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| A PB and J - good anywhere, anytime! |
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| Looking out at the entrance to the Panama Canal |
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| Out of the locks! Really big ship! |
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| On a nature trail with our friend, Illeana |
Monday, September 12, 2011
At the Aquarium...
Friday, September 9, 2011
It's been a while
It's been a busy few weeks here, filled with welcoming a new nanny (yay!!), buying some furniture for the living room (cha-ching$$), and basically having a busy week with school and life in general. It's been good. Here are a few pictures and observations about our life in Panama.
It's beautiful in its own way. My morning commute follows the Coredor Sur, right along the water. If you look out further (not in picture), you'd be able to see a dozen or so huge tankers waiting to go through the Panama Canal. The wait time to go through is 24-48 hours, so the ships just sit there for a while. As you can imagine, there is a huge pollution problem and you would never want to swim in this water, but it's beautiful anyway. The high rises that you see in the distance are a neighborhood of Panama called Costa del Este, and a very new suburb of Panama City.
This was one afternoon last week - 97°F. But we are entering the rainy season, with October and November being very wet around here. Streets aren't always constructed with run-off in mind, so there is a lot of flooding. Let's see how my little car does in big puddles!
Max goes to El Jardin de la Cuadra from 8 until 5:00 M, W, F. T and Th we have speech therapy, so I pick him up at 2:45 in order to make our session by 3:30. Lots of traffic issues already at that time... On his full days, he gets a shower in the afternoon. Isn't that amazing?? Obviously with the weather being so hot, showering the kids in the afternoon helps cool everyone down and freshens everyone up! Everyday, he brings a "lonchera" (lunchbox) for his morning snack, then they feed him a lunch that they prepare, he takes a nap in his PJ's, he gets a shower and changes clothes again. I love it because we don't need to take another shower (unless he gets super sweaty again), and he's not all grungy in his clothes.
Every morning, all 3-12th graders gather in the open court yard at Colegio Brader. This picture is of the younger kids gathering, because the older ones had exams all week this week. It's a big part of the school, with the flag raising, the national anthem, and a prayer (Catholic school).
Max loves to swim, and is not afraid of the water. If he's wearing his swimmies and his goggles, he is unstoppable - diving under by hanging on, swimming in the pool alone, jumping in, etc. I have to really be careful that he doesn't get too comfortable, and forgets his swimmies - that's happened once. I think it was more scary for mommy than it was for Max. "Why do I need air to breathe, Momma?"
I am learning more and more about Max. The other day we attended a book fair at this huge convention center right by our house. It was very crowded with lots of noise and activity. Sure enough, they had a Children's Area, with a jumpy house, some stages, and other children's activities set up. As we walk into this area, a line of children participating in a dance was snaking its way through the convention center. A grown-up extends a hand to Max and he takes it, and joins this dance line. With the crowd and the hustle/bustle of this area, Max and I are separated for a good 10 minutes. He is dancing, I am watching from the sides. He can't see me, but I can see him. This kid did not panic (like I think I would have, if a stranger who didn't speak my native language would have grabbed my hand and pulled me into an activity) and I can see him participating and trying to do the line dance correctly. Then, he gathered with the rest of the participants and got a little prize at the end. It was truly amazing to see him so confident and so comfortable engaging in something that was unfamiliar. Made me one proud momma! :)
We are at the end of our second trimester, and now have a week-long vacation. We are all going to the Beach House in Contadora. Aaaaaahhhh. Will update from there.
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| My morning commute |
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| It's hot!!! |
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| Shower time at school |
Max goes to El Jardin de la Cuadra from 8 until 5:00 M, W, F. T and Th we have speech therapy, so I pick him up at 2:45 in order to make our session by 3:30. Lots of traffic issues already at that time... On his full days, he gets a shower in the afternoon. Isn't that amazing?? Obviously with the weather being so hot, showering the kids in the afternoon helps cool everyone down and freshens everyone up! Everyday, he brings a "lonchera" (lunchbox) for his morning snack, then they feed him a lunch that they prepare, he takes a nap in his PJ's, he gets a shower and changes clothes again. I love it because we don't need to take another shower (unless he gets super sweaty again), and he's not all grungy in his clothes.
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| Morning meeting at Brader |
Every morning, all 3-12th graders gather in the open court yard at Colegio Brader. This picture is of the younger kids gathering, because the older ones had exams all week this week. It's a big part of the school, with the flag raising, the national anthem, and a prayer (Catholic school).
