October 8, 2008
As some of you may or may not know this weekend the NASCAR race is at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord.� Last Wednesday as I headed to work at JGRS to leave for Kentucky� the signs that�of the big race�were are ready starting.� It wasn’t the presence of NASCSR haulers or more people….but Porta Potties.� They were everywhere, in all the fields as far as you could see around the track.� What a crazy site….Pottie after Pottie!� When I returned to town late on Sunday night the campers had all ready started rolling in.� One group of campers had a full blown party going still at 3 am Monday Morning.� I just love to see that kind of enthusiasm.� This “race week” as I will call it because people come for the whole week….not just the weekend is going to be busy.� I have to work a promo event at the track for JGRS on Thurs, Friday and Sat and then there is racing to watch.� Thursday the World of Outlaws are at the dirt track,�Thursday is qualifying,�Friday is the Nationwide race and Saturday is the cup race.� Many just typing that is making my tired, but it should be a fun filled week.
我家的狡辩家
�
���� 敦敦最近有个毛病, 喊他吃饭或干事, 人家经常不理不睬地玩沉默. 我和他爹循循善诱, 费尽心机地教导他回应别人的重要性, 强调这即是跟别人沟通（communication）的必要条件，也是对他人最基本的尊重。可是敦敦丝毫不进盐津. 我们没辙, 无奈地罚他写东西, 让他把自己的想法写下来. 读完这篇短文, 字里行间我和他老爹只看到两个字, ‘狡辩’.� 但从另一个角度看，如果不把他培养成外交家, 还真有点浪费.
A argumentative boy in my House
Recently Don Don tends to give no reply when we call him to do something he is not interested at that particular moment. His Dad and I tried hard to tell him to reply ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as least as a necessary way of communication and to show basic respect to others. He doesn’t seem to getting it. We have no choice but to ask him write down his own thought regarding ‘Why does he not reply’.� His Dad and I can see only one word ‘quibble’ after reading his short essay. However, it’s a waste if he will not become a diplomat one day. �
Why I don’t reply
I don’t think there is much point in telling someone something that can be found out through the actions that are taking place. For example, if I am playing a video game, and you tell me to see some fireworks. I don’t reply and continue playing my game. To me at least, it is quite clear that I am not interested.
Another factor would be that I am a little irritated by the fact that you are disturbing my concentration on something. I’m certain that anyone knows that if someone ignores them, that person is annoyed. Humans are not flesh computers, you don’t type in a question and get an answer. We communicate in different ways. If you ask someone a question, you can get an unimaginable amount of different answers. Some people will just give you the boring ole answer. Some people will give hints, and some people will tell you just how stupid you are and walk away muttering under their breaths, “Doesn’t have a brain”. �Not replying is one of them.
So, we have established ‘not replying’ as an easily misunderstood but meaningful form of communication.�
7th October 2008
First full day!! Ah! Arrived this morning at 05hrs Ethiopian time (which I believe is 03hrs UK time). The flight was delayed by 2 hours from Heathrow due to engineering checks. I managed to get my 32kg luggage on without further charge, despite the 20kg maximum, by playing the charity card, but was not so successful with the upgrade. The flight was absolutely full.
We arrived and were directed to the correct baggage reclaiming gate and then I checked in with the visa office officials. I managed to jump the queue as I had already organised mine and proceeded, less the comfort of the crowd, to the customs. There were men and women sleeping all over the place. Locals. They did not appear to be waiting for a flight, more like they had no where else to go! It was a bit worrying as men would appear from no where and would take my documents to look at, before moving me on. I had to trust that they were officials, as there seemed to be no uniform in place! I needed to change my currency in case I had to pay the hotel pick-up but the bank window had a board over the cash hole. I questioned one of the men, who understood english, and he assured me it was open. I explained that no one was there, but he laughed and said, knock on the window – some one is there. I wandered back over and sure enough, I found another sleeping Ethiopian. So I knocked. Nothing. I knocked harder and I saw him judder, but still nothing. Determined to get my money, I wrapped even harder and this time he peered out from under his scarf which had been covering his face. Once he had decided he was awake, he came over with a little glint in his eye, as if he had just been in the act! I greeted him like I was his morning call, and we proceeded to get my money changed!
I was concerned that my arranged pick-up from the hotel would not be waiting as the time had lapsed. But on walking back to join the travellers who had arrived, I was met by a young lady who asked if I was Julia. Still on my guard, I half smiled and checked which hotel. She answered, Ghion hotel. Ah – so that's how I pronounce it, with a hard 'G'. I acknowledged it was me and we made our way out of the airport with her (half the size of Lisa) struggling with my case!
