Well, the latest is that E's mom has decided to send the documentation back to the US after all. What happened was that last night I got wind of the fact that the agency here in the US was requiring E to have a signature on her state dept form, and in order to do this, she had to ship the whole thing back to the head office in Chicago. So her mom was hesitating to do this.
I did a little quick research and found that all colleges advise their students to get signatures before leaving the country, to ensure that they will get back in. Somehow, someone let E leave the country without this, despite repeated attempts on my part and on the part of her mom to make sure that she didn't leave without having what she needed to get back in. I am really mad, but I'm staying out of it so as not to jeopardize anything so they won't let her back in.
My best analysis goes like this: the agency in DK sold her medical insurance. This expempted her from having to buy the US insurance, which would have covered her for up to $50K per accident or illness. So the $30K would have been covered here in the US. However, I suspect they did not follow the proper protocol as far as documentation before she left the country. Not knowing any better, her mom and I assumed this had been taken care of.
However, I did get a little suspicious about something after a conversation with one of the reps, and I called her superior and was told that she should have everything she needed to get back in. Online I found a list, but this included the one form that had to have a signature that was less than one year old. But what I didn't understand was that if you are leaving the US, you must have a re-certification signature. In fact, this is not even written anywhere that I can find it on the state dept site, but I found it on almost every college website that does exchange programs.
Hindsight, of course, is 20/20 and now we can see all the things we should have done differently. In the meantime, E's mom has sent the documents to the US for the proper signatures. Hopefully this will be back within a week and will not hold up her planned return. It isn't looking likely that she will get to book a flight earlier than the 5th, right now I would say she is lucky to get back ON the 5th as planned. So we shall see.
In other news, I worked a full day today, as my assignment got changed, so that was four full days this week! Now I have nothing looming on the horizon whatsoever, what else is new...? Brian had a friend over for several hours, they were going to have a sleepover but then he suddenly found out that he had basketball. But at least they had some time, because the boys who neglect Brian were all out playing basketball in their driveway for hours tonight. Megan had practice for a couple of hours, and I did not have to drive either way, so Kevin and I just went to Applebee's for a quick dinner. Oh, and I had a message today confirming my hair appointment for tomorrow at 3. I didn't even know I had one! But I must get my hair colored soon. This is a cut, and I must have made it so I would have good hair in time for Florida!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Musings in the Rain
Well, it is a rainy day at last. I've been walking around outside, hoping for signs that spring is here, and seeing a few. There are some sprouts beginning to sprout and some buds beginning to bud. This should be a good year for many of our plantings, as they have had a good two years to really establish themselves. Hopefully, this will bring the privacy barrier we hoped for when we planted them. I also have my tiny tree, which we put in the ground on the corner of our property and which I am always afraid will fall prey to senseless vandals, simply because of its vulnerable smallness. But I have big hopes for it this year. It doubled in size last year (which isn't saying much) and if it does that again, it might actually begin to resemble a tree rather than an accidental occurrence.
And so today I completed three relatively good working days. Today I was an in-class support teacher, and the classroom teacher was also a sub. She's one I have worked with before, and I like her, so it went fairly well. The only thing that happened was that she was given a long list of topics from which to choose a journal entry, and her choice was 'my religion'! :-X I would have never chosen that, but, as she said, "it was on the list." A few kids were confused, but they all put something down.
Then in the afternoon we ended up with a substitute classroom aide, and she butted in and asked if an entire table could leave the room for drinks and a bathroom break in the middle of the math lesson. The other sub was so dumbfounded that she let them go. I was really mad at the kids and at the para for doing that! Half the kids who asked for drinks had water bottles on their desks! And not one asked to use the bathroom during indoor recess!
