Our 'hit'

In this COVID-CHAOS we've all had a moment (or moments) where we feel like we've been hit by a tonne of bricks. Ours came this week when our flight to the US for our annual trip was canceled.

We logically knew we wouldn't be going to the US in June given the sh*t storm it is and the relative calm we have in AUS. See below for comparison stats

But that email that said "We are contacting you to advise that your itinerary has changed" was a gut punch. 

The subsequent 'itinerary change' did provide much comedy, though, as our return flight from the US hadn't been impacted and had us departing the US before we would have arrived!

Updated itinerary for getting to the US

Original itinerary in full

I phoned and immediately reached a human - wow! - who graciously canceled and directed me to the online refund request form, which is already being processed. 

(It should be noted that I was disappointed to reach a human so quickly as I LOVE their hold music! You're welcome.)

Maybe by October I'll be able to visit for my niece's Bat Mitzvah, but not holding my breath.

Much love 💕 from Down Under 🇦🇺 Stay safe and be sane, 'Murica 🇺🇸

MMUN BC

Like the rest of the world, we now divide time into BC and AD - Before COVID-19 and After Distancing. Though I think that's a bit misleading given we're actually DC - During COVID-19 but that lacks historic significance at this point.

We all have a COVID-19 story. Here's our BC:

The Sat 29 Feb departure date was quickly approaching. The excitement was growing. So was the anxiety and nervousness. Luckily, though, the excitement prevailed. Some emails were exchanged between parents and school about COVID, whether the trip should continue, how the kids would be kept healthy and safe, etc. In early February, the parent info night was scheduled and school expected COVID to be a hot topic of debate. It wasn't. Cell phones dominated. Should the kids have personal phones or not? What would they do in an emergency? How often could they ring home if they didn't have a phone? How would they take pictures without a phone? What if, what if, what if...?

Trying on suits! Winner :-) 

The bag was packed. New suit, dress shoes, warm clothes. Warm clothes. NY is cold in Feb / March, he must have forgotten what cold feels like. Don't forget the MMUN binder. That's what this is all about, after all. Montessori Model United Nations. What an experience for the kid. What. An. Experience.

Departure day. No tears. So brave (for both E and mom). Fly little bird. Fly. Tracking the flight. Wondering, but not worrying. He's safe. He needs this. I need this.

With my big guy on departure day

The group - 3 incredible educators + 10 students!

By Mon, two days after departure, public schools are no longer allowed international excursions. Oh. They left just in time. No handshaking.

Reassuring emails. Parent WhatsApp messages flying. Phone calls home. Positive reports. No call from E, but that's ok. A visit from his Nani and Papi <3 So much love. Exploding with love. Our hearts are so full. Still no call. Daily emails. Pictures. He's ok.

With Nani & Papi in NYC! What a lucky guy.

The conference begins. He is a delegate from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The arms race in space. I don't understand it at all, but he does. Pictures, videos, swapping home-country trinkets. Success.

Social distancing introduced. Keep distance. Prevent the spread. Flatten the curve. Stay home (STAY HOME) if you're sick.

One phone call at school's insistence. We were ok. He was ok.

The long flight home. Crossing the International Date Line, leaving the US 8 March, arriving home to AUS 10 March. And somewhere mid-air, the email. MMUN arrivals should not return to school for 6 days. Siblings, too. Anyone that came in contact with the overseas group. Okay, we can do this. We knew this could happen. I can work from home, take time off. We'll make this work. We always do.

He's back! 

Some of the travelers got sick. Tests. Negative. All negative. How did they dodge this bullet? They left the US just in time.

AUS acted quickly. Quarantine. Self-isolation. Stay home. STAY HOME. Borders closed. STAY HOME. Wash hands. Social distance. Don't touch your face. STAY HOME.

And yet, we feel so fortunate that our bird had this opportunity BC.