The game of getting Cybil up in the morning continues. My dogs are now in a conspiracy with the boy. Where they used to jump up and commence the licking and wiggling to wake the boy, they now nudge him to move over and get them under the blankets to go back to sleep. In addition, the time negotiation has begun. The wakie wakie eggs n bakie starts at 6am, at which time Cybil mutters, OK 20 more minutes. REALLY?
I jump in the shower, open up my door and find the Cybil sleeping with my useless wake up dogs....I yell down the hallway to get his Russian A** outta bed. To no avail. He finally emerges and slinks into the bathroom. This happens, EVERYDAY.
This morning there was an added bonus, Cybil fell asleep while texting and when I woke him up, he still had his phone in his hand.
Other fabulous things 17 year olds do.
1. I grill him steaks. I hand him a plate while out back with three steaks. He takes the plate sits down on a chair out back (not one with a table mind you, just a regular patio chair) Sets said plate on his stomach and starts eating. Had the thought ever once crossed his mind to A) Sit at a table B) Let his host mom have one of the steaks. OF COURSE NOT. The boy moves ONLY because there were drippings off the plate that hit his shorts so a table was a must. He moved to the table and cleared the plate, host mom left to fend for herself. He was incapable of carrying the plate in with said drippings...carrying it with two hands, he couldn't manage. I take the plate out of his hands, with one, without spillage and put in sink. He stands next to me at the sink as I am rinsing and says I can do that because only girls can do that. I proceeded to spray him down with my sink sprayer. He needed a shower anyway.
2. Cybil tried out the guest room which has an awesome mattress. Cybil has yet to move out of guest room. Normal room still has all things 17 years old, strewn about it and the trail has made it into the guest room. He mentioned to me the other day how excited he was to have 2 ROOMS!! breathe, sigh, I lost.
3. He needs a cup for football. He informs me last night that he took a shot, you know, around there. He tells me to get the biggest one. More information than necessary...ya THINK?
4. "What do we have planned this weekend?" , not because he cares, but because he needs to figure out how late he can sleep in.
I have to run out for lunch and buy a cup. Host Mom Glamour at its finest.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Eating Russian
The boy was actually born in Russia. We have a lot of Russians in this area. I had no idea that we did, but once I googled it, I found quite a few Russian establishments around. There was one particular restaurant that got great reviews and it was only about a 30 minute drive away. Since the boy did not have any parties or social events on Saturday night, he was stuck with us going to a "Russian Section" complete with Cyrillic lettering and a Russian Grocery Store right next to the restaurant.
Think for a moment on how YOU would picture a Russian Restaurant. Maybe the Russian Tea Room in NYC? Could be exactly like that, but different. THIS Russian restaurant had a TV with Russian Music videos piping through the restaurant. Have you ever seen a Russian video? I felt very at home, like it was the first two years MTV came on air, you know when they actually showed videos? Everything was a rip off or sampled, just sang in Russian. I also started to notice the same people showing up in different videos. I asked the boy about this. He said, its Russia, no one else understands what they are saying, so most won't realize it is all pirated, plus, its Russian. Right, right, the old "I'm Russian Defense" I am scary with leather jackets and sunglasses at midnight....I get it now......
Anyway, I had the boy order all my food, and let me tell you, I absolutely loved it. I LOVE BORSCHT and I am not afraid to yell from the moutain tops. I was informed by the boy, however, that the "components" (translation = ingredients) were not right. He could tell by smelling it. Although he won't eat it because it contains cooked vegetables. Cooked vegetables are not part of his diet, only raw (freak) But, by the smell and look, he knew it was not like his mother's. Well, I can not wait to taste his mother's someday because this stuff was the russian bomb diggity yo. (queue cheezy Russian Video in background)
If anyone wants to go back with me, I am totally game, whether the boy wants to go or not. The waiter was telling us about a Russian Restaurant in Brighton Beach where the floor is one gigantic aquarium you walk on. I wonder if they also have those pimp shoes with the little aquariums in the heels......hmmmmm....I sense a trip to Brooklyn on the Horizon. First I must get a black leather jacket and sunglasses, a half shirt might not be a bad idea either..........
Think for a moment on how YOU would picture a Russian Restaurant. Maybe the Russian Tea Room in NYC? Could be exactly like that, but different. THIS Russian restaurant had a TV with Russian Music videos piping through the restaurant. Have you ever seen a Russian video? I felt very at home, like it was the first two years MTV came on air, you know when they actually showed videos? Everything was a rip off or sampled, just sang in Russian. I also started to notice the same people showing up in different videos. I asked the boy about this. He said, its Russia, no one else understands what they are saying, so most won't realize it is all pirated, plus, its Russian. Right, right, the old "I'm Russian Defense" I am scary with leather jackets and sunglasses at midnight....I get it now......
