Mosques at Night
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Price of Vanity
As I was sitting at the hairdresser listening to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On" play through the speakers, I had a bad feeling.
You see, I have quite a lot of gray for a girl my age, and I am NOT willing to go gray gracefully. So every 4 to 6 months I get highlights. It's really cheap here, so I treat myself a little. But, lately this has turned out to be more like torturing myself.
If you saw me over the summer you may have seen my attempt at Barbie. I asked the guy for a few natural highlights to cover the gray. Out I came looking like a Miss America contestant. What do you say? I'm not sure my language is good enough to to express what I truly wanted to tell him. That's ok, wedding pictures only last... oh, a lifetime. Fantastic!
Tomorrow is our Company's regional Christmas party. It is usually the only time of the year when everyone in our family dressed up and looking their best. So, naturally, I like to try and get someone to take our picture. The idea of the picture is what brought me into the hairdresser. Barbie's roots were glaring!
Again I asked a different hairdresser for light brown- just enough to cover the gray. And as I sat there waiting for who knows what kind of chemicals to melt and/or fry my hair into a beautiful shade of brown with the help of weird sheets of tin foil I knew that once again, this color was going to be interesting.
When they started taking the foils off to wash my hair, the hair washer lady went over and whispered something to the hairdresser. He ran over and painted more glop on my head. There I waited in that crazy uncomfortable neck sink for awhile longer. Then finally they rinsed, washed, and conditioned my hair.
The hairdresser cut and styled my hair, and then spun me around to show off his masterpiece. I looked at that mirror, and I swear to you that Abraham Lincoln himself was staring back at me- because mousy-brown I was not. My hair was exactly the color of a shiny new penny.
Um, thanks! I love it! I've always dreamed of looking like a coin!
Today, as I was in the kitchen cooking up some yumminess for tomorrow's Christmas party, our downstairs doorbell rang. I asked who it was, and excitedly buzzed up the postman. The only post that comes directly to our door are packages!! The house was full of excitement. Two big boxes from Gamma and PawPaw arrived. Justin put them way up high on top of our wardrobe so that the kids wouldn't get into them.
An hour later, once the kids were all busy playing elsewhere. I snuck into our bedroom to open up the boxes and make sure that nothing had disappeared in the shipping process. As I was reaching for the big box, the stool slipped out from under me. Luckily, I fell back onto our bed. Un-luckily I must have grabbed a decorative board (sort of like trim) and it broke off the top of the wardrobe and landed smack on my face. I had a huge gash on my left eyebrow and it was bleeding something fierce!
This was exciting for everyone! Noah was crying because I was hurt. I was hollering at him to quit crying. Justin was trying to call some friends to give me a lift to the hospital. Lucy wanted to touch it. And Callie was wondering if this was going to delay lunch!
Our friends arrived and took me to the hospital. Sweet Justin cleaned up the blood and fed the kids. They had me stitched up and ready to go in about 15 minutes. Nice hospital. Nice people.
A few internal stitches and 10 external stitches later, this is what I look like:
You see, I have quite a lot of gray for a girl my age, and I am NOT willing to go gray gracefully. So every 4 to 6 months I get highlights. It's really cheap here, so I treat myself a little. But, lately this has turned out to be more like torturing myself.
If you saw me over the summer you may have seen my attempt at Barbie. I asked the guy for a few natural highlights to cover the gray. Out I came looking like a Miss America contestant. What do you say? I'm not sure my language is good enough to to express what I truly wanted to tell him. That's ok, wedding pictures only last... oh, a lifetime. Fantastic!
Tomorrow is our Company's regional Christmas party. It is usually the only time of the year when everyone in our family dressed up and looking their best. So, naturally, I like to try and get someone to take our picture. The idea of the picture is what brought me into the hairdresser. Barbie's roots were glaring!
Again I asked a different hairdresser for light brown- just enough to cover the gray. And as I sat there waiting for who knows what kind of chemicals to melt and/or fry my hair into a beautiful shade of brown with the help of weird sheets of tin foil I knew that once again, this color was going to be interesting.
When they started taking the foils off to wash my hair, the hair washer lady went over and whispered something to the hairdresser. He ran over and painted more glop on my head. There I waited in that crazy uncomfortable neck sink for awhile longer. Then finally they rinsed, washed, and conditioned my hair.
The hairdresser cut and styled my hair, and then spun me around to show off his masterpiece. I looked at that mirror, and I swear to you that Abraham Lincoln himself was staring back at me- because mousy-brown I was not. My hair was exactly the color of a shiny new penny.
Um, thanks! I love it! I've always dreamed of looking like a coin!
Today, as I was in the kitchen cooking up some yumminess for tomorrow's Christmas party, our downstairs doorbell rang. I asked who it was, and excitedly buzzed up the postman. The only post that comes directly to our door are packages!! The house was full of excitement. Two big boxes from Gamma and PawPaw arrived. Justin put them way up high on top of our wardrobe so that the kids wouldn't get into them.
An hour later, once the kids were all busy playing elsewhere. I snuck into our bedroom to open up the boxes and make sure that nothing had disappeared in the shipping process. As I was reaching for the big box, the stool slipped out from under me. Luckily, I fell back onto our bed. Un-luckily I must have grabbed a decorative board (sort of like trim) and it broke off the top of the wardrobe and landed smack on my face. I had a huge gash on my left eyebrow and it was bleeding something fierce!
This was exciting for everyone! Noah was crying because I was hurt. I was hollering at him to quit crying. Justin was trying to call some friends to give me a lift to the hospital. Lucy wanted to touch it. And Callie was wondering if this was going to delay lunch!
Our friends arrived and took me to the hospital. Sweet Justin cleaned up the blood and fed the kids. They had me stitched up and ready to go in about 15 minutes. Nice hospital. Nice people.
A few internal stitches and 10 external stitches later, this is what I look like:
Don't be jealous. Abe Lincoln has nothing on me. I am rocking the copper head pistol-whipped look!!
