House for sale.

We've been working on this for a while.
We've applied for the visa; signed the Terms of Employment; and, as of today, our house is on the market.

We're moving to Denver.

360 Feedback.

I left the working world after Noah came along. It's not something I ever thought I would do, but at the time it seemed like the right decision. And, while I don't miss my old job, I do miss working. I miss figuring things out. I miss projects, I miss deadlines, I miss collaborating with others, I miss learning new things, the challenges and the friendships. It aggravates and embarrasses me when someone questions what I do with my time because, at the heart of it, I really don't think I'm doing enough. I don't like referring to myself as a Stay at Home Mom and the term Homemaker makes me cringe. I will never be a Domestic Goddess. If it comes up, I just prefer to say that I'm not working.

One of the more surprising things I miss from working is the feedback. Even in mealy-mouthed England, you pretty much know where you stand in your job. So when I came across this list, I was excited yet hesitant in giving it to the boys. Although we kept Question Time light, I was very interested to hear what the boys thought of their boss...

What is something Mommy always says to you?
Elliot: I love you so much.
Noah: Go to sleep.

What makes Mommy happy?

Elliot: Cuddles and kisses.

Noah: Kisses.

What makes Mommy sad?

Elliot: Shouting.

Noah: Ummm... shouting (taking a cue from his older brother).

What was Mommy like as a child?

Elliot: Um. I can't do that answer.

Noah: Um. A boy.

How old is Mommy?

Elliot: Ten hundred.

Noah: Um. I don't know.

How tall is Mommy?

Elliot: A hundred-eleven feet long.

Noah: Um. I don't know.

What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Elliot: Cooking.

Noah: Tooking (hard-consonant sounds are tough).

How does Mommy make you laugh?

Elliot: Tickling us.

Noah: Laugh! Laugh! Laugh!

What does Mommy do when you're not around?

Elliot: Uh. I don't know. Actually, I think you cook.

Noah: Play.

If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?

Elliot: Getting coins.

Noah: I don't know.

What is Mommy really good at?

Elliot: Cooking.

Noah: Cooking.

Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without ketchup...

What is Mommy not very good at?

Elliot: I don't know. [Unsatisfied, he looks around the room...] Um. reaching that smoke alarm.

Noah: I don't know. (Noah's beginning to lose interest.)

What does Mommy do for her job?

Elliot: Working

Noah: I don't know.

What is Mommy's favorite food?

Elliot: Chicken.

Noah: Salad.

What makes you proud of Mommy?

Elliot: Doing chores.

Noah: (Noah has now left the room in total disinterest.)

How are you and Mommy the same?

Elliot: We have black faces. (He gets black and white mixed up a lot.)

Noah: (He's left the room again.)

How are you and Mommy different?

Elliot: We don't both have watches on.

If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Elliot: The Fairy Godmother.

What do you and Mommy do together?

Elliot: Play football.

Noah: Play fire engines (he's back, but not thrilled that I'm still questioning them).

How do you know Mommy loves you?

Elliot: Because you say it lots when we go to bed.

Not too shabby. But I need to get to work on my Fairy Godmother application.

Travellin'.

I grew up with stories of my Dad's Peace Corps, peanut-planting, well-digging, motorbike-riding, possibly CIA-sponsored, work in Thailand. My sister and I watched carousel slide-shows of his adventures on our basement wall with a full bowl of popcorn and nostalgic, fatherly narration. This was, of course, before Thailand was subject to Full Moon parties and Leonardo DeCaprio.

Pat Klein c1970

As a result, I've traveled a little. More than some, way less than lots.

I've been to North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. I haven't been to Antarctica or South America. I couldn't possibly name my favorite destination, but I remember Japan fondly and it's one place I know I will return to.

Japan, 2003

Jordan and I didn't get along at first, but it's been the source of so many good stories I can almost kid myself into thinking that I liked it. I wish I would've brought bubble gum for the Bedouin children in Petra and knew more about the geography of Youngstown, Ohio.

Petra, Jordan, 2002

Of course I'm glad to have been, but I wouldn't willingly return to China.

    

I feel as though I should see India, but I know I wouldn't really like it.

I wish I would've taken a tour up to the DMZ while in Seoul.

Iceland and Ireland get my votes for nicest people. It must be an island thing.

...that said, it was REALLY cold. Especially for August.

The Paris Metro system is more complicated than quantum physics, but taxis there are lethal, even for heavily pregnant ladies.

I love Notre Dame

All the beautiful people live in Norway.

...but they are not in this picture

I'm a good packer. I know that whatever I put in my suitcase is too much and I'm okay with taking it out. I wear sensible shoes at the sacrifice of fashion (which is pretty much my approach to life anyway). I can convert currencies without issue (well, okay, I let The Accountant handle most of it).

The Accountant in Monument Valley, Utah

I just barely made it through high school Spanish and am horribly shy when it comes to new languages. Especially languages which I feel I should know (i.e. French). In the midst of conversation, I've pretended that French is the same is Spanish. Bonjour, comment êtes-vous ...? ¡Hola, muy bien; gracias! Actually, I've pretended that Italian, Afrikaans, Chinese, German and Korean are the same as Spanish. Because, for whatever reason, when someone speaks to me in a foreign language, I revert to high school Spanish. Again, I let The Accountant handle it. That said, even he sometimes makes mistakes...

Altenbourg...? Altenberg!

When we travel, we try to hit all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites we can. That's how I've made it to salt mines in Poland, an iron bridge in Wales, a golden shrine in Japan, blue mountains in Australia, and the whole island of Mozambique. You might also recall my trip to Toledo...

If I could go anywhere it would be Buenos Aires. That answer changes daily. I have, for example, heard great things about Ecuador. Friends who've traveled extensively in South America say it's one of their favorite places, and that the people are extraordinarily friendly. If I went to Ecuador, I would put all my free time, effort, money, and family's money into going to the Galapagos Islands. I would also definitely go see Sangay National Park, and the Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca (both being World Heritage sites). I would also take some time to walk around old Quito; it is one of the first World Heritage Sites and I really do love old, Spanish town centers.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

At all costs, I would take a picture of myself straddling the Equator. I don't know where you can do it, but Google is telling me that someone, somewhere is capitalizing on the idea.

Emily - thanks for the writing inspiration and have a great time in Quito. Forget about the professionalism and dedication in becoming a doctor; just see everything you can and report back. ¡Y, por amor de Dios, tomar una fotografía de ti mismo en el ecuador!