Passover and the Slippery Slope

When Henry sipped the grape juice at his pre-school Passover meal, he made a sour face. Katie was surprised since grape juice is one of the few non-McDonalds items Henry will voluntarily consume.

So Katie took a sip.

Wine.

Around that time, everyone else was catching on to the error and there was some scurrying about. I didn't see it and Katie didn't give a lot of detail, but my imagination of the moment makes me smile.

Bronte to Collins

Time is crawling.

3.7 million seconds. 63,000 minutes.

Just finished reading Jane Eyre for the first time (astonishingly good book). Now on to The Hunger Games. I must say it's a let down after Bronte, but it moves fast and I look forward to seeing the movie. I am hopeful it will still be in theaters in 44 days so I can see it with Katie.

Disney World plans are finalized. We have appointments for the kids to get gussied up as pirates (a pirate empress in Maddie's case--I'm glad they chose empress over wench). We have a dinner date with Cinderella et al.

The issue of the magic wand resurfaced. Maddie and Caleb were reportedly frustrated by the need to do chores when Maddie cheered the mood by reminding that they would obtain a magic wand while at Disney World and could thus ease the burden of housework (little do they know we already have such a magic wand in the form of an Egyptian housekeeper). But Caleb brought reality crashing down upon them when he lamented, "But we don't know the words for any spells."

Pining For Lawn Care Equipment

The weather in Islamabad in March is fantastic. Sunny. Mid-seventies. Gentle breeze.

They broke out the weed whackers at the embassy today. And I felt nostalgic...about weed whackers...really.

I remembered happy springs and summers in Idaho Falls where I worked mowing lawns and whacking weeds for my dad's property management business. Then it occurred to me that my kids, who will grow up in Egypt, will have no such recollections of weed whackers.

It occurred to me that my culture will be foreign to my children. My reaction to this is emotional confusion. I don't know how to feel about it but it certainly does not feel normal.

Nothing Ever Happens in Blaine

Give the source of my post title a look. Very funny.

Having achieved the doctor's acquiescence, I will begin running, slowly, tomorrow. So that's good, I think.

Meanwhile, I just broke the 5 million seconds barrier, which we all know is an important psychological milestone...or is it a millstone?

While not auditing, most free time is now absorbed getting all the paperwork, of which there is an astonishing lot, in place for transfer to Cairo.

New Hobby

I can't run anymore. I can barely walk fast. I tried just shooting hoops the other day. Not playing basketball. Not running to grab my missed shots, of which there were many. Just shooting, and then walking to the ball, which had usually stopped bouncing by the time I got there, and then shooting again. No good.

So my new hobby is interior design pursuant to the decoration of recently blogged Cairo apartment. Turns out, it's awesome.

I like thinking about what "spaces" we will need instead of how to decorate a particular room. What will that type of space need to be like? Which spaces can co-exist in the same room?

I'm working on creative space, spiritual space, family space, private space, play space, among others. I'm evaluating all of the mundane daily activities, where they will take place, how they can become artistic, and what should surround them. It is utterly fascinating and consuming.

As a huge fan of marketing and brands, I am having a great time imaging what brands can help enhance the desired effect of each space and each room. Creative: Apple and Lego. I am contemplating a kitchen inspired my M&Ms and Coca-Cola. Not overtly, of course, but I can't think of anything happier than M&Ms and Coca-Cola.

The art in the entry way will be an introduction to our family. The art in the dining room will evoke community. For the family space, I will find symbols of our traditions, heritage, and genealogy. And I want a lot of visual reminders that we are Americans.

This is super fun. And I have no doubt Katie will automatically agree to everything without question or debate.

Photos of Cairo House

The embassy sent us these photos of our home to be.

Some Photos of Islamabad

Abdomen Test

I was late for the shuttle to return home (home here is shorthand for "it's nothing like a home but it's where I live when I'm away from home") from the embassy today. So I was walking quickly, and feeling no pain. I was thus encouraged and gathered speed. Mistake. Pain. Slow walking. Stopping. Bending over.

The good news is the shuttle waited. The bad news is that I failed the abdomen test. I cannot even walk briskly. I am lame. I mean that in the literal sense, OK.

In other news, colleague gave me an outstanding spreadsheet that tells me how long I have left in Pakistan down to the second. I have something like 5.9 million seconds to go. It also shows a pie chart of time completed versus time remaining. I am 82% done. I feel 99% done, but don't tell my boss.

I can't seem to look away from my 5.9 million seconds in their methodical descent.