Well, it was a good weekend at the United Nations. We had lots of fun! Honorary Spain made an appearance and spent the night...just like old times, our Haiti representative joined us for all of Sunday, and we had dinner by a representative from Guatemala. Sound like a great weekend? ...Don't you wish you lived here!
Friday was pretty normal... It was the end of exam week and Korea, America believes, finished strong despite some questionable performances in the exam room. America thinks there was a bit of relief when Korea walked out of that last exam but was surprised to hear that the country had extra credit due!??? Well, apparently there is a borderline grade involved and assurance was needed to boost that little sucker up to a point of confidence. At any rate, Korea still celebrated the end of exams by spending the night out. Yay for Korea!!
Saturday, after Fiji did the normal volunteer work for food aid to the world's hungry, the host-member-nations went to see Spain compete in world sport competitions. Spain came home with the UN and stayed that night. Spain and Fiji went to see a movie, America tended to Korea after the country went to stir the economic pot at the mall with native allies. That night was spent at the UN Headquarters with all four member nations under one roof once again.
Sunday was simply an amazing day - or so America thought. The long lost Haitian representative made an appearance for the first time in a LONG time: America can hardly remember - it was a warm day (and not warm by January standards, real warm) and Korea had just become a new member of the UN when Haiti asked America to help move the geographic location back to an institution of higher learning. So...long time.
We participated in religious activities - went to church - and we were quite the collection: Fiji, America, Haiti, Korea, and Spain (that's what you get when you mix a Fijian and an American). After church, we had lunch, watched a movie, took a nap all before the UN returned to church and then had dinner hosted by Guatemala. It was delicious. The weekend was great!
Today America is thankful for the United Nations. Although they were originally built upon the principles of maintaining something like world peace or, at least, positive international relations in the post World War Two era, the United Nations has fill our lives (Fiji and America's) with abundance. But then again, I guess we really have to thank God for that!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
UN Update
Well, nothing too eventful has happened at the United Nations. This week is exam week and Korea has been busy studying and studying and studying some more. America could not imagine the exams going bad in any sort of way with this amount of studying.
Fiji has had some much deserved time off of work. With Christmas, New Years, and MLK's Birthday, it's a wonder that he even knows what a full week of work is like. It's good though, as long as there are students that are somewhat interested then he will be more than happy to teach them.
America has been busy, to say the least. New clients keep her on her toes, right along with clients that are near the end of their time in counseling. America seems to not have sit down and relax for quite some time as there is always something to do: workouts, paperwork, clients, and little odd and end things.
Honorary Spain has been doing good, managing to pass the time without the excitement of his native land. Exam week has brought quite a different schedule and as a result, the hide nor hair has been seen of the Honorary Nation. He will be showing his head later this weekend, after exams are over. It will be nice to be a headquarters of four again, it will be the first time for Spain to spend the night since the resignation of the nation. America is looking forward to it but probably has to do some grocery shopping first!
America is thankful for Canada...there always seems to be peace in Canada.
Fiji has had some much deserved time off of work. With Christmas, New Years, and MLK's Birthday, it's a wonder that he even knows what a full week of work is like. It's good though, as long as there are students that are somewhat interested then he will be more than happy to teach them.
America has been busy, to say the least. New clients keep her on her toes, right along with clients that are near the end of their time in counseling. America seems to not have sit down and relax for quite some time as there is always something to do: workouts, paperwork, clients, and little odd and end things.
Honorary Spain has been doing good, managing to pass the time without the excitement of his native land. Exam week has brought quite a different schedule and as a result, the hide nor hair has been seen of the Honorary Nation. He will be showing his head later this weekend, after exams are over. It will be nice to be a headquarters of four again, it will be the first time for Spain to spend the night since the resignation of the nation. America is looking forward to it but probably has to do some grocery shopping first!
America is thankful for Canada...there always seems to be peace in Canada.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
It's 3AM
Here at the United Nations it is 3:20 AM. In Korea-land it is 4:20 PM. In Spain-land it is 9:20 AM. Eh...at least we're all in the same day and if America worked 3rd shifts still, it would also be a reasonable time for all the nations!
