The problem with infrequent blogging when you move back overseas is that life abroad is usually quite busy, and if you don't write every day, you end up like me with the overwhelming task of cramming three weeks worth of adventures into one post.
Here are the highlights of what's been happening here in El Salvador at Casa de Chaos ...
* I discovered the hard way that my Land Yacht (aka our Toyota Sequoia) doesn't quite fit through the Starbucks drive-thru. Of course it happened AFTER I successfully placed my order at the window in Spanish. To add insult to injury, despite hearing the crunch and meticulously backing the car out of drive-thru lane without incurring any more damage, I still had to park my car and WALK through the drive-thru lane to actually pay for and pick up my order.
* They have lots of wine here. A few California wines (if you're willing to bend over to pay for them). And even boxed wines ... packed identically to the juices are here. I just hope that one day I don't make a mistake and serve the wrong box to the kids ...
* We attended three Open Houses and a separate Spanish Open House at the kids school, on four separate occasions. For the 6th grade, we had to follow Riley's schedule and go to each of her classes so we could see where they were, meet the teachers, hear the curriculum and make it to the next class prior to the bell ringing. I do NOT miss Middle School and all the drama.
* Got caulk? Try saying that aloud and not smirking. Though, if you had 2 men in your house caulking the inside and outside of every. single. window. for three straight days, the giggling would stop after the first hour. Or maybe you'd wear a perma-scowl because the air conditioner in your bedroom has leaked 9 times since you've moved in. Not that you're counting or anything ...
* I'm not sure I have enough brain matter left to actually grasp the Spanish language. Four days of classes every week (two classes at the Embassy and two days where the tutor comes to my house) and I still can barely say anything more than, "I go to the store." "Can you stay to babysit?" "My kids are annoying me." At least I've learned the important phrases.
* In an exciting turn of events, Riley got involved with Student Government and decided to throw her name in the hat and run for the 6th grade Student Council Treasurer. She came up with her own platform, designed her own fliers, wrote her own speech, and worked on her campaign. She ran against four other local Salvadorean kids who have been at the school since kindergarten ... and Riley WON! I'm verklempt.
* The Embassy put on a Health and Safety event last weekend, and the kids rotated through four stations where they learned all about the importance of hygiene, stranger danger and how to work the alarm systems at the houses, eating right and fitness with the Sports Coordinator and the Marines, and self-defense. They even had the bomb squad show the kids what they do and what they wear when they go out.
* The shoes. THE SHOES! This country is FILLED with ladies wearing nothing but high heeled shoes. I think I'm going to fit in just fine ...
Here are the highlights of what's been happening here in El Salvador at Casa de Chaos ...
* I discovered the hard way that my Land Yacht (aka our Toyota Sequoia) doesn't quite fit through the Starbucks drive-thru. Of course it happened AFTER I successfully placed my order at the window in Spanish. To add insult to injury, despite hearing the crunch and meticulously backing the car out of drive-thru lane without incurring any more damage, I still had to park my car and WALK through the drive-thru lane to actually pay for and pick up my order.
* We've been to the beach twice now and the kids have enjoyed the serious waves. I enjoyed hanging out with my girlie friends and soaking up some sun.
* They have lots of wine here. A few California wines (if you're willing to bend over to pay for them). And even boxed wines ... packed identically to the juices are here. I just hope that one day I don't make a mistake and serve the wrong box to the kids ...
* We attended three Open Houses and a separate Spanish Open House at the kids school, on four separate occasions. For the 6th grade, we had to follow Riley's schedule and go to each of her classes so we could see where they were, meet the teachers, hear the curriculum and make it to the next class prior to the bell ringing. I do NOT miss Middle School and all the drama.
* Got caulk? Try saying that aloud and not smirking. Though, if you had 2 men in your house caulking the inside and outside of every. single. window. for three straight days, the giggling would stop after the first hour. Or maybe you'd wear a perma-scowl because the air conditioner in your bedroom has leaked 9 times since you've moved in. Not that you're counting or anything ...
* I'm not sure I have enough brain matter left to actually grasp the Spanish language. Four days of classes every week (two classes at the Embassy and two days where the tutor comes to my house) and I still can barely say anything more than, "I go to the store." "Can you stay to babysit?" "My kids are annoying me." At least I've learned the important phrases.
* In an exciting turn of events, Riley got involved with Student Government and decided to throw her name in the hat and run for the 6th grade Student Council Treasurer. She came up with her own platform, designed her own fliers, wrote her own speech, and worked on her campaign. She ran against four other local Salvadorean kids who have been at the school since kindergarten ... and Riley WON! I'm verklempt.
* The Embassy put on a Health and Safety event last weekend, and the kids rotated through four stations where they learned all about the importance of hygiene, stranger danger and how to work the alarm systems at the houses, eating right and fitness with the Sports Coordinator and the Marines, and self-defense. They even had the bomb squad show the kids what they do and what they wear when they go out.
* This is the paper I now carry with me when I buy beef, because last weekend I thought I purchased flank steak to serve to our dinner guests, but it was more leather-like than meat. Further embarrassment were the 9 of us attempting to gnaw on it like we were sharpening our canines for the next big hunt in the wild.
* Can I mention again how wonderful it is for the kids to wear uniforms to school?
5 comments:
Oh my gosh! LOVE this update! Cracking up about the meat chart-- whatever works! My footwear would NOT fit in, but I'm glad yours does! XO
Laughing at the meat paper. I cannot imagine. Spanish may be beyond something I am capable of learning. I wish you much luck. Also...I want to come visit to get a SB mug...or I mean see you! ;)
My spanish is not up to meat shopping either! Where did you get that diagram, and I wonder whether its the same as Peru??
Great update! So glad you were able to back out of the drive through without a line of cars behind to deal with.
I wish I had that cow diagram when I lived there! I may be mistaken, but is that last photo at PriceSmart? I miss El Salvador! Glad you have settled in and are seeming to enjoy it.
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