I found this map of Australia on Frogdancer's blog and I'm beginning to think that letting daughter go to Australia with Scientist Genius Brother for Christmas isn't such a great idea after all. They'll be visiting Scientist Genius Brother's super awesome girlfriend and her family at their home which is located between convicts and giant spiders according to this map.
Yup, you read that right. On December 12, 2009 I will be putting my 15 year old on a plane to San Francisco where Scientist Genius Brother will collect her from the airport, take her home for a night and then they will trek back to the airport the next day to fly to Melbourne, Australia. She will get back to Seattle on January 5th. My baby will not be home for Christmas! She'll miss playing "Santa" with me and Christmas Eve with her cousins. I won't get to see her eyes light up as she opens up all her loot on Christmas morning and her brothers won't get to give her one of the only two hugs they are allowed to give her every year. (She only lets them hug her on Christmas and her birthday, that's it!)
On the other hand, she will get to spend three and a half weeks with her Uncle who is one of my favorite people in the world. They will get to start building their own relationship without me as a go-between. Scientist Genius Brother is a very special guy and by getting to spend that time with him, daughter will learn and grow and be a better person. She will see an example of the kind of man I want her to look for when she is ready for love and a relationship. And he will get to know daughter better and see what a smart, funny and witty niece he has.
I also strongly believe that kids need to travel and meet people from other countries to broaden their perspective. Contrary to what many Americans seem to believe, the United States is not the only country on the planet and seeing things from other perspectives will help my kids grow up to be empathetic and well-rounded adults. Insularity drives me crazy and I am going to do everything possible to make sure my kids don't fall into that trap so many Americans do.
Daughter is thrilled and excited for this adventure in her life and I am thrilled and excited for her. I can't thank Wonderful Aussie Girlfriend and her family enough for opening their home and hearts to daughter and I know that Scientist Genius Brother loves her as much as husband and I do and will take very good care of our precious baby.
But we will miss her so much. Letting the kids grow up might end up being the hardest thing we've ever done.
That map is hysterical (and a bit alarming)!!
ReplyDeleteShe is going to have so much fun on her trip with everyone. It will be an adventure she always remembers.
My word verification was coins--she's gonna need a lot of those!
Oh, my! That map had me cracking up!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for your daughter. And, a bit jealous ;-) It'll be a trip of a lifetime, that's for sure. She's a very lucky girl.
Good for her! I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteBut according to the map, it seems like Australia is a terrible place.
Ahhhh, come on!!! A bit of danger just adds spice to life. We Aussies like to live life on the edge.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you're not coming with your daughter. We could have had a blogmeet, because I'm half way between the giant spiders and convicts too.
You're doing the right thing by letting your daughter see a bit of the world outside America. That insular American thing? Trust me when I say that it isn't exactly a secret to the rest of us.
Though having said that, I took my boys to Bali and Phuket for a similar reason... so that they could see different cultures and realise that not everyone lives the same way we do. It was fantastic. They now have a greater appreciation for their lives here and they still talk about the things we saw and did. She'll come back with a bit more maturity and with (slightly) different things experienced. (I said slightly because there's a McDonalds on every corner here too...)
Yikes! That's a freaking hilarious map. Good for you for letting your daughter go. I don't know if I'd have the heart to let Baby Boy go.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your Science Genius Brother will take great care of her.
Can I be your daughter?
ReplyDeletei am SO excited for her to go and explore. so rad.
ReplyDeleteI think she'll have an awesome time!
ReplyDeleteI went to Germany a few years ago.
It was so great!
Also love how she'll get to know your brother and see what a good man is like :o)
She is one very lucky girl!
And you are an awesome mom. :o)
Daughter and I LOVE the map... I know what you mean about presenting opportunities for your kids to experience the world around them... I've been trying for like the past 6 months to get my sis-in-law to plan that trip to Alaska for her and my daughter she said she wanted to take.
ReplyDeleteGrrrr! Wish she were as proactive as your brother.
yes, starbucks coffee energy drinks really taste like coffee - i don't know about other brands though.
ReplyDeleteand they dont' have as much kick to them so I don't get too hyper.
OMG Katy, that map is hysterical! I totally agree with you--I think allowing kids to see other parts of the world is a great education & makes them better people. I'd totally want to go with her though! I'm sure she will have a great time & she'll owe you BIG TIME for that trip!
ReplyDeleteI do use flonase but my allergies are severe so I also have to take allegra. He had me on allegra regularly then gave me xyzal when I got allergy shots so I wouldn't have an allergic reaction. Insurance complained cuz I was given two allergy meds - so doc said take the xyzal only and see how you like it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like it - so now I'm back on allegra.
He really is a good doctor.
Has gotten me off two asthma meds already. And is real good about not just pushing meds at me like some docs would do.
traveling is one of the best things that my parents did for me, no doubt about it.
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