Here's an odd cultural tidbit that I learned Wednesday from my neighbors...
Most men don't bother to carry house keys because their wives are always at home waiting for them. The wives can just buzz their husbands up when they ring the downstairs bell.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
World History From a New Angle
The field trip was yesterday. I won't say that I'm disappointed that Callie's teacher did not end up in the water tank at any time. I guess devastated is more like it. I felt sure he would be up to some crazy sort of tom-foolery.
Nope!
He brought his 4 year old twins along (as if 40 8 year olds to look after was not enough). So, I guess he felt he had to be on his best behavior.
However, I rather enjoyed watching an employee of the Dolphinarium meticulously snatch people's cameras. They announced several times that photography was strictly prohibited. But, of course, people still tried to snap pictures. This guy was a true camera vigilante. He scanned the crowd and at the pop of a flash he was off. I watched him snatch cameras the whole time. It was very exciting.
I guess the people got them back. I forgot to follow him out at the end to see that drama unfold!
I was sitting on the very end of the arena near the entrance. (Next to the vigilante's post.) At one point he pointed to my camera bag and asked if I brought my camera. Clutching it for dear life I said yes. He casually said that I could take pictures if I wanted!
What!?!?
I told him that I had been watching him snatch people's cameras and he was not getting his hands on mine! He said just don't use the flash.
Ok... weird!
Did I tell you he looked exactly like a fish? He really did. The whole thing was crazy! Crazy, I tell ya!
When I wasn't watching the camera nazi I found the show entertaining but creepy. Here's the thing about trained animals... they freak me out.
BIG TIME!
I mean really... is a seal that can wave cute, sad, ridiculous, or ridiculously sad?
I vote for #4.
For the record...I do not mind trained humans. One time Justin and I went to Cirque de Soleil and I loved it. It seems like humans have a voice and if they want to stop looking foolish to entertain people they can just walk away. Well, except those little Chinese gymnasts.
Have I digressed?
Let's talk the walrus then, shall we?
When I get to heaven I would like to talk with the Lord about walruses. Are they the same as sea lions? Why are they so nasty? They look like a partially filled water balloon with some funky arm- paddle sort of things and some bodacious whiskers. What is that all about?
So, the show was fun... and creepy. I loved the dolphins because it seems like entertaining children is precisely what dolphins were created for. They are just the happiest animals.
We see them sometimes in the waterway that goes through our city.
The show started with a seal. Then a big beluga whale. Followed by the walrus (sea lion?). The dolphins finished the show and really were the highlight!
After the show we loaded up on the busses and headed to the naval museum. It was at this point when Callie's teacher decided to make my brain want to crawl out of my head and run away. He began telling my about all sorts of history and war stuff. Really I have no idea what on earth he was telling me. I could hardly understand him. He just kept talking and talking. All the kids were running wild in the museum and he was just talking to me about something. I cannot even tell you what it was. The whole time he was talking I was just grappling for something to say in return.
He must have told me ten times that the beloved founder of the republic was only 158 cm tall, but very charismatic.
LITTLE MAN BUT VERY CHARISMATIC!
Hearing history from his perspective was very interesting. I had to just laugh several times and tell him that I didn't agree with what he was saying.
Following the teacher's lead, one of the kids with Callie's class decided to teach me as well. He would point out things at the museum and tell me about them. Fun times!! People assume that because I am a foreigner I am stupid. (Did I ever tell you about my friend who tried to teach me what a pineapple was or another friend who was explaining the "use by" date on products?)
At the end of the day we boarded the buses and headed home. We got back just in time for me to go for my weekly coffee with the neighbors.
I must have been acting really weird because at one point they asked what on earth was wrong with me. I had to remind them that I had just gotten back from spending all day with 8 busloads of children.
They understood.
A field trip is fun, but it does have a recovery period of at least 48 hours!
Nope!
He brought his 4 year old twins along (as if 40 8 year olds to look after was not enough). So, I guess he felt he had to be on his best behavior.
However, I rather enjoyed watching an employee of the Dolphinarium meticulously snatch people's cameras. They announced several times that photography was strictly prohibited. But, of course, people still tried to snap pictures. This guy was a true camera vigilante. He scanned the crowd and at the pop of a flash he was off. I watched him snatch cameras the whole time. It was very exciting.
I guess the people got them back. I forgot to follow him out at the end to see that drama unfold!
I was sitting on the very end of the arena near the entrance. (Next to the vigilante's post.) At one point he pointed to my camera bag and asked if I brought my camera. Clutching it for dear life I said yes. He casually said that I could take pictures if I wanted!
