New Student Tour

(So there's a part of me that feels some sort of need to apologize for posting over and over in one day -- but then again A) the 3 people who read this don't much care and B) -- this is a very very newsy time -- it'll taper off I'm sure)

Tonight there was a new student tour -- really designed for the Freshman class -- (there are 550 Freshman at this school) but open to anyone who's new this year. There were about 20 Sophmores and Juniors (this school is in it's second year -- so no seniors there yet)

When we got there it was mayhem

Drum team was drumming away and the drill team was cheering with frozen smiles on their faces as we came in

We were greeted by volunteers who directed us to go stand in a line beginning with our last name to get a badge that would identify the student

We stood forever in a line to be told we were in the wrong line and Juniors were at the end (an inside secret -- as this was not marked in any way)

Students went one direction -- parents the other. Miss M looked dismayed -- but with a little push and a "I'll meet you RIGHT HERE at 9" convinced her. I know that deer in the headlights look will go away -- and I'm so glad she got to be here with 500 kids before she meets the 1500 others (gulp!)

I can't tell you much about what her time was like -- she came back dazed -- overwhelmed and shellshocked. I'm not sure she will regain the power of speech tonight

I went with the parents where we had a presentation from one of the vice principals who over explained some things -- but underexplained others -- (If you're student is tardy 4 - 6 times he will get ECO but if it's more than 9 it will be ISS)

WTF?

Can't you just say "detention" and "In school suspension" --

insane

So -- here's what I've learned

Same: Assistant Principals -- bad jokes -- sort of a jerk
Different: Parents are intensely involved in their kids -- or completely negligent -- not quite sure where I'll fall in -- somewhere between I guess

Same: Kids haven't changed -- some are cool -- some are assholes
Different: Dress Codes, Cell phones, coffee bars, restaurants in school, no lockers, each students gets a computer, no books to carry back and forth (just some books to keep at home), grades posted online, no letter grades, security precautions to enter the school, strict attendance policies, way more homework, etc etc etc

I am out of my league

and not in the way I thought I would be.

So far I can do the home stuff -- feed, water, care for the student -- give her love and support

but I feel sort of bad sending her off to their space-station they call a highschool when my reference for all of this seems like a 1967 Chevy.

I guess Miss M's not the only one shell shocked.

Registration and a mostly fruitless search

I have to say that our school counselor is the best -- sweet -- patient -- kind -- and seems to really understand that we have NO IDEA WHAT WE ARE DOING

Miss M and I got out of the house eventually -- I'm not quite sure what goes on in that bathroom -- but it involves going in and out of the room several times and running the bathtub at least twice --

and none of this involves washing hair

She is very clean -- I'm not complaining!

I finally said -- we're leaving in 15 minutes -- eat some breakfast and she started moving in light speed.

Finally out the door -- about 1/2 an hour later than I hoped we headed to the school for registration. In spite of taking to 100's of parents in the past few weeks they remembered us and helped us to fill out all the forms and gave us a class schedule

Miss M got all her classes! -- Although I know she was hoping for some sort of remedial math class instead of Algebra II -- and she spoke very clearly when she said "May I take Chemistry" when he offered her Physics

Good Girl

I hated physics too.

And shoot -- I can't count on Curt to come help with homework nightly!

She's also taking Dance, Art and Spanish

This should be a fun year

We headed next to the bank and were helped by a very nice man who explained all the options (which aren't very many for a minor)

We shopped for a phone -- but Miss M wanted to check with a friend to see what sort of phone she got -- We'll go back in a day or two to take care of the phone issue

Then -- we had to tackle the shorts issue

Miss M's shorts are Waaaay too short

Waaay

I mean

damn.

So we called my friend Amy at lunch (my fashion consultant) who told me we should go to the Gap and Old Navy

off to the Town Square Mall

It's great to be with someone who wants to take a picture of everything -- it's all a huge adventure

too bad it's 102 degrees outside -- OK I'm sure I exaggerate -- but it's really really hot

At least 97

It hits you like a hot wet blanket whacking you in the face everytime you get out of the car.

You would think you could buy a pair of shorts here in August

Fall Clothes

seriously?

Fall?

It's AUGUST

and we live on the surface of the sun.

We finally got one pair of shorts that she can wear to school and a very cute pair of jeans --

BTW -- my impression that Miss M would never express a personal opinion was completely flawed

She is MOST DEFINITE when she doesn't like something -- I showed her a pair of dark green cargo shorts and was told she didn't like them -- very clearly

picky

(OMG -- It's 15!)

