Tuesday, September 29, 2009
olive the way around the world - utah
some photos jen sent of little olive and their visit to utah. jen get's full credit for the witty title. they both look so wonderful and precious to me. you look beautiful jennifer.
video from jen
jen is currently in utah visting her friend jenna. she made this video for me and posted it on her blog. my favorite part is at the end when olivia waves to me!
i made my 12/13 year old kids watch this in class. i am such a proud daddy.
i made my 12/13 year old kids watch this in class. i am such a proud daddy.
Monday, September 28, 2009
houston... we have tickets!
we finally bought the tickets! jennifer, olive and boone will be arriving in bishkek on saturday, october 10th at 550am. i am SO EXCITED. i have spent the past month counting down to the day (although i had no idea what day it would be) that they woudl arrive. it is so close now i can almost feel it. i have run through the images in my mind a 1000 times. seeing them for the first time as they exit customs. smiling and crying at the same time. get to kiss my wife and hold my daughter. to see boone go all crazy (most likely more happy to be out of the crate and off the plan than to see me... but still!). i can't wait.
our friend april will be traveling with them to help with the baby and boone. we are so thankful to her for making the trip. she will be staying here a week and her visit will be a great excuse for us to do all the wonderful "touristy" things that make bishkek memorable.
our friend april will be traveling with them to help with the baby and boone. we are so thankful to her for making the trip. she will be staying here a week and her visit will be a great excuse for us to do all the wonderful "touristy" things that make bishkek memorable.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
reflections on "why bishkek"
this is the start of our second year in bishkek. since we decided to move here we have often been asked by family and friends "why bishkek?". even folks who live here in bishkek as us why. and to be honest... we often ask ourselves the same thing.
central asia is so far away from everything we know and everyone we love. it was just over 13 months ago, right after we had arrived, that we learned my dad had been diagnosed with cancer. a couple of months after that we found out we were pregnant with dear olivia. dying parent. baby on the way. all signs pointed to moving back home. and we tried. i spent hours and days and weeks and months looking and applying for jobs back in the states. so many stressful conversations and sleepless night. "we have to get home... we have to get home" became an underlying theme in jen and my day to day life.
even when we were enjoying the "adventure" part of bishkek and the travels to issy-kul and karakol and india... we still couldn't shake the feeling of needing to get home.
now a year had passed. my dad has passed away. olive has joined the family. and the question i still find myself answering is "why bishkek?".
there are two big reasons and they are both very practical.
1. we couldn't find the right job back in the states. by right i mean a job that paid well and allows jen to stay home with the baby for an extended period of time if she so decides.
2. the money is just too good here. we are making way more here than we could in the states. and while we haven't saved any of it yet... we have managed to get out of debt and start a retirement plan for ourselves and for olive.
and then there is the adventure side of the equation.
1. we get to see a part of the world we would never get to see otherwise. i mean who travels to central asia?!
2. we have traveled alot since we have been here (such as our trip to india last spring break).
3. learning a new language (or at least trying to learn) and a new culture.
but something that i always forget to talk about when asked "why bishkek"... is the people.
since i have been here this month i have received alot of sympathy invites. my friends say that they aren't sympathy invites but i think they feel sorry for me that i am here while jen and the baby (and boone) are back in the states. and sympathy is ok... because i feel pretty sorry for myself most of the time.
but the best part of these invites is being able to reconnect with some friends from last year and getting to meet some new folks.
two weekends ago i was a bbq at the paine's house (a student in jen's class... the famous "max"). the yard was full of at least 20 kids running around and playing while the parents sat around, watched, ate and talked. these are amerian kids mind you. their parents have worked all over the world and have these amazing stories and experiences. they have lived in africa. the middle east. europe. if you know me at all you know that i tend to be chatterbox at social gathers. but i just found myself sitting back and soaking it all in. these people have had such diverse life experiences. they see things so differently than i see them because of the different things they have done that i haven't.
then their was charlie's farewell dinner. a bunch of different embassy folks. older couples. most of them with very high ranking, serious jobs. but all so down to earth and funny. sharing stories about how the ambassador had to call a special meeting of the senior staff at the embassy in order to give everyone assigned seats at meetings because she was tired of people fighting over seats. maybe you had to be there... but it was really funny. sounded like the ambassador spends alot of time doing the same things i have to do in class with my kids.
