Skateboardin'!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Causes
Esme's Mommy again:
There’s a blog festering in my head about why life is so much more comfortable in the US than in Mozambique, even though we have a spacious house there with AC, a house cleaner, and a gardener. It hasn’t come together yet, though, so I thought I’d mention a recent irritation of mine here in the US.
It seems like every day on the news there is something new for us to panic about. This week I’ve heard about the toxicity of flame-retardant sprays, the danger of using hard plastic water bottles, and the fact that government spending on cancer research has stayed flat in the past year or so.
You know, this stuff is so NOT news in Mozambique. When people are struggling to come up with food for the next day, transporting water in 25 gallon jugs miles by donkey cart (or more frequently human cart), and we have a cholera tent just around the block from our house, it’s hard for me to care what kind of plastic my baby’s water is bottled in. And when we’re loaning people $40 to bury their babies for NO GOOD REASON, I wish we could spend a little more on those diseases that cause the majority of deaths in this world.
Per UNICEF, in Mozambique the under-5 mortality rate is 138 per thousand. Forty percent of children under age five suffer from stunting as a result of malnutrition. 1.5 million children are orphans. Life expectancy is 42 years.
Can we not work on solving world hunger first? Infant mortality? Malaria and AIDS?
OK, off my soapbox. I know every worthy cause needs its advocates, and it IS possible to support more than one. And ultimately, maybe everything is interconnected – is the hard plastic letting off pollutants that contribute to catastrophes such as earthquakes that kill hundreds of thousands? I don’t mean to minimize the tragedies of infertility, terminal cancer, and the like that we see so often in the US. And I should also add that infant mortality has dropped significantly in Mozambique over the past 15 years, though life expectancy is still low.
Speaking of causes, we just watched the movie Amazing Grace, which was an excellent portrayal of the abolitionist cause. A good reminder that it may take years of seemingly fruitless advocacy before a change takes place, but without that advocacy, the change would never happen. Baby steps!
There’s a blog festering in my head about why life is so much more comfortable in the US than in Mozambique, even though we have a spacious house there with AC, a house cleaner, and a gardener. It hasn’t come together yet, though, so I thought I’d mention a recent irritation of mine here in the US.
It seems like every day on the news there is something new for us to panic about. This week I’ve heard about the toxicity of flame-retardant sprays, the danger of using hard plastic water bottles, and the fact that government spending on cancer research has stayed flat in the past year or so.
You know, this stuff is so NOT news in Mozambique. When people are struggling to come up with food for the next day, transporting water in 25 gallon jugs miles by donkey cart (or more frequently human cart), and we have a cholera tent just around the block from our house, it’s hard for me to care what kind of plastic my baby’s water is bottled in. And when we’re loaning people $40 to bury their babies for NO GOOD REASON, I wish we could spend a little more on those diseases that cause the majority of deaths in this world.
Per UNICEF, in Mozambique the under-5 mortality rate is 138 per thousand. Forty percent of children under age five suffer from stunting as a result of malnutrition. 1.5 million children are orphans. Life expectancy is 42 years.
Can we not work on solving world hunger first? Infant mortality? Malaria and AIDS?
OK, off my soapbox. I know every worthy cause needs its advocates, and it IS possible to support more than one. And ultimately, maybe everything is interconnected – is the hard plastic letting off pollutants that contribute to catastrophes such as earthquakes that kill hundreds of thousands? I don’t mean to minimize the tragedies of infertility, terminal cancer, and the like that we see so often in the US. And I should also add that infant mortality has dropped significantly in Mozambique over the past 15 years, though life expectancy is still low.
Speaking of causes, we just watched the movie Amazing Grace, which was an excellent portrayal of the abolitionist cause. A good reminder that it may take years of seemingly fruitless advocacy before a change takes place, but without that advocacy, the change would never happen. Baby steps!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
55+? Help!
Esmé's Mommy here:
I am still recovering from a very traumatic moment here. Yesterday I was shopping at Ross, which has a 10% for seniors discount on Tuesdays. So as I was checking out, the cashier asked me in all seriousness if I was 55 or older.
There's nothing wrong with looking 55 if you are. But I am not even 35 yet (not quite). I've had my fingers crossed since then, hoping no one asks if Esmé is my granddaughter. I keep checking the mirror to try to understand the question.
(If you're wondering what I look like, admittedly there are few photos of me on this blog, primarily since I am usually behind the camera. The most recent one is 2nd to last at the end of this previous blog, with my parents and Esmé.)
