The Evolution of The Maguire Wire

Dear readers,

Much has happened since our last blog post four years ago. The Maguire Wire as we know it is no more. The Traveling Maguires are still traveling, but traveling in separate directions. Details do no one good, but it is well known that the Foreign Service lifestyle will exacerbate existing problems.     Where are we now? The FSO is overseas and with a little public support may be encouraged to write his own blog. I, the FSS, is posted to TBD. The diplobrats are growing up fast as they fly back-and-forth between parents and cultures, thriving on learning new languages and manipulating their parents in order to get purple hair.

Now don’t be fooled. When I say “cultures”, I don’t necessarily mean different countries. Our adventures in the last three years ranged from New England to the Midwest. We live in one amazing country, but not one homogenous culture. What it means to be an American changes from town to town and state to state, with variations in language and values. It is just as shocking to go from the East Coast to the Midwest and back again as to another country. The kids and I, keen observers of culture, took it all in. Then moved on before settling down.

This new blog focuses on me, the Diplobrats, and two new additions, Dog and Cat. Or maybe we won’t focus on them at all, and I might just write about my random thoughts and feelings as we travel through this crazy lifestyle, as before. Let’s hope the dog and cat travel with us to more places than the bunnies did. Shh, don’t tell White Dog and Black Cat what happened to White Bunny and Black Bunny.

Join us on our next adventure as we transverse the flooded plains of the Midwest on our way to the political quagmire of Northern Virginia.  Read on at The Traveling Dog and Cat. 

2014 Holiday Card

To all of our family, friends, and dear readers:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Maguires. 

It Is Always Rainy in Shanghai

We arrived in Shanghai at night, the best time to view the city skyline. Hot and steamy, the lights bounced off of the ceiling in the sky with the intensity of the sun at dusk.

The sky has been grey ever since. It has rained every day since we arrived. Encouraging acquaintances say that the rain is not usual.  This is not encouraging, it is in fact easier to face normal than abnormal. My pant legs and shoes are soaked each day on the walk to school. Pants are unbearable when the rain stops and the heat and humidity increase.

We had our new Consulate contacts over for sun downers shortly after our stuff arrived. The Berry Box was a hit, our balcony was perfect, everything was lovely except for the sky. Sundowners in Shanghai are now to be called greydowners.

Chinese women do nothing for my self-esteem.  Their hair is lovely straight, black, and shiny. Figures and posture are perfect. My hair is a mess. Gone are the good hair days of the semi-arid environment. Tall, awkward, frizzy haired, glasses sliding down my nose from the constant oil slick caused by heat and humidity, and I have emotionally returned to middle school.

Trying to get internet installed after any move is a challenge, now try doing it in a language that you don’t understand.

We Can All Use a Little Change

The difference between a world traveler and someone who is interested in different places can be determined by what is considered normal.

When I was a kid I would excitedly collect the Canadian pennies that would sometimes get mixed up with the American. I still have a box of them that has grown to include dinars, marks, shillings, pesos, Maluti, RMB, and Zimbabwean million dollar notes. There are coins from the Netherlands, Belgium, and others. Bills from Algiers, Gibralter, Brazil, and some other countries, but I can't read the language and can't remember where they came from. Even a couple of bills from countries that no longer exist, such as the Confederate States of America. Where did all this money come from? What to do with it?

The cans of Iraqi Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite were tossed when we opened the HHE packing boxes this time around. Once novel, these things are just a spill risk not worth taking. The easy decision was made as we were drinking our Chinese cans of Coke Zero.

The other day I went to lunch and was excited because I had the exact amount for the bill in my wallet. How often does that happen? This would have been true if my lunch companion hadn't noticed that one of the green RMB bills in my hand was a slightly different green.

HHE arrives!

Our stuff has arrived! It is like Christmas in our house. UAB and HHE arrived on the same day, exactly two weeks after we arrived in Shanghai.

