tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91102704653458569182024-02-19T16:09:40.156-08:00Kant and KidsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-1120405327496150732016-03-18T04:01:00.000-07:002017-01-26T23:43:57.672-08:00O light, return to me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="SV">Lately, this
motivational phrase has been running through my head every morning when I wake
up, "March. Spring. Not much longer, now. I can do it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="SV"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="SV">I’ve never been a
person to get the blues, and I usually live my life enjoying the moment,
cherishing each day and what it brings. Although I’m not particularly unhappy
at the moment, this year, I’m really looking forward to the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="SV"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="SV">I feel like I</span>’ve
been running on fumes since September last year. The past fall and winter appear
as a never ending stream of weekdays, where morning fatigue never quite went
away until I’d drop down exhausted at the end of the day. Week after week went
by and ended in uneventful weekends around the house, because things needed
done, or someone was sick, or I just wanted to sleep. I feel like I spent more
time watching Netflix than hanging out with friends. Dinners and parties required more energy than I had; even mundane every day
things seemed daunting. I can count the days on one hand where I feel like I actually
accomplished something. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The darker months have an impact on mood and energy, but it
seems like this winter was longer than usual, even though it wasn’t very cold
or rainy. For me, I think the main reason was because I didn’t really have a
good summer last year. It was the first summer for as long as I can remember
that I didn’t travel anywhere, and although I had several beach moments, I
mainly worked. All. Summer. Hence, when fall came around, I didn’t start my descent
from that high summer peak, but rather, I started in the valley, without a
booster. As darkness and cold descended upon us, I had nothing to hold on to.</div>
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Still, I endured, and it’s almost over. Spring is here, with
Easter, and soon it will be May, and we will travel. All. Summer. And I will
refill my energy pool, and recharge my spirit, and nothing will seem daunting
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-69981041272097080742016-03-14T12:09:00.000-07:002016-03-14T12:09:01.835-07:00Grocery shopping in Beirut - Thank heavens for Spinney's Online Delivery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It’s a beautiful Monday morning, and somebody just had the
last of the milk that was in the fridge. But not to worry; my Spinneys delivery
is on its way: 16 bottles of milk, 8 bottles of juice, four boxes of cereal, 6
packages of pasta, four baguettes, three dozen eggs, four kilos of meat/fish, three bags of flour, and a ton of veggies and fruit. We should be all set
for the next week or so, with the help of frequent trips to the local produce
guy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am so thankful for the convenience of online grocery
shopping. It has transformed our lives! Since we don’t have a car here,
getting large quantities of food (I have four growing boys, remember?) into our
home would in the past involve dealing with taxi drivers in Arabic (not my
strongest language), trying to figure out the correct address, paying large
taxi fares, handling carts full of grocery bags, etc. not to mention the taxi driver's remarks when he'd see how much we bought (They must be really rich, right? Hello! We don't even have a car, and you do!) It wasn’t fun.
Sometimes I would be able to go shopping with my neighbor, who has a car, which
was like heaven. Mainly though, we had to spend an unpleasant afternoon every
two weeks or so, getting out food. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, I order online, and the next day, groceries are
delivered straight into my kitchen. Although I can’t get everything – there are
certain things I like to get that this store doesn’t carry – I can get most
things, and whatever else I need, I can walk up to one of the shops in Hamra
for. Or go with my neighbor to get. I don’t even have to have cash in the house, because the delivery men
bring a remote machine for payment by credit card. It’s simply perfect!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-76109041671520773022016-01-01T08:50:00.001-08:002016-01-01T08:50:37.363-08:00New year: new resolutions, new attempts, new energy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been thinking for a while that my life needs a reboot of some sorts, or at least a boost in a slightly different direction. I've been stuck in a rut, if you prefer I speak clich<span style="line-height: 107%;">é. And what better time to do this than the first day of the year?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My first step was to watch this short, but inspiring TED talk by Matt Cutts.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 15.6933px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe src="https://embed-ssl.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next, I'm working on a list of things I want to change/end or begin. So far, it contains the usual; diet, exercise, write more, read more, etc. but I'm also trying to think of things that I can add that would make my life more fun - like every-day fun. What would you add to your list?</span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-62604932457889108362015-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:002015-10-01T08:06:00.131-07:00Vomiting and dehydration in children - my experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was not the
first stomach bug to hit our family, and not the first time one of our children
got worryingly ill. We have some experience. Every time though, there’s always
that moment when you are uncertain about what to do, and you turn to consult
external sources. Like many other parents do when they are worried about their
children, we use the internet, however we are also fortunate enough to be
surrounded by a well-educated support network, including some medical doctors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">As most of you are
aware, the biggest concern when it comes to a stomach bug is dehydration, and s</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">evere
dehydration is very dangerous</span><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">. Our focus, therefore, was on determining how dehydrated our child was,
and at which point we would need to seek medical treatment (intravenous fluids).
