Life Around Here

Here are some things I find funny/weird:

People ask me all the time, "Where are you from?" Seems harmless, right? When I first got here, I'd say, "Utah." They'd look puzzled. I'd say something like, "Near the Rocky Mtns". Still they looked confused. And then they'd say "America?" And then I WOULD look confused. And I'd think, are you telling me you didn't know I was American? It seems so obvious. I mean, I'm fat, white, spoiled, poor grammer (not the "KINGS English") always washing my hands, and I think you have to wear shoulder pads and a helmet to play "football". I mean, isn't that American? Anyway, I've learned my lesson, and realized that this world is HUGE. America may as well be anywhere in the world. I guess we get so stuck in our little part of the world, it seems like everyone should know where we're from. Now I just say America (or the United States) when I'm asked where I'm from. (On a side note, last week at school some kids said to Simon "All Americans are bossy. And so are YOU!" It really hurt his feelings. But I had to laugh, because he is bossy. But not because he's an American. It's because he's my son, and I'm a boss. But more so because he's his grandfather's grandson - and his grandpa is CANADIAN. So there!)


I've had two different people, from two different continents, ask we what we eat for lunch. This seems like a strange question to me. One said, "Do you eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches?" This made me laugh. Because this is what Americans should eat. PB and J. I said, "Something like that." They told me they eat their 'big meals' for the day at lunch. They full on cook, at lunch. I asked about their husbands, who both work an hour from here. They said they eat their big meals at work. Kids come home for lunch here, so they eat with them, but for dinner, when the dads are home, they eat light. Just snacks or a sandwich equivilant. Crazy. And wouldn't it be nice to not have the kitchen totally messed up in the evening? You wouldn't have a huge sink of dishes staring you in the face each night. I kind of like the idea.

Off of the camp, it's against the law to hold hands in public. (or any other display of affection) Peter could seriously be arrested for this. Isn't that heart breaking? It totally makes me sad. It's not that often that we even hold hands when where out anymore, due to five little monkeys always in tow. But knowing that we can't stinks! I have seen people do it though, once off of camp. I wanted to tell them how awesome they were! Good for you! Way to be brave! The only way things will change in this area is if men start standing up for womens rights. I really felt happy to see this couple being so progressive.

Other things Peter could go to jail for: me breaking the law of any kind, me driving, me showing my elbows or above, or my ankles or above. And of course him breaking the law. People drive like maniacs here. I think I mentioned this. But it's pretty bad to be at a light, like four rows of traffic, and the person on the far left decides to turn right. He just turns in front of the other three cars trying to go straight. So really. I have no desire to drive here anyway.