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| A swimmer needs energy!! PB and J to the rescue! |
I am learning more and more about Max. The other day we attended a book fair at this huge convention center right by our house. It was very crowded with lots of noise and activity. Sure enough, they had a Children's Area, with a jumpy house, some stages, and other children's activities set up. As we walk into this area, a line of children participating in a dance was snaking its way through the convention center. A grown-up extends a hand to Max and he takes it, and joins this dance line. With the crowd and the hustle/bustle of this area, Max and I are separated for a good 10 minutes. He is dancing, I am watching from the sides. He can't see me, but I can see him. This kid did not panic (like I think I would have, if a stranger who didn't speak my native language would have grabbed my hand and pulled me into an activity) and I can see him participating and trying to do the line dance correctly. Then, he gathered with the rest of the participants and got a little prize at the end. It was truly amazing to see him so confident and so comfortable engaging in something that was unfamiliar. Made me one proud momma! :)
We are at the end of our second trimester, and now have a week-long vacation. We are all going to the Beach House in Contadora. Aaaaaahhhh. Will update from there.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Some pictures from last weekend
Here are some pics from last weekend. Very fun, and Max definitely got his "boy" time with lots of Carolyn's sons and nephews around.
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| Beautiful horse farm next to the Beach House. |
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| A not-so-good moment |
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
So there I was...
Yesterday was truly an epic day! It was a long weekend, so Car and her family, Max and I went to the beach house in Coronado, about 1 1/2 hours sout west from Panama City. We drove in two cars, because not all of us would fit into Car's car. So, I'm currently driving a Honda Civic, that is totally decked out for teenage sons: low riding, tinted windows, cobalt blue... NICE!! It's the family car of Maggie, one of the owners of Colegio Brader and a good friend. After two very relaxing days of pool and beach, we're ready to head back into the city. But as I start the car, I hear the deafening "click" of a dead battery. UGH. And wouldn't you know it, Car had an appointment in Panama City that afternoon, so we had no minutes to spare. After some quick thinking, Car drives off to buy some jumper cables, and sure enough, the car starts. Max falls asleep 10 minues into the drive, and we're saiiling all the way into the city. I follow Car all the way in, and split off to go to my apartment. All is well, right? Well....
To get to my apartment, I have to take Corredor Sur, a toll highway, with the main part a bridge that spans the over the water. Each side has two lanes, and only a few feet for an emergency lane. I miss my exit, and have to cross this bridge (think 520, Seattle people). I turn around and get back on to the highway. The on ramp has one of these guard rails that is supposed to collapse when tires go over it, and pop any tire that tries to back over it. They were fixing one side last week. They didn't fix it right. I drive over it, and sure enough, hear that all too dreaded hissing sound. I now have to pull over on the Corredor Sur with a flat tire. Thankfully, two maintenance guys come over and help me. In the meantime, I call my friend Tuty, to see if she can come and rescue us as well, even if it's just for moral support. She's on her way (so great!).
The car doesn''t have the correct wrenches, so they can't change the tire easily. Now a tow truck stops by. It turns out this is the Corredor tow truck - it's all he does! So now I am in good hands. Sign language and my pathetically limited amount of Spanish get me by. Tuty arrives. Max is still sleeping in the car.
After $15 of tips (not bad!!), I am now following Tuty back into Panama to find a Bridgestone to get the tire fixed. I pull off the highway, and sure enough, have flat tire #2! Front tire this time. I made it about 2 blocks away to the tire place, and pull over on the side of the street. Another nice guy comes up to us to see if he can help. Yes, please! He asks me to start the car again and straighten out the wheel. Wait for it... dead battery! At this point, Tuty and I are bent over laughing.
But here is the great part, and something that I think I am learning about Panama. Where there is a will, there is a way. Instead of waiting for a tow truck (lots of money and seemingly too complicated), Tuty loads tire #1 into her car, and drives it to Bridgestone. At the same time, Tuty calls Casa Batteria, a mobile car battery repair service, to come and take a look at the battery. (I just stand on the side of the road, looking helpless.) A guy on a moped shows up within 10 minutes and fixes the battery - it was just a loose connection. He speaks English! :)
Now we can straighten the wheel so that the guy who is helping us can take off flat tire #2. He does. Tuty loads it in her car, and drives it over there, and brings back tire #1. Nice Guy puts it on, and we're off. But not without setting off the car alarm, which, of course, I don't know how to turn off because it's not my car. So, I'm literally limping to Bridgestonne with Max in the back seat (now watching a movie), and the car alarm is going off. To say that we turned some heads is an understatement.
But sure enough, Bridgestone exchanges both tires, cuts the cord to the alarm, and we're off. The whole thing, from me getting a flat tire on the Corredor, to driving away from Bridgestone, took about 90 minutes. I kid you not!!
