Summer Afternoon at the Park

Carrie, Isaac, and Oklahoma Heat meet Hunter Park and sprinklers.

in the car on the way there


Isaac on the playground


Carrie handily operates the water-shooter


I couldn't get Isaac to stop drinking the water


soaking wet!




beautiful Oklahoma skies. But it sure is hot! We didn't last long in the intense sun...

things I hate

dentist. Whether it's a checkup or a root canal (which I've never had), I cannot stand it. Just sitting in the chair freaks me out.
surprises
saying goodbye
rodents
Kazakh bicyclists who dope and give their country a bad name
inconsistency
misspelled words, when people clearly could be using a spell checker. Also some colloquialisms that don't make sense. Such as "same difference" and "I could care less."

And as a bonus, something I was thinking about last night. I was watching Schindler's List with my mom, and eating ice cream. Suddenly I felt so bad for doing it. I mean, they are beating and killing Jews here, and I'm watching and eating! I'm such a terrible person. A few weeks ago I was watching World Trade Center with my parents, and they were eating ice cream (it's a family thing). I couldn't eat any. I cried the whole way through the movie. Maybe it's cause that was my first time watching that, and my second time watching Schindler's List. But my question is this: I don't see movies in theaters that often. When people go to see these serious films, do they really buy popcorn and drinks and consume them while watching these movies???

*edited after first comment: I was watching these movies at home. When I watch in the theater I don't buy anything.

oh brother

My youngest brother Isaac turned three last month. Two weeks ago he was diagnosed with autism.

In some ways, it is relieving to get this diagnosis, as it puts a name and a reason to the suspicions we've had. However, Isaac was diagnosed with a fairly light form of autism, commonly known as "late bloomer." Autism covers a wide spectrum of disability, with the least severe kids ending up fairly close to completely functional, while the most severe cases are pretty close to completely retarded. Isaac is closer to the former. Here are some symptoms of autism. Isaac fits the "social skills" and "language" categories pretty closely, but almost none of the behavioral symptoms fit him. This is what makes him only a light case. In other words, he has many of the classic symptoms, but none of the worst ones.

So, what does this mean. At three, Isaac is still not potty-trained, and still not talking very much. He can say names, single words, and some phrases that are of interest to him. He will sing songs from his favorite cartoons, but absolutely refuses to repeat useful phrases when prompted. He can usually communicate what he wants (sometimes by throwing a cup at you rather than asking for a drink), but too often he doesn't use words. Isaac often refuses to make eye contact, or to respond to his name. He doesn't play well with others, and he never plays pretend like regular kids. He seems to lack abstract conceptualizing abilities, and prefers to just focus on physical objects and people. If he is frustrated, he will often scream really loud rather than trying to communicate. He shows some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, as well as no concept of personal danger (such as opening an oven, climbing out windows, or running out into the neighborhood street). This obviously makes him harder to look after.

I don't want to be too negative, though. It appears as though Isaac will eventually be able to function in many ways like a normal kid. It will probably take him longer, but he should talk, get potty-trained, learn to read and dress himself, etc. He may always be socially awkward, and have other problems. But he is still a sweet kid. He smiles and laughs a lot, gives kisses, and runs to me to pick him up. Our family loves (and probably spoils) him, and we are learning better ways to deal with him, now that we know some of what is going on in his head.

My family is moving to Russia in a month and a half. Pray for my parents.

a silly one of the two of us


watching youtube clips of Bob the Builder and TeleTubbies on my computer...

DC review

I didn't feel much like writing, so I decided to post some pictures from my trip. Unfortunately I forgot they upload in backwards order, but oh well. No big deal.

The Iwo Jima Memorial. It says "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."


I'm a jaywalker! It's like Where's Waldo--can you find me?


Haley and I on a bridge over the Potomac by the FDR Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background.


The Russian Embassy. Look at that RedWhiteAndBlue blowing in the wind...


The side of an IRS building. It says "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society"


And finally, the famous Dome Tour Picture. It's the only one I have, of me and another intern on top of the Capitol. A great view.

Finally

I got back to Tulsa last night. Home?

My last day of work was Friday. On Thursday afternoon my mom flew into DC and we stayed a few days after work finished and did some sightseeing. It was fun. We stayed at a hotel in Arlington, VA and watched a lot of cable TV. Here we are in front of the White House. Not the greatest shot, but the only one of us together.

We went to Mount Vernon and saw George Washington's mansion, saw money being printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and much more. I gave her a tour of the Capitol, my fifth and final tour. We got to go into the gallery of the Senate chamber and watch the Senate voting. It was exciting.

Tuesday morning we packed up and left. Goodbye, Washington DC. It's been interesting. Here's the Capitol, my home away from home for a month. Sort of. A beautiful building.


Also, a random and to me, very entertaining picture I captured while wandering around downtown. A bit of an inside joke, you might say.

good old FEMA.

So anyways, DC came and went. Been there, done that, I guess. If I were to predict, I would say that I will never be any more involved than I just was in domestic politics. International politics, maybe, but no more Congress for me. This was a good experience in some ways, but it's done.

I'll be in Tulsa for the rest of the summer until I go to Norman and my parents go to Russia in mid-August. There will be lots of sorting, packing, and babysitting for me to do. Lots of family time. Hopefully not too much.