The Saving Grace

Weekends are the saving grace of this job. Even though I don’t usually get off until 2 in the afternoons on Saturday and have to work at nights on Sunday, I still love having the weekends off. Last week was a very hard week with the children’s behavior and when the clock struck 2 I was out the door like flash lighting.

Saturday was terrific. I really just wanted alone time so I walked downtown to the center. I went into several clothing stores and even tried on some things, dreaming as I went along ☺ from there I walked to Carlos Alberto Square and did some people watching for a while. Then I went to the Royal Palace in the center of Piazza Real. I didn’t want to spend to much money because I am saving up for Rome in two weeks, so I went to the courtyard and walked around inside without buying a ticket to see the rooms. (Eventually I will go on the tour though). Then I walked to the Duomo church (the Savoy’s official church when they were in power). This was a fantastic little church that is still in operation. The neatest thing about this building is it is the home to the Turin Shroud (supposable the garment Jesus was wrapped in when he was buried) Even if it has been proven that the man imprinted on the cloth is not Jesus, it was still a wonderful thing to see, plus information was written in English so that helped. I went back to Piazza Castello (Plaza of the Castle) and took pictures of the castle standing in the middle. By this time it was late afternoon so I decided to head towards home. I bought some gelato and listened to a street performer play his guitar. On the walk back I stopped off at a Deli and bought a homemade pizza for dinner. That night I baked my pizza and watched two movies I had rented at Blockbuster. The night was very relaxing and most importantly, CHILD FREE.

Watch out Martha Stewart

On Sunday I went to the international church again. The talk was on the prodigal son but there was a twist I had never heard. We focused more on the father in the story and not on the selfish acts of the youngest, and at times the oldest, son(s). After the service I went with my Ghana friends to their Aunt’s house for lunch. The meal was okay but African food kinda weirds me out so I didn’t eat very much. Emmanuel took me home in the afternoon and I relaxed. About 5 I decided to do some baking. I made some banana bread but this was my first time to ever make it so I was nervous it would turn out horrible. I am what you call a HAM cook; hit and miss. But this time I HIT it right out of the park (after all it is baseball season ☺) After dinner the family tried it and the parents liked it. Fil only liked it with jam on it but hey I can’t please everyone. After dinner I helped Pat call hotels in America for their trip in August. What a relief it is to speak with another America. I have friends here that speak English but it’s not the same. You can talk at regular pace and use more slang. This coming week is going to be very trying because I have Fil everyday and both boys every night with no time off. So wish me luck that I don’t cause physical harm to them.

PS. I have updated my pictures so be sure and check out the website