Anyway, I had the boy order all my food, and let me tell you, I absolutely loved it. I LOVE BORSCHT and I am not afraid to yell from the moutain tops. I was informed by the boy, however, that the "components" (translation = ingredients) were not right. He could tell by smelling it. Although he won't eat it because it contains cooked vegetables. Cooked vegetables are not part of his diet, only raw (freak) But, by the smell and look, he knew it was not like his mother's. Well, I can not wait to taste his mother's someday because this stuff was the russian bomb diggity yo. (queue cheezy Russian Video in background)
If anyone wants to go back with me, I am totally game, whether the boy wants to go or not. The waiter was telling us about a Russian Restaurant in Brighton Beach where the floor is one gigantic aquarium you walk on. I wonder if they also have those pimp shoes with the little aquariums in the heels......hmmmmm....I sense a trip to Brooklyn on the Horizon. First I must get a black leather jacket and sunglasses, a half shirt might not be a bad idea either..........
What Position?
The Germans Are Coming!
So the boy's parents friends are in from Germany. I tell the boy, sure! have them over, they can stay here or just stop in for some nosh and drinks....no problem! For anyone who knows ANYTHING about Germans, they are punctual and exacting. Being late is a national crime punishable by having to drive in the right lane on the autobahn in a Yugo.
So, 4pm Sunday we get ready to welcome Dieter and Elke (real names not used to protect the innocent). I prep a tray of tea sandwiches, peppers and cheese, a selection of champagne, beers, teas, etc.....we are ready to roll. 4:15pm, no word, no call no sign. 4:30pm, the boy is getting hungry, he knows of all the food in the fridge. 4:45pm, we start discussing eating what we prepared. 4:46pm my girlfriend, her special doberman pinscher Weber and her two awesome little boys stop in for a quick hello before they head back out to western pennsylvania. 5:00pm, no Germans, bust out the food, start chowing. 5:15pm Weber, who hasn't been able to poo in days decides the middle of my great room floor is the optimal spot and hello poopy. 5:17pm, "ALLO? ALLO?, I hear from the front door, I ask the hubs and everyone in the room, if they hear it. With all the commotion no one else did, and I am scrubbing up poo. Everyone runs to the front door to find the Germans. They walk in and find me on my hands and knees wiping up poopy with a bag of it next to me. "Hungry? I ask." I bet none of you ever thought for a moment that the optimal position to meet a person is on your hands and knees with poopie bags. So chic. So circus. So me.
Their reaction, so German. So, we get settled, my friend packs up the kiddies and we sit to eat. The first thing out of the Germans mouths are, "Could you tell us a good place to eat?" RIGHT. What about all the food in front of you? OK, I see how this is going to go. She then asks for coffee, so I have to drag out the maker. I of course don't put enough beans in and it comes out like water. Elke drinks it, but I can see it goes down like razor blades. Instead of speaking to us in English, they spent the next 30 minutes speaking in German to the boy. Ahhhhhh...... He did tell me they asked multiple times about our ages. We are the same age as the boy's parents, but apparently look much younger. They could not believe how old we were. What that has to do with the price of Turnips in Bangladesh is far beyond me.........
We sent them to our local restaurant that we love so dearly, the boy went with them. During the time they were there, another girlfriend of mine and her dog dropped by and we were imbibing on the back patio whent hey pulled up. Can you imagine what they are thinking? Who are these "20 somethings" that do nothing but eat, drink and hang out with dogs?
Pancake Update
So the great love of pancakes continues. I have now introduced the boy to Blueberry pancakes, which I still make him every morning before school. Who am I? What is my name? I am compelled to make this boy breakfast every morning. I shoo away my husband when he tries to interfere. The boy is 17 and perfectly capable, but I am defending my breakfast turf with the boy. Whether he is doing it because he reads the blogs or now, he comments the whole way through his Pancakes on how much he loves them. I am cheap and easy, and I will take that.....
Googling Cybil
He also finally found out who Cybil is. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! 13 personalities. He googled it, he googles everything. He now asks me for my phone while we are out so he can randomly google.
So the boy's parents friends are in from Germany. I tell the boy, sure! have them over, they can stay here or just stop in for some nosh and drinks....no problem! For anyone who knows ANYTHING about Germans, they are punctual and exacting. Being late is a national crime punishable by having to drive in the right lane on the autobahn in a Yugo.
