2010 Week 30: A VERY FULL WEEK

Sunday 
Invited to dinner, music and many life stories. 

 

This last week with our Basque students, we were trying to do all the things on our wish list.

Monday

Amaia was gone with the youth to Cedar Point; Mike worked at the Red Barn, and I planned and shopped for her birthday party. Kayla had an expander put in her mouth. Ughhhhh!

The roof is finished! The guys, all volunteers, worked very hard even in such hot weather!

One of the ideas for this addition to the Red Barn, is to have a pottery studio. (For those who do not know, the Red Barn offers an after-school program for kids in grades 6th-12th.)

Tuesday
The outing of the day began with a picnic lunch at Taylor Lake, some shopping and a visit to the 4H Fair in Muncie, where we got to see our friendly robot on display.

Palindrome was beeping, lights flashing, ready to 'kick' the soccer ball.

 Wednesday--Amaia's 17th birthday! 

We had a big party at Wandering Wheels--lots of food, games, swimming pool, miniature golf, but mostly family, fun, and fellowship.

We sang the birthday song in Basque--Zorionak zuri.

Thursday
Another big day that wrapped up with a rousing game of spoons.

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Friday
Began with visits to two hospitals where Amaia was given tours of their NICUs and pediatric wards and ended with a farewell-thank you meal prepared by our Basque teens.

Saturday

  Time to pack!

One last visit to Ivanhoe's.

2010 Week 29

Monday Meal at Chef-son's

Can you notice anything different here? Zion is sitting up, eating solids, nothing new there. What about Kayla? Maybe by the end of this post you will figure it out.

Tuesday at the Red Barn

Mike started helping with the addition to the Red Barn, so I stopped by to get a photo.

This is where I found them, not working, eating! Do they look like they'd even been working? Look at those white trousers. You can't fool me!

Wednesday at Grace Village, Winona Lake, IN

I visited Dad in the Health Center and spent the night at Mother's.

Meanwhile Kayla passed the written test and now has permission to drive with an adult!

Thursday she drove with Grandpa all the way to Muncie and back! No wonder she had a headache the next day!

Friday at IRI

The Indiana Robotics Invitational is the largest FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) anywhere. Our team is so fortunate to have this opportunity right here in Indiana, only an hour away. 

There were 78 teams representing 17 states, plus one from Canada.

The game this year is Breakaway, a type of soccer. Team 1720 or Phyxtgears chose to make theirs a tunnel bot, one small enough to go through the opening in the center of the section dividers. Its name is Palindrome because it was made to be able to shoot balls from both ends.

In this photo our little robot was performing as programmed, for the initial 15 seconds of autonomous mode, and made a goal. They were not so fortunate in the final scores of the two days, even so they are winners for all they learn through the experience.

Saturday,  July 17--the long awaited RAIN, and I don't mean precipitation that might cool down our very hot summer (90's, even 100!), but the popular bicycle event--the Ride Across IN. Mike completed 127 of the 160 miles. Even the toughest riders had trouble due to the heat. He's home recuperating now.

And Amaia arrived back from camp this afternoon. She went to bed before 8 p.m. I think they stayed up all night talking. So we have both 'our girls' home and they share something in common now!

Flashback Friday: Words

What sort of sayings, colloquialisms, or proverbs did your family say when you were growing up? When were they used? What do you find yourself saying that you vowed you would never say? What do you say that drives your kids nuts? Is there a regional aspect to your speech? Do you have an accent and were you ever teased about it?

I was at my Mother's when I read this week's prompt, so I asked her what she remembered. She said that when she knew thought us kids were lying not being truthful, she would quote "Hablad verdad cada cual con su projimo." ("Speak the truth to each other")


I then asked whether that worked brought out the true story. She thought so.

While visiting Dad at the Health Center during lunch, Mother commented that his nose drips often. Somehow that unwanted dribble reminded me of what we used to say to alert someone that they needed to wipe their face or chin. "Mr. Jones is at the door."

I'm sure my brothers will remember many more.

Girls in Argentina or Spain have certain sayings to communicate with one another about their monthly condition: "My aunt or unwanted friend is visiting."

The Spanish language is replete with proverbs, one for every imaginable situation. I love that about the Hispanic culture. Although I am considered bilingual, I have often felt deficient in that area, unable to respond with a saying for whatever circumstance.

I am asking my family members to comment and respond to some of the questions posed by Mocha With Linda.

A few words about words, or the lack thereof. I was thinking this week about the nourishing effect of conversation. When days go by where hubby and I are unable to conversate (is that a verb?), for a variety of reasons, I seem to wilt, grow quiet, even feel shunned. It could be that words are my love language.

When words fail, actions speak. How do you like this show of affection?

"Scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

We saw these ponies at the top of the hill overlooking Donostia.

Now a question for all about hurtful words. Can words hurt more than actions or is the "Sticks and stones may break my bones / But words will never hurt me." saying always true?

El marco incomparable

San Sebastián is a beautiful and famous city, Donostia in Basque.

On our first sight-seeing tour Alberto took us up a mountain for the best view of the Bahía de la Concha, which the cursi (pretentious or affected locals) call el marco incomparable (the incomparable frame or view).

A part of abstract sculpture El peine del viento (The comb of the wind) by Eduardo Chillida seen here on the right tip.

The above are some of our best photos. Now go to local photographerYosigo's website for his artistic set entitled Donostia.

