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I'm totally not liking Movable Type anymore. Or maybe it's not the program in itself but my site. I feel like doing a complete (or near complete) overhaul on it. It is like living in a house, accumulating tons of junk and finally looking around going, "I need to get rid of some of this stuff" but not knowing where to start.
We'll see what happens.
The kids are now officially on Spring Break. Yaaay. Frank took off from Wednesday to Monday. I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, though. In years past we've gone to water parks. Fun stuff, but gets expensive. Since we already went to a water park (around my birthday I think), we won't be doing that over break. Another option is my parent's cabin up North, but that is winterized right now (no running water). Camping? Eh. Too cold. We've gone camping when it is so cold you wonder if you will freeze in the middle of the night. Interesting experience.
So who knows what we will do. But it will be nice to be off and together. There's a ton of family things we can do around here without going anywhere, too.
Loo puked last night while we were at a friend's house. I took him home (we live a couple blocks away) and Frank stayed on to clean the puke (who got the short end of the stick on that one, huh). He's feeling OK today, ate a little breakfast and is now having a little coffee (shuddap). I hope we aren't going to be passing the puke bug around all break.
Somebody Book
Reading through the book is somewhat of an emotional journey. As a parent I read the "I feel like nobody" statements and my heart drops a bit at first, sad thinking of the child that said it. But then my head nods, able to reference a time when I've felt the same way, or have seen my children experience what the child in the book is describing. Surely to balance the weight of feeling like nobody, Immediately following there is a positive "I feel like somebody" statement. Those bring about a triumphant smile, being able to identify with them also, a reminder that though there are downs, there are ups too.
I work with a family intervention program. A concentrated portion of the program deals strictly with the identification and expression of feelings and emotions, being an integral part of who we are as people and how we react to the world. The book addresses that exact issue and I must say -- that's pretty darn cool. The Somebody book deals with feelings and experiences that aren't often uttered, in lingo that is easily understandable and digested by young children, in a format that they can appreciate. The illustrations are charmingly simple and effective, with a soft halo around them almost as if you are peeking in on a memory if not your own, someone else's. Very much enjoyed the format of the book.
Beyond the book, there is also an accompanying website in English and in Spanish, with similar illustrations. A really nice tool to tie in with the book. There's a sizable guide for parents and/or educators and information about the author and a place where you can submit your own nobody/somebody experiences. Overall I like the website, but it froze up on me a bit (I use Firefox) not sure why. One thing I'd like to see with the website would be a section for kids. With the graphics and layout so kid-friendly it just seems appropriate that there would be a kid section somewhere on the site.
Bottom Line: You know what?I liked the book!! I was contemplating offering it up for a giveaway, but I think I want to hold onto it. Maybe the author will send another one for me to give away; I can ask. But the copy I have is mine. I really dig that the book centers on emotions, and would have totally loved it as a kid (like the Ready Set Grow
Rating: 
Links: Somebody Book website and I Feel Like Nobody When. . . I Feel Like Somebody When
The twins turned 8 this week. We celebrated by almost forgetting to celebrate. Weeeeell, not really, but sort of. Such a busy week with me starting this new job and everything. So I'm feeling a wee bit guilty on the absence of uber fun festivities. They had a concert that night, too (which at first they thought they would skip, but hey -- I like seeing them sing).
The concert was nice, a combined 2nd and 3rd grade venture (the twins are in 2nd). Many of the songs we had already heard numerous times from past concerts, so that is a bummer. However, the boys were going to have a small solo/group performance with rhythm sticks. I double checked the program and everything, anticipating seeing them play a special part. 'Cause ya know, it is always nice when it is your own child(ren) that get to do a solo or small ensemble during a performance.
They didn't do it.
