lovely meeting you

Some of the last things we did on those last days: visit to Cork and Blarney castle, another quick trip to Galway (I didn't get to see the cliffs -I know...- but at least I have a good excuse to go back), tea and then dinner with teachers -we were stuffed by the end of that day-, scones and more tortilla for the McGraths, popcorn popping, more gardens and easter decorations, general conference and the most adorable children (Michelle's boys and Emily) that I really wish we'd had more time to spend with.

Well, I think this is the end now. I am going to miss the people I have met here. The Irish have been so welcoming, friendly and giving. It seems to me like I have been blessed to meet and associate with the best people during my time here.

It's been so nice meeting you, hope to see you again soon.

potpourri...

Back home(!), the adventure in Emerald land has come to an end, and travelling will most probably be limited to dreaming and planning for a little while now.  I look forward to visiting Ireland again (it would be so interesting to see those girls again in a little time). Travelling is addictive and I hope I can do more of it pronto (already thinking of "vacaciones" So much to see and learn...) 

Since I ran out of time, I'll try summarizing in pictures and few words (hopefully few mistakes too-yep, good luck to me:) the last week or so.

Sunday we had all of the goodbyes at church and then dinner with the Gibbons (I hope I come back to Waterford branch soon). On the way back home from church, Angela stopped at this cute tiny village that has a castle -de cuyo nombre no puedo acordarme...- with beautiful gardens. I thought the entrance was perfect for the place and the stories (apparently a white witch lives here). We met one of her sons, or so Angela said (I'd like to believe it). He opened a window and with crazy Einstein-like hair and told us: "it is clooosed." (it reminded me of Miracle Max in "The Princess Bride") But then he let us take pictures because "you see, she has come all the way from Spain..." :)

Karaoke on 

Friday was 

brilliant!

Even Siter 

Anna went. 

Our lunch 

buddies

were fabulous! 

They re-wrote

words for a

song and sang

that and 

Dancing

queen in those dresses!

Michelle is the one to blame. Only Michelle could. Everyone had to sing,

and right before leaving all the Spanish did, "Adiós, con el corazón." 

I had a great time and loved being with everyone. They've been and

are simply the best.

For a goodbye thank you treat and as poor students we are, 

we made 6 tortillas de patata for the staff. It was a fun morning. 

 

We had quite a few laughs trying to figure out amounts of potatoes, salt, oil, eggs we needed in the shops the day before... and then peeling, cutting, cooking and turning the tortillas. They didn't stick or burn and we didn't make any alarms go off.

It was a success!

Not one bit of tortilla was left and the recipe on the table desappeared too.

girls.smoothies.goodbyes

{I love you sweet Roísin, never change!}

This is the happy, sweet, innocent, lovely, caring, honest, friendly, full of goodness Roísin. She does karate, gaelic football and also cheering in the school band. She is commited to her goals (for her lenten covenant she decided to watch TV only on certain moments of the week and has stuck to that decision up to now) and has a glow about her. As I've seen her interact with the other girls and teachers -and have been coached by her to do all the new dances and songs- I've noticed she loves people and having/making friends. She has a clean, innocent personality. A heart of gold. I've come to the conclusion I want to be a little more like Roísin when I grow up.

I think I have little stories and chats to remember with each one of the girls in 4th class now that I am back home. Part of what has made the experience so great at school is first hand discovering and recognizing that they all have individual, precious personalities that make them unique and special. I am going to miss these girls, their smiles, questions, challenges, chatting moments, excitment, wittiness, goodness, interests and personalities.

These are some of our "smoothie day" and "hugs and goodbyes day" pictures:

can you tell it is an all-girls school? :)

grate-full :)

Last weekend was such a nice weekend, I probably should've posted about it before, but this has been a busy week preparing things for the last week of school and for university too... but it's been a good one. I think I'll work my way back starting with today... oh today. Lovely, tender, nice, beautiful, bitter-sweet, so so nice...

Today started off with hugs, cards and gifts as soon as I came in the class this morning and then... Have you seen Joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat? ... Every time we have a prayer service at school I am reminded of it (I am actually listening to the music right now).

For every important saint the school has an hour of prayer. The classes in a same grade are assigned the service. They prepare a programme with music, little comments from each girl and pictures to explain and pray together. Today, the last day before the break, we had the Easter service. Everyone gathered in the hall again, the little girls ready in the stage, the rest sitting in the floor and benches and the teachers sitting in chairs on the sides (I guess this is where I am reminded of the musical and think it's funny to be a part of one - see, we don't really do things like this in Spanish schools).

How nice that we arrived to a music day and are leaving with another one (including the karaoke tonight:) I think today's service was my favourite out of all we've had. The senior infants sang beautifully and talked about this world's beauty and the Savior, His life and His love for us and his resurrection. I loved it and the feelings I had as I thougth of Christ and how precious each one of us is to Him.

