Teachable Moments
A mailbox under the car. A distraught woman ringing the doorbell. Kristin, driving by this scene with the girls in the car, used it as teaching moment. “Look Isabelle. That woman made a mistake but she’s taking responsibility. She didn’t just drive off after hitting that mailbox.” Ahhh, the power of a teachable moment. Fast forward only 8 days. Kristin is pulling out of the Hoskyn’s driveway when her 2000 lb. car slightly nudges the 5 lb mailbox. It was only a nudge but it was enough to leave the mailbox limp and listing. Isabelle, who was in the car at the time of the nudge, could only contain her silence for so long. “Mom,” she said with some trepidation the next day, “when are you going to tell Mrs. Hoskyn about the mailbox?” It was only a nudge, explained Kristin. It didn’t fall over. It didn’t end up under the car. No big deal, right? The United States Postal Service did not agree. The mailman left a note the next day that read “Fix or get a new mailbox.” And, we are sure, silently repeated his mantra: Ahhh, the power of a teachable moment. Epilogue: Brad replaced the mailbox. Kristin is no longer allowed in their driveway. And Isabelle, we are certain, has not learned a thing from all this.
Friday, December 25, 2009
White Christmas 2009: IX
Who is They?
Recently, on an idyllic evening when the family was gathered by the fire eating carry out Chinese, Kristin realized that she had misplaced her mobile phone. She dialed her mobile number from our home phone and then we asked the girls to listen for a ring. After a few seconds, the girls jumped up and raced into the kitchen in search of the muffled but easily recognizable sound of Kristin’s mobile phone ringing. Amelia reached it first, grabbed it from beneath a coat and, as she turned to make her way back to the fireside, lost her grip on the phone and sent it skittering across the kitchen floor. Amelia received a stern reminder to be gentler with Mom’s phone. “But Mom,” she explained plaintively, “I was trying to race it back to your before they hung up!” (Even better, the entire episode was recorded because she had also inadvertently answered the phone when she dropped it.)
Recently, on an idyllic evening when the family was gathered by the fire eating carry out Chinese, Kristin realized that she had misplaced her mobile phone. She dialed her mobile number from our home phone and then we asked the girls to listen for a ring. After a few seconds, the girls jumped up and raced into the kitchen in search of the muffled but easily recognizable sound of Kristin’s mobile phone ringing. Amelia reached it first, grabbed it from beneath a coat and, as she turned to make her way back to the fireside, lost her grip on the phone and sent it skittering across the kitchen floor. Amelia received a stern reminder to be gentler with Mom’s phone. “But Mom,” she explained plaintively, “I was trying to race it back to your before they hung up!” (Even better, the entire episode was recorded because she had also inadvertently answered the phone when she dropped it.)
White Christmas 2009: VIII
Thanksgiving dinner?!?
In Australia we visited a wildlife park full of native species, where we could pat Koalas and Kangaroos and generally mix with the continent’s more harmless fauna. The park allows visitors - in a small, fenced area - to feed Kangaroos and Emus. The Kangaroos simply sit and wait to be served, but the Emus, like kiosk vendors in a mall, have to work a little harder for attention. How hard we didn’t realize until Ella came around the corner of a low wall in a full sprint with a look of sheer panicked terror on her face. Less than a second later an Ella-sized Emu came skidding around the corner, legs working frantically to maintain balance at top speed in full pursuit of Ella. Or, more specifically, in pursuit of the ice cream cone full of tasty, park-supplied Kangaroo-Emu food. The Emu, in a Darwinian moment of clarity, stopped dead in its tracks when it recognized the momma-bear look on Kristin’s face that said, “you know it’s Thanksgiving today back home, you look a lot like a turkey and unless you want to be stuffed, back off!”
In Australia we visited a wildlife park full of native species, where we could pat Koalas and Kangaroos and generally mix with the continent’s more harmless fauna. The park allows visitors - in a small, fenced area - to feed Kangaroos and Emus. The Kangaroos simply sit and wait to be served, but the Emus, like kiosk vendors in a mall, have to work a little harder for attention. How hard we didn’t realize until Ella came around the corner of a low wall in a full sprint with a look of sheer panicked terror on her face. Less than a second later an Ella-sized Emu came skidding around the corner, legs working frantically to maintain balance at top speed in full pursuit of Ella. Or, more specifically, in pursuit of the ice cream cone full of tasty, park-supplied Kangaroo-Emu food. The Emu, in a Darwinian moment of clarity, stopped dead in its tracks when it recognized the momma-bear look on Kristin’s face that said, “you know it’s Thanksgiving today back home, you look a lot like a turkey and unless you want to be stuffed, back off!”
