Some random observations while driving in this country:
- The lines on the roads are only suggestions
- If you are driving on a 2-lane road, and someone behind you thinks you are going to slow, they will pass you. IF they can not get around you safely -keep in mind our idea of safe is NOT the same as their idea of safe- on the outside (using the lane for oncoming traffic) they will use the sidewalk
- If you are at a bus stop, you must still flag down the bus or it will drive right past you
- If you are at a bus stop, and are tired of waiting for said bus, just stick out your thumb and a passing motorist may stop and pick you up
- Driving in the left lane on a 4-lane road is best. The carbinaros (police) often do random pullovers and they will pull from the right lane
- Carbinaros drive with their lights flashing always - don't be alarmed when one is behind you
- Carbinaros will often honk their horn at friends on the street - so if one is behind you with lights flashing, and they honk - you may still be in the clear
- It is assumed that you will pull to one side of your lane so that faster motorists can zip around you at the stop lights. Otherwise, they'll honk incessantly
- When in stopping to wait to turn left, cars will use the sidewalk to pass you without as much as slowing down
- If someone is waiting for a car to back out or pull in, actually being a courteous driver, the cars backed up behind said car will lay on their horn until everyone gets moving again. Apparently that will make everyone go faster
Fortunately, I have only had to observe these driving antics and not had to be a part of them (yet).
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Alone in a Strange World
Last night was my first night alone here. It didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. I feel completely safe inside my home. But even in Arizona, I get a little uneasy when I go through the house before bed double checking the doors. In Chile, when you check the doors and windows, you doubt their ability to protect you when you can feel the flood of cold air coming in from all the gaps around the door. It makes it seem as though it's just leaning there - not really "sealed up tight". Nobody can get in. We're locked up tight, but for some reason, those locks didn't seem like enough. And the house, it was sooo dark last night. Sometimes, with the clouds and/or smog, the lights from the city bounce back down on us and it seems like daytime outside. Last night, it was clear skies - and dark...
I always struggle to sleep the first night when the hubs leaves on a trip. Always. By the second night, I sleep like a baby sideways across the bed - with his pillow. Then upon his return, I again don't sleep so well, because I have to readjust to him being there. It's a roller coaster ride that I've been on for our entire marriage. Last year, when he was gone 80% of the time (side note: he says 80%, I say 90%) I got in such a habit of sleeping alone, that I struggled every night that he was home. I would wake up several times. He'd roll over, and it would wake me up. But he was only ever home for 3-4 days at a time and then he'd be gone again for a chunk of time.
To be fair, it was just as hard on him. Probably harder. The man can sleep anywhere. Good thing, because on those trips, he'd usually be in a different hotel every night. When he'd come home, I would often scare the living daylights out of him. I would reach over and touch him and he'd jump through the roof. He was so used to being alone, that having someone in the bed with him startled him in the dead of sleep. It would take him a minute to wake up enough to realize where he was and that it was ok that for me to be there. I'm lucky I didn't get punched. I tried to stay on my side at night. :)
Right now he's worried about me. I wanted to go to the 'big' Lider (grocery store) and he asked me not to. He wanted me to take both kids and only go to the little one. "It's safer." He had me text him when I left home, when I arrived at the store, when we left the store and again when we got home. He wanted a play-by-play of how things went. Sweet man. I'm ok. Really. He said that if he were in town, he wouldn't care, but being out of the country - he wants me to stay close to home. Keep in mind, the 'big' Lider is only like 3 minutes further away than the little one. But, in his defense, you do have to cross a bridge near a large community of homeless people. I am not sure if you would really call them homeless, they have built structures for themselves in a little 'lean-to city'. I believe that these are the street performers that we see at the stoplights in the evenings.
In the end, we stayed closer to home and I took both kids with me (they weren't thrilled). We got to the store and home safe and sound. We went through our nightly routines and headed to bed. At 5am this morning when I got up - it felt like I didn't sleep at all.
Oh well, this is his first trip. We'll get a flow soon.
I always struggle to sleep the first night when the hubs leaves on a trip. Always. By the second night, I sleep like a baby sideways across the bed - with his pillow. Then upon his return, I again don't sleep so well, because I have to readjust to him being there. It's a roller coaster ride that I've been on for our entire marriage. Last year, when he was gone 80% of the time (side note: he says 80%, I say 90%) I got in such a habit of sleeping alone, that I struggled every night that he was home. I would wake up several times. He'd roll over, and it would wake me up. But he was only ever home for 3-4 days at a time and then he'd be gone again for a chunk of time.