</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please note, as any website will tell you:</span></span><b><i> if you are not sure about how dehydrated your child is, you should contact your doctor. </i></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I am
using a double moral here. Because, 1/ we did speak to at least one medical doctor friend, and
2/ the hospital here will almost ALWAYS use maximum intervention, in my (limited) experience. I knew that if we came into the ER with a sick child, even if his
dehydration was only modest, it would be treated with an IV, overnight hospital
stay, blood tests, and other invasive methods that would brutally bother our
already miserable child. So I wanted to make *really* sure I wasn’t overreacting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most articles or websites on dehydration in children will give you
a list of things (most of the below are from one of my books by my favorite
pediatrician, Dr. Sears) to look for, such as:</span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Dry or sticky mouth, chapped lips.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Dry, cool skin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Few or no tears when crying.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Eyes that look sunken into the head.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Lack of urine for 8-12 hours in an older child (or only a very
small amount of dark yellow urine)/ Urinating about half as often as usual, urine
concentrated like apple juice.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Fatigue or dizziness in an older child, less active and playful,
but will make eye contact and respond to you.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I found this other <a href="http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1001/p692.html">really great article</a> however, that gave us some
more concrete ways to determine the extent of our son’s dehydration</span><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">:</span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Prolonged capillary refill time of more than two seconds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Abnormal skin turgor.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Abnormal respiratory pattern.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">You can look these up if you don’t know exactly what they are, but
it’s pretty straight forward. By going through these lists and checks, we were
able to determine that indeed, our child showed signs of dehydration, but at worst only
moderate. The article helped us not rush to the ER at this point, since, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><i>“Oral
rehydration therapy is the preferred treatment of mild to moderate dehydration
caused by diarrhea in children. Appropriate oral rehydration therapy is as
effective as intravenous fluid in managing fluid and electrolyte losses and has
many advantages.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got some Pedialyte, and we knew that as long as our son was
drinking water and not having any diarrhea, even though he seemed to vomit up the
water as soon as he drank it, he was getting enough fluids to stay, “mildly to
moderately dehydrated.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, please note: We are lucky enough to live in a community
surrounded by doctors, and the ER is just a few minutes away, practically free,
which is why we felt safe to make a close call like this in this situation. If
you are in a different situation, you may want to play it safe!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What would you do in a situation like this? What do you usually do
when you are worried about a child’s health?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-49888607931408458482015-09-30T01:50:00.001-07:002015-09-30T01:53:04.364-07:00Warning: This post is about broken fingers, vomit and diarrhea - not for the faint of heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">It is 10 o’clock in the
morning, and it’s… Wednesday, I think. The past week and a half has just gone
by – disappeared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The Kant scholar left
for a well needed conference, the International Kant Congress in Vienna, last Sunday
morning, and almost immediately, thing started happening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I thought I had invested
well in an active day so that the evening would go smoothly. We had a long swim
in the sea, a good late lunch, and then the boys went to the movies (Scorch
trials, something: a law movie, I thought at first, how educating! But I think
I would have been disappointed in that regard…).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">That very evening though,
the boys were rough-housing before bed (not unusual) and I had just settled
down with a glass of Rioja, thinking I might actually be able to manage an
entire week with four active boys, when the 12 year old came crying, hand held
high. The 13 year old had kicked his hand and hit his right index finger in
such a way that it was most possibly broken. Oh, Lord. It was almost 11 pm,
already late for the boys to be up, and worse, the toddler was still awake,
barely. But there it was. I grabbed the phone and called my friend and neighbor
on the off-chance that she was still up, to see if she could be “on call,” in
case the 13 year old needed an adult while I was in the ER with the 12 year
old. Luckily, she was on her way home from a dinner, and as we started walking
up the hill to the ER, she drove into the parking lot. In fact, she ended up
taking some reading to our apartment, and spent most of the time we were away
right there in the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">In the ER, the 12 year
old’s finger was X-rayed and confirmed broken, however it did not require
surgery or resetting, luckily, but just a splint. We were home by 1:30 am. The
toddler and 6 year old had fallen asleep while the 13 year old read to them,
fairly quickly, but the 13 year old was still awake, worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Most of Monday was lost,
as everyone was really tired, and the 12 year old was in a lot of pain.