Moving on . . . I'm sitting in the lobby of the Eagle Crest hotel, since this is the only building on the resort with wireless network access. And this explains why I haven't been blogging much lately - we are in the furthest condo from the hotel, and I have to trek across miles of golf course to get here, dodging gopher holes and goose poop and wild critters like this 5-foot beauty, who decided to park in the turnaround in front of our condo:
Esmé is sleeping in her stroller (my gamble that a walk would put her to sleep paid off!), and dear husband is playing golf. It is a cold breezy day, but the game benefits the Boys and Girls Club, so sacrifices must be made, you know.
And that is life here in the Northwest US. Now I'm going to check on a few blogs in the few moments while baby is still sleeping. My poor Google Reader has been registering 1000+ items for several weeks now.
I am still recovering from a very traumatic moment here. Yesterday I was shopping at Ross, which has a 10% for seniors discount on Tuesdays. So as I was checking out, the cashier asked me in all seriousness if I was 55 or older.
There's nothing wrong with looking 55 if you are. But I am not even 35 yet (not quite). I've had my fingers crossed since then, hoping no one asks if Esmé is my granddaughter. I keep checking the mirror to try to understand the question.
(If you're wondering what I look like, admittedly there are few photos of me on this blog, primarily since I am usually behind the camera. The most recent one is 2nd to last at the end of this previous blog, with my parents and Esmé.)
Moving on . . . I'm sitting in the lobby of the Eagle Crest hotel, since this is the only building on the resort with wireless network access. And this explains why I haven't been blogging much lately - we are in the furthest condo from the hotel, and I have to trek across miles of golf course to get here, dodging gopher holes and goose poop and wild critters like this 5-foot beauty, who decided to park in the turnaround in front of our condo:
Esmé is sleeping in her stroller (my gamble that a walk would put her to sleep paid off!), and dear husband is playing golf. It is a cold breezy day, but the game benefits the Boys and Girls Club, so sacrifices must be made, you know.
And that is life here in the Northwest US. Now I'm going to check on a few blogs in the few moments while baby is still sleeping. My poor Google Reader has been registering 1000+ items for several weeks now.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Home Sweet Home
On Sunday, Mommy got her hair done and then to A’s bridle (or bridal) shower, while I stayed with Daddy. We went to Dairy Queen. I'm clapping - guess what I'm gonna eat!
Then I got to do some remodeling work with Uncle J. I am very good!
Mommy & Daddy spent lots of time looking at papers, on the computer, and on the phone this week. They are “refinancing” their house, and that is really complicated, it sounds like. So I read books and played with garbage and unpacked suitcases.
I had fun playing with my kitty, Flame, and Auntie D’s dog, Butterscotch. Auntie D rents our house since we aren’t there most of the time. I love Flame, but he doesn’t like my attention too much and swipes at me sometimes. And Thursday was very sad – Butterscotch got killed by a car in front of the house. Here's a old photo of Flamey & Butterscotch.
BTW, my ninth tooth – a BIG molar, is coming in now. Soon I will be able to eat absolutely everything! I have been working on wood, but I like eating paper better, especially napkins.
Oh, and the weather got really hot this week – up to the 100s. This is the prettiest time of year in Roseburg, when all the hills and trees are green and there are bright splashes of color from azaleas, rhodies, dogwoods, tulips, scotch brush, and more.
On Thursday I went to town with Mommy and saw lots of people at Sunrise Enterprises, where she used to work. They all remember me from when I was really little. I wasn’t shy at all. Then we had lunch with A at Stewart Park and went for a walk. Here’s a blue-eyed photo at the park, the train I saw on my walk, and a photo with A. We did some shopping later.
On Friday Daddy & I checked out Big 5. Here I am trying to decide which golf clubs to buy.
Then we went to a BBQ at E & G’s house. I played in G’s wading pool and then fell asleep in my stroller while Daddy took a little jog with me.
Here people are getting ready for a group photo. Mommy didn’t get the actual group photo on her camera, though.
I had a fun time at TurningPoint Church on Sabbath. I starting spinning in circles for the first time – it made me dizzy so I could hardly stand up straight!
Here I am after church working with G. on some of the finer points of skateboarding, with Uncle J.’s help.
After lunch a bunch of us went to River Forks Park. Here I am climbing trees.
And pinching Daddy.
And riding Uncle J’s bike.
Then I got to do some remodeling work with Uncle J. I am very good!
Mommy & Daddy spent lots of time looking at papers, on the computer, and on the phone this week. They are “refinancing” their house, and that is really complicated, it sounds like. So I read books and played with garbage and unpacked suitcases.
