A Long Over Due Update

by Amy

Well, many of you already know that our last week didn't go exactly as planned! So, here's the whole story....

On Tuesday, Alex was coughing quite a bit. After his nap, he seemed to be wheezing a little. We gave him some allergy medicine, but that didn't really seem to help. He was still able to talk and seemed to feel OK, so we didn't think much of it. I was in a meeting that night, so I wasn't there that evening when he went down, but Brad said he was still wheezing quite a bit. When we got ready to go to sleep, we decided to move Alex to our room so we'd be able to hear if he had any problems. By this time his breathing was pretty rapid. Sure enough, he woke me up about 12:30am. I gave him some more medicine and water and put him back to bed. At 1:30 he was whimpering and straining to get a breath. I was up right away! I had no idea what to do, so I gave him more cough/allergy medicine, and had him sit on my lap while the hot shower filled the bathroom with steam. That didn't seem to help at all! So, after sitting there for about 20 minutes, I brought Alex to bed with me. I thought if I could sit up and have him sleep on me, he'd be able to breathe better, but I was wrong. So, I woke Brad. He spent the next 1.5 hours online researching and emailing an American Dr. that lives in our country. Finally, about 3:30 am we all went to sleep, with Alex tossing, coughing, and wheezing the rest of the night.

Before 6:30am our American Dr. friend called to check on Alex. He asked a few diagnostic questions then suggested we go to a local hospital to have him looked at. This was quite an interesting experience.... I had been to this local hospital to visit my back doctor. I was prepared to see people smoking and spitting, but I had never been to the children's section.... The place was really crowded and loud. Lots of kids were talking and crying. People were walking by holding an bag attached to an IV in their child's hand or head. All of the nurses/receptionist were wearing face masks hoping to avoid infection, and it was NOT clean. I saw a couple of people throw up on the floor and a few puddles.... It definitely did not have the sterile hospital feel that you find in an American hospital. After waiting for our number to be called. We made our way to the examining room. But, it was really a small room with two desks and four chairs. Two chairs were taken by two Drs. and two were open for their patients to sit in. So, when it was time for Alex to be examined, he sat on my lap while the Dr. used her stethoscope to listen to his chest. Immediately she wanted to give him an IV to treat pneumonia. My American Dr. friend told me to call him if I needed help and warned us not to get and IV. So, since he can fluently speak in our local language, I called him.

Side note: Alex is cheerful and happy. He's laughing easily and enjoying playing with the cars that I brought for him. But, he's having a hard time breathing. The place is so loud, I cannot hear his wheezing, but he could not say, "the car movie" without taking 3 breaths. I counted and he was taking 60 breaths/minute.

Back to the hospital: My Dr. friend (and I) were not convinced Alex had pneumonia, but the local Dr. didn't/couldn't take and a chest x-ray. So, after going back and forth a few times, we ended up going home with an inhaler (to treat the wheezing) and antibiotic (to treat the possible pneumonia.) After aggressively treating Alex with the inhaler, three hours later, he was still breathing 60times/minute. At that point, our American Dr. friend recommended we get to a big city with a western hospital ASAP....

So, we put all three kids down for a nap (even Savannah as she was complaining of not feeling well, too); I began packing; Brad made hotel arrangements online and headed to the train station to buy tickets. Two days before our house helper, Leigh, had just been to the train station to buy us tickets for Saturday. We were planning on going to this big city to pick up Brad's mom and play for a few days. Now, we don't need Saturday morning tickets anymore, but we need Wednesday night tickets. Believe it or not, the station let us exchange our tickets without any fee! While Brad is running all over town, and I'm trying to pack three days earlier than expected, Leigh is busy making granola and muffins for us to take with us. Needless to say, by the time we left Wednesday at 5pm, our home was completely insane!

Alex slept for almost four hours that afternoon. Finally, we woke him at the last moment, threw some grapes at him for dinner, and piled in the taxi. After being on the road for about 15 minutes, Savannah starts whimpering, says, "My tummy hurts," and pauses long enough for me to grab Peter's jacket and thrust it under her chin to catch most of her vomit.... On the train, Alex seems to be breathing easier, finally. He was taking about 45 breaths/minute instead of 60 and can say more words without a breath. Savannah napped a good part of the way and only threw up once -- all over Brad -- about 5 minutes before we arrived at the train station.