To be fair, it was just as hard on him. Probably harder. The man can sleep anywhere. Good thing, because on those trips, he'd usually be in a different hotel every night. When he'd come home, I would often scare the living daylights out of him. I would reach over and touch him and he'd jump through the roof. He was so used to being alone, that having someone in the bed with him startled him in the dead of sleep. It would take him a minute to wake up enough to realize where he was and that it was ok that for me to be there. I'm lucky I didn't get punched. I tried to stay on my side at night. :)
Right now he's worried about me. I wanted to go to the 'big' Lider (grocery store) and he asked me not to. He wanted me to take both kids and only go to the little one. "It's safer." He had me text him when I left home, when I arrived at the store, when we left the store and again when we got home. He wanted a play-by-play of how things went. Sweet man. I'm ok. Really. He said that if he were in town, he wouldn't care, but being out of the country - he wants me to stay close to home. Keep in mind, the 'big' Lider is only like 3 minutes further away than the little one. But, in his defense, you do have to cross a bridge near a large community of homeless people. I am not sure if you would really call them homeless, they have built structures for themselves in a little 'lean-to city'. I believe that these are the street performers that we see at the stoplights in the evenings.
In the end, we stayed closer to home and I took both kids with me (they weren't thrilled). We got to the store and home safe and sound. We went through our nightly routines and headed to bed. At 5am this morning when I got up - it felt like I didn't sleep at all.
Oh well, this is his first trip. We'll get a flow soon.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A Balancing Act
I posted just this morning about how I have finally found peace. I seem to be the only one...
Poor Greg. He is beating his head against a wall down here. He can't work efficiently. He tries and he tries, but things are staked against him. Keep in mind that he is currently doing the same job that he did before we arrived here plus hiring and training new guys over the phone. Add to that the additional responsibilities here and the man is a little overloaded.
He's also had to carry an additional emotional and physical burden caring for me and the kids while we are adjusting to life here. He's done beautifully. But just as I am getting my feet under me, he is hitting his breaking point.
First he can't get hardwired into the internet at work. Something about security. So he has to work off of the horrible wi-fi. Our connection at home stinks, and it's a bazillion times better than the one he deals with at work. So he often works off of his iPhone during the day when the system won't connect which isn't fun and slow moving, and then does his 'real' work when he gets home.
Then about 2 weeks after arriving here, his laptop crashed completely. Luckily he had backed it up recently. So a new one was sent from the IT guys in the US via a US employee who was meeting with a Chilean employee in Bolivia - who brought it to Greg.
This new computer doesn't seem to like any excel email attachments. Greg works almost entirely from excel and email is critical to his business. The IT guys down here are not very helpful, and trying to get with the IT guy over the phone in the US requires working over a telephone line ran through the internet - which again isn't very good.
Needless to say, he's losing his flippin' mind.
He was still up working last night at midnight, I'm not sure when he went to bed. This morning he was up by 5am. The driver came early so he felt rushed to get out of the house and to the airport. He grabbed a yogurt for breakfast and dropped it on the floor. It, of course, broke open spewing yogurt all over him and the inside of the fridge.
What can I do? I can clean up the yogurt. I can hug him tight and tell him that I love him. I can tell him that I'm not worried one bit about being here alone over the next few days. I can tell him that I'm doing great. He worries about the kids and I. He is constantly aware of how we're feeling and how we are handling things. It just adds to the already piled on stress.
Today he took a plane from Santiago to Iquique, then to Arica, then La Paz then sat at the airport in Cochabamba for three hours before heading to his final destination in Brazil and then driving a distance to the hotel. He'll be at the mine tomorrow and then replay this whole travel craziness again to get home Thursday.
I am grateful for blessings in the midst of turmoil. I am grateful that while I was breaking down, he was at peace and now that he's at his breaking point, I am at peace. It allows us to pull each other through the rough patches.
Poor Greg. He is beating his head against a wall down here. He can't work efficiently. He tries and he tries, but things are staked against him. Keep in mind that he is currently doing the same job that he did before we arrived here plus hiring and training new guys over the phone. Add to that the additional responsibilities here and the man is a little overloaded.
