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Monday
Jul072008
Well, I love you.
July 7, 2008
That's pretty much all I can say.
One thing that's been interesting about being here is that my little world of contacts among the Western monsooners (those crazy Westerners who are here out of season, whether they be ex-pats or well, ex-pats) has opened the doors in my home quite a bit.
What? What did that sentence even mean?
Okay, let me try again. I've been receiving a lot of advice. Which is good. Because I need it.
This store has great shopping, if you need clean shelves and something that feels sparkly. But normally you should shop at the market in town, because it is way cheaper.
You can get cheap dog food here (leftover pieces of chicken).
This pharmacy has oils and natural products.
Don't swim during monsoon.
Open your windows every day, and keep your fans on 24 hours, to fight the mildew.
Close your windows at dusk, to fight the mosquitoes.
And then, You'd better get your kids in school, because it's not good to be with them all day.
*
Okay. I feel like I just opened up a can of worms, but heck. I'm a homeschooler. I love it. LOVE it. It's literally my favorite part of being a parent. I feel like I see the best sides of my kids when I'm teaching them. It's probably because I'm such a know-it-all, or just so plain nerdy, but I love to homeschool. And the kids love it too.
So anyways, I'm realizing that this little community is a lot like a fishing village. You receive so many comments about what you have to do. And the other part is that it's international. So I had a woman say to me, the other day, that she has been bothered here by how little stimulation there is for the kids. And I'm all, hello? Stimulation? In India? There is stimulation galore. It just depends on what you are looking for. And for mine, counting cows as we zoom down the street is awesome. YaYa moos at them. And waves at the dogs.
(Just on that note, here's a little piece of advice for driving in India: The dogs will observe your horn, but the cows will not. They are just entitled to lie in the middle of the road, thanks very much, so you'd better slow the heck down and save your horn, because it will get you nowhere.)
YaYa calls out, "Oh! Pretty!" while we pass a man who is pulling a wagon filled with pots of flowers.
Everywhere there is something to see. My kids have grown up in the woods, for goodness' sake.
So anyways, thanks for the encouragement. It means the world.
I'm feeling a lot better. Especially as the kids are still waking up laughing. Dancing around when it is time for tea. Insisting on following the same routine every day. Telling me that Chapatis and mangos are their favorite foods. Going off to watch a soccer game with Chinua. Visiting a little friend in the next village.
I'm getting a lot of advice about the way things should be done, and it's good, but I'm realizing that it's still okay to be me.
Oh, and as far as my hips go, when we receive our shipping stuff, and I get my mattress, I think I'll be doing a lot better. The one I'm sleeping on now feels like a block of cement. I do not kid. Also, there are nothing but straight backed chairs in our house, so I'm going to put a sort of couch together soon. These things will help for a fourth time mama who's feeling a bit peaked lately.
One thing that's been interesting about being here is that my little world of contacts among the Western monsooners (those crazy Westerners who are here out of season, whether they be ex-pats or well, ex-pats) has opened the doors in my home quite a bit.
What? What did that sentence even mean?
Okay, let me try again. I've been receiving a lot of advice. Which is good. Because I need it.
This store has great shopping, if you need clean shelves and something that feels sparkly. But normally you should shop at the market in town, because it is way cheaper.
You can get cheap dog food here (leftover pieces of chicken).
This pharmacy has oils and natural products.
Don't swim during monsoon.
Open your windows every day, and keep your fans on 24 hours, to fight the mildew.
Close your windows at dusk, to fight the mosquitoes.
And then, You'd better get your kids in school, because it's not good to be with them all day.
*
Okay. I feel like I just opened up a can of worms, but heck. I'm a homeschooler. I love it. LOVE it. It's literally my favorite part of being a parent. I feel like I see the best sides of my kids when I'm teaching them. It's probably because I'm such a know-it-all, or just so plain nerdy, but I love to homeschool. And the kids love it too.