White Christmas 2009: VII
Size matters
No account of our misadventures this year would be complete without a Costco story. Let’s see, hmmm, which one? The best one actually happened far from the oversized shelves and gigantic packaging at Costco. It was during the lull between ordering dinner and the arrival of drinks at a local restaurant that Ella broke the silence with a very astute observation. Her expression had just transformed from one of deep confusion to one of revelation. Something had clicked in her mind. Something important. With a tone of sincere, 4-year-old gravitas she pointed at the 12 oz. jar of Tabasco on the table and said to no one but herself, “look how cute this itty-bitty jar of Tabasco is!” Our poor little Ella has never seen Tabasco, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salsa, olives or pickles in anything other than the 2-gallon jugs from Costco.
No account of our misadventures this year would be complete without a Costco story. Let’s see, hmmm, which one? The best one actually happened far from the oversized shelves and gigantic packaging at Costco. It was during the lull between ordering dinner and the arrival of drinks at a local restaurant that Ella broke the silence with a very astute observation. Her expression had just transformed from one of deep confusion to one of revelation. Something had clicked in her mind. Something important. With a tone of sincere, 4-year-old gravitas she pointed at the 12 oz. jar of Tabasco on the table and said to no one but herself, “look how cute this itty-bitty jar of Tabasco is!” Our poor little Ella has never seen Tabasco, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salsa, olives or pickles in anything other than the 2-gallon jugs from Costco.
White Christmas 2009: VI
Not so practical
One day recently, Brad walked into the house only the hear Kristin say “Ella, stop putting lip gloss on Wrigley” in the same tone of a simple reminder that you’d expect her to use in saying “Ella, put your set a belt on.” Her response, equally as subdued, and in a how silly of me tone was a simple, “Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t like red lip gloss.”
One day recently, Brad walked into the house only the hear Kristin say “Ella, stop putting lip gloss on Wrigley” in the same tone of a simple reminder that you’d expect her to use in saying “Ella, put your set a belt on.” Her response, equally as subdued, and in a how silly of me tone was a simple, “Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t like red lip gloss.”
White Christmas 2009: V
Impractical choices
Ella sorted through a similar challenge on “J” sharing day this fall. She decided all by herself that it would be impractical to bring her Uncle J to school. She called him to explain how he probably wouldn’t be a good choice for sharing day – not because it is a 2-hour flight from Dallas but because he would probably not fit in the sharing basket at school.
Ella sorted through a similar challenge on “J” sharing day this fall. She decided all by herself that it would be impractical to bring her Uncle J to school. She called him to explain how he probably wouldn’t be a good choice for sharing day – not because it is a 2-hour flight from Dallas but because he would probably not fit in the sharing basket at school.
White Christmas 2009: IV
Sharing
Amelia became upset to the point of tears one day last spring when she arrived at school empty-handed on “R” sharing day. “But Momma,” she explained while fighting back tears, “I fowgot to bwing Wigley for aww shawing!” It had not occurred to her that an 85-lb dog is probably an impractical choice or, even more important, that his name actually starts with a “W”.
Amelia became upset to the point of tears one day last spring when she arrived at school empty-handed on “R” sharing day. “But Momma,” she explained while fighting back tears, “I fowgot to bwing Wigley for aww shawing!” It had not occurred to her that an 85-lb dog is probably an impractical choice or, even more important, that his name actually starts with a “W”.
White Christmas 2009: III
Right?
Left is left and right is right. Even in Australia where you drive on the left, it is still the left, right? Not if you are 7 years old. While we were in Australia last month, Amelia saw a sign that read "Turn Left." When we turned left as instructed, Amelia became very alarmed. In her mind we had gone the wrong way. After a brief discussion, we realized Amelia had decided that in Australia left actually means right and vice versa. We tried to explain that left is still left and right is still right in Australia but she's still suspicious. Her evidence: the steering wheel, after all, is on the wrong side too.
Left is left and right is right. Even in Australia where you drive on the left, it is still the left, right? Not if you are 7 years old. While we were in Australia last month, Amelia saw a sign that read "Turn Left." When we turned left as instructed, Amelia became very alarmed. In her mind we had gone the wrong way. After a brief discussion, we realized Amelia had decided that in Australia left actually means right and vice versa. We tried to explain that left is still left and right is still right in Australia but she's still suspicious. Her evidence: the steering wheel, after all, is on the wrong side too.
