8.08.2008

Lessons In Frustration!

I haven't had internet in almost three days. Three VERY LONG days. Internet is my lifeline, my connection to the world. Without it I feel naked, exposed, irritated. I usually keep my computer on throughout the day as I never know when I'll have time to check my e-mail, catch up on my favorite blogs and websites, and read the news. The internet went out sometime late Tuesday night. Over the past few days I placed several calls to the internet provider explaining my problem, to which they assured me that my complaint was being escalated to the highest priority.... some good that did. It only just came back on two hours ago. I need to take a few deep breaths.

While the rest of the week for Riley proved to be much better, the bus situation unfortunately got a tad worse. Apparently nobody met Riley at the bus on Tuesday morning, and she was left roaming the halls and crying when I found her (I've been following the bus all week, and arrive about 5 minutes after she does). There was no aide waiting for her, no escort to walk her down to her classroom. Let's just say that I was ******* irate (* insert your favorite expletive here). After walking her to her classroom, calming her down, and then calming myself down, I marched into the Principal's office and lodged a large complaint. The details of the discussion aren't important, but let's just say that the situation was immediately rectified, and we were introduced to her new escort when I picked her up after school. The last few days on the bus have been relatively uneventful. The escort meets her and walks her to class, and I've been arriving a few minutes before school starts to check up on her, give her a hug and a kiss, and then rush off to drop Sheridan at her school.

Speaking of Sheridan, the decision has been solidified that she is not going to be attending the American International School for pre-K, but rather she will stay at the local Indian school. What am I talking about you ask? Well I hadn't written about this before, but we were in a total quandary as to which preschool to send her. Does she ride the bus with Riley and stay at school until 4 pm, or do I put her at the local school where it's just a half day. Goodness knows she has a lot of energy and could probably handle staying there for the full program. I couldn't justify it in my head, or in my pocket book. She is so happy and full of life when I pick her up at the local school. I haven't seen her this excited in a long, long time (though it could be that she isn't with me for 3.5 hours each day ... just sayin'). Now I just need to tell the other school that she won't be attending. I wonder if they've figured it out already?

We got a wonderful surprise on Tuesday night. Our air freight from both Israel and Los Angeles was delivered to our house. Seven hundred pounds of "stuff" arrived in 6 large boxes... slightly dented, a few a smidge smushed. I was so happy to see my espresso machine and grinder, our new computer and accessories, all of our bedding, and of course, a few clothes that I thankfully tucked away. It took me no time to unpack the boxes, and within 10 minutes everything was spread out in our living room. Within two hours everything was put away. Yup, I'm anal retentive. Enough said.

We spent a majority of the week hiring and firing household help. That will be an entirely separate topic that I'll write about in length over the weekend.

Until then ... here are a few photos of our house. My camera does not have a wide angle lens, so it's difficult to capture the rooms in their entirety. I tried to snap some of the main rooms - living room / dining room area, kitchen, and a few of the bedrooms. Remember - we have NOTHING personal in here yet to make this house look like a home. This is the furniture that's provided to us, it's not ours, and about half of what you see here will be sent back once our stuff does arrive... I'll be sure to send updated ones later on!




Living Room / Dining Room ~ Shot at different angles



The Kitchen ~ Also shot at different angles



The girls bedroom... love their mosquito netting ~
Our bedroom - I put in the photo that showed the relative size of our room.

16 comments:

mary s. said...

Oh my God. This is so utterly fascinating! And I love seeing these photos...Cannot wait to hear about the household help drama!

The Mom Jen said...

Oh poor Riley, how terrifying. I can't imagine the frustration and the isolation of having no one close (family) or even people you 'sort of know.'

Your home looks comfortable, i'm glad you got your freight. Still no sign of that missing bag?

OHmommy said...

I am so anal retentive.

Poor Riley. Yay for momma to come in and rescue. ;)

BTW, do you think I should bring our Britax car seat for Fifi so she can sleep on the plane all night to Paris, next week. Or will she be ok in my lap? Figured you are the BEST person to ask.

Anonymous said...

I love the pink canopies! How fun! We still have boxes of stuff in our gargage that we never unpacked when we moved in 13 years ago. I am not AR.

Unknown said...

Poor girl! I hope they never do that to her again. It is hard enough being the new person without added stress.

Your house is super nice. I am SO jealous of your AMERICAN kitchen. I have the crappy Ikea 6x7 'wannabe kitchen'. If I knew I could've had your kitchen I'd have moved to India... well, maybe not ;)

Jen said...

The photos are great. You house looks so cute and normal. Sotry, I don't know what I was expecting. You are in India after all and maybe I thought that the housing was different from ours. But it looks really nice.

Mom24 said...

I'm so glad you were able to make things better for Riley--imagine how awful it would be if you couldn't have. Sounds like you made the best decision for Sheridan--she's awful little to be gone so much.

The furniture looks good, but I'm sure you'll like it much better when you get your own. Your kitchen looks nice. Bigger than mine! ;-)

I can't WAIT to hear about the household help.

Thanks for the pictures. Deep breaths. It all has to get easier in time.

Unknown said...

Geez. You made the house sound much worse than it is! And I love the pink netting :)

Danie x

Donna said...

Love the gov't issue furniture. You'll be happy to know that we have the exact same dining set here in Beijing. Same living room furniture, too. This is my fourth overseas post, and I'm still not used to the sameness of it all.

Kelly said...

The issue with Riley broke my heart...glad to hear the Mama Bear trait kicked in and you made everything right!
I am so impressed you had everything put away in 2 hours...Unbelievable!!
I'm glad Sheridan is enjoying her new school...it's amazing how fast they grow...and all of a sudden they're in pre-k or Kindergarten!!
I'm impressed by your digs...I hadn't expected it to be this nice...I don't really know what I expected...My only experience with "government issued furniture" was with my husband was he was in the Army...Obviously, a huge difference.
I'm glad your back online...BTW, how are you enjoying your new apple?

Martin said...

I think it's fantastic you've chosen the local school, even if it's temporary.

Emily said...

These experiences only make you all stronger...right? :)

Hope things start calming down...

Kash said...

OMG, I am so happy I found your blog as I am going through similar frustrations! First off, kudos to you for following your daughter to school! Second, congrats on getting your baggage....expresso machine, a heavenly asset! Your house looks awesome! I cant wait to see it with your touch. I love love love that you send your youngest to the local preK and that she loves it!

Sejal said...

HI Jill,

it was lovely to meet you - briefly - on Friday. I hope things are getting a little better for you. Please remember you can call me anytime. I don't claim to know it all or be able to do anything about it - but I can listen and be there to help support!! I always say that here in Chennai, we become each other's family and best friends rolled into one!

Sejal

Mrs4444 said...

Your place looks very nice! I now understand the need to follow your daughter's bus to school. Will she always need an escort? (does she have special needs?) Just curious. I'm not giving up on that suitcase...

anymommy said...

It looks great. The girls must adore that pink princess netting?! Glad to hear that the school situation is settled. For what it's worth, I think it's fabulous that she will get to experience the local school.

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