Cupcakes

This week marked the 20th anniversary of the English school where I am teaching here in Argentina. To celebrate, there was a big party here yesterday morning complete with clowns, face painting, and cupcakes (200+/-). I started the baking with an initial 150 on Thursday, and my co-workers finished up yesterday morning while I was teaching, as the anticipated attendance numbers continued to increase. Despite the vague oven temperature settings (1 flame vs. 2 flames?) and lack of traditional cookware (i.e. cupcake pans), the 'magdalenas' turned out pretty well, albeit a bit lopsided. :)
Apparently their misshapen figures did not effect taste, as all 200 vanished immediately upon being served to the young masses.

I also painted faces, which was definitely interesting, considering my general lack of artistic ability, but everyone had a lot of fun.

Teaching is going well and I have some very sweet students. I also have Spanish classes twice each week and am continuing to work to improve my communication skills. I hope to be able to travel a little more during my final 2 months here, and look forward to a visit from an American friend next month!

This week, my Monroe grandparents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary! What an incredible accomplishment - I really wish I had some great old pictures to post, but all exist in America. My brother Zach and his fiancee Rebecca are getting married this year in December, as well as my great friend Stephanie on New Year's Eve! Lots of love and excitement is in the air for 2012, and I am so happy to have such wonderful people in my life.

Thankful on this Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday the world over (one of my favorite times of the year), as well as Masters Sunday in America. This is the first year in many that I have not been charged to plan tremendous Easter weekend events, & honestly, it is bittersweet. While I cannot say I miss dressing in a gigantic bunny suit, I have always enjoyed the mass chaos of organizing an egg hunt, & especially love early Easter morning church service.

I have returned to Argentina following a much-needed week back in the United States with family & friends. Today provides an opportunity for me to reflect & give thanks - I am blessed to have so much love in my life. One of the most enjoyable & important things to me in this world is spending time with the people I care about. I have always known this & I realize how fortunate I am. Family & friends – people who have done incredible things for me & continue to support me throughout (& sometimes despite of) my accomplishments, mishaps, & well-intended, albeit, ill-advised adventures in life.

Leaving again was tough, to say the least, but I look forward to completing my commitment & successfully finishing out the last 2+ months of my teaching here in South America.

Today, whether you are inspired by Easter, or simply by the light-hearted sentiments of spring, take a moment to meditate on the processes by which you will renew & be inspired. Go out & do good things in the world. Better days are ahead.

Embrace the spirit of rebirth & renewal that this holiday brings...
Praise be to the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3