So we walk into church Sunday {late} and we haven't been sitting down 2 minutes before poor Laine just loses it and pukes all over me. There was so much that I didn't think she could possibly spew more, plus it was pooling in my lap, so I didn't stand up an walk out as I now realize I should have. Instead I sent Jason Norton for some towels {friend / Ben's boss in town with the company} But of course she wasn't done and I was then forced to stand up and run out, cradling my puking child in the middle of the sacrament. She did one more big one for a total of 3 before I could get her outside. My shirt was so covered that I had to just strip right outside the foyer. So there I was in my white, sleeveless undershirt like a wet t-shirt contest with my garments hanging out for all to see, which by then was a lot since we had gathered quite a crowd by then as you can imagine.
Our ward friend were so great! Women rushed out of the meeting to help me. My friend Linda had her beach bag in the car and ran and grabbed towels, others grabbed wipes. One helped strip Laine down and wrapped her in a towel. All of this while Ben did his best to clean the pew. Everyone just told him to leave, that they would take care of it. Poor Girl! She was asleep before we reached home, which was only 10 minutes away. I am so happy to report she is finally back to her happy, cheerful self as of yesterday.
In other news I am really ready to finally get down with the local lingo and customs so I can stop feeling like people think I am slow. People are always saying things and I have no idea what they are talking about! When I was signing Laine up for school they were telling me about "Morning and Afternoon Tea." I thought that was so refined of 3 year olds to be having tea, but was still very confused as to why. After asking several questions about the tea {that they must have thought were so ridiculous}, I came to find Tea means snack or meal here.
As a culture, you kind of forget that you speak a certain way that is unique to you as a culture only. It is completely out of our realm to consider it as unique. We as humans live in the here and now of our own existences, and we fall into assuming {or ashyooming as they say here} that everyone knows how things are done and said as we do them and say them.
I am probably being too hard on myself, but it does make you feel stupid to constantly not know what is going on or what the simplest of things mean! The first time we filled up our car with "Petrol", Ben walked into the station to pay and grabbed a drink as well. He put it on the counter and said "and I have gas too" -they guy just looked at him and must have been thinking, "so did you want me to point out where the gas-x is, or were you just making conversation?" since it is not called "gas" here.
So many times I have had to have people spell out their names because I can't understand them. And it is really wierd to say certain names because they say them with an accent and you feel the pressure to say things the way they say them but at the same time you feel ridiculous speaking in this fake accent. And it isn't just people's names, it is all sorts of things that they can't understand you saying unless you say it in their accent. Ahhh! What an adventure!
Our ward friend were so great! Women rushed out of the meeting to help me. My friend Linda had her beach bag in the car and ran and grabbed towels, others grabbed wipes. One helped strip Laine down and wrapped her in a towel. All of this while Ben did his best to clean the pew. Everyone just told him to leave, that they would take care of it. Poor Girl! She was asleep before we reached home, which was only 10 minutes away. I am so happy to report she is finally back to her happy, cheerful self as of yesterday.
In other news I am really ready to finally get down with the local lingo and customs so I can stop feeling like people think I am slow. People are always saying things and I have no idea what they are talking about! When I was signing Laine up for school they were telling me about "Morning and Afternoon Tea." I thought that was so refined of 3 year olds to be having tea, but was still very confused as to why. After asking several questions about the tea {that they must have thought were so ridiculous}, I came to find Tea means snack or meal here.
As a culture, you kind of forget that you speak a certain way that is unique to you as a culture only. It is completely out of our realm to consider it as unique. We as humans live in the here and now of our own existences, and we fall into assuming {or ashyooming as they say here} that everyone knows how things are done and said as we do them and say them.
I am probably being too hard on myself, but it does make you feel stupid to constantly not know what is going on or what the simplest of things mean! The first time we filled up our car with "Petrol", Ben walked into the station to pay and grabbed a drink as well. He put it on the counter and said "and I have gas too" -they guy just looked at him and must have been thinking, "so did you want me to point out where the gas-x is, or were you just making conversation?" since it is not called "gas" here.
So many times I have had to have people spell out their names because I can't understand them. And it is really wierd to say certain names because they say them with an accent and you feel the pressure to say things the way they say them but at the same time you feel ridiculous speaking in this fake accent. And it isn't just people's names, it is all sorts of things that they can't understand you saying unless you say it in their accent. Ahhh! What an adventure!
