How we spent Easter weekend

A few weeks ago was Easter - been meaning to post some pictures and stories about it.

What's the holiday without an egg hunt? So, we had two for the kids.

One was an organized event, where friends had an afternoon party. With 10 or so eggs from each family, a nearby park turned into fertile egg and chocolate fields. The Easter bunny came for a visit and escorted the kids to the park and - well, it was crazy watching 10-12 kids light up in a treat-finding frenzy.

The second hunt we had at home the next morning. Ella woke up to find some evidence that the Easter bunny finally found our place. (The chewed up carrots on the floor gave it away)

The weekend was also our first really sunny weather here, so we visited a castle and park in a suburb of Prague (Pruhonice). Had our first picnic of the year, Ella and Mattias did plenty of exploring bugs, picking up sticks, walking on trail and grass -the usual cool stuff.

We also strolled through Letna Park, where Mattias played with someone (much) smaller than he is. No, we didn't get a dog, but oh so tempted after that shot.

That's all for now. We're off to Greece for a week to visit friends who used to live here. See you in a week!

More News on the Postal Front: Help Wanted!

Hi All. After hearing of still more packages not arriving, I have decided to approach the director of our local post office. I'm not sure if it will help, but I don't think it can hurt. I would like to go prepared. So, if you could please take some time to think back over the past year and a half and send me a note listing any packages that you sent that you don't believe we received. If you know an approximate date they were sent (month/year) and an approximate value of the contents, that would be great. I intend to make a chronological list of the packages to show the director to help me state my case. At our previous post office, only 3 packages didn't make it to us, as far as I know. Two of these were returned to sender while we were in Egypt. One, we believe, got mixed up due to our move. So I think we have a decent case that something is going on at this particular post office.

Thanks in advance for your help. You can send me the info by commenting on the blog or via email.

Maylia

PS Coming soon on the blog: Easter Weekend

Obama's Speech

So, The Man was in town today to speak to the city. And I had decided to attend it, thanks to two people - my father who urged me to go. And to Maylia who allowed me to leave, despite the fact Ella and her friend Sasha had a sleep-over, leaving Maylia alone with not 2, but 3 kids. Thank you again, honey!

The local news said security gates would open at 7am and it was advised to come early. So, I planned to get to the gates by 6am, which made my day start at 5am. (The Man's speech started after the scheduled 10:30am)

After shower, breakfast, coffee, I was out by 5:30 and walked over to the castle.

Normally from our place, we walk to the castle through the gardens, but that entrance was closed off. Instead I walked down to Malo Strana and up Nerudova street. I was not alone. There were police in every crack and crevice of the district, like ants on sugar.

I knew I wasn't the first to get there, but I was surprised to see there were already a few hundred people waiting before me. Some folks were really excited.

So, me and 300 of my closest friends waited until security process happened closer to 7:30. The list of no-no items included bombs, banners, and meat cleavers.

Finally, we wait until Obama came out to speak.

The speakers played rock music and large screens showed Obama and his wife being greeted by Czech President Klaus. The crowd went wild.

Obama's speech started with a few minutes of how closely tied Prague and Chicago were and how much both cities meant to him. He dedicated a few minutes more to history of Czech Republic. Obama's main theme was definitely nuclear non-proliferation. He made a couple statements to the effect of "And I'm declaring today, here in Prague, ..." or along those lines that would remind an older generation of Kennedy declaring we're going to the moon. He even threw in a couple of his taglines "Yes, we can."

In short, Obama spoke appealingly to the crowd/Czechs/Europe and with a focused agenda on securing nuclear weapons. After 15-20 minutes, it was "Thank you," and the crowd again went wild while he started to shake hands.

I'm not convinced it was entirely worthwhile being shoulder to shoulder for 3 hours for that brief a speech. But catching glimpses of Obama at a podium maybe two hundred meters away was a cool experience.

I had also planned to attend an anti-radar demonstration later in the afternoon, but the selfish father in me decided to go to the zoo with family and friends instead.

So What HAVE We Been Up To?

Looking back it seems we haven't written much about our goings-on since our trip to Paris well over a month ago! Sorry about that...sometimes life gets in the way of keeping up a blog about life. heh heh

So, starting from our current position and moving backwards:

Ella is healthy and happy and seems to be enjoying skolka. She is "really learning not to hit Mattias" and "really trying to listen to Mommy." (Ella's words)

She has a new hairstyle. While in a "time-out" for both hitting Mattias and not listening to Mommy, she managed to cut her bangs! (Or her fringe, if you're a Brit/Aussie.) Luckily she did a pretty good job and I (Mommy) just had to even them out for her. It looks pretty cute, but we're trying not to tell her that too much as we don't want to condone cutting her own hair....particularly while in a "time-out"!

