home for christmas

Well, I have to say I'm excited to be coming home for Christmas!! A little nervous about the flight with the kids...but I can handle it knowing we'll see all our family and friends soon. Here's some things I can't wait to do when we get there:

1. Eat a good pizza with pepperoni! I don't know what they use here, which they call pepperoni, but it certainly doesn't look like it or taste like it! Besides, I have lost 20 pounds so I plan on gaining it all back while I can!

2. Get some new clothes!! My jeans are swimming on me and I'm down to the last hole on my belts!

3. Stand in Michael's, Target, and Home Depot and admire all the stuff in one place, well organized, packaged, beautiful! Most of the stuff you get here is not in any package. And you probably could find most of the craft stuff Michael's sells, but certainly it would take you a week or more, traveling the entire city, looking in small stores on back alleys.

4. Driving and parking! Juan Pablo should be buying an old car when he gets there (he's arriving this Saturday!) I can't wait for stop lights, rules, and wide open parking lots! Paved streets!!

5. Watch some current tv. I've actually not watched tv in at least a month...tired of reruns and wondering what's on back home that I'm missing. I have watched movies though...we're into Polar Express right now.

6. Drink milk! We used to go through 2 gallons a week, but the milk here tastes different so we don't drink it as much.

Well, that's a start! I hope we're there long enough for me to do all that...but I'm sure I could fit it all in one day if I had to.

packages

We spent at LEAST two hours today in the post office mailing our five packages home. First we had to get them to the PO...there's no parking (plus we sold our car yesterday!) so we took a taxi which let us out in front. Then Isabela and I waited in the lobby while Juan Pablo and Joaquin went running off to who knows where to exchange dollars for bolivianos. Because two of the boxes weighed over four pounds, they have to be spent a special way....Juan Pablo had to make 4 copies of his ID card (no, there is no copier in there) plus we filled out four forms (keep in mind for two boxes!) then they put each box in a blue plastic cloth bag which they then SEWED around the edge to seal with a thick white thread. There were two people sewing all these boxes for everyone in line!! So then we went upstairs to mail the other three...which we taped shut very well to prevent stealing, but there was tape where the stamps go...so we had to take it off there so the lady could stamp it. The kids, meanwhile, tried to behave but in the end had swept the whole floor with the seat of their pants from scooting and sliding, moved together all the chains and poles dividing the lines and nearly drove me crazy. I had brought snacks and drinks but who knew it would take 2 HOURS!

burning some energy!

After the show, the kids climbed in the trees while the parents squished into their classrooms to pick up Christmas artwork the kids had done...it was quite chaotic. The program ended about 30 minutes before a huge downpour of rain and hail!

I never saw a flower sit so still! Isabela watched the whole show very patiently...Joaquin on the other hand was bouncing off anything in his path!

plotting what to get into next...those pesky mice!

a beautiful flower

Isabela was a flower for their play of Snow White.

three blind mice

Here's Joaquin and his friends Cesar and Adam dressed in their costumes for their final performance.

all of us-minus some kids and grandma

boring pics of people eating

it ain't over till...you know the rest!

So the morning started off very hectic! I wanted to get the turkey ready to take over to my neighbors to cook (our oven wasn't big enough) and as we started getting it ready...the drain in the floor of the kitchen started pouring out this foul smelling water...like the sewer!!! All those little bits of food that I let go down the sink for the last 6 months, decided to come back up on Thanksgiving morning!! So we spend a good 30 minutes unclogging that...well I say we...but you know who does the dirty work. So then I put the turkey in the oven around 830am. I started cooking all the other food...deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, squash, stove top and Juan Pablo did the avocado dip. I checked on the turkey a few times and it smelled great and looked great too! So about 12 or so, I go over to look at the turkey and Claudia's mom is there so I ask her opinion about it and guess what...I had it turned upside down!!! Stop laughing! So I flipped it, and boy was it ugly! But I cooked it a little while longer and it came out fine, a little dry but it did make a good gravy which moistened it up. Even so, I'd say everyone ate the roast pork and I have a half a turkey for leftovers!
The cakes were great except one thing....I had made the pie crust from scratch for the pecan pie...and I should have cooked it before adding the insides...the bottom was mushy! It tasted fine, but looked a little funny. And the cheesecake was devoured!
So towards the end I thanked everyone for making it a special day for me being that I'm far from family and so they all went around the table and said something nice about the day, the meal and our family. A tear jerker.
But I haven't told the worst part yet. Around 6pm, Juan Pablo's grandma, who had been sleeping, was complaining about her stomach hurting...so we made her a coca tea (which is a cure all down here)...but when we came back she was way worse!! Had thrown up and couldn't breathe and was shaking and freezing!! They had to take her to the doctor right away!! Of course, I felt awful, like it was the food or something. It turns out it was something she ate that morning they think (no, no one else got sick) but she is still recovering in the hospital!! Apparently she can't eat a lot of heavy foods...so I think it was the cheesecake that broke the camels back. I still feel awful, so please keep her in her thoughts and prayers as she recovers!
I say again, "Whew!" And that is why I'm glad Thanksgiving is over.