Tuesday, Wednesday we were playing catch up. The 12 year old was having trouble
getting his schoolwork done with his dominant hand out for the count. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">By Wednesday evening,
both the toddler and the 6 year old came down with bad colds, and Thursday was
spent trying to get through that, while finishing some work. In the evening, the toddler started throwing
up, and Friday and Saturday were lost to buckets, laundry, bleach, rocking and
nursing. In the evening, thankfully, as the toddler was feeling much better, my
husband came home – exhausted after an intense Kant week, but well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">But wait, this wasn’t
the end of our miserable week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">On Sunday morning I went
out for a walk around town, all by myself, alone – sweet, lovely solitude! I
had some lunch, and a bit of retail therapy. I say “a bit,” because since we
are always nearly broke; there’s no room to splurge. I bought some eye shadow
for $3 on sale at H&M, and some pajamas for the little ones at the surplus
store. This may not sound very exciting, but after a couple of hours, it was
enough for me to have regained some sanity, and I headed home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">At home, I was greeted
by a vomiting 12 year old. As I made dinner that evening, I started feeling
sick, as did the 6 year old, and soon, the two of us were decked out in the
bathroom, throwing up. A rough night ensued. I would run to the bathroom, get
sick (sickness was pouring out from all ends at this point) and then crawl back
into bed, and the toddler would want me to nurse him back to sleep. Rinse, and
repeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaYdklVG8A3wvR9DO5wQR14ihaSZlH5EGPw204xWBCq2FicON2z5LFdR2AW3zlcN8I0pKn6S6oC7pLe3nW0GLexm7B0ppAfkthaqg-Hw2BNfiZhQObuvEiJmpsafys3lBoMxeltimCkip/s1600/20150928_212956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaYdklVG8A3wvR9DO5wQR14ihaSZlH5EGPw204xWBCq2FicON2z5LFdR2AW3zlcN8I0pKn6S6oC7pLe3nW0GLexm7B0ppAfkthaqg-Hw2BNfiZhQObuvEiJmpsafys3lBoMxeltimCkip/s200/20150928_212956.jpg" width="120" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The toddler, now perfectly healthy, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">dining alone,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">after having made everyone else sick</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">By morning I felt
better, but physically drained. It took most of Monday and a very long nap for
me to get back on my feet. The house was a wreck though, and I had to somehow
restore the order. The 12 year old was still sick, but was not serial vomiting.
The 6 year old however, just kept throwing up. As soon as he put anything in
his tummy, even just a few teaspoons of water, it would come right back up. By
evening, we were getting worried. If he kept throwing up overnight, we would
have to take him to the hospital in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This is when my husband
started vomiting and other unpleasant things that come with a stomach bug. Could
this get any worse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Late at night, after
everyone had emptied their stomach contents in more ways than you want to know,
and had settled down for a night full of bathroom visits, I broke out the
Clorox and went crazy: I declared war on bacteria!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">In my experience, kids usually
start getting better a few hours after you decide to take them to the hospital.
Sounds silly? It turned out to be true in this case as well. The 6 year old slept
all night, and in the morning, he started retaining some water. By lunch, he
was able to keep some yogurt down, and in the evening, he even had some dinner.
This morning, he looks much better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #373e4d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Is it over yet?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-57818995253172468402015-09-19T02:42:00.001-07:002015-09-30T01:51:53.459-07:00Part time working mothers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An ad for a real estate company in Washington caused people across the US to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/working-moms-speak-out-against-tone-deaf-real-estate-ad_55fc152ae4b0fde8b0cddc1c?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037">speak out</a> against its representation of working moms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY54mDJxqIsW1NLueIRXazROk0BUJm1ZK8buY-KgY9t_qXKQhw1-j4bsmt3HlGCdavH-C82qDb2aJjVHt45oFUHd5fr-Ut60on8RqzCyiI0DFKjrdPaBuNLYUchQhFsyYmxarTpNpZ60P/s1600/sexist+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY54mDJxqIsW1NLueIRXazROk0BUJm1ZK8buY-KgY9t_qXKQhw1-j4bsmt3HlGCdavH-C82qDb2aJjVHt45oFUHd5fr-Ut60on8RqzCyiI0DFKjrdPaBuNLYUchQhFsyYmxarTpNpZ60P/s320/sexist+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As you can see, it depicts a woman in a chaotic situation surrounded by three kids on one side, and two business ready men in a neat office on the other. The ad is suggesting that you can't be a part time working mother AND a dedicated professional at the same time. Although the company has taken the ad down and apologized officially, the ad still stirs up emotion,<br />
<br />
Not only does it make me mad because there are millions of women out there who are mothers AND professionals. And lets not forget about the working dads,<br />
<br />
Worse though, the ad made me feel guilty. Sometimes the circumstances under which I work are even more chaotic than in the picture, and I fear that it affects the quality of my work. Maybe I can't do both? Maybe it's not possible?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-86410721192358233792015-09-10T09:33:00.000-07:002015-09-30T01:52:46.118-07:00Staying focused while facing one distraction after another<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
One issue often discussed among homeschoolers is that of
routine and schedules. Having a program – a curriculum, goals – and a plan for
how you are going to reach these goals, is pretty much necessary, unless you
are completely unschooling. However, while it is true that a structured
regularity might make homeschooling easier, it is futile to think that you can
maintain a strict schedule like a public or private school. If you homeschool
in your home with a regular family, things are going to come up, planned and
unplanned incidents, or sometimes illness, that will disrupt your schoolwork.
The best way to deal with this is to embrace the distractions and learn to work
around or with them while staying focused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This our first week of school was extra challenging in this
regard, as it was filled with a few scheduled (dentist visits across town and
first week of teaching for my philosophy husband) and several unplanned events.
