Packing Day

This is Jim.

This is Benny.

Jim.

Benny. Me (32 hours awake and counting).

And this

is PACKING DAY.

Beach Boy

So, Chennai boasts the longest beach in the world. Georgia is on the Atlantic coast. Our place in L.A. is about ten minutes from the beach. But, for all kinds of silly reasons, Sam has not yet been to the beach.


He has, however, been to the fake beach:








Note the seagrass and giant clamshells, which are so abundant in Santa Monica.

The Best Laid Plans

How's the first week of packout prep going? We-ell, factor in one toddler with a fever/ear infection combo that kept him out of daycare all week, and you end up with less than the most productive week ever. Oh, did I mention that there were workers replacing our roof so there was banging and hammering all day? Worked wonders for naptime. Still, one car is now en route to D.C., and there has been some progress at Chez Packout.

Dramatic re-enactment of Sam's unhappiness this week, minus the runny nose:

Actual photo of Sam's unhappiness this week, demonstrated at Sears:

In "bizarre coincidence" news, our doula (labor coach) Serena has just joined the Foreign Service community! It was great to hear from her and we're looking forward to hanging out at the pool together in D.C. before we leave for India.


Two weeks of prep to go...

Who's reading?

We can't remember who we've told about the blog and who we haven't! (I know, I know, it should be "whom we've told," but it just sounds obnoxious.)

If you're already a Near/Far reader, post a comment so that I know not to spam you in the next group email. :)

Our former dog Vickie didn't blog, but she read magazines...

Pack Out Prep

Just in case you think nothing interesting is going on this week... it's Packout Prep time!!! In other words, I am sorting, organizing, selling, donating, and shifting as many of our possessions as I can. Mark has helped categorize (storage/D.C./India/toss!) and I am doing my best to have everything ready when the packers come at the end of the month. This is my fourth move in five years, and it's been crazy, last-minute and stressful each time. At least this go-round I have three weeks without work (and with daycare) to prep, even if I don't have Mark around. Hey, if we do this right, it'll be easier next time!

(Sam is in the "hand carry to D.C." category, btw.)

More D.C. Vacation

On Wednesday we took a double decker bus tour and met Smokey Bear at the National Forest Service. He moved and spoke, and frankly was a little unnerving.

Saturday we saw the Afghanistan treasures exhibit at the National Gallery, followed by an awesome waterfall. Sam had his first gelato!

On a more somber note, Sunday we visited the National Holocaust Museum and saw video and heard tape recordings of Mark's Papa Sam, baby Sam's namesake.

Swearing In

Friday was Mark's official Swearing-In ceremony at the State Department headquarters in D.C. It was a lovely event, beginning with a reception in the room where the actual United States Seal is kept in a special box, and where many bits of bagel were kept in Sam's hands. There were some poignant speeches, then the members of the 139th Generalist Class (Mark's) and the 101st Specialist Class took their Oath of Office and posed for photos. We were very happy that both sets of parents and Grandma Chase were able to attend. Sam really enjoyed the ceremony, especially the part where he ran up and down the steps of the auditorium with Mommy in hot pursuit.