I had fun playing with my kitty, Flame, and Auntie D’s dog, Butterscotch. Auntie D rents our house since we aren’t there most of the time. I love Flame, but he doesn’t like my attention too much and swipes at me sometimes. And Thursday was very sad – Butterscotch got killed by a car in front of the house. Here's a old photo of Flamey & Butterscotch.
BTW, my ninth tooth – a BIG molar, is coming in now. Soon I will be able to eat absolutely everything! I have been working on wood, but I like eating paper better, especially napkins.
Oh, and the weather got really hot this week – up to the 100s. This is the prettiest time of year in Roseburg, when all the hills and trees are green and there are bright splashes of color from azaleas, rhodies, dogwoods, tulips, scotch brush, and more.
On Thursday I went to town with Mommy and saw lots of people at Sunrise Enterprises, where she used to work. They all remember me from when I was really little. I wasn’t shy at all. Then we had lunch with A at Stewart Park and went for a walk. Here’s a blue-eyed photo at the park, the train I saw on my walk, and a photo with A. We did some shopping later.
On Friday Daddy & I checked out Big 5. Here I am trying to decide which golf clubs to buy.
Then we went to a BBQ at E & G’s house. I played in G’s wading pool and then fell asleep in my stroller while Daddy took a little jog with me.
Here people are getting ready for a group photo. Mommy didn’t get the actual group photo on her camera, though.
I had a fun time at TurningPoint Church on Sabbath. I starting spinning in circles for the first time – it made me dizzy so I could hardly stand up straight!
Here I am after church working with G. on some of the finer points of skateboarding, with Uncle J.’s help.
After lunch a bunch of us went to River Forks Park. Here I am climbing trees.
And pinching Daddy.
And riding Uncle J’s bike.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Luxurious Life
My Uncle J picked us up in Eugene and drove us to Roseburg, where we spent Monday night. On Tuesday we got our car and drove to Redmond, OR, where we stayed at Eagle Crest Resort. It was snowing when we drove over the pass – my very first snow – but I was sleeping during it. So does it count?
The resort is in the Oregon High Desert. Right now it is very green and pretty. There was a huge deer on the front lawn when we arrived, and there are lots of geese and goslings. Here’s a photo of the canyon outside our condo.
What a luxurious life – here I am on my big bed and then in a bubble bath.
We went shopping one day – Mommy went to Victoria Secret to get Audra’s wedding present while Daddy and I ate a hot dog. Then we bought me a pair of Ray Bans!
The next day Uncle J came with G and G's mommy Auntie E. Here I am swinging with G. This was my first time alone on a swing – it was fun!
We rode on my skateboard together, too.
On Friday, Daddy and Uncle J played golf. They don’t let kids like me on the course here for liability reasons. That’s dumb. Do they think I’m going to hurt somebody?
Then Mommy went with E to the resort spa to get a massage, facial, and herbal body wrap. They didn’t take me to that either. I did get to go swimming, though.
Then on Sabbath we went to Smith Rock, a world-renown rock climb spot.
Here’s Daddy on the rock:
Everybody got to climb except me. Here I am in my harness climbing the steps, though.
Then we drove back to Roseburg. I was awake this drive and got to see snow, even though it wasn’t snowing.
The resort is in the Oregon High Desert. Right now it is very green and pretty. There was a huge deer on the front lawn when we arrived, and there are lots of geese and goslings. Here’s a photo of the canyon outside our condo.
What a luxurious life – here I am on my big bed and then in a bubble bath.
We went shopping one day – Mommy went to Victoria Secret to get Audra’s wedding present while Daddy and I ate a hot dog. Then we bought me a pair of Ray Bans!
The next day Uncle J came with G and G's mommy Auntie E. Here I am swinging with G. This was my first time alone on a swing – it was fun!
We rode on my skateboard together, too.
On Friday, Daddy and Uncle J played golf. They don’t let kids like me on the course here for liability reasons. That’s dumb. Do they think I’m going to hurt somebody?
Then Mommy went with E to the resort spa to get a massage, facial, and herbal body wrap. They didn’t take me to that either. I did get to go swimming, though.
Then on Sabbath we went to Smith Rock, a world-renown rock climb spot.
Here’s Daddy on the rock:
Everybody got to climb except me. Here I am in my harness climbing the steps, though.
Then we drove back to Roseburg. I was awake this drive and got to see snow, even though it wasn’t snowing.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Back to the USA
After we left Grandpa & Grandma, we took the ferry back to the mainland. Here I am driving the car on the ferry. 
I got to walk around outside while we were in line at the border crossing back to the US. It is spring right now, and all the flowers are very pretty. I decided I really like dandelions. Mommy even showed me how to blow the seeds.