I got sick over the weekend and was out of commission until Monday afternoon. We
had a major plumbing problem in the bathrooms with raw sewage leakage (which
had to be cleaned up once it was fixed). Then the sandstorm hit Lebanon, which
you might not think would have much impact on homeschool activities, but we
ended up housing or hosting a dust storm play date for the afternoon, with kids
of all ages filling up the house. Last night, William went to bed with a
stomach ache, and today he has been very sick.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more day left of this week, Friday. What might happen
tomorrow?<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-10188164648264026272015-09-09T00:12:00.000-07:002015-09-09T00:12:01.062-07:00Sand storm in Lebanon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSx7azbpIgfnwQbpU1zwf-xRxxZiYCJ1m6aX3yKXmi2fZaimsdLg295_EXBH_7RFi5Vn9NAcJhg8IE5tFh1Z0OgpasRxaHRnyZKdgUKzEy9e72oNHOXOvfPtMCKn5l-g6e4Is7mwNZzpo/s1600/20150908_160517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSx7azbpIgfnwQbpU1zwf-xRxxZiYCJ1m6aX3yKXmi2fZaimsdLg295_EXBH_7RFi5Vn9NAcJhg8IE5tFh1Z0OgpasRxaHRnyZKdgUKzEy9e72oNHOXOvfPtMCKn5l-g6e4Is7mwNZzpo/s320/20150908_160517.jpg" width="192" /></a>There’s a sand storm in Lebanon, and <a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Sep-09/314519-sandstorm-smothers-lebanon.ashx">according to the news</a>,
it’s so bad that people are being hospitalized or even dying. Here in Beirut
there’s sand but not a storm per se, since there’s no wind. It’s more like a
sand fog. The air is filled with dust, and the heat is concentrated within,
making outside venturing very unpleasant, at best. Yesterday, my weather
forecast told me it was “96 degrees, Feels Like 131.” I thought, “No way!”
until I went outside (I had to go get a book for August) – I have lived in the
Middle East for years now, and Egypt was pretty hot at times, but this was one
of the hottest days I’ve ever experienced. By the time I got to upper campus I
was soaked in sweat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we went to the store, Abraham pointed to the sky and
asked, “Is that the moon or the sun?” When we looked up we saw this (see picture). That is usually a big bright sky, but today, we could
look straight at the sun and it looked tinyS. Awful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today all the schools, universities and public offices are
closed, many private ones too, I imagine. Our boys are still doing their school
work though, of course. No rest for the homeschooled!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-1638551676734199712015-09-08T11:30:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:30:01.214-07:00Exploring online education<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
The entire family – or at least those in the family who are
above the age of 12 – started taking classes this summer over at edx.org. You
can take a course for free and sometimes you get some sort of certificate of
completion, or you can pay money and earn actual college credit. There are all
kinds of courses offered by different universities from all over the world. I
started taking a grammar course with our 13 year old mainly to get an idea of
how it works and to be able to bug him about assignment deadlines and find out
what he is learning. It is offered by the University of Queensland and is
pretty good so far. The accents are cute! Prof. Husband is taking an astronomy
class, and both boys are taking a course on super heroes (historical). Later
this month they will start an AP physics course. We used to use Khan Academy
quite a bit, and the boys went through the geometry program there, but we haven’t
looked at it for a while. There are so many good educational sites, and so many
great things to learn out there! Just thinking about it makes me feel
overwhelmed.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-12300584109119725982015-09-07T11:29:00.002-07:002015-09-07T11:29:39.029-07:00Where have I been?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been determined for a while now to start writing
again, and you have no idea how good it feels to put these words on paper! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of last semester I started being able to get some
more computer time for myself without the continuous interruption of the
toddler. However, I then had to spend all my newfound computer time working
over the summer. You see, my dear philosopher husband got accepted to no less
than three conferences over the summer, and his employer only pays for (most
of) one. Since we are already in a financial pickle most of the year (assistant
professors in the humanities here do not make enough to support a foreign family
of 6!) I had to step in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can imagine, I’ve had more exciting summers. When I
didn’t work, or attempted to work with a demanding toddler by my side, I took
care of the house, kept a low key summer school going with the boys, and in
general tried not to spend any money. We went to the beach quite a bit, for an
hour or so almost every day; my little slice of paradise just a couple of minutes’
walk from our house. We also figured out how to make really awesome bagels,
something that is difficult to find here, which was detrimental to my weight,
but provided some diversion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In sum, my summer consisted of three fairly dull but