On the way to the bus, she enquired about my stay. I explained that I was staying in Addis for a few days before heading for ASCO's Childrens' Home for 6 months. A broad smile appeared on her face. She knew of ASCO and wondered how I did. I explained the connection via a friend from work and my communications with Sister Maria. It was then that she asked if I was meeting up with anyone whilst in town. When I said I wasn't, she offered to show me around the city if I was interested and gave me her name and mobile number. This was a good start. Friendly and kind. I was feeling good.
On the journey to the hotel, I was struck by how unbelievably quiet everywhere was. At this time in Thailand or Vietnam it would be bussling by now with stall holders and delivery vehicles. I could not even see any street sleepers, although it was dark.
I arrived and checked into my room. The first room that I was shown was already occupied judging by the two false legs that lay on the floor as we entered! Once I had been reallocated, the porter, who by now was getting justifiably pissed off with my case, hung around uncomfortably for a tip. Normally, I do not tip until I know what is a relative amount. In the end he said 'one'? One? Well, as he'd struggled so much with my case, I dived into my belt bag and gave him one Birr. He looked at it as if it was dirt on his shoe and wandered off down the hall, muttering to himself. Later it occurred to me, he was probably asking for one US dollar! That'll be a black mark against my name!
The room is basic and the bathroom reeks of stink-bombs. I was reluctant to walk around bare footed and I slept in my kaftan, to try and ward off the fleas! I was shattered from the journey, but I was conscious that I needed to let people know I was safe and well. I started to send a round robin text message only to discover that all SMS's were barred from my phone. Barred? What the hell is going on there then? I then discovered the room had internet connection. So I set about sending mail to those who were by now getting anxious.
I crashed for a good seven hours waking up to a brilliantly bright day, and discovering that none of my mails had got through either! I tried the mails again, and decided to call mum as I felt by now she'd be close to having a nervous breakdown! Good move. She was! Releived to hear from me and to hear me smile, we tried the mails again and succeeded. I asked her to send messages out to Roger and Stu as they too were getting anxious. Eventually, I received contact from Stu who said he was doing fine, even caught a train using the machine for local currency, but it was raining and he was tired.
I was aware by now that I was starting to find things to do in order to put off going out of the comfort of my room. I remember that the hotel website said there was room service. So in the absence of any literature in the room, I dialled zero – nothing. One? Nothing. One hundred? Still nothing, although I was glad about that as I wasn't sure if I was dialling-out at this stage!
Ok. give up on that idea. I know, lets have a bath, or a shower. My hair is wild and I remember reading that a bath is good after a long flight. No hot water. Too late in the day? Only hot water on Sundays? I resorted to a cold sink wash, which included the wild hair.
Then I pottered. And pottered. And pottered some more until eventually, I could put it off no longer and I bit the bullet and ventured out of the comfort zone of my room.
First port of call was to ask for a room with a balcony. A balcony? What is this strange word? I explained that on their website they advertise rooms with balconies. You know – window in your room, opens up to a balcony? Ah yes – a balcony. Bingo! How long are you staying? Five days maybe? They are all taken. That's a 'no' then. I should have said six months!!
Ok. The next thing is to store my valuables in the hotel safe. May I put something in your free safe? Later, came the reply. Great. Now I have to walk around with a wadge of cash in my bag.
Where can I get a coffee? Over there in the bar. Shall I, I thought to myself? Maybe I should wander around the hotel first or I will find myself not wanting to go anywhere! I know what, I'll just follow these local girls as having arrived in the dark, I was not sure of my bearings and the hotel grounds seemed to be huge. Oh look – there is a garden over there. Let's wander through there. Oh shit. There's at least five men who have appeared from – from where? The bushes? Surely not – but still, they're there, leering and jeering. I have started to walk into this garden now, so I can't turn back without looking scared. Keep going, Julie. Hold your head up. Oh look – there's a path leading out of the garden. Thank god.
I find the exit gates of the hotel grounds. Everyone is staring. I feel like a walking vagina and money tree. A walking wealthy vagina. A WWV! I remember from the map in my book that if I turn right it will lead me to some food stops. I take the first right. It is dusty. And busy. Mostly with men. The places I see look like local venues. There would be no english spoken at these places at all. Besides, only men are sat there. I'll be eaten alive! I keep on walking determined not to look like a WWV. Too late. A child beggar spots me. Food. Food. Please? Please? Shit. What is the word for 'no'? Oh yeah – aye. Aye! Oh no. I have just done the worst thing I could have done. I have opened up a dialogue. Just keep looking ahead. Pretend he is not there. He's not taking the hint. When is he going to go? How the hell am I going to shake him off?
