Kung Fu, HiiiYAH

Ok. It has been too long.  We've been busy!

But, we have a nice long weekend for Veteran's Day Observance, and I'm going to try and spend more time with the family than studying, al hamdu lillah (God-willing).

What a week, huh?  It makes you proud of your country on one hand, but scared on the other.  In other words, I think it speaks volumes for the depth of our national character that we had a woman on a ticket, that we elected a black man to be president...It shows the world that democracy can really mean something; it's not just empty rhetoric.  On the other hand, only time will tell if Barrack Obama delivers.  It is certainly his stage to squander. (And while he acknowledged McCain's contributions to our nation, I was disgusted at the golf clap by Obama's crowd).

Anyway, this may be the most pictures/videos we've ever posted.  Last Saturday was, well, horrible.  But leave it to these sweetie pies to turn the worst day in Georgia Football history in my lifetime into a day of smiles.

Let's start out with Aiden.  He is getting his Saturday bath and loving every minute of it: doing the ABCs, counting, shooting bad guys, making words, he loves it all.  Especially "crazy hair."

I may not have mentioned this before, but he is what we call a ham.  Capital H-A-M.  He's been known to show off his muscles for a camera or two.  Look at those guns!

CRAZY HAIR, DADDY!!!!

"Waazzzuppp?!"

Always time for a little marksmanship practice.  Joy walked into our bedroom and wondered aloud, "How did the floor get all wet?"  Oops.  

How bout Emma?  She's into bananas and rice cereal in a big way.  She has shown a much bigger interest in real food than Aiden ever did at that age.  She's doing great.

She thinks she has me wrapped around her finger, but we all know that's not true...

Happy time, meal time.

I love my kids.  This picture may not do it justice, but Emma is enfatuated with her big brother.  And for his part, he is always willing to lend instruction, watch her for a minute, entertain her when she's fussy, or just make her laugh, his specialty. She loves him.  Here Aiden is also sporting his new Batman gloves.  We raided Walmart the day after Halloween for some goods.

Daddy's little girl.

Thank, God her head is not as big as Aiden's.

"Boo!"

It's hard to be upset with her spitting up all the time because she just so darn cute. Even diaper changes are precious moments for Mommy and Emma.

Aiden is training to help Uncle Eddie put out fires at christmas.  What? You didn't know fire-fighters wear swords?  When asked, Aiden simply responded: "I might have to fight bad guys while I'm fighting the fire."  Of course.  I didn't think about that.

Herschel is 57 lbs.  Here he is doing what he does best. well, that' s not true.  He sleeps best of all. But he is good at looking pathetic, too.

Aiden grace me with a momentary break from fighting fires to take a cute picture.

"Come on, daddy. Follow me. Let's go kill ants." (we've had a little infestation problem in Aiden's room, bathroom, our room, living room)

Anyway, in a nutshell, Joy is busy, emma is fussy and spits up a lot, Aiden is huge and hilarious, and I'm busy and usually cranky.  Not really, well, about me.  I'm not cranky. Just busy.

Here is a video Joy took of Aiden making up some random story.

Ok, this next one is probably not as funny if you don't know some of the inside jokes from my Arabic class.  In a nutshell, the cognates, things like "McDonalds" etc. are just b.s.'d in Arabic.  Some words like motorcycle just sound like MOW-TOWR-CIK-UL or something funny, but obvious. So Aiden loves to say words with a funny accent in "Arabic."  At the very end he gestures toward his chin, which is a very traditional Arabic mannerism of respect for a bit of wisdom about to be imparted, with respect of course.  Again, you'll be lost on the inside jokes (but I'll just tell you my class was rolling this morning.) Nonetheless he is funny.

Last but not least...give this video a try.  Ok, let me preface this by saying that I have a master's degree in International Affairs, or regional security studies focusing on the Middle East and South Asia.  I speak Arabic (or at least well enough to order an expresso in Cairo---plus, it's cool to be able to Joy what they're saying on 24 Season 6).  This is to say, I love the region.  I have an affinity for its culture,  Arab hospitality, and especially their hummus!  Seriously, I try to be open-minded, respectful of cultural differences, understanding of the tenets of Islam, useful in my dialogue with those different than me, and genuinely want to help the region understand us and best understand it so as to benefit our foreign policy in some small measure at whatever level I hold in this government.  That being said, you watch a video like this, and you just can't help but to laugh.  It's just absolutely ridiculous.  This is 8 plus minutes, but don't go away; it's hilarious up until the last second.  It's in Arabic, but is sub-titled in English.  It's very revealing as to the sort of anecdotal perspectives in the Middle East that aren't always grounded in reality. Not that we are perfect as Americans, but just watch...its absurd.

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1896.htm

As for the title of this post, we are all going to "Mada-hoo-hah Deuce" as Aiden calls it (Madagascar 2) and buying Kung Fu Panda on DVD (by the way, good example.  DVD in Arabic "Dee-Fee-Dee").  So, Aiden goes around going Kung-Fu, Hi-yahh.