financially necessary months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though. One noteworthy accomplishment in our household this
summer was the potty training of young master Max. Although he only just turned
two right before summer, he started using the potty quite successfully at his
own initiative, and was, within only a couple of weeks, fully potty trained. No
more diapers here! Not even at night. I can hardly believe it. We’ve been a
great sponsor of Pampers and Huggies for well over a decade now, and suddenly,
it’s over. Just like that. It feels great, a tiny little bit sad (our last
baby!), but mostly awesome. I am still waiting for my medal from the president
or something like that. Don’t they give mothers of four boys awards after four
successful potty trainings? If not, then they certainly should!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our summer officially ended last week with our back to full
school, and I finished my last job for a little while on Thursday. It is still
summer weather here, of course, and we will keep going to the beach until it
closes at the end of this month, but the rhythm has changed, and I am turning
my attention to the boys – and myself – for a while. So here; to a new academic
year! May yours be as prosperous and wonderful as you hope, and may all our
notebooks be filled with exciting knowledge, adventures, and insights!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-60111454365152532422015-08-25T09:57:00.000-07:002015-09-10T09:58:49.193-07:00Back to school!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ZttJFkaFc935qRF-Lchk0Uo6PccjDqCZYMLpI9klJJdqCtujrZYrfi2bCwfuhRQuI-QtZ8ENn_xlPL21JuH5h-vJdqEEKUWxxYRK6tM9N-bmHP8CvsPY8fjGvUiRd4boGFOfrTTs7ZZ/s1600/20150825_130128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ZttJFkaFc935qRF-Lchk0Uo6PccjDqCZYMLpI9klJJdqCtujrZYrfi2bCwfuhRQuI-QtZ8ENn_xlPL21JuH5h-vJdqEEKUWxxYRK6tM9N-bmHP8CvsPY8fjGvUiRd4boGFOfrTTs7ZZ/s320/20150825_130128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Celebrating our back to full school (we school year around but lighten up a bit during parts of the summer) with a morning at the beach!<br />
<br />
Did I mention that I love living by the Mediterranean Sea?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-25975776431346415052015-07-27T09:50:00.000-07:002015-09-10T09:51:28.797-07:00Garbage in the streets of Beirut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01dnTIdeAm9Q7k8d-S4AvX_GhIWirRT7nq84o40f_NX4u4vgQYncIAwHIvvQmfIBukh_k-qSeL5xAOfeVH3M93BEoIFEnjw4UjAN5Z7wcYMynXMkTNdgtO16Yli3AITbTc330Pc7e72fi/s1600/20150727_165041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01dnTIdeAm9Q7k8d-S4AvX_GhIWirRT7nq84o40f_NX4u4vgQYncIAwHIvvQmfIBukh_k-qSeL5xAOfeVH3M93BEoIFEnjw4UjAN5Z7wcYMynXMkTNdgtO16Yli3AITbTc330Pc7e72fi/s320/20150727_165041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamra, Beirut - Lebanon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK7Q3GVSi8FQsoJEoMCqDWkHTWzvgo4EcfOWZQbhKcNGZBiztUUPTNTapMBuowrE4fNsvt7BBmsA4tr_DdMDFposa1_i5QoCGa7f-hKT0UBzH-l6Z7HozsR0227xGKLPIthjpMmtZ5Ox0/s1600/20150727_164938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK7Q3GVSi8FQsoJEoMCqDWkHTWzvgo4EcfOWZQbhKcNGZBiztUUPTNTapMBuowrE4fNsvt7BBmsA4tr_DdMDFposa1_i5QoCGa7f-hKT0UBzH-l6Z7HozsR0227xGKLPIthjpMmtZ5Ox0/s320/20150727_164938.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One block from Hamra street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It appears we have a bit of a garbage crisis on our hands...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-45194082536488279342015-07-01T09:47:00.000-07:002015-09-10T09:48:06.885-07:00Summer at AUB<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDx6RnFZUmoUVUlu8veYdTZ2Ep4s22zHYNLraVGge79y7YIqapQY-D5AKPXaidM_STy-tykZfbFOrtmE7UUX-MOesCBI2IqJosas-5ReSaSOXETQK-Q-LTWzuY4C_axLZHQhV8qmzq2NZ/s1600/20150808_132935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDx6RnFZUmoUVUlu8veYdTZ2Ep4s22zHYNLraVGge79y7YIqapQY-D5AKPXaidM_STy-tykZfbFOrtmE7UUX-MOesCBI2IqJosas-5ReSaSOXETQK-Q-LTWzuY4C_axLZHQhV8qmzq2NZ/s400/20150808_132935.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGNMLbO26Sp6YvTPRSalSGzE8xkdZ2kAXHoKfQkMX0dfcfNrOj92gZ2n7EF9uaotb9kAYDCO1jBKt2BU7zhXP9AKK72ECts95JiFMPrm1nOM7NldTjrgLPine9maqNq69cIZjaxruaVNR/s1600/20150619_120240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGNMLbO26Sp6YvTPRSalSGzE8xkdZ2kAXHoKfQkMX0dfcfNrOj92gZ2n7EF9uaotb9kAYDCO1jBKt2BU7zhXP9AKK72ECts95JiFMPrm1nOM7NldTjrgLPine9maqNq69cIZjaxruaVNR/s400/20150619_120240.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-56057761219293467392015-06-01T09:41:00.000-07:002015-09-10T09:54:59.813-07:00Busted!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-gBXik5xiDrdHseApSIyi5-VZ463NaJcOxfjQXoIWQCwLBWjBOe1XD6Gdr2Je4QDUoU8sj84Sj6MDX2iAMI7UCSQTjs2U5yQYbUkE9WiR4_zz0Glsw4ER95BLKCiRXqtT_ZD83RTFeIj/s1600/20150521_114604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-gBXik5xiDrdHseApSIyi5-VZ463NaJcOxfjQXoIWQCwLBWjBOe1XD6Gdr2Je4QDUoU8sj84Sj6MDX2iAMI7UCSQTjs2U5yQYbUkE9WiR4_zz0Glsw4ER95BLKCiRXqtT_ZD83RTFeIj/s640/20150521_114604.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-30444766179511630232015-05-02T01:21:00.000-07:002015-05-06T01:23:10.522-07:00In the springtime, the only pretty ringtime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Busy, busy spring.<br />
<br />
First of all, spring in our family means BIRTHDAYS. All but one in the family was born in the spring, or around that time. My little boy turned six, the philosopher turned 30 something, the littlest one turned two years old, I turned -something- and my big sweet boy turned 12. The only birthday we have left this year is in the fall, when 13 will become 14.<br />