I ran the Prague Half-Marathon on Saturday. It's the first race I've run as a momma. I ran it with a fellow momma friend...actually, I knew 6 moms running, including myself, and we all finished between 2:00 and 2:15. Very proud of us! (I was 2:05.) I managed to do this thanks to lots of support from Jeff and friends. Thank you! Jeff and the kids saw me in the last 500m, which was great - just the boost I needed to get across the finish line!

After the race, a few of us went out to celebrate at a child-friendly restaurant. There we realized that Mattias had a high fever. The fever continued until Tuesday morning (as high as 40.5C/105F!) when he developed a rash over his body. This has resulted in the self-diagnosis of roseola or sixth disease. It's just a virus. Now that he is done with the fever part and moved on to the rash part, he's a lot happier and we're finally getting some sleep. Funny thing! Jeff took him to the doctor Monday (before the rash developed) and the doctor said it was just his teeth!

The reason that Jeff took him to the doctor and not I, is that although my legs seem to be fine after the big race, my neck/shoulder/back has seized up on me. I think it was tense from the race and then with Mattias sick, I've had to hold him lots. Went for a massage last night and hoping it will start feeling better tomorrow.

I've also been holding Mattias more than usual because he slipped on some water after our party (see next paragraph) and hurt his ankle. Nothing broken but he couldn't walk for a week. Then as he was finally getting around alright, he slipped and hurt it again. He's had a bit of a rough time of it! But he remains overall a very happy little man...he loves saying "hi!" to people, blowing kisses, making fart noises, and laughing at Ella's antics.

We hosted our 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Potluck on Sunday, March 15.
A total of about 35 people came, but not all at the same time. It was a real international event! It was lots of fun, if a little chaotic. Prizes were given for best main course and best dessert. And we also had a raffle for those wearing green with one child winner and one adult winner. The biggest hit amongst the kiddies was definitely Jeff, the temp tattoo artist!

A way back in February, we also celebrated Masopust.
This is like Carnivale...a frolicking good time before everyone has to behave during lent. Even though the Czechs are not a very religious bunch, they see no reason not to enjoy the "frolicking good time". We visited Jeff's co-worker friend, Franta, and his family, in the little village of Berunice. It felt good to get out of the city - saw tons of rabbits and deer during our train ride to their village. The celebration consisted of villagers wearing costumes and making their own parade complete with brass band and a "paddy wagon".

The parade went through the village, stopping frequently as it was required that we knock on the door of every villager! Those not in costume were thrown in the paddy wagon and had to do a shot...or they could come out of their house with a bottle and share shots with those in charge. It was a hoot! Ella absolutely loved it...when we had done half of the village and were moving to the other side, the rest of us were ready to head back to Franta's. But Ella was adamant that we must follow the parade! Really, words cannot adequately describe it.

Let's see...other news...we've been continuing to help out with the monthly storytellings. Jeff read at one to rave reviews! I'm starting to study Czech again this week. I'm going to try a classroom setting and see how it goes. Jeff's been busy at work - there's been some reorganizing going on. And he's also busy at home - spending time with the kids, helping me, and also dealing with taxes, working visas, and studying for his Czech driving license.

Hope this finds you all healthy and happy!

Maylia

(Ex-) Czech Government in the News Again

Besides Jeff's mom, we're not sure who might bother to follow Czech news. If you have since Jeff & Maylia arrived, headline items include the on-again, off-again of the US-Czech-Poland missile base, dropping of US visa requirements for Czechs, a few scandals (everyone's got 'em) and now, there is no government.

Last night there was a no-confidence vote by one of Parliament's minority parties to oust the majority party. It needed 101 votes (out of 200) to pass. And they got 101. According to Czech constitution, this requires the Prime Minister and his party's government to leave. And Prime Minister Topolanek has responded that he intends to follow the letter of the law.

There's an extra thorny part to this. The European Union presidency is rotated among the 27 member countries in 6-month shifts. Guess who is EU Prez this shift? Yes, the Czech Republic.
Being EU president carries a couple perks, like inviting other world leaders over for lunch (like, Barack Obama, who arrives next week).
Because Czech Republic holds EU presidency, the no-confidence vote not only affects local credibility but causes a bit of embarrassment regionally. The adage "Can't lead others if you can't get your own house in order" comes to mind. Because of these special circumstances, the ousted are allowed to rule, lame duck style, until after the EU presidency shift ends in June.

To be fair, this no-confidence vote isn't entirely special. Over the past 2 years, this vote was the 5th time Topolanek's party has been asked to leave. Only for this fifth try, it worked. Now what?

Some US & Canada coverage:
Wall Street Journal
Macleans