Friday, February 18, 2011

I Hope Ordering a "Venti" Will Never Be the Same For You

They had these pre-packaged meals a the grocery store, ya know, in case you want to make a soup or salad with 8 macaroni noodles! Lol

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I know I have been keeping you all up to date on Barry's condition, he is doing much better by the way, and really, that has consumed us for the past month, but there is so much more going on here. Unfortunately I am unable to give you many details but if you read this just right I think you will get the picture that I am going to try to paint for you.

I fully believe that what is going on with Barry is not separate from other things that are happening on the island, especially since the ringing in of the new year brought a new focus on our work and the large task at hand. Someone wants us distracted. You see,the CEO has been working and we are seeing it, not in our city so much, but all around us there have been people who have become part of the workforce and joined the CEO. Of course this does not happen without it's own difficult challenges, it's messy. Very messy. Nonetheless He is moving and people are responding. How I wish I could share stories with you, many are enduring all kinds of "lay offs and cutbacks" because of it, yet are standing firm and being vocal about these business opportunities to others. Things that have been non-existent and unheard of on this island are happening right now!

I tell you this because more then ever we (us and our co-workers) need to be supported by those of you who will lift us and the work here up, we need you and are dependent upon your end doing your part. It's crucial.

Since I am homeschooling all four kids right now my time out among the locals is more limited, however I have found that it really takes very little effort to meet people and many times there are those who seek you out. Coincidence? I think not. For example, today we went to one of my favorite grocery stores that carries some imported goods and as I was about to check out, a lady who by all outward appearances is not like-minded, stopped and talked to the kids as they waited for me to grab one last Snickers....I mean item. :) As I approached she introduced herself and told me about herself and said she would love to exchange numbers and meet with me sometime because she teaches English and since there are no tourists in our town it was hard for her to know if she was still pronouncing her English correctly. I was excited and eagerly gave her my number saying that I would love to meet with her.

Now hear me on this, yes I know the language but to have any deep meaningful conversations in this language is still difficult for me, and is in fact one of my major frustrations. My conversations seem to stick at surface level because of my lack of understanding the different words used here that we were not taught in school, and just overall lack of experience. So to be approached by someone who can speak English and the opportunity that this gives me is beyond exciting to me. She even told me before she left that she saw us in the mall and we seemed friendly so she followed us to the store and bought items while she waited to meet us, then she insisted she check out right before us so she could buy the kids some candy to leave with them! How sweet is that?

Hello?

I may seem like I'm one egg roll short of a pu pu platter sometimes, but even I can see this was an appointment that I was meant to have! So please lift up that we can develop this budding friendship and that as I share Truth, it will fall on ears that can hear. I will call her "Venti", so you have a name that you can use when you talk to the CEO about her. Woohoo!! Makes me want to bust out a rendition of "Days of Elijah"!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Pics..Next Best Thing to Being There :)

This is what Sara and I saw when we pulled into the Mall.....um.....can you even imagine being that guy? The boards have pieces attached so it doesn't roll off, but the board itself is not attached to the ladder chains. He did have a rope attached to him but...YIKES!! Wish I could have seen how he got there or got down!

This was written on the report after they ran a test on Barry's heart when he was in the hospital here in Folgers.....I felt so relieved after reading it! Not! Seriously...."probably normal"! Lol

So we have no Krispy Kreme and no Dunkin Donuts here, but we have JCO which is a nice alternative...except for some of the flavors. I took as many pics of the names as I could before the man asked me to stop...oops! :) The Mona Pisa is a lovely tomato, cheese, and chicken donut.....who's hungry? :) I'm sure Leonardo would love to try his namesake! Lol


These are a hit with my kids, I just eat a plain glazed, or "glazee" as they are called here, and laugh at the names!

Is it any wonder between constantly hearing and seeing two languages and seeing signs like this that TCK's (Third Culture Kids) have a hard time spelling correctly?

When our husbands were gone Sara and I took the kids to the game place at the mall. They had a blast!!


This was hysterical to watch......





And so was Campbell and Baileys attempt at dancing!! Lol

Katrina brought us Team Color Peanut m&m's (OU of course!), so Haddon licks the red one
and then rubs the color under each eye and says, "Look Mom, I just put the football make up on!" I'm sure those big tough guys would appreciate her calling it that! :)


Lastly, here is my "Ramona", who desperately wants to be more like "Beezus". When she came out for school dressed like that Marshall quoted from the movie, "My mom lets me pick out my own clothes", to which the other girls replies, "We can tell!" Always keeps us laughing!



More posts coming down the pipeline, just been in a weird non-writing mood lately, I have started and stopped several, just don't want to force it, it's better when it flows naturally! :) Hope you all are surviving winter while we still stay in the never ending heat and humidity...sure would've liked to have had some of your snow!