I picked up the mail when I got home and found a letter from the school district addressed to me and Kevin. ???? I was terrified to open it, thinking, "what has Brian done now?" But when I opened it, I saw Megan's name instead! It seems they have decided to present her with a commendation from the Board at their meeting on the 31st, for making the all-region team again, and for breaking two school records, one of which was set in 1993 and the other in 1983. So that will be exciting. Too bad it's not AFTER Florida, though, she will have to go straight from practice to the meeting, which leaves little time for homework. I guess I'll have her bring that with her and do it in the car while she waits? Big news!
And in other news, E continues her remarkable recovery, in good company with Lance. She said she is barely taking pain pills anymore, which really makes me wonder about that doctor we saw who said that surgery wouldn't help her and the risks weren't worth it. I don't think she would agree with that statement at all. Of course, I suppose she still is in a period at risk for infection, but I think with her reduced pain levels and straightened out shoulder, she probably will say that it's well worth the risk. Our computer is crashed, but Kevin thinks he has it fixed. I'm afraid to touch it for fear it will blow up, but I really need to because I have to finish my banquet ads. And finally, I must start dinner.
And so today I completed three relatively good working days. Today I was an in-class support teacher, and the classroom teacher was also a sub. She's one I have worked with before, and I like her, so it went fairly well. The only thing that happened was that she was given a long list of topics from which to choose a journal entry, and her choice was 'my religion'! :-X I would have never chosen that, but, as she said, "it was on the list." A few kids were confused, but they all put something down.
Then in the afternoon we ended up with a substitute classroom aide, and she butted in and asked if an entire table could leave the room for drinks and a bathroom break in the middle of the math lesson. The other sub was so dumbfounded that she let them go. I was really mad at the kids and at the para for doing that! Half the kids who asked for drinks had water bottles on their desks! And not one asked to use the bathroom during indoor recess!
I picked up the mail when I got home and found a letter from the school district addressed to me and Kevin. ???? I was terrified to open it, thinking, "what has Brian done now?" But when I opened it, I saw Megan's name instead! It seems they have decided to present her with a commendation from the Board at their meeting on the 31st, for making the all-region team again, and for breaking two school records, one of which was set in 1993 and the other in 1983. So that will be exciting. Too bad it's not AFTER Florida, though, she will have to go straight from practice to the meeting, which leaves little time for homework. I guess I'll have her bring that with her and do it in the car while she waits? Big news!
And in other news, E continues her remarkable recovery, in good company with Lance. She said she is barely taking pain pills anymore, which really makes me wonder about that doctor we saw who said that surgery wouldn't help her and the risks weren't worth it. I don't think she would agree with that statement at all. Of course, I suppose she still is in a period at risk for infection, but I think with her reduced pain levels and straightened out shoulder, she probably will say that it's well worth the risk. Our computer is crashed, but Kevin thinks he has it fixed. I'm afraid to touch it for fear it will blow up, but I really need to because I have to finish my banquet ads. And finally, I must start dinner.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Who's that Girl?
So I impressed Kevin tonight. He came in and found me watching Obama talking about his budget. Of course, he couldn't just give me credit for being politically astute, he had to fire an accusation: "Did you know the President was on? Or did you think American Idol was on?" I cringed sheepishly. Truthfully, I don't know much about either one.
But really what I want to know is this: who is the little old lady in the front row? I'm amazed by her presence. Kevin thinks she must be someone important to have gotten a seat in the front row. I give her credit. I'm sure she didn't go there expecting to see American Idol. And she's seated front and center!
Anyway, I had a pretty good day in school today. The class was good, the lesson plans, although a little vague at times, were manageable, and even the most problematic kids in the class were not too bad. The weather was decent, and we got to go outside. And I went in to see the teacher I'll be in for tomorrow and she acted glad to be having me. So that was all lovely.
Then I came home to find Brian with one red ear. He's had a little cold and headache, but he insisted on having me take his temperature although I didn't expect there to be a fever, and there wasn't. Yet there it was: one red hot ear. I gave him motrin because he said his head hurt and the ear somehow faded to pink. Now both are a little pinked up, but nothing too alarming. Chiari? Who knows ... always something bizarre with that kid. Probably stress from the art project that he left till the last minute. Which incidentally he lost five points on because it was due yesterday, even though he didn't have the class till today.
