Monthly Archives: September 2011

September 30, 2011

TGIF

TGIF! I could not write this with any more enthusiasm.

Well, maybe I could. T! G! I! F!

It has been a ridiculous week. I had a variety of plans that included workouts, grabbing coffee with friends, some space make-overs in the apartment. Instead, I felt like I was in the middle of an I Love Lucy (and I do love Lucy) episode, day after day after day.

I found myself at home on Tuesday morning with a sick Victoria. Her illness was a blessing because 1) it meant that I was at home, in the apartment rather than anywhere else, and 2) I had her 2 extra hands when it started raining in our apartment and we needed to run from room to room with buckets and towels to catch the water.

It appears there was a flood in the apartment upstairs, and it was coming down into our apartment through cracks, crevices and ceiling tiles. There was no major damage, just enough water to require workmen to be in my home on and off from 7:30 am thru 11:30 pm for the last 3 days.

Since there were so many bodies working in my kitchen, I grabbed convenient snacks here and there. One of my treats was a beautiful container of juicy, ripe cantaloupe. It was conveniently pre-cut in the grocery store. When I read all the news reports the following day about deaths linked to cantaloupe. The sticker on the container says USA, yet I have no idea exactly which state this luscious melon was shipped in from. So, if I die in the next 4-8 weeks of Listeria, it is recorded here that I ate copius quantities of contaminated fruit on September 27th.

And while we are discussing illness, my dear daughter who helped save our furniture from ruins, wins the good-sport-of-the-week award. Monday night she was kind of sneezy and stuffy. Tuesday it appeared that she was getting a cold. By Wednesday her occasional sneezes were multiplying rapidly. So rapidly that we were looking at almost a sneeze a minute. It is now Friday. This morning we recorded 12 sneezes in 5 minutes. She is exhausted. Her nasal cavities are irritated and swollen. She has tried over-the-counter meds, Doctor prescribed meds and internet tricks with very little success. She is still able to laugh about the whole situation and we are researching possible world records.

And the runner-up for the good-sport-of the-week award goes to Harry. This boy has been on the working out with the swim team and playing soccer since he was 3. Since the soccer season does not begin here until November, he decided to play basketball. With ZERO practice or instruction, his team started playing games this week. His strengths include hustling, being tall and quickly grasping the concepts of offense and defense. His weaknesses would be any and all involvement with the ball. As the boy dribbles down the court, it appears more like he’s being pulled along by an out-of-control dog. The best part of it all? He loves it, and considers himself to be “really, really good.” I LOVE his self-confidence.

Without dragging this on much longer, I will highlight a few other fun moment of the last few days.

I was at a friend’s home for lunch and a big, giant painting fell on my head. A mix of shock, and embarrassment was instant, the sore lump arrived later. I am thankful that it was not mounted in glass and that my big, hard head did not make a hole in her painting.
In all of the construction in my kitchen, the washer was somehow re-hooked to the wrong water pipes. I did 3 loads of wash in HOT water before I realized. If any of my clothes don’t fit this weekend, shrinkage will be to blame.
My trip to see a Pulmonologist this week involved visits to 2 wrong medical buildings (including 2 wrong parking garages, which I hate being in even more than I hate being in doctor’s offices) and a final result of an allergy medication and an inhaler – both of which I specifically asked for in JUNE when this whole coughing issue arose. I wonder how much $ could be saved in the health care world if doctors would just read through a patient’s file rather than ordering tests and specialists.
Somehow, in a month that involved 2 days without electricity, our Electricity bill managed to increase by $300. Yes, we are talking almost $800 a month for a tiny 3 bedroom apartment. It appears that utility companies can increase their charges at will. Nice. Any bets on next month’s bill?

And here we are on Friday. There is no specific rest for the weary. Before Monday closes in we still have 2 basketball games, 1 cross-country meet, Sunday school, church, and a desperately needed trip to the grocery store. But it does mark the end of the school week and leads to two days that perhaps I can sleep past 5:30 am.

