We arrived in Los Angeles just before 7pm, 20 minutes early for a flight that left Newark Airport at 4:30pm, EST. It was futile to try to convince Felicity that her nap time had passed as we drove down the NJ Turnpike and that her bedtime had arrived several hours into the flight even though all the shades in the plane were down to block out the bright sunshine. She watched her favoritee shows on Emma’s iPad and on the screen at her seat. She ate pretzels and walked the aisle, unpacked her monkey bag to spread her things out on the floor at our feet. She sat in my lap and lounged in her seat. She did everything but sleep.
We walked the long, long corridors leading from the arrival terminal to the international terminal without having to leave the secured areas of the terminal. It took almost 30 minutes, much of it with Felicity running. “Come, run, PoPo!” Gate 142 was in the far end of the Northern Corridor and as we headed toward it I remembered my last trip to NZ and the chaotic gathering of passengers in what appears to be an afterthought to the main terminal. It’s an area that is only serviced by buses that take you to another terminal and another ramp and another long walk up to the planes.
We made a stop to change diapers and put on Felicity’s and Henry’s pajamas, bought some food for dinner and still, Felicity couldn’t settle down to sleep. We had a 2.5 hour wait and as Emma and I lost energy, Felicity dined on m&ms, chocolate being her favorite food. Finally, at 9:30pm they started boarding. With two children, two substantial carry-ons and a monkey backpack, Emma headed off for the shuttle bus. She had wanted a long, calm good bye and with many final hugs and kisses, there was not a moment to express the sadness that sets in right behind the good feeling of time together because as soon as I leaned in for the first hug Felicity perked up, waved and declared, “Bye, bye, PoPo!”
As I write I hope they are close to arrival in Auckland. With luggage pick-up and customs the true magnitude of this journey between NY and Auckland becomes clear. Yesterday at 9 am, 24 hours ago, Emma woke up to finish packing. She has been on the go ever since.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Summer ending
It was an uneventful and quick ride home to NYC. We stopped to see Dad and talked about a few more of the many cards he received. He particularly liked one from a calligraphy friend. He was urgent to tell us that the woman, Florence, who moved in during the past year at 103 years of age had passed away. She was 104. We lost one of our group, he said. Though he doesn't appear to pay much attention to anyone he does seem to like the routine of eating with the same people and has learned something about each person.
It is blistering hot in NYC and everywhere. We watched the temperature outside climb from the high 70's up into the 90's by the time we reached NYC. Emma wants to take the kids into the city on the subway tomorrow and I can't even imagine setting foot underground right now.
Felicity talked a lot of the last hours of the trip today and we noted how much of her language has changed and deeloped since early July. She asks us to sing Mary Chip (May Had a Little Lamb) over and over again and doesn't seem to care that we make up verses just to keep the tune going. She said "my turn" today and still uses "I'm fine." when she wants you to ignore her.
Henry has become increasingly discontent with the car rides and cried his way home for the last hour or so. And yet, when he is fed and awake he is always cheerful and pleasant. He has taken to nesting in Pat's arms to watch sports.
Today was Ruby's first day of First Grade. She rode the bus to school by herself. I love that her new backpack is about as big as she is.
It is blistering hot in NYC and everywhere. We watched the temperature outside climb from the high 70's up into the 90's by the time we reached NYC. Emma wants to take the kids into the city on the subway tomorrow and I can't even imagine setting foot underground right now.
Felicity talked a lot of the last hours of the trip today and we noted how much of her language has changed and deeloped since early July. She asks us to sing Mary Chip (May Had a Little Lamb) over and over again and doesn't seem to care that we make up verses just to keep the tune going. She said "my turn" today and still uses "I'm fine." when she wants you to ignore her.
Henry has become increasingly discontent with the car rides and cried his way home for the last hour or so. And yet, when he is fed and awake he is always cheerful and pleasant. He has taken to nesting in Pat's arms to watch sports.
Today was Ruby's first day of First Grade. She rode the bus to school by herself. I love that her new backpack is about as big as she is.
Monday, September 3, 2018
Last day of summer break
Labor Day 2018
Today we end a full and long summer of vacationing and visiting and celebrating family. We left the Conesus Lake house that Pat and Kathryn rented for the holiday weekend at 10am to return to Rochester for one more night. There is satisfaction in leaving a rental clean and tidy, but also a bit of nostalgia for all that has taken place so intensely over just a few days. The juice from the lobsters, a highlight of the all-day clam bake, was still on the metal table this morning. The half-finished puzzle begged to have a few more pieces in place and remnants of meals and baked goods, including the cookies that greeted us on Friday to welcome us to the house, were good for one more consideration before packing up the refrigerator. We stopped at FBH on the way to the apartment and then settled in for a quiet day. By afternoon, a walk around the Park Avenue neighborhood with Henry and Felicity gave Emma a chance to nap and Kathryn and me a chance to play. We discovered a children's sculpture garden at School #23 and a giant pig on the steps of a real estate office.