What do you think, are the locals being pretentious or is it indeed the most beautiful place on earth?

Three of the Basque teens in Upland for the month are from there.

Finding Waldo

We came across a most interesting page in Real Simple magazine's latest issue, which arrived this week.

Finding Amaia on her own hometown beach may be just as challenging as Finding Waldo!

The photographer quoted above mentions the breathtaking views from the nearby mountain. We can attest to that, although my photographs will never do justice to the scenery.

 This is my best effort, taken from the Jaizkibel mountain or ridge.

You probably cannot read the small upside down print. The first town on the west side of the river (see inlet on the left) is Hondarribia and the peak in the range to the left is Jaizkibel. The east side of the Bidasoa river is France. This may help you imagine the beautiful  hilly/mountainous country we fell in love with.

2010 Week 28

The week began celebrating the USA's 234th birthday and ended celebrating Spain's victory in the World Cup final, and in between we went camping, experienced muchísimo calor y más mosquitos que nunca!

My way of bringing together the USA and Basque Country.

We enjoyed sparklers and fireworks at the hija's place.

Monday was a holiday, Mike joined his cyclist friends all morning and again today insisted on more torture in the heat!

Tuesday mid morning we left for three days of camping at Indiana Dunes State Park where we endured the heat, suffered the mosquitoes, enjoyed the Lake Michigan beach, ate good food, played games, told stories and hung out with great friends.

 

Once the tents were up we went the long way to the beach via the Devil's Slide; after that we always drove.

One smart thing we did was to assign meals. I made tacos for one lunch and Swedish pancakes for Thursday breakfast. I was quite pleased with how this system worked out: shape the crepe in the pan; cook the other side on the end of the grill cover over the other burner; keep one warm on the outside end; constantly rotate and serve.

On the last morning some of us, the more competitive, enjoyed a rousing game of Nerts.

And Tess found a little friend.

We drove to Mt. Baldy to enjoy the view, the sand, the beach and the waves.

The three adventurous teens went back up to the summit for the thrill of running down again.

This morning we sent our teens off to Miracle Camp for the week.

This afternoon we were glued to the TV watching Spain and Netherlands battle it out for 120+ minutes in the World Cup!

Sunday...three weeks ago

On this lazy Sunday afternoon, I am remembering our last Sunday in Onyarbi.

We walked to the old city center, the Walled City, for the Medieval Festival--straw strewn all over the cobblestones, the vendors dressed in medieval costumes, fire throwing acts and other actors walking around, old world music.

Fire-Throwing Dance

Strange Medieval Creature

Music Machine

Medieval Marching Band

Around noon we walked through the San Nicolás Gate and left the walled city. 

The informational pamphlet says,

Hondarribia is, today, the only Gipuzkoa town that still retains its Renaissance walls.

Imagine that--while they celebrate medieval customs and and still have structures that date back to Roman times, our nation just celebrated only 234 years!

We crossed the bridge, over the old moat, into modernity to hear our own Amaia perform.

Hondarribiko Musika Eskolaka Banda

She is the very serious one on the right.

I began this reminiscing yesterday. I post it today, Monday, hoping you find time to enjoy it on this holiday.

2010 Project 365 #27

Fun and Games

Our first full week with Amaia we may have worn her out! Every day a new experience and most days two or more special activities. I will not tire you with photos of each and every one, even so there are more than one per day.

Monday:
Ivanhoe's--we met Laurie and another Basque girl and her hostess.
Game of LIFE--Amaia won.
Malachi's Little League game

Wonderful Monday Meal at Chef's and games of chess after.

Tuesday we took the three Basque girls to Connor Prairie where they stepped back in time and experienced a bit of life in the early 1800's. (More photos and commentary here.)

Wednesday was Fort Wayne zoo day and if that was not enough, we went to a water park on the way back. Two grandboys were along. Elijah said, "That was the bestest day ever.

Thursday we took the girls to a big shopping mall and then joined the crowds for Family Day at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Friday a second time to the Splash House for all kinds of water fun and more sunburn/tan? (That was the ongoing debate after--burn or tan?) The wave pool is new this year.

While they were there I went for a walk with my friend Viola. She rides her electric scooter and I trot along.

In the evening the Mississinewa Valley Band gave a concert in our church parking lot.

There was a large crowd, but we had back row seats in our friends, Dane and Laurie's yard next door.

After that we were off to another venue, downtown Marion First Friday where they showed The Blind Side on a big outdoor screen.

 But here we have front row seats and plenty of blankets for the night cold air.

How to explain the title to Amaia? The context is American football and because there is no Spanish equivalent, they gave it another title--Un sueño posible. For those readers who speak Spanish wordreference.com's forum explanation is  "se refiere a como el "offensive tackle" protege el ángulo muerto del "quarter back" en football americano."

It was past midnight when we got to bed, even so Mike got up early today, Saturday, and went for bike ride with two friends. However, he found a shorter way back and here he is raiding the fridge for nourishment.

I think he was simply too eager to watch the start of the Tour de France. The historic review of the 100 years of the stages in the Pyrenees was especially interesting having "been there done that", well...sort of.

And the day is not over yet. I stayed home, but the others went to Marion again for another concert and fireworks. Mike and Dane left earlier to watch the Marion Classic bike race.

The weather has been beautiful all week. We hope it accompanies us next week when we go camping.
Anyone else going camping this summer? Go to Sara's for more.