the tables

Whew! I must say I'm glad thanksgiving is over! These are some pictures of the tables before everyone arrived. The adult table had pears on each plate with each persons name...so no confusion on where to sit! That idea was taken from Martha Stewart and was really easy...the only hard part...keeping Joaquin from eating them! The kids' table had little Pilgrims and Native Americans with their names and little Mayflower boats with raisins, pecans and sunflower seeds. We got that from Family Fun and Isabela had fun making her own for her seat. We also hung fall leaves all around the rooms...even though it's spring here. It's not Thanksgiving without fall colors!
I was really pushing to have the tables and decorations set a few days in advance so I wouldn't be worrying about that the day of the big feast, but as it turned out, we were up until about 12 midnight still setting up. We had to wash the plates and glasses that had been sitting on the shelves for months, but Juan Pablo was very good about helping me out. The table cloth was a last minute find as well...Beatriz' table seats twelve! and I didn't have one big enough, so we went to a fabric shop near the hotel and they had this awesome fabric...like plastic but prettier and her seamstress added a lace trim all the way around. It worked out great because a glass of wine was spilled and no stains! Plus it only cost about $2 dollars for the fabric. The kids got the real tablecloth I brought from the US and they did fine with it!

the kids

I just took these pics today...the kids just looked so much older I had to post them! How bout that hair and smile on Joaquin! and how bout that hair and smile on me! haha! And Isabela is such the little princess...they both used gel today for their great doos..how do you spell that?

new format

I was playing around with the format of the blog and liked this one better...I always did say brown was my favorite color! But change is always good right? I've got the running list now on the side of things not to forget on a visit home...since Juan Pablo will be going in January...he can just check the blog...no nagging involved! For those who haven't heard, he has an interview with immigration...the test of knowledge of US history and government...one step closer to being an American! At the bottom of the blog, we have some of our favorite websites listed, too.
So yesterday I made a pie crust from scratch...the only dilemma was trying to figure out how much a 200 gram block of butter really is...is it a cup or more than that. I searched the internet which told me you can't convert grams to cups...so I just guessed and said each block probably is a cup. We'll see if the crust turns out! That's for the pecan pie...I'm going to cook it today just in case it burns. Of course, Juan Pablo I'm sure won't let me make another one...the Caro syrup was 40 bolivianos and the pecans were 50! But I love pecan pie...and it's thanksgiving! Now, I'm going to have to search the city for a pie plate, because it turns out there isn't one in the house!

thanksgiving

We've moved Thanksgiving back to Thursday and so I'm getting a little nervous now. We had thought Sunday would be a better day (no one's off on Thursday down here) but it turns out it's not. So here's what I'm planning...which actually changes by the minute:
appetizers: deviled eggs
avocado dip and chips (Juan Pablo's famous)

meal: turkey/gravy
a ham
squash with maple syrup
mashed potatoes
a box of Stove top (found that this weekend)
broccoli salad
green bean casserole (maybe)
whatever sides they bring

dessert: a cheesecake
a pecan pie
apple crisp

Keep in mind they say never try a new recipe for Thanksgiving and the only things from the above list I've ever made are a pecan pie, eggs, and mashed potatoes. And I've never made the pie here in high altitude. So who knows how it will turn out! Juan Pablo's family is very helpful and has even offered to come over Wed night to get the turkey and ham ready for cooking. I also am still using the kitchen outside for a stove top, I have an oven inside that is both a microwave and an oven, and a big fridge inside and a tiny one outside......so looks like I'm going to be the chicken running around with its head cut off!!

chicken?

Well, I really grossed myself out today. Juan Pablo had gone to the store the other day and bought a chicken to roast...he put it in the freezer so I moved the bag to the fridge two days ago. So today I found a recipe where you put potatoes and other veggies in a roasting pan and the chicken on top. I cut up all the veggies and put them in the pan, then pulled the chicken out to get it ready...of course it had stuff in the cavitiy...including a chicken foot! But that wasn't the gross part....the head was still on it!!! I just couldn't believe it...I mean the eyes were half open, the hair was sticking up on its head...It was unbelievable! Of course, I know some of you people from the country may have seen this before...but I've lived in the suburbs my whole life...I don't like to think of my chicken as having a head. Juan Pablo wasn't here and I had already cut up all the veggies...so I had to cut it off!! Would you have done it? Have you done it? I told him never buy a chicken like that again!

flower contest

The kids had fun designing bouquets with flowers from the garden and chowing down on chicken wings....even Joaquin did one, and he had a fever all day. "this is for you mom" and he gave me a huge hug and kiss. He sat in my lap for most of the day since he didn't feel too good. I should have made him a bouquet!

cookout!

