We're back in Geneva! It's really nice, I think, to return to a routine after the vacation. My final test of that event was driving back in the van with just Victoria's parents. Victoria and Ben left Friday evening so that the kids would sleep most of the way home, and I and the grandparents left Saturday morning. Really, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I drove the entire way--650 kilometers, about 7 hours total--which helped me keep my sanity because I had something to focus on. We were mostly silent, which was fine with me, other than when both Hermano and Sylvia felt the need to read out the signs to me for the exits we needed to take, as though I don't understand that Geneva and Geneve are the same thing, just in different languages. That was kind of really annoying, but other than that it was fine. We made it, I survived.
That night I went out with Sharron to Plainpalais, a section of Geneva with a lot of good bars, and the place where they were showing all of the Euro2008 games on a big screen set up in the square. We watched the final between Germany and Spain. The place was filled with screaming Spain supporters (apparently there's a large Spanish expat community here), shirts off, faces painted, beer in hand. The energy was fantastic. Even before the game started people were walking the streets blowing bullhorns, waving flags and stopping traffic to express their excitement to the general population. Sharron and I bet on the game. I really thought that Germany would take it because they had a more experienced team and had played really well in their preceding matches, but in the end Spain won 1-0. I now have to cook Sharron dinner; not the end of the world. The place went absolutely nuts as soon as the game ended. It took us twice the amount of time it should have to get out of downtown because of all the people in the streets. I wish I could have stayed out and celebrated with them, but it was a Sunday night and duty called the next day.
Both of the boys have been in good moods this week, other than the occasional tantrums associated with readjusting to routine. Alessio is just about over his chicken pox, which is really great. Victoria finally had to get his hair cut this morning--they cut off all of his adorable curls!! He's still really cute, but he looks so much more grown up without those blond ringlets at the base of his neck. Ben, of course, being a man's man, has been saying for weeks that he needed a haircut because he was starting to look like a girl :) He almost said my name yesterday, which is a big step, so it's something we're working on. Henry has amazed me lately with his progress in speaking. It was like all of a sudden last week he started using much more complex sentence structures and phrases. It amazes me that the changes happen so quickly, and it's so noticeable. It's really fun to watch them develop.
Victoria and Ben are leaving tomorrow for Hong Kong. I think things will actually go really well with her parents around. It's good that we had the time together in the south so we're used to each other, and I think as long as I clearly ask when she needs me to work and what she needs me to do, things will be fine. Victoria is coming back Thursday morning, so it won't even be that long. And that also means that by Thursday morning I will (hopefully) know whether or not I am moving to Hong Kong. I'm really anxious to find out one way or the other so that I can get excited about whatever the future is going to be and start planning.
That's about all that has gone on this week. This weekend I'm planning to go to the huge 4th of July barbeque that is held every year at a park here in Geneva--apparently it's a massive event, given the number of American expats here. Should be fun.
1 comment:
I would like a signed copy of that pizza box by the model likeness used. Also still waiting for my I went to the Island Of LESBOS photo. Also I definatley could not rock that hat.
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