and then there was saturday night. chris, another good friend and our source off all things american here in bishkek, invited me to go bowling with a group of his friends that i hadn't met yet.
the guest list looked like this:
* a long time peace corp volunteer who has spent the past couple years working in villages
* a woman from latvia (the first time i have met anyone from latvia) who was here working for a fashion company
* a german/japanese woman studying her master's degree here in bishkek
* a woman who was a former refugee from afghanistan who know lives in america but is in bishkek working for a non-for-profit that focuses on bringing equal rights to islamic women
* her cousin, also from afghanistan. his dad, the current afghanistani ambassador to turkey, happened to be with ahmed shah massoud ("the lion of panjshir") when massoud was attacked and assasinated by the taliban. if you don't know who massoud was... his death was one of the greatest loses in modern afghan history.
* an american who works for an investment bank
* and a couple of locals who work for ngos
i feel like a pretty smart guy. but in a group like that... as with charlie's party and the embassy bbq... really reminds me that there is so much i want to learn. so much i want to experience. i am not knocking living in the states (i miss you america. i miss you family). but you must realize that because central asia is so far away from everything we know and everyone we love... we are making connections we would never make at home. having experiences we would never have at home. and as a result... i am becoming a better person. maybe a "different" person... but better at the same time. i believe it is going to make me a better husband to jennifer. a better dad to olivia. and although it limits my time with my mom and sister... i hope it makes me a better son and brother.
i am so thankful for this opportunity to be here. and that is "why bishkek".
central asia is so far away from everything we know and everyone we love. it was just over 13 months ago, right after we had arrived, that we learned my dad had been diagnosed with cancer. a couple of months after that we found out we were pregnant with dear olivia. dying parent. baby on the way. all signs pointed to moving back home. and we tried. i spent hours and days and weeks and months looking and applying for jobs back in the states. so many stressful conversations and sleepless night. "we have to get home... we have to get home" became an underlying theme in jen and my day to day life.
even when we were enjoying the "adventure" part of bishkek and the travels to issy-kul and karakol and india... we still couldn't shake the feeling of needing to get home.
now a year had passed. my dad has passed away. olive has joined the family. and the question i still find myself answering is "why bishkek?".
there are two big reasons and they are both very practical.
1. we couldn't find the right job back in the states. by right i mean a job that paid well and allows jen to stay home with the baby for an extended period of time if she so decides.
2. the money is just too good here. we are making way more here than we could in the states. and while we haven't saved any of it yet... we have managed to get out of debt and start a retirement plan for ourselves and for olive.
and then there is the adventure side of the equation.
1. we get to see a part of the world we would never get to see otherwise. i mean who travels to central asia?!
2. we have traveled alot since we have been here (such as our trip to india last spring break).
3. learning a new language (or at least trying to learn) and a new culture.
but something that i always forget to talk about when asked "why bishkek"... is the people.
since i have been here this month i have received alot of sympathy invites. my friends say that they aren't sympathy invites but i think they feel sorry for me that i am here while jen and the baby (and boone) are back in the states. and sympathy is ok... because i feel pretty sorry for myself most of the time.
but the best part of these invites is being able to reconnect with some friends from last year and getting to meet some new folks.
two weekends ago i was a bbq at the paine's house (a student in jen's class... the famous "max"). the yard was full of at least 20 kids running around and playing while the parents sat around, watched, ate and talked. these are amerian kids mind you. their parents have worked all over the world and have these amazing stories and experiences. they have lived in africa. the middle east. europe. if you know me at all you know that i tend to be chatterbox at social gathers. but i just found myself sitting back and soaking it all in. these people have had such diverse life experiences. they see things so differently than i see them because of the different things they have done that i haven't.
then their was charlie's farewell dinner. a bunch of different embassy folks. older couples. most of them with very high ranking, serious jobs. but all so down to earth and funny. sharing stories about how the ambassador had to call a special meeting of the senior staff at the embassy in order to give everyone assigned seats at meetings because she was tired of people fighting over seats. maybe you had to be there... but it was really funny. sounded like the ambassador spends alot of time doing the same things i have to do in class with my kids.
and then there was saturday night. chris, another good friend and our source off all things american here in bishkek, invited me to go bowling with a group of his friends that i hadn't met yet.