This year's Christmas picture is gonna be awesome!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Unusual Conversation
Last night I was over having tea with Noah's best friend's mom and several of her friend/ relatives. They asked me,
"Are you and your husband related?"
"Um, er.. pardon?"
"Are you and your husband related?"
"No. Actually that's illegal where I'm from. I heard the lack of variation in blood can result in defects in their children."
"I'm married to my aunt's son."
"Oh. That's nice. Have your children had any problems?"
"No."
"Well, that's good to know." Quickly trying to change the topic...
"Are you and your husband related?"
"Um, er.. pardon?"
"Are you and your husband related?"
"No. Actually that's illegal where I'm from. I heard the lack of variation in blood can result in defects in their children."
"I'm married to my aunt's son."
"Oh. That's nice. Have your children had any problems?"
"No."
"Well, that's good to know." Quickly trying to change the topic...
Gift Idea
Do you have a movie lover in your family?
I don't know why, but for some reason I picked up this movie while we were in the States this summer. It is SO GOOD. I would recommend it for everyone- even children elementary age and up.
A great and inspirational story!
What is on your Christmas wish list?
What fun, unusual, or just plain good gift ideas do you have to share?
Don't forget this awesome gift idea for all the young girls/women in your life!
I don't know why, but for some reason I picked up this movie while we were in the States this summer. It is SO GOOD. I would recommend it for everyone- even children elementary age and up.
A great and inspirational story!
What is on your Christmas wish list?
What fun, unusual, or just plain good gift ideas do you have to share?
Don't forget this awesome gift idea for all the young girls/women in your life!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Where is God in all This?
So, I'm writing my Christmas cards and it seems like an awful lot of people in my life are going through some really hard things- cancer, loss of child, loss of spouse, divorce, heart surgery, illness. I am not sure why this year seems particularly full of such sad events. Maybe its because we were just back in the States and got caught up with everyone.
(People rarely tell you bad news when you live far away. I used to think no news meant good news. Now, I've learned the opposite is true. When Jennie gets the job she has hoped for it goes out on email, Twitter, Facebook, and in the Christmas letter. But when Bob's wife leaves him no one really says anything people just hear about it through the grapevine. The grapevine does not stretch over here. This makes things quite awkward when we write Bob and Cindy a Christmas card only to later learn from Ella that Cindy has been living in Reno with Tommy from the Quicky Mart for 2 months!!)
And.. I digress!
Moving on with the point.
What was the point?
Oh yeah, it has been hard to write Christmas cards this year. What do you say? MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I am sure that your day will suck. It will be full of memories, tears and heartache, BUT maybe next year you'll only cry for half the day. And Happy New Year! Love, Elizabeth
That's heartfelt!
I have found myself questioning if God is good. Wondering if He really is in control of all of this. And if He is, why is it so hard and so painful, and why are so many people that I love suffering?
In my head I know, I know, I. KNOW. that God is good. But, to be really honest, sometimes my heart is slow to follow. As I have been asking the Lord about this, this is the story He revealed to me:
Nothing. NO-THING comes as a surprise to Him. He is at work, through the good and the bad. You can see Him work that way all throughout Scripture. The story of Joseph is one of my favorites. How amazing to see how God uses greed, jealousy, and attempted murder to bring about His Kingdom! As I was praying and asking Him about what I was feeling. He revealed some truth to me.
Let me share a few with you:
When I was in sixth grade I was in the choir. We were loading up the bus to go on a mini- choir tour. The bus was parked on the two lane private road next to our church, and we were all running back and forth excitedly loading the bus and acting like crazy little middle schoolers.
THUMP!! Boom, boom, boom.
I got hit by a car. A lady was cutting through the parking lot. She was running late and was in a hurry. Everyone was shocked. I wasn't hurt too badly, mostly my pride was bruised.
Fast forward 20 something years later, and now I live in the big city. I cannot describe to you the way people drive here. Take the worst driving that you can imagine and multiply it by 62. That may come close. But, ever since that day, way back when I was 11, I have been a very cautious street crosser.
Since we are mostly on foot here this has saved our lives more times than not. I learned on that day so many years ago that just because one lane is safe, the next one may not be. Here, as we are crossing 4 lane roads, we cross lane by lane, being careful to look both ways each time. Sure one car may be nice enough to stop and let you cross, but the impatient scooter behind them will surely whip around and try to speed by. I cannot tell you how my carefulness has kept us safe. And, I certainly had no idea that being hit by a car when I was a kid was actually for my own benefit. God was there. He was in control.
When Justin and I were just 18 years old and began to talk about marriage my parents freaked out (as did everyone else). We didn't have much of a plan and we were so young. I can remember one day sitting down at the table with my mom and dad discussing our plans for education. Justin had always dreamed of being an engineer. But, we were both attending Asbury- a liberal arts college. Justin's plan was to join Asbury's joint 3-2 program with the University of Kentucky. So three years at Asbury and 2 years at UK. In the end he would have a degree from both institutions.
My dad had hoped to do a similar program when he was in college at West Georgia. But it did not go so smoothly and when he transferred to Georgia Tech he lost a lot of credits and it was a big mess. So, rightly so, he was very concerned about Justin's plan. Not only that, but, the HOPE Scholarship program had recently started in Georgia. Justin probably could have attended Georgia Tech for a fraction of the cost of Asbury, if not for free. However, Justin was unwavering. He knew that God had called him to take this route.
Fast forward 14 years, and here we are. We are living in a country that has begun to deny visas to engineers of any type. If your diploma says "engineer" in any form or fashion you are not allowed to stay in this country. (The reasons are complicated and don't really add to the story, so I won't go into them.) But, all those years ago, Justin received a Physics degree from Asbury- a liberal arts college. Therefore, he can just leave out the UK part of his education in his documents and we can stay here. God was there. He was in control.
