finally settling in

Updates: Vivi got and recovered from an ear infection, we fired the nana (subpar cleaning wasn't a big deal, but her attitude was), we are planning for Vivi's birthday party, and I passed my driving exam and got a license (yeah!)

Positives: It felt good to have the guts to fire someone who wasn't doing a good job. I've had fun planning a menu for "Vivi's Valentine BBQ Birthday Bash," and making stuff ahead of time for practice. I'm also slowly and finally coming to terms with the fact that I don't understand most of what people say, most of the time. And things are still constantly catching me by surprise. Just as I think I have things figured out, I get thrown off again. For example, I went to a panaderia the other day. At almost all panaderias, the tongs are in the bread bins, and you're supposed to use them. At this store, there is a bucket of tongs by the door that you're supposed to get when you go in, use, and then put back when you leave. I didn't notice this until I left, and was utterly confused by the "use the tongs, the tongs aren't here" sign by the bread. Ah well, my hands weren't that dirty.

Negatives: baking products. I cannot find corn starch or baking soda (though I can find baking powder, which contains baking soda). But what do I do if I have a recipe that calls for both??? Also still lamenting the lack of cheddar cheese and, as always, diet dr. pepper.

Also, the "North American Moms Living In Santiago" playgroup that I tried to go to isn't happening in February. Bah. I went all the way downtown for nothing.

I'll have to go look for friends elsewhere, I suppose.