<br />
Easter this year entailed quite a few parties, dinners, Easter egg hunts and random socializing.<br />
<br />
The 12 year old had an accident and spent a night in the hospital. It was scary and annoying. Scary because injuries to the neck can be very serious; annoying because it turned out to be a very light injury and 24 hours in a hospital is quite an ordeal for a family of six who doesn't have any family close by who can step in and help. It took a lot of energy and effort, and quite some time to recover.<br />
<br />
What happened? We were in the swimming pool, and he dove into the water head first with such a momentum that he hit the top of his head on the bottom of the pool hard enough to push his head down and fracture his neck. It's a compression fracture. His jaw and shoulders hurt, and his scalp was bleeding. I ran home, put clothes on and rushed him to the ER. They X-rayed his neck and did an MRI. He had to wear a neck brace and spend the night in the hospital, monitored by a neurosurgeon. He was lucky to get away with only two weeks of rest, no sports or strenuous activity.<br />
<br />
My oldest son had a freak accident as well, the day before his piano recital. He was helping a younger child get a ball out of a tree, when a branch pierced a vein on his hand. Blood squirted out in a pulse like movement, By the third squirt I had a clean diaper out and put pressure on his hand, holding it up. It took a good solid 10 minutes to get the bleeding to stop completely. Freaky. I'm glad I was there with my purse, which contains diapers, wipes, Neosporin, band aids and bandages, etc.<br />
<br />
The piano recital still went well, despite his hand being sore.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-38526246140979596352015-02-26T12:11:00.000-08:002015-03-06T12:13:23.535-08:00It's hard to walk along the water without snapping a picture...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just love living by the Mediterranean Sea. No matter how many things are on my mind, its beauty always stops me in my tracks and makes me smile. And get my camera out. Again.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnlLhtPMDORpwkwfyrSvbwR-Q0aYi5Z7C-r-wMaGYn22sIjKAeyYB-pn5V5rSLS_-trxySNP1P_G34XnPGqQadhOC0wJuLvyut6eGr-AafoETi7lMPUsnmkhJNByK-gBPIzg_M0MbXa4T/s1600/20150228_172634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnlLhtPMDORpwkwfyrSvbwR-Q0aYi5Z7C-r-wMaGYn22sIjKAeyYB-pn5V5rSLS_-trxySNP1P_G34XnPGqQadhOC0wJuLvyut6eGr-AafoETi7lMPUsnmkhJNByK-gBPIzg_M0MbXa4T/s1600/20150228_172634.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset walk selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-58811729495025926782015-02-24T11:59:00.000-08:002015-03-06T12:00:55.625-08:00Homeschool testing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a homeschooling parent you sometimes wonder how your
child is doing compared to other kids. Also, as I have previously mentioned, there
will come a time when they will be taking standardized tests, such as the SAT or
AP exams, and we want to make sure that the boys are on track and ready.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For this purpose we printed out some old AMC 8 tests and let
the boys take them. Timed exactly, just like the real deal. They did pretty
poorly on the first one, but after a couple of days of practice, they managed
to reach scores as high as 18. Not bad!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-68580529795605204542015-02-21T11:31:00.000-08:002015-02-22T11:32:42.373-08:00Beautiful Beirut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As hard as it can be to live in this part of the world sometimes, it truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm-wDOp48CCUMjQR8bQLKYDuY818f3zojsJkWK9G_kmfdLSzBFgXCAieVhrHpR3CoTKAuRhgriEjqMQ3H9-OOfxytGfiFNabktBPUBVn1LJeNtE-6qZFv8imcx-VPr_8OH5k5QKI0eTm-/s1600/stormy+sea+and+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwm-wDOp48CCUMjQR8bQLKYDuY818f3zojsJkWK9G_kmfdLSzBFgXCAieVhrHpR3CoTKAuRhgriEjqMQ3H9-OOfxytGfiFNabktBPUBVn1LJeNtE-6qZFv8imcx-VPr_8OH5k5QKI0eTm-/s1600/stormy+sea+and+sun.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beirut, during the build up of a storm, some sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-4085498619338493462015-02-20T09:24:00.002-08:002015-02-20T09:24:34.352-08:00AP test prep<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
How horrible on a scale from 1-10 is it that I have read and
started using AP test preparation literature in our history, English, Math and
Sciences curricula? I’m using them, in the sense that I am making sure
whatever we are studying includes details the tests might inquire about, and in
the sense that I make sure our studies include topics the tests might include. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? </div>
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<br /></div>
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1/Because I know our kids will have to take these tests and do well, and </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2/because I didn't grow up in the US educational system, and frankly have very
little knowledge about what they teach over there, or expect the children to
know. For example, comparing my world history education to that of my husband’s
(who did go to school in the US), I know the boys are at an advantage, but I’m