About this time last year, we began to feel very restless in our situation. Justin's job was just not working out. he had been praying for more than a year for the Lord to change his attitude towards his job with our team business. It wasn't changing. Then last spring, the prayers began to change. "Well, Lord, if it's not my attitude that needs changing, please change my situation." Justin literally uttered that prayer, walked in to meet with a co-worker, and heard the first news of his dream job. Our co-worker had a contact in Germany with a very successful dental equipment business. The business was looking to expand into the Middle East and wanted to start right here. As the information about the job came in we were salivating and reveling in God's awesome provision.
Because this was a full time job it was apart from our team vision of running an economic development business. So, we had to step out of our team- the only thing we really knew here- and start over. But, to be honest, at that time it didn't hurt too badly because we were running toward an awesome job.
Then, the job fell through.
And it hurt real bad!!! We felt like we had lost everything- our team, our identity. It was a big loss for us.
We tried our best to trust the Lord and know that He was doing something. We prayed. We asked others to pray. And Justin searched like a hound dog. He even completed a certificate to teach English in case that was necessary.
A little over a month ago, a random email came through a newsgroup that we are a part of. Justin followed up and now here we are. Justin has a job that is making him very happy. It meets or exceeds all of the things we were praying for- working with locals, possibility for a work permit, income, good identity, flexible hours. He is the regional director for a company that works in the cell phone technology industry.
He is setting up the office here. He got to choose a lovely area and office to work in that is easily accessible to public transportation. He is also in the process of hiring his first employee. Each day when he comes home he has a smile on his face and is anxious to tell us about the things that he did throughout the day.
Not only that, but this company is also on the verge of opening an American office. Guess where they had decided to open the office. Out of the entire United States... Atlanta!! The company owners were so thrilled to find out that Justin is from Atlanta. "Seems like God is doing something here!" they remarked. So, when we go on furlough, or want more than the standard two weeks off, Justin can work from the Atlanta office. This is so much more than we hoped for or imagined.
Looking back now, I realize that it took the German job to lure us out of what was comfortable. Justin's current job came down the pipeline so quietly and it didn't really look like it would be anything he was interested in. He just pursued it out of desperation. The Lord used that first job opportunity to pull us out of our comfort zone and prepare us for what He had next for us. When that "perfect" first job fell through like a boulder God was there. He was in control.
I have kept every email with every prayer request that I sent out as we were preparing to come and also now that we are here. Every single one has been answered. Most were not answered in the way I thought they would be, or even in the way that I had hoped they would be. But, every one has been answered, even if the answer is "wait" or "we'll get to that later" it has been answered. Often times the answer is better than I could have imagined. Sometimes, to be honest, I am left wondering why on earth God chose to answer in a particular way.
And I realized that faith isn't just trusting that God hears our crys and knows our hearts. It's not just trusting God to do something. For me, faith is trusting that God, the God of the Universe, the God that placed the stars in the sky one by one, and who knows the number of hairs on my head knows better than me. It's not just believing that He exists and in interested in me, it's trusting that He can and will finish what He has started. Faith is trusting that His plans and His timing are better than mine!
Because you know what? They are! They ALWAYS are! Even when I'm bruised and broken He is working- making things new and beautiful. Preparing the foundation for His Kingdom, and His work, and His glory.
Now, that all sounds well and good, and stories with happy endings are great. But, everything can't be tied up with a bow and have a happy ending, can it?
I don't know why Justin's sister died of brain cancer. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend's wife decided that this isn't really what she wanted. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend's baby was born with a problem. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friends lost their son. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend lost her job and can't find another one. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that.
I guess that's the mystery of faith. Often times things don't make sense. And often times, especially when it is nearly impossible, we still just have to trust. Its so simple but so hard!!
He is working- making things new and beautiful. Preparing the foundation for His Kingdom, and His work, and His glory. He is who He says He is.
Our Healer
Our Redeemer
Our Comforter
Our Provider
Our Help
Our Savior
Our Father
He is most merciful and full of grace.
You see, He doesn't promise us freedom from the troubles of this life. But He does promise to walk with us, guide us, and even carry us, through each and every one.
This Christmas season and always, He has not forgotten YOU. He hears YOU. He is working for YOU.
He is here.
And He is in control.
(People rarely tell you bad news when you live far away. I used to think no news meant good news. Now, I've learned the opposite is true. When Jennie gets the job she has hoped for it goes out on email, Twitter, Facebook, and in the Christmas letter. But when Bob's wife leaves him no one really says anything people just hear about it through the grapevine. The grapevine does not stretch over here. This makes things quite awkward when we write Bob and Cindy a Christmas card only to later learn from Ella that Cindy has been living in Reno with Tommy from the Quicky Mart for 2 months!!)
And.. I digress!
Moving on with the point.
What was the point?
Oh yeah, it has been hard to write Christmas cards this year. What do you say? MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I am sure that your day will suck. It will be full of memories, tears and heartache, BUT maybe next year you'll only cry for half the day. And Happy New Year! Love, Elizabeth
That's heartfelt!
I have found myself questioning if God is good. Wondering if He really is in control of all of this. And if He is, why is it so hard and so painful, and why are so many people that I love suffering?
In my head I know, I know, I. KNOW. that God is good. But, to be really honest, sometimes my heart is slow to follow. As I have been asking the Lord about this, this is the story He revealed to me:
Nothing. NO-THING comes as a surprise to Him. He is at work, through the good and the bad. You can see Him work that way all throughout Scripture. The story of Joseph is one of my favorites. How amazing to see how God uses greed, jealousy, and attempted murder to bring about His Kingdom! As I was praying and asking Him about what I was feeling. He revealed some truth to me.
Let me share a few with you:
When I was in sixth grade I was in the choir. We were loading up the bus to go on a mini- choir tour. The bus was parked on the two lane private road next to our church, and we were all running back and forth excitedly loading the bus and acting like crazy little middle schoolers.
THUMP!! Boom, boom, boom.
I got hit by a car. A lady was cutting through the parking lot. She was running late and was in a hurry. Everyone was shocked. I wasn't hurt too badly, mostly my pride was bruised.
