expat on the go...

THERE'S A GUY...

There's a guy in our village that stole A LOT of money out of his clients' accounts.   There was an article in the New York Times about him yesterday.  They (his lawyers, I presume), said he was depressed and suffered from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and that is the reason he stole all that money.  I don't know about you, but that really got my goat!

When Tiger Woods's scandal came to light, my sister said,  "Watch them blame it on him being a 'sex addict'".    Lo and behold, he's in rehab for sex addiction!!!

Can't anyone take responsibility for their actions anymore, without 'blaming' it on something or someone else?

Hey, I'm PMSing - watch out world!!!

THE LITTLE GUY

Yesterday was the 'Winter Concert' at the little guy's school.  He's in grade 4 and he plays the recorder.  Needless to say, he HATES it!  My neighbor called me yesterday morning to let me know that the Winter Concert was that morning. 

I asked the little guy, "You didn't tell me it was the Winter Concert today?"  

The little guy, "I forgot.  Anyway, I don't want you to come!" 

Me, a little taken aback, "Why not?  I enjoy seeing you play an instrument!!"

Little guy, "OKAY!  You can come, but sit in the back row and DON'T look at me!!! "

Me, "Okay!"

Before the concert began - and, NO, I didn't sit in the back, because I was with my neighbor and she wanted to take pictures of her son - a few parents were discussing this particular issue!  Half of the moms said their child WANTED them to attend, do or die!  And the other half, either the kids couldn't have cared less or (as in my situation) the kids didn't want their parents to attend.  How do you explain that?

Oh, and yes, I did look at him!  He kept looking at me and pointing his finger to 'look away'.  I smiled and I winked at him.   

I wonder what would have been his reaction had I not showed up?  Does he know or expects me to show up?

It's another 'how a kid thinks' mystery!!!

IT'S SNOWING IN NEW JERSEY!

It's snowing in New Jersey.  That means 2 things:

1) I need to get going MUCH earlier, to get the kids to school on time.  As I was driving my son to school,  I couldn't brake (I was sliding everywhere), AND I saw 2 accidents.  You see, people have summer/4 season tires and no winter tires... hence, the slipping and sliding into everything!  I also have no winter tires, so I go at a speed of  8 - 12 mph.  Pretty scary and not very amusing!

2) I need to (and I already have) shoveled the sidewalk and walkway for anyone who will step on the sidewalk, in front of our house, or on the walkway to our house.  If by, 'chance', someone were to slip and slide on the sidewalk or our walkway - cha-ching, cha-ching - here come the lawyers!!!  I have also put salt on the driveway, the sidewalk, the walkway and the steps, leading to the house.  Phewww!  One less thing to worry about!

I'm hoping it won't start to rain, when I have to pick them up at 3pm!

Never a dull moment!

THE SHACK

Last night I went to Book Group.  We talked about the book, "The Shack", by Wm. Paul Young. 

It's the story of a man whose daughter gets kidnapped and killed.  A few years after the tragedy, a note, from God, appears in his mailbox.  God asks him to come to 'the shack', where his daughters' dress was found.  He goes to the shack and meets God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  A long discussion then takes place and hard questions are asked (and answered).

I'm not a 'religious' person and I found this book interesting.  At the book group, there were those who were not religious at all and hated the book - couldn't get passed the 'talking to God' aspect, while there were Catholics at the group that were a bit unnerved by some of the answers.  If you take this book with a grain of salt and tell yourself that it's a beautiful and inspiring story, you'll like it.  If you're able to take the 'religion' out of it and insert just plain common morality in it's place, you'll think this book is interesting and thought provoking.

I liked it, but I'll be frank, I don't think everyone will like it - especially the non-believing, skeptics and, at the other end of the spectrum, the church-believing people.   Again, take it with a grain of salt and you'll enjoy it.

Did it change my life?  NO.  Do I wish I could live my life like life is explained in the book?  YES.  Maybe I'll be more conscious of what I say and how I treat people... for a while!  Then I'll have to read the book again, to get the 'pep talk'.

PS:  The author is Canadian  ;)

	Printable Version

PRESENT LAUGHTER - THE PLAY

Remember, in December, when my sister came to visit from Toronto, we went to see a the play, "Wishful Drinking", with Carrie Fisher, at the Roundabout Theater in New York City. 

Well the theater called at the end of December to offer a discount on three plays for the 2010 season.  I took it because it will get the honey and I out of the house.  We rarely go out and I thought this would be a nice change of pace from the typical movie and restaurant.

