I was told that once I came to America I would never want to leave. Companies expect their ex-pats to want to stay, certainly to extend their time here and be resistant to a move. It is the lifestyle America affords: Bigger house, bigger car and bigger teeth! I lack commitment. My home was big enough for my family in the UK , my car was nice enough and I like the fact that my teeth don’t double up as glow sticks in the dark!
I’m not sure if it is the commitment or enthusiasm I lack but I am resistant to any real assimilation!
My son is desperate to fit in here. To do so fully there are certain things he must have or do:
1) He must have an allergy. He asks me almost daily what he is allergic to and is so disappointed when I remind him that he isn’t allergic to anything! He came close to getting his wish today! I got a call from the school nurse. He had complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. He had been running in 28ÂșC weather and not had water. I didn’t feel compelled to take him to ER! They are a bit over zealous here. They would have been performing open heart surgery as soon as they got hold of my medical insurance card! As it happened we had a trip to the doctors arranged. A final written warning that if I didn’t get my children vaccinated against hepatitis A, they would be excluded from school compelled me to find a doctor, just 6 months after moving. They didn’t need Hep A in North Carolina . In fact, according to the internet, it is a vaccine usually given only to people travelling to third world countries with low standards of hygiene ,druggies, homosexuals …and Texans! I think it is because of their proximity to Mexico or the Republican fear of all of the above that makes it compulsory in Texas . They certainly don’t travel anywhere! The Doctor justified its necessity because ‘Americans like oysters’. He was Chinese. I think he was politely saying they eat shit! Before getting the jab I asked the Doctor to check him. He listened to his chest, asked me if he had asthma (to which I said NO) and prescribed a spray for him to use! I politely declined! He was so poorly, my son came home and jumped fully clothed into a freezing pool! He hasn’t got a nut allergy! He is a nut! I foiled his opportunity to queue at the nurse’s office for whatever drug each kiddie is plied with to feel special! I can’t commit!
2) He must be on the swim team. Every neighbourhood in Azalea Lane has a swim team linked to the community pool. In theory it is a great way to get children swimming more and competitively. My son swims like a dolphin! Literally – he swims below water, surfacing for air. He has no technique other than natural ability. He would benefit from swim team. In reality swim team is 6 weeks of hell… for me! A swim practice every night (different times for different ages so I could be there for hours with two of them), a swim meet every week where they race against another club (but everyone is a winner) that goes on til the early hours of the morning to fit all the races in. The Moms have to be time keepers and pizza fetchers. I cant commit
3) He must participate in an American sport. Read swim team and replace week days with whole weekends, often in different counties 100’s of miles away for matches and games (where scores are not shared for fear of upsetting the losing team! Everyone’s a winner). The thought of having to ever sit though another moment of baseball fills me with dark thoughts of self harm. I cant commit!
5) He must go to church because kids are so busy all week doing a ridiculous number of clubs, sports, activities and extra tutoring they don’t have time for friends. They have to go to church so that they have a friend in Jesus! I can’t commit!
With such a lack of commitment we are fast approaching the time when we have to make some decisions about what we do next if we do not stay here. Visas expire! This time next year we could be back in the UK . I might have to find a job and go back to work. We could be asked to go somewhere cold!
Lying on the sun lounger next to the pool in glorious sunshine reflecting on this I suddenly can’t remember what it is I am having difficulty committing to. I know I have a busy week ahead …swim meet, collect anti-histamines from drive through pharmacy on the way to next game, oh and I have a really exciting robot project to work on…We are blessed! Thank you Jesus!
The committed are really blessed , with what I don't know ... they hav'nt got time to think with all that running around, They hav'nt got time for a normal family life. You my darling are enjoying your family and that is true and no thanking jesus for that.
ReplyDeleteOnce you've found the Lord Jesus, you can't go wrong. He will guide you down the righteous path to the correct decision
ReplyDeleteIf I find Lord Jesus I will be committed:
ReplyDeleteWhite coats, padded cells, the works!
And forced to read Nobby Nimrod comments all day long
ReplyDelete...I do that already!
DeleteI bow to the new God of Veet!
There is something wrong with the times that appear on the comments! Maybe I am in the twilight zone!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness lol. The allergy thing, boy do I know that one. Soon as they can dope them up. However, when they are sick, we find we have the same problem that no one wants to diagnose it. A little bassackwards I think.
ReplyDeleteI have officially become a soccer mom. I cringe at this. I also think my new mini van is this shizzniz. Frack. I'm busy from Mon - Thurs now with soccer for two littles. WTF! I feel your pain, I feel your pain. Just not the sunshine. Damn I'm jealous lol.
Oh yeah, I make my kid do his own homework and I dislike the whole you are all a winner too. Competition is healthy people. ok, better stop now. I could go on forever lol
SIASL, I was wondering about taking a 6 month rotation out in the land of the free. You haven't sold it to me completely, will I be able to go to church on other days apart from Sunday? I ask because you can sometimes pick up some great silver freebies to recycle at pawn shops. Have you met JR Ewing yet?
ReplyDeleteCertainly a stint to the states will give you a perspective on strange! I highly recommend it - especially if you want to go to church frequently!
ReplyDeleteI went to Southfork but JR wasn't home!
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