Fast forward 20 something years later, and now I live in the big city. I cannot describe to you the way people drive here. Take the worst driving that you can imagine and multiply it by 62. That may come close. But, ever since that day, way back when I was 11, I have been a very cautious street crosser.
Since we are mostly on foot here this has saved our lives more times than not. I learned on that day so many years ago that just because one lane is safe, the next one may not be. Here, as we are crossing 4 lane roads, we cross lane by lane, being careful to look both ways each time. Sure one car may be nice enough to stop and let you cross, but the impatient scooter behind them will surely whip around and try to speed by. I cannot tell you how my carefulness has kept us safe. And, I certainly had no idea that being hit by a car when I was a kid was actually for my own benefit. God was there. He was in control.
When Justin and I were just 18 years old and began to talk about marriage my parents freaked out (as did everyone else). We didn't have much of a plan and we were so young. I can remember one day sitting down at the table with my mom and dad discussing our plans for education. Justin had always dreamed of being an engineer. But, we were both attending Asbury- a liberal arts college. Justin's plan was to join Asbury's joint 3-2 program with the University of Kentucky. So three years at Asbury and 2 years at UK. In the end he would have a degree from both institutions.
My dad had hoped to do a similar program when he was in college at West Georgia. But it did not go so smoothly and when he transferred to Georgia Tech he lost a lot of credits and it was a big mess. So, rightly so, he was very concerned about Justin's plan. Not only that, but, the HOPE Scholarship program had recently started in Georgia. Justin probably could have attended Georgia Tech for a fraction of the cost of Asbury, if not for free. However, Justin was unwavering. He knew that God had called him to take this route.
Fast forward 14 years, and here we are. We are living in a country that has begun to deny visas to engineers of any type. If your diploma says "engineer" in any form or fashion you are not allowed to stay in this country. (The reasons are complicated and don't really add to the story, so I won't go into them.) But, all those years ago, Justin received a Physics degree from Asbury- a liberal arts college. Therefore, he can just leave out the UK part of his education in his documents and we can stay here. God was there. He was in control.
About this time last year, we began to feel very restless in our situation. Justin's job was just not working out. he had been praying for more than a year for the Lord to change his attitude towards his job with our team business. It wasn't changing. Then last spring, the prayers began to change. "Well, Lord, if it's not my attitude that needs changing, please change my situation." Justin literally uttered that prayer, walked in to meet with a co-worker, and heard the first news of his dream job. Our co-worker had a contact in Germany with a very successful dental equipment business. The business was looking to expand into the Middle East and wanted to start right here. As the information about the job came in we were salivating and reveling in God's awesome provision.
Because this was a full time job it was apart from our team vision of running an economic development business. So, we had to step out of our team- the only thing we really knew here- and start over. But, to be honest, at that time it didn't hurt too badly because we were running toward an awesome job.
Then, the job fell through.
And it hurt real bad!!! We felt like we had lost everything- our team, our identity. It was a big loss for us.
We tried our best to trust the Lord and know that He was doing something. We prayed. We asked others to pray. And Justin searched like a hound dog. He even completed a certificate to teach English in case that was necessary.
A little over a month ago, a random email came through a newsgroup that we are a part of. Justin followed up and now here we are. Justin has a job that is making him very happy. It meets or exceeds all of the things we were praying for- working with locals, possibility for a work permit, income, good identity, flexible hours. He is the regional director for a company that works in the cell phone technology industry.
He is setting up the office here. He got to choose a lovely area and office to work in that is easily accessible to public transportation. He is also in the process of hiring his first employee. Each day when he comes home he has a smile on his face and is anxious to tell us about the things that he did throughout the day.
Not only that, but this company is also on the verge of opening an American office. Guess where they had decided to open the office. Out of the entire United States... Atlanta!! The company owners were so thrilled to find out that Justin is from Atlanta. "Seems like God is doing something here!" they remarked. So, when we go on furlough, or want more than the standard two weeks off, Justin can work from the Atlanta office. This is so much more than we hoped for or imagined.
Looking back now, I realize that it took the German job to lure us out of what was comfortable. Justin's current job came down the pipeline so quietly and it didn't really look like it would be anything he was interested in. He just pursued it out of desperation. The Lord used that first job opportunity to pull us out of our comfort zone and prepare us for what He had next for us. When that "perfect" first job fell through like a boulder God was there. He was in control.
I have kept every email with every prayer request that I sent out as we were preparing to come and also now that we are here. Every single one has been answered. Most were not answered in the way I thought they would be, or even in the way that I had hoped they would be. But, every one has been answered, even if the answer is "wait" or "we'll get to that later" it has been answered. Often times the answer is better than I could have imagined. Sometimes, to be honest, I am left wondering why on earth God chose to answer in a particular way.
And I realized that faith isn't just trusting that God hears our crys and knows our hearts. It's not just trusting God to do something. For me, faith is trusting that God, the God of the Universe, the God that placed the stars in the sky one by one, and who knows the number of hairs on my head knows better than me. It's not just believing that He exists and in interested in me, it's trusting that He can and will finish what He has started. Faith is trusting that His plans and His timing are better than mine!
Because you know what? They are! They ALWAYS are! Even when I'm bruised and broken He is working- making things new and beautiful. Preparing the foundation for His Kingdom, and His work, and His glory.
Now, that all sounds well and good, and stories with happy endings are great. But, everything can't be tied up with a bow and have a happy ending, can it?
I don't know why Justin's sister died of brain cancer. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend's wife decided that this isn't really what she wanted. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend's baby was born with a problem. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friends lost their son. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that. I don't know why my friend lost her job and can't find another one. I can't imagine how the Lord is using that.
I guess that's the mystery of faith. Often times things don't make sense. And often times, especially when it is nearly impossible, we still just have to trust. Its so simple but so hard!!
He is working- making things new and beautiful. Preparing the foundation for His Kingdom, and His work, and His glory. He is who He says He is.
