July 27, 2009
We have had one heck of a summer! We've been in Virginia, D.C., South Carolina, Louisiana (Baton Rouge for 2 days and New Orleans for 4 days), Philadelphia, and New York. Whew. For those considering traveling around for 6 weeks... DON'T. For all the fun it's also been really tiring. Not to mention I've packed and unpacked so many times and visited so many homes that I have bought things like shampoo, toothpaste and goggles 3 thousand times over because I keep leaving them in other people's homes!
I love the United States. Really, live outside our beautiful country and you'll see what I mean. Colombia is nice - don't misunderstand. The country is beautiful, the people so warm and friendly, there is lot's to do and see but... THEY SPEAK SPANISH! I know that I already knew that, and of course you did too, but really after a while it's just annoying. Maybe after 3 years that won't be an issue. Also they don't have the conveniences there that make my life easier. This may sound trivial but think about no prepared/canned products. Want to make tomato sauce... go buy some tomatoes and start from scratch because you're not getting them in a can! Hummus anyone... um yeah go buy some dried beans and cook them for 3 years because you are at 9000 feet. Maybe it will be ready next week. And anyone who thinks DC traffic is bad NEEDS to come to Colombia for some perspective.
Sold you on the place didn't I :o) Just a little drama people. We have some great friends there. And not just American or Colombian. We have met people from all over: England, Australia, Israel, Honduras, Spain, Singapore - I could go on. And the kids are learning to speak Spanish, so cute. The country is REALLY kid oriented too. Lot's for them to do. And it's beautiful. Granted there are some really poor people living in some less than desirable conditions but the country itself is amazing. I want to visit the amazon and coffee regions. I've also heard that San Andres is amazing, located on the Caribbean. The fruits and veggies are SO fresh and you can buy some yummy tropical fruits that you can't buy here. Well, I don't know, maybe in a specialty market for a thousand dollars a pound but you get the point.
Therefore I am happy and sad. In the end, I need to get back to my own house with my own space and my own stuff. The kids need some structure back too. We've stayed so long they are actually asking to go back. Yeah!
Boom shack a lacka
July 18, 2009
Open the door, get on the floor, everybody do the dinosaur...
Yup, we went to see Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Movie was cute. Not as good as the first two but Max laughed ALOT and that's what matters. Oh and Maggie actually watched for 30 minutes before asking if it was over yet. I really don't know why I waste the money on her. Speaking of money... movies here, in the DC area, are $8.50 for a stinking child matinee ticket! Then they had the nerve to tack on an extra $3 for 3-D!!!! That's each ticket people. It cost me $34 for the 3 of us to see a matinee. RIDICULOUS. All I can say is I'm happy we're in Colombia for a few more years because matinees there cost about $7 total. And don't even get me started on the charge for my 25 cents worth of popcorn.
Open the door, get on the floor, everybody do the dinosaur...
Yup, we went to see Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Movie was cute. Not as good as the first two but Max laughed ALOT and that's what matters. Oh and Maggie actually watched for 30 minutes before asking if it was over yet. I really don't know why I waste the money on her. Speaking of money... movies here, in the DC area, are $8.50 for a stinking child matinee ticket! Then they had the nerve to tack on an extra $3 for 3-D!!!! That's each ticket people. It cost me $34 for the 3 of us to see a matinee. RIDICULOUS. All I can say is I'm happy we're in Colombia for a few more years because matinees there cost about $7 total. And don't even get me started on the charge for my 25 cents worth of popcorn.
Stupidity Abounds!
July 16, 2009
WARNING: Michelle is about to show her, ummm, shall we say impatient and judgemental side.
My drivers license expired on my birthday in May. In April I wrote the Va DMV about renewing by mail and/or to see if they made any sort of exceptions for diplomats. Well, they do. This is a small excerpt from the e-mail they sent me.
Effective July 1, 2006, only one extension can be granted up to three years from the date of license expiration. Drivers wishing to have their license extended will be given an extension card to carry in conjunction with their expired license that indicates their license is valid for an additional three years or within ninety days of their return to the Commonwealth.
I was given a list of things I needed to send to the DMV in order to obtain the extension card. I went to the DMV today because I could not find one of their forms on the website and thought a personal visit was the way to go, right... WRONG!
I got there early, 10 min. before they opened, so only had about a 15 minute wait. The woman at the information counter said my paperwork was all in order and she gave me a number. The guy at the desk however, was not so well informed. He insisted that I needed to renew my drivers license but then wouldn't let me renew because I didn't bring proof of residence. Um, HELLO, I DON'T LIVE HERE! Now not to be completely rude but this guy was not American. Perhaps the word "extension" was new vocabulary for him. He was so fixated on the fact that my license expired he couldn't see the forest for the trees. Whatever, give me a new license. I just wanted to get out of there! Finally he accepts my passport and my parents address, charges me $35 and takes my photo. THEN, the lady working next to him informs him that she looked it up and I, of course, am right and legally I do not qualify for a new drivers license because I am NOT a resident - duh. But now no one knows how to remove the new info from the computers and refund my money. So, after a long painful discourse they ended up just letting me have a new license. Nice. Now I know how illegals get through the cracks.