I thought my husband was going to run up there and remind the music teacher that they were supposed to have the sticks in their hands. Literally I had to stop him. Later they told us that they "weren't ready to perform" said the music teacher. Oh well. Frank got a couple decent pictures. Here's one of Sugars trying to hold it together and not giggle with his neighboring friend. He's the more "cool" one of the two, or at least he thinks he is. Then here is Stinky, all OK, I get it Dad, put the camera away.
After the concert we headed back to the house for cake and presents. Stinky got a Nacho mask (that hasn't arrived yet -- Ebay purchase), a necklace and an Evil Spiderman suit from us. Sugars got a Barcelona kit, necklace and cheap-o MP3 player that he wants to exchange for an Evil Spiderman suit. Here I thought he'd want the MP3 since his other one (a hand-me-down from a co-worker of Frank's) was not working so hot. But whaddo I know, right?
It was a nice little family affair. Tres leches cake (mmm) and a chocolate cake brought by my mom, one for each. Stinky is still concerned about having a proper party with friends, though. I was hoping he'd just forget all that.
And since all this happened this Tuesday...
Yes. Another Tackle Me Tuesday. Aren't you excited? I am.
Busy, busy week I had a lot to tackle on Tuesday. The one thing I got actual photos of though is the yummy cupcakes that I hurriedly made seeing as Stinky insisted on me making them late Monday night. So I baked the cupcakes Monday night and frosted them on Tuesday morning. Look at that -- sprinkles, to boot!!
Bringing cupcakes to school is good and bad. Good for those kids that are in the same classroom as the cupcake giver. Bad for those that aren't. They all squeal and run over, delighting in the sight of sugary goodness, but then you get the aww man and sucking off teeth, I wish I was in their class. Ooh the power of the cupcake, eh?
I've been meaning to sit down and write, but I get caught up in something else every time I do. I'll be brief: we got a new puppy. His name is Nacho.
He's super cool doggyness. My husband had been all, no, no not getting a dog and he was the first to crumble. It was ridiculous. He wanted a rat terrier, I wanted a pug or shitzu. Whatever. I guess I don't really care that much. The kids have been campaigning for a dog for years. Well, everyone except Sal (one of the twins), who is pretty still pretty much afraid of the cat. Yeah.
While we were checking Nacho out, Sal stayed in the car. We chatted with the lady, looked around at the dogs, etc. When I went to the car to get my wallet, there's Sal, every door locked. He wouldn't let me in. Talk about embarrassing. I was afraid we were going to have to break the window. Frank had to get out his keys and open the door. Silly kid.
He won't pet him or anything, and makes wide circles around him. Franny, on the other hand, coddles him like a baby and carries him around everywhere.
Tay, sleeping with Nacho
He loves to cuddle up and nap on laps or snuggle in with the kids when they go to bed, but we crate him at night (waking up to whimpers of coarse). Yesterday and today when the kids left for school he moaned a bit. It is weird. I'm not used to having a dog.
Fred perches on top of Nacho's house, superior like. He tries to steal the puppy's food, too. I think Fred loves having another pet around, but also feels the need to try and assert his position in the house. Very much a Garfield/Odie thing going on.
Hey. I got the job. Start tomorrow. Whoot!!
Surfing today and happened upon Forks and Chopsticks, which is where I found this:
create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.
There are more states I'm sure, but I can't remember all of them. When we traveled from Wisconsin to Mexico I don't remember if we went through Missouri to get to Oklahoma or took a different route. So I didn't include that. I remember Oklahoma, though, do I ever. It seemed like it took forever to cross that one. I remember falling asleep, waking up and being all, Are we STILL in Oklahoma?!! No way.
Then when we moved from NY to Wisconsin, I'm pretty sure we traveled through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, but you never know. I think we did so I included them.
We flew to Florida and Jamaica.
All of this was with my family, as a kid. I'm totally feeling like crap now thinking about how my kids have seen Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and then my daughter's gone to work camp in Indiana, son's been to Nebraska for a tournament... but as a family we've not trekked the United States very much. Frank said he never got farther than Illinois, so the kids have travelled more than him. I hope we can take a family vacation (a bigger one than travelling across the state) before Sophia is 18 in two and a half years. That would be nice.