She's a 00 to a 0 --and we had a little spat because she tried on some jeans that were 00 and she said they were too small -- so I got a pair of 0's to try on -- she came out -- they were cute -- and we took them up to the counter

When we got there I saw that she picked up the 00's

So we had our first -- "Yes they are the ones", "No, they're not the ones" argument

I made her go try them on again

She ended up with the 00's

I'm proud that I gave her our first eye-rolling moment

Mission accomplished -- just like a real MOM!!

Tour of the school tonight at 6 -- 1 hour from now -- I guess I better give her the 1 hour warning!

Orientation

We went to the orientation tonight and met about 8 students and their families.

It was fun
interesting
weird
and very very comforting

Things other people have in common with me

At least 1/2 of them are first timers
3 were also single
Most were my age
Several of them live very close

I think I've been thinking about this day as an opportunity for Miss M to build her community -- but I'm an idiot

I didn't think about building my own community!

When we got there I felt for her
She seemed awkward
She struggled to find a way to break into conversation

Which could have been a description of me.

Shit -- am I ever going to stop struggling with my social shyness?

There were some awkward false starts -- but thanks to a silly mixer game -- we all got the chance to talk to each other (clever coordinators!)

We bonded over foul burgers and dogs and insufficient side dishes.

I found myself feeling grateful that I didn't get that German kid that seems already bored with the universe -- but charmed by several of the students and most of the parents.

We'll be seeing a lot of each other -- monthly outings with the kids -- and I think Miss M's made a friend with a girl who lives nearby

Hell -- I might even be able to still have a social life -- there's a chance of some sleepovers

Woot!

I'm home now -- tired -- but upbeat as I look out over the coming months --

Tomorrow -- the school......

Day 1 - the great adventure begins

Yesterday Miss M feel asleep shortly after lunch

Exhausted.

I decided that the best plan was to let her sleep for 5 hours or so -- make her wake up and eat/go to the bathroom and stay up for a few hours and then go back to bed

I tried to wake her up at about 5pm

I knocked on the door

Nothing

So I went in and said her name

again -- no reaction

I touched her arm

nada

I shook her a big

Not a chance

I left her in there for another hour or so before I tried again

She finally woke up and looked at me with disbelief that I would wake her

I made her a deal -- she needed to eat then she could go back to bed.

She force-fed herself some chicken -- I think because I offered to let her sleep if she ate

I offered a movie after dinner -- she said "no"

we settled on -- stay awake long enough to unpack and then you can go to bed.

She ended up sleeping about 15 hours of her first 24 hours -- seems to have done the trick.

She learned a new word in English -- Jetlag.

Today we have orientation for the students -- it's a pool party and exchange student orientation -- I imagine it's a combination of "don't-break-the-rules-or-you'll-go-back-home" and "don't-let-your-host-parents-touch-you"

We'll see.

We made brownies together and went to Target -- I gave her a gift card to use for her school supplies -- she doesn't understand how credit cards or gift cards work -- another challenge

She has presented me with a number of lovely gifts -- and is wonderful about helping with the dishes.


We had a fun moment this morning when she asked how to make the water come out of the shower head.

I think this blog will be filled with the little moments

There was a part of me that really didn't believe that she would come to live here -- that wondered if it would happen even as I was waiting at the airport.

And it's just wonderful

everyone should do this

at least once

NOT an American girl

Miss M arrived today -- I had a moment of panic at the airport. There was a huge mission group coming home from Peru and their welcoming team kept getting in front of me and I was worried that Miss M would not see my sign.

I kept fighting to get to the front

the missionaries and the other passengers came through

but not Miss M

I must have looked sad with my orange sign

'maybe she stopped in the bathroom?'
'or fell asleep on the plane'

Finally -- from the other direction -- I see someone come my way -- I hold up my Orange welcome sign hopefully

She nods

Hooray!

She looks like she's about to drop -- poor thing

We find her bags and make our way home through awful traffic

She admits she has not eaten since Los Angeles -- but wants to eat at home instead of on the road.

Los Angeles -- let's see -- that's at least 15 hours ago

She perked up at the idea of a ham sandwich when we got in and ate twice as much as I thought

But she's definitely NOT an American kid -- she broke a tiny piece of the chips and tasted it -- this was what was left of her lunch:



We're on a great adventure!

Pleased

I'm really very very pleased with our progress in putting together Miss M's room

It's totallly adorable -- hopefully the pink won't gag her too much.

Crying

So

I can't stand it when people cry(even on TV)

I have to cry with them

which completely ruins my tough bitch image

damn