We come back home to find that Ana, our nanny, wasn't home yet, and since she has yet to show up, we can safely assume that she's not coming back, either!! Ugh. Unfortunately, this is quite common here, and everyone shrugs their shoulders, and says: "Yeah, that's the way it goes."
But I have enrolled Max in his school on a full-time basis now, so he gets to be there until I get off from work. So, in some ways, we're back in familiar territory, and I think that's going to be o.k., at least for a little while. Then we'll try to find a nanny again.
To get to my apartment, I have to take Corredor Sur, a toll highway, with the main part a bridge that spans the over the water. Each side has two lanes, and only a few feet for an emergency lane. I miss my exit, and have to cross this bridge (think 520, Seattle people). I turn around and get back on to the highway. The on ramp has one of these guard rails that is supposed to collapse when tires go over it, and pop any tire that tries to back over it. They were fixing one side last week. They didn't fix it right. I drive over it, and sure enough, hear that all too dreaded hissing sound. I now have to pull over on the Corredor Sur with a flat tire. Thankfully, two maintenance guys come over and help me. In the meantime, I call my friend Tuty, to see if she can come and rescue us as well, even if it's just for moral support. She's on her way (so great!).
The car doesn''t have the correct wrenches, so they can't change the tire easily. Now a tow truck stops by. It turns out this is the Corredor tow truck - it's all he does! So now I am in good hands. Sign language and my pathetically limited amount of Spanish get me by. Tuty arrives. Max is still sleeping in the car.
After $15 of tips (not bad!!), I am now following Tuty back into Panama to find a Bridgestone to get the tire fixed. I pull off the highway, and sure enough, have flat tire #2! Front tire this time. I made it about 2 blocks away to the tire place, and pull over on the side of the street. Another nice guy comes up to us to see if he can help. Yes, please! He asks me to start the car again and straighten out the wheel. Wait for it... dead battery! At this point, Tuty and I are bent over laughing.
But here is the great part, and something that I think I am learning about Panama. Where there is a will, there is a way. Instead of waiting for a tow truck (lots of money and seemingly too complicated), Tuty loads tire #1 into her car, and drives it to Bridgestone. At the same time, Tuty calls Casa Batteria, a mobile car battery repair service, to come and take a look at the battery. (I just stand on the side of the road, looking helpless.) A guy on a moped shows up within 10 minutes and fixes the battery - it was just a loose connection. He speaks English! :)
Now we can straighten the wheel so that the guy who is helping us can take off flat tire #2. He does. Tuty loads it in her car, and drives it over there, and brings back tire #1. Nice Guy puts it on, and we're off. But not without setting off the car alarm, which, of course, I don't know how to turn off because it's not my car. So, I'm literally limping to Bridgestonne with Max in the back seat (now watching a movie), and the car alarm is going off. To say that we turned some heads is an understatement.
But sure enough, Bridgestone exchanges both tires, cuts the cord to the alarm, and we're off. The whole thing, from me getting a flat tire on the Corredor, to driving away from Bridgestone, took about 90 minutes. I kid you not!!
We come back home to find that Ana, our nanny, wasn't home yet, and since she has yet to show up, we can safely assume that she's not coming back, either!! Ugh. Unfortunately, this is quite common here, and everyone shrugs their shoulders, and says: "Yeah, that's the way it goes."
But I have enrolled Max in his school on a full-time basis now, so he gets to be there until I get off from work. So, in some ways, we're back in familiar territory, and I think that's going to be o.k., at least for a little while. Then we'll try to find a nanny again.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
We have a new nanny, Anna, who is 20 years old, and very nice. Today was her first true day, so my friend, Tuty, and I came home from work early and helped orient her. Tuty was great as she is Panamanian, and knew exactly what to say to Anna in order for her to feel comfortable. This language barrier really sucks, and I'm really hoping to up my game in this area. But Anna is patient and speaks slowly, both of which help a great deal.
It's been amazing to watch Max get used to another new person. He likes Anna as well, and maybe it's just obvious how much he has had different people in his life taking care of him. He trusts her, isn't shy or hesitant, stays with her without complaining, and is basically happy to have he around. I'm so impressed; o.k., maybe I'm a little biased too!!
While Carolyn and I were driving to pick up Anna, the power steering in my new used car went out. That's the second thing that went wrong with this car in the last two weeks, so I basically gave the car back for a full refund. So that's been a bummer, but, as luck would have it, one of the owners of the school, Maggie, has a car that she ca loan me for a while so I have more time to look for one without having to rely on Carolyn to cart me around everywhere. I know it'll all workout! But that damn car seat is heavy, and I'm sick of trying to keep track of a different set of keys!! :)
I've been trying to sink my teeth into work, but am currently without a work computer. My official title is Director of Strategic Development, but at this point, I am still trying to find my way around campus. I did spend some time in 2nd grade last week, which was so fun, and I hope to do more of that this week.