In other news, E is recovering back at home. She said she is feeling pretty well now, and is looking forward to her visit next Tuesday, at which time she'll find out when she is cleared to fly back. I haven't heard from her today, but she did call yesterday and she posted on Megan's Facebook wall that she felt great. And now she is in good company, as Lance will be having his surgery soon as well! Zelda's hair is growing back in, and I am recovering from a pork tenderloin I bought tonight. When I opened it up, it stank like bad chicken. Kevin said it smelled OK, so I cooked it, but the color never got right through it. I ate a few small pieces, then told everyone else not to bother, and I gave them chicken nuggets. In fact, Obama had the perfect name for my dinner: a wasteful pork project.
But really what I want to know is this: who is the little old lady in the front row? I'm amazed by her presence. Kevin thinks she must be someone important to have gotten a seat in the front row. I give her credit. I'm sure she didn't go there expecting to see American Idol. And she's seated front and center!
Anyway, I had a pretty good day in school today. The class was good, the lesson plans, although a little vague at times, were manageable, and even the most problematic kids in the class were not too bad. The weather was decent, and we got to go outside. And I went in to see the teacher I'll be in for tomorrow and she acted glad to be having me. So that was all lovely.
Then I came home to find Brian with one red ear. He's had a little cold and headache, but he insisted on having me take his temperature although I didn't expect there to be a fever, and there wasn't. Yet there it was: one red hot ear. I gave him motrin because he said his head hurt and the ear somehow faded to pink. Now both are a little pinked up, but nothing too alarming. Chiari? Who knows ... always something bizarre with that kid. Probably stress from the art project that he left till the last minute. Which incidentally he lost five points on because it was due yesterday, even though he didn't have the class till today.
In other news, E is recovering back at home. She said she is feeling pretty well now, and is looking forward to her visit next Tuesday, at which time she'll find out when she is cleared to fly back. I haven't heard from her today, but she did call yesterday and she posted on Megan's Facebook wall that she felt great. And now she is in good company, as Lance will be having his surgery soon as well! Zelda's hair is growing back in, and I am recovering from a pork tenderloin I bought tonight. When I opened it up, it stank like bad chicken. Kevin said it smelled OK, so I cooked it, but the color never got right through it. I ate a few small pieces, then told everyone else not to bother, and I gave them chicken nuggets. In fact, Obama had the perfect name for my dinner: a wasteful pork project.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Lazy Day
So far today I have been unproductive. This is not a great surprise. I am about to head up for a shower, but a small cat has just jumped into my lap. He's about to settle in for some comfort, as he had grown attached to E.
I did get a brief mail from E's mom this morning. Surgery went well, there were some residual issues from the nerve block but they expected those to resolve when the block wore off. Her follow-up appointment will be next Wednesday, so I don't really expect to hear more before then as far as a return date. If all goes well, there should be no problem with her returning in time for the Florida trip.
Yesterday I took Megan to the mall and picked up a few things she can wear in Florida, as well as some products from The Body Shop. One of my main reasons for going to the mall was to get her some body scrub from Bath & Body Works, their High Lathering Scrub. I was so upset to hear they have discontinued it! I got it around Christmas and it's the best shower scrub I have ever used. It would have been perfect for her skin during that week down there in the sun and the pools. But now I can't get it. I went to The Body Shop instead and bought some kind of daily scrub but I don't know if it will be as good. And I emailed the company and they wrote back, but I don't think they will immediately reinstate the product, unfortunately.
Brian is feverishly working to complete the art project which he allegedly did not know was due this week. It's due tomorrow, presumably only because he doesn't have art today. It's an every-other-day class around his double period math classes. And then he called from school to ask me to come in and sign the emergency contact forms, which he "didn't know he had" and which were due back no later than Friday. If he doesn't turn them in today, he gets detention. I'm debating whether or not I should take them up. I wonder if a detention will make him remember to give me important papers next time. It's every single thing with him: yearbook, graduation gown, emergency papers, permission slips. I don't know how to get through to him.