White Christmas 2009: II
Ella-isms
If you spent time in our home this year, you may be able to translate the following Ella-isms: Let’s go to Home da Depot, Where is my Americana Girl doll, It’s cold out and I need glubs on my hands, That’s a because it’s Sunday, Someone is at the front door ringing the dingbell, Why do the squawls hide nuts? Are you strumming the quintar? Daddy, loves the wreckskins (we're nt sure if this is a mispronunciation or simply an observation on the state of the team this year). We fear that this may be our last year for these precious mispronunciations.
If you spent time in our home this year, you may be able to translate the following Ella-isms: Let’s go to Home da Depot, Where is my Americana Girl doll, It’s cold out and I need glubs on my hands, That’s a because it’s Sunday, Someone is at the front door ringing the dingbell, Why do the squawls hide nuts? Are you strumming the quintar? Daddy, loves the wreckskins (we're nt sure if this is a mispronunciation or simply an observation on the state of the team this year). We fear that this may be our last year for these precious mispronunciations.
White Christmas 2009: I
Mortality
Kristin was explaining the concept of heaven to Ella earlier this year. In this 3-year-old version, heaven was described simply: it’s a place we all go after we die. Ella nodded thoughtfully but Kristin could tell she was still unsettled. After a few minutes of deep thought, Ella, with a very grave look in her eyes, said, “Wait a minute… God died?” We still haven’t come up with an answer for that one.
Kristin was explaining the concept of heaven to Ella earlier this year. In this 3-year-old version, heaven was described simply: it’s a place we all go after we die. Ella nodded thoughtfully but Kristin could tell she was still unsettled. After a few minutes of deep thought, Ella, with a very grave look in her eyes, said, “Wait a minute… God died?” We still haven’t come up with an answer for that one.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Queenstown
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Cleanest Windshield In Australia
I am convinced that I can spot American drivers in Australia simply by examining their windshields. They are the cleanest windshields on the road. Not because Americans are particularly fastidious about cleaning our cars, we aren't. It is because the turn signal control is on the right on the steering wheel and the windshield wiper control is on the left. For over 20 years, I've used my left hand to operate the turn signal control and old habits are hard to break. So I've inadvertently cleaned my windshield just before almost every turn I've made during the last few days here.
Thank Goodness For McDonald's
No Jet Lag
There is a product from New Zealand called "No Jet Lag." It is a chewable pill full of natural herbal supplements that claims to reduce the effects of jet lag. It has been tested successfully with flight attendants and other long haul travellers. However, the guy a REI where I bought this miracle pill warned me that they don't actually work. I bought a pack anyway. As long as they did something - anything - to mitigate the exhaustion of transpacific jet lag then they would be worth the $11.50 price tag.
It turns out that after only three days and nights, I was almost completely adjusted to the new time zone. Those pills must've worked. But it turns out that you don't need to chew them. Or even take them out of the wrapper. Apparently, just spending $11.50, putting them in a secret pocket in your carry on bag and forgetting all about them and keeping is enough to prevent jet lag.
It turns out that after only three days and nights, I was almost completely adjusted to the new time zone. Those pills must've worked. But it turns out that you don't need to chew them. Or even take them out of the wrapper. Apparently, just spending $11.50, putting them in a secret pocket in your carry on bag and forgetting all about them and keeping is enough to prevent jet lag.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Dude, no ollies
wicked street tricks in Australia.
Eat What?
North Carolina's Finest
Refridgerated Sugar?
also refridgerated or (gasp) those eggs are on the shelf warm.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Helpful Australian Signs
Manly Wharf
Right?
Another idea we take for granted is left and right. Left is left and right is right. Even in Australia where you drive on the left, it is still the left, right?
Not if you are 7-years-old. Yesterday Amelia saw a sign that read "Turn Left." When we turned left as instructed, Amelia became very alarmed. In her mind we had gone the wrong way. After a brief discussion, we realized Amelia had decided that in Australia left actually means right and vice versa. We tried to explain that left is still left and right is still right but she's still suspicious.
