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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 11, 2020 14:17:21 GMT -6
It's been a busy week here. We are done shopping for the boys and I'm done with DH. We are NEVER this far ahead, lol. We still need to finish our moms and I need to get the boys' teachers done. But that's about all. I even have nearly everything wrapped. As things arrive on the porch each day, I take a small break from work and wrap presents as they arrive since no one is home. So much easier than waiting until after the boys' bedtime when I have no desire to do anything other than crash. I really love working from home, lol.
My late FIL was a teacher and MS football coach and HS baseball coach. Tonight they're having a tribute for him at the HS he taught at between the JV and Varsity basketball games. A few weeks after he died they sold t-shirts that said "Touchdowns for < lastname that starts with T >" and gave the money to MIL, I believe. We really have no idea what to expect and aren't thrilled about being in a potentially crowded gymnasium but we wouldn't dream of not attending - it is REALLY cool of them to do this. BIL and SIL and their kids, 2 of DH's aunts, DH's grandpa (FIL's father) are all going, in addition to us and MIL, of course. MIL teaches in the same district and they have been really great to her these last couple months.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 12, 2020 0:14:11 GMT -6
curmudgeon have you moved yet? Share all the exciting furniture you're going to get! codex320 I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you! So happy and excited for your journey. I remember feeling anxious and oh man Lupron shots. I remember feeling like a swiss cheese junkie and was on so many different cocktails and swallowing so many pills ( up to 17 at one point  ) Taitai still thinking of your grandparents and I am so glad to hear you're having a normal life. Someone needs to and I am glad there are a handful of countries proving that it is possible to curb and control Covid. No more needs to be said about here, just makes me rage talking or thinking about it. I've completely checked out of my neighborhood Nextdoor, I am horrified at the complete ignorance and shit people I am surrounded with who value their so called freedom more than another person's life. We unfortunately live right on the fringe of the nut jobs and non-believers. I told hubs, it really makes me want to move really really far away from them. CoachTsWife it warms my heart to hear how much the community values your FIL. I hope everyone will adhere to public health advisements and stay safe. Most of our state is now under strict no gathering orders.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 12, 2020 0:40:20 GMT -6
August Blooms Ah yes! Remembrance Day. I gather it's a common Canadian practice about not putting Christmas up before? So this year I noticed, maybe because it's 2020, several homes in our neighborhood had their Christmas lights and decorations up a week after Halloween! As the kids get older, I think it's important for them to acknowledge Remembrance Day ( Veteran's Day here ) I recall growing up our schools would get involved in the community to commemorate that day. I think when DS was in Kinder last year, they did something but not on a large scale. I love your mantle and tree! You've inspired me to get more fancy balls for next year. I am also in the market for like a real nutcracker that actually cracks nuts! LOL! do any actually exist? I am also super glad to hear that your sister got her surgery and is recovering.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 12, 2020 1:02:18 GMT -6
As mentioned, we finally got our tree Sunday morning and it was my friend whom got me going. She messaged me Friday and asked if we should make wreaths this year so I said the heck with it and it was going to be a nice weekend in the 60s so she came over and we had a masked social distance Christmas wreath making on my patio. I managed to snag a bunch of tree clippings at Lowes just before they closed the night before and she did the same. It was great to have an actual conversation and see another person. mommabakes I totally thought of you when hubs brought our tree into the house and lil fella exclaimed excitedly "It's almost Christmas" and the next day when he woke up, he ran to the tree and said, "It smells like Christmas!" All week, the boys were told that the Elfs came every night to decorate the tree bit by bit I am excited now as hubs is getting our new tree topper up. Our old one was kinda meh! so this year we decided to replace it and found something we both liked. I'll share a few pics tomorrow. August Blooms, the Elfs also accidentally put all the glitter ornaments at the top lol! and all the bells at the bottom so the last couple of days, we hear jingle jangles practically all day. It's going to get old by Christmas! |
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Post by Taitai on Dec 12, 2020 7:16:45 GMT -6
codex320 Good luck with the FET - so excited for you, and please keep us updated (if you are comfortable doing so). I remember lupron....ugh....so many shots. H had to do them for me, because I always chickened out doing them on myself. You’re almost there - you can do it! CoachTsWife What a nice community you have to show their support for your MIL and family. I hope everyone stays safe, especially your FIL’s dad. Will be thinking of you all. August Blooms I’m glad to hear that your sister’s surgery went okay. Hoping for a smooth recovery, and that she will be feeling better for the holidays. duskymonkey Yeah - I kind of can’t deal with the non-believers and conspiracy theory wackos in the USA. It’s just really getting out of control, and I’m honestly worried about the state of America’s democracy. Seeing our country totally go down the tubes these past 4 years has been depressing - so much selfishness and lack in empathy. I really think that gets to the core of it. Sigh. Over here, we had a nice day - went to one of those crazy birthday parties danvers always likes to read about. This time the party had pony rides, a petting zoo, a polo demonstration, soccer lessons, clown/balloon twister, trampoline, and massive bounce castle. Plus open bar and huge buffet for everyone. You know, just your average 5 year old birthday party 😂🤣. Tomorrow we are having 2 families over to decorate cutout Christmas cookies. Very excited about that, as it’s become a tradition each year!