It's wonderful to hear from our family and friends, so please keep the emails, phone calls coming. We're really not that far away!!
It's been amazing to watch Max get used to another new person. He likes Anna as well, and maybe it's just obvious how much he has had different people in his life taking care of him. He trusts her, isn't shy or hesitant, stays with her without complaining, and is basically happy to have he around. I'm so impressed; o.k., maybe I'm a little biased too!!
While Carolyn and I were driving to pick up Anna, the power steering in my new used car went out. That's the second thing that went wrong with this car in the last two weeks, so I basically gave the car back for a full refund. So that's been a bummer, but, as luck would have it, one of the owners of the school, Maggie, has a car that she ca loan me for a while so I have more time to look for one without having to rely on Carolyn to cart me around everywhere. I know it'll all workout! But that damn car seat is heavy, and I'm sick of trying to keep track of a different set of keys!! :)
I've been trying to sink my teeth into work, but am currently without a work computer. My official title is Director of Strategic Development, but at this point, I am still trying to find my way around campus. I did spend some time in 2nd grade last week, which was so fun, and I hope to do more of that this week.
It's wonderful to hear from our family and friends, so please keep the emails, phone calls coming. We're really not that far away!!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Its REALLY hot!
Wow, I am just boiling, and Dummy over here decides to bake banana bread in the middle of the day. It better be worth it! Both Max and my bedroom are air-conditioned, and I moved the majority of his toys in his bedroom yesterday, so at least when he's home, he has a cool place to be. Luis, Carolyn's helper, also hung a cool chair from the ceiling, and Max loves to swing, hide and climb all over that thing. Very fun.
I have a maid. Yes, I do! Laura is 18 (!!) and comes from a part of Panama that is about 1hour outside of the city. It's amazing to have someone to clean and help you cook, and basically be at your side the whole time. If I want her to play with Max, off she goes. Or maybe, she prepares dinner so I can play with Max. It's also o.k. to take your maid to a playdate for them to take care of your kids while you actually get to talk to the parents. We did that last night, and it was more of a "normal" play date than one might think. The ratio of child to adults was higher for the adults, though, which was funny!
Max really likes Laura, and over this week has become quite attached. I feel good leaving him with her and can tell that they are quite the pair. He keeps asking why Laura doesn't eat when we eat, and why he can't eat in her room!! That part is hard for me. You entrust them to take care of your kids and basically be part of your home, but the lines of separation are very strong. Laura caught me doing dishes the other day, and the look on her face ... :)
AND here's the bad part, Laura is leaving again because she has a 3 month old baby that is being taken care of by her mom. She thought she would be able to work, but then changed her mind. I feel so bad for Max who has needed to make so many new adjustments, but he will adjust again to someone else. Carolyn and her friend Ericka (also my language coach!!) already found a new nanna, Anna, who will start tomorrow.
You usually don't advertise here, you basically just ask around. So we were lucky that someone else was available because Max only goes to school half day, and is home with the nanny after 12:00. It'll take some time to adjust but it will be so worth it in the end.
I have a maid. Yes, I do! Laura is 18 (!!) and comes from a part of Panama that is about 1hour outside of the city. It's amazing to have someone to clean and help you cook, and basically be at your side the whole time. If I want her to play with Max, off she goes. Or maybe, she prepares dinner so I can play with Max. It's also o.k. to take your maid to a playdate for them to take care of your kids while you actually get to talk to the parents. We did that last night, and it was more of a "normal" play date than one might think. The ratio of child to adults was higher for the adults, though, which was funny!
Max really likes Laura, and over this week has become quite attached. I feel good leaving him with her and can tell that they are quite the pair. He keeps asking why Laura doesn't eat when we eat, and why he can't eat in her room!! That part is hard for me. You entrust them to take care of your kids and basically be part of your home, but the lines of separation are very strong. Laura caught me doing dishes the other day, and the look on her face ... :)
AND here's the bad part, Laura is leaving again because she has a 3 month old baby that is being taken care of by her mom. She thought she would be able to work, but then changed her mind. I feel so bad for Max who has needed to make so many new adjustments, but he will adjust again to someone else. Carolyn and her friend Ericka (also my language coach!!) already found a new nanna, Anna, who will start tomorrow.
You usually don't advertise here, you basically just ask around. So we were lucky that someone else was available because Max only goes to school half day, and is home with the nanny after 12:00. It'll take some time to adjust but it will be so worth it in the end.
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