A shout out!

This is a shout out to my friend, Imajule, who is the ebay queen. We just found out about what you did for us and we are very grateful! Thanks for taking the time to do it!

Love you and to the family!

Cultural stuff

In this country, no one uses dryers...so there is always laundry hanging everywhere...and I DO MEAN everywhere.

You can go to the store and beside the front door is the laundry of the person (or people) who spends all day there. In the beginning it was a little awkward seeing people's underwear and stuff all the time...now it doesn't phase me.

The thing that does catch my attention is when there is different underwear than what I am used to seeing. LOL. There is a man who's laundry balcony faces our living room. He often does his laundry in boxer shorts. I try not to look, but come on...he's there quite often and mostly covered.

This morning I noticed this special decoration in the window that signifies the household is a newly married household...and low and behold, FEMALE undergarments. Maybe she can get him to wear other clothes while he does laundry....wait...who am I kidding....SHE'LL be doing the laundry. GREAT! Modesty at last...I hope.

Another thing on another subject.

Recently a "fast train" has been put in and stops in our city. Similar to AMTRAK. It makes traveling to other cities so much better. But once you get off the train...because it's so new...there is no organized way of getting a taxi or bus to your destination. Many of the Fast Train Stations are on the outskirts of town. So it tends to be a free-for-all and mad rush to get a ride. If you are inexperienced you likely will pay an arm and a leg to get into the city. Crazy.

Let me tell you another thing...many of the people here have never traveled to other parts of their own city much less out of it! So...there tends to be some motion sickness going on. It's interesting. Many children are affected by it, but they are not the only ones. The thing is, getting sick in public is embarrassing apparently in any culture.

The other day we took a day trip north to visit some other Americans who have children about the age of the Princess. We had never taken the FT that way before. Talk about craziness. Our friends warned us that it would be crazy getting a ride into the city...but we were ready. We took off at a mad dash to get into the TWO public transportation vehicles that were there to transport a minimum of 50 people into to the city. Mercy. We got there fast...but not fast enough. They were full. So, we look around and try to get a taxi that we can bargain with (there is no way they will use the meter in situations like this.) and the King runs off to get one. He gets a guy and a fairly good deal. We crawl in and think, "Wow...that wasn't so bad" until we smell something rank. We begin looking around and the King discovers the culprit...someone has thrown up on his pants leg....probably while he was moving through the crowd. Ug. Now we have a 20-30 minute ride with it. Gross. I carry some portable wet wipes, but that doesn't help much in the heat.

Many things don't seem to phase us anymore...but that was a new one. LOL. The King handled it well...I'm not sure I would have. It's one thing to clean up vomit from a person you love (i.e your spouse or children) it's a totally different thing to do it for someone you never even saw, but he did...and without complaint.

Just wanted to share. ;)

Father's Day

In this life we're living (for about 20 months now) we still struggle to keep one foot on this continent and one foot back home.

Sometimes it seems that if we are ever really going to live here, we need both feet. But how do you do that? We can't, really.

So, the struggle is keeping up with both worlds well. It's difficult. For example, Father's Day and Mother's Day. They are not really celebrated over here and since we are so busy, we tend to over look them. In the states, we would NEVER forget to celebrate our parents or our spouse.

Yesterday, I was skyping with my mom (we play phone tag alot. LOL.) I guess she was "it." She called and I happened to be sitting by my computer so we got to visit via skype for a long time. My dad came in and chatted with us (King, Princess, and me) for a little while before the Prince got home. In the course of the conversation, my dad mentioned his duties at his church on Father's Day. YIKES! I forgot. Here I was looking into my Dad's handsome face and being thankful that he was making my daughter giggle in the way only he can and it never occurred to me that I should tell him how I treasure that.

So, for both of our father's, we're sorry we missed it. But hopefully, we have told you in other ways how much we love you and are thankful for the "Dad" you are in our lives. To us, to our children...for loving our mother's all these years. For being proud of us, for the encouragement and advice through the years.

For so much more than what this little blog post says. We find ourselves telling each other, "You sound (or look) just like your dad when you say (or do) that!" And honestly we say that about the moms, too.

So, have a happy day and know we love you!

Update...

Well, it was mostly smooth sailing for the Prince. He had one hiccup in the journey, but thanks to cell phones and random english speakers it was resolved. He made his connecting flight, was picked up by the right person and landed on a bunk at camp for a fast and furious week. We haven't heard from him since day one (SUCH a teenager! LOL.). The funny thing about his "hiccup" was that he was speaking in English to a person who spoke English (ESL) and they could not communicate...it took a third party who spoke LESS English than either one of the others to clarify the misunderstanding. HILARIOUS. Who'd have thought!?

But I'm proud to say...he did it.

Now...he has to do it again on Sunday...well, with a few less intricacies. But he can and he now KNOWS he can.

Success.

Well...here we go...

The first step to "letting go"...is a doozy!