What!?!?
I told him that I had been watching him snatch people's cameras and he was not getting his hands on mine! He said just don't use the flash.
Ok... weird!
Did I tell you he looked exactly like a fish? He really did. The whole thing was crazy! Crazy, I tell ya!
When I wasn't watching the camera nazi I found the show entertaining but creepy. Here's the thing about trained animals... they freak me out.
BIG TIME!
I mean really... is a seal that can wave cute, sad, ridiculous, or ridiculously sad?
I vote for #4.
For the record...I do not mind trained humans. One time Justin and I went to Cirque de Soleil and I loved it. It seems like humans have a voice and if they want to stop looking foolish to entertain people they can just walk away. Well, except those little Chinese gymnasts.
Have I digressed?
Let's talk the walrus then, shall we?
When I get to heaven I would like to talk with the Lord about walruses. Are they the same as sea lions? Why are they so nasty? They look like a partially filled water balloon with some funky arm- paddle sort of things and some bodacious whiskers. What is that all about?
Noah and some classmates with the walrus (sea lion?)
So, the show was fun... and creepy. I loved the dolphins because it seems like entertaining children is precisely what dolphins were created for. They are just the happiest animals.
We see them sometimes in the waterway that goes through our city.
The show started with a seal. Then a big beluga whale. Followed by the walrus (sea lion?). The dolphins finished the show and really were the highlight!
After the show we loaded up on the busses and headed to the naval museum. It was at this point when Callie's teacher decided to make my brain want to crawl out of my head and run away. He began telling my about all sorts of history and war stuff. Really I have no idea what on earth he was telling me. I could hardly understand him. He just kept talking and talking. All the kids were running wild in the museum and he was just talking to me about something. I cannot even tell you what it was. The whole time he was talking I was just grappling for something to say in return.
He must have told me ten times that the beloved founder of the republic was only 158 cm tall, but very charismatic.
LITTLE MAN BUT VERY CHARISMATIC!
Hearing history from his perspective was very interesting. I had to just laugh several times and tell him that I didn't agree with what he was saying.
Following the teacher's lead, one of the kids with Callie's class decided to teach me as well. He would point out things at the museum and tell me about them. Fun times!! People assume that because I am a foreigner I am stupid. (Did I ever tell you about my friend who tried to teach me what a pineapple was or another friend who was explaining the "use by" date on products?)
At the end of the day we boarded the buses and headed home. We got back just in time for me to go for my weekly coffee with the neighbors.
I must have been acting really weird because at one point they asked what on earth was wrong with me. I had to remind them that I had just gotten back from spending all day with 8 busloads of children.
They understood.
A field trip is fun, but it does have a recovery period of at least 48 hours!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Longing
Yall,
I would give my left pinkie toe for a Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard right now.
I really would!!!
I would give my left pinkie toe for a Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard right now.
I really would!!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Just What I've Always Wanted
So, today my friend gave me a gift. Look...
A leg of lamb!
She must have read my birthday wish list!
Now, how on earth am I gonna cook this thing? I'm thinkin' I'll roast it up and just gnaw on it like they do turkey legs at the Renaissance Festival.
On another exciting note... I am going on another field trip with Noah and Callie tomorrow. Remember the last field trip? That one was a doozy! This time we are going to the Dolphinarium and the Sea Museum. I fully expect some craziness out of Callie's teacher. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be back on here with some funny pictures and stories!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday Sneak Peak
I took the girls to get their hair trimmed yesterday. The salon was empty, so the stylist took extra time styling their hair. The ladies at the salon painted Callie and Lucy's fingernails. The girls were so cute and just loved all the pampering. Here are a few of their "all fancied up" pictures:
Saturday, April 2, 2011
It HURTS!
Thanks to a miracle, we have ESPN right now. But, I did not wake up at 4:30 am to watch the game. I guess I'm not a TRUE BLUE fan.
The ride is over. Sadness...
The ride is over. Sadness...
from ESPN.com
Friday, April 1, 2011
No School Today
Noah's best friend called him this morning and told him there was no school today. (When teachers are sick or can't come to school for some reason, class is canceled. There are no substitute teachers.)
Noah got so excited.
Then his friend started laughing and said "April 1st joke."
Oh... the devastation was huge!
Mr. Pranks finally got one pulled over on him! We haven't let him live it down yet!
Noah got so excited.
Then his friend started laughing and said "April 1st joke."
Oh... the devastation was huge!
Mr. Pranks finally got one pulled over on him! We haven't let him live it down yet!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's A Festivus Miracle!!