the guest list looked like this:
* a long time peace corp volunteer who has spent the past couple years working in villages
* a woman from latvia (the first time i have met anyone from latvia) who was here working for a fashion company
* a german/japanese woman studying her master's degree here in bishkek
* a woman who was a former refugee from afghanistan who know lives in america but is in bishkek working for a non-for-profit that focuses on bringing equal rights to islamic women
* her cousin, also from afghanistan. his dad, the current afghanistani ambassador to turkey, happened to be with ahmed shah massoud ("the lion of panjshir") when massoud was attacked and assasinated by the taliban. if you don't know who massoud was... his death was one of the greatest loses in modern afghan history.
* an american who works for an investment bank
* and a couple of locals who work for ngos
i feel like a pretty smart guy. but in a group like that... as with charlie's party and the embassy bbq... really reminds me that there is so much i want to learn. so much i want to experience. i am not knocking living in the states (i miss you america. i miss you family). but you must realize that because central asia is so far away from everything we know and everyone we love... we are making connections we would never make at home. having experiences we would never have at home. and as a result... i am becoming a better person. maybe a "different" person... but better at the same time. i believe it is going to make me a better husband to jennifer. a better dad to olivia. and although it limits my time with my mom and sister... i hope it makes me a better son and brother.
i am so thankful for this opportunity to be here. and that is "why bishkek".
Saturday, September 26, 2009
farewell party for charlie
our friend nancy hosted a going away dinner for charlie last night.
charlie... for those of you who are new to the blog... is one of my best friends here in bishkek and his family is very dear to jennifer and myself. they were actually one of the reasons we decided to move back to bishkek. we are renting one of their apartments right across the street from their house. we teach their girls at school. they have this amazing extend family who are all so kind and so generous. they are good people all around.
so as our luck would have it... they are moving.
charlie... although american... has spent most of his life overseas. his parents worked for the state department when he was younger and he has lived all over... especially in italy where he spent his high school years. he has worked for ngos (non-governent organizations - think "non-for-profits" that work internationally), the state department and usaid. he is very passionate about "our" (meaning americans) ability to affect positive change in the world and his professional life has been spent trying to do just that.
he has been really inspiring to me in the sense of "jen and i can do that... we can save the world". not that embassy kids don't deserve good teachers... but there exist so many opportunities out there to do so much. while he loves bishkek, he is taking his family and they are moving to bangladesh where he will be working with the world bank.
anyway... what i am trying to say by singing his praises as such is that charlie and his family will be missed. while i doubt we will make it there for christmas i do feel confident that we will keep in touch. i hope we will keep in touch. making good friends is rare... especially when you've traveled half way around the world to find them.
the dinner party was lovely. copious amounts of gourmet food, good wine, music, dancing and most importantly... friendship.
charlie... for those of you who are new to the blog... is one of my best friends here in bishkek and his family is very dear to jennifer and myself. they were actually one of the reasons we decided to move back to bishkek. we are renting one of their apartments right across the street from their house. we teach their girls at school. they have this amazing extend family who are all so kind and so generous. they are good people all around.
so as our luck would have it... they are moving.
charlie... although american... has spent most of his life overseas. his parents worked for the state department when he was younger and he has lived all over... especially in italy where he spent his high school years. he has worked for ngos (non-governent organizations - think "non-for-profits" that work internationally), the state department and usaid. he is very passionate about "our" (meaning americans) ability to affect positive change in the world and his professional life has been spent trying to do just that.
he has been really inspiring to me in the sense of "jen and i can do that... we can save the world". not that embassy kids don't deserve good teachers... but there exist so many opportunities out there to do so much. while he loves bishkek, he is taking his family and they are moving to bangladesh where he will be working with the world bank.
anyway... what i am trying to say by singing his praises as such is that charlie and his family will be missed. while i doubt we will make it there for christmas i do feel confident that we will keep in touch. i hope we will keep in touch. making good friends is rare... especially when you've traveled half way around the world to find them.
the dinner party was lovely. copious amounts of gourmet food, good wine, music, dancing and most importantly... friendship.