Our Healer
Our Redeemer
Our Comforter
Our Provider
Our Help
Our Savior
Our Father
He is most merciful and full of grace.
You see, He doesn't promise us freedom from the troubles of this life. But He does promise to walk with us, guide us, and even carry us, through each and every one.
This Christmas season and always, He has not forgotten YOU. He hears YOU. He is working for YOU.
He is here.
And He is in control.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My Friend Wrote a Book
I grew up with the neatest girl, and she has grown up into an amazing woman. Her name is Annie Downs, and she wrote a book.
Go here and buy a few. They'd make great Christmas presents for the girls in your life!!
Go here and buy a few. They'd make great Christmas presents for the girls in your life!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Question
Can you help me?
I am trying to update our Christmas music collection. Please tell me your favorite Christmas songs, albums, etc.
Thanks!
I am trying to update our Christmas music collection. Please tell me your favorite Christmas songs, albums, etc.
Thanks!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Prune Hands
Lucy just got out of the bathtub and her hands were all prune-y.
She said, "Look, I have hands like a grandmother!!"
She didn't say anything for a minute. Then she got really mad and said, "UGH!! But, I'm not even a grandmother yet, actually!!!"
She said, "Look, I have hands like a grandmother!!"
She didn't say anything for a minute. Then she got really mad and said, "UGH!! But, I'm not even a grandmother yet, actually!!!"
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Zoo part 2
This post is part #2. If you would like to start from the beginning, click here.
Now we've come along to my favorite event of the day. You see, this one kid in Callie's class had been toting around a banana the entire time. He was waiting for the monkeys, and he was so excited that he was sweating!! When we arrived at the monkeys, the kids tried to figure out how on earth they could get the banana to the monkeys.
First they held up the banana and taunted the monkeys. They went nuts. Grunting, clapping, and waving for the teacher to give the banana.
Never fear. Teacher had a plan! He tossed the banana over the wall. The kids cheered. The monkeys converged on the banana.
Unfortunately, I could not get a good picture of this event because my jaw was on the ground! I could not believe what I was witnessing! The last time I went to the zoo in America they wouldn't even let people drink from straws, let alone get near an animal. And I am pretty sure you'd have been shot if you pulled a stunt like this.
After the success of the banana the monkeys wanted more. Unfortunately that was the only banana. So the kids came up with various snacks from their snack-bags. The monkeys were not a fan of salty snacks.
So we moved on to sweet snacks. They were a hit!!
But again, the minimal fencing was making it hard to pass harmful snacks to the animals. So, what did teacher do?
He tossed a package of cookies over the wall to the monkeys!! See that blue wrapper in that monkey's had. Those are tasty treats thanks to our class!!
Next, we moved on to another nightmare involving monkeys. You may know that I am not a fan of birds. I hate them and cannot stand to be near them. Before the trip I was worried that I would have to get close to a bird. Other than the peacock- which again, my jaw was on the ground and I was too shocked to freak out- the birds didn't bother me. But, these monkeys have been showing up in my nightmares!!
Check out this inventive cage system. The monkeys can look down on you. They have little bowls on chains that they drop down and people are supposed to put food in. They were throwing those bowls down, screeching like well... psychotic monkeys, and then pulling them back up as fast as they could. If they didn't like the food placed in the bowl they'd throw it down at the people.
I was terrified. If I had been pooped on, or in any way hit with feces, I was going to take a taxi cab home that moment- regardless of the cost!!
One of the little girls in the class was going ballistic. She could not pass under the cage. I had to cover her with myself and drag her body under it, running like freaks. That's all great, but no one was there to do that for me. Mom? Where were you? I needed my mommy!!!
This fine animal had managed to peel back the wire on his cage. So he could stick his arm way out and grab at the children. Here he is waiting to strike! Yes, folks, we are taking about monkey nightmares for weeks!!!
This grotesque animal sure didn't help things. Not even the baby was cute!!
After we survived the monkey nightmare we went into the aquarium and reptile house. Nothing crazy. Business as usual for the coldbloods.
Then we came across this cute little dear. Hope he doesn't bite! I've seen those things maul people on When Animals Attack.
The camel came out to see us.
He liked this kid!!
After the petting zoo sort of area we arrived here:
Now, I cannot for the life of me understand this goofy sports equipment. They have it al throughout the city in parks. But, seriously... at the zoo? Why on earth did they put exercise equipment at the zoo? The kid in the foreground with the blue and orange sweat shirt is Gökan. He is the kid that brought the banana for the monkeys.
Some of the kids did the pony rides.
For most of them it was their first chance to ride a pony. Some were scared and some were thrilled.
Isn't she adorable?
Giddy- Up!
Next to the exercise equipment and pony rides there was a playground. The whole class played on this merry-go-round.
They played that fun game: spin and spin and spin until someone falls down or barfs.
Ever heard of it? Its fun!
The ponies were in a cute little corral. Also, in the corral were tons of bunnies. The pony man was very careful not to let his bunnies escape when opening and closing the gate for the children doing the pony rides.
Callie's teacher reached down in the pen and picked up a bunny to show the kids. He set it down so everyone could get a closer look and pet the sweet little bunny.
It hopped away!!
We worked our way through the rest of the zoo. And ended up at back at the big cats.
This panther looks like it want to tear this kid's face off!
That was the end of our zoo adventure!
Throughout the day only two kids got lost- Isa and Ibrahim... that's Jesus and Abraham. Figures! Historically they've been quite the leaders! But we found them fairly quickly.
We boarded the bus and headed home. I may have dozed off for a bit and woke up to find all the kids laughing at me. But, by that point I didn't care, all kids were alive and accounted for. None of the pleading mothers would be disappointed!
Praise the Lord!!
The zoo was AWESOME!!! I can't wait to volunteer for the next field trip!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Zoo
The time has come for me to share with you one of the most interesting cultural experiences that I have ever had. Make sure you've had your coffee and you're in a comfortable chair. This could take awhile!