Everyone in our building has been having problems with their televisions. We all have cable and apparently it's attached to the same receiver on the roof. The guy came to fix it today.
BUT...
We now get ESPN AMERICA!!!
Can I get an amen? I think my husband cried tears of joy.
During our time here I have mourned the loss of our beautiful home, having family close, understanding what people are saying, etc. Justin has mourned Monday Night Football, bowl games, March Madness, baseball, and everything else that includes TV and sports. His face was glowing when he showed me the new channel!
It's the little things that mean so much these days!
Now, let's pray that they don't take our precious ESPN away!
BUT...
We now get ESPN AMERICA!!!
Can I get an amen? I think my husband cried tears of joy.
During our time here I have mourned the loss of our beautiful home, having family close, understanding what people are saying, etc. Justin has mourned Monday Night Football, bowl games, March Madness, baseball, and everything else that includes TV and sports. His face was glowing when he showed me the new channel!
It's the little things that mean so much these days!
Now, let's pray that they don't take our precious ESPN away!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tea Party
Well, except now it's coffee.
The ladies in my building get together every week for coffee. Last year we got together every other week, ate a huge meal, and drank lots of tea. Then we would give the hostess 25 lira.
That is how women here save up money. They can pull a little bit out of the budget every other week for our get-togethers. And then, when they host, they get all their money back. In the end, you break even. But, its nice to get a chunk of cash.
This year, the ladies decided to get together weekly and not make any food. We just do coffee and it is so much easier.
Today was my day to host. It was so fun. Here are some pictures from our day:
The ladies in my building get together every week for coffee. Last year we got together every other week, ate a huge meal, and drank lots of tea. Then we would give the hostess 25 lira.
That is how women here save up money. They can pull a little bit out of the budget every other week for our get-togethers. And then, when they host, they get all their money back. In the end, you break even. But, its nice to get a chunk of cash.
This year, the ladies decided to get together weekly and not make any food. We just do coffee and it is so much easier.
Today was my day to host. It was so fun. Here are some pictures from our day:
Well
We conquered the stomach bug. Justin and Callie were the only victims. So... HORRAY!!!! We are all healthy and doing great.
Happiness!
Happiness!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Bad News- Good News
The bad news: I don't like corner pieces.
The good news: This homemade pecan pie doesn't have a corner piece!
The good news: This homemade pecan pie doesn't have a corner piece!
Conversation
While changing the sheets on Callie's bed...
Lucy: (whining) Why don't you change my sheets?
Me: It's not time yet. I try to change them every two weeks. I am just changing Callie's because she's been sick and needs fresh sheets.
Lucy: I'm gonna pee in my bed.
Me: What?
Lucy: I'm gonna pee in my bed so you have to change my sheets.
Me: You better not do that.
Lucy: (really whining) But I want new sheets!
Me: Well, I have a HUGE pile of laundry. I'll get to your sheets when I can. Please, don't pee in your bed.
Lucy: (thinking) Well... we'll see.
Lucy: (whining) Why don't you change my sheets?
Me: It's not time yet. I try to change them every two weeks. I am just changing Callie's because she's been sick and needs fresh sheets.
Lucy: I'm gonna pee in my bed.
Me: What?
Lucy: I'm gonna pee in my bed so you have to change my sheets.
Me: You better not do that.
Lucy: (really whining) But I want new sheets!
Me: Well, I have a HUGE pile of laundry. I'll get to your sheets when I can. Please, don't pee in your bed.
Lucy: (thinking) Well... we'll see.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Visitor
My nemesis is in town, and he is trying to take us all down.
Stomach bug, you will not win this war!!
Lorraine (my dryer) is faithful and true. In the end she will defeat you!
I sent Noah down to the neighbors' on Saturday afternoon to invite them up for tea in the evening. When they came over we were talking and they casually mentioned that their two-year-old had been barfing all afternoon.
WHAT?!?!
I wanted to pull out the bleach right then and there and get to baptisin' people. I mean really! What on earth? Keep it at home, people!
We had already made plans with our sweet friends to go on an adventure to a forest out of the city. Everyone was completely healthy so we went. I guess we should have kept it at home, too. I am praying we did not give this lovely gift to our friends!
Last night about 2 am Justin starts erupting. It was foul. Callie started some time in the very early morning.
They are both doing a bit better now. Praise the Lord, it seems to be a quick virus.
I am just watching and praying to see who will fall victim next!
Final Four, Baby!!
from ESPN.com
Isn't it beautiful?!
from Kentucky.com
C-A-T-S, CATS CATS CATS!
C-A-T-S, CATS CATS CATS!
GOOOOO WILDCATS!!!
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