games….just the great outdoors, family, good food, and lots of love.  Again, I am grateful.

Miguel & Victoria

Just a boy and his tractor:)

Miguel and his cousin Candela