This week's journal entry will be short and sweet but I think a few of you will get a kick out of it…

I was preparing a bite to eat and realized I was missing a few choice items that the near by "despensa" or corner store would be able to provide me with so I headed out the door.  The hardest decision to make when going to said despensa is choosing which one to go to. There is the obvious choice of the one directly in front of my house but it doesn't have a lot of stuff at all so I often over look this one.  There is the one caddy corner but it is newer and I haven't built a relationship with them (read: they won't harass me if I don't go there).  The one just straight down the street always has volleyball going on so you have to dodge balls and jokes coming your way…haven't decided which is harder to get away from.  Then there are the two despensas the opposite direction…both have a wide selection but more of a walk which reveals my absolute refusal to walk more than is completely necessary.  This day I decided the one directly in front of my house would suffice so I walked over and made my purchases.

Upon leaving the despensa and walking home I noticed my lovely neighbor lady who I have written of often passing my gate.   I gave her a little half wave being that my hands were occupied as she turned around to greet me with, "Dejar la comida Jeremias" which in bad Spanish (she speaks primarily Guarani but Spanish for my sake) means, "Leave the food Jeremiah."  Seeing how my hands were full of food I said, "You want me to leave the food Senora?" to which she so eloquently replied, "Yes Jeremiah, just leave the food alone!  You clearly haven't been swimming like you used to!  Look at you!  You're getting FAT my son!  It is really sad and hurts my heart."

WOW!!!  Ouch Senora.  I mean I know I have put on a little weight since it got to cold to swim and I can't go workout like I used to but can we lighten the blow a little bit!  Just like that BAM stop me in my tracks.  I am certain I glowered at her like a bull at a matador before countering with, "Bueno" or basically, "ok then" and opening my gate to walk in.

I have to say I found it hilarious though when just two days later she brought me over a thing of pasta telling me how good it is and how I should eat it all…mixed messages much?  I just marked the whole thing up as one more beautiful cultural exchange.