Much of this stuff we haven't seen in more than a year. How exciting to get items I forgot I loved. Found my black, lace-up boots. I do love them so. How exciting to get items I totally forgot I owned. Wine! The most exciting items are unexpected. The discovery of a Sharpie caused me to run screaming through the house. I have not found the equivalent marker in Shanghai and thus not able to do important things like label the kid's school clothes. There is so much I can now do with my trusty black Sharpie!

Our last post took much longer. The UAB arrived after 5 weeks and the HHE was another 3. The difference may be in management or the strategic location. One is a port city, and the other was an inland country that required customs at multiple ports of entry. Not believing that our shipments were really coming, I had shopped for essentials just days before. My lack of faith cost an untold sum and provided us with unneeded additional pens, folders, towels, Tupperware, and hats to name a few items.

Just like Christmas, roughly a ¼ of the items unwrapped are shit. What were we thinking saving some of this: torn sheets, the bedroom set that was left in Lesotho, but the bed skirt shipped; shoes; bags; extra clothes; all those broken items I said that I would one day fix, and chipped dishes now fill a “give away” box in the hallway. I would like to purge so much more, especially all the paper, paper, paper! The boxes of art conservation supplies are again packed and stored in the shed. I never need those at post, but did need them in the DC, the one place I didn’t have them.

We could open a stationery store with all the pads of paper and envelopes we have. What possessed us to buy so much? Boxes are piled next to the desk; the shelves can’t hold it all. The staggering quantity of stuff makes me sad. We don’t need much of this; we want it. Seven throws, a plethora of knickknacks, and every kitchen device possible, all stand as reminders of our privileged, middle class household. It is particularly hard to look at our excesses laid out on the floor when the Ayi cleaning that floor has so little.

I celebrate an early Boxing Day as I repack the items that need to be returned to the house in the States, and box up the items that await the next post. On this day I am thankful not to make my returns to a busy store, but feel the same family guilt.  Just like Christmas, HHE makes me ecstatic and depressed (and a bit drunk!) all at the same time.

Delta and AirFrance Lounge and Cabin Upgrades

Thank you Delta for the free upgrade to first class on the domestic leg of my TDY. Then your partner, AirFrance, gave me free lounge access in Paris. Just when I thought you were a cheap and uncomfortable ride, you presented these gifts. Thank you.

This blog post is dedicated to Delta and Fly America people. Those who are required to purchase the cheapest possible flight on the lowest class of ticket, receiving the fewest perks and reduced frequent flier miles. Yeah, you know who you are.

The upgrade notice arrived before check in. Something nice to look forward to. I greatly enjoyed my gin and tonic pre-take-off and curling up like a cat in my spacious, first class seat. I am not eligible for upgrades on international flights as I have the cheapest, non-upgradable ticket and Delta partners with other airlines for these flights. The plane to Amman was an AirBus 320 with no distinct First Class. The upgrade would have been a waste.

As Silver/Elite I am eligible for domestic flight upgrades, but not the domestic lounge. I thought that the lounge was a perk associated with a first class ticket and with one in hand I headed to the Delta lounge. I was not granted access to the JFK lounge, Delta said that the First or Business Class ticket had to be for international travel. The lounge looked nice from the outside.

Determined to figure out this lounge thing, I presented my passport and tickets to the AirFrance lounge desk, L terminal (I think it was L), Charles de Gaulle. There was a discussion amongst the attendants in French, as I haven’t lived in France since I was 19 I could not understand a word at that speed. They decided that I was eligible for free admission. I will not argue with the attendants and will definitely try this again.  

Details on Delta's SkyLounge policy can be found here. https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/airports-and-aircraft/delta-sky-club/house-rules.html. As Silver/Elite (just a few miles shy of Gold!) the one day international pass is $45. The year membership is $450.  According to Delta, free admittance is only associated with a Business or First Class ticket, or Gold Elite see reference below. https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/airports-and-aircraft/delta-sky-club/glossary-of-terms.html

The L terminal lounge was a little less than expected, but it was fairly quite, comfortable, and had free Wi-Fi inspiring me to write this entry. Sure, the man sitting behind me was snoring like you wouldn’t believe and yes, upon sitting I promptly spilled my coke into my nice comfy seat dousing my nice lumpy ass. Damn it.


