broken patellas and more

Hola kids,

I am in the other hemisphere. I can't believe I have already been here a week.

Some highlights so far: (this will be brief, it's late and my dad's computer is from the stone age)

* You know you're in trouble when, on your 17 hour flight, you find yourself seated in close proximity to the man wearing the t-shirt that reads, "Beer. Sponsoring safe sex since 1802."

* I must be a bad penny or something. On my second day here, my parents and I went for Fish and Chips at a lovely seaside spot. On the way to the car, my mom tripped in the parking lot and broke her patella. She had surgery that night and spent some time in the hospital. She's fine now, but on crutches, not able to drive for 6 weeks and somewhat immobile. While this was a bit stressful the first few days, I am now quite used to my being in charge. My very active mother on the other hand, is going stir crazy. This is a woman who never sits still. Now she has to listen to everything I say, and eat my cooking. I say bad penny because last year when I was here, my sister-in-law twisted her ankle, and my niece fell and hit her head on the piano. Never a dull moment.

* Took my nieces and nephew to see Chicken Little yesterday (not good!). Luc, my nephew wanted to see Harry Potter. He's only 6, and in South Africa the age restriction for this one was 2-10. When I told him this, he looked up at me with his big brown eyes, and said, "Yes, I know that, but sometimes they lie!" I fell asleep during the movie, and at one point my niece Chloe woke me up and promptly told me to go back to sleep, because it was a scary part. I love my brother's kids.

Argh. There's more, but I'm tired and allergy ridden tonight. Also sporting a scratchy throat thanks to my long spell in the giant germ carrier in the sky.