American Bureaucracy

I had 2 errands on my to-do list for this afternoon. I needed to go to the Embassy and apply for Omara's social security number (sigh), and I needed to get my latest cross-stitch picture framed (yeah!)

I went to the embassy, through the metal detectors and the x-ray scanners and everything, juggling Omara who had to come too. I discovered I was supposed to make an appointment...no problem, they helped me anyway. I was supposed to bring a copy of Chad's passport too...no problem, they just asked me to scan it and e-mail it to them. I had applied before in South Africa but had never gotten her card...no problem, they would call the London processing office, try to find it, and only resubmit the application if no number had ever been assigned, and then phone me with her number so we can claim her on our taxes. No charges. No one acted like I was stupid. The form I got on-line was still the same form they were using, and they actually recognized it and knew what to do with it. No one asked me for a bribe. Amazing!!!! In and out in 15 minutes even with the metal detectors!

So then I went to get my cross-stitch framed. There is only one shop that can stretch cross-stitch properly. I had gone once before, only to find that the office had moved and no one knew where it was. Now, on my second attempt, I was told the only worker was still at lunch, though she was "usually back by 1." It was 2:30. I asked if I could look through frames and pricing options while I waited for her--but that's not possible either. I had to pick the frame I liked, and then she would contact another office to get the actual quote. She would call me back with the quote, at which time I would have to drive the cross stitch back in and leave it with her to actually do the framing. What???? Then she never did show up, so I finally left. To get this crazy thing framed I'll have to do at least 2 more trips across town--assuming she's there next time!!!!

By the time I got home, I had an email message from the Embassy saying London never received her application so they are submitting the new one today by diplomatic pouch and I should have her number in 2-3 weeks.

So, the lesson from the day? American beaurocracy is the most logical, efficient, and helpful part of our lives out here! Think about THAT for a moment, and then send up a prayer for our sanity!

Late on the Upload--Christmas photos

Our Christmas photos look a little greener and warmer than many of you may have experienced! I've just put the best of each of the kids, who are growing up so quickly!

A trial of Coke

Since starting back at school after the break, Ethan has been struggling way more than he ever has before with attention, focus, and following impulse-control rules. Homework can take 2-3 hours to do 2 pages--Chad says Ethan's EXACTLY like he was as a kid, so there's hope, but it's tough to parent right now! His teacher has infinite patience with him and even she is at her wits end. So I heard about another kid who has significant attention-problems, and how the teacher has solved it all with buying him a Mountain Dew each morning--the caffeine acts as a stimulant, and just like ADHD meds, has the opposite effect on someone with ADHD. So in desperation, I thought we might try a similar experiment. I mean, if I could solve all of Ethan's problems with a coke every morning??? How great! So I tried it for several days, but kept forgetting to tell Chad about it, since he's usually out running during breakfast. So one day he come home from his run and asked Ethan why on earth he was drinking a coke for breakfast. Ethan said, "Mom thinks it will help me behave better in school." Chad asked, "So, is it working?" Ethan grinned and said, "I don't think so, but it sure tastes good!"

And he's right-it's not making any difference. So he's set up to have an assessment by a "Educational Psychologist" when we're down in Joburg in March to follow up with his endocrinologist. I have no idea what that will involve--sounds a little scary to me. I was really against the idea of meds and a formal diagnosis for him. But it's affecting him in school because he can't get his work done, and it's not healthy for him to have his teachers and us always frustrated with him. So we'll go for the assessment, and we'll see what she says. And even if medications are suggested, we can try them and then stop if they don't work or make him a zombie. So I'm feeling ok about it all. But with all these appointments with different specialists, it makes me realize that I do prefer to be on the other side of the exam room!

Anguished English

There is much that gets lost in translation every day here. Sure, people make grammatical mistakes in English all the time. And look who’s talking—I butcher Chichewa on a daily basis! But it’s the small nuances that really crack me up. Especially in signs and shop names! Here are a few of my favorites from around town:
1. Iffy Hair Salon…not so sure about trusting my looks to that one
2. Shanty Construction Ltd…are we bragging about that??
3. S & M Weddings…run by a godly Christian couple who unfortunately happen to be named Sam and Mala!
4. Tile Shop: Great Quality at Beatable Prices…yes, I believe so.
5. White Crane Body Wash: leave your skin silky and tender. “After bathing, make you feel extra fragrant”…I always wanted my tender skin to feel fragrant!