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 12, 2020 8:13:07 GMT -6
curmudgeon have you moved yet? Share all the exciting furniture you're going to get! Hi! We have moved! Hiring movers is worth every penny. I just have a million boxes to open. I need help with furniture. We gave away a lot of stuff that was old or slightly damaged so I’m here in a very echo-y house. I bought one barstool so far because the only ones H and I could agree on were expensive. Lol so I’m spreading out my purchases. I’m still in need of a dining table and chairs, tv media cabinet, and coffee table. 😳 Oh and the first day, H saw a mouse run into the garage. And he’s annoyed I made him get humane traps. 🤷🏻♀️ |
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 12, 2020 8:17:53 GMT -6
CoachTsWife I just read your post about the tribute to your FIL. That is so amazing. What a special way to show what he meant to the community.
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 12, 2020 16:53:37 GMT -6
Taitai I love crazy bday parties (for other people!) - polo demonstration... soccer lessons... 🤪 I bet the boys had a great time. curmudgeon yay for the move! I hate mice. We had one a few weeks ago but I’m much less nice about getting rid of them. CoachTsWife how wonderful for your FIL to be honored in such a way.
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 12, 2020 20:39:36 GMT -6
I have refused the elf on the shelf for all of DS1’s childhood, until now. He wrote a letter to Santa asking for one and I’m a sucker and caved and miraculously found one on amazon that should arrive tomorrow. Here’s hoping it’s not a knock off.
I promised DS1 we would take walks around the neighborhood tomorrow and maybe meet some neighbors. He is dying to find other kids his age. Good news is our direct neighbors have a boy his age and the people behind us I saw 2 girls around his age today. They had stacked chairs and stools to see over the fence to the other boys next door. 😆
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Post by Taitai on Dec 13, 2020 7:59:46 GMT -6
curmudgeon Congrats on the move!! I’m not helpful with furniture, but yay for there being neighborhood kids the same age as yours! I hope the kids can make friends - it’s sooooo nice when your kids have friends close to home. We love the little gang our boys are part of on our compound.
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 13, 2020 16:13:12 GMT -6
duskymonkey I don’t know how common it is to say that date in particular but most people seem to follow it. My mom always used the local Santa Claus parade as the official time to start decorating which is the usually third weekend in November. People don’t really decorate prior to that. My grandma had a real nutcracker and I’m sad l didn’t inherit it. But 20 year old me wasn’t exactly thinking about those things. She also had one of those 1970 ceramic Christmas trees that people are charging $100 for now. CoachTsWife That sound like a lovely tribute to your FIL. Taitai That’s all they had at the party? 😂 What insanity! I love hearing about it! curmudgeon Congrats on the move! Movers are worth every penny! We are still buying pieces of furniture almost a year and a half into our move. It’s not cheap!
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Post by August Blooms on Dec 13, 2020 16:18:54 GMT -6
Thanks for the well wishes for my sister, she’s doing well and hopefully she will be back eating real food soon! She’s been on jello, popsicles and broth for almost 3 weeks now, she definitely not going to be able to do a Christmas dinner if we have it. Her body needs to relearn how to digest without her gall bladder.
Our town has gone all out, more than usual, on the Christmas lights and we did a drive around some of the better streets last night and the kids had a blast. Next weekend there is another town nearby we will go to. They get hundreds of cars since they are huge houses and every single one is decorated. It’s really cool.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 15, 2020 10:35:57 GMT -6
Thanks guys. The tribute for FIL was lovely. The basketball teams wore the T-shirts during the warm-ups and tons of others were also wearing the shirts. It was really wonderful to see all of the support and I know it meant a lot to MIL, DH, and BIL.