He's also had to carry an additional emotional and physical burden caring for me and the kids while we are adjusting to life here. He's done beautifully. But just as I am getting my feet under me, he is hitting his breaking point.
First he can't get hardwired into the internet at work. Something about security. So he has to work off of the horrible wi-fi. Our connection at home stinks, and it's a bazillion times better than the one he deals with at work. So he often works off of his iPhone during the day when the system won't connect which isn't fun and slow moving, and then does his 'real' work when he gets home.
Then about 2 weeks after arriving here, his laptop crashed completely. Luckily he had backed it up recently. So a new one was sent from the IT guys in the US via a US employee who was meeting with a Chilean employee in Bolivia - who brought it to Greg.
This new computer doesn't seem to like any excel email attachments. Greg works almost entirely from excel and email is critical to his business. The IT guys down here are not very helpful, and trying to get with the IT guy over the phone in the US requires working over a telephone line ran through the internet - which again isn't very good.
Needless to say, he's losing his flippin' mind.
He was still up working last night at midnight, I'm not sure when he went to bed. This morning he was up by 5am. The driver came early so he felt rushed to get out of the house and to the airport. He grabbed a yogurt for breakfast and dropped it on the floor. It, of course, broke open spewing yogurt all over him and the inside of the fridge.
What can I do? I can clean up the yogurt. I can hug him tight and tell him that I love him. I can tell him that I'm not worried one bit about being here alone over the next few days. I can tell him that I'm doing great. He worries about the kids and I. He is constantly aware of how we're feeling and how we are handling things. It just adds to the already piled on stress.
Today he took a plane from Santiago to Iquique, then to Arica, then La Paz then sat at the airport in Cochabamba for three hours before heading to his final destination in Brazil and then driving a distance to the hotel. He'll be at the mine tomorrow and then replay this whole travel craziness again to get home Thursday.
I am grateful for blessings in the midst of turmoil. I am grateful that while I was breaking down, he was at peace and now that he's at his breaking point, I am at peace. It allows us to pull each other through the rough patches.
Changing Perspective
Last night when I went to bed, I felt my perspective change. As I turned out the light, I felt this sense of peace. It was almost like an, "I'm home" feeling.
It happened again this morning as I scraped the frost from my windows with a credit card and headed to school with beautiful snow covered mountains in the distance and a car full of teenagers.
Maybe it's finally setting into a routine with school starting. Maybe it's the familiar hustle and bustle of Greg preparing for a business trip. Maybe it is the added spirit in our home due to early morning seminary. Maybe I've hit the 'mark' in our time here... I can't say for sure. I credit the added spirit in our home with the bulk of it. I am just at peace finally. It's been a long time.
There was so much going on before we left that my mind was going a thousand miles an hour - always. There was so many new things happening when we got here that it was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don't get me wrong - I don't have this whole Chile thing under control yet, but I am finally ok with that.
I am alone in this country for the first time today. Greg is off to Bolivia on business for the next 2 nights. I can't fill my own car up with gas because this country doesn't have 'self serve' pumps. You have to TALK to someone here, and I still can't do that, but I've got plenty of gas. I need to head to the store, but I can handle that. I need to get the kids back and forth from school and practices, but I know how to get there with my manual transmission driving self.
I look around our home and it is filled with someone else's things. They are not my couches, my art work, my bed (oh how I miss my sleep number bed), my plates, my pans. I finally bought some new drinking glasses and put those retched blue things in storage. I flipped the abstract art on our wall upside down so that it doesn't look like a woman's breast anymore. I hated that thing. Now, it just looks like abstract art.
I am not in any way saying that I'm ready to commit to staying longer than one year. I'm just saying that it is nice to just feel at peace again. It's been a long time coming.
It happened again this morning as I scraped the frost from my windows with a credit card and headed to school with beautiful snow covered mountains in the distance and a car full of teenagers.
Maybe it's finally setting into a routine with school starting. Maybe it's the familiar hustle and bustle of Greg preparing for a business trip. Maybe it is the added spirit in our home due to early morning seminary. Maybe I've hit the 'mark' in our time here... I can't say for sure. I credit the added spirit in our home with the bulk of it. I am just at peace finally. It's been a long time.
There was so much going on before we left that my mind was going a thousand miles an hour - always. There was so many new things happening when we got here that it was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don't get me wrong - I don't have this whole Chile thing under control yet, but I am finally ok with that.