In other news, I will be working for the rest of the week. Two days at my usual school, then one somewhere else, and then a half day on Friday, which is perfect. This coming weekend will be spent getting Megan ready for her trip, for which she departs a week from Friday. I also have to get as much done as possible on my swim banquet book, which is in good shape except for the things that are confusing to do, the things that I keep putting off. And now our desktop is not functioning well. I would like to write that it's time for a new one, but then Kevin might come on here and read that, and then he might get mad about it, and say that we don't. Although we do. It's a dinosaur, and he probably needs to face that. I want to be able to open .docx and .xlr files like the rest of the modern world can already do.
I did get a brief mail from E's mom this morning. Surgery went well, there were some residual issues from the nerve block but they expected those to resolve when the block wore off. Her follow-up appointment will be next Wednesday, so I don't really expect to hear more before then as far as a return date. If all goes well, there should be no problem with her returning in time for the Florida trip.
Yesterday I took Megan to the mall and picked up a few things she can wear in Florida, as well as some products from The Body Shop. One of my main reasons for going to the mall was to get her some body scrub from Bath & Body Works, their High Lathering Scrub. I was so upset to hear they have discontinued it! I got it around Christmas and it's the best shower scrub I have ever used. It would have been perfect for her skin during that week down there in the sun and the pools. But now I can't get it. I went to The Body Shop instead and bought some kind of daily scrub but I don't know if it will be as good. And I emailed the company and they wrote back, but I don't think they will immediately reinstate the product, unfortunately.
Brian is feverishly working to complete the art project which he allegedly did not know was due this week. It's due tomorrow, presumably only because he doesn't have art today. It's an every-other-day class around his double period math classes. And then he called from school to ask me to come in and sign the emergency contact forms, which he "didn't know he had" and which were due back no later than Friday. If he doesn't turn them in today, he gets detention. I'm debating whether or not I should take them up. I wonder if a detention will make him remember to give me important papers next time. It's every single thing with him: yearbook, graduation gown, emergency papers, permission slips. I don't know how to get through to him.
In other news, I will be working for the rest of the week. Two days at my usual school, then one somewhere else, and then a half day on Friday, which is perfect. This coming weekend will be spent getting Megan ready for her trip, for which she departs a week from Friday. I also have to get as much done as possible on my swim banquet book, which is in good shape except for the things that are confusing to do, the things that I keep putting off. And now our desktop is not functioning well. I would like to write that it's time for a new one, but then Kevin might come on here and read that, and then he might get mad about it, and say that we don't. Although we do. It's a dinosaur, and he probably needs to face that. I want to be able to open .docx and .xlr files like the rest of the modern world can already do.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bone Update
Well, the flight was a success. We were able to get E upgraded into business class for her return flight, and I had an email that she had had a good flight and was on her way back to her house. The plans are changed and she's scheduled for evaluation and possibly surgery today instead of tomorrow. So perhaps more plans tonight.
The insurance company is again creating angst...saying that she must stay over there until her treatment is completed. Meaning follow-ups (xrays once or twice) and physical therapy. They don't want to pay for it back here. So they don't care if she rots away in between, missing school here and being too late in the year to enroll in anything over there.
This is just an outrage. I can't even believe the amount of money her parents had to pay for this program and where did it all go? Sure, the first set of plane tickets and maybe they paid for her visa? But surely that didn't cost as much as they paid. WE support her, they didn't give us a dime ..? If I were to do this again, I am not sure I'd use the same agency again, although the one she signed up with is independent of the one we use here (they are 'partners') but as far as I know the agency here is doing nothing to try to help out on their end. In fact, our rep was talking as if she thought she might not be able to get back in, and she didn't really seem to care!