The school is 2 counties south of the metro area where we live and in a really rural area and has low covid numbers. We were the only masked group in the whole gym. It was bizarre. Our entire state has had a really poor covid response but where we live the local governments have put mask orders and restrictions in place. It was nuts to be in an area with no restrictions. And scary. But we made it ok, at least so far everyone is still feeling fine.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 16, 2020 1:16:03 GMT -6
CoachTsWife glad to hear you are all feeling good and continue to stay that way. What an honour though. This is probably so unreal and hard to decipher for so many people which is why I think we're in such a predicament. TBH in the beginning I was like there's no way it can spread to where we are and they can stop it at the coasts and borders and then it'll be just a couple of months to curb it. It wasn't until my friends in NYC was telling me what they were seeing and experiencing and also what my cousin in Beijing could tell me that I finally realized this was much more serious. I also love that you've had time to wrap up presents as they get delivered. Hubs and I still need to go "shopping" in our basement lol! We've since forgotten what train stuff we have. We have already gotten the few other items which we just put away in a box as they get delivered. How is your mom doing?
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 16, 2020 1:36:38 GMT -6
Taitai OMG! that's just wild about a polo demo  I can only imagine when the time comes for these kids wedding, it will be one of those OTT weddings we read about! I am happy to hear that everyone is back to living a normal life over there. Gives us hope IYKWIM. The state of the society here is definitely worrying. I was aghast when I read about the desecration of Ann Frank's memorial recently. It hasn't even been a century in which the horrors of the holocaust happened. That portion of history was largely kept from my knowledge growing up although my mother talked about it but I never quite understood it. It was never part of my school curriculum for many reasons. I learnt it all when I went to NZ. I remember when I visited the Holocaust museum in DC, I felt sick and was in tears walking through it. Anyways you're like our lifeline for living so tell us all about your vacations so we can live vicariously through you! lol!
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 16, 2020 1:41:05 GMT -6
curmudgeon have you moved yet? Share all the exciting furniture you're going to get! Hi! We have moved! Hiring movers is worth every penny. I just have a million boxes to open. I need help with furniture. We gave away a lot of stuff that was old or slightly damaged so I’m here in a very echo-y house. I bought one barstool so far because the only ones H and I could agree on were expensive. Lol so I’m spreading out my purchases. I’m still in need of a dining table and chairs, tv media cabinet, and coffee table. 😳 Oh and the first day, H saw a mouse run into the garage. And he’s annoyed I made him get humane traps. 🤷🏻♀️ Ooooo....what's your style and how long do you intend to keep your furniture? I have a few places I love which we've gotten our furniture from. If it wasn't Covid, I'd say if you're in a good area for estate sales, I would check those out and also FB market place these days instead of Craigslist. I am here to help you spend some money haha! |
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 16, 2020 1:56:54 GMT -6
Well it's beginning to smell like Christmas and I cannot believe it's next week! I am so behind. I am also falling asleep waiting for a batch of cookies to cool down so I can put them away. We were so busy decorating the tree and I spent the weekend mixing up a few batches of cookies dough and tonight I started baking and have about 56 pineapple tarts to start. What are you all making if you are? mommabakes ? So here's our new tree topper and the kids love it! This is also the biggest tree we've gotten and I didn't have enough "berry" picks and the tree is top heavy with ornaments .... because.... Here's also a pic of my wreath I made last week. It was supposed to be a partial wreath but now it looks like I didn't have enough greens to finish it lol!   |
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Post by Taitai on Dec 16, 2020 7:12:08 GMT -6
duskymonkey I love your tree and wreath! Your wreath looks like it’s made by a professional! I am not crafty and am positive that I couldn’t make something that nice. Your pineapple tarts also sound amazing! We made cut out cookies last weekend - one batch makes like 100 cookies, so we had two of DS1’s friends come over to frost/decorate them. My gosh, the kids made such a huge mess, but they had a blast and it was lots of fun to have a bunch of kids over for some Christmas fun. Also, on your note about the Holocaust, yes - I am so disappointed that pretty much nobody knows or understands much about that (or really WWII for that matter) here in Southeast Asia. Many people I know just learned a few things about Japanese imperialism, but even then, their awareness of WWII in the Pacific is just woefully inadequate. Probably doesn’t help that the Japanese have never really apologized for their war crimes during those times, so maybe it’s still a touchy/taboo subject over here. Still - I wish there was more awareness about the Holocaust and how awful the nazis were. Sigh. August Blooms Glad to hear that your sister is recovering, and I hope she will be able to gradually work herself up to eating more regular meals. How difficult to not be able to eat solid food during the holidays. The Christmas lights sound awesome, and I am jealous of that town you have where everyone goes all out! We have mall decorations here, but that’s about it. CoachTsWife It sounds like a very moving tribute, and it’s wonderful that so many people honored your FIL that way. I hope you all stay safe and healthy.