Upon my return flight the following week, I used the M terminal lounge. M is the lounge to use. It is beautiful, spacious, has showers, and semi-private loungers were I was able to get a little nap. Moving over to the business center, the chairs and tables were quite comfortable and the area very nice. The space was quiet except for the soft sound of conversation and the pleas for help from a caged cat.

Two hours before boarding, I shifted to my departure gate in K. Ha, this was not a lounge, it was a "pop up lounge" according to the signs. Colorful and uncomfortable chairs sit under beach umbrellas near gate K30. Yes free wine, yes small snacks, no ad-free Wi-Fi, no champagne, no privacy, no comfort. 

I took the opportunity in the business lounge to do what I should on this business trip, wash off the plane ick, charge all my stuff, download a new audiobook, yes my Bill Bryson obsession continues, clean up my laptop, download new music, and cull the drafts in blogger. Yes, a good use of my Delta/Air France lounge time. Thank you!

Please note- Monkeys, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, reptiles, frogs, mice, rats, sugar gliders, and spiders are not permitted.

5 Reasons to Visit the Maguire Wire in Shanghai

More than three years ago we wrote a post listing the 5 reasons to come to Lesotho. Seems like a nice tradition. Here follows the top five reasons, in no particular order, to dare the transoceanic flight to China.

5. The Great Wall of China. More than 21,000km long; construction on this wonder started during the 7th century BC.

4. Have any piece of clothing custom made. The purple velvet tuxedo you have always wanted can be made right here in China. Bring a pattern or have them create something original just for you.

3. The Terracotta Warriors. The Nelson-Atkins Museum has one of our country's best collections of Chinese art, but the collection does not compare to that found in China. Come see the 2,000 warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

2. Walk the stairs in Mount Huang. Ancient people carved about 60,000 steps into the Yellow Mountains. See the mountains that inspired centuries of art.

1. It will be home to The Maguire Wire for the next two years, of course. 

Shanghai

Map of Shanghai


For those that follow us, how many of our Lesotho five did we accomplish? Reasons to Visit the Maguire Wire in Lesotho

We're off on the Road to Rhode Island! We're driving 9 hours on 95.

These world travelers are headed to Rhode Island for our yearly dose of Americana. That is right, Foreign Service Officers are required to travel to the States for a minimum of 20 days a year so that we can maintain our American identity and not "go native". Since we have been in DC for several months we are heading to the center of the universe to get a good dose of quahog before continuing onto the land of the dragon.

One day I will make a video of the kids singing, but for right now they just sing the first two lines. Sure the whole song is great, but truly, they do not need another word for poop, they have enough of them already.  In the future I plan to use the show as educational punishment whenever the kids lose touch with their roots.

So without further ramblings from me, because this posting is going nowhere, please join us for  a Family Guy sing-along thanks to youtube and Family Guy wiki lyrics. Forgive me Seth MacFarlane for stealing your brilliance for my own ends. Oh and Seth, if you do read this blog, I love you.