Something struck America the other day: at 7:20AM, when the United Nations Mobile leaves Headquarters there is no traffic going into school...we don't even need the 'Stop-Guy' (Korea's name for the Crossing Guard who safely escorts students across the street to school) to hold up traffic so the UN can dart across two lanes of busy traffic!
That is so odd! I remember a blog post in which the UN-Mobile ("Oh My Word" November 3, 2011) left early and the world about stopped, right in front of the school and the UN sat there, starring at the goal waiting until the sea of lights parted (looking back on it now, America thinks that the Stop-Guy was the only thing that allowed safe passage) before attempting the dangerous feet of moving 24 feet (8 meters).
How could such a thing happen? In the grand scheme of life, nothing really had changed: one nation in the car instead of two, just barely minutes before the the previous trip, and yet everything had changed! There is not even a hint of the impending traffic jam brewing.
It has been cold here. Spain, America thinks, had given up on the fact that it was cold. Ever since the funeral when the definition of cold was felt (and it has been colder since, once or twice) Spain has not worried so much about the temperature. Even to the point where the cold weather gear (hats and gloves) were still at the United Nations, lonely and awaiting some sort of warmth in their lives! Oh well, even though America cares a lot about Spain's welfare, the fact that Spain has changed it's geographical location just means that America has to draw a healthy UN boundary and allow this to slide (oh my goodness! has America just stepped aside where it could have imposed it's way!? What is the world coming to???). Spain received (finally) the "parting blessing" after leaving the UN. ..It was exactly one month late.
Well, 3:31AM has arrived and there is a slight bit of tiredness befalling America. The alarm goes off and the day stats in exactly 1 hour and 14 minutes. Thankfully there is time for America to take a breather during the day to regroup!
Something struck America the other day: at 7:20AM, when the United Nations Mobile leaves Headquarters there is no traffic going into school...we don't even need the 'Stop-Guy' (Korea's name for the Crossing Guard who safely escorts students across the street to school) to hold up traffic so the UN can dart across two lanes of busy traffic!
That is so odd! I remember a blog post in which the UN-Mobile ("Oh My Word" November 3, 2011) left early and the world about stopped, right in front of the school and the UN sat there, starring at the goal waiting until the sea of lights parted (looking back on it now, America thinks that the Stop-Guy was the only thing that allowed safe passage) before attempting the dangerous feet of moving 24 feet (8 meters).
How could such a thing happen? In the grand scheme of life, nothing really had changed: one nation in the car instead of two, just barely minutes before the the previous trip, and yet everything had changed! There is not even a hint of the impending traffic jam brewing.
It has been cold here. Spain, America thinks, had given up on the fact that it was cold. Ever since the funeral when the definition of cold was felt (and it has been colder since, once or twice) Spain has not worried so much about the temperature. Even to the point where the cold weather gear (hats and gloves) were still at the United Nations, lonely and awaiting some sort of warmth in their lives! Oh well, even though America cares a lot about Spain's welfare, the fact that Spain has changed it's geographical location just means that America has to draw a healthy UN boundary and allow this to slide (oh my goodness! has America just stepped aside where it could have imposed it's way!? What is the world coming to???). Spain received (finally) the "parting blessing" after leaving the UN. ..It was exactly one month late.
Well, 3:31AM has arrived and there is a slight bit of tiredness befalling America. The alarm goes off and the day stats in exactly 1 hour and 14 minutes. Thankfully there is time for America to take a breather during the day to regroup!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's at the United Nations
Sorry that last blog was forever long. This one will not be that long.
But Happy New Year!! I'm sure the world will not end. For those America knows in countries 13 to 17 hours ahead, the word is that the world has not ended. America will definitely keep you posted though on all things earth-shattering.