So, next I dropped Brad, Savannah and Peter off at the hotel and headed to the ER with Alex. Even though his breathing was better, our Dr. recommended we still go to the ER right away as 45 breaths/minute was still too fast. As the doors opened to the hospital, I was convinced my taxi driver had driven over the ocean to a familiar American hospital. I was greeted in English, handed forms to fill out, (and I could read every word,) and directed to couches (next to the coffee bar) to wait. I didn't have to step over any puddles or worry about what Alex touched. And, since it was almost 11pm, we were seen right away. The Dr. washed his hands in the sink before he even touched Alex! It was quite a refreshing experience! The Dr. confirmed Alex did not not have pneumonia, gave him some additional medicine, taught me how to use a spacer with his inhaler, and we were back to the hotel by midnight.

The next morning, Alex was breathing so much better! He seemed like a new kid! Savannah, on the other hand, had not slept well all night and was not eating much. So, we took Thursday pretty slowly, eating Subway twice in our hotel room, and going to an English Disney movie showing in a theater in the basement of our hotel. Friday morning, I took Alex back to the Dr. for a follow-up apt. His oxygen level was still just a hair low, so the Dr. advised me to continue the breathing treatments for 5 days. He also was able to give me some advice on how to treat this if it ever happens again. (What a blessing!) The rest of our time in the big city was wonderful, but I shall blog about that at another time!

We have received many emails from loving people expressing their concern and care for us as we travelled. We definitely felt your prayers and know they made a significant difference in the outcome. Thank you so much for loving and caring for us as you do!

YIPPEE!!

by Amy

Well, the countdown has begun! In SEVEN days Grandma is coming!! Brad's mom, Sue, who lives in Houston, is bringing two friends to come tour our country and visit our home! Every morning Savannah reminds us all how many more days until we get to see Grandma! Then, throughout the day, all the kids are constantly talking about what they're going to show Grandma when she gets here; what they're going to ask Grandma to buy when she comes; and what they're going to take Grandma to see when she's in our city. Their excitement is so fun to see!

When we lived in America, Grandma always slept on Savannah's bed when she came to visit. But, Peter and Alex have decided it's time for things to change! They have a bunk bed in their room, and the top bunk is currently unused -- well, at least un-slept in -- it's a great storage place for toys that are too big to fit in the drawers under their bed! (Both boys share the bottom bunk with a pillow at each end.) So, they have decided that Grandma can sleep up there! We'll see about that.... And, every one's also excited about going on dates with Grandma. Last night Savannah said, "Alex when Grandma comes to visit she'll take you on a date and buy you whatever you want!" Alex quickly responded with, "I'm gonna ask Grandma to buy me a big yellow truck!" So, get ready Sue....they have an agenda!

For the last two months Brad and I have been shopping online and having things mailed to Sue's house. We've bought everything from a new cell phone, to books and movies, and Christmas gifts for our kiddos. So, when Sue comes, it will be just like Christmas for us all ~ not to mention the lists and lists of things I asked her to buy for us. I think she spent over $100 on medicine at Wal-mart! She's also hit Sam's, the mall, Target, and the grocery store shopping to buy everything else on our wish list. Yes, you are right! This woman is truly amazing! But I can honestly say, that if she did not deliver one thing from America, I would still be just as excited to see her! I am so thankful for Sue and cannot imagine a more generous, kind and loving mother-in-law! So, if the truth be told, I think I am just as excited as my kiddos...YIPPEE!! Grandma's coming in only seven days!!!

Ethnocentrism and Etc.

From Brad.

Okay, maybe its your new vocabulary word for the day. Ethnocentrism is the idea that one's own culture (or people group, tribe, etc.) is superior to others. This is a product of our sin nature and evidences pride and folly. It is not reserved for Americans alone (although in my humble opinion we are really good at it) but touches all cultures. In my current culture, I heard a creation story/myth when I first got here which evidences their ethnocentrism. As it goes the creator made man out of clay and needed to 'bake' him and her to make them human. Well...some he left in too long (black), some he took out too early (white), and some were just right (yellow...but I guess you must include brown in that group). I think the most accurate understanding is that all cultures have their pros & cons, and that probably some have been more affected by truth than others. So all are not equal, but 'ours' is not the ideal like 'we' think it might be.

I've started a list of the pros & cons of my new culture. This is my subjective analysis as I compare my first 35 years in America to my 6 months here.

