THE ADVENTURES OF THE JAC ATTACK!

A Blog about a clever boy and a mom determined to out-smart him.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Notes about Wednesday

Yesterday was another bandh day.  All traffic was forbidden by protesters angry about the rise in fuel prices.  Economically the bandh is a bad thing.  The bandh creates a climate of insecurity and commerce suffers.  I have heard that some bandhs grow violent but we have not seen this yet.  Mostly, young men stand in the street burning tires while the rest of us take to foot to reach our destinations.

Forgive me for admitting this, but I love bandh days.  I am saddened that the Nepali political climate permits these disturbances but I enjoy our bandh day routines.  I even wonder if this slow quiet version of Kathmandu was what first spurred the hippy migration to Kathmandu.

Yesterday the city was very quiet.  No horns blared.  Large trucks did not rumble by and even the dogs seemed to bark less.  I have grown so used to the noise that its absence felt almost like a missing appendage.  As I cooked breakfast for Jess and JAC, I sipped my coffee relishing the silence.  The view of the Himalayas was perfect, devoid of vehicle pollution.  The morning was serene.

Later Jess walked to work.  I let JAC pick out snacks to put in his duck shaped backpack and we left our compound.  My son is at his best with a mission and with his backpack on he felt important.  He marched forward down our street tightly holding my hand.  We walked side by side through back neighborhoods and climbed a steep trail. We each carried a small rock to throw at angry dogs.  This was JAC's idea.  "We need dog rock," he instructed. Later, he told me, "My duck backpack heavy."  I looked at him earnestly and replied, "But you are strong."  With this small encouragement JAC stumbled up the dirt trail.

We arrived at our friends house and I spent the morning drinking coffee, eating muffins and loving the conversation.  Her teenage daughter played with JAC and he disappeared to her room loving the attention.  Later we tripped back down the trails and JAC found a huge stick.  He chased me a bit and I chased him without worry of being mowed down by an unexpected truck.  We jumped over potholes and I stopped to snap a picture of JAC carrying a branch twice his size.  "I take picture of mom?" JAC asked.  I handed over the camera and marveled.  Only a few years ago he was crawling.  Now he is my hiking buddy with ideas of his own.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Falling

I only knew my husband for six months from the day we met to the day we were married.  My family was understandably very concerned.  I can't explain how our marriage has worked out so perfectly.  It was not well thought out and yet we are so completely happy.  I liken it to a small planted seed growing into a sturdy tree.

I didn't fall in love with my son until he was almost seven months old.  He suffered from colic.  Hours of non-stop screaming, sleep deprivation and a bit of postpartum depression didn't endear me to the poor kid.  At seven months JAC learned to crawl and I remember looking at him.  I felt like I was seeing him for the first time.  He was an intense, joyful, active little guy and I loved him.

Today I had a perfect morning with the same little guy I fell in love with.  He is still intense, joyful and active but his personality has so many more layers.  He is very ordered and determined.  I watched him drag a bag full of basketballs out the club door like and undersized Santa with his pack.  He removed each ball and put them in a perfect line.  He was happy.  We played baseball, investigated each vehicle on the lot and ate french fries for lunch.

Today I learned three people I love dearly are coming to Kathmandu for a visit.  My excitement is brimming because I want to hug them and enjoy every minute with them.  I also want to show them my Kathmandu.  When we moved here I spent the first two months trying to catch my breath.  The following two months I hated the traffic, complained about the pollution and constantly missed my old friends.  Recently I noticed a change.  I have fallen very unexpectedly for Kathmandu.

I think learning to navigate the roads helped.  When my driver quit I took over behind the wheel and now I know back alleys and secret shops.  I feel a sense of ownership  The never slowing traffic feels ironic and I'm honking at every inconvenience like the locals.  The grittiness adds personality and makes me even more thankful for the iconic snow covered peaks in the background.  Kathmandu is my home.