America would like to inform you that Korea is 14, 15, and celebrating her 16th birthday today. Had America known that Korea was turning 16 today, there would definitely be cake involved in the NYE celebration but this was all cleared up less than two hours before the 2012 graced us with it's presence. Korea also said it was okay not to celebrate her 16th birthday today but instead to celebrate her 15th and 16th birthday in April. Wow. America now thinks she should have been Korea because then she'd get two birthdays per year and be twice as old and twice as wise! (Just think of the brilliance!!).
Fireworks, the ball drop in GR, and all other festivities were had. Honorary Spain is...somewhere. Hopefully not sleeping on a street somewhere.
America is thankful for Fiji, it rang in the new year first and it has been great so far! (okay, it's 12:07, I do realize that).
But Happy New Year!! I'm sure the world will not end. For those America knows in countries 13 to 17 hours ahead, the word is that the world has not ended. America will definitely keep you posted though on all things earth-shattering.
America would like to inform you that Korea is 14, 15, and celebrating her 16th birthday today. Had America known that Korea was turning 16 today, there would definitely be cake involved in the NYE celebration but this was all cleared up less than two hours before the 2012 graced us with it's presence. Korea also said it was okay not to celebrate her 16th birthday today but instead to celebrate her 15th and 16th birthday in April. Wow. America now thinks she should have been Korea because then she'd get two birthdays per year and be twice as old and twice as wise! (Just think of the brilliance!!).
Fireworks, the ball drop in GR, and all other festivities were had. Honorary Spain is...somewhere. Hopefully not sleeping on a street somewhere.
America is thankful for Fiji, it rang in the new year first and it has been great so far! (okay, it's 12:07, I do realize that).
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Christmas at the UN.
Yes, we rounded another milestone in the UN. Now, knowing that this could be a difficult point in the member nations membership journey, America has been carefully planning just how each detail, party, and morsel would work together to make this occasion memorable, fantastic, and absolutely the best that it could be: bumps, bruises, and grief included!
Korea informed Fiji and America that other members would be temporarily joining the UN Dec 22-23 and Dec 27-28. America didn't think much of it other than the fact that she thought it would be a fantastic idea and a fantastic way to keep Korea occupied during the long days of the Untied Nations Christmas recess (hopefully a recess free of political sanctions and nothing but joyous celebration and relaxation! ...after all, isn't that what all political figures do this time of year?). The rest of the Schedule included Holiday celebrations (traditional American) on Dec 24, 26 and 31, and cultural bonding time with America's countrymen on Dec 25. Phew! That only leaves Dec 29, 30, and January 1 and 2 that had nothing planned. So America thought a good idea would be movie and skating on Dec 30 and nothing but relaxation to fill January 1 and 2 before school stared for UN member nation(s) on January 3. Thankfully the Honorary Spain had Wrestling practice to keep him occupied (although, since Spain has changed office space and political allies, it is no longer the job of this UN to worry about how to occupy 14 days of recess).
In preparation for this monuments occasion, it had been asked several times by America as to how this time of year was celebrated by both of the visiting member nations. Again (and as to be expected at this point) the answers received were as different as black is from white. One celebrates with small, quiet, sometimes non-existent celebrations of minimal break in the days. The other celebrates for three weeks. One will sometimes put a tree up, sometimes exchange gifts, sometimes... . The other celebrates with a massive parade through town where everyone comes out to celebrate with revelry! Going into this season, one was going to be severely disappointed and the other was not going to understand what was going on (you are left to pick who is who!). Neither has a white Christmas...and that was about the only thing that remained the same for the UN!
So here is how it went: The first set of members who joined the UN on Korea's behalf were her fellow country men. Oh man! America forgot how loud teenage girls can be! They were loud and full of laughter and energy. But they also cooked and cleaned up the kitchen all by themselves and never woke up America or Fiji. So it was a good trade off.
Honorary Spain skipped town and left the UN high-and-dry without Flamingo dancers on the Christmas Party on Dec 24. America was a bit frustrated by this fact because this was where the most chaos to be had. (Hello...35 people in a house that was built for 20, wrapping paper, and brand new set of means to celebrate the holiday, how much fun could that be??? besides the fact that America was pretty sure she knew what the member nations were going to get in those delectable wrapped boxes!). In the end, the three remaining member nations had a great time. Tons of food (as always) and the hot games this year were Anomia and Blokus.