16 comments:
Oh man, poor little Laine! Well, and you for sure. I am glad to hear that she is feeling better beacuse we can not have her sick while we are enjoying her back here in Utah. I am glad you learned an important lesson here, when in doubt go ahead and run out. Love you.
What a poor little sweetie! She must have been so sick! I am glad that things are looking up!
You are going to be JUST FINE in the new culture mode. You have done it TONS more than most of us have done. Rob wants to do international patent law so I think we might find ourselves in Japan/China sometime...and I will definately be calling YOU for help!
Wow I think that is the topper on puke stories. It is nice you had so many people helping you out with that one though. Glad she is feeling better. Poor girl, she will remember that one for sure!
Nat you poor thing. I am so happy Laine is feeling better. That must make you feel better. I love that story and seriously hope that NEVER happens to me. Ty puked all over me at the store once, that was enough. I love the part about Ben and his gas!!! That's a gas (laugh : ) ). Miss you!
How embarassing. I would die. It sounds like people are super nice there. Is Jason in your ward or is he just visiting? So funny he is the boss. He is so nice. I bet people love that you don't know their lingo yet. I love it when I hear English people over here and the way they talk. You'll catch on soon enough
Ahhh! I am so, so far behind in my blog commenting! That was the best story ever. I can't say I want it to happen to me, but it's one of those mothering moments you'll never forget. Like our 14 hour road trip with my cousin to Oregon where Addison threw up 6 or 7 times and had 2 full blown-in the carseat- blow outs. I thought I was going to die. Poop and throw up was everywhere and the car, which wasn't mine, reaked. Okay, on a better note . . . we'll be seeing you so soon. Katie and I have already discussed some planning. I'm going to Logan tomorrow, so we'll chat. Let us know what you're plans are while you're here! Keep the stories of a day in the life of Nat coming!
Again, ANOTHER great story from Natalie! Not so funny at the time,...but a good story nonetheless. I love you!
I don't know who I feel more sorry for, you or Laine. That is one of the most embarassing stories! I can just picture Ben trying to clean the bench without making a total scene. I guess everyone in your new ward for sure knows who you are now.
As for adjusting, I am sure that you are doing better than anyone else that I know could. You have that amazingly positive attitude to get you through. Hang in there! Lots of love, Nicole
What an adventure! We had some fun puke stories this week too. I seriously lol when I read your Aussie lingo scenarios. I experienced the exact same thing in England. We found a travel book with an American/British dicitionary in it, that was hilarious but really helpful. I still have it!
It sounds like you're having a great time. I'm glad you're getting the lingo down. I'm glad Laine is feeling better. Talk to you soon.
Teresa
It must be an interesting contrast to living in Korea. It's not a foreign language, its English, but a very different English. I'm sure everyone finds the little misuderstandings charming, so don't be too hard on yourself. Plus, you're going to have a host of funny stories to tell. I'm already enjoying hearing about all these things! :)
Oh, you are so funny! Your blog is the greatest! I always end up laughing out loud! Thanks for making my day! "
Jeanine
Natalie, you crack me up. You write so well. I love checking in on you. Sounds like a fun adventure. I went to Sydney once with my mom when I graduated from H.S. I loved it. I loved "Dahling Haba" (Darling Harbor), I even took a water taxi. We went out that place with the 3-sisters rocks and took that train that goes straight down hill. I even got to hold a koala bear (I don't think they let you do that anymore.) My mom's cousin had the yummiest vietnamese restaurant there that was to die for, I wish I could remember the name of it. Have fun. Tell Ben, "Hi".
Okay-I feel sorry for you but not so much Ben. Do you remember the puke date where I clean up after him??? Sorry probably not nice to bring it up again but is one of my best date stories at parties :) I was also going to ask you to check out a new fashion blog I just launched creamyclothing.blogspot.com. I would love some feedback. By the way I love your cooking blog-my kids don't eat however so we eat waffles and spaghetti a lot!
I just read a post from my friend, Kelli, who just moved to Australia (probably the same time as you). It looks like you guys are having the same issue, except I don't think she got "pewed on" at church.
http://kellipacker.blogspot.com/.
The best is that she keeps getting into what she thinks is the drivers side of the car and then realizes that the steering wheel is missing.
Ok, sorry for leaving so many comments- I'm not really your new stalker-- but I also have to ask everyone to spell everything here. At my kids preschool they told me they were making "damper bread" but I just had no clue what they were talking about and on top of it, thought they were saying dampa braid.
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