WARNING: Michelle is about to show her, ummm, shall we say impatient and judgemental side.
My drivers license expired on my birthday in May. In April I wrote the Va DMV about renewing by mail and/or to see if they made any sort of exceptions for diplomats. Well, they do. This is a small excerpt from the e-mail they sent me.
Effective July 1, 2006, only one extension can be granted up to three years from the date of license expiration. Drivers wishing to have their license extended will be given an extension card to carry in conjunction with their expired license that indicates their license is valid for an additional three years or within ninety days of their return to the Commonwealth.
I was given a list of things I needed to send to the DMV in order to obtain the extension card. I went to the DMV today because I could not find one of their forms on the website and thought a personal visit was the way to go, right... WRONG!
I got there early, 10 min. before they opened, so only had about a 15 minute wait. The woman at the information counter said my paperwork was all in order and she gave me a number. The guy at the desk however, was not so well informed. He insisted that I needed to renew my drivers license but then wouldn't let me renew because I didn't bring proof of residence. Um, HELLO, I DON'T LIVE HERE! Now not to be completely rude but this guy was not American. Perhaps the word "extension" was new vocabulary for him. He was so fixated on the fact that my license expired he couldn't see the forest for the trees. Whatever, give me a new license. I just wanted to get out of there! Finally he accepts my passport and my parents address, charges me $35 and takes my photo. THEN, the lady working next to him informs him that she looked it up and I, of course, am right and legally I do not qualify for a new drivers license because I am NOT a resident - duh. But now no one knows how to remove the new info from the computers and refund my money. So, after a long painful discourse they ended up just letting me have a new license. Nice. Now I know how illegals get through the cracks.
Time for happier posts!
July 13, 2009
GRRR, blogger is NOT cooperating!!! On the upside, we have been on a whirlwind tour of the US since June 18 and we are not done yet! Since blogger is being a P.I.T.A. these photos are not in chronological order and there are just a few of each adventure.
Enjoying ice cream in a sports bar while Mama, Papa and Tia Lia...
Sat in lazy boys eating dinner and watching t.v. Gotta love NOLA!!
The zoo was AWESOME! I really love the zoo in New Orleans. Even though it was Africa hot the zoo has a ton of shade, misters and even waterfalls to play in. I am only posting this one photo because blogger is not my friend tonight but trust me this zoo is a must see if you visit.
Sunset family photo on Fripp Island, SC.
Feeding the deer.
Hunting 'gators! They roam free on Fripp. Apparently these guys aren't aggressive like crocs are but even still, we kept our distance!
The 4th was super fun. There was a golf cart parade and games before the fireworks. Max even won a cute 'gator cake in the cake walk. While waiting for dinner my 2 munchkins waved flags and yelled, "happy 4th of July" to all who passed by.
This trip has been a "blurr" but oh so fun. And the adventures have just begun!
GRRR, blogger is NOT cooperating!!! On the upside, we have been on a whirlwind tour of the US since June 18 and we are not done yet! Since blogger is being a P.I.T.A. these photos are not in chronological order and there are just a few of each adventure.
One of our stops was New Orleans. Here is Tia Lia (aka Aunt Malia), cousin Kayleigh, Aunt Michele, me and the munchkins in the French Quarter.
Maggie thoroughly enjoying her beignet!
Petting sting rays and sharks at the aquarium. (Please forgive the smudge on some photos... someone touched the lens on my camera... I'm not naming names...)
Enjoying ice cream in a sports bar while Mama, Papa and Tia Lia...Sat in lazy boys eating dinner and watching t.v. Gotta love NOLA!!They even put Scooby Doo on one of the TVs for the kids...
SCORE!
And who can visit a bar without dancing...
On the tables :o)
The zoo was AWESOME! I really love the zoo in New Orleans. Even though it was Africa hot the zoo has a ton of shade, misters and even waterfalls to play in. I am only posting this one photo because blogger is not my friend tonight but trust me this zoo is a must see if you visit.
Sunset family photo on Fripp Island, SC.Feeding the deer.
Hunting 'gators! They roam free on Fripp. Apparently these guys aren't aggressive like crocs are but even still, we kept our distance!CRABS! We went on a great nature cruise and found all kinds of sea creatures and sea shells.
The 4th was super fun. There was a golf cart parade and games before the fireworks. Max even won a cute 'gator cake in the cake walk. While waiting for dinner my 2 munchkins waved flags and yelled, "happy 4th of July" to all who passed by.
This trip has been a "blurr" but oh so fun. And the adventures have just begun!
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