So, 4pm Sunday we get ready to welcome Dieter and Elke (real names not used to protect the innocent). I prep a tray of tea sandwiches, peppers and cheese, a selection of champagne, beers, teas, etc.....we are ready to roll. 4:15pm, no word, no call no sign. 4:30pm, the boy is getting hungry, he knows of all the food in the fridge. 4:45pm, we start discussing eating what we prepared. 4:46pm my girlfriend, her special doberman pinscher Weber and her two awesome little boys stop in for a quick hello before they head back out to western pennsylvania. 5:00pm, no Germans, bust out the food, start chowing. 5:15pm Weber, who hasn't been able to poo in days decides the middle of my great room floor is the optimal spot and hello poopy. 5:17pm, "ALLO? ALLO?, I hear from the front door, I ask the hubs and everyone in the room, if they hear it. With all the commotion no one else did, and I am scrubbing up poo. Everyone runs to the front door to find the Germans. They walk in and find me on my hands and knees wiping up poopy with a bag of it next to me. "Hungry? I ask." I bet none of you ever thought for a moment that the optimal position to meet a person is on your hands and knees with poopie bags. So chic. So circus. So me.
Their reaction, so German. So, we get settled, my friend packs up the kiddies and we sit to eat. The first thing out of the Germans mouths are, "Could you tell us a good place to eat?" RIGHT. What about all the food in front of you? OK, I see how this is going to go. She then asks for coffee, so I have to drag out the maker. I of course don't put enough beans in and it comes out like water. Elke drinks it, but I can see it goes down like razor blades. Instead of speaking to us in English, they spent the next 30 minutes speaking in German to the boy. Ahhhhhh...... He did tell me they asked multiple times about our ages. We are the same age as the boy's parents, but apparently look much younger. They could not believe how old we were. What that has to do with the price of Turnips in Bangladesh is far beyond me.........
We sent them to our local restaurant that we love so dearly, the boy went with them. During the time they were there, another girlfriend of mine and her dog dropped by and we were imbibing on the back patio whent hey pulled up. Can you imagine what they are thinking? Who are these "20 somethings" that do nothing but eat, drink and hang out with dogs?
Pancake Update
So the great love of pancakes continues. I have now introduced the boy to Blueberry pancakes, which I still make him every morning before school. Who am I? What is my name? I am compelled to make this boy breakfast every morning. I shoo away my husband when he tries to interfere. The boy is 17 and perfectly capable, but I am defending my breakfast turf with the boy. Whether he is doing it because he reads the blogs or now, he comments the whole way through his Pancakes on how much he loves them. I am cheap and easy, and I will take that.....
Googling Cybil
He also finally found out who Cybil is. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! 13 personalities. He googled it, he googles everything. He now asks me for my phone while we are out so he can randomly google.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tag Teaming To Get The Boy Out The Door.....
The 6am Ralphie alarm is not proving to be enough to wake the boy up these past few days. We are only in our first full week of school, and for the most part, he is the walking dead. Although he came home pretty energized yesterday, that energy definitely did not carry over to the morning.
Da hubs and I have been working on a routine without even knowing it, to get this kid out da door without him getting a late pass for homeroom at school. He has played the poor exchange student card a couple of times and that is only going to go so far.
5am, I get up and get ready to go running with Crazy 1 and Crazy 2. This is to avoid anymore furniture mauling incidents. Plus it keeps me in better shape. I Facebook of course, then take the girls out to haul around the neighborhood. I come back @ 6 and release the hounds into the chamber of the sleeping Cybil. 6:20, Da hubs goes back upstairs to remind Cybil that school and waking up are not an option and that he best get his ass outta bed. 6:30, Cybil emerges, bounces off some walls into the bathroom. I make lunch sandwiches, Da Hubs makes pancakes. 6:45 Cybil finally done in the shower, so I can jump in. 6:55 Da Hubs and I make the daily shopping list. Outta meat again.
7am Cybil now turns into boy we all know, eats pancakes, grabs lunch, piles into car, and off to school we go. Boy now in school to be picked up around 6pm......all to be done again tomorrow........
Da hubs and I have been working on a routine without even knowing it, to get this kid out da door without him getting a late pass for homeroom at school. He has played the poor exchange student card a couple of times and that is only going to go so far.
5am, I get up and get ready to go running with Crazy 1 and Crazy 2. This is to avoid anymore furniture mauling incidents. Plus it keeps me in better shape. I Facebook of course, then take the girls out to haul around the neighborhood. I come back @ 6 and release the hounds into the chamber of the sleeping Cybil. 6:20, Da hubs goes back upstairs to remind Cybil that school and waking up are not an option and that he best get his ass outta bed. 6:30, Cybil emerges, bounces off some walls into the bathroom. I make lunch sandwiches, Da Hubs makes pancakes. 6:45 Cybil finally done in the shower, so I can jump in. 6:55 Da Hubs and I make the daily shopping list. Outta meat again.
7am Cybil now turns into boy we all know, eats pancakes, grabs lunch, piles into car, and off to school we go. Boy now in school to be picked up around 6pm......all to be done again tomorrow........
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Bandages, Ice Packs, Broken Shower Heads & Exhaustion
I am back from Paris, so the blogging can commence!