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Post by Taitai on Dec 16, 2020 7:16:12 GMT -6
Our compound had a Christmas party for the kids today, which was so nice. There was a saxophone player doing holiday tunes, we had a potluck with lots of tasty food, the kids all decorated Santa hats, and there was gingerbread making. Santa also visited DS1’s classroom and brought him a little toy organizer case as a present. DS1 came home and said, “It wasn’t Santa though, it was the Technology teacher! He wasn’t in his office, and Santa sounded just like him!” Oh no - he’s only 5 and already catching on! 😩
There is a Christmas party at DS2’s school tomorrow, where Santa will also visit and there will be music/food. Should be fun. Then, I need to get all the shopping done and packing squared away on Friday before we leave for our beach vacation on Saturday! Busy week.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 16, 2020 9:03:02 GMT -6
duskymonkey my mom is doing pretty well. She's driving now and gets in the car every day and drives around her little town to get out of the house. She has started physical therapy so I'm hoping that helps her with some of the loss of strength she has experienced.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 17, 2020 10:44:16 GMT -6
Welp. My husband came home sick yesterday. People are dropping like flies at his school - both DH and his partner teacher in the adjoining classroom went home sick yesterday. They are out of substitutes so they are combining DH's classes with his partner teacher's classes and having them meet in the library where they can spread out and the principals are the subs. Oy. They thought the surge from Thanksgiving would hit last week but his principal told him it appears to be hitting this week. Super great timing, DS1 has been so excited for his Christmas party at preschool next week and I'm sad he will miss it. DH got tested this morning but I'm pretty sure he'll be positive. Pretty much just waiting to get sick myself, while working from home with both boys underfoot.  Good times over here! |
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 17, 2020 20:06:10 GMT -6
duskymonkey I love your tree! It is one of the fattest ones I’ve seen and reminds me of the trees my dad always picks out. The fuller the better. CoachTsWife oh no! So they are all getting sick with Covid? Praying it’s just a typical seasonal cold for all of you and his teaching partner. Your poor little guy too, missing out on the party. I’m so sorry.
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 17, 2020 20:12:43 GMT -6
Hi! We have moved! Hiring movers is worth every penny. I just have a million boxes to open. I need help with furniture. We gave away a lot of stuff that was old or slightly damaged so I’m here in a very echo-y house. I bought one barstool so far because the only ones H and I could agree on were expensive. Lol so I’m spreading out my purchases. I’m still in need of a dining table and chairs, tv media cabinet, and coffee table. 😳 Oh and the first day, H saw a mouse run into the garage. And he’s annoyed I made him get humane traps. 🤷🏻♀️ Ooooo....what's your style and how long do you intend to keep your furniture? I have a few places I love which we've gotten our furniture from. If it wasn't Covid, I'd say if you're in a good area for estate sales, I would check those out and also FB market place these days instead of Craigslist. I am here to help you spend some money haha! I don’t know what my style is. I just try to pick stuff I like and I think sort of goes together? Lol I can share pics of what I have so far. But help would be appreciated. |
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Post by mommabakes on Dec 17, 2020 22:18:32 GMT -6
duskymonkey pineapple tarts sounds delicious! I've been on a sweet making kick for sure. Multiple kinds of macarons, Russian teacake cookies, gingersnaps, cut outs, cinnamon marshmallows, nutella fudge, peppermint bark, and I think something else, but I can't even remember lol
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Post by Taitai on Dec 18, 2020 7:18:20 GMT -6
CoachTsWife Oh no....I’m so sorry your H is sick, and I hope his COVID test comes back negative, and that it’s another virus or something. So sorry that your DS1 has to miss his party. One thing I can suggest - is to drink hot/warm water right now to ward off getting sick yourself (or have a more mild sickness). It’s a common thing to do here in Asia, and I used to not believe it. But then I started drinking hot water immediately when anyone in my family started to get sick, and so far - it seems to be working. I still will get sniffles and little sore throats, but I’ve noticed that if I keep up with hot water (and not drinking cold things) it’s honestly much easier for me to get better quickly or not have as bad of a cold. Who knows - I could also be insane. But, it has worked so far!