All of the best things in my life were unexpected.   I know consistency and planning are more valued skills but today I hope something wonderfully unexpected happens to you too.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ducks and Such

The word "imprinting" instantly brings to mind ducks.  I think of yellow and brown spotted baby ducks waddling after their mother.  When  JAC was little I would grow so exasperated with my life that I would lie on my kitchen floor and stare at my ceiling.  After a few minutes I would notice the house was quiet and realize JAC was lying beside me - our heads together staring at the ceiling. 

I just devoured an entire bowl of popcorn.  I blame my mom.  Almost every day of my life my mom would eat popcorn as an afternoon snack.  She popped it in a bowl in the microwave with a dab of butter.  I pop mine on the stove in a tall black pot because I love sound of the kernels rocketing against the metal sides.

I had a job interview this week.  Jess took me on a breakfast date and we practiced answering interview questions.  I realized I have not been on any sort of interview for almost six years. There were many qualified candidates an my prospects are slim but I enjoyed the challenge of interviewing.

Today I read JAC five books before nap time.  He wanted me to hold his "paw" while he fell asleep.  I obliged and fell asleep holding his hand.  I have missed him this week.  I have been away too much.  When I decide to work JAC will head off to preschool.  I think he is ready.  He asks every day to go to school but I'm not ready.  I guess that is the pendulum of parenting - holding tightly to a paw and knowing when to let go.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Cave

Every few weeks I typically find myself thinking and re-thinking three big ideas.  The list changes often as I sort out my thoughts and develop conclusions.  The topic list is largely influenced by the activities of my daily life.

Today fifteen different work men have been in my house all day.  They converge on the house every three months and examine each knob and corner, fixing deficiencies.  This level of household maintenance is quite a luxury but the intrusion into my domain sends me running to my "idea cave."  This is the place I mentally go and ponder deep thoughts rather than existing in my present paradigm.

Welcome to my idea cave.  Is it wrong to take pictures of ordinary people without their permission?  A favorite genre of photography could be named, "pictures of the locals."  I admit I find some of these pictures fascinating.  Documenting the lives of ordinary people illustrates their way of life and displays the uniqueness of their culture.  It also reduces these people to a carnival side show.  We often act as voyeurs to their misery.  Every day I want to take pictures of the man carrying a sofa on his back or the boy moving a slaughtered pig to the market on his bicycle, but I am reticent. 

When we had the large earthquake mice and rats came out and ran about.  Is this common after earthquakes?  Would an earthquake feel different if you were standing underground in your basement?

Money in many ways is notional.  For instance, when you get paid it is deposited directly into your account but no physical object is transferred.  Gold bars are not moved to your bank.  In the 90's Brazil minted the Real - a completely new currency when inflation grew too high under the Cruzado.  If money is fictional - could we think our way into a better economy?

I've been reading Mormon Mom Blogs lately and the women seem so comfortable in motherhood.  Their faith considers motherhood very important.  While being a stay at home mom is not exactly looked down on by the average American it is not typically characterized as "important."  For instance, people ask me "What do you plan to do when JAC goes to school?"  I ask myself the same question, but no one says - "You're raising children, that is such important work."

Thanks for stopping by my cave.  I am off to make cookies because that is one of the luxuries of staying at home.  I love mid-afternoon baking.  I would love your thoughts on any of the above subjects or if you have your own "idea cave" please tell me what you're thinking about.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Resolutions

I noticed platefuls of salad at the embassy cafeteria today.  It's resolution season and inevitably salad season too.  While I ate my own salad I pondered my resolutions.  I'm attempting to lose five pounds this month but I mainly consider this a jump start to my true resolutions.

1. I plan to run thirty minutes four times a week.  I typically accomplish this mission every week but I want to be more mindful about executing it without excuses. Because, around our house happy mom often only shows up after some exercise.  My Aunt posted this video and I think it portrays the benefits of exercise in such a simple way. 23 1/2 hours

2. I read an article on NPR that stated the average American ate a TON of food last year.  At first I was disgusted.  Later I thought I might have been among the many who indulged in a ton of food.  I want to eat less but I also want to eat more fruits and vegetables.  This is not a real goal because I haven't quantified it yet.  I'm still thinking about the math but for the last few weeks I have cut cheese and white grains from my diet.Ton of Food

3. I want to get a job.  It is time to patch some holes in my resume before JAC goes off to school next year.  I'm looking for part time work.  I don't know if that will be volunteer work, free lance work or a conventional position.  I am looking for a job that is interesting and helps me identify which direction I want to move forward.  I'm really considering starting a master's program but I'm not exactly sure what to study.  I would like a job that will help me evaluate my strengths and asses the future job market.

