criplomats

This was a productive, but not very exciting, week at work – I had several big to-dos on my list that I was able to scratch off. I was happy to walk out of work on Friday without too much hanging over my head.

Yesterday Lea and I had lunch at Ferneteria, then wandered through a small vendor fair. The mornings have been very cold this week, but yesterday afternoon was gloriously sunny and lovely.

John and I watched a documentary about the Jonestown massacre – such a tragic story. We’ve also been enjoying “HIP” (High Intellectual Potential) on Hulu – silly but clever. I finished “Real Americans,” by Rachel Khong for our next book club.

Our guests Rachel and Scout were here most of the week, then flew home on Thursday. They seemed to have a big time! Rachel came to the office one day to meet staff and share updates on her projects back in DC, while Scout spent the day playing with Lea’s children. John and I enjoyed visiting with them in the evenings and watching the Olympics together – especially gymnastics (USA! USA!)

At the office we had consular Olympics on Friday, our admin day – it was quite the hit! Pencil javelin, paper ball toss, paper plate discus, rubber band shooting, and office chair relay had everyone cheering and a fun way to end the week!

Friday after work, we had book club at Pain et Vin with Lea, Rachel S., and Katherine where we discussed “Relinquished” by Gretchen Sisson. I really enjoyed the book, which focuses on mothers who give up their children for adoption.

John and I finished the new “Presumed Innocent,” then went back and watched the original Harrison Ford movie (which we liked better) – big fun. In addition to finishing “Relinquished,” I reread “Getting to Yes,” an oldie but goodie.

This was a really busy week! My friend and consular colleague Rachel flew in this week and is staying with us, along with her six-year-old daughter Scout. They’ve been busy exploring the city and filling us in on their adventures in the evenings. Lots of fun to catch up and have a young child in the house!

Thursday night we had a late (for me) dinner at the lovely Anchoita restaurant with colleagues and foodies Shawn and Angie. We ordered a lot of different things and shared – such good and inventive dishes!

We’ve watched a bit of the Olympics off and on this week – big fun! My friend is working at the embassy in Paris and I’m hoping she doesn’t have too many US citizens with problems during the week!

I read a book about domestic adoptions from the birth mothers’ viewpoints this week, “Relinquished” by Gretchen Sisson – I look forward to a good book club discussion about it next week.

Lea and I met for brunch today. On my walk home, I popped into the small popular arts museum to see what interesting textiles they had. I loved the big crocheted head above.

And I finally walked through the decorative arts museum near our house!

This sculpture of Diana reminded me of the lovely iron piece by Mary Cantrell that John gave me when we first met.

I forgot to post these photos from La Rural last week. I love to watch them vacuum the cows!

John and I are social sponsors for a newly arrived family – I took them grocery shopping Saturday morning, then they came for happy hour tonight. It was fun getting to visit with them and making their landing in Buenos Aires a bit softer.

It’s my favorite time of the year in Buenos Aires – the La Rural livestock expo! Lea, Megan, Sarah, and I went for lunch on Friday and did some whirlwind shopping, then John and I went back this morning. We bought wine from the north (Salta), rosemary-infused vinegar, salmon pate from the coast, lamb salame, smoked sheep cheese, olives (La Rioja), olive oil (Mendoza), honey (Santiago de Esteros) and a cool suede vest for John. It’s such a fun fair, and getting to see all of the cows, horses, sheep, etc is a bonus! Big fun.

We welcomed a new consular officer to the office this week – ‘tis the season for transfers.

John and I watched “Firebrand,” about Katherine of Arrogon, an Eddie Murphy “Beverly Hills Cop” sequel that was silly but fun, another episode of “Presumed Innocent” and “The Bear,” and the fabulous “Silence of the Snow.” Oh, and we bought a new TV this week, so it was fun to see movies on a new big screen.

I finished the disturbing “Under the Bridge” – now I want to watch the TV show about this murder!

Tuesday was Argentina’s Independence Day celebration, so we were off work for the holiday. Lucky for us, the presidential grandstand and band were right below our balcony, so we were able to watch parts of the military parade from our balcony. It lasted over two hours, with droves of men in all manner of uniforms marching for the most part, followed by a few tanks, then a few regiments of horses, including a mounted band.

I stayed home from work on Monday to continue nursing my cold (which I am still trying to shake off) and have tried to just take it easy all week. I ventured out yesterday to pick up my beautiful new black leather trench coat and meet Lea for brunch at Marti.

John and I finished (and enjoyed) “A Man in Full” and thoroughly enjoyed “A Suitable Boy,” set in 1950s India (watch it!). I finished the documentary on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (oddly additive and fun), and we continue to watch “Presumed Innocent” and “The Bear.” I finished reading “Trainwreck” (liked it) and reread Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” and just started “Under the Bridge.”