10 Reasons I Love Being an American

I am grateful that my job allows me to travel to different countries and be in contact with people from other cultures.  While I am overseas, I am often placed in situations where I have to explain U.S. culture, traditions, or politics to foreigners.  Oftentimes, these people point out our shortcomings - which, granted, there are many.  However, I believe that the U.S. is a blessed country and has a bright future.  Below are a few reasons (in no particular order) that I am proud to be an American.

1 - Our presidents and representatives have given up power peacefully after loosing elections.  

2 - Americans are not guaranteed or confined to the social or economic class they are born into.    

3 - Our ancestors fought wars, made sacrifices, and built a well-organized infrastructure that we benefit from.  

4 - Americans can travel and live in any of the 50 states they choose.  

5 - When stopped by a police officer, Americans are not afraid of being robbed or extorted.

6 - The media we consume, our clothing, and our religion are not determined by our government.  

7 -  Education, talent, and hard work are rewarded.  

8 -  Americans can request a government or company service without having to pay a bribe.

9 -  Americans can question authority or express their opinions without going to jail or disappearing. 

10 - The brightest and most entrepreneurial foreigners are eager to come to America.

"The Show" by Gaby

Gaby auditioned for a solo in the middle school choir performance.  She and one other 6th grader were selected.  For her musical number, she chose to sing "The Show" by Lenka.  Despite the nerves, she did an outstanding job - we are very proud of her.

Coming Up For Air

I have not updated this blog in several weeks since I have been deep into my language training.  Every spare second I have I am flipping through flash cards, reading the news & blogs in Persian, or preparing for class.  I am feeling a lot of pressure to get the score I need for my job (before mid July).  

Several times a week and every Saturday, Shelley and I spend a good part of our day taxiing kids back and forth to practices and games.  Gaby is playing softball.  Andrew is playing baseball.  And Colin is playing soccer.  They are each making visible progress on a weekly basis.

I still bring my flash cards to practices and games, but I have to ensure I am looking up when our kids are up to bat or making a play.

Spring Cleaning

This weekend we did a lot of spring cleaning. I dusted off the yard equipment, mowed the lawn, weeded, and laid down mulch. Shelley led the charge in deep cleaning the house. Afterwards, I gave the boys haircuts.

Colin's hair has been Shelley's pride and joy for the last six months. Admittedly, Colin gets many compliments for his long, naturally-curly hair when he's in public. However, to get his hair to cooperate, it take a lot of water and gel. I might not have been totally honest with Shelley when I told her I would only give Colin a little trim around the ears.

"It's a Hard Knock Life"

This weekend Gaby participated in her middle school's performance of Annie. She played one of the orphans. She did a great job and thoroughly enjoyed being on stage.

Leprechaun Trap

Andrew has been learning about simple machines (e.g. levers, pulleys) in 3rd grade. His assignment that is due this week was to build a leprechaun trap using simple machines. We had over a month advance notice about the assignment; however, each time we started the project, it ended in tears - to save face, I will not say who broke down in tears. In the end, the assignment was finished. We'll see if we end up catching a leprechaun.

Persian New Year - "Nowruz"

Most Foreign Service Officers prepare for their next assignment by taking language training, learning the history and culture of their assigned country, meeting their counterparts at embassies in Washington, and then ultimately arrive in the country where they are assigned and start working.

Unfortunately, my experience does not follow this pattern. I am learning Persian and the rich history and cultures of Iran; however, at the end of my training, I will not be stepping off a plane in Tehran. Instead I will be working on Iranian issues from Dubai.

This weekend my family and I had a taste of the Iranian culture and history by attending a Persian new year celebration at the Smithsonian Museums (Freer & Sackler Galleries).

Dancers performed several typical dances in colorful, traditional dresses.

One of the many customs of Nowruz is that families set tables in their houses with items that are symbolic of good health, wealth, and good fortune. Some of the items on this table are an apple, mirror, fish bowl, garlic, vinegar, decorated egg, and the Koran.

There were probably 25-30 chess boards set up for people to play. Even though he didn't know the rules of the game, Colin was determined to play. He played against Gaby who in the end outsmarted Colin and her dad.

The kids enjoyed stamping Nowruz greeting cards and doing the other crafts at the event. They also heard a traditional story from Iranian history.