I will celebrate my survival of this week with an adult dinner out tonight. I will be coated in bug spray at this lovely restaurant on the beach. With the week I have had, I am sure to be bitten by a mosquito laced with Dengue Fever. As I relax with good friends, excellent food and a glass of wine. I will make a toast: to days free of sneezes and full of coordination; when nothing falls from above and all roads lead to exactly where you wish to be.

Leave a comment | tags: bad luck, cantaloupe, sneezing | posted in ABOUT - life, motherhood, marriage

September 27, 2011

Run to Inspire

By Wind Inspired

Tony Bennet sang: “I left my heart in San Francisco.”

Me? I left mine on the roads of Cabot, Arkansas.

Five years ago I was approaching my 35th birthday. My husband asked if we should throw a party to celebrate. I asked if we could throw a “run” instead.

I was fresh off my 3rd marathon and itching to run another. Runner’s World Magazine arrived in my mailbox, featuring national efforts to thwart childhood obesity. Reading about events and programs all over our country inspired me to do something. A love of running, a supportive husband an amazing group of running friends – The Cabot Country Cruisers – came together to create the first INSPIRATION RUN.

It was a full 26.2 mile marathon through our small city, stopping at every public school and briefly speaking to the importance of exercise, and healthy living.

That first year we threw it all together in 2 weeks. We had a total of 18 participants – some runners, some bikers and a devoted husband who drove our minivan filled with supplies.

Reaching the finish line that warm, May afternoon, was only the beginning.

Thanks to a devoted group of athletes, committed community members and very enthusiastic kids, the inspiration grew…..

We couldn’t encourage kids to get out and exercise without giving them a place to do it. The Summer Track Nights program was born: FREE track meets for kids from 2-102. This was a perfect venue for adults and kids to run together.

Runner’s World picked up on our first Inspiration Run. A flattering article and a magical photographer made us famous! This was exactly what we needed to share our story and get some support. National Sponsorship and Grants through Saucony and The Road Runners Club of America kept our kids in t-shirts, well hydrated and provided an equipment base to last for years to come.

The enthusiasm lasted beyond the summer evenings, and we kept running. Parent-led programs had kids in motion after school.

And on the weekends.

We took to the streets again in 2008 – Inspiration Run II.

And again in 2009 – Inspiration Run III

And once again, in 2010. The Inspiration Run IV was close to 100 strong.

The initial desire to motivate our community was coming to fruition. Adults and kids were exercising together.

Parents took on challenges that set examples for their children.

And the truest test of all – kids found joy in exercise.

This week (Friday, September 30th) will be the 5th annual Inspiration Run. It is bittersweet. I have a deep sadness that I won’t be running in the event, but how wonderfully amazing that this message-in-action will carry on. It is a true testament to the importance of inspiring our next generation to live healthier.

On Friday I will be running on a beach 2,000 miles away, but my thoughts and heart will be in Cabot, AR.

No link to the Runner’s World Article.

Link to Running Times Article: http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15244

See more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pGTriDCzIsU

Join in 9-30-2011: https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=162184583864245

2 comments | tags: Arkansas, Cabot AR, Cabot Country Cruisers, Inspiration Run, Runner's World, running club, summer track nights | posted in ABOUT - life, motherhood, marriage

September 26, 2011

Run Day – Week 7/23

By Wind Inspired

Week 7 survived.

Ground Running - 16 miles (longest run 6-miles )

Swimming - .75 mile

Weight Training – 30 minutes

Sleep – 53 hours

I feel like I should add

Driving: 15 hours

Killing Time Between Activities: 12 hours

It was just a crazy week. I spent a great deal of time driving the kids to school, picking them up from school, keeping them occupied and fed while we did activities after school, and then making lunches, dinners and doing homework. Half the time I couldn’t remember if I was coming or going. The kids were happy, I was tired, and all was well after my husband returned and gave me a “Day of Rest” on Sunday. It was needed. I was at the end of my rope. 13 hours of sleep later and I was as good as new. Almost.

