February 2009 Archives

Every year, someone invariably makes the comment "I can't believe it's almost Labor Day already!" and I go into a mild panic thinking of the dark winter days ahead, then try to pack in as much outdoor time and sun as I can before autumn hits. Fall usually carries a certain amount of bittersweet melancholy, a counter-balance to the feverish joy that late spring and summer bring to upstate New York. Late winter and early spring are what inspire the panic, the hardest part for me.

Living south of the equator for the first time in my life, I'm a little lost without my usual seasonal bearings. We're in the equivalent of late August here, with only a few weeks of summer left. I can tell the days are getting shorter, and last week ended with a real doozy of a rainstorm that reminded me what winter in Wellington is all about. I know I should feel that Labor-Day-is-coming anxiety, but at the same time I know Easter is coming soon with all its rebirth and spring-related renewal. It's just as hard to think about making stews in May as it was having to barbeque in December.

The reality is my heart is in two places, or maybe three or more now - wherever I've made a home for myself and my family, and wherever my family and friends are. Thank goodness for the internet, as it makes it easier for me to check the weather where you are and imagine what it would be like to drop in unannounced for a cup of coffee and whatever it is you might be baking. Happy weekend everyone, we miss you!

Before I get to the complaining, I just want to everyone to know, I am grateful, I am grateful, I am grateful.  

Now that we have that out of the way, I really, really miss US customer service and specifically the people who work in medical offices in the US.  Here's a conversation I had recently when trying to reschedule an appointment for Josie to another time in the day.

The hospital receptionist answered and I asked to speak to the children's ward.  The children's ward person answered. I let her know my daughter had an appointment at the end of March which was scheduled right at her nap time and could I change the appointment.  She replied "I just shut my system down.  Do you want me to look it up?" I mentally answered, "Um, that's why I am effing calling!".  Out loud I said "Yes please.  I'd like to see if there are any alternate appointments."  She informed me while her system was booting, that these appointments fill up quickly. What?  Am I not calling two and a half months in advance??  Anyhow, she confirmed that the clinic was full that day.  Oh but she did have another appointment.  In MAY.  And at the same effing time.  "Um, do you have any appointments that aren't at that time of day?  Also, we can't wait two more months to have this check up."  She was seriously no help.  Any maybe it's not her fault.  I mean, I have no idea how often this ONE pediatrician at the hospital has a clinic but it can't be that often.  I can't even ask to see another doctor.

The biggest complaint I have about this is that the staff seem to do the minimal effort. I mean, asking me if I want her to go through all the effort of starting up her scheduling computer (who knows, it might have just been a desktop paper calendar!) when that is her JOB! 

It's been creeping in. 

Two days in a row Sophie has been barefoot when I showed up to get her at Kindy (that is what we call Preschool at home).  Shoes are totally optional inside and out, and in general, many Kiwis don't wear shoes.  The girls sealed the deal by attending an outdoor birthday party barefoot this weekend.  I've also been guilty of letting this slide.  I find myself putting Josie in the car without shoes on more and more often.  Mostly because I don't ever plan for her little feet to touch the ground as we shuttle Jake or Sophie around.  But there have been two times that we unexpectedly got out of the car and went inside with Josie barefoot.  I actually didn't mind her wandering around a bit with her little bare feet.

We had a play date with one of Sophie's new friends from Kindy and Jake asked Josie if she had a nice time.  She looked at him and said "I had a bigshit."  "WHAT?!?!"  "A bikshit."  "Oh, you mean a biscuit."  Aside from the hilarity of what we first thought she said, the reality is that she no longer says cookie.  She says biscuit and tomahto sauce and Daddaye and Mumaye.

Sophie's accent has changed a bit now that she's in school.  She now ends some sentences with "aye" which is the equivalent of saying "right?" at home.  Just looking for some agreement or confirmation.  The most noticeable accent comes out when she says her friends names at school.  Tylah (Tyler), Richahd (Richard) just to name two.  We're taking the stance of not correcting her because, afterall, when in Rome..