my turn

the day after christmas my neighbors rang my bell. two came up to see if i was free for tea- here! it was my first time to get to host tea! when i said i was free they went to get two more friends. luckily, i had sweets and snack food in the house since yesterday was christmas! there was plenty to serve. (as a side note, i went to the market the next day and stocked up on packaged sweets and snacks to hide in the back of cabinet for next time!)

these women are my first friends here. they are really sweet and patient with me! they invite me to tea and to their friends' houses for tea. of course, there is so little that we can really communicate, yet. but, it is a blessing to have a few friends!

now that it is winter, it seems like the women are getting together all the time for tea. i have had a lot of time to practice my language, but a little time to learn more! it has been a tricky balance. they usually get together in the afternoon while the kids are at school. i have lucy with me, which everyone loves! she is amazing! she can skip her nap and be happy as a clam. she just toddles around from person to person snuggling and mooching food! she really knows how to work the room!

i laugh and say i am on the book tour. for a while it seemed like there was no social activity in this complex- especially during ramazan. but now, it is cold, and the women are cramped up in their houses. so, they get their knitting and hang out together! i am so thankful that my friend, sue, taught me to knit. maybe i'll post some pictures on the things i've made recently. anyhow, about the book tour.... lately, it seems that i could have a different tea date for each day! people are interested in me. it is so good to get out and spend time with other women. but, i have to be careful. i don't want lucy to drop her afternoon nap, and i need to study on my own sometimes too. so, i am trying to spread out my social commitments! ha! it makes me laugh- with too much or too little- where is the balance? some day....