Thursday, June 17, 2010
by the way....
Just re read the blog below and thought I sounded rather calm and cheery. For the record, I thought I should ad that beneath the calm exterior, there is a ragaholic mad woman, running around. She is freaking out and feeling rather jittery - of course that could be because a 'good bye' coffee with a friend wasn't available in decaf and I am a 'caffeine pristine'. Either way, there is more adrenaline pumping around my body than is really necessary!
10, 9, 8, .....
Nearly time for take off. That is, a mere 10 hours is all that separates us from the air. Ten hours and a couple of loads of laundry, three bags to finish packing, a spot on the floor which needs cleaned (because the fact that you have already vacuumed today is irrelevant once muddy shoes come in from school) and dishes, fridge to be emptied and last minute 'things' to be cleared up; like paying a few bills and calling people in Britain re bookings.
Come to think of it....the only thing between now and take off which might not get done, is me going to bed!
Nah. I will get there - whether or not I sleep once I do, is another matter!
Last night the excitement really got to the kids as proximity made things feel real. Sam announced excitedly, "Wow, 12 hours of TV." Nice to know he's all about the cultural experience. This time next year when we cant afford a holiday to anywhere, at least we know how to make things exciting for the kids. We will just draw the lounge room curtains and let the kids watch movies for 12 hours.
I am feeling worried about the length of time that they will sit staring at the screen and am curious to see what sort of a zombiesh state they will be in when we arrive in Hong Kong. Personally, the thought of sitting down anywhere, doing nothing at all, is rather appealing. Ok. Very appealing. Look out movie channel, here we come....just ten more hours to get through!
Come to think of it....the only thing between now and take off which might not get done, is me going to bed!
Nah. I will get there - whether or not I sleep once I do, is another matter!
Last night the excitement really got to the kids as proximity made things feel real. Sam announced excitedly, "Wow, 12 hours of TV." Nice to know he's all about the cultural experience. This time next year when we cant afford a holiday to anywhere, at least we know how to make things exciting for the kids. We will just draw the lounge room curtains and let the kids watch movies for 12 hours.
I am feeling worried about the length of time that they will sit staring at the screen and am curious to see what sort of a zombiesh state they will be in when we arrive in Hong Kong. Personally, the thought of sitting down anywhere, doing nothing at all, is rather appealing. Ok. Very appealing. Look out movie channel, here we come....just ten more hours to get through!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
One step nearer
It has been an emotional day for me. We handed our beloved dog back to the breeder, where he will reside (and be pampered and spoilt) for the next three and a half months.
The lovely lady we bought him from seems very happy to have him back at home with her for a while - she did hand rear him, after all. We are grateful for her generosity, but I have serious concerns that on our return, he may turn his nose up at us and not want to come home....
His removal means that we can tidy the patio, and theoretically, it will remain tidy until we go. One step closer to feeling like the place is ready for us to head off. Meantime the house remains in an everchanging state of chaos. I think it was Phyllis Diller who said that, "Cleaning your house when the kids are still at home, is like shovelling the drive when it is still snowing". I hear you Phyllis. I hear you.
Yesterday it was two weeks exactly until we depart, and i estimate that we have organised approximately one third of our accommodation! Maybe this is why I feel strangely emotional a lot of the time....or maybe it is the fear that i keep having of being on the London Underground and not being able to get all three kids off the train at the station before the door shuts, whisking one of them away to who knows where with who knows whom. Sigh. Either way, the days keep flicking past and I know that as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, we will be boarding a plane before we know it....and everything will be alright.
Our bags will be packed, we will have our passports and our toothbrushes...it is just that the housesitter may not find things as neat as I would like, you see, it just keeps snowing.....
The lovely lady we bought him from seems very happy to have him back at home with her for a while - she did hand rear him, after all. We are grateful for her generosity, but I have serious concerns that on our return, he may turn his nose up at us and not want to come home....
His removal means that we can tidy the patio, and theoretically, it will remain tidy until we go. One step closer to feeling like the place is ready for us to head off. Meantime the house remains in an everchanging state of chaos. I think it was Phyllis Diller who said that, "Cleaning your house when the kids are still at home, is like shovelling the drive when it is still snowing". I hear you Phyllis. I hear you.
Yesterday it was two weeks exactly until we depart, and i estimate that we have organised approximately one third of our accommodation! Maybe this is why I feel strangely emotional a lot of the time....or maybe it is the fear that i keep having of being on the London Underground and not being able to get all three kids off the train at the station before the door shuts, whisking one of them away to who knows where with who knows whom. Sigh. Either way, the days keep flicking past and I know that as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, we will be boarding a plane before we know it....and everything will be alright.
Our bags will be packed, we will have our passports and our toothbrushes...it is just that the housesitter may not find things as neat as I would like, you see, it just keeps snowing.....
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Preparation time...
We are down to the time where we can count down days. It is no longer a case of, 'Next term,' or 'Next month,', we now say, 17 days.
Then we have a panic attack.
Then, when we can breathe normally, we start to think about all of the things we are going to see. The familiar faces and unfamiliar places. And it is exciting.
Then a child complains of a sore throat, another starts throwing up, and you are far too entrenched in the everyday, commonplace strains of survival to think of China or Europe...you just need to get through today.
And so, this is the manner in which our big adventure, slowly but surely, sneaks up on us.
Hope you join us on it, in as much as we can share,
fiona
Then we have a panic attack.
Then, when we can breathe normally, we start to think about all of the things we are going to see. The familiar faces and unfamiliar places. And it is exciting.
Then a child complains of a sore throat, another starts throwing up, and you are far too entrenched in the everyday, commonplace strains of survival to think of China or Europe...you just need to get through today.
And so, this is the manner in which our big adventure, slowly but surely, sneaks up on us.
Hope you join us on it, in as much as we can share,
fiona
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