Book Report: Educated

Ok, I know everyone and my favorite president already read this book back in 2018. 

But my brain was elsewhere...mostly trying to get this guy to make it to 2019.

There are all kinds of crazy in Educated, most of which is impossible here as school attendance and health insurance are mandatory in Germany. Also, I don't even know how I would buy a hunting rifle not to mention the other weapons described in the book are unavailable through legal means. Those "rights" as well as the freedom to spread hate ideology are all "privileges" I am more than happy to forfeit to live here.  

While the European Union asked citizens last spring to be prepared for 72 hours in case of a national emergency, I did not take any tips from Educated. Most of us from the Pacific Northwest had a "get-out" bag ready for the past-due "Big One" earthquake. Below I'm offering my rational person's guide to being prepared. Like most things in my life, it's a remix and half-baked. 

The first step was to 'tend and befriend.' I reached out to Andrew to ask if he has a camping stove. This girl isn't going camping anytime soon and these skills could be helpful in an apocalypse. 

When disaster strikes Andrew will bring the stove, fuel, and JR. We will survive off our freezer and then here is my box:

Its proximity to the door is just because I haven't found a place to put it.

Non-Consumable Contents:

- Plastic Sheets - in case a window shatters

- 2 Rolls of Duct tape - to cover the window and hide from Hugo so it doesn't get lost to his art projects

- 500 Euros Cash - the suggestion is 70-100 Euros per person 

- Life Straw - already had this on hand as a stocking stuffer in the "Big One" prep days

- Hand-crank Radio/Flashlight - Paul mentioned that people were lined up for hours in Ukraine when the war started just to charge their phones. No thanks. The emergency radios I found here looked like garbage, so I picked-up one for Team Biggs and one for Team Mathewson during our last visit to the states.

Food:

- All the lentils - we decided this was a better choice than beans because the cook time is faster.

- Bouillon - these lentils are going to be pretty basic, but at least better than just straight salt.

- Case of Water - this six liters isn't honestly enough for a morning with our crew. But storing the recommended four liters per person per day feels insane. If we do run out of water, I promise not to make the "stay thirsty my friends" joke.

I'm also trying to have an extra case of shelf stable milk, juice, beer in our pantry. Technically you're not supposed to drink distilled water but we need it for Paul's CPAP so I've also been buying a couple extra five liter bottles and cycling through them. 

I've invited Alla and Shanni also to join in the fun. The circle could also be extended if we don't have heat and my plastic sheet/duct tape makeshift window could be of use to keep other friends warm. Would sheltering alone be better than being with our crazy crew? Depends how much you like lentils. 

Stay prepared my friends.

Carmen is 6!

It had been a little while since Carmen went to Tropical Islands.

Summer 2020 with Bal

Her brothers have since gone a couple times for their birthdays but Carmen wasn't on the invite list. The stars have to align for me to make the trek:

- must be mid-week and not during a school holiday

- has to be with people I love

- bonus points if you go with someone on the actual birthdate because the birthday person gets in free

And so, this year was perfect because her birthdate was on a Monday and this is the last year she can skip a day of preschool. Skipping actual school here is a finable offense. Also, two of our favorite people, Jo and Alexander, were available.

As luck would have it, Jo has a car. Only a third of people own a car in Berlin, so that was a big win. 

Jo also brought party hats, magazines, and fun activities to do along the way.

Taking a car to Tropical Islands is a game changer. It takes an hour instead of two and there is no constant looking at the watch to make sure we don't miss the bus. We did all the things - water slides, lazy rivers, go-carts, climbing structures, sauna - whilst narrowly avoiding water cannons straight to our faces. 

After a successful return car ride, employing a bucket of popcorn to keep the kids awake, we arrived home to a surprise cake from Bal. 

We were home too late to call family and friends, that will be happening soon. Carmen's last request was to use the face paint she got from Alexander for her birthday. Crosby volunteered his art skills like the boss big brother he is.

I'd be lying if I said I don't miss the baby phase. But Carmen continues to snuggle me and her fashion sense - cheetah/sparkle/unicorn - is just what the world needs right now.

Happy Birthday Carmen! Each year you are even more awesome than the last.