I am alone in this country for the first time today. Greg is off to Bolivia on business for the next 2 nights. I can't fill my own car up with gas because this country doesn't have 'self serve' pumps. You have to TALK to someone here, and I still can't do that, but I've got plenty of gas. I need to head to the store, but I can handle that. I need to get the kids back and forth from school and practices, but I know how to get there with my manual transmission driving self.
I look around our home and it is filled with someone else's things. They are not my couches, my art work, my bed (oh how I miss my sleep number bed), my plates, my pans. I finally bought some new drinking glasses and put those retched blue things in storage. I flipped the abstract art on our wall upside down so that it doesn't look like a woman's breast anymore. I hated that thing. Now, it just looks like abstract art.
I am not in any way saying that I'm ready to commit to staying longer than one year. I'm just saying that it is nice to just feel at peace again. It's been a long time coming.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Catching Up in Pictures
There are soooo many things happening around these parts, that I find that some things slip through the cracks of this little blog. Things that I want to share, but maybe get out-shined by something like a broken oven.
We have had so many amazing experiences already. Here are a few photos to keep things up to date:
We enjoyed this amazing cultural event put on by our community of Lo Barnechea. Our church building hosted one night of the concert. This full orchestra was amazing. The conductor was so very animated, which I LOVE! I couldn't understand a word he said, but I loved the fact that he was doing more than just performing, he was explaining the purpose and reason behind each movement. He was so much fun to watch!
The boys were tasked with helping to park cars, which here in Chile is a common thing. They directed cars to open areas and helped them fit into the tight spots. Anytime you have someone helping you park around here, you tip them. They were eager to see if they would be 'tipped' at the end. But alas - no pesos came their way.
My boys are so very silly. They make me laugh every single day. They have made this whole experience worth it. Their attitudes are amazing and their determination is inspiring. Just like this - getting every last drop out of those precious US soda cans.
Notice Andrew's "PHOTO BOMB" above :)
Money Honey:
We're still figuring out the whole money thing. Really, it's hard to take money seriously when it looks like it belongs in a box of Monopoly.
All different colors and sizes. Clear windows with holographic looking photos in them. Lots and lots of zeros.
The coins are the worst. There are two that look completely different but are exactly the same (the new 100 and the old 100).
I'm learning what to tip whom. For example, for only a few groceries, you'd tip the bagger at the store 500 pesos. For the guy watching your car at a restaurant, maybe a couple hundred. I think. My Chilean friends may need to give me a cheat sheet.
You can also tip the street performers at every stop light in the evenings. There are guys that juggle fire, dance with those zero gravity ball things. I think they are call fushigi? All kinds of entertainment on the streets. You can also buy fruit, candy, flowers, umbrellas, cell phone charges, bubble blowing guns. Yep, sit at any main stop light and you can be entertained and shop to your hearts content. No need to leave your car!
I'll have to get some pictures of that. This place is so very interesting!
We have had so many amazing experiences already. Here are a few photos to keep things up to date:
We enjoyed this amazing cultural event put on by our community of Lo Barnechea. Our church building hosted one night of the concert. This full orchestra was amazing. The conductor was so very animated, which I LOVE! I couldn't understand a word he said, but I loved the fact that he was doing more than just performing, he was explaining the purpose and reason behind each movement. He was so much fun to watch!
The boys were tasked with helping to park cars, which here in Chile is a common thing. They directed cars to open areas and helped them fit into the tight spots. Anytime you have someone helping you park around here, you tip them. They were eager to see if they would be 'tipped' at the end. But alas - no pesos came their way.
My boys are so very silly. They make me laugh every single day. They have made this whole experience worth it. Their attitudes are amazing and their determination is inspiring. Just like this - getting every last drop out of those precious US soda cans.
Money Honey:
We're still figuring out the whole money thing. Really, it's hard to take money seriously when it looks like it belongs in a box of Monopoly.
All different colors and sizes. Clear windows with holographic looking photos in them. Lots and lots of zeros.
The coins are the worst. There are two that look completely different but are exactly the same (the new 100 and the old 100).
I'm learning what to tip whom. For example, for only a few groceries, you'd tip the bagger at the store 500 pesos. For the guy watching your car at a restaurant, maybe a couple hundred. I think. My Chilean friends may need to give me a cheat sheet.
