Nuair a bhí . . .Literally: When the work was finished by us (When we had finished the work) I made a phone call to a friend of mine, Angela.

Nuair a - - when (not used as an interrogative or question word) Nuair a is followed by the independent form of the verb Nuair a bhi .. Nuair a chonaic .. nuair a chuaigh . . Nuair a fuair . . Nuair a dúirt . . Nuair a rinne . .

Bhí an obair - - the work was .... Bhí is past tense of tá; the negative is ní raibh mé . . I was not; and to ask a question say An raibh tú . . . were you? At this stage you might like to look back at Tá, Níl, An bhfuil and see how you might say I had or I wanted in the past tense.

Rinne mé glao gutháin - - I made a phone call. Unfortunately this phrase of mine shows a hint of béarlachas (English influence). It should be chuir mé glao gutháin but I want to get the verb rinne in. Rinne is past tense of déan - - do or make.

ar chara liom - - to a friend of mine or to one of my friends.
Ar mo chara - - to my friend would suggest a narrow social circle!