Old School

It's a rare park these days that has the old-school tall metal slides. Seems like they've all been taken out and replaced with [in my opinion] inferior playground equipment.

Glad to know a few still exist; two dinosaurs surviving in modern times.









By the way, I keep waiting for summer to make it's appearance. I know it's still technically Spring and all, but my girls are just itching to go swimming and the weather is resisting. I keep telling myself, be patient, it will be hot soon enough - and then I'll be longing for cooler weather!

An International Potluck

I knew before I ever had children that I wanted them to be multi-lingual. Partly because I only speak one language and think it would be beneficial to know one or two more. And also because I thought it would be so adorable to hear my own children rambling on in a foreign tongue. So, to make my dream a reality, we enrolled our children in the Spanish dual language program at the public school (See last Friday's post). And - to throw a third language into the mix - Alexandra started studying French at The World Language House this past January.

Last night, The Language House hosted an international potluck. All the students from all the different classes came and brought food from another country.

All I can say is....yum.







And since we are being culturally aware here at The Far Side of Complexity today, how about another segment of....

Around the World with Jennifer



She is guest posting again today from the island of Bali:

Yesterday, Carole, my roommate said, "Jenn, let's go to the supermarket..." so we set off, not knowing how we were to get there or in what direction it was... I decided to stop at this food stand / home of a Balinese family and ask to borrow their motorbike/scooter. Well, nobody spoke English but finally a man came out that could discern that I wanted to rent his motorbike for one hour. He smiled, gave me the keys, the registration card, two helmets, and showed me how to work the lights and turn it on (because it was obvious I didn't know what I was doing). I asked, "how much?" and he replied "whatever you think." and away we went to the supermarket asking for directions along the way.

Families and individuals on motorbikes would drive up alongside us and yell, "where you going?!" and then point us in the right direction. The Balinese are so friendly and trusting and there is a general lack of the concept of ownership... Everything is on loan from the earth/god. He wasn't using his bike so he had no problem handing it over. Can you imagine handing over your car to some random foreigner who doesn't speak your language or know how to drive?! Ah, only in Bali :) when we got back we paid him the equivalent of half a days rental in the city. Then he insisted on giving us a ride back to our house on the beach.... Amazing. Probably the most fun I've ever had.

Jennifer arrives home to California next week. I am so excited to hear more about her adventures in Bali! And then next Friday....we're off to Italy!

Ciao!

Little Miss Muffet

The dangers of an outdoor ballet recital:



Along came a spider...



...who sat down beside her!



***
Never fear, Donald came to the rescue shortly thereafter and the rest of the evening looked something like this:




Bravo!!!

Images of the Last Day

When Lorelai walked out of school on Friday I could tell something was amiss. Her head was hung low and she was lacking that school's-out-for-the-summer sparkle that I was expecting. In fact, she looked much like she did on the first day of school last Fall - the day after she broke her arm (boy, oh boy was she out of sorts!).

But this time her sorrow was because she didn't want school to end.

"Summer's too long," she said.

Luckily, Alexandra was there to wrap her arms around her and offer some sisterly advice - how's she's been there before and how it will be okay, and how exciting it was that she was a 1st grader now-







- but the tears came anyway.

The Last Day of School!

At precisely 11:22 this morning my girls will be on summer holiday.

Let the fun begin!!

It's been a successful year for both of them. Alexandra has continued to become increasingly fluent in Spanish, and Lorelai - who didn't know any Spanish 9 months ago - can now read beginning books! Donald and I are incredibly proud of our daughters.

Lorelai Leigh - Kindergarten




Alexandra Louise - 2nd Grade

Smooches

They go in for the kiss...




...and...



...



"Whoa...what just happened?..."

Split

Allow me to take you back in time - to July of 2009. Elisabeth got her new helmet, size XXS.

It looked like a pearly pink eraser; smooth and beautiful:



***
Now we find ourselves in June of 2011 - almost 2 years later.

Elisabeth is still wearing that size XXS helmet (that's microcephaly for ya) - but it's taken a beating or two. In fact, a few days ago it finally split:





Too much head banging, I suppose.