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 18, 2020 9:22:32 GMT -6
curmudgeon it is not shared if the kids who are sick/move to virtual learning have Covid (unless you were directly exposed) but it is fair to assume a portion of them have covid. The way his principal talked makes me think a majority of them are covid cases. Taitai thank you! I remember reading about that months ago but had forgotten about it. I'm willing to try anything, lol. I've been taking a high dose of Vitamin D and Zinc and throwing all kinds of vitamins at DH. haha. He's isolating downstairs - I do drink and food drop-offs and he mostly only comes upstairs to shower. DS1 is really sad to miss preschool (he especially misses his "girlfriend" Ellie....and his teacher just messaged me about something else and commented about how Ellie is missing him). DS2, however, is perfectly happy to stay home. Elated even. If DH tests positive, I think the boys and I will need to quarantine until January 8th. If I end up getting it that will extend the boys quarantine even longer. I just....ugh. That's a long time.
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Post by danvers on Dec 18, 2020 20:22:27 GMT -6
CoachTsWife FX it’s just a cold but being a teacher and married to a teacher... I know that resigned, inevitable feeling as cases surge in the classrooms - especially at the high school. I hope it’s not for your sake and I have heard of a lot of families where only some get it and not everyone and maybe that will be the case for you all! Taitai adding “drink hot beverages” to my new anti-sick routine. I will throw magic sprinkles at this point if I can avoid getting sick. I currently take elderberry everyday and if I feel even a slight tickle I chug Airborne. I don’t think either of those things have very much (if any) actual medical backing but I’ve avoided all major sicknesses for at least a year now so 🤷♀️
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Dec 18, 2020 20:30:52 GMT -6
Xmas break is finally here! I’ve eaten my weight in sugar today, as have my own children, and my body is ready to crash. 😂
We have a super quiet week leading up till Christmas (thanks to a certain raging pandemic) so I’m not sure what we’ll all do. Lots of Christmas movies (Elf! It’s my favorite!) and trying new cookie recipes probably.
I’m going to need to start my daily walks again too. They were a staple during the wide stay-at-home orders because everyone together in my house, all the time, is too much togetherness for me. H and the girls are very “touchy” and I am no. It will do me in if I can’t get away for at least a little bit each day.
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Post by CoachTsWife on Dec 19, 2020 17:30:17 GMT -6
Well my husband tested positive. Both boys have had a low grade (99.0 and 99.2) temp today. DS1 is normal now but still feels warm so IDK. I feel fine. I think? Everyone keeps asking me how I'm feeling and trying to over analyze any little thing.
We weren't doing much for Christmas - just spending a few hours at my mom's on Christmas Eve with my sister and brother and their families, and then spending Christmas evening at MIL's. Can't do any of that now. I think someone from my family is going to drive 1.5 hours to drop their gifts for the boys on our porch (and I'm going to leave our gifts for them on the porch to take back with them) to open on Christmas Eve, and we'll Zoom with them so they can watch and vice versa.
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Post by duskymonkey on Dec 20, 2020 0:19:39 GMT -6
CoachTsWife Oh Noooo! All digits crossed that your DH has a mild reaction and if the kids have it too, they also have a mild reaction. Did you or are you going to get the boys tested? Many people I personally know that have gotten it have had a mild reaction. One day at a time girl...we're here for you. Keep us posted if you are able to and we'll check in with you too. Also I feel so much for you with everything you and your family have endured in the past year. Biggest hugs ever to you! I am very glad to hear you mom is doing well though.
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I can only imagine when the time comes for these kids wedding, it will be one of those OTT weddings we read about! I am happy to hear that everyone is back to living a normal life over there. Gives us hope IYKWIM. The state of the society here is definitely worrying. I was aghast when I read about the desecration of Ann Frank's memorial recently. It hasn't even been a century in which the horrors of the holocaust happened. That portion of history was largely kept from my knowledge growing up although my mother talked about it but I never quite understood it. It was never part of my school curriculum for many reasons. I learnt it all when I went to NZ. I remember when I visited the Holocaust museum in DC, I felt sick and was in tears walking through it. Anyways you're like our lifeline for living so tell us all about your vacations so we can live vicariously through you! lol!