not sure about the other subjects. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know what my husband & I want our boys to
know (and we do have pretty high standards, as far as I understand), but do these requirements measure/line up with those of the AP exam? Will all the knowledge and skills we are providing them with be sufficient or even of the right kind?</div>
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<br /></div>
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There’s only
one way to make sure, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-71671222068430377972015-02-18T10:08:00.004-08:002015-02-18T10:08:52.213-08:00A blessing in disguise...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A blessing in disguise is when your nap-refusing toddler falls off the couch and gets hurt, requests to nurse and falls asleep while calming down. Right?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-57983019610596699262015-02-16T10:06:00.000-08:002015-02-18T10:06:48.759-08:00Mommy reboot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent our Valentine’s Day weekend in Faraya, Mzaar,
staying with our neighbors in their chalet. The snow was amazing, the weather
fine, and the kids cooperative. Our two older boys have only skied a couple of
times before, and the philosopher doesn't ski at all. I used to ski quite a bit
when we lived in Europe and before I met my husband, but it has been many years
since I really skied. On Saturday I stayed on the baby slope with the boys,
instructing them, teaching them techniques, how to turn, stop, slow down, and speed
up. One of the boys was a natural, the other one scared and insecure. I didn't
take the five year old up, since I thought it would be too difficult to manage
all of them on the slope - our neighbor’s full time nanny watched the toddler
and the five year old while we went skiing. They know and like her, and together,
they had a good time. I was still nervous about leaving the toddler for so long
though, since we don’t usually do this. As it turned out, everything was
great. On the second day, the nanny took care of the younger boys again, and I
took the older boys up. After a couple of runs on the baby slope, we went further
up to a blue slope. The natural managed great, however the scared and insecure
boy lost control, sped down the slope way too fast, and fell, twisting his knee.
Lots of drama, crying big tears, and some pain, but as it turned out, mainly
fear. After a soda on the terrace, he was ready to try again, on the baby
slope. I was very proud of him for getting back on the skies, but I could tell
that he was so scared he barely enjoyed the experience any more. I did my best
to encourage him, and in the end, he seemed satisfied. Not very enthusiastic -
like the natural, who’s already begging me to take him back up skiing soon - but
happy. The toddler had a great morning with the nanny and my friend, and towards
the end of the morning – two boys happily playing with people I trust, one boy
sipping soda on the terrace, the other boy skiing on the baby slope, confidently
going up the lift by himself - I felt like I had an opportunity to take a
moment and enjoy myself, just me, so I took the big lift to the top, and skied
all the way down through a series of blue and red slopes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJFnZjYe5Iy6I6_u8a2EJUqlWC2TywgDzmxCUl5uwlI89ygimTYC9cIe4wM_AYn_o2KjGXqN4QTs2Dp2Kj9X_sK1RDVBxerUdjIgDzJstLOw20wy2RV-4u4MSd94yQOn0iCYgQ2Tmhhsi/s1600/20150215_113934+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJFnZjYe5Iy6I6_u8a2EJUqlWC2TywgDzmxCUl5uwlI89ygimTYC9cIe4wM_AYn_o2KjGXqN4QTs2Dp2Kj9X_sK1RDVBxerUdjIgDzJstLOw20wy2RV-4u4MSd94yQOn0iCYgQ2Tmhhsi/s1600/20150215_113934+(2).jpg" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
It was absolutely
fantastic. I rarely ever even get to go to the bathroom by myself, let alone do
things I enjoy, so this was a real treat – a once in several years kind of
pleasure, and boy did I enjoy it. I took my time, swooping back and forth
slowly down the perfect slopes, relishing every turn through the powder snow,
stopping a few times to take in the view and the moment. Alone, healthy and
strong. Nobody there asking me to nurse, help with math, make lunch, proofread
an article; no laundry, dishes, messes – just me, my skis and the snow, a
beautiful blue sky, fresh crisp air, and a few moments to myself. It was awesome,
almost like a mother reboot. I came down refreshed and stronger, ready for a
new week of homeschooling, work, laundry dishes, cooking, trying to reason with
a toddler… You know. All those things. What’s your reboot?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-56413095555376846372015-02-13T12:40:00.000-08:002015-02-21T02:07:00.851-08:00Your list, your time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like the idea of maintaining a blog, because I enjoy
writing, and I know that at least in the past what I had to say was always of
interest to someone. But for a long time, I have not been able to write or post anything. Since our toddler was born almost two years ago, we've lived in three places on two different
continents, which indeed does provide plenty of blogging material, yet, I have
not been able to make any time or get my inspiration back. None. Between homeschooling
with four boys, working, and taking care of our home, wherever it may be, I
just haven't had a lot of time left for myself, let alone creative thought or work. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My time is often continuously
interrupted by someone needing something, hence I find that when I do sit down