A month ago when I was at the Women's Retreat, Justin and another friend whose wife was at the conference got together and took the kids to the zoo. Thats 2 dads and 5 kids if you're counting.
When they returned and I returned they had the most amazing and crazy storied about their adventure at the zoo. Needless to say, it was unlike any zoo trip they've ever experienced! So, obviously I was dying to experience the zoo, too!
Not a week later we got a paper home saying that the kids' school was sponsoring a field trip and Callie's class was participating. I sent the teacher a note and asked if I could come, too. I mean really, who wouldn't want to help chaperone 53 7 and 8 year olds as they ran through a maze of improperly caged wild animals?
WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?
The day of the field trip arrived. Callie and I showed up at school bright and early in the morning excited for the day's events. Callie was talking so fast smoke was coming out of her jaws! The mass of unorganized people was my first clue that this field trip was going to be different than ones I'd been on in the past!
**A little note- Have I ever told you about mothers in this country? WOW! They are the most overprotective worry warts on the planet! But not about what we would consider important like safety or discipline. They just hover without really doing anything but constantly making sure their child is properly bundled up for the weather. Its a constant battle against being too cold and too hot. If their child sweats, surely they will get sick! If their child gets cold, surely they will get sick!
So anyway, the children all lined up in their class lines and the mothers crowded in around the children being nosey and bossy but not really helping anything. Then they heard that I was going along on the trip. Mothers started coming up to me and begging me to help take care of their child, help them int he bathroom, make sure they stayed with the group, protect them, etc.
This is when I started to panic.
I was nodding, "of course'" to the moms but on the inside thinking, I couldn't pick their child out in a lineup. My heart was pounding with the responsibility. 2 adults 50 kids, and one of those adults was pretty inept at the language. This should be interesting.
The classes piled onto 8 charter busses and off we went. You would have thought we were setting out on a world tour by the way the moms were standing next to the busses waving, and ultimately following the busses waving for bit.
The entire one hour drive out to the zoo I prayed for the Lord's mercy and helping hand over these kids, and that the parents of whichever child(ren) who was lost or mangled by an animal would forgive me in due time. I was certain that not all of us would be returning on that bus.
Luckily I was seated next to a odd child who thought that I was interesting and kept rattling on the whole time. He had great questions like, "can you write in American?" "What do Americans eat?" "What is my favorite animal?" "What animals will we see?" The list was endless and my head was throbbing.
We arrived at the zoo at 11:00. Um... zoo doesn't open until 11:30. I guess nobody thought to check that minor detail!
So the eight charter busses full of excited, unruly, screaming children back (yes, I said back) their way up a VERY steep hill and drop us all off at the park on the top.
Hello people trying to enjoy a nice quiet walk in the park. A few hundred kids have arrived!!! Hope you like screaming!!
I was at the back of the group praying to God that no one got left behind when I heard screaming and saw children scattering and running for their lives. Feathers were flying and sound of wings frantically flapping filled the air. The kids parted and this is what was coming my way:
A month ago when I was at the Women's Retreat, Justin and another friend whose wife was at the conference got together and took the kids to the zoo. Thats 2 dads and 5 kids if you're counting.
When they returned and I returned they had the most amazing and crazy storied about their adventure at the zoo. Needless to say, it was unlike any zoo trip they've ever experienced! So, obviously I was dying to experience the zoo, too!
Not a week later we got a paper home saying that the kids' school was sponsoring a field trip and Callie's class was participating. I sent the teacher a note and asked if I could come, too. I mean really, who wouldn't want to help chaperone 53 7 and 8 year olds as they ran through a maze of improperly caged wild animals?
WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?
The day of the field trip arrived. Callie and I showed up at school bright and early in the morning excited for the day's events. Callie was talking so fast smoke was coming out of her jaws! The mass of unorganized people was my first clue that this field trip was going to be different than ones I'd been on in the past!
**A little note- Have I ever told you about mothers in this country? WOW! They are the most overprotective worry warts on the planet! But not about what we would consider important like safety or discipline. They just hover without really doing anything but constantly making sure their child is properly bundled up for the weather. Its a constant battle against being too cold and too hot. If their child sweats, surely they will get sick! If their child gets cold, surely they will get sick!
So anyway, the children all lined up in their class lines and the mothers crowded in around the children being nosey and bossy but not really helping anything. Then they heard that I was going along on the trip. Mothers started coming up to me and begging me to help take care of their child, help them int he bathroom, make sure they stayed with the group, protect them, etc.
This is when I started to panic.
I was nodding, "of course'" to the moms but on the inside thinking, I couldn't pick their child out in a lineup. My heart was pounding with the responsibility. 2 adults 50 kids, and one of those adults was pretty inept at the language. This should be interesting.
The classes piled onto 8 charter busses and off we went. You would have thought we were setting out on a world tour by the way the moms were standing next to the busses waving, and ultimately following the busses waving for bit.
The entire one hour drive out to the zoo I prayed for the Lord's mercy and helping hand over these kids, and that the parents of whichever child(ren) who was lost or mangled by an animal would forgive me in due time. I was certain that not all of us would be returning on that bus.
Luckily I was seated next to a odd child who thought that I was interesting and kept rattling on the whole time. He had great questions like, "can you write in American?" "What do Americans eat?" "What is my favorite animal?" "What animals will we see?" The list was endless and my head was throbbing.
We arrived at the zoo at 11:00. Um... zoo doesn't open until 11:30. I guess nobody thought to check that minor detail!
So the eight charter busses full of excited, unruly, screaming children back (yes, I said back) their way up a VERY steep hill and drop us all off at the park on the top.
Hello people trying to enjoy a nice quiet walk in the park. A few hundred kids have arrived!!! Hope you like screaming!!
We were up by the windmill, and the zoo was way down in that valley. I can't say this enough, we backed up the mountain, in a charter bus, to this park. I was thanking God that in His wisdom and great plans we were all going to die so that then I wouldn't have to answer to the parents of the lost and/or mangled children when we returned to the school.