Not if you are 7-years-old. Yesterday Amelia saw a sign that read "Turn Left." When we turned left as instructed, Amelia became very alarmed. In her mind we had gone the wrong way. After a brief discussion, we realized Amelia had decided that in Australia left actually means right and vice versa. We tried to explain that left is still left and right is still right but she's still suspicious.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hang Nine, Dude
become a shark's dinner, being stung by the man-killing box jelly and,
of course, getting your leash wrapped around a toe just before a huge
breaker whips the line taught. But fear not! I have survived three
surfing adventures in the last 24 hours (including an incredible
6:30am surf this morning). Totally worth sacrificing a toe.
Neverlost? Really???
So the flight from LA to Sydney went remarkably well. Customs and baggage claim were easy. We upgraded our car to a minivan when we realized that a "booster seat" in Australia means a full child seat rather than something small enough to fit three-across in a sedan. Even that was easy. Travelling 28 hours with three children couldn't really be this easy, could it?
Of course not. I have begun to notice that small details we usually take for granted (like the definition of "booster seat") can become important. Small details like driving on the right side of the car, on the left side of the road and following the directions from Hertz's Neverlost navigation system was one of those details. The drive to Seaforth should take 30-40 minutes but our Neverlost provided an Australian driving baptism-by-fire by taking us on a circuitous route through the heart of Sydney rather than via the relatively easy and direct highway. After missing several turns, looking for streets that don't exist and holding a one-sided argument with the Neverlost, I finally pulled over and looked at a map of downtown Sydney to chart our course to Seaforth. It only took an hour and half. I'm sure the girls may have learned a few new words in the process.
All in all - even with our Neverlost misadventure - it was actually a very smooth 28 hour process. We've been here now for a day and I already have many more adventures and misadventures to share: Why do Americans have the cleanest windshields in Australia? Who has the right-of-way on a wave? What does "hang nine" mean? And what do Crabs and Crocs have in common?
Of course not. I have begun to notice that small details we usually take for granted (like the definition of "booster seat") can become important. Small details like driving on the right side of the car, on the left side of the road and following the directions from Hertz's Neverlost navigation system was one of those details. The drive to Seaforth should take 30-40 minutes but our Neverlost provided an Australian driving baptism-by-fire by taking us on a circuitous route through the heart of Sydney rather than via the relatively easy and direct highway. After missing several turns, looking for streets that don't exist and holding a one-sided argument with the Neverlost, I finally pulled over and looked at a map of downtown Sydney to chart our course to Seaforth. It only took an hour and half. I'm sure the girls may have learned a few new words in the process.
All in all - even with our Neverlost misadventure - it was actually a very smooth 28 hour process. We've been here now for a day and I already have many more adventures and misadventures to share: Why do Americans have the cleanest windshields in Australia? Who has the right-of-way on a wave? What does "hang nine" mean? And what do Crabs and Crocs have in common?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
One Last Thought From LA: I Am The Best Husband In The World
Since I have superplutonium status from all my flying with Delta, I was given an upgrade on the way from Atlanta to LA. This was no ordinary upgrade. This was a new, top-of-the-line Boeing 777 with Business Elite lay-flat beds in first class. It really looked like Kristin was comfortable from my view 10 rows back in coach with the girls. As I write this (with Amelia planted to the carpet and Isabelle under my chair), I am noticing how refreshed Kristin looks from her flight in the new, top-of-the-line Boeing 777 Business Elite with lay-flat beds in first class.
And Isabelle Crashes
Amelia Crashes
Day 1
November 18, Los Angeles, 9:30pm
Australia, it turns out, now requires visas. I was told that these visas are usually issued instantly. In "very rare" cases there may be a slight delay of up to 12 hours. This isn't a big deal unless you learn about the new visa requirements two hours before your flight! Kristin and the girls were in the "instant" categorty. I, however, was in the very rare 12 hour category. Somehow we managed to get our tickets to LAX (despite Delta's policy that strictly forbids it). Thankfully, my visa cleared while we were somewhere over Arizona. We are now almost certain that we will be in Sydney in a mere 16 hours.
Australia, it turns out, now requires visas. I was told that these visas are usually issued instantly. In "very rare" cases there may be a slight delay of up to 12 hours. This isn't a big deal unless you learn about the new visa requirements two hours before your flight! Kristin and the girls were in the "instant" categorty. I, however, was in the very rare 12 hour category. Somehow we managed to get our tickets to LAX (despite Delta's policy that strictly forbids it). Thankfully, my visa cleared while we were somewhere over Arizona. We are now almost certain that we will be in Sydney in a mere 16 hours.
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