Pros of my new culture:

1. We have a much easier time meeting our financial needs with a very small amount of money. In other words...things and people's time are cheap. When my Treo phone broke, a guy fixed it right away on the spot for $7 US dollars. The only place I could find in America was charging $75 after you pay for shipping both ways.
2. I sense that people as a whole are kinder here and are more willing to offer their time and help. Maybe that is because I'm a foreigner, but even so, there are many countries where being a foreigner will bring more animosity, rather than a willingness to help.
3. I wrote in a previous blog entry that this country is safer than America.
4. There is a strong interest in us and in new ideas. It is remarkably easy to talk to people about 'weighty' things, whereas in America, people are mostly disinterested or feel that you are 'pushing' something on them.
5. Although there is some immodesty, it is remarkably rare compared to what one sees in America. This is a wonderful pro.

Okay, now the cons...

1. From day one, I realized this place has many more hazards which put my kids in danger (and us). Although I am not as concerned about a robbery, I do exercise caution every time I cross an intersection or street. Playgrounds have no grass, typically concrete. The playground near my house has a 2 foot wall which 'stops' one from a 15' foot drop onto concrete. Safety doesn't seem to be a major consideration when things are designed here (or maybe it costs too much money).
2. Because of a much lower standard of living and the US prices for diapers over here, diapers are pretty much unheard of. This leads to young kids not wearing underwear, with split-crotch pants urinating in public places (including the aisle of wal-mart, etc.). Because its so common parents don't think it is necessary to clean it up. Store employees are never in a hurry and their mops, etc. don't often get washed. Overall, it is much, much cleaner in America. Now, I've had to repent of my snobbishness because for me to expect them to buy diapers is ridiculous. But nonetheless, given the circumstances, there are ways to improve the cleanliness.
3. Kids are rarely disciplined and are rather catered to. This leads to brats who act like...well, brats.
4. Due to the concept of 'face', lying is a common part of this culture. Instead of saying, I'm not really interested in coming to your meeting...thanks for the invite, they agree to come and make up bogus excuses week after week. This applies to all areas of life, honest communication doesn't happen too often. My local friend called another local and asked, 'do you have time, can I come over?' He said yes. My friend made the long trip and when he got to the door his friend said, I'm sorry, but maybe now is not the best time. Saying 'no' over the phone would have been a loss of face, according to my friend.
5. Finally, work and products here are made very poorly. Maybe that's how they so cheap (see pro #1), but often when a worker comes to fix something at your house, or install something, or drop off a purchase, you must carefully inspect every detail...because they just don't really care if it isn't done right.

Well, there you have it. No culture is perfect and I attempt to remember the pros here in order to deal with the things I don't care for. This also promotes a greater love for this country and its people...something necessary in my life. I also try to often repent of the ethnocentrism that I am not immune to. America has her fair share of problems. I wonder if we made a list, what would come up as the pros and cons?

Kindergarten Comments

by Amy

Today when I picked Savannah up from school, all of the students were drawing a picture. The teacher often gives them a drawing assignment, therefore everyone is supposed to draw the same thing. When Savannah saw me she quickly showed me her picture of what looked a lot like a local temple. Then she said, "This is where people worship idols." When I asked her why she chose to draw that, she responded, "My teacher told me to!" Later, when we were telling Brad about school today she said that she started to draw our family outside the temple, but then realized that's where people worship idols and our family doesn't do that....so she drew a snowman instead. Smart thinking! Often a lesson accompanies their drawing assignment, so when we asked her about the lesson, (wondering if she was encouraged to worship idols) she said she didn't understand it. "It was all in **our local language** and my teacher didn't say one word of English." Well, that prompted Brad to ask if her teacher usually speaks English. "No," she said, "she sometimes says, 'Close your mouth!'" So, I guess Savannah is showing her true colors at school now, and being her chatty, friendly self! I just wonder what she's saying and who understands her!

Safety

From Brad.

One of the positive things about my new culture is the higher degree of safety we have here. I've heard this from many people (foreigners like me living here and the locals) that we live in a very safe place. Robberies and muggings are just not very common (although I don't have any 'hard facts' to provide you with). It probably is a result of strict gun laws (I don't think the common people have the right to bear arms...not that I'm making a political statement here) and harsh penalties for convicted criminals. Again, I'm not sure of all the details, but I know this country has more executions each year than any other country. Amy and I have felt very, very safe as we walk the streets, even sometimes late at night.