Since I was getting the washer on Tuesday and had loads of wash to do, I thought it would make a nice Tackle It Tuesday entry.
Yeah. I am aware that it is Thursday. But I started it Tuesday, OK?
Here is the "before" picture:
But the "after" picture (admittedly it is two days after) is not very impressive:
Yeah. I swear, for a brief moment there was an empty spot where that mound was. But with seven people in a family, it doesn't stay empty for long. I have not caught up on laundry yet, either. Sad, sad. Here are the "before" and "after" of the washers, though.
I like the new washer. It is a Kenmore Oasis. I didn't link it because it doesn't have the best reviews and I am going to ignore that before I puke about it. The washer had what I was looking for in a washer (top loading, agitator-less, large capacity, etc.). Actually it was pretty much the only washer, so yeah. I hope that I don't end up writing some awful review about The Washer I Once Loved, but you never know.
I don't even want to talk about the delivery, though. Sears delivery. The thing made me sick. Dudes pulled up across the street in the truck, brought my baby down by hand, left it in the STREET while inspecting their path. Hauled the old guy out by hand and the new one in the same way. I was sick to my stomach thinking they were going to drop it. Not to mention they all reeked of smoke so bad I could smell it from my perch upstairs while they were downstairs. They were super nice and all, but I couldn't help but wonder if they were all on work release or something.
There's some blue tape on it that I can't get off. The "head" delivery guy suggested some Goo Be Gone or something. Dude, don't YOU have some on hand? Isn't removing packaging tape part of the delivery thing? Wah. So I still have this ugly tape on the lid, until I get around to getting that Goo stuffamajigger.
At any rate, washer's here, I like it. Haven't formed a relationship with it yet, though. Still getting to know each other. It makes weird space ship sounds. Even the kids were like, What is that noise? But that's better than the old one that used to Irish dance across the room sounding like rocks in a steel barrel.
One of my first missions with my new washer was to put it to the test with my king-sized comforter. I had washed it in the old machine, but it came out less than feeling clean. This one, though? Clean. Fresh. Looks and smells clean. That is lovely. Since I was down there snapping pictures, I got one of my comforter/bed. For those of you accustomed to a nicely made bed, you may want to look away or stand the chance of freaking out on my tousled linens. And for those who can't stand mismatched pillowcases, walk away.
after
Nothing like fresh smelling sheets. Mmmmm. Well, I'm off to get more hairs zapped from my chin. Have a good one.
A few random thoughts before jetting out the door:
- I can't believe New York got rid of Real -- is that true? Someone left a comment to that effect and I haven't seen the whole show. You know what, though, that's all good. 'Cause he's too NORMAL and SANE to be hooked up in all that.
- I have a job interview in about a 1/2 hour. Wish me well. I've done one interview in the past I don't know how long and that was three years ago. This job sounds pretty cool. Church secretary, I'm qualified for the position. Typed up a...er, well, I'm calling it a resume. I think I'll take the nosering out before I go, though. Probably won't make a difference, but you never know. I can always put it back in.
- New washer is coming today!! Woohoo. More on that later, though. My father-in-law will stay here and wait for the delivery for me so I can go to my interview. Very kind, but makes me nervous, you know? This is my new washer coming. I've NEVER had a new washer.
BabyAge.com
Being my first review for review me, I was a bit apprehensive. What if I had to give a review of something that was awful (I've done it before). Well, thank goodness I don't. Not this time. BabyAge.com boasts the best shopping experience on the internet. With thousands of items in their store, they definitely rival some of the top baby stores online. Let us see, shall we?
Prices: First, I decided to do some comparaison mock-shopping (that means pretending to shop) to see how they rate in terms of pricing. In searching for a specific items, (like a booster seat), I found the prices comparable with other leading stores. So the prices are cool.