Best to all,

Daniel for the Hancocks

Slow Weekend, but never devoid of Humor

So, this week was the longest 4 day work week ever---that sounds impossible, but anything's impossible when it comes to DLI and Arabic.  But, Friday arrived and we have enjoyed a quiet and easy-going weekend so far.

Our camera battery is dead, so there are no adorable pictures, but I thought I'd share a few of Aiden's funnier moments this weekend.

I guess it all started with Aiden demonstratively declaring there were 4 things we were going to do this weekend.  "Oh, really?" I said.  "Yes, Daddy... Number one, we will go see sea lions.  Number two, we will go to the 'fire' restaurant (actual name Awakenings in PG--one of our favorites with fire pits outside for those familiar cool Central Coast mornings).  number 3, we will watch Georgia. and Number 4, pumpkin patch."  So, it was actually a decent plan for the weekend and we did all these things, mostly in order.  So, after waking up at 430 AM (both kids up, and then we discover Herschel has diarrhea), we managed to get out the door for some breakfast, hot chocolate and coffee at the 'fire' restaurant, then we watched the Dawgs beat Vandy, and finally that afternoon we headed out to find a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch/fall festival being held at Earthbound Organic Farm in Carmel Valley.  On our short drive down Hwy 1 this interesting conversation occurred:

Daniel: "Aiden, do you want to go to the pumpkin patch or a park?"

Aiden: "TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH"

Daniel: "Aiden, would you rather go to McDonald's or to the pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

Daniel: "Would you rather fly to the moon in a rocket or go to the pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH"

(Editor's note: you may see a pattern developing)

...Continued...

Daniel: "Aiden, would you rather fly on an airplane or go to the pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

Daniel: "Would you rather eat cookies or go to a pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

Daniel: "Would you rather watch Kung Fu Panda in a theater with Daddy or go to a pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

Daniel: "Would you rather go to the pool or the pumpkin patch?"

Aiden: "PUMPKIN PATCH!!!"

(Highly amused, but sensing that this would never come to an end, I moved in for the kill, knowing of course just the thing he would rather do than the pumpkin patch)

Daniel: "Aiden, would you rather be Batman, or go to a pumpkin patch?"  

Check his response...

Aiden: "BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long pause)...After we go to the pumpkin patch." (Aiden smiling)

Lastly, as we had a lovely breakfast at Pino's Italian Cafe by the waterfront this chilly morning, Aiden reminded us how any amusing things we have him say in the privacy of our home can and will be repeated in public.  So, we're sitting outside sipping our hot drinks, waiting for our omelletes.  Finally the waitress comes, a lovely young woman, and when she hands Aiden his milk in a glass, he looks at her and exclaims with a broad smile: "Thanks, hot stuff."

And in other news, Aiden wants to go to the Naval Academy and  be an astronaut.  A little bird told him that is where you need to go to be one (Don't know who).  We were walking down the Coast Guard pier today and I asked him whether he was going to play for the Dawgs or go to the Naval Academy like Daddy.  He responds, "I want to be an astronaut." "Well, Aiden...then you should definitely go the Naval Academy."  "Ok, daddy. But I think we're going to need an airplane to get there. It's far away...but not today.  I'm still little."  "Not today, buddy. Not today."

He's growing up too fast.

Have a great rest of your weekend, and please sign up as a "follower" of TEAM HANCOCK so we can know who's checking this out!

Best from Joy and the kids.

For the Hancocks,

Daniel

Friday Night Lights

Yeah, he doesn't look like this anymore...just reminiscing today...here's Aiden just after 1 year old.  Can you believe he was ever that small? I can't.  Still got that great smile, but man is he huge now.  I'm not kidding when I call him 'Hoss.'  He's huge.  I commented to Joy the other night that I missed 'nugglin' with my little buddy at night when he would come in our room or in the morning when he would come in...we'd 'nuggle' and get a little bit more sleep. Precious.  Well, Aiden must have sensed Daddy's longing, because he has inexplicably been in our room 3 nights in a row...oh yeah, not as fun as I remember.  No, seriously, every now and then who doesn't want a 'nuggle' from the A-Team?  I just can't believe how big he is even beyond his physical stature.  We visited a nature preserve at Moss Landing today and he hiked like a man for 2-3 miles taking in the scenic vistas, sustainable brush and vegetation (haha---we love making fun of the over/mis-use of sustainable and organic in every fathomable way in Monterey), unique birds, dead snakes on our path, tidal marshes, and even a sea otter in the wild.  As we headed up the hill toward the ranger station we even saw a train zipping across the coastal marsh lands! Aiden had a great day taking it all in through his 'noculars' as he called them.  All the while, Emma slept contently with joy in her Moby-wrap.