The following day was spent with Fiji, America, and Korea spending the afternoon at America's mother/father-land. Again, playing Blokus (as every good strategy was thought to be had and now all that was needed was to perfect each move...or so some thought). Lunch consisted of make-it-your-own baked potato and salad. America's grandma was there. And yes, grandpa's presence was an obvious adjustment as he is dearly missed. Loloma.
Dec 26 rolled around, Spain made his appearance and in good fashion of America's tradition, there was monkey bread, fondue, wine, presents, and stockings! The greatest of all: the joy of celebrating the holiday, celebrating Christmas and the greatest gift of all, with family: member nations and honorary member nations in toe! One thing America has cherished over the years, are the people from afar that have come near to celebrate the goodness of this home (sound familiar??). America and the family have now entertained people from three countries and several states! Anyway, as in year's past there has always been a quote or two that gets repeated: "It's Lilac!" or "It's a CD!" and this year it was, "It's a box!" The hot gift: smart wool socks, particularly for the honorary Spain who wore thin, super light weight sock to the grave site where it was 28F and snowing. No more cold feet for him!
Sigh! December 26 came and went with a great amount of fun and spent energy and all America could think when she got home was, "Oh man, here we go again tomorrow!" as Korea had her allies (American) over. They were not quite as loud as the Korean allies and they didn't stay as long on the following day. Even though America was exhausted by the time they came, in the end it was fine because America didn't have to worry about how board Korea would be if they had not come at all.
All and all, it was a great recess, a much needed break from the school routine, and I think everyone will go into next week ready for the challenges that lie ahead. It was good -
Today America is thankful for Korea. Korea informed host America that Korea hated America. It was only due to the fact that America had blocked Korea in Blokus. America is also thankful because Korea is so super expressive! Korea has the greatest looks that send the message of disgust!
Korea informed Fiji and America that other members would be temporarily joining the UN Dec 22-23 and Dec 27-28. America didn't think much of it other than the fact that she thought it would be a fantastic idea and a fantastic way to keep Korea occupied during the long days of the Untied Nations Christmas recess (hopefully a recess free of political sanctions and nothing but joyous celebration and relaxation! ...after all, isn't that what all political figures do this time of year?). The rest of the Schedule included Holiday celebrations (traditional American) on Dec 24, 26 and 31, and cultural bonding time with America's countrymen on Dec 25. Phew! That only leaves Dec 29, 30, and January 1 and 2 that had nothing planned. So America thought a good idea would be movie and skating on Dec 30 and nothing but relaxation to fill January 1 and 2 before school stared for UN member nation(s) on January 3. Thankfully the Honorary Spain had Wrestling practice to keep him occupied (although, since Spain has changed office space and political allies, it is no longer the job of this UN to worry about how to occupy 14 days of recess).
In preparation for this monuments occasion, it had been asked several times by America as to how this time of year was celebrated by both of the visiting member nations. Again (and as to be expected at this point) the answers received were as different as black is from white. One celebrates with small, quiet, sometimes non-existent celebrations of minimal break in the days. The other celebrates for three weeks. One will sometimes put a tree up, sometimes exchange gifts, sometimes... . The other celebrates with a massive parade through town where everyone comes out to celebrate with revelry! Going into this season, one was going to be severely disappointed and the other was not going to understand what was going on (you are left to pick who is who!). Neither has a white Christmas...and that was about the only thing that remained the same for the UN!
So here is how it went: The first set of members who joined the UN on Korea's behalf were her fellow country men. Oh man! America forgot how loud teenage girls can be! They were loud and full of laughter and energy. But they also cooked and cleaned up the kitchen all by themselves and never woke up America or Fiji. So it was a good trade off.
Honorary Spain skipped town and left the UN high-and-dry without Flamingo dancers on the Christmas Party on Dec 24. America was a bit frustrated by this fact because this was where the most chaos to be had. (Hello...35 people in a house that was built for 20, wrapping paper, and brand new set of means to celebrate the holiday, how much fun could that be??? besides the fact that America was pretty sure she knew what the member nations were going to get in those delectable wrapped boxes!). In the end, the three remaining member nations had a great time. Tons of food (as always) and the hot games this year were Anomia and Blokus.