In other news, I was unable to find the pictures of my new dog Zelda (Molly with her haircut, don't get excited) to post but I'll keep looking. Megan is sleeping at a friend's house, which I wasn't crazy about because of Nationals being two weeks away and the fact that this will be the first important meet of the year for which she will be ::knock wood:: well (aside from States last weekend, but that wasn't supposed to be a 'big meet' for her). Brian is getting ready to go to his church class, and then he has baseball practice. After that, he must spend hours putting together a notebook for his art class, which he has known about for weeks but somehow thought it was due at the end of the marking period. Every night I would remind him to work on it and every night he woud stall. So now it has caught up to him, because the teacher suddenly called for them to be turned in tomorrow.
The insurance company is again creating angst...saying that she must stay over there until her treatment is completed. Meaning follow-ups (xrays once or twice) and physical therapy. They don't want to pay for it back here. So they don't care if she rots away in between, missing school here and being too late in the year to enroll in anything over there.
This is just an outrage. I can't even believe the amount of money her parents had to pay for this program and where did it all go? Sure, the first set of plane tickets and maybe they paid for her visa? But surely that didn't cost as much as they paid. WE support her, they didn't give us a dime ..? If I were to do this again, I am not sure I'd use the same agency again, although the one she signed up with is independent of the one we use here (they are 'partners') but as far as I know the agency here is doing nothing to try to help out on their end. In fact, our rep was talking as if she thought she might not be able to get back in, and she didn't really seem to care!
In other news, I was unable to find the pictures of my new dog Zelda (Molly with her haircut, don't get excited) to post but I'll keep looking. Megan is sleeping at a friend's house, which I wasn't crazy about because of Nationals being two weeks away and the fact that this will be the first important meet of the year for which she will be ::knock wood:: well (aside from States last weekend, but that wasn't supposed to be a 'big meet' for her). Brian is getting ready to go to his church class, and then he has baseball practice. After that, he must spend hours putting together a notebook for his art class, which he has known about for weeks but somehow thought it was due at the end of the marking period. Every night I would remind him to work on it and every night he woud stall. So now it has caught up to him, because the teacher suddenly called for them to be turned in tomorrow.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
As the Collarbone Turns
What a shocking turn of events. The doctor in NY was so helpful to squeeze E in, and the staff was helpful with getting all the information to the insurance company, and things were looking like they were moving along. Then yesterday morning I got an email from E's mom that the insurance company had booked her on a flight home at 6:30 last night!! Well, this did get changed, but now she must fly home today instead.
So the insurance company didn't want to pay the $30,000 for the surgery and associated costs, so instead they have booked her back home to receive the free care she can get back there. She has an appointment with a surgeon on Monday and will hopefully be rehabbed enough to fly back in time for our trip to Florida the first week in April.
I was absolutely floored when I heard that this was the option they were going to pursue, I couldn't believe they would do it, but now that I have had time to think about it, of course they would. They would have lost over $25,000 on her on this incident. It all comes down to the bottom line. Her parents are furious because this insurance was sold to them by the agency over there as one of the best they could get. And the school's insurance is secondary, so it will pick up extra cost, but can't be asked to pay for the entire thing. So we are stuck with this decision.
And this is where it stands. Kevin is now looking into getting an upgrade for her to fly there, her dad thought he had but it turned out they only upgraded her for the flight back to the US, which is now scheduled for April 5, but that's subject to change.
And in other news, our group of swimmers going to Florida, we are up to 27 now and still counting with two days of swimming to go. Molly had a bath and the groomer misunderstood me and cut off all her fur!!! She looks like a lab and she was shaking and trembling, then had a seizure that night. She seems recovered now, but she still has no fur on her back. Just has a bad comb/cut job. I took a picture to post but perhaps you can't tell exactly how lab-like she was. They also charged me $20 more than I usually pay, and didn't reverse that when I told them that this wasn't what I had asked for. And now, we are about ready to head to the airport.