My trip to Paris kicked off with a broken dishwasher, thought we got it fixed only to have the little wires and nut catch on fire after I left. I get to talk about that mess in Paris because I can effectively manage that situation over there. GRRRRRREAAAAATTTTT. Also prior to leaving for my trip, the boy comes home wrapped in Saran Wrap with an Ice Pack on his shoulder. EVEN BETTAH. He has ripped something up in his arm, and now he gets a bit of a reprieve from practice.
THEN I get the call that while our guy is downstairs,(I am in Paris) VirginiaBirginia is upstairs dismantling my chair because she knows there is wood to chew somewhere in that gigantic blue chew toy that mommy sat in, but has been gone a few days. Does mommy really deserve to have a seat when she gets back since she left me? Apparently NOT. (I am still in Paris at this point) Eh, meh, I sat on a plane for 8 hours, who needs to relax after that?
So the boy has now been assigned as a Defensive End for his football team and learning how to hit at practices has finally begun. How in the samhill did he end up Saran Wrapped if he wasn't already hitting? Just askin. Looking forward to tonight's pickup. Considering our morning started off with VirginiaBirginia strangely wiggling around and looking up at the shower as I started to run the water. Had I noticed the rainfall deflecting off my ceiling from the sprouting showerhead I might have figured it out quicker, rather than sliding across the wet floor. REALLY? Yes, really. Welcome home.
Changes After 4 Days
The boy walks in after I have been away for 4 days and he looks different already. REALLY? Yes really, I can hear the improvement in his English accent, he is tanner and I can see him filling out a bit from the bazillion Oreo cookies he consumes in a day and football practice. I should go to Paris more often to experience this rush of Awe. AND, during our breakfast chat this morning he informed me he all of the sudden started dreaming in English! The change is happening! WooHoo!
This is all starting as I will begin my Russian classes on Monday nights next week. I am hellbent on being able to communicate with his family, and "pick out Russians" on the street as he always does. It is a bit of a game we have when we are in a city. Who is the German? Who is the Russian? He is far more adept than I.
Food
Have you ever seen a kid head down to do their homework with two chewy bars and a bag of Oreos? Not only is he obsessed with the double stuff variety, da hubs found the snack pack ones for his lunch bag. His excitement over these little packs is hilarious. He loves them, but you have to hear his emphasis to truly appreciate his affection for the cookie packs. I had know idea they could generate such bliss. This is after dinner where I try to load him up with Protein. He has also found a new addiction to the Green Gatorade. The trips to Costco start tonight. Da Hubs had to run to the grocery store last night at 9pm for more meat and oreo cookies.
Following the Handbook
So the handbook did say that he would be exhausted, and oh law......how that has set in. He looked like he crawled out of a crypt this morning. Although he tells me "he does not know who this boy is that wakes up" I recognize him immediately as the skeleton from "Creep Show". This of course is all fixed with Chocolate Chip Pancakes (he's still eatin them) and Green Gatorade.
My trip to Paris kicked off with a broken dishwasher, thought we got it fixed only to have the little wires and nut catch on fire after I left. I get to talk about that mess in Paris because I can effectively manage that situation over there. GRRRRRREAAAAATTTTT. Also prior to leaving for my trip, the boy comes home wrapped in Saran Wrap with an Ice Pack on his shoulder. EVEN BETTAH. He has ripped something up in his arm, and now he gets a bit of a reprieve from practice.
THEN I get the call that while our guy is downstairs,(I am in Paris) VirginiaBirginia is upstairs dismantling my chair because she knows there is wood to chew somewhere in that gigantic blue chew toy that mommy sat in, but has been gone a few days. Does mommy really deserve to have a seat when she gets back since she left me? Apparently NOT. (I am still in Paris at this point) Eh, meh, I sat on a plane for 8 hours, who needs to relax after that?
So the boy has now been assigned as a Defensive End for his football team and learning how to hit at practices has finally begun. How in the samhill did he end up Saran Wrapped if he wasn't already hitting? Just askin. Looking forward to tonight's pickup. Considering our morning started off with VirginiaBirginia strangely wiggling around and looking up at the shower as I started to run the water. Had I noticed the rainfall deflecting off my ceiling from the sprouting showerhead I might have figured it out quicker, rather than sliding across the wet floor. REALLY? Yes, really. Welcome home.
Changes After 4 Days
The boy walks in after I have been away for 4 days and he looks different already. REALLY? Yes really, I can hear the improvement in his English accent, he is tanner and I can see him filling out a bit from the bazillion Oreo cookies he consumes in a day and football practice. I should go to Paris more often to experience this rush of Awe. AND, during our breakfast chat this morning he informed me he all of the sudden started dreaming in English! The change is happening! WooHoo!