Sunday's cookout was a lot of fun and good food! I made macaroni salad....but I don't think they liked it as much as I did. We finally found kool-aid, too! I think I liked it best too....Karla liked it until she spilled it on her pants and we had to hurry up and wash them...you know how kool-aid stains! We ate on these really cool plates made out of wood...especially for cookouts...we found them among the tons of stuff that Juan Pablo's mom has and rarely uses.

rainbow

Sunday we had a cookout at the house and there was this really cool rainbow in the sky. I tried to take some pictures of it. It was a complete circle and went around the sun. I've never seen one like that....I wonder where the pot of gold is? Or maybe the sun is the pot of gold. Oh, and don't look directly at the picture or you'll go blind!

shop til you drop!

Finally! Today my sister in law and her husband took Juan Pablo and I to this outdoor market called "la feria". It is in El Alto and is one of the largest in Bolivia. It is only open on Thursdays and Sundays and a lot of them sell used clothes and toys from the States. It's like yard saleing!!! I had so much fun and we all found clothes. I got shirts from aeropostal, wet seal, and casual corner! The kids got gymboree and old navy clothes! And Juan Pablo found some jeans. They had tables full of clothes that we had to sift through...jeans were 10 bolivianos! Shirts 5 or 10! So now I'm going to get our stuff from there. At least I know it will last, and not fall apart the minute you wash it like so much of the stuff here. We also got some cooking pans woohoo! And some drinking glasses. Sunday, the market is larger but there are also 10 times more people trying to buy. They also up the prices on Sundays. They have a section that sells car parts and stuff for cars....DVDs for like 4 bolivianos...and other sections but Karla and I stuck to the toys and clothes. I wanted to stay all day, but we had to leave at noon!

poverty

I know I have posted a lot of happy pictures and parties and fun that goes on south of the equator, but I have neglected to write about the other side...the poverty that is everywhere. Last night, I saw part of Spike Lee's documentary on Hurricane Katrina and how awful that was, and it reminded me I should mention this part too. There are many beggars on the streets....most of whom are not crazy, but either very, very old, or handicapped, like with no legs or blind, or even young women with one or two children who sit on the sidewalk with a cup or hat and plead for a coin as you walk by. It breaks your heart especially to see the children just sitting there with their mom playing quitely, not screaming or crying, but this is life for them.
Even the street vendors....there are some that set up in the morning by sweeping their little square of sidewalk with some branches, spread a small blanket, set out a handful of carrots or peanuts or something, and sit there all day. They sit there all day! I couldn't imagine sitting in one spot all day. Some vendors have a metal booth about 4 feet long and maybe 2 feet wide with little shelves full of candy and a small spot INSIDE the booth where they sit. Sometimes there will be a large cardboard box at their feet where a wrapped up baby lays quitely, or a toddler plays contentedly. Joaquin would never! Those kids play nicely on the sidewalk all day...even until night. They don't run into busy streets or sit there crying or pull all the fruit off the stands. It is amazing.
There are also huge trash bins, one that I see in the city especially, that there are always at least 5 people sifting through, some inside the bin. A lot of people use the bathroom on the sides of the street...and you can't blame them, the public bathrooms are pretty disgusting.
There are some very beautiful, huge houses here....but there are also some that you can't believe people actually live in. The garage ( really just a big yard) where we keep the big bus is watched over by a family whose house has no door, just a curtain, a little kitchen outside, and a huge bathtub outside full of water. I asked Juan Pablo what that tub was for, and he said it's probably their drinking water...they probably have no running water...and I would doubt if they have hot showers. And sometimes we go there at night and the kids are sitting outside with a small light doing their homework. And that house is like a block from ours!
There are also shoe shiners, they sit around the city asking to shine shoes and they wear a mask on their face. I think there is some stigma attached to being a shoeshiner...and most are young boys, I think they are street kids.
Then there are the drunks, they haven't bathed in ages, their hair is one big knot, their lips are swollen and their skin burned because they will just pass out on the sidewalk in the hot sun and lay there all day. There are many in the city.
On the other hand, there is a lot of food in Bolivia, and Juan Pablo said that everyone eats...even the poor...although a very imbalanced diet. For example, milk is expensive in comparison to Coke.
It is definitely a shock to see the poverty in a third world country.

cars party

Another party! I just had to show the gift bags though...these cars ....designed by Karla, made out of card stock, and cut and glued by us! They were so cute!! The little boy is Santiago, Isabela and Joaquin's cousin, who just turned two!

bread for the dead

I couldn't resist that title! Here are some of the breads Juan Pablo's grandma gave us to celebrate the day of the dead. It's a boy, a girl, a horse, and little merengues. Apparently there is no bread available for a day or two around this holiday, so everyone bakes bread. We had a big lunch at the hotel on Friday....a pork and noodle soup, and some meat and onion dish....and there was supposed to be a mass for his grandpa, who passed away before I met JP.....but someone messed up the day....it was the day before!! So instead, we worked on the favors and decorations for the birthday party on Sunday (the kids' cousin, Santiago turned 2).

the neighbors

Here are some pics of the neighbors I'm always talking about...Claudia, Fransisco, and the baby Jorge Fransisco....yes two names just like Juan Pablo!