Friday, September 25, 2009
stuco elections
today we held elections for the school's student counsel (stuco). harking back to the days of george w... the joke of a candidate won. he promised extra recess and free candy to the young kids. double pe and four day school weeks to the older kids. it was priceless. there is no way the school will allow him to do these things and i think in some level all the kids (including the youngest ones) knew this. it didn't mater to them. he won in an upset over the smartest, nicest, and most popular girl in the school. her elequent speech quoted abe lincoln, mark twain, and president obama.
so now bishkek international school has a non-interested, pot smoking, south african as it's student counsel president. should be fun keeping him in check all year.
did i mention i am the stuco faculty advisor?
so now bishkek international school has a non-interested, pot smoking, south african as it's student counsel president. should be fun keeping him in check all year.
did i mention i am the stuco faculty advisor?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
olive at one month
jen is in california right now with her family and took some "one month old" photos of olive with her cousins. poor little girl is going to end up a childhood actor if we aren't careful.
our new apartment
here are some photos i took of the inside of our new apartment. i love it and like it so much more than our apartment from last year. and the location is amazing. walking distance to parks, the main square downtown, and tons of restaurants. all that is missing is jen, olive and boone.
a couple of notes about the photos.
1. yes... when i am alone i make sloppy joes as comfort food. i am about american as one can get in that regards.
2. our apartment is surround by trees... that is all we see out of every window.
3. the bathroom doubles as the utility room. central asia hasn't bought into the idea of dryers yet... so we have to hang our clothes in the bathtub to let them dry. it works out well as we have a separate shower in there that we will use instead of the tub.
4. the bed isn't made and the bedroom is messy. what can i say? i am living like a bachelor right now.
5. the last two photos are of olive's room which isn't set up yet for a baby. i am waiting till jennifer gets here so we can do it together.
a couple of notes about the photos.
1. yes... when i am alone i make sloppy joes as comfort food. i am about american as one can get in that regards.
2. our apartment is surround by trees... that is all we see out of every window.
3. the bathroom doubles as the utility room. central asia hasn't bought into the idea of dryers yet... so we have to hang our clothes in the bathtub to let them dry. it works out well as we have a separate shower in there that we will use instead of the tub.
4. the bed isn't made and the bedroom is messy. what can i say? i am living like a bachelor right now.
5. the last two photos are of olive's room which isn't set up yet for a baby. i am waiting till jennifer gets here so we can do it together.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
a post from jen's blog
a post from jen's blog...
Recap of Tuesday and Wednesday with a painful amount of unneeded details...
Dear HusbandDavey,
We are both pretty terrible at talking on the phone even after our good attempts so here's more info than you care to know about the last two days.
Our little baby girl looks so different sleeping than she does awake. Sometimes when she is very exhausted she looks like little fat bald man who fell asleep watching a game show with the remote in his hand after a hard day of truck driving. She becomes an OMB (open mouthed breather) and relaxes without reservation. All she needs is a little pint-sized LazyBoy.
But, when Olivia is awake she is so observant and alert. I noticed that when I was reviewing the photos I have taken in the last couple days. She seems to have looks on her face that deserve captions. You'll see what I mean. I think she has called me names a couple of times...and I would too. Olivia, I'm sorry I can't pull over every time you whimper...but believe me, I want to. I thought about getting one of those mirrors so I can see her, but I know it would be more of a distraction than a help.
The fun part right now is when she follows me if I move around and if I talk then she turns her head to try to find me. It seems like people are drawn to her. (It must be that our baby is exceptionally beautiful and perfect and smart...that's it, I know it.) Maybe people are drawn to babies in general, but it seems like countless people per day comment on how she looks like a little doll and how good of a baby she is since she is so young and remains awake and happy for much of the time.
But, whenever David calls she starts to cry. Like today for example. And yesterday. Little Olive had been quiet for hours and peacefully looking around. Then, out of nowhere, my phone starts to vibrate, I begin to talk, and Olive starts to CRY. Loudly. Then the kind of LOUD where you can barely hear the other person talk on the other line.
This is really effective for when one doesn't want to talk to an estranged husband. A simple pinch (who would do that?) and then the baby would give an audible reason to get off the phone. This crying however is not so desirable when one does want to talk to her husband!
