Snip Snip

Beth asked a really good question in the comments section of my last post (sorry for the rant. I am ok now), so I thought I'd devote a whole post to it. PC and I discussed the issue of circumcision long before we even knew we had a boy. It wasn't much of a discussion as I recall, because PC's answer was simply "No way." Apparently, while circumcision is quite common in the States, it's not that common at all in Europe. Since I have no penis and therefore have no point of reference as to how having a circumcised or uncircumcised penis has affected my life, I deferred to PC's opinion and that was that.

Now, I see a lot of arguments on both sides of the issue. I remember that one Sex and the City episode where it freaked Charlotte out so much, she refused to touch it. I also read a few articles about how much of an impact it had in studies about HIV contraction. I don't really feel like people need to defend their decision one way or another, but another reason I had for declining was that I just couldn't visualize having my tiny little baby be cut so soon after he was born. I know doctors say they don't feel it, and it's cleaner and blah blah. I am happy we didn't circumcise Julian. I think that choice should be left up to him and not me.

What do you think?

Dropping the Ball

What the H? I mean, hardly any posts for the last month and no Mother's Day or Julian Birthday posts? I know, I KNOW! I have been a shitty blogger this last month, but for serious, there is some crazy family drama going on right now (not with my Swiss Family) but my Missouri family. It has me all stressed out and rubbing my face every two seconds in dramatic, but poignant angst. I am very well aware of the fact that I haven't done any of the things you're supposed to do when your child has a birthday. For example, the 2nd year birthday book is unfinished, the 2nd year birthday video is not even started, and there is no birthday post in sight. I suck, essentially.

I just feel a bit depressed and anxious right now. I only want to curl up in the corner and read crime books because it's about the only thing that gets my mind off the family drama. For now, BABY PICTURES! YAY!

The Shakes

One of things I was least looking forward to on our recent trip was having to get my root canal finished in the States. Some people actually travel to strange and exotic countries for their medical tourism. For me, medical tourism includes going to the US because, hello, Switzerland sucks.

Anyway, I found the whole thing to be quite pleasant because I had forgotten how much of a difference it makes if your health professional actually shows some compassion and caring. Before the procedure even started, they asked if I was in any pain. I answered that no, I was not. I just wanted to get it finished before the infection returned and I had to pay for the whole thing all over again. Or, even worse, get the tooth removed and have to get bridge work done. Bridge work... doesn't that just sound like something old people do? Like "Oh, I'm going to the dentist to get some bridge work done. Then I have to have this hip replaced."

Well, the dental hygenist tells me that they'll give me some ibuprofen right after the procedure and that they'll prescribe some Vicodin for the pain later. I was like "Woah, serious? Dr. House Vicodin?" I remembered that episode where he had taken too many and passed out on the floor. My response? "Sweet!"

I was feeling a bit headachey and sore afterwards, so we picked up my prescriptions and I took two Vicodin on the spot. I have been in a floating, happy cloud ever since. Oh my God, I completely understand how people get addicted. My mood was lifted. My pain was gone. Everything was bright and happy and tolerable. Even Chuck E. Cheese's!

Now I'm back in Switzerland and out of Vicodin. I find myelf a little sweaty and even passively contemplating how I can get more. Then I have to shake out of my funk and say "Holy cow! This is how meth addicts think!" I really can't believe they just sort of hand this stuff out to people. I think I'm a responsible person but I can imagine there are people out there who are much more irresponsible and impressionable. Anyway, no more Vicodin. Of course, I'm not seeing any babies on the ceiling or anything, but it's just been strange to feel like the last few weeks of my life have been so surreal.

Our Trip to the Southwest

The trip so far has just been so amazing...full of contrasts, funny stories, amazing moments and crazy people. Rather than detail every little thing, I thought some pictures would help.

Kansas

Denver/Colorado, SNOW!

Bryce Canyon

A Wedding!

Zion National Park

Vegas

The Grand Canyon

Antelope Canyon

There's more but we still have to pull it off the camera. It's been a total blast, and we're not totally done with it. We're stitting in a campsite in Moab, UT roasting marshmallows on the fire. It's been a good day.

So Far from the Truth

Yesterday I was talking about the book I'm reading for my Ph.D., Global Human Smuggling.

Unfortunately, I referred to it as Global Human SNUGGLING. Woops. Too bad I didn't say "Yeah, this Global Human Snuggling book? Not as warm hearted as I thought it would be..."

New Digs

I suppose the big question I haven't answered yet is how am I liking the new place? Well, without being too modest, I'd have to say I LOVE IT. When we first made a list of the things we'd like to have in a new house, I didn't imagine we'd find a place that not only had everything we were looking for (parking place, quiet neighborhood, ground floor, bathtub) but so many extras (fireplace, garden, floor heating). I wake up in the morning and I'm happy to sit in my living room drinking my morning tea. I get off the bus at night and take an extremely pleasant walk down a cute path to my apartment building. During the summer, I plan on having meals outside with friends while Julian runs around. It's absolutely wonderful. The only person that didn't think so at first was Julian. He was very disoriented when we first moved. He didn't have his room to run to and he didn't know why we weren't going back to the old place. Poor thing was a complete sobby mess. Having a terrible cold didn't help, either. He's finally adjusted and driving his little tractor everywhere.

Now that he's settled, we're getting ready to leave again. *sigh* We're off to the U.S. for 3 weeks! Hooray! One week with my parents, two bumming around the southwest. Anyone have any must-see spots in Arizona or Utah?

The Root of all Evil

I woke up last night at 1 am with a blistering sharp pain in my left cheek. I stood up in bed and cradled my head in my hands. I could hear PC and Julian sleeping soundly next to me and I just wanted to curl back into the bed and sleep again, but the pain was just unbearable. I knew what was wrong with me, actually. I've been putting off having a root canal for about, oh two years. First it was moving to Switzerland, then this trip, and that trip. It was never a convenient time and the tooth itself never caused me severe pain. Unfortunately, in a way, it's like cheating your taxes. You might be able to get away with it for a little while, but it will always catch up with you.

I went to my new bathroom and grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen from the medicine cabinet. I took about 3 pills and sat on the couch with a cold washcloth blotting my poor tooth and a cool compress on my cheek. I actually woke up 2 hours later with the washcloth soaked in drool and a numb cheek. It was enough to let me go back to sleep, but this morning I had to go to the dentist.

Going to the dentist in Switzerland is always a bit of a problem. While there is such a thing as dental insurance, it's so expensive that, unless you're going to be getting some serious work done, it's not worth it. On the other hand, each individual visit can set you back quite a bit. I called the Notfall number and went to the dentist in Kriens. He was actually very nice and said "OK, we're going to do the root canal right now."

AHHH, I thought. Root canal. Visions of whirring drills and long needles danced in my head. After all, this is the dreaded Root Canal of lore. Everyone talks about how horrible and painful these things are, and now I had to have it done. Right there. Can't I have some time for preparation? I thought. A blindfold? Is it too much to ask to be put under? I think that's the worst part of any surgery involving your face. If you aren't put under, you actually see every little instrument they use coming towards you.

To be honest it wasn't that bad. Yes there were needles and there were drills. Painwise, it was manageable and now I'm sitting here with a half-paralyzed face from an anesthetic I was assured would wear off eventually. I went to work, with still a little bit of pain in my tooth, but overall I feel much better. Total cost - 392 CHF. Not too shabby.