Then we got to Burlington and went to my cousins’ school spring fair. Here I am tring out a surf board. It was really scary.
My cousin K. was really good, though. She even won a prize.
We played on the school playground on the monkey bars and slide. I skateboarded a little bit. I really liked the rocks on the playground.
Then we spent the night at my cousins’ house. I got to play with their stuffed animals. I love my cousins!
The next day we drove on to Seattle. Here we are at REI, where I checked out backpacks and bought one with Daddy’s credit card. We went to Goodwill, too, and got a jogging stroller for $40.
In the afternoon we went to the airport and caught our flight to Eugene, OR. Airport security confiscated my play dough. Can someone explain to me how to make an explosive device from play dough? It might come in handy someday when Mommy tries to make me do something I don’t want to. Don't I look really dangerous in my hood?
I got to walk around outside while we were in line at the border crossing back to the US. It is spring right now, and all the flowers are very pretty. I decided I really like dandelions. Mommy even showed me how to blow the seeds.
Then we got to Burlington and went to my cousins’ school spring fair. Here I am tring out a surf board. It was really scary.
My cousin K. was really good, though. She even won a prize.
We played on the school playground on the monkey bars and slide. I skateboarded a little bit. I really liked the rocks on the playground.
Then we spent the night at my cousins’ house. I got to play with their stuffed animals. I love my cousins!
The next day we drove on to Seattle. Here we are at REI, where I checked out backpacks and bought one with Daddy’s credit card. We went to Goodwill, too, and got a jogging stroller for $40.
In the afternoon we went to the airport and caught our flight to Eugene, OR. Airport security confiscated my play dough. Can someone explain to me how to make an explosive device from play dough? It might come in handy someday when Mommy tries to make me do something I don’t want to. Don't I look really dangerous in my hood?
I tried my trick of poopying my diaper as we boarded the plane to see if it would wait while I got changed, but my timing was just a little off. We had to run to catch the flight, but Mommy got it changed before we boarded the plane.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Grandma & Grandpa
When I woke up at my Grandpa & Grandma’s, there were lots of toys – big blocks and stuffed animals and cars and dolls to play with. It was wonderful!
My inside clock was all mixed up – I wanted to sleep in the afternoon, and then I was wide awake around midnight. But I still had lots of fun, and Grandma & Grandpa even joined me in my midnight play sessions sometimes.
I celebrated my birthday again! I got a baby doll and a ring set and an animal book! Mommy got a doll that I can look at, too.
There was lots of yummy food to eat. I decided I liked broccoli for the first time. I got to eat Cheerios again, too. Here I am eating pancakes with strawberries:
Grandma let me help clean in the kitchen:
We went shopping with Grandpa, and I got a winter coat. I really liked SOS – there were lots of toys and other kids to play with! (Mommy here: There really wasn’t anything sinister about the doll in the microwave, honest!)
Grandma sang lots of songs for me. Grandpa helped me walk around the garden/yard. I liked to laugh with them. I picked a bouquet of flowers for Mommy as an early Mother’s Day present.
I went to Sabbath School and sang songs about creation.
We went to the beach. There was so much to look at. I really like looking at little things! Daddy played with the settings on our new camera and got some interesting photos.
There was a big ferry boat in the bath tub when I took my bath.
Then on Sunday we had to say goodbye to them. I wanted to stay longer and play with the dolls some more. I miss Grandma & Grandpa.
My inside clock was all mixed up – I wanted to sleep in the afternoon, and then I was wide awake around midnight. But I still had lots of fun, and Grandma & Grandpa even joined me in my midnight play sessions sometimes.
I celebrated my birthday again! I got a baby doll and a ring set and an animal book! Mommy got a doll that I can look at, too.
There was lots of yummy food to eat. I decided I liked broccoli for the first time. I got to eat Cheerios again, too. Here I am eating pancakes with strawberries:
Grandma let me help clean in the kitchen:
We went shopping with Grandpa, and I got a winter coat. I really liked SOS – there were lots of toys and other kids to play with! (Mommy here: There really wasn’t anything sinister about the doll in the microwave, honest!)
Grandma sang lots of songs for me. Grandpa helped me walk around the garden/yard. I liked to laugh with them. I picked a bouquet of flowers for Mommy as an early Mother’s Day present.
I went to Sabbath School and sang songs about creation.
We went to the beach. There was so much to look at. I really like looking at little things! Daddy played with the settings on our new camera and got some interesting photos.
There was a big ferry boat in the bath tub when I took my bath.
Then on Sunday we had to say goodbye to them. I wanted to stay longer and play with the dolls some more. I miss Grandma & Grandpa.
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