mi familia vieja y carinosa

I spend about 3-4 hours every day at this table with Sergio (Papi) and Haydee (Mami).

1 hour at lunch, 1 hour for "la once" or tea time, 1 hour for dinner, and sometimes, another chat over a cup of coffee or tea after dinner.

This is my favorite part of my day. I can chat with my Chilean parents and practice my spanish. I have been day-dreaming less lately during conversations in Spanish (an old rotten habit of mine!) I am trying to be a more active listener. I am getting very spoiled too with the amount of coffee and tea I drink...and now I expect toasted bread with homemade marmalade or another fancy topping to accompany it!

Sergio and Haydee are unlike any one i've ever met. Though, Haydee sometimes reminds me of my grandma bette because of the way she looks.

Sergio: He has a gentle, kind, and lively spirit. He enjoys reading the entire newspaper every day and attempts to watch the news in his warm bed, but always drifts into a sweet sleep. He also likes to write pedagogical reflections via his "maquena vieja", or his typewriter. He spends part of his day "working" he says and part of his day resting. He also enjoys to watch futbol games and does get a bit rowdy with certain matches, depending on who is playing. Also, it seems like the entire town knows Sergio. Everyone treats him with astounding admiration. I understand why because when he talks, you can't help but be inspired. It's funny because even I am moved by his words, even though I can't understand half of what he is saying. His voice has a beautiful cadence. It is as if every word is chosen carefully and then the metronome of his heart creates a poem. Sergio is very religious. He is constantly quoting the bible. He doesnt drink an ounce. But he isnt judgmental or obsessive about his beliefs. He shares his faith in a very tactful way. I love it when he jokes with me. Sometimes, he will ask me what I want to drink. He might say, "Want some whiskey?" Then quickly answer "No hay." (we dont have any!) and bursts out laughing. He is cute sometimes too. He likes to call himself a "hombre de las mujeres", or ladies' man when he clears the table.

Haydee: is also concerned with the news, but more of the local type such as the weather and crime in the city so that she can warn me and her family. She is easily vexed when I feel the slightest bit sick or when I do not like her cooking. She is always telling me to wear more clothes, to eat more, to come home early, or to be safe. She loves to be at the door to say "que te vaya bien" or to greet you when you come in from the cold. Also, she has a servant heart. If I say I like pumpkin in the stew, she will try to make more for dinner. She loves to please. She has a good sense of humor, like Sergio. Her nickname for Sergio is "viejo" or old. She likes to tell me to ask Sergio questions to make fun of him like when she knows he slept through the news, she would want me to ask him "how was the news today?". She has 3 adorable hobbies. She likes to cut napkins (at the seams) because she says that they are too big; she likes to embroider; and she likes to open pumpkin seeds for her husband to eat.