But, we survived. And after a few minutes of running around and eating the lunches that they were supposed to eat later we hopped back on the bus and again headed toward the zoo. This time it was open.
We saw lovely creatures like this:
I was at the back of the group praying to God that no one got left behind when I heard screaming and saw children scattering and running for their lives. Feathers were flying and sound of wings frantically flapping filled the air. The kids parted and this is what was coming my way:
Callie's teacher wrestling and ultimately capturing a peacock! Look at the kids. They've hopped fences and are fleeing to the hills!
He managed to get the bird in his arms.
After a bit more struggling,
and wing flapping,
and last ditch efforts,
the bird reconciled to his fate.
The teacher explained to the kids all about peacocks, and then released the bird. As we were walking away, some old lady walked right up to the peacock and snatched one of its fancy feathers out!! I used to feel sorry for the animals in cages. I think in this country the animals in the cages are the lucky ones!!
We moved along looking at the animals. The teacher had told the kids to bring pencil and paper to take notes on each animal. So the kids were walking around like little detectives writing down who knows what!
We came along to the lions' cage. The teacher explained to us that this was a mom and 3 babies. The babies were 8 months old. You can see him sort of reaching towards the cage.
That's because he was playing Here Kitty, Kitty with the babies. They would jump up and bat against the cage. I was waiting for him to lose a finger, or at least his camera!
Then we arrived at the bears' den. Doesn't this bear look close?
That's because he was! (Have I ever told you that safety is not really a concern in this country?)
Here he is looking up at the children. They are furiously searching through their snack-bags for food to toss at the bear.
He liked the food and wanted more! Hey kids! Who wants to pet a hungry bear?
Hello bird!
This post is getting too long. I will continue the rest tomorrow. The monkey story will shock you!!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Scratch Cookin' and Errands
Of the many areas that have proved to be a steep learning curve, house-keeping and household chores are right at the top. Among these are cooking and the procuring of the stuff we need.
When Justin and I came to visit the country in 2006 before moving here, one of our friends cautioned me to make sure that I knew how to cook from scratch. No problem, I thought, because I cook a lot and almost always from scratch.
Turns out that my version of cooking from scratch and this version of cooking from scratch are drastically different! Take lasagne for example:
I never bought the frozen Stouffer's lasagne when I lived in America, I made my lasagne from scratch. First I went to Wal-Mart and bought all the ingredients- lasagne noodles, ground beef, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and 2 cans of spaghetti sauce. Then I came home and cooked the beef and assembled the lasagne.
Here, I go to the market and pray they have lasagne noodles- sometimes they do most times they don't! I buy a few boxes if they do, and change our meal plans if they don't. Next I go to the butcher and choose a hunk of meat for him to grind up for me. Then I go to the cheese store and get the two closest things I can find to ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. Finally I go to the open air market and buy several kilos of tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc.
The next morning, I begin making my sauce. It takes half a day to boil down the tomatoes and come up with a nice sauce. I bag and freeze what I won't need. Then I cook the beef and assemble the lasagne.
Quite a difference, no?
The second area that has taken some learning and practice is running errands. In order to go to several different places I have to put a bit of fore-thought into it. We don't have a car. You may not realize this, but cars are not just good for getting you to the place you want to go quickly and easily, but they are also good for holding the junk you buy at each place. Without a car, I am left to carry the junk I buy while walking from place to place. This is a great incentive against impulse buys!
So, if I need a few items from the market, money from the ATM, mail a few letters, and pick up a package at the post office, I have to plan out my route. I plan not by what's the most logical route, but by what I can carry, how far I can carry it, and if I can fit it on the bus with me. Packages and market are always last!
Also, since there isn't really the concept of branch banking, and foreigners cannot get a credit card, I have to make sure that I have enough cash on me to cover everything. This is the step that has taken some getting used to- dealing almost completely in cash for everything. Well, and being very careful to only buy what I can carry has also taken some getting used to. The Wal-Mart mentality of stock up on as much as possible is out the window!
Like I always say now, I'm happy to accomplish ONE thing in a day!
When Justin and I came to visit the country in 2006 before moving here, one of our friends cautioned me to make sure that I knew how to cook from scratch. No problem, I thought, because I cook a lot and almost always from scratch.
Turns out that my version of cooking from scratch and this version of cooking from scratch are drastically different! Take lasagne for example:
I never bought the frozen Stouffer's lasagne when I lived in America, I made my lasagne from scratch. First I went to Wal-Mart and bought all the ingredients- lasagne noodles, ground beef, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and 2 cans of spaghetti sauce. Then I came home and cooked the beef and assembled the lasagne.
Here, I go to the market and pray they have lasagne noodles- sometimes they do most times they don't! I buy a few boxes if they do, and change our meal plans if they don't. Next I go to the butcher and choose a hunk of meat for him to grind up for me. Then I go to the cheese store and get the two closest things I can find to ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. Finally I go to the open air market and buy several kilos of tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc.
The next morning, I begin making my sauce. It takes half a day to boil down the tomatoes and come up with a nice sauce. I bag and freeze what I won't need. Then I cook the beef and assemble the lasagne.
Quite a difference, no?
The second area that has taken some learning and practice is running errands. In order to go to several different places I have to put a bit of fore-thought into it. We don't have a car. You may not realize this, but cars are not just good for getting you to the place you want to go quickly and easily, but they are also good for holding the junk you buy at each place. Without a car, I am left to carry the junk I buy while walking from place to place. This is a great incentive against impulse buys!
So, if I need a few items from the market, money from the ATM, mail a few letters, and pick up a package at the post office, I have to plan out my route. I plan not by what's the most logical route, but by what I can carry, how far I can carry it, and if I can fit it on the bus with me. Packages and market are always last!
