America Through Their Eyes

When we left the U.S. for Bangladesh, Mason was 6 and Cadyn had just turned 4.  The transition seemed pretty easy for them since neither one had any real attachment to anything in Columbia.  Sure, there were some friends they would miss.  But being apart from them isn't as traumatic for a preschooler and kindergartener than it is for say a teenager.

Well, two years later, here we are in D.C. for language training.  Saying good-bye to dear friends and Dhaka was not easy but 'tis the life of a foreign service family.  While there are many things we will miss about Bangladesh, Robbie and I were pretty excited about coming home, mainly because we missed our families.  Surprisingly, that was the only thing about America the kids remembered.......Halmeoni, Hal-abeoji, Imo, Uncle Jon, Grandpa, Debbie, all our cousins.  We've been home for about 2 months now and seeing how the kids faces light up when they see everyone is priceless.  

Apart from all the fun Mason and Cadyn are having with the family, they have also been delving into all things Americana.  And it's been pretty interesting and humorous to see things from their perspective.  Here are our favorite quotes from the first two weeks of our time back home.  Although, some of them might not make sense if you haven't lived in Dhaka.

Mason:

"Daddy, America is a nice place to live."

"I don't want to go back to Bangladesh.  It's too dirty and there's nothing to do, just AISD and the American Club."

"Look, it's the LEGO Movie DVD!  Oh wait, it's probably not a good copy."

"Can't you just honk your horn, Daddy?"

"Wow, so many people have dogs here!"

"Can we pick up more ice-cream from Unimart today?"

Cadyn:

"Oh, I remember those animals!  It's a.........it's a..........it's a squirrel!"

"So in America it's not okay to pick your nose in public?"

"You mean I can drink from the faucet?  Can I try it?"

"Wow, all the cars drive in a straight line!"

"Mmmm, people smell good here."

"I keep seeing glowing light things." (Referring to the fireflies)

"Mom, this toilet paper is so soft!"