The most obvious difference between this country and America is the vast majority of stores do not have bars on the windows or high tech surveillance cameras. Also, except for the big 'wal-mart' type stores, almost every store puts its money in a simple money drawer/box (ie - no high tech cash register). So when I go to pay, they simply open a 'cigar box' or unlocked drawer and dig through the wad of cash to give me change. I think the majority of people here still use cash as credit cards are very rare (debit cards are more and more popular though). This means that sometimes the cash I see is a pretty good chunk of change. I have often thought how easy it would be to just grab the stash and disappear into the masses on the sidewalk. Well...maybe for some. I don't suppose a white guy like myself, usually lugging 3 kids around could disappear very easily. :) Yeah, I think I'll stick to acquiring my money the old fashioned way.

Dancing Machine!

by Amy

One of the things I most appreciate about Alex is how easily he laughs. All I have to do is tilt my head and look at him funny, and he bust out laughing! His quick smile and laughter always brighten my day! Lately, it seems to be he is equally able to make those around him laugh.... That boy cannot be still when he hears music -- he must dance! (Dance is defined by "shaking this hips and moving his head.) This has made Savannah happy as she's often looking for a dancing partner. But, Alex does not only restrict his dancing to our home with Savannah.... He often will caught drawing a crowd in the store as he dances to the music played over the intercom. And, sometimes, even when there's no music around -- like when we're waiting to catch a bus -- Alex will start singing the ABCs and shaking that bom-bom! He just can't handle being still when he hears music!

The Holidays

From Brad.

Well, this week is officially the equivalent of a fall break here. Most everyone gets at least 3 days off and quite a few get the whole week off. There have been two very noticeable changes in our surroundings as a result of this holiday week. First, fireworks are exploding all the time. I often enjoy fireworks, and so do my kids, however when they start at 6am sometimes (yes, a nice little alarm clock for our kids), they're not so enjoyable. Also, as you might imagine, they can continue until well after 10pm. Another change in our city is people have been staying inside a lot more and it makes for relatively peaceful streets.

It does seem a bit strange that my school has only been in session for about two weeks and I get a whole week off. I haven't written anything about school so I thought I'd share a few thoughts. First of all, I have 3 classes which demand about 22 hours/week in the classroom. Unlike in America, the classes are taught completely in this country's language, with just the occasional English word thrown in. I think it is quite similar to the 'Wawwaa, whawaaa....' that Charlie Brown always heard. Come to think of it, in this way it also reminds me of my time spent in Louisville at Sem...although I think they were mostly speaking English. :) I typically make good eye contact with the teacher and smile until she is asking for volunteers to do something. At that point I bury my head in my book acting like I'm trying to figure something out. Actually, when I'm diligent to prepare for class and I've read the 'dialogue' a few times (and listened to the MP3s on my Treo), I feel okay about my listening comprehension. But it doesn't take a lot for me to get completely lost and give the teacher an answer which is completely unrelated to her question. At that point, I am thankful to be a Westerner who could care less what the other students think about his/her abilities/progress. Whereas, many of the Asians are deathly afraid of giving an incorrect answer in front of the class because it would cause them to 'lose face'.

Speaking of the other foreign language students, many come from Korea, some from Japan, Australia, Europe, Ukraine, India, and Canada. Very, very few Americans. It is really difficult to hear and understand my new language when the locals speak it, however, when the foreigners who have thick accents from back home try to speak to me, I don't have a prayer. All in all the other students seem pretty nice, but I am dismayed every time I walk into a classroom and another student (not the teacher) takes the initiative to turn off the A/C by them self 'because they're cold'. The other day, we had a cold front come through, so obviously the A/C was off and I thought it was a bit hot/stuffy inside the room. So I sat right next to the window and cracked it open. I'm not sure how it made the others feel, but I had on a T-Shirt and shorts...there's not much more I can do. :)

A couple of other notes. My books are almost exclusively characters, so I am now forced to spend more time on character recognition. In order to accelerate my speaking and listening, these last few months I have neglected characters. However, I can't really do that any longer and a good chunk of my study time is now being poured into reading/recognizing characters. My teachers are dismayed that I cannot (and don't desire to) write characters from memory. The time commitment involved in that is something I cannot even think about right now, and may never invest in. With the advent of computers, I can type the sound of the character in and it will convert it to the character for me which is extremely convenient. So sorry teach, but a guy has got to prioritize...be thankful I'm at least trying to learn how to read this impossible language! :)