Today and yesterday were great days with friends. Yesterday (Tuesday), Tania and I got together at a sushi place in Redlands...but it was closed so we walked over to Jersey's which was surprisingly dark inside. So dark that when we came inside from the sunlight all we could see was black until our eyes adjusted. I'm sure we looked really intelligent (sarcasm) or like we were just beamed there and were trying to figure out where we landed. We split a salad (antipasta) and then split a pizza. I think both of us were trying to eat like ladies or something because we didn't finish the salad or the pizza which is like unheard of where I come from. (I like saying that...where I come from...it's not said enough...and it adds clout. Olive woke up when we were done eating. It was perfect timing, like I had a little remote I turned her "on" with. So, I promptly fed her because she wakes up with increasing volume. Then, burped her. She looked so happy. So, I handed her off to Tania who was waiting really patiently and wanted to hold her so bad. Good timing, Me! Within 20 seconds of handing her to Tania, Olivia fills her diaper and covers Tania's shirt. Let me just say that Tania's face said it all. She just laughed. Which made me laugh, after apologizing. Tania then escaped to the bathroom to attempt to clean up (where I might add, she did a remarkable job). After the 'diaper filling' was done, Olivia had her first little rinse off in the sink of the pizza place. Hey, it was the only thing to do really. It was everywhere. Poor Tania.
In her semi-camouflaged poop covered shirt, we walked over to Trader Joes where I got some stuff to ship to Bishkek--pumpkin pancake mix, pumpkin bread mix, dried blueberries (for baking when I feel like a Martha) and some dried cranberries (for the same reason), and I got some Oregano. For some reason, David kept mentioning to get Parmesean Cheese because somehow, that is how he remembered it. I thought it was cute and funny so didn't correct him the trillion times he reminded me to get it for MaryKay and Sasha. I got one for us too because if it is that good then we must be missing out on it. Tania got some Chai Latte mix and a 3 buck Chuck. Then, we walked back to our cars and said goodbye for another year. Next year though Tania will her house that is closing now, and Olive will be crawling. Good times.
Then today (Wednesday) I had all of the good intentions in the universe to head over to get our marriage license and to go to the DMV but alas, it became noon then one then two before my eyes. (Don't worry Davey, I will do those things tomorrow.)
Amber and I got together at her really nice, huge house and had a great lunch she made (Grilled Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches with Pesto). We talked about our kiddos and asked questions and filled each other in on our friends we were curious about. Amber and I have known each other for about 15 years or so. We were in YW together and I had my surprise 17th party at her house. We were on the tennis team together. Seeing our babies together was really fun for me(her 4th is 4 months old and Olive turns one month tomorrow). Time flew by when we were looking at her HeritageMakers site. So, before we knew it her kids came home from school and it was time for Olive and I to hit the road.
Being here a week is a blessing and a curse. Since it is such a short time I have to make the visits short but the time together is condensed and it makes me make the most of it.
So, Patty and I were getting together at 3 at the Sushi place...which I forgot was closed (duh!) so we sat in the car where Patty adored Olivia and Patty just stared at her. We filled each other in on what the last year had been like for each of us and then we decided to actually go somewhere to eat. There is a little sushi place on Redlands Blvd next to a whole-in-the-wall Thai place and so we chose the sushi place. Eating again, you ask. Yes! (I am really digging the American food so I apologize if I am describing the food too much) Patty is the fittest person I know. She is working out twice a day and teaches classes as well as being a personal trainer. She has a killer body now...she looked good before but now she is doing a competition where she competes against other people and their figures. She's not one of those man-looking women. She has to look feminine, just toned. Anyway, I helped her out today by letting her have the extra sushi roll pieces. I just can't let my friend starve! Her kids are doing good (can you believe her oldest is 13?)and all is well for her.
Okay, so socializing was done for the day and I was off to try to find Little Olive an outfit for the autumn photo session with her cousins tomorrow (Thursday). Where to go? Really, I am sick of shopping. I just wanted it over with. So, I went to Marshalls...nothing. I have a love hate relationship with liquidation stores since they are always so disorganized and are a shot in the dark about getting what you have in mind. Basically, they are great if your target search is for "shoes" or "a dress" but not so hot if you are wanting something specific such as "a fall dress for a newborn" or "a headband with an orange flower on it". So, shopping-weary, I head to Target where someone called me the b-word in the parking lot...I won't go into that...so I didn't want to go in there. Like I said, I was shopping-weary anyway so I went to Jo-Anns to get stuff to make a tutu and a headband. Misson accomplished for $16. Let me just say, it is really cute. Especially the headband. It's like, ahhhh, so cute. I hope you think so, Davey. I know you like it when I'm crafty, Davey.