Today we end a full and long summer of vacationing and visiting and celebrating family. We left the Conesus Lake house that Pat and Kathryn rented for the holiday weekend at 10am to return to Rochester for one more night. There is satisfaction in leaving a rental clean and tidy, but also a bit of nostalgia for all that has taken place so intensely over just a few days. The juice from the lobsters, a highlight of the all-day clam bake, was still on the metal table this morning. The half-finished puzzle begged to have a few more pieces in place and remnants of meals and baked goods, including the cookies that greeted us on Friday to welcome us to the house, were good for one more consideration before packing up the refrigerator. We stopped at FBH on the way to the apartment and then settled in for a quiet day. By afternoon, a walk around the Park Avenue neighborhood with Henry and Felicity gave Emma a chance to nap and Kathryn and me a chance to play. We discovered a children's sculpture garden at School #23 and a giant pig on the steps of a real estate office.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
100th birthday
There is something certain about the change of seasons. This morning I woke up on the shore of Lake Conesus in Livonia where Kathryn and Pat have rented a house for the holiday weekend. Sitting down for my morning coffee, I was greet by the gentle lapping of the lake and the silent fluttering of leaves from the mimosa tree above; tiny leaf flakes drifting down to the water. It’s September 1st.
Yesterday we celebrated Dad’s 100th birthday. “One year older,” he said. We saw him at lunch time and again at dinner. During the afternoon a group of us including his nephew and his family who have come to Rochester from Beijing took a tour of the Erie Canal. Felicity loved the lock and listened attentively to the maneuvering of the boat into the lock applauding as the gate closed behind us.
Yesterday we celebrated Dad’s 100th birthday. “One year older,” he said. We saw him at lunch time and again at dinner. During the afternoon a group of us including his nephew and his family who have come to Rochester from Beijing took a tour of the Erie Canal. Felicity loved the lock and listened attentively to the maneuvering of the boat into the lock applauding as the gate closed behind us.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Hot, hot, hot
The heat wave that started at the beginning of this week continues. We are heading north so with a predicted cooling off and the northern direction we hope the next few days will bring some relief. Emma has been hiding out in the air conditioned bedroom with Felicity and Henry.
School has started and after two days of orientation for new employees we opened the year with the traditional visionary address from the head of school. This year he put several stakes in the ground that will forever secure his legacy and ensure the direction into the future: requiring a person of color in the candidate pools for all job searches; expecting faculty to do the equity and inclusion work without waiting to be asked or told by ICIE; setting an expectation that everyone will participate in SEED. I'm glad that this is what marks my last year and that I can now hand it over to people with the energy to move the vision forward.
I started my class at Hunter last night. It was a group with hopeful energy and I had a moment of feeling great responsibility for their success.
School has started and after two days of orientation for new employees we opened the year with the traditional visionary address from the head of school. This year he put several stakes in the ground that will forever secure his legacy and ensure the direction into the future: requiring a person of color in the candidate pools for all job searches; expecting faculty to do the equity and inclusion work without waiting to be asked or told by ICIE; setting an expectation that everyone will participate in SEED. I'm glad that this is what marks my last year and that I can now hand it over to people with the energy to move the vision forward.
I started my class at Hunter last night. It was a group with hopeful energy and I had a moment of feeling great responsibility for their success.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
We bookended the summer with two family events. Maggie's wedding in Sodus and Dad's 100th birthday party in Fairport. In between Emma, Felicity, Henry and I have filled the summer days with the excitement of being two years old and the wisdom of parenting a two year old. She led the way.
Maggie had a dream of having her wedding at Sodus Point and her wedding reception at her family's home, an historic cobblestone house on a vast property of rolling hills and apple trees. The large barn that had, over many years, collected stuff and likely had been home to many country creatures, was miraculously turned into a screening room and bar. It depends who you ask, but there are strong indications that Frank did most of the heavy lifting to get the barn ready and that Tony, the groom, was right there beside him for some intense work weekends. What emerged from all that cleaning out was enough antique dinner plates to serve a wedding feast to over 100 guests; an eclectic array of plates from delicate designs to hardier family dinnerware. The meal was delicious, the cake was delicate and the Italian pastries were memorable. The dancing went on until 11pm and by then the parents of the bride had retreated to the quiet of the house and the babies had fallen asleep.
Maggie had a dream of having her wedding at Sodus Point and her wedding reception at her family's home, an historic cobblestone house on a vast property of rolling hills and apple trees. The large barn that had, over many years, collected stuff and likely had been home to many country creatures, was miraculously turned into a screening room and bar. It depends who you ask, but there are strong indications that Frank did most of the heavy lifting to get the barn ready and that Tony, the groom, was right there beside him for some intense work weekends. What emerged from all that cleaning out was enough antique dinner plates to serve a wedding feast to over 100 guests; an eclectic array of plates from delicate designs to hardier family dinnerware. The meal was delicious, the cake was delicate and the Italian pastries were memorable. The dancing went on until 11pm and by then the parents of the bride had retreated to the quiet of the house and the babies had fallen asleep.
Monday, August 27, 2018
First day
This is the first day of my last year at Horace Mann. Deep breath. It feels like I am behind the driver's seat of a plane with everything I need to get off the ground, but not yet sure exactly how I will land when the time comes. I need to visualize a smooth landing.
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