My friend likes Costa Rican watermelons

From: her
To: me
Subject: Wassermelone!

Darf ich nochmal dein Land loben? Ich habe gestern Abend eine Wassermelone von Costa Rica im Rewe gekauft. Nur ein wort: süß!
(Puedo alabar de nuevo tu país? Ayer en la tarde compré una sandía en el supermercado. Basta una palabra: ¡dulce!)

From: me
To: her
Subject: Re: Watermelons!

Thank you, Rong! I will forward your message to all watermelon farmers in Costa Rica! We're very glad you enjoy the sweetness of our country!
(¡Gracias Rong! Le daré tu mensaje a los agricultores de sandía en Costa Rica. ¡Nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutas la dulzura de nuestro país!)

How was your weekend?

Spring is finally here! We did some shopping, went out to play and had really good snacks.

Pictured above: Batata vada and bhaji meets beer from paradise...the best of two worlds!

Aftermath

Mission accomplished! My friend came back from her trip and I handed over her daughter -safe and sound. I think it's perfect to say that we all survived the experience. It was a big responsibility for me, but most of all...it was fun: we had makeovers, wore fake long fingernails (French-manicure style), we did homework, cooked, made crafts and spent a whole afternoon trying on clothes, hats and shoes at a department store (despite the fact that we were not going to buy anything). I'll say it again: Pre-teenage years are challenging, but also fun indeed!

My friend was in the Dominican Republic visiting her family and came back with lots of goodies, including this bottle of beer:

La voy a "vestir de novia".

If you're wondering why I'm so excited about a bottle of beer (knowing that I'm not exactly a beer drinker and I'm currently living in beer country anyway), the best explanation of what this bottle makes me feel like is in the following 30 seconds:

It's Earth Day! - Updated to add link!

Liza reminded me that it was Earth Day. I liked her post! I also need to Wake Up!

Here's a concrete list of 50 ways to Help the Planet. Number 17! Who knew?!

"Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children." —Ancient proverb

This post is brought to you from...another dimension.

Where have I been? What has been keeping me so busy that I haven't even blogged lately? Can you guess?

Well...I have been busy because Fabian has a sister now. Not a younger sister -as you would think- but an older sister. She's an 11 year old girl who is the daughter of a friend of mine. My friend is abroad visiting her own family and I have been in charge of taking care of her daughter while my friend is away. That's right! I have been a mother of two for 15 days now...only 7 more days to go (but who's counting anyway, right?!)

I seriously don't understand why I used to think that "Fabi kept me busy" and that "I didn't have any time"....because seriously....what was I doing before I had "two kids"?

My friend's daughter has been here while Sopan & Priya were visiting us. I have come to know the concept of having a "full house" now. Thank God for the two bathrooms, the big washing machine and the dishwasher in this apartment!

Here's what I have learned: Hausfrau = home management = NOT EASY!

Don't get me wrong: I'm not complaining! It has been a very interesting, eye-opening, broadening experience. I thank my friend for trusting me enough with her own daughter...but I think I am looking forward to my previous life again, so that I can leave this other dimension I am in right now. Let me tell you: "pre-teenage life can be quite challenging!"

You know what would also be nice? To get over this cold once and for all! Everytime I feel like getting overwhelmed with house work, I think of my mother, my grandmother and all the mothers in this whole wide world and wonder why it's not "Mother's Day" every single day of the year. Speaking of my grandmother...Abuela Carmen...she turned 95 years old! ¡FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS, ABUELA!

I am beyond conscience-stricken with guilt for all those pending e-mail replies. Shweta, Ashwin, Rong, Shefali, Andreas, Marlene, Sergio B., Claudia....I owe you a reply! I will write as soon as I can!