You can also tip the street performers at every stop light in the evenings. There are guys that juggle fire, dance with those zero gravity ball things. I think they are call fushigi? All kinds of entertainment on the streets. You can also buy fruit, candy, flowers, umbrellas, cell phone charges, bubble blowing guns. Yep, sit at any main stop light and you can be entertained and shop to your hearts content. No need to leave your car!
I'll have to get some pictures of that. This place is so very interesting!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Seminary Class
As I've mentioned before, I've been asked to teach the english-speaking high school students seminary before school every day. Basically it's a 50 minute class where, this year, we will delve into the New Testament. I LOVE the New Testament and all that it teaches us. The life of Christ is an exciting thing to study and I don't think it will be too hard for these teenagers to understand and apply to their lives.
Yesterday I held an open house in my home to get to know the students a little better, allow them (and their parents) to see our classroom space, to define our daily expectations, and give a brief overview of our goals for this year.
I have been a nervous wreck about teaching this class. I want more than anything to be able to let these kids know that they are children of our Heavenly Father and that the answers to life's questions can be found in the teachings of our prophets and in the scriptures. I want them to make it through high school with a sense of self and an ability to withstand the enormous temptations that they face every single day.
While at the parent orientations, the PTA people shared with us the 'real deal' about teenagers around campus. Apparently they work hard and take school very seriously, but some of them like to play hard as well. Parties every weekend are normal. Parties also tend to start around 9-10pm. The PTA recommends that 9th-10th graders have a midnight curfew and 11th-12th graders a 1am-2am curfew. WHAT?!?!?!?!
These seminary kids have more than just the day-to-day stuff, they also have the added peer-pressure that comes with being a teen in this country. Where the 'norm' is unacceptable for most of their parents. They are trying to fit in and be a part while still standing up for what is right and obeying their parent's rules (which will seem very constrictive in comparison down here).
I love these kids. I hope that through this process they can learn to love who they are and what they stand for and not resent the guidelines and boundaries set for them.
Indulge me for just a minute, I have to tell you all about them:
Andrew, the seasoned student. Such a sweet, kind, patient spirit. He is the perfect person to have leading and guiding this group of young, 1st year seminary students. He's had Bro. Fagrell leading and guiding him for the past two years at his old school and he understands and has caught the spirit of seminary. He's also a valuable asset to me. He will tell me his real thoughts and give me kind, but effective feedback as we go along. I will rely on his expertise to help me in this process.
Alex is my quiet listener. He will open up once he's confident and comfortable with his surroundings but he must first observe and assess. He's just like his dad in that respect. He is a deep thinker and very obedient. I fully expect Alex to complete his daily assignments and have invaluable insights into the material.
Sam. Sweet Sam. There is something about this kid that touches my soul. He has a spunky spirit and very dedicated personality. He speaks his mind and will ponder what is said and truly take it to heart. I see Sam honestly applying these newly discovered principals in his life and striving to follow Christ's example. I also fully expect him to share his experiences with us. He will be an awesome asset to our class.
My saving grace, Ellie. Thank goodness for Ellie. As much as I love my boys - and I truly and genuinely love my boys - this class would not be the same without Ellie. We need a woman's touch in our class. Girls have a God-given gift that allows them to see things with a nurturing perspective. Boys can sometimes be all facts and numbers, while a girl will sometimes have the ability to see the softer, motherly view. We will NEED that! Ellie isn't shy. She speaks with authority and grace. I expect to have her leading the student's in their discovery of the scriptures. I see her not only learning but teaching all of us. I am grateful that she is willing to drive 30 minutes so very early in the morning to join us.
Granted 1/2 of the class is made up of my kids, but I tell you - I love these kids already! Our fist class is tomorrow and I can't wait to get started. I can't wait to learn with these teens and to learn from them.
Tomorrow the alarm will be set for 5:15am - It's seminary time!
Yesterday I held an open house in my home to get to know the students a little better, allow them (and their parents) to see our classroom space, to define our daily expectations, and give a brief overview of our goals for this year.
I have been a nervous wreck about teaching this class. I want more than anything to be able to let these kids know that they are children of our Heavenly Father and that the answers to life's questions can be found in the teachings of our prophets and in the scriptures. I want them to make it through high school with a sense of self and an ability to withstand the enormous temptations that they face every single day.