with the intention to write, my mind is all over the place, and I end up just
browsing the news, checking Facebook or watching a John Oliver YouTube clip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been back in Lebanon almost half a year now, and I finally feel
like I’m starting to regain some control of my life. Instead of triaging one crisis
after another, or responding to situations, I am catching
up, if ever so slightly. Yes, really, I can prove it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exhibit
A: This blog! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exhibit B: Evernote - lists of things/articles/pictures that inspire me, things I need to do, need to find, want to
get done, plan, read, and think about: upcoming events, visits, social events,
creating a comfortable living space, working space, projects, meal planning, you name it. I have started looking at these lists, and have even been able to mark some things off by picking out one
thing every day that I can get done, or at least think about. Slow and steady. On top of our very busy regular schedule today, I cleaned out my closet, went running and wrote this blog post.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What’s on your list?<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-33469005552415769432015-02-12T12:27:00.000-08:002016-03-14T12:02:56.207-07:00Grocery shopping in Beirut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shopping here in Beirut is not like shopping in, say, Atlanta. In
Atlanta, I would decide on a recipe, go to the store I knew carried the
ingredients I would need, come home and cook. The End. Very easy, all cravings
met, meal plans facilitated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, it’s a little different. Here in Beirut I can decide
on a meal, write down the ingredients, and if I’m lucky, I only have to clear
one entire morning to go – what we have come to call it – hunting &
gathering. Most often though, despite my efforts, there are always going to be
ingredients missing. Sometimes you just can’t find avocados anywhere, or
lemongrass, or nori. Once I searched for sour cream for weeks. You learn to
either change your mind about what to make, or you substitute. Instead of rice
vinegar you use white vinegar, or if you’re making vegetable dip, lebnah will
work instead of sour cream.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week we were all set on making sushi at home. I went to
three different stores to buy nori– my first picks for this kind of thing – and
they were all out. Not a single sheet of seaweed anywhere. In the evening a
friend mentioned that she had been looking for nori as well, and someone else
said that they had seen some at Idriss. The next morning I ran over there, and
bought both packs. Yes, there were only two packs left, and yes, I bought them
both. This is something you learn as well, to survive in the expat jungle – if
you see something you like, something you know runs out from time to time, you
buy it all! Stock up!<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-68302208197660028082015-02-11T12:22:00.003-08:002015-02-11T12:22:56.109-08:00Kick back parenting - four is less<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently read a study based on interviews with parents, that concluded that <b>having one or two children is more stressful than having
four</b>. Not because there’s less work, but because the parents of more than three
children who participated in the study were more relaxed about their current
situation. It turns out, that when you only have two children, you try to do *it
all*, however once you are outnumbered as parents, you basically throw in the
towel. You decide that you just can’t do it all – you admit that you can’t
control everything; family, home, work, social life – and when you stop trying
to do and be *everything*, you relax. Your life becomes less stressful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[Or maybe these people are so exhausted, they don’t even have
the energy to stress anymore.]<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Let us note for the record here that <b>less stressful and
more relaxed</b> doesn't mean quitting your job, pouring yourself a cosmopolitan
and watching your kids tear down the house. It just means that you learn to
prioritize (occasionally, a cosmopolitan will be a top priority though) and
stop worrying so much. You still try and work hard, but your efforts become more…
focused.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is me. A little more relaxed, hard-working and
confident. I do a lot of things, but I've become better over these past years
at doing what I think is important, and what matters to me and my family. I'm more effective and focused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Most of the time, anyways. Today I think we as a family managed both to be productive AND tear down the house.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110270465345856918.post-30835446256064253772015-02-10T22:24:00.000-08:002015-02-10T22:24:33.226-08:00No time for fancies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know you are a homeschooling parent of four boys, when this is your foreplay:<br />
<br />
[Door slams shut in the hallway, older kids are taking younger kids to the playground]<br />
<br />
"Honey, let's go!"<br />
"Wha...?" [holds up head and listens] "All right! Yeah, let's go!"</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0