criplomats

This week, my boss and I hosted the chiefs and deputies from around Mission Mexico who work in American Citizen Services. We do these conferences twice a year, and it’s a great opportunity to get together and discuss issues, ask questions, and do some planning. For me, it’s also a lot of fun because I’ve become good friends with several of the women and we get a chance to see each other, shop, and trade stories.

 

 

 

On the eve of the conference, my boss organized a bowling night and we had so much fun! I can’t tell you the last time I went bowling – but the 15 of us had a big time. The next night, we had a group dinner that was also a lot of fun.

Thursday after the conference, I took a small group of ladies to Tlaquepaque to shop. We had a fun time, and they were happy to have a chance to buy some handicrafts and see something other than a conference room inside of a hotel.

I took Friday off so my good friend Wendy and I could spend the day together. We spent the morning shopping at Tonala, then we went to Tlaquepaque where we met our other good friend Tammy and her husband for lunch at Casa Luna. Afterward, Wendy and I kept shopping, and barely made it back to the apartment in time to have a cup of coffee, change clothes, and go with John to meet Tammy and Scott for dinner. We had an excellent time at a lovely restaurant – lots of laughing and talking, plus good food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy spent the night with us, but had to catch her flight pretty early on Saturday. It was just a lot of fun to see both her and Tammy.

John spent Saturday afternoon and evening gaming with a small group of friends. I stayed home to recuperate from the busy week, and binged on “The Good Wife.”

This morning I Skyped with my friend Ike’s nephew who is interested in joining the Foreign Service – he’s currently in Taiwan teaching English.

A big shout-out this week to our good friends Mike and Wayne, who were the Anchovy Kings at San Antonio’s Cornyation – a big honor and the first time they’ve had two kings instead of a king and a queen! Way to go, Mike and Wayne – I wish I could have been there!

Here are a couple of photos from Tlaquepaque.

Both taxes and our employee evaluations (EERs) are due on April 15th, and John and I both are in good shape on both counts. Getting the EERs written is a slog, and we’re happy to have the worst of it behind us!

I think I mentioned that John was accepted to the distance learning two-year War College program a few weeks ago. He’s already getting materials for the class, so he’s starting to get excited! It will be a lot of work, but worth it!

This was a fairly routine week. I’ve been good about going to the gym before work although some mornings it sure is hard to get out of bed! I’m also trying to take a walk after lunch, too, so I can get my Fitbit steps in for the day. I went to the guards’ English class as usual on Wednesday night – we learned to tell time, so it’s fun to quiz them as I come in and out of the compound the rest of the week.

Esther sent me a couple of photos taken at the baptism last week, so I’ll share those, as well. (Um, someone asked John if we had adopted a baby, haha!)

The highlight of the week was Baby Ines’s baptism last night at a nearby church. She’s the youngest daughter of our downstairs neighbors, Mike and Esther. The church is old and beautiful and near the cathedral – and boy was it packed for Saturday night. As we entered the church, a quincinera was concluding – the 15-year-old girl was dressed in her finery. I always see these huge brightly colored dresses in dress shop windows, but had never seen one “in action” before – they are quite striking! We were seated in a side chapel (a transept chapel?). From there we first watched a wedding mass, then it was time for the five baptisms. As we exited the church, it was standing room only for the next wedding – lots going on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we exited, we strolled through the plaza in front of the cathedral – it’s THE place to be on a Saturday night. It had a carnival atmosphere with all kinds of food vendors, vendors selling religious and other trinkets, music, and a clown performing for the kids who drew a huge crowd. Families were strolling and sitting on benches – it looked like a pretty nice way to pass the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we got back to the apartment, Mike and Esther had a large dinner party in the club room downstairs. We enjoyed visiting with her mom and brother – we’ve met her mother several times and she’s a lot of fun. Esther had the room decked out beautifully, and just came upstairs to give us two of the centerpieces – quite lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was all a fun glimpse into a variety of family rituals in Mexico!

This week was pretty repetitive – gym in the morning, work, a walk at lunch, home, work on my employee evaluation, and watch “The Good Wife” – a good week but not necessarily exciting!

On Wednesday I went to the guards’ English class after work, as usual, and Friday we had a happy hour to welcome a new officer. We were outside on an upstairs balcony, which was really nice because the weather is just perfect right now.

John flew in last night and it’s good to have him at home again!