Lyrics

Brian: Listen kid, there's- there's something I've been meaning to tell you. It's not easy for me to say.
Stewie: Oh God, you're not coming out of the closet, are you? Oh God--why does everyone always come out to me?
Brian: I just wanted to thank you for everything you did today. I know this whole trip has been a mess.
Stewie: Well, it hasn't been all bad. I must admit, there have been some moments that were, dare I say fun?
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We're off on the road to Rhode Island ♪ ♪ We're having the time of our lives ♪
Stewie: Take it, dog.
Brian: ♪ We're quite a pair of partners, just like Thelma and Louise. 'Cept you're not six feet tall... ♪
Stewie: ♪ Yes, and your breasts don't reach your knees. ♪
Brian: Give it time.
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We're off on the road to Rhode Island ♪ ♪ We're certainly going in style ♪
Brian: ♪ I'm with an intellectual who craps inside his pants ♪
Stewie: ♪ How dare you! At least I don't leave urine stains on all the household plants ♪
Brian: Oh, pee jokes.
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We've travelled a bit and we've found ♪ ♪ Like a masochist in Newport, we're Rhode Island bound ♪
Brian: Crazy travel conditions, huh?
Stewie: First class and no class.
Brian: Whoa, careful with that joke, it's an antique.
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We're off on the road to Rhode Island ♪ ♪ We're not gonna stop 'till we're there ♪
Brian: Maybe for a beer.
Brian: ♪ Whatever dangers we may face, we'll never fear or cry ♪
Stewie: ♪ That's right, until we're syndicated, Fox will never let us die. Please?
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We're off on the road to Rhode Island ♪ ♪ The home of that old campus swing ♪
Brian: ♪ We may pick up some college girls and picnic on the grass ♪
Stewie: ♪ Uhuhm, we'd tell you more, but we would have the censors on our ass ♪
Brian: Yikes!
Brian and Stewie:
♪ We certainly do get around. ♪ ♪ Like a bunch of renegade pilgrims ♪ ♪ Who are thrown out of Plymouth Colony. ♪ ♪ We're Rhode Island bound. ♪ ♪ Or like a group of college freshmen ♪ ♪ who were rejected by Harvard and forced to go to Brown. ♪ ♪ We're Rhode Island bound... ♪

http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Road_to_Rhode_Island_%28song%29 

Packing Out

It seems so simple. One pile for luggage, one pile to live on for a year (UAB), one pile shipping directly to the next destination (HHE), one pile to give away. Life and possessions sorted into four piles.

The hard part is deciding what we will need for one year. This is supposed to be a small pile, smallish. If i really think about it, what I need for a year should be what I need forever. So does that mean that my HHE pile should be non-existent, or that the UAB pile needs to be bigger? I want to scream, "It's my industrial strength hair dryer and I can't live without it!"

My husband and I have different views. He comes from long line of pack rats, so he can't help himself from storing everything. I would like to be a minimalist (ie bike, clothes, make-up, electronics). Who can't live with just those things? Is there anything that is not easy to buy in DC?

The kids have sorted their books and toys. With just those two, I think we hit our weight category. I tried to explain how awesome libraries are in the States, but they didn't believe me. They did a good job though of letting things go. We will see how well they handle giving items away, when it comes to actually handing those things off. I must defend them and point out that the first shipment of books to the American International School went very well.

Maseru is a Hardship post

I had a discussion recently, argument really, about why Maseru is a hardship post. I passionately argued this is not a hardship post. My associate factually pointed out that it is.

“There are two grocery stores in town,” I pointed out. “There is a mall with a movie theater.” I say we are safe, “We live in secure homes with electrical and water backups.” I argue that anything we are missing can be found over the South African border in Ladybrand or Bloemfontein.

The defense consists of solid points that only seasoned FSO’s think about. “There is no hospital here. The closest medical center is in Bloemfontein, 2 hours away.” “There is no police force that is visually present to serve and protect.” Deftly, he blunts my emotional argument with solid facts on health and safety.

He didn’t argue the goods and services. Those cause the emotional hardship, but guiltily make me feel like a spoiled American. But those are the ones I had focused on. I try to counter “We are surrounded by doctors here and medical clinics, such as Bayler and others.” He points out that my children are not HIV positive and are therefore not eligible for care. “But in an emergency, there are many people to turn to. Even without an emergency, many expats take advantage of these services.” “You can not count on that.” He states.

“But what about Ladybrand and Bloem? Are half hour and 2 hour drives to far for everything you need?” The party line is “Yes. You can not take into account another country when considering the hardship of the country you are assigned to.”

I gave up. Not conceding that he won, but he certainly out argued me. I am the world’s worst arguer and near to this point I tend to think my next retort will consist of crossing my arms over my chest and saying “fine!” A wonder I never win.

All week I have been thinking about this. I understand his points but am conflicted. What utopian city could “hardship” really be compared to? If you read the earliest posts on this blog you know that our car took bullets in DC, cars were broken into so often we didn’t lock the doors, police were out all hours of the night, and a victim of crime beat on our house door at 3 am. Even my Virginia apartment was broken into.  