This is all starting as I will begin my Russian classes on Monday nights next week. I am hellbent on being able to communicate with his family, and "pick out Russians" on the street as he always does. It is a bit of a game we have when we are in a city. Who is the German? Who is the Russian? He is far more adept than I.
Food
Have you ever seen a kid head down to do their homework with two chewy bars and a bag of Oreos? Not only is he obsessed with the double stuff variety, da hubs found the snack pack ones for his lunch bag. His excitement over these little packs is hilarious. He loves them, but you have to hear his emphasis to truly appreciate his affection for the cookie packs. I had know idea they could generate such bliss. This is after dinner where I try to load him up with Protein. He has also found a new addiction to the Green Gatorade. The trips to Costco start tonight. Da Hubs had to run to the grocery store last night at 9pm for more meat and oreo cookies.
Following the Handbook
So the handbook did say that he would be exhausted, and oh law......how that has set in. He looked like he crawled out of a crypt this morning. Although he tells me "he does not know who this boy is that wakes up" I recognize him immediately as the skeleton from "Creep Show". This of course is all fixed with Chocolate Chip Pancakes (he's still eatin them) and Green Gatorade.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The First Day of School
WOW! The first day of school came up right quick! How we ended up running out the door, with just a few minutes to spare is absolutely beyond me. Oh, right, he is 17. THAT's what happened.
The Perfect Storm
I was off Friday, I logged into my work email this morning to find a significant issue that triggered phone calls starting at 7am. I am a bit frantic at this point. The kid has to get up at 7:30 so we have enough time to deal with the morning Cybil, get showered, fed, lunch made and out the door. We needed to leave by 9am to get him there early enough to find his way around, get settled and be in his seat for the 9:28 bell. We were running out the door at 9:15. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? I had time to make him and show him how to make his French Toast, thinking all was right with the world....needle off the record..........
Last night I had asked multiple times, "So, you will need to take a notebook to school and maybe some folders because you will be getting a lot of papers." He responds, "Oh yes, yes." I make the assumption (foolishly) that said notebook and folders, and a writing utensil are in his bookbag. Here is what was in his bookbag: first, all of the tags that came on the bookbag (never were removed), second EVERY folder, notebook, pen, eraser, loose leaf paper, trapper keeper, sharpener, pen case, protractor we bought him to get through school. The boy arrived on the 26th and at 9:06 am (10 days later) we were ripping the tags off, emptying out book covers, et al...and he is fiddling with his lock for his locker which is still in the package. 10 days. 10 DAYS! So while I am sorting out pens, paper, folders and notebooks, he is setting his lock.
We get to school in time for the 9:28 bell, he goes in...I am nervous as all get out for him...and then I get a text at work 15 mins later. "I'm sitting in the cafeteria now, school starts at 9:58...I don't know why we thought it will start at 9:28...but there are a lot of other students who were here too early....so my cell phone is almost dead...so just pick me up after football....." BWAHAHAHAHAHA! I had a friend say to me this morning that the more she reads this blog, the more she believes this boy was supposed to be in our lives.
Just a side note: the school calendar did in fact say 9:28 first bell........I screw a lot of stuff up on epic proportions at time but not this......no siree.
The Perfect Storm
I was off Friday, I logged into my work email this morning to find a significant issue that triggered phone calls starting at 7am. I am a bit frantic at this point. The kid has to get up at 7:30 so we have enough time to deal with the morning Cybil, get showered, fed, lunch made and out the door. We needed to leave by 9am to get him there early enough to find his way around, get settled and be in his seat for the 9:28 bell. We were running out the door at 9:15. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? I had time to make him and show him how to make his French Toast, thinking all was right with the world....needle off the record..........
Last night I had asked multiple times, "So, you will need to take a notebook to school and maybe some folders because you will be getting a lot of papers." He responds, "Oh yes, yes." I make the assumption (foolishly) that said notebook and folders, and a writing utensil are in his bookbag. Here is what was in his bookbag: first, all of the tags that came on the bookbag (never were removed), second EVERY folder, notebook, pen, eraser, loose leaf paper, trapper keeper, sharpener, pen case, protractor we bought him to get through school. The boy arrived on the 26th and at 9:06 am (10 days later) we were ripping the tags off, emptying out book covers, et al...and he is fiddling with his lock for his locker which is still in the package. 10 days. 10 DAYS! So while I am sorting out pens, paper, folders and notebooks, he is setting his lock.
We get to school in time for the 9:28 bell, he goes in...I am nervous as all get out for him...and then I get a text at work 15 mins later. "I'm sitting in the cafeteria now, school starts at 9:58...I don't know why we thought it will start at 9:28...but there are a lot of other students who were here too early....so my cell phone is almost dead...so just pick me up after football....." BWAHAHAHAHAHA! I had a friend say to me this morning that the more she reads this blog, the more she believes this boy was supposed to be in our lives.
