Hellos and Good-byes

These 12 days in Argentina have flown by, while at the same time I feel like I've been here forever. It's been really good to be here and it's always a bit sad to leave, but at the same time I leave with a sense of peace and gratitude for this time and ready for the next phase of my summer. Last night, Ecclesiastes 3:1 came to mind: For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. I feel like this is the theme of my summer this year- an ending to seasons in Bangkok as friends leave, connecting with the season I spent in Buenos Aires, preparing for the seasons ahead in Bangkok and in life. There is a time and place for each one and as even good seasons pass, we have to let them go. I am grateful for friendships that extend beyond place and time zone, and for technology that keeps us close despite the distance. 

Feeling at home

I am enjoying these days in Buenos Aires so much, especially now that my brain has adjusted and things just feel familiar and comfortable. I am watching the World Cup with friends, going to favorite restaurants and cafés, taking walks and talking, and just being around town and feeling at home. The weather, though maybe a bit cool when the sun is down, has been pretty cooperative and I have enjoyed being outside and not sweating. It's awesome to be able to walk places- both in terms of a neighborhood that is walkable and a climate that allows me to walk without freezing or melting.

One of my friends from Bangkok is returning to the US this month after 5 years in Thailand and recently wrote this blog post about how leaving is so much more than people and places, but is the end of an era of life.  I've been thinking about that this week as I've been here, and that mixed in with missing so many people and places here, I also miss who I am when I am among them. I miss the parts of my personality that come out when I speak Spanish or walk these cobbled street or spend time with these friends. That, perhaps, is the hardest part to let go of. And the idea is true no matter where I am, that I miss the parts of me that come out most in the US or Thailand or wherever. It's part, I suppose, of being a third culture adult and learning to adapt to different cultures and communities.  It's a blessing too, to discover these other facets of who we are and to know in very real ways that no matter where we go, God goes with us, that he is the prime constant in all the moving and changing. 

These next few days will be a joy and challenge as I say good bye again to friends here, some of whom are moving this week or in the next year or so, and won't be here if/when I come back. But we say good bye with another set of laughter and memories and days when we were able to just be there. 

Not my best picture, but yes, my best restaurant! 

Seeing my family around the city

I have been blessed, both here in Buenos Aires and now also in Bangkok, to have lots of family visit. One of the joys of this is that I "see" them as I walk around the cities. Yesterday walking around my old neighborhood I passed the empty lot where Matt and I played catch. Today I went to the Japanese Garden, a place I've only been once before: with my Dad. Tomorrow I will have dinner at my favorite restaurant in the city, Las Cholas, which I discovered with Meg (and later took everyone to, since she was the first visitor). When I walked through the feria on Sunday, I remembered shopping there with my mom. In Bangkok, I see my family in so many places, and even though it sometimes makes me a little bit sad, I am also always glad to have shared those places and foods and experiences with them. It so much helps me to connect all my worlds together when they understand my life a little bit and then I can see them in my memories all around town. 

Back to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina. A city, place, people who will always have a place in my heart. As I sat in on the last day of school at BAICA and the staff farewell that followed, I was reminded of everything and everyone here that I love. In some ways it was like ripping my heart out all over again, and I was practically in tears throughout it, but at the same time it was good. I got to see all the ways the school has grown and changed, I was able to reconnect with beloved students, and I was reminded of a part of my life that was so good and healing for me in many ways. It is equal parts hard and wonderful to be here and I am truly blessed and grateful that I can make the trip. And, it's always good for me to continue to process this place and it's role in my life. Four years later there are many things that are different and many that haven't changed at all, making everything feel at once foreign and familiar. I understand most of the Spanish coming at me, but feel very shy to respond- the words don't roll off the tongue anymore, vocab escapes me, and any shot I had at verb tense before is completely gone. But still, in brave moments, I try. The first three days here have been full of hugs and laughter and catching up and adventures. As my brain adjusts to being back I feel more and more at peace with having come, and look forward to the days ahead. 

At school with students 

Horse riding at the estancia 

Parrilla lunch at the estancia. 

Off again!

After five great days in Michigan, I leave in a few hours for a two week stop in Buenos Aires to visit with dear friends and former students. The past few days have been full of family and friends and good food, and luckily a fair amount of sleep too. From family dinners with a backyard bonfire to my Grandpa's birthday party and dinner with friends to being Godmother to a delightful baby girl, it has been a wonderful whirlwind start to my summer. Tomorrow morning, just in time for the start of the World Cup, I will be in winter for the first time in two years. While I will relish the chance to bundle up and drink tea, I am sure there will be plenty of complaining to go with those cooler temps. My goal for this summer as I pinball from place to place constantly? Just be there. Wherever I am, be fully there. 

So happy to be there with these dear friends for Josephine's big day! 

Home on the range: initial impressions in America

You would think after so many years and trips back to the US that these sorts of things wouldn't surprise me anymore, but I still get a good chuckle, every time. 

- It's cold at night. I'm not used to the temperature dropping much overnight or thinking to bring warmer clothes if I will be out in the evening. Last night, I ended up in my dress and cardigan plus my sister-in-law's pants, socks, and jacket. With a cup of tea. I was quite a picture. 

- Meijer. I usually try to avoid big box stores for a few days, but I wound up at Meijer twice within the first day and a half. I was completely overwhelmed by the juice aisle. Not the juice section or shelf or whatever, but an entire massive aisle of juice and juice-like beverages. Crazy. 

- Americans. This country is full of em. Never ceases to amaze me. 

- Green. And not just in the countryside. But green and space and large patches of grass. Everywhere. 

- Running into a friend from high school in the produce section at Meijer. Since I don't come "home" to my hometown, I don't really expect that. It was so out of context that I was blanking out on her name for half the conversation, but definitely even weirder for her- at least I knew that I was in the country! 

- Food. So much of it. So delicious. 

- Being outside. In Bangkok, due to many factors like space, heat, pollution, noise, etc. people rarely have outdoor entertaining spaces, but yesterday I got to spend most of the day enjoying beautiful decks and backyards at my aunt and uncle's house, and then at my brother and sister-in-laws. We even had a bonfire after dinner! 

End of the school year

I don't have a lot of words today; my head is too full of emotions and too low on sleep to put many coherent thoughts together. This week we will wrap up the school year and 18 hours later I will board a plane bound for Tokyo, and then on to Detroit. While I am ready for my alarm to stop ringing at 5am, I am not ready for the departures that the end of this school year brings.  When I come back at the end of July, there will be too many faces missing. These are precious days as we celebrate friendship even in the midst of heartache and rely on our God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

End of the year staff banquet with a great group of ladies!