2.14.09

The plan changed. What used to be 8 weeks in Tanzania this summer became 5, then became 3 weeks at Christmas. It will cost me beaucoup bucks that I don't have, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Pretty much the only way I can go is if I get a $5000 grant. I think my reasons for wanting to go to Tanzania are pretty great so I hope, hope, HOPE I get it.

Anyway, growing up, Christmas was the 5 of us: Mom, Dad, Older Sister, Younger Sister and Yours Truly. It was never the big family affair as the extended family lives on the West Coast. Now, with Older Sister married, working crazy hours in the hospital, and with Younger Sister going to school in the UK, it has become more of a rumpus. Mom has this 'thing' with having the family under the same roof. So try telling your mother that you won't be there for Christmas.

"You're WHAT?"
"I want to go to Tanzania to volunteer and this is the cheapest I can do it."
"But it's Chrismas! Your sisters will be in town. Everyone will be together!"
"I know. We can celebrate Christmas early. It's not the day, it's the occaision."
After many tears on both sides, Mom accepts it, "Ok. But you're out of the will!"

That's how I was expecting it to go, anyway. Instead, the dinnertime conversation:

"Mom, I think the best time for me to go to Tanzania will be at Christmas for 3 weeks."
"Ok," and she turns to talk to Grandma
"That means I won't be here for Christmas."
"Ok. I'll do whatever I'm supposed to do," she turns her attention to her parents. "Daddy, you've been on committees looking at applications. What can LDB do to strengthen her application for $5000 to go to Tanzania? I've looked it over twice and she hasn't gotten it twice. All I can tell is that the winners are sleeping with the committee members."

Few things:
-- Are you kidding me, Mom? At least ACT like you're going to miss me at Christmas!
-- You said WHAT to your father at dinner?
-- The chicken, rice, pineapple (pineapple?!?!) soup was really fish (fish!?!?!), rice and pineapple (pineapple?!?!) soup

So now Tanzania instead of Christmas. I'm totally ok with that.