Now that he is back, and I am working out the after-school schedule, I will carve out my “ME” time. I so miss my 5 am runs. It just isn’t safe to do so here – the streets are dark and the #1 local rule is not being out, especially alone in the dark. And the gym doesn’t open until 6. Too late for the “get out the door for school” schedule.

I am working it out.

I actually find that my joints prefer later in the day, as they are warmed up and blood has been flowing. And my upcoming races don’t begin until 5pm. That makes for a perfect fit.

Official marathon training schedule begins this week. I really like having a tasking to follow. I especially like checking off the accomplishments.

Today I ran past a cemetary. Nothing like it to remind you that you are still alive and kicking. This week I will think of the words of a dear friend, Angela: I run, because I can.

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September 26, 2011

Stop kissing in the car line

By Wind Inspired

It is 8am and I am already disgruntled with humanity.

Okay, granted, it is Monday.

And my kids and husband would point out that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

And my left hand is locked up in an angry claw.

Still, it was the irritating morning rituals in the school car line that pushed me over the edge.

I could avoid this entire aggravation if I made my kiddos take the bus. I am not anti-bus, the kids actually ride it home. If they take it to school, we have to be out the door at 5:40 am to catch it. If I drive, we need to leave at 6:40 am. I make the driving sacrifice so that they can get an extra hour of sleep. Their health and growth are more important than my sanity. Right? Some days I wonder.

I drive approximately 1 hour round-trip every morning to get my darlings to the closest Department of Defense School. You might think that driving crowded highways with 1,000,000 other people would be the frustration factor. Or maybe (as revealed in one of last week’s posts) it could be the ginormous pot holes or the lack of road rules. Nope. The worst part of my drive is the exorbitant amount of time that I spend waiting and watching while in the car line.

This should be a simple procedure. Ease into the drop off area. Wish your offspring a good day. Open door. Kids exit. Move on.

My children are trained that if I just slow down, they are to jump, tuck and roll – their 42 lb back packs will cushion the fall.

Instead of this simplicity, I witness:

hair braiding (I’m not against good grooming, but really?)
trunk re-organizing
personal escorts to the building
umbrellas, lots and lots of umbrellas to shield the 15 ft walk from 18 drops of rain
make-up applications
pep talks
arguments
hugging & kissing (I hug my kids multiple times daily, but there is a time and place.)
changing shirts
packing back-packs
making lunches
kids no longer in sight but parents stay, chatting with other oblivious parents.
and finally, a sight that I can only label chinese fire drill.

I have even seen someone park in the car line and run into school for “just a few minutes.” I am sure you are thinking that perhaps there is no parking lot? Oh but there is. But it would be inconvenient to park and take care of your personal business there. Because then you might have to, dare I say it, walk?!? Or worse yet, get back in the car line and wait behind all the other crazies.

I don’t like to complain about problems without offering solutions. So, I here are my thoughts from this morning’s wait:

Make car line procedures a part of Kindergarten screening. If the kids aren’t capable of un-buckling themselves, and getting out of their car without parental assistance, they are not ready for Kindergarten. If the parents can’t pass the trials, they are not ready to be kindergarten parents.

Issue tickets for infractions. Three strikes and you are “banned.” Kids are relegated to bus riding, or said parents must park in the parking lot and walk in. I suppose they could get a new, unrecognizable car and start their 3-strike accumulation again. I would bet that it would only take a week or two to be back on the “banned list.”

HONK. It happens all the time on the roads. If parents are taking more than 60 seconds to take care of business, the honking begins. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that no one else takes honking as personally as I do.

And there we have my rants for the week. I will now consume some calories, burn some calories and maybe even take a nap.

Happy Monday.

