Here we go again...ADDIS ABABA!

Just when you think you've got the Hoffman's pinned down to a patch of hard grass under the hottest sky, we move yet again! This time to exotic and medieval Ethiopia. Let me tell you folks! I have never dealt with such culture shock yet I am African! You would think nothing would faze me after having grown up in Kenya. No! This I was not prepared for. Addis Ababa is one long stretch of a village within a village. Beggars, cows, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, and donkeys roam the streets alongside the 1920's vehicles that shine on the beautiful, wide roads of the city. This is a true contradiction. Addis is caught back in time while rushing to catch up with the rest of Africa, and the rest of the world. For instance, Internet, along with every other piece of Western influence is heavily controlled by the government. But you can get internet, for a price. A USB card that is attached to your laptop becomes your wireless internet that you can take absolutely anywhere. So...you can afford wireless connection but cannot afford just good old broadband in your house! See what I mean by contradiction?
Let's start all over again. A lot has happened. No, we are not expecting baby number three despite the persistent insistence from parties that know themselves all too well ;)
Leaving Philippines was certainly less emotional than when we left Nepal. Here's why. We barely had any time to say goodbye! We simply packed our stuff and left within a month's notice! Barely enough time for me to complete my shopping list (and I mourn the trips missed to furniture stores, clothes stores, oh, the list is long. Manila, you will see me wandering your malls in the not-so-distant future).
Now we miss the convenient life, but are slowly adjusting to the simple life. It's funny how you go from one thing to another and somehow find ways to recreate your comfort zone. Well, I just had a salami sandwich in my rickety apart/hotel. Last night I had a tasty glass of Cabernet sauvignogn. And now i can barely remember what the good life was/is. I'm not missing much, not even my unlimited access to the internet. All around me I'm surrounded by filth in the midst of cafes that serve the world's best machiatos.
Contradictions...
I refused to blog in the first week of us being here (it's now been three) simply because I was sure I was never going to make it here alive. I thought I would die of hunger alongside all the starving beggars. I couldn't bear the homeless mothers with babies on the dusty streets, holding out worn out umbrellas with one hand and the other held out for a coin from a kind soul. I still cannot bear it. There is this one woman I see on a daily basis completely asleep, deep asleep like in a coma (but I know she is alive because she is often awakened by the movements of her baby who nurses on her bare bosom completely oblivious of her harsh reality). It is not the sight of the woman that haunts me. I could care less for a needy adult. It is that baby on her lap. The smoke and the smog, the dust and noisy movements of people passing by is this child's reality. How dreadful! To be subjected to that life everyday, and not know any better, much less know that you have a choice! This woman, I would wring her neck if I had my way. But then I am reminded all too sadly that maybe, just maybe, she is completely and utterly hopeless. This bothers me on all levels of humanity. And this is just the beginning of a long posting in Addis.
Our kids are doing fantastic. Vera is now at the International Community School of Addis Ababa and she absolutely loves it. Noah is keeping us busy at home. He is singing and dancing as usual, and talking a whole lot more. Vera is now reading books like an adult and wants to do so all the time. She is also writing better and better each day and has even learnt to write her name in cursive!
There is a lot to say, most of which could be really depressing. It's hard for me to keep that sense of humour after that account of the lady on the streets with her little baby. Yet I know that there are so many such stories in Addis, let alone the whole world. But for now, let that sink in as my story. I hate that it's my story.
Peace from rainy and cold Addis.

Catching up!

So much to say!
Can't believe it's been nearly FIVE months since the last post!
Well, a lot sure has happened. Noah is ow officially a music composer. Actually, wait! He is a one-toddling entertainment industry! He's the whole package! All he needs is a set of drums and back-up singers! Teeheeeee! The boy is so hilarious, and I cannot believe how overwhelmed I am with love for that lil' man! I am now fully aware of the mother-son bond. I think there's a fair chance that the girl who wins his heart will have a hard time convincing me :). My boy is perfect, I dare say, and she too better be beyond perfect! Hehehe!
Vera is amazing. Reading, writing, swimming like a fish and a budding ballerina! It's crazy how seriously she takes ballet! Geesh! I thought it would be a great distraction, but boy, it has become a full on commitment! But it's all good. Maybe she and her bro will hire me to manage their careers when they make it big on broadway! I know, I know, dreaming, and possibly, just possibly, behaving like the archaic mother who tries to live her dreams in her children! Watch them become free spirits living in the mountains of Tibet! Hehehe!
Chris has been away in Geneva for an entire month! It's been hard, and given that the Philippines right now is about the same degree as the surface of the sun, it is suffice to say that I am so jelous of him right now, enjoying spring in switzerland! Argh! He went biking through the French countryside and actually had the nerve to share that piece of info (not with the intention of making me mad, but just sharing the "boredom" that is his supposed european experience!). Needless to say, I gave him a lecture on how to employ selective memory when sharing info that your wife may find just a little bit touching on the wrong nerve :)
All in all, I think the Philippines has finally grown on us! It is widely said that it takes at least one year to move from 'expat' to 'resident' of a foreign country. I can certainly attest to that. Now, if only I could have the house fully air-conditioned 24 hours, then I'd truly be in paradise!
My mom just turned 60! Wow! She could've fooled even me! She doesn't look a day older than 45! Hehehe! But it's a sordid reminder that I too are growing old. I am facing 30 in exactly NINE days! And I will face it with courage. I am not going down, no way! Afterall, isn't 30 the new 20? Not that I would like to relieve the twenties, to be honest, I think I'm actually looking forward to 30. Now 40, will be a whole different story :(
I feel truly blessed, beyond my wildest dreams. I am living a very happy life. great husband, wonderful kids, and a cultural experience beyond any other. I am addicted to this expat life now :))
Uh, oh! I didn't even bother to share about Vera's big 4! My, was that a day or what! And a party fit for a princess, of course! it was such a beautiful day! Vera all dressed up, and a bunch of friends (more like Vera fans! Hehehe) came along for the celebration. It was truly remarkable! Now she won't stop asking when she'll be turning 5! Aiiiii!!!! And she's already begun planning for the event (I can see a bridezilla in the future!). The theme for the 5th party changes by the week. She is such a control freak!
School's been out for a whole 2 and a half months but we've had nothing but fun, fun, and more fun! We went to Guam in March and that was out of this world exciting! The white beaches are amazing. We had a blast.
It's kind of hard to keep up with the blog, I must say. I can only promise to try harder :)