The following day was spent with Fiji, America, and Korea spending the afternoon at America's mother/father-land. Again, playing Blokus (as every good strategy was thought to be had and now all that was needed was to perfect each move...or so some thought). Lunch consisted of make-it-your-own baked potato and salad. America's grandma was there. And yes, grandpa's presence was an obvious adjustment as he is dearly missed. Loloma.
Dec 26 rolled around, Spain made his appearance and in good fashion of America's tradition, there was monkey bread, fondue, wine, presents, and stockings! The greatest of all: the joy of celebrating the holiday, celebrating Christmas and the greatest gift of all, with family: member nations and honorary member nations in toe! One thing America has cherished over the years, are the people from afar that have come near to celebrate the goodness of this home (sound familiar??). America and the family have now entertained people from three countries and several states! Anyway, as in year's past there has always been a quote or two that gets repeated: "It's Lilac!" or "It's a CD!" and this year it was, "It's a box!" The hot gift: smart wool socks, particularly for the honorary Spain who wore thin, super light weight sock to the grave site where it was 28F and snowing. No more cold feet for him!
Sigh! December 26 came and went with a great amount of fun and spent energy and all America could think when she got home was, "Oh man, here we go again tomorrow!" as Korea had her allies (American) over. They were not quite as loud as the Korean allies and they didn't stay as long on the following day. Even though America was exhausted by the time they came, in the end it was fine because America didn't have to worry about how board Korea would be if they had not come at all.
All and all, it was a great recess, a much needed break from the school routine, and I think everyone will go into next week ready for the challenges that lie ahead. It was good -
Today America is thankful for Korea. Korea informed host America that Korea hated America. It was only due to the fact that America had blocked Korea in Blokus. America is also thankful because Korea is so super expressive! Korea has the greatest looks that send the message of disgust!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Korea Has Met America
There are just a few things about America that makes life ever-so-enjoyable for America to live her own life (if that makes any sense): sarcasm and cracking a joke at just the right time... The right time being at that crucial moment of tension that relieves the stress that has built up for one reason or another. Korea has caught on!
It took Korea quite a while to break out of the shell she came into the UN with. And immediately noticing this quiet facade, America slowly broke out her own personality as not to overwhelm Korea with it all at once. Korea is quick on the draw (America also noticed this right away)...Korea catches everything that goes on around her and follows/mimics the behavior.
And now, Korea has met America. For instance:
At church one Sunday, while greeting those coming into church: Korea was standing next to America when Fiji finally walked up to the two of them. Korea took one step to the right so Fiji could stand next to his wife, America. Noticing that Korea stepped away from America, America says, "Don't you like me no 'more?"
Korea, without missing a beat says, "Nope."
America replies with, "That's okay, I didn't like you anyway."
Korea: "Good cause I don't like you either."
At the burial - which, as America has mentioned in a previous post was cold - Korea walks up to the gravesite and turns toward America and huddles up to the rent-a-motherland and shivers in the chilly air. America wraps her arms around rent-a-nation and they huddle together for warmth. By the end, it was clear to both Korea and America that if grandpa was going to die the day before his birthday, he should have picked July to be born.
Korea joined Honorary Spain, Spain's new member organization, and America to a movie. So overjoyed...she voluntarily went to see the spectacle of world travel (Mission Impossible 4...views of Russia, Dubai, India, America, Czech Republic, and a few others).
So America has been so very impressed with Korea as a member nation, has fully enjoyed getting to know Korea in new ways, and is starting to look forward to all the time together as the world pauses to celebrate Christmas and New Year!
It took Korea quite a while to break out of the shell she came into the UN with. And immediately noticing this quiet facade, America slowly broke out her own personality as not to overwhelm Korea with it all at once. Korea is quick on the draw (America also noticed this right away)...Korea catches everything that goes on around her and follows/mimics the behavior.