Let's go beyond the prices. Check out the articles page. Helpful articles on cribs, car seats and more. I like that. Also on that page, I found another item/tool extremely helpful in a baby-specific online retailer and that is a baby registry. Love it. I'm a momma who is totally into the ease of online shopping and shipping. A registry at a baby gift store is a must.
Another very cool thing they got going on is the flate rate shipping. Big fan of flate rate (or free!!) shipping. You can pile up your cart and still only pay one price to have it shipped to you. Hel-lo? Momma likes. Momma like lots.
Bottom Line: BabyAge is not a fly-by-night store, but, as far as I can see, the real deal, honey. From user accounts, wishlists, registries, product ratings, extensive help section and search, it is a complete shopping experience (which any online shopper can appreciate). Wooha. Ordering seems easy, online, fax, mail or phone. One warning, though: do not get click on the Celebrity Babies link on the bottom bar, you could very easily get sidetracked like I did (cool site, check it out later). Mind you I didn't order anything, but simply checked out their site, fooled around with their cart. Definitely would keep them in mind for a future gift or recommendation for an online registry / shopping.
Rating: 
Link: BabyAge.com
Being a parent to teenagers can be an emotional roller coaster. Though there are many moments of joy. But, sometimes I find myself in tears. Frustrated, angry, sad, confused... I said frustrated, right?
Why do I get blamed for everything? Today with my oldest son it was working my good nerve to the point of snapping. Everything is M"Y fault. He's bored and it is MY fault because I don't want to drive him anywhere. I never do, apparently (even though I feel like a taxi service). Mind you he had nowhere to go and wasn't asking for a ride, he was just using general excused to blame me for his current state of boredom. I tried giving him some options of things to do. Naturally they were all stupid and somehow MY fault that they were so incredibly stupid.
We saw some of his friends outside skateboarding. Why doesn't he go join them? He just got a new board. But oh silly me. He doesn't want to do that. Gosh no. No specific reason, of coarse, beyond the fact that it is stupid and I am pretty dumb for even suggesting it.
I have to run to the store, so he comes with. Brings some money. I ask him if he's expecting to go to a specific store, he tells me he is not. We arrive at the grocery store and he moans and whines about the fact that we are not at Wal-mart or somewhere where he can "get something" that he wants.
"Did I not ask you if there was a SPECIFIC store you wanted to go to..?!!"
Again, I'm blamed for a waste of time shopping trip and for the boredom that ensues, which he emphasis by falling asleep.
I've not yet adjusted to teenagers and I'm not sure when I will. If I ever will. The switch from being an all-adoring child to an angsty, this-is-my-world-you-just-live-in-it person happened way to fast for me to prepare myself. And, strange enough, those nearly intolerable teenagers will cozy up to me in the same manner as when they able to count their years on one hand's worth of fingers, as if nothing has changed and they didn't completely crush my feelings with in the same day.
I should be more compassionate, having been a pretty scrappy teen myself (in fact much more intolerable than they are, heh), but I'm not. Sometimes I feel like I'm still in the process of coming to terms with my teenage years, as rocky as they were at times.
If you're fortunate enough to have a healthy, happy, well-adjusted, well-liked teenager and have no idea what I am talking about, I truly envy you. Adolescents are a strange brew, God love 'em.
I found this meme here, who got it from here, who got it from here (who has a ton of interesting looking posts that I'm going to be reading through so I'm done playing the link treasure hunt).
Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?
If trade paperbacks are the ones that are larger than a pocket book, then that. I like that size. Dislike hardbacks.
Amazon or brick and mortar?
What is a "brick and mortar"?
Barnes & Noble or Borders? Barnes & Noble
Bookmark or dogear? Bookmark.
Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random? On the shelf? I'm pretty random. Although I put the kid's books on a separate shelf, and some of the classics together. Other than that it is all random.