So anyways, I'm realizing that this little community is a lot like a fishing village. You receive so many comments about what you have to do. And the other part is that it's international. So I had a woman say to me, the other day, that she has been bothered here by how little stimulation there is for the kids. And I'm all, hello? Stimulation? In India? There is stimulation galore. It just depends on what you are looking for. And for mine, counting cows as we zoom down the street is awesome. YaYa moos at them. And waves at the dogs.
(Just on that note, here's a little piece of advice for driving in India: The dogs will observe your horn, but the cows will not. They are just entitled to lie in the middle of the road, thanks very much, so you'd better slow the heck down and save your horn, because it will get you nowhere.)
YaYa calls out, "Oh! Pretty!" while we pass a man who is pulling a wagon filled with pots of flowers.
Everywhere there is something to see. My kids have grown up in the woods, for goodness' sake.
So anyways, thanks for the encouragement. It means the world.
I'm feeling a lot better. Especially as the kids are still waking up laughing. Dancing around when it is time for tea. Insisting on following the same routine every day. Telling me that Chapatis and mangos are their favorite foods. Going off to watch a soccer game with Chinua. Visiting a little friend in the next village.
I'm getting a lot of advice about the way things should be done, and it's good, but I'm realizing that it's still okay to be me.
Oh, and as far as my hips go, when we receive our shipping stuff, and I get my mattress, I think I'll be doing a lot better. The one I'm sleeping on now feels like a block of cement. I do not kid. Also, there are nothing but straight backed chairs in our house, so I'm going to put a sort of couch together soon. These things will help for a fourth time mama who's feeling a bit peaked lately.
Reader Comments (10)
i've been terrible at commenting lately, but i am always reading and enjoying. you are an amazing woman, mama, and writer and always a source of inspiration. hang in there girl, you are working your way through this whole life-thing beautifully.
As a random reader who stumbled over your blog via a friend who also stumbled over it I have a question. Why do you call your youngest child Leafy? **Note: I get that you are protecting their anonymity by using psuedonyms and am not fishing for his actual name; I just wondered how Leafy was a logical choice after 'Kid A' and 'YaYa'.
Secondarily may I say you write beautifully and I enjoy how thoughtful and reflective you are about your life, despite the many stresses and time stealers that come with pregnancy and motherhood. Third I admire your ability to homeschool and live abroad without losing your mind completely. Hope you have a wonderful day.(or night, as the time difference may have it).
So glad to hear that everyone is doing well. There is always lots of people with lots of advise about how you should do things. Just go with your heart. And happy kids are a good indicator of a job well done.
I can hardly wait to come visit.
As a seven time mama, maybe if you put some pillows between your knees while you sleep, you may get some relief?
I admire your adventure. Truly.
I was homeschooled all my life until college, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the time I got to spend with my mom! I'm now a senior in college, and so thankful to my mother for making such a huge sacrifice to teach me at home. Besides schoolwork, I learned so many other things from her wisdom...how to care for children, take care of a house, cook, and (most importantly) love God with all my heart. She wasn't perfect, but I wouldn't exchange her for any other mom!
Kudos for homeschooling your children. I believe that they will grow up and thank you for it : )
I have read all your posts...each time I am struck by how easily it is for me to feel as though I am right there with you. It is as if you we are talking over tea and you are pouring yourself out. I love your heart! You are an amazing mother! Amazing!God has truly blessed you with a gift. I am continually inspired...and I know that if you can inspire with a few sentences from your heart how much more can you teach and inspire your children who have you each day. I will continue to pray for all of you daily. Love!
mmm.....Chapatis
Ah, the advice. I don't even know what to say. There is so much of it and so much of it contradicts the rest of it. I usually just nod and go about my merry way.
Good for you for homeschooling if that's your thing. Whatever works.
hey, there is this amazing mother at my church, and i just went to her house to hang out. her kids are about teen- age, and they are shipping them off overseas one by one. anyhow, i just found out that years ago, she moved to kenya , with 3 small children and one on the way.........it reminded me of someone..
Love you