Sunday, January 30, 2011

This Weekend

We finally went to see Tron in 3-D

DSCN2899

We went with my brother Zak and his gf Aranessa, and our friend Carlo. A good time was had by all.

Baby Luke

We got to see my friend Melissa's baby Luke today at his "meet the baby" party.

DSCN2909


He is such a cutie. Although he slept at first, luckily he was awake for a few moments.

DSCN2904


DSCN2908

Smile?
DSCN2910

Stay!
DSCN2907


Meanwhile Nile played with Luke's mommy.
DSCN2906

DSCN2902

Until it was my turn to hold him ... Nile suddenly became very interested in what I was doing ...
 DSCN2911

And I had to keep her from poking his eyes out.

Good thing Luke is a super chill baby! He is so adorable and sweet!

Here he is when we first met him on Dec. 21:

DSCN1711

DSCN1722

My, how he's grown!

Why Twi?

It's gone too far.


DSCN2885

Neil's Amazing Hair Saga

Since I've known him, Neil has grown his hair out and then cut it short more times than I can count. It's unfair, really: my hair grows unbelievably slowly, while in the same amount of time, his goes through at least two long-to-short cycles.

He cuts his hair himself, which continually impresses me.

The most memorable hair saga was this past year, when he grew it long; then cut bangs; then cut a pageboy; then cut an Argentine mullet (though it was a little more Justin Bieber than the intended Lionel Messi look); then buzzed it.

Here was the process, chronicled during the months of July-August, 2010:

DSCN6003

Neil's goal had been to grow it until he could do the "Samurai": the top part pulled back and the rest down.
DSCN6616
 
He also sometimes wore it in a double topknot.

 DSCN5943


DSCN6140

 Then, he cut bangs.
 DSCN6962


DSCN7004

Next, he cut a pageboy (tapered/feathered from the bangs to the ends around the face)
DSCN7290

Then, I made him come with me to the salon to get it all chopped -- into an "Argentine Mullet" (a very special, "futbol"-inspired mullet sported by every man and boy in Buenos Aires).

This was on the walk to the salon
DSCN7303

Lisandro, my hairstylist, was trusted to do the job.
DSCN7306

Lisandro and I are pals, having bonded over my rather frequent "brushings" -- Argentine Spanish for blowout -- followed by "planchita" (flat ironing)
DSCN7309

Also, Lisandro is kinda cute. And has nice arms.
DSCN7335



Nile and I chilled (see my nice brushing y planchita!) while the mullet was made.
DSCN7338

I felt bad since, unbeknownst to Lisandro who is such a great guy, the mullet was a joke ... And he totally took like 45 min. to carefully cut it from every angle.

I love the original parquet floors in the salon.
 DSCN7322


Ahi va!
DSCN7341


Like I said, a little too Bieb-ish, but still amazing
DSCN7343


There's definitely a mullet there!
DSCN7349


Hair by Lisandro

DSCN7351


Of course, soon after he got the Argentine/Bieber Mullet, Neil buzzed his hair himself.

Voila!
DSCN7482
 This photo was taken August 25, 2010
 ...

and this is his hair today, January 30, 2010, five months later

DSCN2921_2

It's not fair!

Tango in Barrancas

Oct. 11 and 21

So my photos are housed some on one computer and some on another (blame traveling and living in temporary homes for the past month and a half), so I'm working between two machines and against blog-crastination. Thus the disorganized and back-dated posts; completed and to ensue.

I took so many pictures and so much video when we went on evening walks to the tango gazebo, the glorieta in Barrancas de Belgrano. Much of it I haven't and won't post; I know it's redundant, but it fascinates me.

There was always a lot of tension in going there -- not just in the dance, but between Neil and I. He felt like going for walks was a waste of time. I could (and have, but that's another story) walked for days. He became bored of watching the tango dancers after 2.5 seconds. I could sit there all night, from beginning to end, every night.

Here's one of the videos, Oct. 21. The people are so amazing; a mix of ages and skill level, but mostly really good dancers. Just people who come to the glorieta after a long day to enjoy the atmosphere and the dance. They put their bags in the center for safekeeping.


And here's Nile watching the tango dancers a different night, Oct. 11. She really enjoyed the music and was mesmerized by the dance.
DSCN9136

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The View From My Window

The view tonight from my window.
DSCN2876

Strangely, the power went out (but not in my building) for a few seconds while I was taking the picture.
DSCN2878
 
I'm not loving the Virginia weather right now. However, the consolation is knowing I will be laying by the pool at my new house in Botswana in a month's time!

Wish You Were Here

Because I am apparently here. Wherever that is.


The other signs throughout the building have maps. This one, as you can see, has nothing.

I don't have anything profound to say about this sign, but I think you could make a lot of statements, either positive or negative, about this and what it means. For instance, I am nowhere. Or, I have a blank slate upon which to create my environment.

A Taste of Christmas

Dec. 25

We spent Christmas in Va. with my family. It was so nice to be home for the holidays with my parents, two of my three siblings, and their significant others.

Although it was tough to leave the glorious summer in Argentina, it was really special to have a truly white Christmas. It was so cozy inside with good food and family.

DSCN1741

We started with brunch -- French croissants (including chocolate-filled ones, my favorite!), Mom's classic quiche, and Mom's fresh-squeezed orange juice, a tradition that includes using the same juicer my mom has had for my entire life.

DSCN1761

DSCN1762

DSCN1748

Nile had a bottle. She and Dad coordinated their attire for the occasion, though! The outfit was actually a baby shower gift from a dear Argentine friend. Perfect timing that it fits 9 mos. later, in time for Christmas!

DSCN1757

Nile's cousin Jayden was so sweet and helpful. That's her mommy, my sister Kendra, looking on.

DSCN1755

Jayden received the little baby doll in her hand for Christmas. She named her "Baby Nile"  :)


After brunch, the gift exchange began!


Good work, Dad -- Mom always knows she'll like a gift that comes in the classic Red Envelope box.

And lucky for Mom, Dad's leather jacket fit PERFECTLY.

DSCN1816

DSCN1801

Insert funny joke here. Whatever it was, it sure got Mom laughing :)

 DSCN1802

DSCN1765

DSCN1795

Kendra and James had helpers -- Jayden and their dog Teddy, and our dog Bolu.

DSCN1770

My brother Zak and his girlfriend Aranessa took turns.

DSCN1796
 
DSCN1767

I would have to say the award for the most unique and/or unusual gifts goes to my Dad -- here Zak got a paperweight that looks like a solid .999 silver bar.

Speaking of silver, I gave my parents a traditional Argentine alpaca (metal alloy; not the animal) pitcher with a horn handle ...

DSCN1799

... And the gift I owed them since last Christmas: a request from my mother for a photo of the Floralis flower in downtown Buenos Aires.  It's an 18-ton flower that opens and closes hydraulically at sunrise and sunset .... (or is supposed to, but I think it was broken during most of the two years we were in Buenos Aires). At any rate, it is very beautiful and impressive.

DSCN1805

DSCN1779

Nile was content to chew on the plastic wrapper of her candy cane.

Jayden was just as cute as can be.

DSCN1751

DSCN1766
 Sometimes I think I'm too serious, and I think Nile has inherited that from me!

Perhaps Daddy will teach her to be more fun-loving.

After all, Neil does love a good gag gift -- as he says, what do you give the woman who has everything?
DSCN1819
DSCN1820

A one-year membership to Gun Owners of America, of course!


One of the best parts of the day was just the time Grandma and Grandpa got to spend with their granddaughters.

DSCN1763 - Version 2

DSCN1784