Keep, throw away, or sell? If I really love it, or if it was a gift I generally keep it, though I'm trying not accumulate clutter as much as I used to. I list the ones I don't want at paperback swap and keep the ones I feel the need to hold on to.
Keep dustjacket or toss it? Keep.
Read with dustjacket or remove it? Depends on how annoying it is. Generally I avoid hardcovers.
Short story or novel? Both. Generally novels, but I like to keep short stories in the car for times when I am out and about, waiting or whatever.
Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? Usually a collection by the same author, but I'm not that picky.
Harry Potter
Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? Depends how tired I am, or how much time I have.
"It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"? Both, depending on my mood.
Buy or Borrow? I love to buy (or swap, like above) because then it can sit on my shelf and wait for me. When it comes to picking out a book I never know my mood enough to wait for a library trip or read them before I have to take them back.
New or used? It was always new before but now that I've been swapping, used (and I love it).
Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse? I'm more of a browser. My girlfriend Jodi reads books close to what I like, so I often get recommends from her.
Tidy ending or cliffhanger? Tidy ending. Cliffhangers make my brain hurt because I ponder the "what if" way too much (on a good book).
Morning reading, afternoon reading or nighttime reading? Generally at night.
Stand-alone or series? Stand alone. I haven't gotten into a series since the V. C. Andrews
Favorite series? I liked Little House
Favorite children's book? OY. See. I have such a hard time with favorites. 'Cause now I'm remembering Pippy
Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? Most books I read are pretty mainstream, I think. So... probably Fanona the Beautiful
Favorite books read last year? I don't really remember what I read. I liked A Girl Named Zippy
Favorite books of all time? There is simply no way that I could pick one.
Least favorite book you finished last year? Hmmmm. Can't think of one. I'm sure there was, but can't think of it.
What are you reading right now? Good question. Oh. Arranged Marriage
What are you reading next? I have no idea. But I very much enjoy picking out a new book after finishing one.
Spring ahead, Fall back.
Daylight Savings Time... did you turn your clocks ahead? If you're curious as to the "why" of DST, you can check out this page on DST, too.
From the second link:
The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time (called "Summer Time" in many places in the world) is to make better use of daylight. We change our clocks during the summer months to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Countries have different change dates.
I, of coarse, completely spaced on the whole thing, going to bed last night relishing the idea of sleeping in late today. Set the old alarm for 10, just in case I slept too late (I've got a couple home visits to do later). I don't know what got in my little head to think that my children would ever let me sleep until 10.
I awoke to the sound of a chair being dragged across the kitchen floor. When you're downstairs, the noises going on upstairs can sound like a natural disaster taking place. Then there was Carlito's loud voice (he whispers in a shout), carrying on casual conversation. Telephone ringing. One of the twins coming downstairs to shuffle through CDs for a game... Frustrated I woke, noting it was 9 and I'd been trying to sleep for over an hour so I must have awoken at 8. How wonderful to realize that not only had I been awoken much earlier than I had like, I'd also lost an hour in the process.
Wah.
Frank was late for work this morning, too. He said his alarm (his cell phone set to wake him) went off, he looked at the digital clock, wondered what was up, and went back to sleep for an hour. We're so hip to the game.
Yesterday I took Sophia to get her nails did. I don't even remember how it happened, 'cause it sure wasn't a planned event. It was evening and I was ready to grab a glass of wine, relax. And then she sprung it on me.
"I'm going to the game tomorrow, and I want my nails done."
Uh...
"There's going to be all kinds of cute boys there and I want to look cute. Have my hair straightened and everything. Pleeeease? I had a good week this week, you gotta admit."
I did have to admit it. She has had a good week.
After the turbulence of last year, the skipping school, lying, shouting matches and everything else, things are a bit better. In comparison. By my standards of normalcy it doesn't look so hot, but compared to where we were or could be if things were on the same path, she's right. They are better. She's been going to school, doing her homework. She went to youth group. Made it to the Lacrosse meeting last night to sign up (even though some of the girls were preppy b-words and made snide remarks as she walked in). I have to give her credit. I know it isn't easy. Been there.
