Explanation necessary?

I pondered leaving this picture without any explanation.... but, you know I can't not write something! :) So, for those of you who may not know, that is Australia's flag on my arm.

Why do I have a tattooed Australian flag on my arm? Fear not, it's not real!

Yesterday (oh man, am I allowed to talk about this?) was International Day at our school. It's a big, big event ALL ORGANIZED BY PARENTS (that's the kind of events we like!). It started with a parade of nations- kids, parents, and guests all dressed in patriotic clothing, whether national costumes, football jerseys, or gaudy t-shirts and sunglasses, walked a loop for the rest of us to ooh and aah over. I love it when my kids (that is my students) see me out of our normal situation- their eyes get big, they get really shy and hide behind their mom's/dad's legs, and just smile really big.

After the parade there were performances on a stage set up in the middle of the outdoor basketball court. It was great until it got REALLY sunny, and hot. But, well, I actually still wasn't complaining. :) Mostly the performances were either fashion shows or dancing. It was pretty cool to see performances from countries that have never been represented in schools where I have worked previously. The Angolans did a tribal dance (amazing how similar it was to what I remember from high school dances- it's obvious where African Americans get their inspiration!), the Nigerians did a very impressive fashion show, the South Africans did a very cool gum-boot-footed miner's dance. The Colombians and Brazilians also danced- hmmm, who else? I don't remember, but, they were all great. :)

After the shows, the stalls opened. All the countries that were there (not all our school's countries were represented) had elaborate stalls including information about their countries, pictures, knick-knacks and FOOD. Oh yum, the food. :) I am trying to keep to a pre-wedding detox/weight loss diet (and doing REALLY well, if I don't say so myself!), but I had my first splurge in two weeks. I had a custard tart from Portugal, a deep fried milk ball from Bangladesh, one bite of a New Zealand cookie and some falafel and hummus from Israel. YUM! I had to down a bunch of water after that though, because, since my recent diet has been sugar and carb free, those four bits of food sent my blood sugar soaring- I had an amazing buzz on!

At the same time as the stalls were open there was a silent auction on. Each country put together baskets of goodies from their country- food, toys, wine, booze, books, sporting equipment and lots more. The bids on the baskets started at $50 or $100. They looked good, but, um, yeah, we passed. :)

All the proceeds from the international day go to charity- I think to an orphanage (and those baskets went for as much as $500 each!). So, I think the money raised is going to be a nice contribution to the kids who will get it. :)

So, the tattoo then- obviously gotten at the Australian stall- Joel applied them (I have a matching one on the other arm) himself. Apparently I expended all the patriotism I have on election day- because I showed up yesterday in jeans and a black top- and then ended up with Australian tattoos on my arms. :) Joel just kept saying, "You're marrying one, you'll practically be one!" I went with the flow. :)

So, yeah, this is me today, with the tattoos still on my arms, which I think Joel thought looked funny with my "wife-beater" tank top. And if you're wondering, well, you're right- I haven't showered today- I've spent the whole day on the couch, reading, surfing the net, watching tv and getting up only to do laundry. :) Good day. :)