Vic Bri n Liv

Alternate Realities: Visiting New York and returning to

Honduras

hello and good bye!

We are now TRYING to get back to our temporary home in Honduras, but we are delayed in San Pedro Sula for two hours (a story I will tell in more detail later), and so as Olivia naps on the sofa of the Dr. Office looking “first class” waiting room at Grand Central bus terminal in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, I am working on updating my blog- which will take a very long time since last time I wrote we were visiting Chiminikie.

Leaving Honduras was difficult. Chris drove us to the bus terminal to catch our luxury bus ride to San Pedro Sula, but because of THE WORST traffic I’ve ever seen, which included goats, broken down motor cycles, and fruit trucks…we missed our bus by 5 minutes. We had to wait 6 hours at the bus terminal for the next bus ride. Why are we not leaving for JFK NY from Teguciculpa? Because leaving from San Pedro Sula, which is 4 hours away, is half the price, and on our budget, we need to save money. SO now we are waiting for the next bus, and it is hot! We are lucky to meet a guy named Oscar, who fell in love with Olivia. He sat with us, shared his life story, and made the time go by in good company. He was born in Honduras, but moved to and lived in Brooklyn until he got deported back to Honduras, and now he lives back here. We say goodbye to Oscar, are blessed to actually pray together, and head out in our super luxury bus.

Once we arrive in JFK, my sister Angela is waiting for us. She greets us with big hugs, and we pile into the car just in time to get out of the chilly night air.

When Brian and I arrived in Long Island, Tom, my step-dad, asked us if it were good to be back to real life. Real life? Hmmm. This is a concept that Brian and I often visit. What is “real life”?

Is it having a job, a house, a family, a dog, holidays, vacations, bills, plans…or is it house sharing, suit case living, travel, group dinners…

I’ve come to the conclusion that “real life” is all of the above. Real life is the life that you are living, with passion, dreams, nightmares, and touch downs included; all of life’s daily needs plus the spice of taking chances and being obedient to your calling.

After saying our hello’s to my family, we went off to bed for a nap, because it was about 5am, and we would wake for breakfast around 10.

bath with Tita Angela

Tito Franklin, Lilly, Daddy, and Livi

Mom, sister Angela, Liv, Me

We began our visit in Long Island- getting ready for my sister Leslie’s big party.

Sister Leslie and Franklin

Leslie, who is my middle sister, was married last year but never had the big party. Her and hubby Franklin bought a condo in Boca Florida, and by surprise, got pregnant this year. She is due November 17^th, and so we had a big party in celebration of both her marriage and baby. It was such a beautiful party, a perfect day, and we all had a blast! I am so proud of her and Franklin (also known as Tito Babe) and can not wait to meet their baby boy!! Leslie’s Party-

We arrive at Leslie’s party about an hour late. Like movie stars (which in LA we technically are because we were in that film short Sons of God. Google it!) Everyone lies up to hold dear precious Olivia. She is so social, and is happy to meet all the Italian family. It is funny how she looks Italian with us, and Philippi no in CA!

Best Men- Tom, Franklin, and Bri

Angela, Dad. Me. Melissa

Aunt Lisa and I

Baby Anna and Livi

hot Mamas!

Mom and Tom

The next day we ALL head to the beach and have a memorial for Grandpa Sam, and let his ashes go in the sea. It was really an amazing day, and everyone who spoke had something beautiful to say…”I learned so much from Dad, look what two people have created, they would have wanted us to all to be together, Grandpa taught me to be active, and to work hard…” I think I have gone numb at the topic by now, but letting go is still something that is difficult, and I hope to be able to say that I have let go of Grandpa and Grandma.

My sister Angela left that night, and it was sad to think that I will most likely not be at her graduation. It is so hard to be far away from my sisters. They are like a piece of me in many ways.

Toasting to Grandpa Sam

My Grandfather on my Mother’s side (remember Grandpa Sam from my play???) died just last month, and so we also had a memorial service celebration for him as well. This means that ALL the family on my Mom’s side (the Armando’s) visited for the events. The memorial was really beautiful and everyone had something lovely to say.

Cousin Nik and Liv

Aunt Leslies, my Mom’s older sister, and her crew all came in from Texas, Aunt Lisa, Mom’s younger sister, came from Purchase NY, and Uncle Ed, Mom’s older brother came in from Florida. Along with more cousins from all over, and some of my Dad’s family too.

Cousins and Aunties

Koske girls

I can say it was challenging answering the many questions as to why are we in

Honduras

? How is Olivia doing with the transition? How long will we stay? Has Brian found or is he looking for work? What is the reason we are in Honduras? Is it safe? Wait—why are we in Honduras???? Well, I think I had my response down pretty well and had to really soul search during the time of questions. I listened o what other family members are doing…working a dream job, working a nightmare job, having more babies, getting dogs, moving to new places, visiting friends…are we not all truly in search of the same thing? Happiness. To be content. To have purpose. To have real relationships? We are just doing it in Honduras because that happens to be the door that God has opened for us (though at times I do argue with Him and ask for the key to a door somewhere else, like Santa Monica. Ohhhh sweet LA!)

Westchester

After our Friday, Saturday, Sunday visits in Long Island, we head to Aunt Lisa’s house in Purchase NY for a Monday visit (why? Because we just cant get enough of each other).