And now, Korea has met America. For instance:
At church one Sunday, while greeting those coming into church: Korea was standing next to America when Fiji finally walked up to the two of them. Korea took one step to the right so Fiji could stand next to his wife, America. Noticing that Korea stepped away from America, America says, "Don't you like me no 'more?"
Korea, without missing a beat says, "Nope."
America replies with, "That's okay, I didn't like you anyway."
Korea: "Good cause I don't like you either."
At the burial - which, as America has mentioned in a previous post was cold - Korea walks up to the gravesite and turns toward America and huddles up to the rent-a-motherland and shivers in the chilly air. America wraps her arms around rent-a-nation and they huddle together for warmth. By the end, it was clear to both Korea and America that if grandpa was going to die the day before his birthday, he should have picked July to be born.
Korea joined Honorary Spain, Spain's new member organization, and America to a movie. So overjoyed...she voluntarily went to see the spectacle of world travel (Mission Impossible 4...views of Russia, Dubai, India, America, Czech Republic, and a few others).
So America has been so very impressed with Korea as a member nation, has fully enjoyed getting to know Korea in new ways, and is starting to look forward to all the time together as the world pauses to celebrate Christmas and New Year!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Funeral
The funeral was beautiful and just as grandpa would have wanted it: full of hymns.
America neither had never been to a funeral in her own church or a burial at all so this was a first experience for her too. Both Korea and Spain were there with Fiji and America for the experience. It was good for the four of the United Nations to be together for the occasion.
For months Spain kept asking the same question: Is it cold yet? And for months America said no simply because 40 or 50 degrees is hardly cold to the bitter wind and freezing temperatures that rock the body during late January to early March...those that sink between 0 and 15F and wind chills that sink to that or lower. (They dare not be spoken of!!) Anyway, America hesitated but out of mercy says to Spain, "Yes, it's getting there." He turns to Korea with the same question and she quickly says "Yes!". Okay so Spain got a first touch of cold: Snowing at 28F in the middle of the afternoon, ice forming on the roads, and the family gathered at the gravesite. Spain has two winter jackets on. Fiji is in a fleece zip-up.
America does suppose it was cold. But when Spain got back in the car it was sure that the feet were frozen to the point of frostbite and needing to be removed. It was not THAT cold! Barely enough for frostbite, even in the light-weight footwear Spain was wearing. The UN was there for 20 minutes or so before we were back in the car - heat blaring - and on our way home again.
The snow-covered hill and grave was just as it would have been in the movies: gray skies, hole in the ground, people huddled around each other, and our breath shadows floating in the air until the temp had cooled it off. And there lies grandpa, one day next to grandma.
America neither had never been to a funeral in her own church or a burial at all so this was a first experience for her too. Both Korea and Spain were there with Fiji and America for the experience. It was good for the four of the United Nations to be together for the occasion.
For months Spain kept asking the same question: Is it cold yet? And for months America said no simply because 40 or 50 degrees is hardly cold to the bitter wind and freezing temperatures that rock the body during late January to early March...those that sink between 0 and 15F and wind chills that sink to that or lower. (They dare not be spoken of!!) Anyway, America hesitated but out of mercy says to Spain, "Yes, it's getting there." He turns to Korea with the same question and she quickly says "Yes!". Okay so Spain got a first touch of cold: Snowing at 28F in the middle of the afternoon, ice forming on the roads, and the family gathered at the gravesite. Spain has two winter jackets on. Fiji is in a fleece zip-up.
America does suppose it was cold. But when Spain got back in the car it was sure that the feet were frozen to the point of frostbite and needing to be removed. It was not THAT cold! Barely enough for frostbite, even in the light-weight footwear Spain was wearing. The UN was there for 20 minutes or so before we were back in the car - heat blaring - and on our way home again.
The snow-covered hill and grave was just as it would have been in the movies: gray skies, hole in the ground, people huddled around each other, and our breath shadows floating in the air until the temp had cooled it off. And there lies grandpa, one day next to grandma.
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