After the hour of prayer, the most awaited moment -for like a month- finally arrived: the easter egg raffle! All girls shouting, preparing their tickets and clapping as the baskets full of easter eggs of all sizes imaginable came out. When all that excitement was over and all the chocolates gone, the principal announced they had one more business before clossing the morning. She then went on to explain that they'd had some special people with them for quite a few months now... - I was very surprised, I just wasn't expecting anything - I could feel the tears coming... and yes, quite a few followed.

The next few moments were so funny. When they called out each of our names, all the girls screamed, clapped and cheered... I just couldn't quite get over it. It seems one can never give back enough. So... we went up there, and thanked them and all the girls. Well, the teachers have gotten each one of us, silver jewlery from the famous Newbridge silverware! (madre mia!) Each teacher chose the one for the teacher or practice teacher that has been with her (thank you Susan. I think mine is great!). It's been a full -and very emotional day.

The rest of the time we spent in class eating the goodies we'd brought. I gave the girls the stars I'd made for them and we took pictures and more pictures. Had hugs, tears, hugs, goodbyes and more hugs.

I have LOVED my experience in the school... and those girls... oh those girls. I am going to miss them.

And the word that keeps coming to me is gratitude.

she's a hit!

I have many different things to post before my little adventure is over, but not enough time and worst of all, we are back to the horrible internet connection! In the meantime... the girls at school love this sweet, little lady (thanks Yaiza, you're the best! - and you're now the most popular in School Mhuire's 4th class too)

Every single girl admires it every time I wear it on my jackets... she's just "fab", isn't she? (another of theose fun expressions I hear all the time and love)

a good evening (2)

chocolate cake?...

Becky had been wanting to have scones and I'd been missing baking... so, mama Helen came to

the rescue and kindly sent us her lovely scone recipe (cause I can never remember all the steps), so after the Easter surprises, hugs, kisses and pictures, we all went down to the kitchen to realize we didn't have caster sugar...  There were disappointed faces in the kitchen, so we decided to try doing mama Helen's, yummy and easy chocolate cake! (also known as the "200-200-200" cake in the Benito home).

200 gr sugar

200 gr margarine

200 gr self-rising flour*

4 eggs

1/2 tsp of salt

4 tbsp of warm water

60-70 gr of Nesquick (or drinking chocolate)

*it turns out even more delicius if you use cornflour and baking powder! (it does a really goowy dough and REALLY spongy cake. It is a Familia Benito favourite).

I  love baking it because it is one of those few recipes I can do without looking at the paper every two seconds and because it's connected to many good memories too. We've baked it many times together (with mum, Clara, friends...) and for many people/occasions (birthdays, friends, family, birthdays, quick Sunday desserts, missionaries, birthdays...).

We had fun preparing, measuring and especially trying the dough. Sarah and Jack coloured (we got cards that night too) while little James played with his football and checked the oven every couple minutes. We discovered that Carol loves stirring the dough... and when she finally stopped and got it all smooth, everyone made sure that bowls and spatulas had no dough left on them! :)

The results weren't too bad! We did two little cakes and used the rest for cupcakes.

Patricia brought strawberries and fresh cream the next day and we had it for tea (qué rico)

a good evening (1)

Last Thursday...

Jack: "giiirlss, come down for a second?"

Jack and Sarah: "Carols!"

Girls: "coming!"...

* Knock, knock!*

The door opens and Jack's head pops in, then Sarah jumps in the room too. Both with big suspicious smiles and hands on the back. Becky, James and Trisha outside ... 

Sarah: "come down off your beds!" 

Jack: "we've got something for ya" 

Girls: "for us?!"

They can't resist it anymore and both show us big cadbury's easter eggs! (Ohhhh! they are sooo cute). Then Trisha, Becky and James come in and they are also holding pijamas for us!!

Patricia: "since you're not going to be here for Easter..." 

We are so spoiled and they are so so good and genuine and giving!

Of course, we had to take pictures of it all and of course, Sarah and Jack were the stars.

sun-day: people and views

Last Sunday was mother's day here and it also was one of those warm, peaceful, lovely Sundays. The primary children sang "Mother I love you" to every mom and girl's delight. Jonne was dressed in a cute, pink and white, spring dress (we have been learning some piano together and I've really enjoyed that time with her). I think she is so clever and pretty! I feel that, during my time here, I have grown to appreciate more the opportunity to interact with people. There is so much to learn from those around us and so much benefit from exposing ourselves to people ("in giving we recieve").

{if you click on these or just go over them they should get bigger}

With the beautiful days we've had, I've taken zillions of pictures (thanks to Pres. Gibbons too). Though I wish I could capture it all better, I had to at least post some from our Waterford trips and my walks around Carlow (I have found a dream garden...).

(Also, daffodils are everywhere right now and this is what we found in the entrance when we got to school last Friday. Daffodil day!)