Aunt Lisa and Livi

Jer and John

Long Island wineries

Tuesday, we enjoy rest and rain. Sleeping in, making pancakes, and watching movies. I can’t remember what we did on Wednesday I went to visit my good friend Francine who just had her first beautiful baby Natalie. Thursday and Friday are a blur. Saturday we went wine tasting with my sister, Franklin, Tom, and Mom. I never really appreciated how beautiful Long Island wine country is until I moved away from Long Island, and grew up. There are farm stands that look like water color paintings, and landscapes of corn fields, pumpkin patches, and vineyards. We spent part of the day at a vineyard that had an airstream show, live music, petting farm, and Bbq! That was great! And then we went to Pindor for more live music and great wine.

Sunday Leslie and Franklin left and it was sad to think that I will not be there for the birth of Leslie’s little baby boy (yes! It’s a boy!).

New York City

To cheer me up, we were of to visit New York City! NYC is like a person. One that you can love deeply and hate desperately at the same time. Last time I was in NYC, I was preggers with Olivia. This time, she is along with us! We take the train from Speonk LIRR, and it is 8:15am. The air is crisp, and the wave of LI commuters take seat in the double-decker train. Its Olivia’s first time on a train! We arrive in NYC around 10am, and head for the subway. I can tell that the subway always gets Brian excited. He is great at getting around NYC, and remembers routes to get everywhere as quickly as possible. Some of our favorite places to visit when in NYC are: The West Village, Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Union Square, Ground Zero, and our friends! Eats include Yuma Sushi, Gray’s Papaya, Ray’s Pizza, Ollie’s Noodles, and the Village Den all of which we visited this trip. Jennie welcomed us to stay in her apartment, and both Naomi and Brando met up with us to say hello. We do wish we had time to see everyone!! It was difficult to leave NYC, but with a huge stroller going up and down the subway stair way, I can say it was nice to be back in the burbs to re-coop. Its fast pace and high energy- a city I love and hate- NYC will always be a place I go back to, and feel right at home.

Central Park

Honduras pickets in NYC!

September, 12th, 2009
Getting rest afterTaxi rides, Homita, and Hives

Getting rest after busy weeks, early mornings, and long nights has been a priority and enjoyment for us. Last week, the guys were working long hours interviewing, and managing the needs to set up the factory for Tegu. With the launch of the website, and beginning of sales, it seemed they were always working. When the weekend came, Brian and I decided to venture out on our own, and explore a bit of downtown. We took a taxi ride, which was only 3 dollars (US), and said our prayers as the shocks in the taxi cab were shot; we bounced so hard that it felt like our bums were dragging along the road. Olivia loves riding without a car seat, and looks out the windows as I hold onto her for dear life, my knuckles whitening in stress. The taxi driver follows another driver who cut him off, yelling and then looking back at us for approval while he sips his water from a plastic bag. Finally we are downtown, and it is a good time walking through the streets, ducking into shops, and people watching. We didn’t take photos because we were being conservative, and not wanting to be robbed. We ended up getting a ride home from our friends who live downtown, and we just beat the down poor of rain. When we were back home, we plugged in our 5 inch Homita DVD player and laughed that this is our family entertainment systems. Watching old DVD’s that bring comfort, I nursed Olivia and Brian noticed hives about her legs and arms and face. For the next few days I would watch what she ate and try to figure what was causing the hives. After a few days I realized Olivia was reacting to nursing because I now had hormones and estrogen in my milk again for the first time in 19 months. The hives are gone, and with some rest, Olivia also beat the cold that she had.

As we all nap together as a family, I listen to the sounds that are now familiar; soccer games with fans cheering and whistles calling out goals, fruit falling from the trees above and landing on the roof and ground, rain tapping at the windows, dogs barking, cars honking outside people’s doors, the watchman’s whistle, and birds singing, doors squeaking open and closed, water flowing through pipes…these sounds are now a comfort because they have become a familiar tell of time.

Amazing Olivia!
September 13th, 2009

Olivia is so amazing, and I am always struck with how she is learning about her world. Her favorite things to do right now are play with new friends- she is so friendly, making it easy for us to make friends as well, and gapping the language barrier for us all. Any baby she meets, she reaches for and laughs at. At the Via Linda Miller community, she is making friends with a little boy who is MR. He laughs and grabs back for her.

At home, Olivia’s play includes her burppie cloth, which she puts up to our face for us to play with it too. She loves reading, and there are several books that she puts in my lap and yells for me to read as she point to the pictures. She stands up and reaches for things, mainly anything electronic, or dangerous. She is always trying to get what she is not allowed to have. She loves to feed me, amazed by my teeth, and points to things saying “this, that”. Magnets are fascinating to her, and she tries to stick them onto different surfaces. She loves her toys that sing, and bumps up and down trying to dance and mimic the tune. Bath time is a joy, as she pours water and pops bubbles. Olivia knows what she likes and dislikes, communicates with body language and sounds, and can sign “all done, more, and milk”. Here are some shots of her being amazing!

September 13th weekend CHIMINIKE children's Museum and interactive Center
Celebrating the day of NINOS - Children's day!!

Brian surprised us this weekend by taking us to a children’s interactive Museum center. These photos tell how incredible the place was! Most of the activities would not fly in the US because of safety standards, but here, it’s the creativity and freedom to still explore and run wild with such fun activities at hand. The views from inside and around the building were beautiful, and there were so many children and families! This weekend was the celebration of Children weekend! Day of NINOS. People really love and celebrate children in Honduras. They are one of lifes most important blessings. So many people were out with their children celebrating. We had a great time, and Olivia fell to sleep after the excitement