Should parts of DC receive danger pay? No, not at all. Name for me one place you have lived that was perfectly safe and stress-free. Life is not that way. There is always something. Giving birth in a hospital dedicated to women and infants does not guarantee your baby will live, even in the States.

We are coddled here. We expect it. If we had to live like the local citizens of these countries, Foreign Service Officers would not come. If we had to live like the other expats, we still won’t come. Our hardships must be acknowledged. We must be rewarded. I try to remind myself about the terrible internet; the lack of ambulances; the constant apathy; the irregularity of items, especially chicken, at the grocery store; the long border lines; the closest pediatrician in Bloem, but still feel guilty about the luxury in which we live when I compare myself to others here.

I tend to think this person is right more often than not and I respect his opinions, so why argue? Possibly, my lapse in judgment was due to the constant stresses. Maybe I really do need a trip back into a first world country to resume perspective. It is not hard to adapt to this environment, but the little frustrations are wearing.

Maguire Wire Audience

If you scroll down to the bottom of the blog, you will see a map. If you click on the Cluster Map you will see the number of visitors and where they come from. We are very excited to see that there are 88 countries represented. I am sure the number of visits would be better if we wrote more than 2 or 3 posts a month. In order to create a following, we must create something to follow.

Initially, the blog had two purposes. The first was to help the family back home keep up with the kids. This hasn't worked out so well, since uploading pictures has been a problem. Yes, mom, we are fully aware of your disappointment on this. The second was to present a timeline and some guidance to people interested in the Foreign Service. I haven't received any feedback to this purpose.

Spencer and I being slightly nerdy types, we turned our blog into a history lesson on Lesotho. This little known country is stunningly beautiful and has much to offer. Though we can not promise a lot of pictures, I invite our readers, followers, and random people who stumble upon us, to ask questions. Posing a question for us to research and write about may even help us write more often.

Do ask questions about Lesotho. A great man here said that he considers all expats to be ambassadors for Lesotho. He has high expectations and I believe he is right. This country deserves to be represented and understood in order to create a following.

Where to Next?

On May 26 the second tour list opened. We quickly narrowed the possibilities down to 216 posts. This was maybe half of those available. The world is literally open to us. How can we narrow down so many possibilities? This is especially difficult for people who plan to travel the world for the rest of their lives.

On his second tour Spencer is required to do a Consular tour and a language tour. In order to reach tenure, first and second tour officers must gain a 3/3 in a language and do a consular tour. Why a language? This is the Foreign Service, contribute or leave. The consular part is a little more ambiguous. It may be that Consular work, which includes passports, visas, and American services is the foundation of the Foreign Service and so everyone must do it. Or maybe because this work is not that interesting to many who want something more flashy like financial reporting (gag!), so it is a requirement. Either way, it is Spencer's turn. 

Years ago when Spencer and I were moving around the country we came up with a spreadsheet to rank prospective sites. This has served us well over the years. It eliminates the passion that sometimes clouds sound judgement. The spreadsheet includes rankings for schools, pets, job prospects for me, size of post, house hold help, location, ease of travel, danger, etc. The categories listed are what is important to us. There is some intuition and passion involved. We do not research and list every post. There are some that we just know we don't want to go to. Once the numbers are in, we then subjectively rank within the scores. The highest score was a 21, the lowest score to make the final list was an 8. There were lots in the 21-18 range. This system has worked for us. It helps us see cities with promise, that we didn't think much of before. It also helps keep in check wild ambitions for places that are not a good fit. Ever since I saw Vienna on the list I have been in love. Prague is, of course, my personal second choice.

Next we eliminated those with imperfect timing. Timing is important to consider. If we leave post in July, then we need to plan for enough time for training, requirements, and home leave before starting the next job. So Spanish speaking posts starting in August just will not work. 

We entered most of the posts into the spreadsheet, researched and entered numbers. We shook the computer, threw darts at printouts, talked to friends, talked to an Ambassador who had served in all of our top posts, prayed, begged, and sometimes argued. Spencer was required to turn in 30. We decided to turn in 33, because our choices were popular. The Foreign Service does not guarantee any of them, but does try to place officers in a post that fits personal criteria. 