The first play we saw was, "Perfect Laughter", at the American Airlines' Theater.  Victor Garber plays a middle-aged actor with a 'few' problems to say the least.  He has an ex-wife that 'sticks around', a young woman who would like to be his mistress and the wife of a friend who would definitely want some part of him, also. 

He craves attention and gets attention from all sides, but then acts 'annoyed' by all the attention - AND that is what makes the play quite funny.  I liked it.  It wasn't the best play I've seen, but it was entertaining.  The acting is stupendous.   The play takes place in the '20's and the set has an 'art-deco' style.  It is beautiful.

My honey, being quite 'active',  was moving around in his seat and told me that, "this 'art form' is passe, the pace is like reading a book".  

I think I need another theater partner!

The Official Airline of Roundabout

CHRISTMAS IN MONTREAL

Funny how, when you've left you're native country to go and live abroad, things change.  For example, my husband went to get wine at the SAQ (liquer store).  Once the transaction was done, my husband asked for a bag.  Of course, you have to realize that my husband speaks French, so no one would suspect that he hasn't lived in Montreal, Quebec for 13 years. 

The lady answered (in French, with a sassy attitude), "Mister, we haven't given bags out for 2 YEARS!"  To which he was so dumbstruck that he didn't say anything in response.  He left the liquer store, looking like a hobo, bottles in hand, no bag.

We did go to the Atwater market.  Somewhere I had never been before.  It was magnificent.  Here are a few pictures:

 

 

And what would a Montrealer do without going to the world famous, Schwartz's  (smoked meat place):  If you are lucky to be in the vacinity, order a smoked meat sandwich (medium - meaning medium fat, don't do the lean thing, it isn't as good), a cherry coke, pickle (normal - they also have the 1/2 and 1/2, it's ok), and some fries.  Then walk, walk, walk - burp, burp, burp ;)

 

Christmas at my honey's parents' house:

The kids:

 

Ahhhh sibling love!

My in-laws, with the little guy given his thumb up on grandma's 'buche de Noel':

 

My little honey with the other grandma (my mom) - they're nearly the same height ;) 

 

Lord help us - 'the Teen':

THE GRAVITY VAULT, NJ

My honey and the little guy went 'rock climbing' yesterday.   While in NYC, a few weeks ago, we stumbled upon a sports store that sold mountain climbing equipment, but for the winters climbs (!) - with the shoes with the 'pick ax' at the end and the heavy harnesses, etc... He told me he wanted a harness for Christmas, forget the X-box, legos, etc...  His beautiful blue eyes lit up, like I've never seen them light up.

The honey decided to take him 'wall climbing' to see if he would, indeed, like it.  He LOVED it!  He got a little scared on the last climb, but wants to go back and finish it.

Here are a few pictures:

 

 

Looks like he had fun!  He wants to go back on Sunday.  They have a group of youngsters that meet on Sundays.  Here's the info:

THE GRAVITY VAULT

107 Pleasant Ave, Upper Saddle River

(201) 934-ROCK (7625)

www.gravityvault.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

I cannot believe another year has gone by.  

I have spoken with many people and all agree that 2009 has not been their greatest year (in my case, to say the least!).  I am glad that this year is over and done with.  With my health problems, moving, getting renovations done to the house, having a teenage daughter ... Am I missing anything? 

Looking forward to the new year.  House is nearly completed, teenage daughter is getting older (and wiser, I hope!), health problems getting better.  Just being home is a comfort.  I have been an expat for 13 years.  Most times it has been quite exciting and exhilarating.  Sometimes it's just  very tiring and demanding.  I am just happy to be home.  I feel at home here and I feel comfortable and happy.

My honey is planning on doing the half Ironman, in New Orleans, in April.  It'll will be a nice 'couple getaway' for us.  He is planning on doing the Lake Placid Ironman, in July.  He is still exercising like crazy.

My little guy is doing well in school.  He is getting the help that he needs, with his dyslexia and dysgraphia.  We are always working on his ADHD, which will be a lifelong challenge for him.  He's my happy, go-lucky child.

As for me ... I will look for a job.  I haven't worked in a LONG time.  It's quite nerve racking to go back, when you haven't worked in many, many years.  I will let you know how that works out.

I have done a few knitting projects - I will take pictures soon.

I have read, books on Judy Garland, Jean Harlow and am now reading, "The Alchemist", by Paolo Coelho - quite interesting.

Talk soon...