Just a side note: the school calendar did in fact say 9:28 first bell........I screw a lot of stuff up on epic proportions at time but not this......no siree.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Barbecues, Family and Finding a Routine
When the boy gets up, he's not a happy boy. In fact he has explained to me that the boy that gets up really is not him, it is another person. Cybil? Having to wake up this morning at 6am for this all day practice for football (of which I am still not doing a good job of refraining from commentary) was a joy. We have gotten into the habit of just sending the dogs in while we peer around the door for our own safety. He ensured us that he is now in school mode and ready for the early wake up calls. I know it is going to be a challenge for him, cuz he settled in pretty quickly and after day 3, he was making it until almost 11am everyday. Oh, to be a teenager again. I want to make it to daylight, or past 6am at least........
He got to meet da Hubs family yesterday and aside from being a blond 6'4" Russian, you would never know he is not blood family. He found out that he loves real grilled hamburgers and yellow mustard of all things. My nieces and nephews took to him immediately, they are happy to have a new cousin in their lives. It actually warmed my heart to see their little eyes crane back to see up to their very, very tall cousin.
I am having a bit of a hard time dealing with school starting tomorrow. I have grown so accustomed to having him around, and I know it will be fleeting glimpses at feeding, or when I am down the basement running. I know why his mom misses him so much, he really is such a good kid. We had our breakfast tea and pancakes this morning, sitting at the breakfast bar, looking up words to translate, and he even pulled up and played the Soviet Union National Anthem for me. Nothing like a little Stalin to start your day off right.
He got to meet da Hubs family yesterday and aside from being a blond 6'4" Russian, you would never know he is not blood family. He found out that he loves real grilled hamburgers and yellow mustard of all things. My nieces and nephews took to him immediately, they are happy to have a new cousin in their lives. It actually warmed my heart to see their little eyes crane back to see up to their very, very tall cousin.
I am having a bit of a hard time dealing with school starting tomorrow. I have grown so accustomed to having him around, and I know it will be fleeting glimpses at feeding, or when I am down the basement running. I know why his mom misses him so much, he really is such a good kid. We had our breakfast tea and pancakes this morning, sitting at the breakfast bar, looking up words to translate, and he even pulled up and played the Soviet Union National Anthem for me. Nothing like a little Stalin to start your day off right.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Getting Your Text On.....
It has become a little game of ours now. At random points of the day I try to guess the number of texts that have come through. Sometimes its 12, 32, 84, 150.......... Far be it for me not to be completely sarcastic about the situation, and call it out whenever I feel it necessary. (Every time the appendage comes out of his pocket)
Last night we were at a celebration party for a US Marine. He had just graduated from boot camp, it was a great thing to be a part of, and kewl for our guy to meet someone who commands our respect. All of my gal pals from our workout boot camp were there and for a moment I would like to comment on these ladies. Never in my life have I met such a strong, successful and non-bitchy group of women. They rally, they cheer, they support unconditionally and I am so fortunate to call them friends. They also know when to get in on the act and bombard my exchange guy with about 100 texts at once. I started handing out his cell number to all of them, and it was game on after that ;) Heh Heh Heh. For the next 45 mins he was trying to piece together who sent what, since we were all sitting together at the same picnic table and area. He was very flustered, but finally put faces with phone numbers and saved them into his phone. Not only were we having fun, but now the boy has the strongest list imaginable should he not be able to get in contact with da hubs or I. He now has the gals, and that makes him one lucky boy.
Now, to deal with that darn Prosecco truck that drove over me last night and left me in the middle of the road. Da hubs just said to make it known, he pulled me to the curb. Big shouts to da hubs.
Last night we were at a celebration party for a US Marine. He had just graduated from boot camp, it was a great thing to be a part of, and kewl for our guy to meet someone who commands our respect. All of my gal pals from our workout boot camp were there and for a moment I would like to comment on these ladies. Never in my life have I met such a strong, successful and non-bitchy group of women. They rally, they cheer, they support unconditionally and I am so fortunate to call them friends. They also know when to get in on the act and bombard my exchange guy with about 100 texts at once. I started handing out his cell number to all of them, and it was game on after that ;) Heh Heh Heh. For the next 45 mins he was trying to piece together who sent what, since we were all sitting together at the same picnic table and area. He was very flustered, but finally put faces with phone numbers and saved them into his phone. Not only were we having fun, but now the boy has the strongest list imaginable should he not be able to get in contact with da hubs or I. He now has the gals, and that makes him one lucky boy.
Now, to deal with that darn Prosecco truck that drove over me last night and left me in the middle of the road. Da hubs just said to make it known, he pulled me to the curb. Big shouts to da hubs.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Football.
It's the sport of kings.....better than diamond rings....FOOT-BALL.