4. I want to sew once a week.  Sewing helps me be creative and brings me joy.  Luckily I know several a accomplished seamstresses here in Kathmandu to help when things get tricky.

I'm not exactly pleased with my resolutions yet.  I'm still amending them.  Help me shape my 2012.  What are your resolutions?

Friday, January 6, 2012

Kathmandu Morning.

Last week I enjoyed a perfect day but I have yet to write about it.  Part of the perfect day was a visit to a museum with nine flights of stairs and now my knee is REALLY sore.  I'm pretty sure I'm eighty years old.  I'm limping around and swallowing handfuls of Advil.

It is Saturday morning and the house is really chilly.  JAC and I are wrapped up in blankets eating fruitloops and playing the quiet game.  This is our Saturday morning tradition.  We try to be extra quiet and let Jess sleep in for a few hours.

This week Jess really needs the extra rest.  On Wednesday he returned home from work at eight only to receive a call a few hours later and return to work.  There was a small problem at the embassy and Jess worked all night to fix it.  Jess seems to thrive on the adrenaline and it is fun to watch him enjoy his work so much.  He is in his element.

Lately JAC constantly refers to himself as "baby bear" and I'm "mama bear."  When we sit on the couch together and he wants me to hold his "paw."  I think it is so cute!  Sometimes he pretends he's a baby elephant and wants me to hold his trunk while we walk.

I've made a New Year's resolution to run more.  I am so much more cheerful with some daily exercise.  I miss my D.C running trails but I've traded in for a grand Kathmandu adventure.

My awesome sister-in-law sent me makeup.  I can't tell you how excited I am!  It is silly but looking through the drug store aisle for new eyeshadow or lip gloss is something I really miss.

JAC has had a major growth spurt.  I was toweling him off after his bath and realized his legs seemed so much longer.  This was further confirmed when we went to church and he was the same size as all of the four year old boys.  After church last week JAC found two brothers close to his age and they wrestled for half an hour on the gym mats.  JAC found his soul mates and was so happy.  This kid loves to wrestle.

We ate Mexican food after church with our friends.  I think fifteen kids attended and the place was a mad house of activity.  Yes, there is Mexican food in Kathmandu!  Several of our friends jointly own the restaurant.  They purchased the it together to acquire Nepali work visas and stay in the country as missionaries.  Next week we're trying out the Pizza Hut.

That is the end of my Kathmandu ramble.  I hope you're having a great day wherever you are!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Fuel.

The valley is out of fuel.  Kerosene, diesel and petrol are all in very short supply.  As further insult the government has imposed long brown - outs, leaving the citizens of Kathmandu with only a few hours of electricity a day.  At night my car windows frost over and the city is pitch black.  It smells like we live in a fire pit as smoke from roadside fires mingles with normal pollution.  Today my housekeeper requested to take home a pile of garden rubbish to burn in her home. 

I drove down the road yesterday and abruptly slammed on my breaks. My head jolted back.  The cars in front of me were completely stopped.  A tail of automobiles and motorcycles looped for a kilometer up the hill, parked waiting in the fuel queue at a crumbling gas station.  Drivers wait up to three days for five kilos of petrol.  On Saturday we watched drivers stalk a fuel truck like prey as it pulled into a station and police attempted to perform crowd control amongst costumers hungry to refill their vehicles.

As I write our generator rumbles on.  Our house is not warm.  I am wearing two sweatshirts but it is light.  At night I heat one room of our house and we huddle together enjoying the close company.  We are protected from the discomfort suffered my ordinary Nepalis.  Our government has built alliances our generator will never be empty.  Our heat will be available on demand.