While at the parent orientations, the PTA people shared with us the 'real deal' about teenagers around campus. Apparently they work hard and take school very seriously, but some of them like to play hard as well. Parties every weekend are normal. Parties also tend to start around 9-10pm. The PTA recommends that 9th-10th graders have a midnight curfew and 11th-12th graders a 1am-2am curfew. WHAT?!?!?!?!
These seminary kids have more than just the day-to-day stuff, they also have the added peer-pressure that comes with being a teen in this country. Where the 'norm' is unacceptable for most of their parents. They are trying to fit in and be a part while still standing up for what is right and obeying their parent's rules (which will seem very constrictive in comparison down here).
I love these kids. I hope that through this process they can learn to love who they are and what they stand for and not resent the guidelines and boundaries set for them.
Indulge me for just a minute, I have to tell you all about them:
Andrew, the seasoned student. Such a sweet, kind, patient spirit. He is the perfect person to have leading and guiding this group of young, 1st year seminary students. He's had Bro. Fagrell leading and guiding him for the past two years at his old school and he understands and has caught the spirit of seminary. He's also a valuable asset to me. He will tell me his real thoughts and give me kind, but effective feedback as we go along. I will rely on his expertise to help me in this process.
Alex is my quiet listener. He will open up once he's confident and comfortable with his surroundings but he must first observe and assess. He's just like his dad in that respect. He is a deep thinker and very obedient. I fully expect Alex to complete his daily assignments and have invaluable insights into the material.
Sam. Sweet Sam. There is something about this kid that touches my soul. He has a spunky spirit and very dedicated personality. He speaks his mind and will ponder what is said and truly take it to heart. I see Sam honestly applying these newly discovered principals in his life and striving to follow Christ's example. I also fully expect him to share his experiences with us. He will be an awesome asset to our class.
My saving grace, Ellie. Thank goodness for Ellie. As much as I love my boys - and I truly and genuinely love my boys - this class would not be the same without Ellie. We need a woman's touch in our class. Girls have a God-given gift that allows them to see things with a nurturing perspective. Boys can sometimes be all facts and numbers, while a girl will sometimes have the ability to see the softer, motherly view. We will NEED that! Ellie isn't shy. She speaks with authority and grace. I expect to have her leading the student's in their discovery of the scriptures. I see her not only learning but teaching all of us. I am grateful that she is willing to drive 30 minutes so very early in the morning to join us.
Granted 1/2 of the class is made up of my kids, but I tell you - I love these kids already! Our fist class is tomorrow and I can't wait to get started. I can't wait to learn with these teens and to learn from them.
Tomorrow the alarm will be set for 5:15am - It's seminary time!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Drugs & School
You know that pile of papers that comes home at the start of every school year? That has to be filled out in pen and signed by parents and students. There are technology and behavior agreements, medical forms and so on.
Well at our new school, we filled out most of these forms during pre-enrollment. The number of pages we signed makes that stack at the public school in Arizona look meager at best. Yesterday there were a couple of minimal forms left to fill out and send back in.
The one that worried me just a little was the medical form. Essentially I signed paperwork allowing the nurses to administer medication to my kids that I have never heard of. In the US you sign for ibuprofen and that is your only option. Here they have things for stomach ache, cramps, diarrhea, etc. etc. All of the medication listed is foreign to me. They could be giving me the technical term for street crack, and I wouldn't know it. {Surely not, right? Right?}
They will send home a note indicating that my child has received such and such if it were to happen. Maybe that will help me understand what medication I can use here. We're still using the stash we brought from home.
Here's to hoping that those nurses know what they're doing. . .
Well at our new school, we filled out most of these forms during pre-enrollment. The number of pages we signed makes that stack at the public school in Arizona look meager at best. Yesterday there were a couple of minimal forms left to fill out and send back in.
The one that worried me just a little was the medical form. Essentially I signed paperwork allowing the nurses to administer medication to my kids that I have never heard of. In the US you sign for ibuprofen and that is your only option. Here they have things for stomach ache, cramps, diarrhea, etc. etc. All of the medication listed is foreign to me. They could be giving me the technical term for street crack, and I wouldn't know it. {Surely not, right? Right?}
They will send home a note indicating that my child has received such and such if it were to happen. Maybe that will help me understand what medication I can use here. We're still using the stash we brought from home.
Here's to hoping that those nurses know what they're doing. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)