A Random Week

This week we had a break from school.  I still did a few language sessions with my helper, but had a lot of free time to enjoy Spanish.  Here are a few pictures from the week.

My downstairs neighbor, Gracia, and I made soft pretzels on Saturday.  We had a good time, and got to watch The Little Mermaid while the dough was rising.  

Thursday, I went with my downstairs neighbors (ever read the book, Upstairs Grandma, Downstairs Grandma?) to the park.  It was fun to be able to take pictures of the kids in a colorful place!

JoJo at the park.

Gracia at the park.

A palm tree at the park.

Hope you had a great week in the Lord this past week, and have a great one this week!

God bless--

Granny Party!

Last night, we had a surprise "Granny Party" for one of the missionary ladies.

No party is complete without a piñata!

Making Hector an old man

Silvia and me at the party

Mi Familia

Today in class, I get to share a "memorized monologue" about my family.  It is 6 sentences long, to describe the fam.  This will be something I can use as I make friends & they ask about my family.  Pray for me as I share somewhere between 12:30-2:30 pm mountain time today (Friday.)

Thanks!

Don't Play With Your Food!

Any guesses as to what this object is?

(Yes, I know the answer.)

The answer is...

A cooked pea-pod turned inside out!

Thanks, Tanya, for the idea!

"Ocho Wienies" and other cultural tidbits...

--Ever been distressed when buying hotdogs and buns at the grocery store?  It's not a problem here in Mexico: just go to the deli and ask for "ocho wienies!"  A perfect bun to dog ratio.

--Today on the way home we were driving on a six lane road, and at a major intersection.  I looked to our left, and there, making his own lane, was someone on a four-wheeler!  Right in the middle of town, with no one thinking twice about it.

--I used to think I was overwhelmed in the hair product aisle. (Curly hair, what new product won't work this time?!)  Then I had to buy gel and hairspray in a new aisle.  With new brands.  All in Spanish.  (I stuck with the familiar.)

--Today I also put 2 and 2 together, and came up with OIL.  The business lot across the street from our dorm has tanks.  Many tanks.  There are frequently semis pumping oil/sludge/crude into and out of these tanks, or men in front-loader buckets inspecting the tanks.  It's not Schlumberger, but it's awfully big to be living right next to!

--I guess the thing to do when you get to Chihuahua (as a missionary) is to pick out your future guard dog.  Since I'm not staying in Chihuahua, I occasionally borrow my friends' Chris and Rachel's dog "Gus."  They wouldn't let me name him Rasta, so I call him "Rasta-Gus."  I have plans for arriving in Paraguay though...#1: Get a future guard dog!

Any unique cultural tidbits in your area?

"Downtown"

This is a very ornate  cathedral downtown.

My classmate bought us birdseed so we could feed the pigeons.  

We saw a lady...kissing?...resuscitating?...one of the pigeons. 

That was new!

Monday I made a cake for my grandpa's birthday.  It looks a little sad, 

because I gave half away--I didn't think he'd mind since he's in Pennsylvania!