Then, I went to Babies R Us because our little munchkin had used ALL of the NB diapers and I had to get some more. I opted for the SeventhGeneration brand of diapers since they are good for the environment and they were cheaper. I questioned them because they feel like the gritty recycled paper that was sometimes distributed in high school and I didn't like it felt against the side of my hand. But, they did survive a blow-out so maybe they will be good for the environment in another way...preventing an extra load of laundry. Low and behold, when I was checking out, Olivia DuBois walks in Babies R Us. So, our baby isn't named after her, but we couldn't have named Olivia "Olivia" if this Olivia was a terrible person. She is quite the contrary--she is so nice and a really sincere and happy person. She was a photography client and she is pregnant again (3 months. Her first is already 14 months old). So, we chatted and caught up and exchanged info and she asked all about David. I love talking about David.
So, time to go home. It was about 9pm by that time so I head toward Moreno Valley from Redlands. As I'm going toward the canyon, Olivia starts to cry. So, I pull over and nurse her and burp her, and change her...and put her back in the car seat. She does her "baby Pterodactyl" cry since she was tired and then went to sleep after her whinnying.
I get home and mom comes to unlock the gate. Olive starts to cry. I hand her to mom. I unload the afore-mentioned tutu making stuff and diapers and head inside. I have had to poop for the last four hours and somehow, I haven't managed to figure out what to do with the baby in that situation. I don't like the idea of bringing her into a public bathroom. And, I don't really like the idea of a public bathroom either. Even all the purell in the world can't help there. So, I use the bathroom at home because hey, 'family doesn't have germs', right? : )
Mom made some whole grain noodles, chicken and veg pasta. We consumed it and talked about the baby. Mom had an eventful day and asked about mine. I did the simple bullet point answer as I made the tutu and then came in to write this email.
Because I love you.
I got our flight info today and that works out well for me. Let me know if you want me to call April about it. I love you!
Love, Your best wife ever
Posted by JenBartlett at 12:31 AM 0 comments
Labels: California Trip
Recap of Tuesday and Wednesday with a painful amount of unneeded details...
Dear HusbandDavey,
We are both pretty terrible at talking on the phone even after our good attempts so here's more info than you care to know about the last two days.
Our little baby girl looks so different sleeping than she does awake. Sometimes when she is very exhausted she looks like little fat bald man who fell asleep watching a game show with the remote in his hand after a hard day of truck driving. She becomes an OMB (open mouthed breather) and relaxes without reservation. All she needs is a little pint-sized LazyBoy.
But, when Olivia is awake she is so observant and alert. I noticed that when I was reviewing the photos I have taken in the last couple days. She seems to have looks on her face that deserve captions. You'll see what I mean. I think she has called me names a couple of times...and I would too. Olivia, I'm sorry I can't pull over every time you whimper...but believe me, I want to. I thought about getting one of those mirrors so I can see her, but I know it would be more of a distraction than a help.
The fun part right now is when she follows me if I move around and if I talk then she turns her head to try to find me. It seems like people are drawn to her. (It must be that our baby is exceptionally beautiful and perfect and smart...that's it, I know it.) Maybe people are drawn to babies in general, but it seems like countless people per day comment on how she looks like a little doll and how good of a baby she is since she is so young and remains awake and happy for much of the time.
But, whenever David calls she starts to cry. Like today for example. And yesterday. Little Olive had been quiet for hours and peacefully looking around. Then, out of nowhere, my phone starts to vibrate, I begin to talk, and Olive starts to CRY. Loudly. Then the kind of LOUD where you can barely hear the other person talk on the other line.
This is really effective for when one doesn't want to talk to an estranged husband. A simple pinch (who would do that?) and then the baby would give an audible reason to get off the phone. This crying however is not so desirable when one does want to talk to her husband!