Leave a comment | tags: car lines, school drop off | posted in Uncategorized

September 25, 2011

Halloween on the Horizon

By Wind Inspired

My husband tells me that some people let their kids throw together a disguise just minutes prior to trick-or-treating. The parents just let them be whatever they want and don’t get involved.

No discussions. No agonizing decisions. No hours devoted to creation.

To me, that means NO FUN at all.

You see, I love any opportunity to play dress up. I could be considered a costume geek. I am not nearly cool enough to just let the kids just go out with dirty faces and be a hobo, or wear their team uniform and be a football/soccer/baseball player.

In my past lives I worked as a costumer on a number of college and community theater productions. In this motherhood chapter of my life, school plays, Halloween, and the occasional 80s party are my only opportunities for costume design. (I am aware that I should probably get a job – but I assure you that “part-time costume designer with limited experience, no Spanish needed” does not often appear in the classified section of the San Juan papers.”Untrained cook, Illustrator, Old Lifeguard, English Speaking Waitress, Photographer, Event Organizer, Race Director, all working only the hours of 8-2″ never appear in the want-ads either.)

Early September is when the Halloween talk starts in hot and heavy. The discussions usually carry on for a few weeks and then I demand commitments prior to any purchasing or creating. The kids were pushing for a group theme again this year. A few of our finalists included: The Addam’s family, Ninjas (guess who was campaigning for that one?) The Wizard of Oz (remake of our 2005 version) and Smurfs. (The last was quickly abandoned when I made it clear that no one would be allowed to stain their skin blue.)

Final decisions have been made and The Zoo costume production is underway. Check back in about 5 weeks for the end results.

Over the years we have gone the individual route and the group. While I am always happy that the kids want to express their individuality, I can really get behind a theme. Here are a few shots of years gone by:

Bumble Bee

Not pictured – a big stinger on her bottom. It was only visible when she got on all fours.

Wicked Witch

At six months I could pretty much plop Victoria down anywhere and she would sit for photos.

Ballerinas

At 6 months Victoria already understands the concept of Halloween Loot.

Cruella & Dalmation

Notes – an 18-month-old does not enjoy face paint or things on their heads. The ears only stayed on long enough for this shot. They do however really like cookies. Her mouth is covered in crumbs.

Cinderella & A Black Cat

Not pictured – My prince had to dress up as Cinderella’s King and Little Grace was also a baby black cat.

Fairies & Ladybug

Grace’s first trick-or treat experience. Caught this shot from the back as Caitlyn and Victoria went off to their first school dance.

Disney Princesses & Engineer

I was away for this Halloween, so we went really simple with purchased costumes. Why I didn’t include Harry into the concept, I am not sure. I really missed out on a cute frog opportunity.

The Wizard of Oz

This was the year that little Grace piped up with her theme idea. She planned the entire cast and continued to be the family’s Halloween leader for a number of years.Grace and Victoria had purchased costumes, but I had many needle pricks from constructing both Caitlyn and Harry’s costumes.

A Circus

The clown, ringleader, trick horse rider and talking monkey.

Peter Pan

Tinker bell, Captain Hook, Peter Pan and Wendy.

A Director and his Movie Stars

Thank you Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan for inspiring this one.

Random

This was the year they abandoned the theme idea and stopped trick-or-treating together. We had: “A Cowboy WITH A GUN,” the gun was the most requested portion of the costume. “A Drama Queen,” believe it or not, this was pre-toddlers and tiaras, “A Monarch Butterfly” and a “Funky Witch.”

A Band of Pirates

The gang got to dress up twice that year, as we turned our car into a pirate’s cove at the base Trunk or Treat party.

Random Again

“The Spider Whisperer,” “Marilyn Monroe,” “80′s Girl,” and “Funky Witch Again.”

So here it is, September 25th and I am scouring, collecting and sketching out the makings of a Panda, a Leopard, an Owl, a Gorilla, and 2 Zoo Keepers. I really miss Michael’s and Hobby Lobby as I wish for bits of fleece, feathers and glitter. It will all work out in the end, and my weeks of work will only be worn for a few hours. But for the time being, my projects will keep me off the streets and out of trouble.