"Well I'm not taking you to that one place over here, 'cause they do a crappy job, looking like cardboard. I did want to check out this USA Nails place, though, we can go there."
I don't regularly get my nails done, though I like how they look. I get mine done and I'm practically causing collisions with my drive-and-admire thing going on with my nails. Love to tap-tap-tap them on tables. But I also get urges to snap them off within a day, feeling handicapped. Beyond all that, though, I'm picky and rarely satisfied with how they look. But this isn't about me, it is about her.
She was thrilled to have them done, sat patiently through having her fingernails clipped and filed, glued... the smell was making me sick, though and I brought my sweatshirt up to cover my nose. Dude doing her nails asked me "Who she?" It paused, translating his question in my head, what it implied. He was inquiring as to our relation, pointing from me to her. He thought we were sisters, tee hee. Being the cynical lady that I am I figured he was trying to butter me up so I'd fall to mush and get MY nails done too since Sophia was openly campaigning for a mother-daughter-nails-did night. Not fallin' for it, buster. But being that he was pretty cool throughout the service, I think he genuinely thought we were sisters.
I picked out a silver polish (told her I was paying for it, I'd be picking the color). Ooohh, Bling Bling I said as he applied the first coat. Bling Bling yes, He answered, admiring the color. She sat under the dryer, across from another woman who had just finished getting her nails applied. Sophia asked her questions, noting the length of the woman's nails (twice as long as hers), intrigued, giving her much respect for being able to handle nails that long.
All in all, Beaner was extremely happy, tap-tap-tapping her fingernails on everything that would render a nice sound. Coming up and touching my shoulder just to see how her nails looked while she was doing it. Being a nail biter, having nails that extend beyond your fingertip is a pretty foreign concept for her to grasp. And apparently a fun thing. Let us just hope that she doesn't bite them off before tonight.
Before bed she thanked me for getting her nails done, telling me that it meant a lot to her. It meant a lot to me that she actually thanked me, but I didn't tell her that because there was no way I could without sounding like I was criticizing her.
Earlier in the week we had taken a trip to Whole Foods. We go once or twice a month (usually twice since the husband gets paid every two weeks). I get my beef there, pork too. I like their bubble water (the kids call it that, it is the mineral water or seltzer). The organic half and half. Veggie chips, the round tub. Yum. But my favorite thing? The place where I could roll nekkid? In the olive bar. Specifically in a vat of Cerignola olives. They are out of this world.
Cerignola
Harvested in Cerignola, Italy, just north of Bari, in the Puglia region. These green olives are extremely meaty, giant-sized Italian olives. The large size and deep, bright green color are the Cerignola's most distinguishing qualities. A milder, meaty taste makes them a satisfying appetizer, and an impressive accompaniment to any antipasto. They're also good for stuffing with garlic, cheese, peppers, capers, anchovies, tuna or almonds. [link]
When I was little my grandparents would travel to Mexcio. My grandmother would come home with new recipes. My favorite: enchiladas. But the enchiladas aside, and the jicama, I loved the olives. I'm not sure if she'd pick them up in Mexico or what, but they tasted exactly like the Cerignola olives. I'll have to ask her if they are the same.
Anyway, I only bought about 7 olives last time I was at Whole Foods. They're $9.99 a pound (everything at the olive bar) and I feel a bit indulgent. Oh!! Another favorite at the 'bar is the marinated garlic cloves. They were out of them last time (and this time), very sad. I would have bought a whole container had they had them in stock, ahem. Last time I picked up a small jar with marinated cloves, and rosemary; they were putrid.
