Homeschool Conference......or "Freezing My Tail Off in Macchiato"

Notice our new airport that is being built! "Folgers" is hosting the "Macchiato" Games in 2012 so we are getting lots of new upgrades. That is also why we are getting our new bridge.

Last week found the kids and I embarking on our first flight without Barry. We flew from "Folgers" (our city) to "Starbucks" (the capitol city on another island) and made it, surprisingly well and without any hitches. Of course the night before we were without electricity, had leaks all over the house from a major rainstorm, and had our water pump go completely out, but flying out the next day....other than an hour delay, not a problem! Life is never dull here that is for sure!

Foreign homeschooling moms from all over this country, and a couple of neighboring ones, gathered at Taman Safari for testing and encouragement. It was well worth the effort to get there as it was a great time of deepening friendships for us as well as our kids. We were completely spoiled by a team of 20 from Virginia and Swift Creek BC. If any of you are reading this...THANK YOU!!! There were daily prizes for kids and moms. Items like 6 packs of DP, Twizzlers, Cereals, Pop-Tarts, pecans, etc were given freely and made it that much more fun for everyone. Not to mention that at our mom meetings we were given homeschool catalogs and other magazines (a real treat over here!). Also, they brought each of us a $15.00 gift of our choice (we got a game) and had some curriculum catalogs on CD for us, some of which were not even in print yet in the US! How great is that? While the kids did testing and had other fun classes, we had enrichment classes and small group meetings.

The Safari resort was BEAUTIFUL, if you ever get a chance to stay in a rainforest I highly recommend it! However, sadly to say, the resort itself was not very accommodating and began charging us left and right for all kinds of crazy things, so that was a bit disappointing. Is it really too much to ask that even though the cabin usually sleeps six, and since we paid for two extra mattresses, shouldn't we get two extra bottles of water and two extra towels too? Seriously?!

Also, people let me tell you.....it was COLD there! Coming from someone who lives in constant 90-100+ heat with very little AC action, it was a shock to our system. There was no AC/heat in our cabins of course, but we were unprepared for sleeping and being out in the rainy 50-60 degree temps! Thankfully, we had our sarongs to wrap around us. Fortunately, as always when we get together, there is a swap table and I was able to get the girls a pair of jeans and a couple of long sleeved shirts! I have to say, it was a nice change though, and we just tried to enjoy it, but let's just say there was no swimming for us! :)

Every year they try to give the kids a chance to improve upon their public speaking skills and this year was no different. The kids were given an assignment to write a paper, prepare a speech about their choice of safari animal, and complete two projects dealing with their animal. My kids had a lot of fun with this project and I was thankful for the "push" to get me out of my rut. Anyone else like me and sometimes tends to put off doing some fun projects?

The kids had an absolute blast! The students performed a mini musical and participated in an Amazing Race which was so much fun, but glaringly showed me that I am getting older. (lol) Several families took out time to go through the actual Safari, which made me a little nervous because things are not always the safest over here! ( Mom, ignore that last sentence!) I was cautioned to pass on the tiger/wild animal petting zoo, but those who did it all survived :), we just didn't have time!!

When Friday rolled around we had to have our luggage loaded at 5am to take the 6am bus to the airport, which was three hours away in "Starbucks", even though our flight didn't leave until 4:30pm! Talk about a long day! When the Coordinator and the volunteers arrived to prepare for us it took them 18 hours and 7 hours respectively to get to to the Safari from the airport!! Can you believe that? Apparently the President of Macchiato was coming through and they closed all of the roads to let him pass, and since traffic is always a huge mess here, it made it even worse! So that is why we left so early, you just never know what you will experience and we had to leave plenty of time because some people flew out around noon.

We are so grateful for this opportunity and that our company sees the value in giving us encouragement and support. Thanks again for all of you who give to support this great organization. Helping families thrive helps all of us to be able to accomplish the bigger "task" at hand!

Enjoy the slide show!

Create your own free digital slideshow

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

<
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"!!

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!