1 comment | tags: Ballerinas, Bumble Bee, Clown, costumes, Cruella De Vil, Fairies, Monkey, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Witch, Wizard of Oz | posted in Uncategorized

September 23, 2011

I’m Too Old for Middle School

By Wind Inspired

The start of the school year means school supplies, endless forms to fill out and open houses to attend. Unlike the very organized and polished evening events I am used to attending, my daughters’ Middle School invited all parents to spend the day with their kids. It was truly an OPEN HOUSE. Come on in, see us in action, witness classroom events, and eat in the cafeteria.

My Prince and I packed our lunches, tried to dress cool, yet subdued enough to hang out with our 11 and 13 year olds. (The mom in 6 inch, purple platform heels and a snug outfit to match totally had me outdone.) Thus began our 7 hour visit to pubescent pandemonium. The day was far less chaotic than I expected, and it may have something to do with the strict rules. See below:

Rules duly noted. Thankfully I left my gun, horse and bottle of rum at home.

First Class: Spanish. All Spanish, all the time. The teacher (both girls have her) was incredibly effective at conveying her message to all non-native speakers without using a word of English. Class was outstanding. I learned more in 35 minutes than I have in 8 months living in Puerto Rico. I want to take her class, but my children cringed at the mere idea of me being in the back of the room every day.

Next up: Band. As a former band, orchestra and choir performer, and lover of all arts, I was very excited. My girls are both playing the flute, my first instrument. It was fun to hear their early, breathy notes. But the best part of this experience was hours later when I got my own hands the keys. That part is a secret though – I signed a contract that no one in our family would play around with the instruments – I just couldn’t resist. And the other 10 times that I have played my scales since, I couldn’t resist those times either.

Lunch time: I never experienced a typical cafeteria growing up, as my schools didn’t have them. We ate in the classroom. Everyone brought their lunch. There were no cafeteria trays. No deciding who you would sit with. So every time I am in a school cafeteria I find it overwhelming. It is so loud. And there are so, so many smells. It is complete sensory overload. I can just say that we survived it, twice.

On to Social Studies: Explorers were the topic of the day. Columbus, Hudson, Cabot…. snooze. The only part that kept me from nodding off was my husband who was chomping at the bit to answer the teacher’s questions. Seriously, he was raising his hand.

I didn’t know my husband in school, so it was kind of fun to see him in this setting. By the time we were headed to math I was pretty sure I couldn’t take much more enthusiasm. I sent him to Geometry and from what I hear, he was in his element. I stopped in at 6th grade math where I sat in the back with the other parents and whispered about our kids.

By the end of just one day I learned how to negate Spanish verbs, re-visited my middle school band days, experienced a cafeteria lunch x 2, tried to remember math without using my fingers, and observed every nuance of my children’s relationships with teachers and classmates. It was exhausting. I don’t think I could be a Middle school student again. My brain is really too old to absorb so many facts, worry about clothes, and friends, and rules. And there is no way I could live through 5 days a week of the cafeteria. The proof is that I fell asleep that night on the couch. Sitting up. It wasn’t even 7:30. And it has taken me days to recover.

Leave a comment | tags: flute, middle school, Open House, school cafeteria | posted in Uncategorized

September 20, 2011

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

By Wind Inspired

Some women cringe when they hear their’s mother’s words come out of their own mouth.

Today I am pretty sure I channelled my dad when I threatened to take away my daughters’ hair straighteners for a week.

It is picture day, and while I didn’t hear every detail, it is fair to say there were 2 flat irons, snide comments, mean looks, hurt feelings, and 2 sets of tears.

I had no patience for petty bickering. Thus the threat. Hit ‘em where it hurts. If we EVER have a morning like this again, it will be 7 days of public frizz.

Let’s travel back about 24 years. I had a slightly obsessive compulsion with clothes. I never wore the same outfit to high school. Not ever. For 4 years. I have hand written calendars to prove it.