Time to go helmet shopping....

***The Children's Developmental Center, where Elisabeth received therapy for her first 3 years of life, is in the running to win a new Toyota Sienna! Today is the only day to vote, so please, please take 1 minute out of your day to do so. This is a very deserving organization that has made a huge difference in not only Elisabeth's life, but the lives of thousands of children over the past 34 years. Thank you!!

Go here to vote: http://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/?ref=bookmarks

Spring Piano Recital 2011

The dress:





It was sewn by my mother-in-law, Susan. Did you notice the music notes on the fabric? Perfect!

The Hair:






My mom called last week and told me about a hair style she saw, where a braid wrapped halfway around the head into a side ponytail. I decided to give a go; how did I do, Mom? (By the way, this reminded me somewhat of the circle braid Lorelai wore to last years recital.)

The Piano:





And, of course,

the dessert:



Bravo, Lorelai!

Around the World with Jennifer

Welcome to a new series I will host on my blog titled,

Around the World
with
Jennifer

Jennifer - who I am proud to call my sister - is an archaeologist by profession; a female Indiana Jones, if you will (should we just call her Indiana Jenn??). Always off on an adventure of some sort, she's agreed to take us along for the ride, here at The Far Side of Complexity.

Today, she is guest posting from the Indonesian island of Bali:

Greetings from Bali!

Many of you may know Bali from Eat, Pray, Love or from Margaret Mead's famous anthropological work in the early/mid 1900's. What brings me to Bali is a yoga teacher training program. I've been here for 2 1/2 weeks and have 2 1/2 more to go. Here are a few tidbits on what is quickly becoming my favorite place in the world:

• Bali has THE BEST food. Everyone I've spoken to (all international and well traveled) agree on this point. Everything from traditional Balinese to raw food diets, organic, vegan, sushi, Indian.... you name it, the best of the best is in Bali. All fresh and healthy. (Unfortunately this means I'm putting on weight, lol).

• Every five feet you will get asked if you need a taxi. "Hello? Taxi? Yes? Taxi?" EVERY FIVE FEET, no joke.

• It is a huge rarity to hear an unkind word spoken, or even a mean look. People are just generally happy here.

• No matter how careful you are, you have a 50/50 chance of getting "Bali Belly" (AKA traveler's diarrhea) ...luck did not favor me on this one.

• Bali time. I seriously have no idea what day of the week it is... and that's a beautiful thing. Bali time is slow and relaxed. No worries. A half hour in Bali doesn't necessarily mean a half hour.

• Unlike most cultures, discounts are NOT given to friends/acquaintances. The more you get to know someone the more they hike up the price for their services/product. I'm still trying to figure out the logic on this one....

• There is tons to do here! Museums, Balinese dances, rafting, hiking, biking, snorkeling, visiting traditional healers, bathing baby elephants, bargain shopping, the best and CHEAPEST massages (maybe 10 bucks for an hour), surfing, and even a Jazz cafe.... the list goes on and on.

• Offerings of gratitude (or to ward off bad mojo) are everywhere: on the sidewalk, on statues, cars ...EVERYWHERE. At least three times a day the Balinese take the time to offer thanks in the manner of small food offerings on woven palm leaves and burning incense. How often do we Westerner's take the time to show thanks? Such a lovely practice to embrace.

• The Balinese LOVE flying kites. At any given time of day you can look up and see multiple kites flying. It reminds me of that wonderful last scene of Mary Poppins (both me and Lisa's favorite movie) in which everyone is flying a kite; a metaphor for taking the time to stop and enjoy life and to know what REALLY matters. So every time I see the kites in Bali it gives me a smile - maybe we should all be on "Bali time."

Thanks for letting me share my experience with you all! Bali is a lovely place and I will miss it when I leave.

p.s. If you're thinking of visiting, don't come smack in the middle of summer - I hear Bali is overrun with tourists and the traffic is ridiculous. Just don't come.

Miniature Emma

Is it just me, or is Lorelai looking more like Emma Watson (aka Hermione Granger) by the day?

It has me thinking back to her Halloween costume a few years back:



The perfect Hermione, indeed.