We got back from Washington on Tuesday evening. The trip there was a success but a real immersion in legalese and bureaucratese. Lots of joyful references to the 'new regime' and new laws that are likely to affect us. The reason I had to go was that our Center is applying for another round of federal funding, and this conference was a kind of educational session advising us what points to focus on in our application. It was interesting though a colleague was right when he said it was 10 minutes of information drawn out over 2 days. Lucas and his cousin Annalisa spent most of their time in the hotel room (the room service bill was enormous, and unfortunately not covered by expenses) though as the pics above show, we did go into DC a couple of times. Really beautiful place (and so warm! at least 10 degrees celsius!!) and I look forward to going back for a follow-up conference in March. Then we will be staying right on Capitol Hill, and instead of bringing a cousin (who is on spring break and on holiday that week) I will hire a local nanny recommended by the hotel.
The journey back was OK, apart from the fact that I managed to lose Bunny in Cincinnati Airport. I realised when we were still on the tarmac in Cincinnati waiting to take off for Madison, but by then the doors were closed and everyone was strapped in. It was terrible! I felt so guilty, especially when Lucas started asking for 'nee'. The next day I spoke to pretty much everyone at Cincinatti Airport (leading to one guy asking me if I was "the lady with the rabbit") but we finally managed to track down "nee" and s/he got fed-exed back to us overnight express. Needless to say Lucas was excited for all of about 1 second when they were reunited.
Lucas developed a cough when we were in DC and now I am worried how to cope with the weekend and the fact that my health insurance is not yet formalised. No need to worry anyone! - I am on the case and have the numbers of local clinics etc where I can take him at the weekend. Those are moments though that I can feel lost and lonely - single parent, foreign country, sick child - kinda scary. But I am never down for long as I already have a great support system here and people are generally very helpful.
The weather is going to hot up here this weekend and we will be well above freezing. Just as I ordered the cutest double blade ice skates for Lucas! They'll get here next week and I am sure we will have a chance to use them before spring fully arrives. More snow is expected at the end of the week which will be kind of nice as it is getting slushy. We have of course seen (and howled with laughter at) the reports from London. It must have been very dramatic!
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Thank god bunny caught a later flight. The snow here has been fun. The world as we know it almost ended.
I think Lucas should cut down the slim panatellas. That should sort out the cough. Sounds like things are going well. You're almost cooking on gas young lady.
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