So the insurance company didn't want to pay the $30,000 for the surgery and associated costs, so instead they have booked her back home to receive the free care she can get back there. She has an appointment with a surgeon on Monday and will hopefully be rehabbed enough to fly back in time for our trip to Florida the first week in April.
I was absolutely floored when I heard that this was the option they were going to pursue, I couldn't believe they would do it, but now that I have had time to think about it, of course they would. They would have lost over $25,000 on her on this incident. It all comes down to the bottom line. Her parents are furious because this insurance was sold to them by the agency over there as one of the best they could get. And the school's insurance is secondary, so it will pick up extra cost, but can't be asked to pay for the entire thing. So we are stuck with this decision.
And this is where it stands. Kevin is now looking into getting an upgrade for her to fly there, her dad thought he had but it turned out they only upgraded her for the flight back to the US, which is now scheduled for April 5, but that's subject to change.
And in other news, our group of swimmers going to Florida, we are up to 27 now and still counting with two days of swimming to go. Molly had a bath and the groomer misunderstood me and cut off all her fur!!! She looks like a lab and she was shaking and trembling, then had a seizure that night. She seems recovered now, but she still has no fur on her back. Just has a bad comb/cut job. I took a picture to post but perhaps you can't tell exactly how lab-like she was. They also charged me $20 more than I usually pay, and didn't reverse that when I told them that this wasn't what I had asked for. And now, we are about ready to head to the airport.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Creative Clavicles
So nothing is decided for sure. This has been quite an ordeal. The surgeon we saw yesterday didn't want to operate, he said it wasn't necessary and that the bones would find each other. They are far apart. So I got in touch with my friend's sister and the doctor for whom she works says that it needs to be fixed, and he can do it on Monday. We are supposed to return to the other doctor on Monday, so now I will have to cancel that appointment.
So this is exhausting. Not to mention the expense of the travel into NY, which will have to happen a minimum of four times, five if they keep her overnight and I have to go in and get her the next day.
Anyway, some good news. Megan found out that she made the local paper's all-regional team again this year. So I have to take her in to get her picture taken for that. I'm not sure when it will run, but probably the weekend that she's in Florida, as last year. I'll still be here then, as I was last year, so I'll be able to pick up a copy and bring one down for her.
And I have been getting called to work again. Not to mention that I turned down work yesterday, and I have to turn it down again on Tuesday if she needs the surgery. They asked me to work tomorrow at the middle school, but I said no because I have to take Molly in for a bath and she has to be dropped off at 9, so there is no way I could be to the middle school by 7:30.
In other news, the cleaning lady is also coming tomorrow, and this whole ordeal just has me so worn out that I don't have the house in order at all. E is sleeping downstairs on the couch, but her room (as the rest of the house) is a mess .. I told her I'll just throw everything in the closet and shut the door! And now Megan is getting her feathers ruffled again ... everyone is just hypersensitive! I think I should go to bed and deal with the mess in the morning....
So this is exhausting. Not to mention the expense of the travel into NY, which will have to happen a minimum of four times, five if they keep her overnight and I have to go in and get her the next day.
Anyway, some good news. Megan found out that she made the local paper's all-regional team again this year. So I have to take her in to get her picture taken for that. I'm not sure when it will run, but probably the weekend that she's in Florida, as last year. I'll still be here then, as I was last year, so I'll be able to pick up a copy and bring one down for her.
And I have been getting called to work again. Not to mention that I turned down work yesterday, and I have to turn it down again on Tuesday if she needs the surgery. They asked me to work tomorrow at the middle school, but I said no because I have to take Molly in for a bath and she has to be dropped off at 9, so there is no way I could be to the middle school by 7:30.
In other news, the cleaning lady is also coming tomorrow, and this whole ordeal just has me so worn out that I don't have the house in order at all. E is sleeping downstairs on the couch, but her room (as the rest of the house) is a mess .. I told her I'll just throw everything in the closet and shut the door! And now Megan is getting her feathers ruffled again ... everyone is just hypersensitive! I think I should go to bed and deal with the mess in the morning....
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