Ironically, now I occasionally wear the same pair of jeans 5 days in a row.

But, back to the 1980s. While most parents threatened to ground their kids, take away driving privileges, or withhold allowances, I had a very unique threat hanging over my head. One week of wearing a gray sweat suit to school. No color. No prints. No style. And let’s remember what sweats looked like back then – thick, lumpy, elastic at the ankles… nothing at all like today’s stylish yoga pants.

It was an effective threat - as it never had to be implemented.

So, here we are, 2011 and I am also threatening public humiliation. No physical injury. No starvation. No neglect. Just bad hair days. The difference is, in 2011, within hours there could be a facebook fan page against my cruelty. My behavior would probably make the morning news shows as a form of abuse. I could possibly be called into school for causing an educational disturbance.

Let us hope that the genetics that caused the adult me to make the threat, are just as strong as the genetics that kept the teen me from ever having to live the nightmare that is drab cotton knit and elastic combined.

7 comments | tags: gray sweat suit, hair straighteners, punishment | posted in Uncategorized

September 20, 2011

Run Day – Week 6/23

By Wind Inspired

Week 6 done!

Ground Running - 22 miles (longest run 7-miles + 30 min deep water run)

Deep Water Running - 70 min

Swimming - 1 mile

Weight Training - 30 minutes

Sleep – 51 hours

Great week.

I made a conscious effort to rest, and ended up with more than enough energy to pretty much double my workouts from the week before. This week the kids started all activities in full force – cross-country (C), honor society (C), basketball (H), piano lessons (G), soccer (V), art club (G), choir (G), flute lessons (C&V) – so I will be adding to my driving and time killing hours. I am glad the kids are happily involved in their new school community, but I am going to have to be super-organized to fit workouts in. Lucky for me, that is usually the perfect way to keep me on track. When I have all the time in the world, that mañana syndrome sets in…. so, a tight schedule means I have to get it done today, rather than tomorrow.

Random thoughts, realizations and realities.

There’s nothing like your daughter on the treadmill next to you cranking out 6:30 miles to make you push the speed and incline on your own ‘mill.
Official marathon training starts in one week. The “plans” I usually follow are 16 weeks long – so I will have an official plan to work with.
Looking forward to Race for the Cure next month - we have a squadron team who will be supporting one of our own members who is a survivor.
I have a tender heel. It isn’t the foot that suffered from PF earlier in the year – it is the other one. (I believe in equal opportunity discomfort.) I am being pre-emptive and hitting ice, ibuprofen, and KT tape. On my “long” run it was really bothering me, so I stopped at 7 and jumped in the pool. Took pressure off my foot but continued the endurance workout.
In the past I avoided the pool because it was boring, too much work, too much thinking, not enough talking. I now look forward to my water days – as soon as I am in the water, all pain disappears.
Starting to see some muscles that went into hiding during the last 6 months. Hello biceps and quads.
I am trying to convince some running friends to literally run away with me in February: http://www.cimcruise.com/

Since I plan to continue with my sleep routine AND my better half is away this week, I need to hit the hay. The theme for this week is an oldie but goodie: One day at a time.

Leave a comment | tags: race for the cure | posted in Uncategorized

September 16, 2011

Brace for Impact

By Wind Inspired

I don’t really like to drive.

Let me rephrase that. I hate to drive.

I often say that if I were to become a criminal, forget jail (which is I might enjoy as an opportunity to work out and catch up on reading) and make me drive. Something large. Sixteen hours a day in a truck. The greater the crime the bigger the vehicle. Having to parallel park a city bus would be equivalent to the death penalty.

To me, a hardship of our military moves includes 4 wheels, a rearview mirror and an overwhelming sense of dread. I have learned to drive in flooding rains, snow, ice, on 6 lane highways and roads so narrow that cars going in opposite directions have to take turns. I have mastered round-a-bouts. I even drove on the left hand side of the road for our 3 year stint in the UK.

