Brothers
I returned from the Philippines without any photos, figuring that I did not really need to document a dog-mauling but my dad snapped a few pictures the day after we left the hospital.
Here we are, two brothers separated by 36 years but we have one thing in common. A father who brought three plastic skulls from the United States to Asia because they were on sale for only $14.95 at Costco.
Like most of his ideas, the skulls were rooted in a reasonable objective: He needs to get rid of the biting dog but wants his house to be protected. So he planned a solution that no one else would think up. He would appeal to his neighbor’s superstitions and mount the skulls on fence posts, reasoning that thieves would keep away from the house.
Upon further reflection, however, he realized that he would likely be blamed for any illness or misfortune in the village and they would probably burn his house down to get rid of the sorcery. Life in the Philippines.
Back in Singapore it was a whirlwind week, even for a stay-at-home dad. Citrus had her wu-shu class on Saturday and did a much better job this week leaping around the studio. I saw a friend from high school for the first time in 22 years and we tried to show her around town including a trip to the Night Safari, a zoo only open after sunset. (In Singapore the sun sets at 7:30 p.m. every day of the year, plus or minus 10 minutes.) I baked brownies last night for a bake sale, taught a financial workshop on base and tonight I go bowling with the military spouses. I think we are still ranked 14 out of 16. I am much better at baking than bowling.
On Thursday we are headed to California or perhaps Japan, depending on how far we can get on a military flight going Space-A (space available). With some luck we will get to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving and make it back before Christmas. I am in no rush but the Admiral would like to have her JAG come back.
In addition to having 16-hour jet lag, it looks as though we will freeze in the States. A sharp contrast to the weather here. I wore socks today for the fourth time in five months. I know, it’s easy to feel sorry for me.
I wore a dress shirt and tie today and Citrus was amused. I asked her if she remembered that I used to dress up every day for work but I think it is a blur. She remembers toys in my office, not ties. Still, she started to laugh and asked me “Are you wearing your uniform???” Military brat, plus she has to wear a uniform to preschool.
Most of our Christmas gifts have been dropped off at the fleet post office. Three Baumhackl brothers. I wonder who is getting a plastic skull from Santa this year.
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He’s a cutie! No visible scars in the picture.