Today, the Prince is traveling by himself for the first time (since 9/11) via airplane. He's going to a camp for expatriate kids and is very excited. But first he has to fly across the country and then catch a connecting flight, which includes picking up his luggage, paying a fee to get a new ticket (because we had a few issues regarding visas last week...he didn't get to leave yesterday), rechecking his luggage and finding his location all while dealing with a foreign language.

It was a big decision to allow him to go...without us. We still see him as a kid, but he is quickly turning into a young man. As his parents, of course our instinct is to hover. We fight that instinct in many ways and for many reasons.

First, it's not healthy. Kids make mistakes. We all do. I would rather he make mistakes while under my care (i.e. in my house) where we can deal with them and learn from them than when he is all alone in the big world out there. Chances are the mistakes he'll make now will not "ruin his life", whereas the ones he'll make once he's on his own (and considered and adult) very well could. Are you following me?

Second, he is about to go to boarding school. Momma is NOT ready for that. He isn't either in many ways. But. If he learns some of the needed lessons now while we're still dealing with high school it will be easier for us to help him than if he's off at college in the states. He needs to go. He's ready for the next level.

Third, he has had us to do everything for him and now he must step up to the plate and do much of it for himself (with our guidance, of course). Today he's equipped with his flight information, his passport, money, a working cell phone, emergency phone numbers of people in that city that we have met on this journey, and best of all...a big God.

His father really wants to call and check on him...I have encouraged him not to. This is the Prince's chance to prove himself. He knows what to do...let him do it. He knows what to do in case of emergency or a missed flight or even issues transferring. He has enough language to do it AND there are English speakers everywhere at that particular airport. Once he makes his connecting flight there is someone to meet him when he lands.

Now. Having said that...let me tell you that this is stretching Mom as well. The Prince is a really smart cookie but can be scatter brained at times. Trusting that he can and WILL do this are harder than they seem. But we need to. He needs to know we believe in him.

When I was a teacher, I saw parents HOVERING over their kids to rescue them from any and all consequences. We called them Helicopter parents. It's not healthy for kids to not deal with consequences and learn from their mistakes. It's just SO DIFFICULT as a parent to let them.

Anyway, all that to say, that this is the first step. With boarding school on the horizon, the Prince will be traveling by himself or with a small group alot. This is a good time to practice what we've always been there to do for/with him. We've tried our best to prepare him...we'll see how he does. I know he's capable. It makes me think of that Mark Harris song...

"It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold.
So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do
but most of all I'll want to know that you're walkin' in the truth.
And if I never told you
I want you to know...
As I watch you grow..

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days
and may conviction keep you strong and guide you on your way
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet,
Oh, but more than memories...

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly!

My boy is taking off and it makes me sad and so proud at the same time. Fly Prince. Soar! Your mom loves you. Your Dad, too, and we believe in you.

Disclaimer...I almost didn't post this because I don't want family members to stress...but as his mom...about to let him go...I've got to deal with some of these emotions floating around inside me or when it's time...I'll blubber like a baby...which I might do anyway! LOL.

More randomness...

We met this couple that is over here to teach English (shock!) and are also from the States. It seems that no matter what other differences you may have, when you meet another foreigner who speaks English, you're immdeiately kindred spirits. LOL. Anyway.

We asked them over for dinner to get to know them better. They have been married a year and a half and are very sweet.

Back to the story, while the Prince and the young husband were playing Wii, I looked at his shirt and said, "Does that say what I think it says?" (I know brilliant deduction, but I was a little shocked, especially since I found out that they were believers.)
His comment was that it was opposite of the shirt I was wearing and that his mom has a somewhat warped sense of humor and gave it to him as a gift. He admitted he loved it because his sense of humor is also warped.

Anyway, it was picture worthy at the moment. LOL. I guess if a bird pooped on my head, I wouldn't be too happy about it, either.

Just thought I'd share. :)

Random self portrait...

"The Hobbit"

The Prince read the Hobbit for school and had to do an activity that was out of his comfort zone. He was supposed to make scones from scratch and then serve tea and scones to his parents. After that he was then to discuss something about the book that related to the "tea party"...yadayadayada. Anyway. Do you have any idea how weird it is to say something about a "tea party" and NOT be talking about your daughter, but instead your son. Weird.

I made him wear an apron because we were going to get flour everywhere (just a guess). He absolutely would not let anyone take his picture...hence the view from the rear (LOL...pun intended!). The scones turned out very well and did not last long in our house. The discussion was a little more difficult...but he survived it.

Hamsterdam...

Well....aren't they adorable? Who would have thought that I would allow "rodents" in my house! When the kids are not around we go and check on the "Crits" or "Hams" as the Princess calls them. They are really fun to watch.

Truthfully, the little one (Elsa) is not doing too well. We have tried to prepare the Princess that she may not make it through the day. These pictures are a week old. We've had the "hams" 3 1/2 weeks and one keeps getting bigger and the other one doesn't. We'll see if she's sick.

***Update***

We regret to inform you that Elsa has passed away. We're not sure what the source of her demise was, but the Princess is sad. It was a sad affair to watch. The poor thing was struggling to breathe and finally stopped. What kills hamsters? We don't know. Anyway. We now only have one.