Spencer submitted his list June 26, one month after the list came out. Rumors spread that the letter would come out Friday. Then there was the rumor about today. HOLD THE PRESSES!!!!!!!  Spencer just called. We got #2 on the list.............. Москва́ June 2014.

A Year in Lesotho

Exactly a year ago today, Cary and Ted and Josephine and I arrived here in Lesotho on this great adventure.  After almost 48 hours of travel, including more than 8000 miles on 3 airplanes, and a night in the nicest hotel room I have ever stayed in, we got to our new home at around 10:30 am.  The drive from the Bloemfontain airport to the border is beautiful, and the color and the landscape reminded me of southern Utah.

My first impression was that it was way colder that I expected.  It was winter here when we arrived, but I had always assumed there was no such thing as real winter in Africa.  It also didn't help that we were leaving DC at the height of the hottest June on record, so the cold was particularly hard to deal with.  That and we didn't have hot water for most of the first month which was simply brutal.

In the year since we arrived here at our first Foreign Service post, I have learned a great deal about Lesotho, about the State Department, about expat living, and I have met some phenomenal people.  The expat community here is filled with friendly, smart, and talented people, which has made for a soft landing.  I recently described Maseru as a hardship post without too much of the hardship.  I think that about sums it up.  

All in all, it has been a good first year.

When does your license expire?

Always a good question to ask yourself. Right now, walk over to your wallet, pull out your driver's license and check the expiration date. While you are at it, check the dates on your passport(s). If the dates are close to expiring, leave this blog immediately and renew.

That is the question Spencer posed to me Monday. He was wise to ask, my driver's license had expired 93 days ago!!!! I tried to renew online, but the DMV would not let me. I wrote a friend of Spencer's who has connections and still it was a no go. I wrote to FLO (Family Liaison Office) and they had some contacts in VA and MD, but none in our state. I tried OBC and was reminded that I had been warned that these things do happen. Thanks.  Next time I am in the States I will have to retake my road and written tests. Ugh.

Thankfully, working in an Embassy has many privilidges. One big one for me this week, is working with wonderful people who know how the Lesotho bureaucracy works. A big "thank you" has to go out to the LES who took me by the hand and walked me through, in fact drove me to and practically held my hand throughout, the whole process of getting a local license.

Foreign Service families beware, this happens all the time. In our small post there are a couple of people  who had expired licenses or close calls. If you haven't already, pull out your wallet and check the date!

Christmas in Africa: Southern Africa, Maseru, Lesotho

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and family. We think of you often and fondly, even though we are thousands of miles away and seperated by spotty internet. There will be no postcards this year, so we will appreciate it if you direct those people who don't use internet often to this post.

Love to all,
Cary, Spencer, Teddy, and Josie

PS- There is sound; you will definitely want to hear Teddy vacuuming the porch and several off-key versions of "happy birthday". A special "thank you" to Amy for the suggestion.

Snail Mail

Let me change your definition of snail mail to sloth. The Halloween candy I ordered back in September for our big Halloween party just arrived. Yes, today, November 25, 2011, the day after Thanksgiving, I will be enjoying Brach’s Autumn Mix. In my deluded American mind the candy is at least in the right season, but in reality the flowers are blooming and we are deep into spring. Oddly enough, the SAT prep books I ordered while in Pretoria two weeks ago arrived Monday. Sometimes several bags of mail sit for a long time in the service center before being picked up. There is no predicting mail delivery here.

Thanksgiving Overseas

Happy Thanksgiving from us to all of our friends and family out there who we do not keep in great touch with.  We'd love to talk to all of you more, but the time differences and technical issues make it difficult.  That said, we are always thinking about all of you back in the State, especially on a day like Thanksgiving.  So, Happy Turkey day from the Maguire Wire.  We miss all of you and wish you well.