Today and yesterday were great days with friends. Yesterday (Tuesday), Tania and I got together at a sushi place in Redlands...but it was closed so we walked over to Jersey's which was surprisingly dark inside. So dark that when we came inside from the sunlight all we could see was black until our eyes adjusted. I'm sure we looked really intelligent (sarcasm) or like we were just beamed there and were trying to figure out where we landed. We split a salad (antipasta) and then split a pizza. I think both of us were trying to eat like ladies or something because we didn't finish the salad or the pizza which is like unheard of where I come from. (I like saying that...where I come from...it's not said enough...and it adds clout. Olive woke up when we were done eating. It was perfect timing, like I had a little remote I turned her "on" with. So, I promptly fed her because she wakes up with increasing volume. Then, burped her. She looked so happy. So, I handed her off to Tania who was waiting really patiently and wanted to hold her so bad. Good timing, Me! Within 20 seconds of handing her to Tania, Olivia fills her diaper and covers Tania's shirt. Let me just say that Tania's face said it all. She just laughed. Which made me laugh, after apologizing. Tania then escaped to the bathroom to attempt to clean up (where I might add, she did a remarkable job). After the 'diaper filling' was done, Olivia had her first little rinse off in the sink of the pizza place. Hey, it was the only thing to do really. It was everywhere. Poor Tania.
In her semi-camouflaged poop covered shirt, we walked over to Trader Joes where I got some stuff to ship to Bishkek--pumpkin pancake mix, pumpkin bread mix, dried blueberries (for baking when I feel like a Martha) and some dried cranberries (for the same reason), and I got some Oregano. For some reason, David kept mentioning to get Parmesean Cheese because somehow, that is how he remembered it. I thought it was cute and funny so didn't correct him the trillion times he reminded me to get it for MaryKay and Sasha. I got one for us too because if it is that good then we must be missing out on it. Tania got some Chai Latte mix and a 3 buck Chuck. Then, we walked back to our cars and said goodbye for another year. Next year though Tania will her house that is closing now, and Olive will be crawling. Good times.
Then today (Wednesday) I had all of the good intentions in the universe to head over to get our marriage license and to go to the DMV but alas, it became noon then one then two before my eyes. (Don't worry Davey, I will do those things tomorrow.)
Amber and I got together at her really nice, huge house and had a great lunch she made (Grilled Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches with Pesto). We talked about our kiddos and asked questions and filled each other in on our friends we were curious about. Amber and I have known each other for about 15 years or so. We were in YW together and I had my surprise 17th party at her house. We were on the tennis team together. Seeing our babies together was really fun for me(her 4th is 4 months old and Olive turns one month tomorrow). Time flew by when we were looking at her HeritageMakers site. So, before we knew it her kids came home from school and it was time for Olive and I to hit the road.
Being here a week is a blessing and a curse. Since it is such a short time I have to make the visits short but the time together is condensed and it makes me make the most of it.
So, Patty and I were getting together at 3 at the Sushi place...which I forgot was closed (duh!) so we sat in the car where Patty adored Olivia and Patty just stared at her. We filled each other in on what the last year had been like for each of us and then we decided to actually go somewhere to eat. There is a little sushi place on Redlands Blvd next to a whole-in-the-wall Thai place and so we chose the sushi place. Eating again, you ask. Yes! (I am really digging the American food so I apologize if I am describing the food too much) Patty is the fittest person I know. She is working out twice a day and teaches classes as well as being a personal trainer. She has a killer body now...she looked good before but now she is doing a competition where she competes against other people and their figures. She's not one of those man-looking women. She has to look feminine, just toned. Anyway, I helped her out today by letting her have the extra sushi roll pieces. I just can't let my friend starve! Her kids are doing good (can you believe her oldest is 13?)and all is well for her.
Okay, so socializing was done for the day and I was off to try to find Little Olive an outfit for the autumn photo session with her cousins tomorrow (Thursday). Where to go? Really, I am sick of shopping. I just wanted it over with. So, I went to Marshalls...nothing. I have a love hate relationship with liquidation stores since they are always so disorganized and are a shot in the dark about getting what you have in mind. Basically, they are great if your target search is for "shoes" or "a dress" but not so hot if you are wanting something specific such as "a fall dress for a newborn" or "a headband with an orange flower on it". So, shopping-weary, I head to Target where someone called me the b-word in the parking lot...I won't go into that...so I didn't want to go in there. Like I said, I was shopping-weary anyway so I went to Jo-Anns to get stuff to make a tutu and a headband. Misson accomplished for $16. Let me just say, it is really cute. Especially the headband. It's like, ahhhh, so cute. I hope you think so, Davey. I know you like it when I'm crafty, Davey.