Also, since there isn't really the concept of branch banking, and foreigners cannot get a credit card, I have to make sure that I have enough cash on me to cover everything. This is the step that has taken some getting used to- dealing almost completely in cash for everything. Well, and being very careful to only buy what I can carry has also taken some getting used to. The Wal-Mart mentality of stock up on as much as possible is out the window!
Like I always say now, I'm happy to accomplish ONE thing in a day!
Can I Brag for Just a Minute?
Seriously... can I?
Ok, great!
A couple of weeks ago Noah and Callie had testing at school. We got the results and were happy to find that our kids were average. Noah was 11th in his class of 48, and Callie was 13th in her class of 52. Pretty good for kids who are being tested in their second language, right?
But, then the country-wide scores came out and we realized that the kids had done far better than we figured. Callie's class ranked #1 in our entire city (of 17 million) and #2 in the country. So, although Callie is #13 in her class, she is #26 in the city and #51 in the country! AMAZING!!! Although we don't have the exact numbers for Noah's class, the results were similar. They both are ranked very high country-wide!
We were shocked and so blessed by these results. Of course numbers and tests aren't everything, but it does our hearts good to realize that they are thriving in school. They are so smart and well-adjusted.
We're just so proud of them!!
Ok, great!
A couple of weeks ago Noah and Callie had testing at school. We got the results and were happy to find that our kids were average. Noah was 11th in his class of 48, and Callie was 13th in her class of 52. Pretty good for kids who are being tested in their second language, right?
But, then the country-wide scores came out and we realized that the kids had done far better than we figured. Callie's class ranked #1 in our entire city (of 17 million) and #2 in the country. So, although Callie is #13 in her class, she is #26 in the city and #51 in the country! AMAZING!!! Although we don't have the exact numbers for Noah's class, the results were similar. They both are ranked very high country-wide!
We were shocked and so blessed by these results. Of course numbers and tests aren't everything, but it does our hearts good to realize that they are thriving in school. They are so smart and well-adjusted.
We're just so proud of them!!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Random
I know... I know!! It has been a long time since I have posted random ramblings. I'm sure you've missed this type of post like a hit to the head with a rake.
So here goes...
Randomness #1
When I was younger we never had leftovers. We had smorgasboard. Now, you and I know that that is just leftovers with a fancy name, but none the less, my mom stuck to her guns. Now that I am a mom, guess what we have...
SMORGASBOARD!!!
And it is still not so great. We rarely have leftovers because I try not to cook loads of food- just what we'll eat, but tonight's smorgasboard is gonna be a winner (HA!!). We have such random leftovers- a bit from Thanksgiving, a bit from taco night, a hot dog, some noodles, YUM!
How about some mashed potatoes, with a side of rice casserole, noodles, and a biscuit? Want some gravy on that? Or, you are welcome to broccoli cassarole, green bean casserole, creamed spinach, some stuffing, and a hot dog. Do you want gravy on that? How 'bout a bit of taco meat?
Randomness #2
My parents gave us a dryer for Christmas. Have you heard about her? Her name is Lorraine, and I LOVE her!
I think that initially my mom was worried that if she gave us a dryer, especially since we bought it a month and a half early, that come Christmas Day I'd be sad that I didn't have anything to open and play with.
WRONG!!!!
With Lorraine, it's like every day I get a gift! The stress of laundry is lifted. There is no more sleeping on slightly damp sheets or freaking out if someone's school uniform gets super dirty when they have to wear it the next day. No more hanging up each individual sock, cleaning rag, and pair of panties! There will be no regret on Christmas morning, that's for sure!!!
Today I even washed three sets of sheets- and only one of them was peed on!!! I didn't have to check the weather the night before or jump out of bed first thing in the morning and strip the bed to start the long washing and drying process. Hallelujah life is good!!
Randomness #3
We got some candy corn in a package today. We haven't had candy corn for over three years, and Lucy has never had it! SWEET MERCY that stuff is fantastic!! We finished off an entire bag! (In our defense, it was a small bag!)
Randomness #4
We all survived "no screen week" and it was much better than we thought it would be!
What random things are you thinking about?
So here goes...
Randomness #1
When I was younger we never had leftovers. We had smorgasboard. Now, you and I know that that is just leftovers with a fancy name, but none the less, my mom stuck to her guns. Now that I am a mom, guess what we have...
SMORGASBOARD!!!
And it is still not so great. We rarely have leftovers because I try not to cook loads of food- just what we'll eat, but tonight's smorgasboard is gonna be a winner (HA!!). We have such random leftovers- a bit from Thanksgiving, a bit from taco night, a hot dog, some noodles, YUM!
How about some mashed potatoes, with a side of rice casserole, noodles, and a biscuit? Want some gravy on that? Or, you are welcome to broccoli cassarole, green bean casserole, creamed spinach, some stuffing, and a hot dog. Do you want gravy on that? How 'bout a bit of taco meat?
Randomness #2
My parents gave us a dryer for Christmas. Have you heard about her? Her name is Lorraine, and I LOVE her!
I think that initially my mom was worried that if she gave us a dryer, especially since we bought it a month and a half early, that come Christmas Day I'd be sad that I didn't have anything to open and play with.
WRONG!!!!
With Lorraine, it's like every day I get a gift! The stress of laundry is lifted. There is no more sleeping on slightly damp sheets or freaking out if someone's school uniform gets super dirty when they have to wear it the next day. No more hanging up each individual sock, cleaning rag, and pair of panties! There will be no regret on Christmas morning, that's for sure!!!
Today I even washed three sets of sheets- and only one of them was peed on!!! I didn't have to check the weather the night before or jump out of bed first thing in the morning and strip the bed to start the long washing and drying process. Hallelujah life is good!!
Randomness #3
We got some candy corn in a package today. We haven't had candy corn for over three years, and Lucy has never had it! SWEET MERCY that stuff is fantastic!! We finished off an entire bag! (In our defense, it was a small bag!)
Randomness #4
We all survived "no screen week" and it was much better than we thought it would be!
What random things are you thinking about?
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