Oh my god, there's another one! I am now looking like the Pied Piper of street beggars as well as a WWV!
I realise that I have finally lost the first boy who I presume has respected his mate's begging territory. He then continues where the other one finishes, like a relay, which continues on to the next and the next – each one becoming more and more crippled. I learn quickly not to look and engage eye contact. What a cruel world it is? One boy is curled up in the foetal position so tightly that I struggle to work out which end is head is at. He looks as if he regularly gets a kicking, and I presume this is why he is postioned the way he is. Another vision is of two young boys huddled under a tree. One of the boys had wet himself and it was trickling down the pavement. He didn't seem bothered.
I am aware that despite my determination to act cool, I have picked up quite a pace. Two of the places mentioned in my book arrive and pass before I have time to check them out. But what I do manage to see is that they are still only occupied by men. There is no way I am opening myself up to any conversation. No sir-ee!
I spot a hotel - the Ethiopian hotel. That looks a bit safer. Shall I? Shan't I? Some one is beeping at me. I loose my bottle and walk on. How rubbish am I? I notice that the beep is coming from a taxi by the hotel. Mental log. If all else fails, I can come back and take a taxi back to my hotel.
Before I know it, I am being spoken to: Where are you from? I know Stratford. Is that dress from India? You look lost. How many days are you here? Are you staying at the Sheraton Hotel?
He may well have spoken perfect English, but that has done it. I do an about turn and get back to the taxi quicker than you can say WWV or PP! I pay the man 50 Birr, which my gut instinct tells me is a rip off, but I don't care. I get to my room and I collapse on the bed. I know I have to walk a couple of short flights of stairs to my room, but I am aware that my heart is clambering to get out of my mouth!
I regain some form of composure, and try and gather my thoughts about the last hour or so. OK Walker, you need to get your shit together. Maybe assuming that I could filter in with the locals in their city was a bit na�ve and foolish. Do I need to get some clothes-shopping? Not any more! Do I need to stay for a week here in Addis? Not at all!! But, whilst I am here, I shall grab a taxi everywhere and eat in the hotel. And there is always the offer from Akele, the night receptionist, which has got to make me feel better about the place.
So, I dusted myself off, grabbed my key and retired to the hotel bar with a coffee and bottled water. After a good while writing my diary, it occurred to me that I still had not eaten. I order from the typically english abroad style menu 'fried potato' in the hope that it might be something local. I ended up with chips! I demolished half the plate before realising I was eating with my left hand! Ah!
I've consumed six (espresso sized) coffees and now need a pee and a 'behind closed doors' cigarette! So I will retire to my room to learn some much needed Ethiopian!!!
I ventured into the hotel restaurant in the evening. I tried to find the local one but discovered that it is at the rear of the western one – by which time, I had sat down and ordered! However, at the end of the meal, I enquired if it would be ok for me to just have a drink in the local restaurant, which it was (I am sure aided by my 10% tip! Have made a decision about the tip situ. The wages are so low for these guys, that I am sure anything extra must go a long way. Plus – I feel liked!! lol!).
The local restaurant is brilliant! It is of solid wooden construction immitating a large teepee and filled with smoke to increase its authenticity. I tried to take a few pics but the smoke acted as a veil. On tuesday's, thursday's and saturday's there is traditional live music and dancing. Guess what? I only knew some of the songs from my CD!! how cool was that! The problem was trying not to get too excited and jumping up to dance!!
after a while, I realised that I was wearing exactly the same outfit as each member of the male band – beige tunic and white trousers with a beige wrap! I must look like such an anomally to the Ethiopians. Firstly I am a female sitting and drinking (albeit coffees) on my own and then I dress the same as the men! Hopefully, if I remain 'outside the box' the guys will give me a wide berth! They might even think I bat for the other side! Lol!
After a good hour or so, other people started to disappear leaving me alone in the restaurant, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. As I still had a drink, I got out my diary in an attempt to shake off the image that I might be a lady of the night! When it felt right, I left the band a tip (its customary, but it also feels good!) and returned to my room.