Then, I went to Babies R Us because our little munchkin had used ALL of the NB diapers and I had to get some more. I opted for the SeventhGeneration brand of diapers since they are good for the environment and they were cheaper. I questioned them because they feel like the gritty recycled paper that was sometimes distributed in high school and I didn't like it felt against the side of my hand. But, they did survive a blow-out so maybe they will be good for the environment in another way...preventing an extra load of laundry. Low and behold, when I was checking out, Olivia DuBois walks in Babies R Us. So, our baby isn't named after her, but we couldn't have named Olivia "Olivia" if this Olivia was a terrible person. She is quite the contrary--she is so nice and a really sincere and happy person. She was a photography client and she is pregnant again (3 months. Her first is already 14 months old). So, we chatted and caught up and exchanged info and she asked all about David. I love talking about David.
So, time to go home. It was about 9pm by that time so I head toward Moreno Valley from Redlands. As I'm going toward the canyon, Olivia starts to cry. So, I pull over and nurse her and burp her, and change her...and put her back in the car seat. She does her "baby Pterodactyl" cry since she was tired and then went to sleep after her whinnying.
I get home and mom comes to unlock the gate. Olive starts to cry. I hand her to mom. I unload the afore-mentioned tutu making stuff and diapers and head inside. I have had to poop for the last four hours and somehow, I haven't managed to figure out what to do with the baby in that situation. I don't like the idea of bringing her into a public bathroom. And, I don't really like the idea of a public bathroom either. Even all the purell in the world can't help there. So, I use the bathroom at home because hey, 'family doesn't have germs', right? : )
Mom made some whole grain noodles, chicken and veg pasta. We consumed it and talked about the baby. Mom had an eventful day and asked about mine. I did the simple bullet point answer as I made the tutu and then came in to write this email.
Because I love you.
I got our flight info today and that works out well for me. Let me know if you want me to call April about it. I love you!
Love, Your best wife ever
Posted by JenBartlett at 12:31 AM 0 comments
Labels: California Trip
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
the most perfect
jen sent me these just a little bit ago. i can't stop looking at them. jenny... you have the most perfect face in the whole world. the most perfect. besides being beautiful... it tells so many stories and holds so many memories.
i really hope olive starts looking more like you and less like me!
i love you both.
twice in two days
the bishkek traffic police are back at it again. i have been pulled over twice in the past two days and given a "ticket" for making illegal left hand turns. these are the same left turns i have made numerous times in the year that we have lived here. but now for some reason they are illegal.
monday outside of tsum. today next to the school.
300 soms each time. that is only about $14 total... but it sure gets you at the time.
monday outside of tsum. today next to the school.
300 soms each time. that is only about $14 total... but it sure gets you at the time.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ala-archa field trip
on friday the entire school (with the exception of the preschool) headed up into the mountains and ala-archa national park for the annual field day. pretty much a mad house... especially when you try to organize 100 plus kids; a truck load full of tables, benches, pads, and food; and a convoy of parents... making sure you leave nothing and no one behind.
unlike in the states where school buses drive super slow and safe... here they pass into oncoming traffic, race down narrow mountain roads, and speed up whenever they see someone trying to pull in front of them. that would make a great video game (micheal are you listening?) - "driving a bus in bishkek". kind of like the grand theft auto series of games with just as many high speed chases, gangsters and prostitutes!
it was a good day. most of the secondary kids hated the hike towards the top of a local peak. i say "towards" because we didn't make it. but the colors have started to change, the weather was perfect, and i didn't have to teach chemistry! all that was missing was jen, olive and boone.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
unlike in the states where school buses drive super slow and safe... here they pass into oncoming traffic, race down narrow mountain roads, and speed up whenever they see someone trying to pull in front of them. that would make a great video game (micheal are you listening?) - "driving a bus in bishkek". kind of like the grand theft auto series of games with just as many high speed chases, gangsters and prostitutes!
it was a good day. most of the secondary kids hated the hike towards the top of a local peak. i say "towards" because we didn't make it. but the colors have started to change, the weather was perfect, and i didn't have to teach chemistry! all that was missing was jen, olive and boone.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)