Spring Break 2008

3376 nautical miles
994 miles driving
91 tunnels (one way)
13 days
8 countries
3 continents
2 time zones

Whew! What a great trip! (Although at this point, we are back to the grind and are reminissing while looking forward to the next one.) We had a fabulous time cruising the Med. The highlights were Ephesus in Turkey, and the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. There were other places in between, but those were the ones we loved most.

We left out of Savona, Italy and headed toward Greece. We stopped at Athens. Funny thing, last year, I remember thinking, ah, this will be the last time in this city. We saw some sights we hadn't seen the past couple of times, and of course, stopped at our favorites. I love the Plaka, although it's tough to shop with throngs of people and kids in tow. Turkey was mah-velous! Ephesus was awe inspiring....and to think the whole thing isn't excavated. Google it. You won't regret it. I asked Mark... any chance you can get a job here? No such luck. But, crazier things have happened, right? We sailed on to Cypress, which didnt' leave much of an impression on Mark and me. Now, Egypt was quite an experience. We had to take a 3 hour bus ride to get to the pyramids. It looked as though buildings were either going up or derelict. I am not sure which. Either way, nothing seemed complete. It was a looooong drive and we saw palm trees and green. Don't get me wrong, it certainly isn't lush, but I guess I was thinking there would be this expanse of desert and the pyramids would be rising up out of the sand. Ah, no. (You would think I would know better, as Mark and I both take Niagara Falls for granted, being so close.) So, Mark spots them. And way in the distance, past the smoke, sand, smog (or combination of all 3), there they are. We pull up in a line with the other 40 buses and file out. We had such a short time to marvel at them. I thought, how lucky am I to be married to a man that can take his family on this trip? We got the guys on a camel. Henry first, and then Mark was hoisted up (unbeknownst to him!) while carrying Owen. Great pictures. If I ever figure how to post them, you can see them too. I can go on and on about this dirty, polluted, traffic crazed place. Even though it's all those adjectives, I loved it! The Egypt Starbucks mug illuded us though. (We are trying to get mugs from all the places we visit. This is actually quite a popular thing. There were a few other folks on the same mission. No one was lucky in Egypt. I think it's because they can't stop the armed guarded buses except for the itinerary. But, what do I know?) The family finished up in Rome. It is one spectacular place! I am so glad that we took the train in and saw it. We walked so much that day, and saw all of the usual sights. It was great to share them with the boys.

We are starting to think about our next Spring Break already.

Yes, I know it's almost June and this happened months ago. I really need to get back in the blogging spirit!

And on a Serious Note...

There are certain things in life that make you wonder. Not just big questions like 'Why is there a light in the refridgerator and not in the freezer?' Rather, those events in life that make you question the quality of your relationships.

I think of my children. My little guys and who is important to them. Asking Henry, he replies with names of friends. (And mind you, I think one only made the list since she has a trampoline Henry is eyeing.) And God.

Owen, if he could reply, would probably say that anyone who reads Thomas the Tank to him and gives him brotchen are his faves.

Me, well, I've been thinking. You know, we've been so many places and met so many people. Those people will never be together again as they were. Work colleagues, friends from the UK who have scattered all over the globe. I hope I can teach my boys to appreciate the moment and the people in it. Those people that touch their lives for so many reasons....but most of all, because they care.

The Age of Technology

On the way home from a quick shopping trip, Henry asks me about Frau Marion. (A little background... Frau Marion watches Gracie when we go away. She takes great care of our little G. She keeps the dogs-how ever many there are- in the house with her. Now, I'm a dog person, but can you even imagine? Gracie comes home smelling like a rose. I don't know if I could say the same about Frau Marion's house. I've never been inside.) Anyway... back to our conversation in the car. Here's how it went:
Henry asked "Mom, have you ever picked up Gracie?"
"Maybe once or twice.", I said. (Usually Mark picks her up.)
"Do you know the way?", he asked.
"Vaguely.", I told him. "Do you know the way?" (I wouldn't put it past him, he does have a remarkable memory.)
He tells me, "No I don't know the way. And even if I did, I couldn't pick her up....I can't drive!"
"BUT, in a few years, I can GPS it and drive there myself!", he said.
Our good old "Edna Mose" the GPS! By the time he's ready to drive, what will technology be like? We can only wonder!!!

Memory

No, not the song from Cats.
I was all set to go on and on about our wonderful, hilarious children until I couldn't remember my password. I know my work email and log in, home, (most) important birthdays, some anniversaries, the names of children that I taught years ago. I can not remember what I wore yesterday or today....my password. I was frustrated, my blood pressure was rising and there was no chocolate in sight. (The fat free syrup that I accidentally bought does not count.) Needless to say, you all will have to wait to hear about our funny, precious boys.
I'm off to eat scavenge for an Oreo.....

The Polish Prince

A recent road trip with the family was interesting, to say the least.
Mark makes up words for songs. Those verses that you can barely make out what is being sung...Mark just improvises. Years ago, I had to stop and ask him what on earth he was singing during "Evil Woman" by ELO. His version...'Medieval Woman". (Sing it to yourself, I'll wait.) I couldn't help but laugh. Imagine the video to that one. We have a CD from the UK with a song on it by Catatonia. The title is Road Rage. Mark sings Brogue Rage. Like people would go deep end over the way someone pronounces a word?
The other day we are in the car and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen comes on. The radio gets turned up a bit higher, the guys start jamming in the back seat. (What a sight to see Owen bounce to it!) Henry starts in with his air guitar. Mark and I start the chorus, when I had to stop, turn to Mark and ask him what he is singing? He wanted to know what the words were. Tell me your version first, I ask him. Here you need to start singing the chorus to yourself to get the full effect. Here are the lyrics:
Are you happy, are you satisfied
How long can you stand the heat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat.

Marks version....
Are you ready, are you satisfied,
How long can you stand the heat
Out of the doorway, THE POLISH PRINCE
To the beat.

Freddy Mercury is rolling in his grave. Another fine example of Mark's great ability to make up words that fit into a song. When I hear Polish Prince, the first thing that comes to mind isn't Queen, it's Bobby Vinton, THE Polish Prince.

So here we are...

First a bit about how we came up with the name.
I have been pondering it for a long time. Even had friends suggest ideas. (Wrob, you still get the box of treats, watch for them in the mail....good ideas!)
We used our initials and came up with ohms and mhos. How appropriate for an Electrical Engineering Dad, huh? Apparently these describe the flow of electricity. One is resistance (ohms) and conductance is the other (mhos). The resistance thing sounded kind of well, like a resistance government movement or something. We went with mhos. (I think Mark liked the idea of being first, too!) Now we don't want to leave out the beloved pet, so would you believe the symbol for conductance is a 'G'. So the whole family is represented in one warped electrical way or another. I don't get any of it. I never really got science for that matter.
So, welcome to our blog. We hope to share our adventures, misadventures, stories, and life in Europe with you.
Enjoy!