Well, the kid is doing it, and if I do say so myself, he is looking very Kewl in his uniform. We went to his first ever American Football game last night and it was against CB West. Quite the formidable opponent, but the kids did great. They ended up losing, but like he said, "they had some great plays." After the first quarter they put up a heck of a fight. I think the score ended up being 42-36. (We left at end of third)
He came home last night after intently watching the game....he didn't look in the stands once for us.....and said "I get this game now." Bright boy. He is now learning what it really means to play American Football. Things like: 1. No talking on the bus after a loss. 2. The smell of the locker room. 3. The smell of the bus. 4. Labor Day shot because coach called a practice from 7:30am-6pm on Monday. (My fury over this last one is palpable and the string of commentary in my head will remain there)
I, on the other hand was meeting the parents in the stands. Apparently I will be a great volunteer, I am quite young and should start having children, and I should join the boosters. All suggestions within an hour of talking to the absolutely FABULOUS mom who was sitting next to me. It was fun and overwhelming and a little to "pro-establishment", but this is what we do for our kids, right? Now, PTA meetings (do they really have those or was it just the Harper Valley?) not sure if I can stomach that. I have a tendency to be unfiltered when it comes to nonsense and my fear of being ostracized within a week of school starting because of my gums flapping is a real threat. So, I will leave that to these pages.
On to weekend #2, Day 9. I am starting the laundry and washing his uniform as I type. We have now shifted from feeding the beast to washing the clothes. We had a 10pm stop off at the grocery store to re-load on Pop-Tarts, a new found obsession.
Well, the kid is doing it, and if I do say so myself, he is looking very Kewl in his uniform. We went to his first ever American Football game last night and it was against CB West. Quite the formidable opponent, but the kids did great. They ended up losing, but like he said, "they had some great plays." After the first quarter they put up a heck of a fight. I think the score ended up being 42-36. (We left at end of third)
He came home last night after intently watching the game....he didn't look in the stands once for us.....and said "I get this game now." Bright boy. He is now learning what it really means to play American Football. Things like: 1. No talking on the bus after a loss. 2. The smell of the locker room. 3. The smell of the bus. 4. Labor Day shot because coach called a practice from 7:30am-6pm on Monday. (My fury over this last one is palpable and the string of commentary in my head will remain there)
I, on the other hand was meeting the parents in the stands. Apparently I will be a great volunteer, I am quite young and should start having children, and I should join the boosters. All suggestions within an hour of talking to the absolutely FABULOUS mom who was sitting next to me. It was fun and overwhelming and a little to "pro-establishment", but this is what we do for our kids, right? Now, PTA meetings (do they really have those or was it just the Harper Valley?) not sure if I can stomach that. I have a tendency to be unfiltered when it comes to nonsense and my fear of being ostracized within a week of school starting because of my gums flapping is a real threat. So, I will leave that to these pages.
On to weekend #2, Day 9. I am starting the laundry and washing his uniform as I type. We have now shifted from feeding the beast to washing the clothes. We had a 10pm stop off at the grocery store to re-load on Pop-Tarts, a new found obsession.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Makin Breakfast
Simple things in life are often right in front of us, but because we are so pre-occupied we miss the chance to embrace them. The neatest thing has happened between our guy and me. I have found the greatest joy making him breakfast. He has grown a penchant for pancakes and now french toast. It is the sweetest thing in the world to ask him what he wants and the glint in his eye when he says french toast or pancakes. We chat while I cook and he sits at the bar. It has become our own little routine. He savors every bite, its a joy to watch. We chat about stuff. Nothing earth shattering or important, just stuff. With school starting, these moments will probably be limited to weekends, but I will take them, we only have him for 10 months.
He has been here a full week now and it keeps getting better.
He dresses for his first American Football game tonight, at all places....CB West. I can't imagine what a rush it will be to run out on the field with all the fans, cheerleaders, and other players. He has only been practicing two days and he still seems to love it. What a kid. The fact that he is on the sidelines means no valium for me, but I can't wait to see him all suited up. I REALLY wish I had a longer lense on my camera to capture him as best as I can. I will be that complete moron parent cheering and taking pictures......gotta capture these first moments....lest we forget the sweetness of them.
He has been here a full week now and it keeps getting better.
He dresses for his first American Football game tonight, at all places....CB West. I can't imagine what a rush it will be to run out on the field with all the fans, cheerleaders, and other players. He has only been practicing two days and he still seems to love it. What a kid. The fact that he is on the sidelines means no valium for me, but I can't wait to see him all suited up. I REALLY wish I had a longer lense on my camera to capture him as best as I can. I will be that complete moron parent cheering and taking pictures......gotta capture these first moments....lest we forget the sweetness of them.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
And From The Depths, The Teenager Emerges.....
@80+ texts per day
Football practice that starts off with, "Can't you drink beer legally over there?"
