First Weeks

A brand new day is like a fresh sheet of paper, clean and unspoilt. I tell myself that I may be psychic and have been trying to predict the outcome of the day based on any number of irrelevant facts. While lying in bed, I envision my outfit for the day. Black dress, purple grey scarf, and sandals.

Surely, if I actually manage to follow the plan,it is going to be a great day. If I can't even follow my own stupid directions clearly, it will lead to a lousy, bad day. For some reason I've come to realize that I'm quite naughty. Purposely, I'll reject the premonition thinking I can change the outcome of the day, by doing just the opposite of what my mind has come up with.Why would I want to reject my own premonition? Well let me tell you, secretly I suspect what I've envisioned is completely wrong and will lead me to a bad day. Who wants a bad day? That's when I pick the opposite route of my prediction. On a confident day, a day where I feel like following directions, I'll follow my premonition. Today is one of those days.

I've been playing this ridiculous game in my own head for a few years and realize that it is completely irrational, but I persist.

The first day of school - we all managed to get ourselves dressed and ready on time. The morning call to prayer was heard and sounds like a low hum. Its as though all the men in the world decided to sing a song in a low melodic voice at the same time. Its such a beautiful sound. That's what happens when you wake up at 4am. You have time to enjoy the morning hours.

I'm also happy to report that jet lag works in our favor with the 12 hour difference. Being late isn't a problem. I wake up 3 or 4am. The fact that it is decently hot maybe 85 or 90 and sunny also helps.Rilee has easily adjusted to the routine. She is difficult to wake. I've taken to jumping in her bed and saying good morning in her ear using a voice that is half muffled and imitates a muppet creature. She will usually wake smiling and laughing. I really wish that I had thought of this waking method before my youngest child turned 12.

Awake, alive and dressed the trip downstairs begins. I now make a conscience effort to have actual clothes on my body before going downstairs. Tanveer and Friek will be downstairs making breakfast and cleaning . I'm greeted with coffee, warm milk, sugar, toast, pancakes, cereal, and fruit. Taylor has already eaten.

I sit at the long, long table and eat my breakfast solo. It still does not feel quite right, kinda like a bad British film where everyone has a lot of help in their homes. Usually, I'm checking out McDonalds or eating an apple and trying to fly down Paseo Del Norte, so I'm not late for my own class. I tell myself to relax and consume a decent well prepared breakfast.

Huukumdad arrives for the driving lesson. I begin yelling at the girls as we sprint around the house at warp speed trying our best to have what we need for the day. Tanveer and Friek probaby think we are crazy. "Why oh why can't we put everything together in the evening so we don't have to rush? "

The trip to school begins. First of all, everytime I get in the car I go toward the drivers side, which is the passenger side. "Oh right." We manage to make it to our proper seats in the car. The driveway is long and narrow. Taylor points out that the guards have purposely placed their vehicles alongside the house because they know what a lousy driver I am. "Thanks for the vote of confidence!"

Cruising at 30mph on the left now. I tell myself to stay in the center of the road. To use my mirrors. That taking a left is the same as taking a right. That taking a right is like taking a left and making sure you go over to the furthest lane. Motorbikes pass all over the place. Try not to hit anyone. Be aggressive. Drive slow at intersections. No lights because the power could be disconnected. This is called load shedding.

The mountains are forest and jungle green. There is lush beauty everywhere. Lots of flowers in a beautiful suburb. There are beggars. There are trucks stacked with people. There are parks. There are street signs I try to remember and figure out. I'm developing a sense of familiarity and can recognize my neighborhood.

We make it to the school gate alive and well. I realize that today will be repeated over and over for the 200 days that comprise the school year. Its only the first day of the first week. Will my premonition come to pass? I've followed and done precisely what I'd planned. Perhaps, there are no good and bad days. Maybe I should just view it all as experience.