Double Digits

Somehow in the craziness of the last few weeks Titus turned 10. We did manage to mark the occasion and he was presented the requested binoculars for viewing the night sky. It seems, however, that in our time away we completely forgot the tendency of the sky here to be overcast both day and night. So far we haven't seen any stars. Maybe we shouldn't have encouraged this new interest.

Still, I'm happy for any occasion to celebrate this little guy. I love the way he still gets excited when we pass a playground. And how he's willing to carry two styrofoam swords through three airports for the prospect of battling it out with his cousins. I hope he never loses his sense of fun and play.

Happy Birthday, Titus!

Just Kidding!

Not me. I wasn't just kidding. That's really what happened. Then the next day Bryce went down to have a chat and they apologized for their hasty decision and asked us to stay. So, I guess they were just kidding.

Only it wasn't that funny.

Thanks for all of the support through that time of domicile ambiguity. I really appreciate the understanding and offers of hit men and such. For a while, part of me wanted to just make a clean break and avoid unpredicatble mind-changing landlords. But, in the hope that someone will give us a break when we're in our eighties, we decided to stay.

There was also the fact that we love it here and really really want to stay. We've been trying to enjoy ourselves and are well on our way to taking everything in our easy western lifestyle for granted. Just look at all that grass!

So, now it's official. We are again residents of Vashon Island. You are very welcome to visit ANYTIME. Come see the view out the living room window.

Hello House. Goodbye House.

While still in B-desh we managed to find a house for us to rent. A near Utopian home with four bedrooms, an amazing view of the Puget Sound and Mt. Rainer, and beach access. The levels we stooped to in order to secure such a perfect spot are embarrassing but totally worth it (family members calling and visiting, and an email with a family bio and photo).

We spent last week moving every last bit of our worldly possessions into our new home. It was an exhausting and cathartic process that left us ready to sink into the oblivion of a settled happy life. Looking at the twinkling lights of the Tacoma skyline we imagined that we really had ended up where we always hoped.

Then, on Friday, there was a note on the door from our landlords who live in another house on the same property. They wanted to talk and when we finally had a chance to sit down with them together they said, "We don't think this is the house for you. We think you folks should move out."

Oh sad day of frustration and worry!

So, the fact that our phone and Internet were finally hooked up today is bittersweet since we'll have to leave it all behind in a short while. I'm on a mission online today to look for somewhere new.

Going Home

The last leg of our journey home was a packed flight on United from San Francisco to Seattle. After four days of airplanes, airports, hotels, and amusement parks we all got buckled in and promptly fell asleep.

We stayed in our seats as everyone else disembarked to give the kids a few extra moments of sleep. As the other passengers filed past the compliments were forthcoming.

"What well behaved children!"

"I had no idea there were children on the plane they were so quiet!"

I smiled ironically to myself thinking of what we had gone through in order to have peace and quiet on this last tiny two hour flight home. Still, it's nice to think that there are passengers out there impressed with how well behaved our sleeping children can be to offset the dozens that had to endure Enzo's angry crying and Lena's manic screaming on the two flights before.

I'm so glad that's over.

81 Dome Mosque

I just watched the slideshow of pictures from the trip. It sounds like the main themes were heat, patience, and attitude. A good recipe for dealing with life in B-desh.

Now we're in the throes of sorting and packing. Just two more days in Chittagong.