Texting through an entire Union Soccer match
The eating has begun
Well, Football practice began yesterday and for all of my trepidation, the kid did great. He apparently is going to play defense and get to "kick the quarterback's ass" I can live with that. I have to hand it to this kid, that takes some serious cajones to go our for American Football when you think the quarterback is the receiver.
Since his cell phone is an appendage, I informed him they have to stay in his locker all day at school. Then I really handed out the beat down. No cell phone during school (8 hours), then 3 hours of football practice, which brings us to after 6pm, then homework. His face said it all. This unlimited texting thing is unheard of in Germany, so now that he and his friends (other exchange students, who all have the same carriers) have this option, it is an obsession. He speaks three languages a day. Russian to his family, German Texting and English to the rest of us. I find it amazing quite frankly. I am still in awe of this kid and his spirit, but he is so 17. I have roast in the oven now so it we can just heat it up tonight to feed the beast when he gets home from practice. ME? ROAST? really?
And so the new routine begins, practice, taxi service, actually thinking about dinner and all the rest that comes with having a 17 year old boy in your house. Heaven help me.
Football practice that starts off with, "Can't you drink beer legally over there?"
Texting through an entire Union Soccer match
The eating has begun
Well, Football practice began yesterday and for all of my trepidation, the kid did great. He apparently is going to play defense and get to "kick the quarterback's ass" I can live with that. I have to hand it to this kid, that takes some serious cajones to go our for American Football when you think the quarterback is the receiver.
Since his cell phone is an appendage, I informed him they have to stay in his locker all day at school. Then I really handed out the beat down. No cell phone during school (8 hours), then 3 hours of football practice, which brings us to after 6pm, then homework. His face said it all. This unlimited texting thing is unheard of in Germany, so now that he and his friends (other exchange students, who all have the same carriers) have this option, it is an obsession. He speaks three languages a day. Russian to his family, German Texting and English to the rest of us. I find it amazing quite frankly. I am still in awe of this kid and his spirit, but he is so 17. I have roast in the oven now so it we can just heat it up tonight to feed the beast when he gets home from practice. ME? ROAST? really?
And so the new routine begins, practice, taxi service, actually thinking about dinner and all the rest that comes with having a 17 year old boy in your house. Heaven help me.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Letter......
Exchange students have to write a "Host Family" letter. This letter helps the host families decide which child would hopefully be the right fit for their family. My heart melted away when I read his letter, he had me at "But the USA was always just a "dream." But soon my dream will come true." I had fallen for this kid, he was to be our host son.
A day before our guy arrived, I was set up to Skype with our guy and we were exchanging Skype accounts. His screenname comes over and it has the word "kill" in it. NICE, I have now signed on to house a very tall psycho from Germany. Moments of panic set in, and obviously I am still the crazy (verruckt) one in the house. I do crazy really well.......
But all of this got me thinking prior to his arrival. What if these kids are so bright that they BS their way through their letters just to get out of their country for a year. I know I would. Through our 5 days together so far, I picked up on some inconsistencies between his letter and what we talk about. Like for instance, "At Saturday, we go to the cinema or to the swimming bath." SCREEEEEECH........ cinema: yes, swimming baths: no. I asked him flat out if he liked swimming because he said so in his letter. <crickets> <blank stare> uh-oh.
We burst out laughing and I asked him if he was BS'ing his way through his letter. Apparently the idea for swimming baths came off the internet and Google translator. As did " So at home I am more a help than a load." His "card playing" every Friday night, yeah, Poker with his buddies. I am waiting for the ascot and cigar to come out soon. I truly love this boy and know we could not have had made a better decision in our lives to welcome him into our home and our family.
A day before our guy arrived, I was set up to Skype with our guy and we were exchanging Skype accounts. His screenname comes over and it has the word "kill" in it. NICE, I have now signed on to house a very tall psycho from Germany. Moments of panic set in, and obviously I am still the crazy (verruckt) one in the house. I do crazy really well.......
But all of this got me thinking prior to his arrival. What if these kids are so bright that they BS their way through their letters just to get out of their country for a year. I know I would. Through our 5 days together so far, I picked up on some inconsistencies between his letter and what we talk about. Like for instance, "At Saturday, we go to the cinema or to the swimming bath." SCREEEEEECH........ cinema: yes, swimming baths: no. I asked him flat out if he liked swimming because he said so in his letter. <crickets> <blank stare> uh-oh.
We burst out laughing and I asked him if he was BS'ing his way through his letter. Apparently the idea for swimming baths came off the internet and Google translator. As did " So at home I am more a help than a load." His "card playing" every Friday night, yeah, Poker with his buddies. I am waiting for the ascot and cigar to come out soon. I truly love this boy and know we could not have had made a better decision in our lives to welcome him into our home and our family.
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