Cultural Differences as noted by David (11), Andrew (9), and Johnny (6)

This photo was taken in March, on the first day of school. 

(School begins in March and ends in December in the Southern Hemisphere.) 

Many things have happened in the months since then and the boys wanted to share some of their insights regarding cultural differences. 

It's (mostly) unedited and will give you an interesting glimpse into their daily lives and their, eh-hem, unique personalities.

We sing the national anthem every day while we raise and lower the flag. I know the Argentine one better than the USA one. ~David

When we change clothes in the locker room at the swimming place we go to once a week, the boys like to dance naked. ~Andrew

We do a lot of rough play during school. It's fun. ~Johnny

I've noticed that everyone picks their noses in front of everyone. And then they eat whatever they find. ~David
[Note from Krista: Just an FYI, this is not acceptable behavior in our house - nor in public.  I get all gaggy crazy when they talk about it.]

They sell candy and soda in the school kiosko and everyone in my class has at least one silver tooth. On Thursdays I get a pebete [ham and cheese on a bun with mayo] heated up and it's SO good. ~Andrew

We do a lot of singing at school. I know a lot of songs. Do you want me to sing one for you? ~Johnny

All the boys in my class, except me, have novias [girlfriends] and it's difficult not to get distracted by all the drama. I don't get it. ~David

We all wear cologne. Including me. ~Andrew

The toilets don't have seats. I try to go at home. ~Johnny

When my teacher demands something, many of my friends say "No" and do not do what she asks. They do not get any consequences. ~David

Sometimes the kids get a second chance if they got a no sati  [an "F"] on a test. ~Andrew

We play soccer a lot and one of the boys in my class punches people in the face and kicks people in the privates. ~Johnny

My friends eat dinner at 10:00 at night and go to sleep at around 1:00 in the morning. ~David

My friends get to play video games whenever they want. I only get to on Saturdays for 1 hour. ~Andrew

I have a hard time remembering my friends' names so I number them based on who's my favorite. Here are some of their names: Lisandro (he's my #1), Israel, Luciano, Juan Ignacio (there are 2), Facundo, Ezequiel, Julieta, Martina (there are 3), Sofia, Susana, and a Johnny. ~Johnny

We have school at home in the mornings since we go to Niños Argentinos in the afternoons.  At home, we are studying math and reading in English. We do fun projects together. ~David

It's a bummer if one of the extra teachers doesn't come, like for Art, Music, or English. Because we don't get a sub and then we have to do Ciencias Naturales o Lengua. I'd way rather do Music than Lengua! ~Andrew

I'm getting homework now. I had to draw 3 things that began with the letter that my name starts with. I drew a jirafa [giraffe], Jesús, y una jaula [birdcage]. ~Johnny

My friend, Facundo, and I usually finish our math assignments early and then we just sit and talk about whatever.  Sometimes for the entire hour.  Or we throw paper balls at our other friends. ~David

We share our food, drinks, and candy with everybody. We don't care about germs. A couple times, my friend gave me a whole pack of Oreos! ~Andrew

We get to do a lot of actos [plays] because there are a lot of holidays. And we have a lot of swimming which is really fun. And in soccer, my team, like one time, won 29 - 3. They say that I am worth 2 people and when I get to pick the teams I put an extra person on the other team. ~Johnny

That's all folks. 

Or at least all I'd allow.

Peanut Butter Love

In our house, we eat a lot of peanut butter.  On celery, toast, apples, bread with honey, ricecakes, in pasta sauces... a lot.

The main reason I tell you this is because the past 14 months, we have lived on generous peanut butter donations from our friends in the States.  When our moms came to visit, each brought at least 6 containers each.  When Norm and Trish visited, I think they brought 8.  We've received great packages in the mail, generally with Peanut Butter inside. 

You may be wondering why we need it from the States?  Well, it's ridiculously expensive here.  And it's gross.  The boys won't have anything to do with it, and frankly, neither will I.  I've been challenged by a good friend to use only what my Argentine friends use (in terms of food).  If it's not available here, then I need to try to figure something else out.  This often involves many internet searches and questions to the aforementioned friend.  I've learned to make maple syrup, create a new cookbook entitled "Argentine Recipes", be satisfied with sugar that is only brown due to the coloring added to it and not the molasses, and now to make my own peanut butter.

That's a kilo (2.2 pounds) of maní (peanuts) for 15 Argentine pesos (or about USD$3.75)

I used 4 cups of maní, about 3 tablespoons of peanut oil, some salt,

and the really good blender brought from the States, that I admit none of my Argentine friends have.

Plus the transformer that I need to plug the blender into in order not to blow it up.

On the Grind Grain speed.

Success!

Andrew did a little dance when he saw the homemade PB and Johnny jumped up and down after trying it.

Although I do not see a marketing career in my future, I have to say I'm a very good Peanut Butter Maker.

I crossed out the Kirkland brand name as well as the Organic declaration.

I have no idea if the peanuts are organic and I don't care anymore.

I buy what I can find.  I know it's local, that's for sure.

Economic Temperature Gauge

I'm not sure if you are aware of the 2001 economic crisis that occured in Argentina.  To sum up a long and sad story, after 4 years of recession, Argentina could no longer service its $132,000,000,000 public debt and defaulted.  It was and is the largest default in the history of the world.  Your jaws would drop, as ours did, if you heard some of the personal stories of our Argentine friends and what they went through during that time.

Recently, I finished reading Argentina: An Economic Chronicle.  How one of the Richest Countries in the World Lost it's Wealth by Vito Tanzi.  The title says quite a lot.  It also explains one of the reasons why we're here trying to doing economic and community development.

In June, we came across this article, "Which emerging economies are at greatest risk of overheating?"  in The Economist online magazine.  It ranked 27 economies according to their risk of boiling over.  "We take each economy’s temperature using six different indicators: the inflation rate, the unemployment rate relative to its ten-year average, GDP growth relative to trend, excess credit (the growth in bank lending minus the growth in nominal GDP), real interest rates, and the forecast change in the current-account balance in 2011."

Unfortunately, Argentina is at the top of the list with 100.  The maximum risk is 100. 
If you are a praying person, please pray with us for Argentina.

Just wondering...

This is a question for you dog-owners out there: 

When you walk your dog, how many of you have to carry a rock to throw at the street dogs who try to attack your four-legged family member? 

Like I said, just wondering.

On the way to the kids' school, there is a street corner where a pack of 7 dogs lay in the sun all day, after scrounging around for food, I suppose.  They must be jealous of our gordito, well-loved Buddy or maybe they just like to bark, bare their teeth, and act all tough.  For some reason, a transformation from the semi-normal, animal-loving person I usually am occurs and I become a bit of a lunatic. I'm not even going to begin to write about the neighbor's crazy dog who escaped from his chained-up-24/7-life and attacked Buddy.  Here, in the big city, many dogs are not considered pets and are only kept to keep the thieves away. 

They're scary (both the dogs and the thieves).

Some day soon, you may be reading a story about a well-aimed rock or a well-placed kick

and a mad-dog who has escaped this life and entered doggie heaven (or hell).