On the way up, I enquired about the elusive hot water. Apparently, if I leave it to run for 10 minutes, it appears! My first reaction was – what a waste of water in a country where water is such a premium! But I suppose they also do not have the resources to change this. What a cruel trick?
I also discovered how to get room service: 5204. of course! Why didn't I think of that!! with this knowledge in hand, I ordered a small bottle of Ethiopian red wine – and very nice it was too – and enjoyed a nice glass and a cigarette in the safety of my little room!!
Goodnight!!
YAY i get to stay home today.
i feel so energized =D heh. i caught up with my sleep. which is a good thing cuz we PARTAYING TODAY!
I going to wem with Helena today cuz everybody's on fieldtrip. but i've already seen bodyworlds. so i'm just going to watch a moviee=DDDD
ehh .i hungry. so i'm going to make food =D
byye
love
bblahbee
Dinner next door was really very nice. The women were very welcoming and in my opinion we were a good mix of diversity. My worries prior were unfounded, I held my own as the topics of conversation flowed easily from travel to politics. I found out that I went to jr. high with one of the gals, I searched out my yearbook later and think we didn't know each other back then, glad to know her now though, she's very interesting and I hope to talk with her again.
Sunday afternoon hubs and I were relaxing watching a dvd, enjoying a very good vibe for the moment when a woman came to our door asking if D. was home. He wasn't, "Does he live here?", she had a paper in her hand. I naturally inquired what this is about, but she told me that she could't tell me, that she needed to only speak with him. I guess she saw my concern so she tried to relieve my fears by saying, "It's not anything that can't be fixed."
It took a couple phone calls to have her back at my door delivering the paper she'd held away from my view on her last visit. It was from the county, apparently they are summoning him for jury duty because he didn't show up earlier this year when called. AH!! They threatened him with a giant fine and possibly jail, can they do that?!!�
Will the fun never end with this kid? He doesn't get that he shouldn't be bringing this kind of worry to his parents. He owes us peace and the knowledge that as a young adult he's conducting himself in a mannor that produces possitive results and creates confidence in the future.�
I'm not making a big deal over nothing here, the jury duty thing wasn't the only bad news he got this weekend.�Macy's -�has�still got a pitbull's hold on his tail!��Health insurance - oh yeah,�but they want the first two months up front...sure, where's that coming from?�
Times are tough these days can't we just try to keep the chaos down to a dull roar?
LOL, the question for today was: What am I afraid of and why? Let me think, I'll get back to ya!
why is it that people can go to the nhs and have breast reductions and tummy tucks just because they used to be fat and nothing is said yet i need hysterectomy and have to go throught all sorts of things just to get a refferal to the hospital this is something that is affecting my life so badley that i have no quailty of life right now and hardly dare leave the house .yet my sis lost six stone well done her but she whent in seen the gp and came out with a refferal for the hospital for something that is none urgent i dont belive should be done on the nhs when hundreds of people need operations and are in a lot of pain .they say it affects them mentaly well how do you think i feel it's not right i just want my life back so i can be normal again but instead they say well try this and try that it's ok for them it's not destroying there life but it is mine .
Why is math so hard? i hate adding and subtracting fractions.. they make my head hurt!
I hate our other sub though. she sucks at teaching. why can't she just stick to what we're learning. GOD.
i feel so tired =( its all kitty's fault. if she doesnt open the door all the time. then i would get a decent good night's sleep. i should remember to keep the door closed.� oh no. that cat around the neighborhood had more BABIES. god. now there are like... 6 KITTENS living on a porch. We have them kitty's old bed -which is a box with a hole cut in it. we put a pillow in there too! - its raining right now =( i wonder if they'll be warm in our box.� i hope the weeny little kittens dont get sick. =( ASDJFOAIHFOI i can't find anybody who wants a kitten. Arwen already adopted one.. =( poor poor kitties.
-sigh- and here we have SPOILED KITTY. who isn't grateful for everything she has. tsk tsk tsk. she wouldn't even eat the cat food if she doesnt like it. =(
������� blahbee
I've been invited next door tonight to gather and meet what my neighbor calls her support team. I'm honored to be included on this evening. I've heard alot about her gal-pals and in particular her sister,�she's rarely in town so I'm curious about her. Also the other ladies that until now have only been mentioned as�kind, supportive, wise advisers to�P. as she navigates through her life.�
I'm a bit concerned because I'm not used to meeting new people and not having my hubbie with me. I'll be awkward at first I know but hopefully I'll mix in and get comfy enough to let my real gal-pal self shine through.
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