I walked out of the store today spending less than $40 bucks. Should have been less than $25, but this is Whole Foods we're talking about.
steel cut oats
chick pea flour
Dr. Kracker crackers (never had them)
tub of broccoli salad from the deli
carrot and parsnip cake from the deli
tub of olives
red leave lettuce
red romaine lettuce
The division cards were from Borders. The empty bag is where my carrot and parsnip cake resided until I got to the van and ate it on the way home. I'm guessing the cake was heatable, but it was tasty, to me, while cold. I hope I don't suffer any ill-effects from eating a cold veggie cake since there is egg in there, and it was apparently already cooked. I mean deviled eggs are cold and fine. So are hard-boiled eggs. A cold-but-cooked veggie cake should be fine. Eh. It was muy delicioso.
Junk food for the head: I Love New York.
Totally sucked into watching this. Was bummed when Flav didn't choose her. How I got so wrapped in it to even care I'll never know. My husband literally leaves the room when I watch the show. I don't know which of the fools she should choose. I suppose Real because he seems the most sane. Glad 12 pack is gone, he was like, date-rape creepy to me. Chance is who she'll probably pick because she's loco and eats drama for breakfast. Easiest would have been if Flav chose her and they had a show together and got the whole thing over with. I still think they should have hooked up.
Well. Wait, I wish she would have kept Boston around. They would have been interesting.
Again, does anyone care?
Totally sulking over the lack of something creative to put together for dinner. I have no desire to cook/make dinner. Would like to crawl into a cool hotel bed with the smell of chlorine on my skin. Watch television, sit on my laptop... I love hotels. That sounds really good right now.
I take a weekly Spanish class. It just started, this was week two. I enjoy getting out and am eager to improve my Spanish. I know a little and can understand more than I can communicate but it is mostly conversations/gutter Spanish. I don't know how to conjugate verbs or anything like that.
Unfortunately, this last time I went I was having some... er, digestional problems. A bit of a delay in performance, you could call it. I tried to hurry things along in the privacy of my own home before I left for class, but my efforts lay no fruit (pun intended). This concerned me a bit, 'cause I'm not one to enjoy a long squat in a public restroom, but thankfully I felt fine and took off on my merry way.
It is a small class. I can recognize each face, starting to put some identifying information together on each person. The countrygirl, the retiree, the business man, the social worker, laborer, traveler... I have to give my face an imaginary slap every now and then to concentrate and not to people watch. Half-way through class we had a little break. I joked a bit asking, Donde esta el bano... One of the women, a social worker, told me in broken Spanish and we har-har-har'd about it. A woman I met the first week, nice, trailed me to the bathroom. We made small talk as I maneuvered the somewhat confusing path to the bathroom.
We went in. It was small, two stalls. I chose the farthest one. It was quiet. I don't know what it is about bathrooms. You know why people go in there. But there is some unwritten rule of etiquette that requires women to be as discreet and quiet about their business. 'Cause goodness knows, the stall door will fall in if unwrapping your maxi-pad creates more than a ripple when you tear the crinkly wrapper off. There's the cover-ups for sound in a room with acoustics fit for an opera. The endless fumbling with the toilet paper to cover the echo of pee hitting water in the bowl. The "ahem" or cough (pause) coughcough to cover turd missiles. But worse of all? The sound nobody wants to make and doesn't always give you time to think of an accompaniment?
Poot.
Yes, the dreaded gas passage which, you guessed it, I did. After we had both settled on the toilets. Both had done the toilet paper unrolling. Muttered a couple uncomfortable words to each other (is it OK to talk to someone who isn't your friend while your pants are around your ankles and your butt is hanging in the can). Then, there was nothing but silence. I tried to pee, but my bladder was shy. Once I relaxed enough to pee my body showed relief in a short, audible poot. I guess the pressure build up was too much.
My mouth blurted an excuse. "Oops, sorry." What was that?!! Sorry? You pooted in a bathroom, for goodness sake. Ah well. Girl didn't say anything, and from the sound of silence I figured our Spanish Class Friendship had come to an abrupt end. Just like my poot.