So it seems that I should have just taken our move to Puerto Rico in stride. After learning to drive on the “wrong” side of the road, how hard could this tropical island be?

You have no idea.

Insanity. Bedlam. Recklessness.

From day one I was reminded that being in a car accident in San Juan was not a matter of IF but WHEN.

I wanted my children to wear helmets in the car. Can you imagine me driving up to the ID check at the Security Gate of the base? Speaking my broken Spanish, Arkansas licence plates and a minivan full of kids in bike helmets?

Needless to say, we drive around the city with naked heads.

Let me try to break down my daily experiences.

OTHER VEHICLES. Avoid them. Okay, with a million people trying to commute on narrow, poorly maintained roads, that is sightly impossible. So, I try to avoid the ones that look like they have been on fire, are much larger than me, or are so junked that they wouldn’t mind banging it up a little more.

avoid proximity

LANES. They are optional guidelines. When a road has 4 designated lanes, it is fair to say that at any moment traffic will be 5 or 6 cars across.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS. The lane issue becomes much more intense at intersection. First, it is a fifty-fifty chance as to whether or not the traffic light will be working. If it IS working, then all the lanes leading up to the light, lets say 3, turn into more, lets say 6. ALL 6 unmarked lanes become turn lanes. It is OK to turn left from the far right lane, or turn right from the far left. Some people just go straight from any lane. If the light IS NOT working, then it is a complete free-for-all.

free-for-all

SALES. Amid the crazy drivers at an intersection, there are also salesmen. Water bottles (that may or may not have been previously used,) newspapers, bananas, coconuts, necklaces, hats………

“water, $1, water $1.”

TURN SIGNALS. “Don’t use them.” That was my first driving lesson. When turning, or more importantly changing lanes, DO NOT USE YOUR SIGNALS. Why? Because people expect to be cut off. It is the norm. That little flashing light is a warning to the cars near you that you plan to merge. They will speed up to prevent you from getting ahead of them. Turn signals cause accidents.

POTHOLES. I am sure that they can be seen from space. Aliens can see craters on our island. If we choose to bring our car back to civilization it will need a new chassis, or struts – actually, we will probably just get a new car.

PARKING. Anywhere you want. Seriously. In the shoulder of the highway. On an on-ramp. Right in front of a no parking sign. You can park, pull out a table and chairs and open a restaurant right in the road. I have even seen a fire truck park in a lane of the street, (not on the side, actually in the street) with their lights on, and come out carrying a Dominos pizza. As I said, parking is anywhere you want.

no parking?

lunch anyone?

HONKING. Before, I hated being honked at. It hurt my feelings. Here, EVERYONE honks. I have honked more times in the last 6 months than I have in my 20+ years of driving. It means everything from hello, go already, I’m mad that we are in traffic, what’s going on? you cut me off, you wouldn’t let me in, get out of my way…….

HAND GESTURES. And then we have our form of silent communication. The other morning a car tried to cut ahead of me, after a very long into the base gate. thought they could cut in. Tired of obnoxious drivers who have no concern for others, I didn’t give them an inch. Neither did the car behind me. Just then I notice Grace waving at the disgruntled driver. I ask, “Grace why are you waving at a stranger?” Grace, “because they are waving at us?” I am pretty sure they weren’t waving with all 5 fingers.

SIGHTS. I have posted some very beautiful photos of beaches, snorkeling, rain forests…. our views from the highways are NOT beautiful. They are reminders of poverty, reality, and crime. Our observations are a mix of entertaining billboards and examples of how lucky we are to live in safe, clean housing.

views from the highway

I try to spend most of my days surrounded by serene beauty, but every morning I have to start that day with my drive. The jolts from the pot holes wake me up more effectively than any cup of caffeine. As I begin my journey I buckle up, check all mirrors and brace for impact.

1 comment | tags: driving, traffic | posted in Uncategorized

September 15, 2011