Now if you are wondering what it is like to celebrate Turkey Day overseas as an expat, here is a recap of of our first Thanksgiving morning in Lesotho.

First, there was a dirt bike road race, the Roof of Africa Race, that blocked our street so that we couldn't go anywhere this morning.  Ted loved every minute of it.

Second, there was a little cartoon/movie time.

Third, time for a little dancing...

and some general silliness.

Lastly, because we are in Africa and it is 85 degrees on Turkey Day, a little time in the sandbox.

After a full morning like that, they are soundly napping in their beds for a while, and then we will be off to visit some friends for a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

I hope your Thanksgiving is as fun as ours!

A lot of life happens in 4.5 months

We have talked before about the things we are missing in the States. We are so out of touch that we don’t even hear about half of them. Of the people closest in our lives we have so far missed: one wedding; one birth; one divorce; one huge family drama, one parent in critical condition, now stable in the hospital; one heart surgery of a parent; lost pets; and a lot of birthdays.

Maybe in some ways it is good that we live so far away, so that I am unable to interfere in things. But I feel out of touch and helpless. I wish I could be there to watch my friend’s baby because she needs a nap. I wish I could be there to hold the hand or hug the people who are hurting. 

Chicken is a Rare Bird

Chicken is very popular. Maseru even has a KFC. The story is that all of the fast food chains tried Maseru, but they didn't survive because Basotho like chicken better. Yet, chicken meat is hard to find.

The grocery store has a case of chicken parts and a shelf in the meat section dedicated to roasting chickens. There are three shelves dedicated to breasts and trays of either legs or wings, but those shelves are always empty. I have gone to the store several times this week looking for chicken breasts, and the shelves are empty.

The beef section is huge, the pork section is large, and the lamp section matches the chicken section. Those sections are always well stocked. The Pick n Pay makes some excellent sausages out of all of those meats, and those we can find every couple of days. Chicken is scarce.

I have heard two reasons for why chicken is a rare delicacy. 1- Lesotho has trouble importing chicken from or possibly, through South Africa. 2- When people see that chicken is in stock they clean out the store. This one I know to be true because ___ and ____ are frequent offenders.

It seems so wrong, but I might start hording chicken. Who would have guessed that a nice roast chicken breast would be a rare treat?  Now that I am taking over as the sandwich lady at the Hash I am going to need to stock up. Sorry guys, but no chicken salad sandwiches at tomorrows Hash. I went several times to the store and there were no chicken breasts to be found.

Caring for a FS Dog

Jake, the big white dog, is staying at our house for a while. It has been a long time since I lived with a dog. I think maybe 22 years. Damn that mid-life crisis thing just popped up again. Can it really be 22 years? I sit in the evening and work to the comforting sound of dog snores. Yup, I said it, "comforting sound of dog snores." The sound of a big dog huffing in his sleep evokes the same feelings as the smell of meat on a smoky bbq, indescribable, but deeply comforting.

I love my cats, but I don’t take them outside to play. Jake doesn’t really go outside to play. He is my silent companion. He doesn’t wine and beg for attention, okay a little bit of begging with those big brown eyes and periodic gulp of extra saliva, but he doesn’t force himself upon me. He doesn’t wind around my legs and yowl, shouting that I am a neglectful mom and that I must pet him. He just enjoys my presence.

The kids love having a big hairy monster in the house. Josie says “Jake” more often than “Cookie”, which really means something. I have caught the girl sitting on the floor next to The Jake, with her arm around his neck. The two stare at some far distant dream without hearing the world around them.  Teddy likes to rough house and play hard, is there really anything like a boy and his (borrowed) dog? I will have to watch their play more carefully, since I caught Jake humping Ted not once, not twice, but three times this evening. Poor teddy is about half the weight and not quite as tall as Jake.

I am not worried about the kids wanting a dog after this. They will want one, but I am confident in my “No”. We are perfectly fine with just cats, and with this lifestyle, the cats are easier. The problem will be me. I will miss him. When Spencer took his oral exam I said that if he failed we would get a dog, he said I was nuts. He was totally right, but still dogs are comforting to have in the house.