baada the-lik, After that, we went home, played with the dog, and enjoyed ourselves.  In the afternoon Aiden and I even went to the pool.  He's so close to swimming.  He walks around in the pool by himself up to his ears, with his mouth and nose held carefully out of the water.  But, he's having a lot of fun, very confident, even dunking himself every now and then.  By the way, I'm not trying to go out of my way to be judgmental, but has anyone else seen how many fat kids there are now? holy cow. during my 12 years of elementary-high school, we only had 1 fat kid. ONE.  There was just the one guy (who by the way is incredibly skinny now.)  I swear at least, AT LEAST 50% of the kids in the pool were FAT.  We're talking 5-10 year olds, not baby fat. FAT.  What the hell is wrong with parents now?  So, I was encouraged to hold my ground and raise Aiden just the way Joy and I were raised; outdoors, hunting, sports all day, physical activity, external stimulation.  These kids are out of control.  Even the "Joes" (young enlisted soldiers) at DLI are a different breed.  Techo-geeks, not football jocks.  They don't play sports or hit on girls; they stay up all night in the barracks playing 'Warcraft' and other such non-sense, popping 'Monsters' during class---Energy drinks. Don't get me started. That will have to be its own entry another day.

Look at that handsome little  boy.
Random pic snapped by Aiden one game day.  He loves taking pictures.  I think he does a decent job, frankly.

I think Aiden gets confused himself, sometimes---wait, am I still a fire-fighter, am I knowshon, Superman, no Batman, cowboy.----this kid is in to some superheroes.  Can't decide on his favorite Dawg, though.  Changes week to week.

By the way, if anyone cares, it is cold here again.  Absolutely freezing this morning with wind gusts all day.  Fall is officially here.  Precipitation will be here shortly.  Oh, and we received an early Christmas present from our landlords---they're raising the rent an extra $100 beginning in December!!! "Few more months...few more months...few more months" we keep telling ourselves.

On that note, depending on whether I survive this place, and then whether or not I go to Qatar for 30 days of immersion afterwards, I'll pick my ship in either December or January, and find out approximately a month after whichever slate they put me in.  I don't really care at this point.  I'm just ready to move forward with my career.

Things are going ok here.  Had another test last week. I'll get the results on Tuesday.  I sort of have in my head (based off nothing from the DLI staff or anyone official) that Christmas break is sort of my 'free and clear' deadline.  Not that I expect anything to ever let up, but as far as feeling confident that I'm going to finish this course.  That'll be about halfway.  It's still ridiculous,  but I'm basically just trying to manage my own learning with the teachers as another source.  Pray for listening and speaking especially.  Reading I'm doing very well with on tests, etc.

That's about it.  Long enough?? sorry.  

Enjoy your 4 day weekend. Oh, wait. that's just me!

Best,

Daniel

P.S.  I love my family

P.P.S. Sign up for our 'blog followers' so we know who checks this thing other than our parents and Amanda in japan!

P.P.S.S. ok, i'm lost after the second one, but anyway, I linked the website for that new Fireproof movie.  It's supposed to  be good. It's by the same guys who wrote and produced "Facing the Giants" (which by the way has a cameo by CMR--Coach Mark Richt).  Good story of adventure, adversity, love and faith.

Important Announcement

Dear Family and Friends,

Things are incredibly busy here.  If it's not the Arabic, it the two kids pushing Joy to the limit daily.  That being said, we've been doing some soul-searching, and we have decided for the good of the country something has to be done.  To that end, I have an important announcement to make.  Please follow this link and I hope you'll support us in this endeavor.

Thanks,

Daniel

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=46832&altf=Ebojfm&altl=Ibodpdl61Bvhvtub61HB

It's OCTOBER, amazing.

It occurred to me recently that my year is basically over.  Once we head to GA the day after Thanksgiving we won't be back to "real life" until Jan.  So essentially I have 6 weeks of this year left to enjoy.  Lots to look forward to next year!  We'll FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY make it back to the East Coast.  As my friends have dubbed us we're the "leavers" (as a Navy family we leave a lot) so we're ready to live up to the nick name and jet on outta here.  We've made some awesome friends that we will have for life but we're ready to leave Arabic training behind us and get back to a place were the ocean is to the East.  It will also be nice for our cell minutes to have family back in the same time zone.  It's the little things that make life so much easier.  Here are some pictures from the last month.  Daniel has another test this week so be praying for all of us!!! 

Everyone ready for the Blackout.  Ended up being a dark day as UGA lost.

A couple of pictures of my awesome new haircut.  I realize I look tired, it was 10 at night when Daniel took these and I fade by 8:30.

Batman has taken up residence with us.

Even the Dark Knight needs to eat.

Emma practiced her cheers for when Aiden is QB at UGA.

Herschel is trying to eat Emma's socks, or maybe just eat Emma.  They love each other.

Daniel and Aiden showing respects during Navy Blue and Gold.  No, I'm not kidding.

Two very tired kiddos.

Happy girl in her big girl crib.  She wants to crawl so badly!

Hope you all have a good start to the Fall season.  We'll have lots of good pictures this month as there will be pumpkin patches to go to and costumes to wear.  We love and miss you all.  It'll be great to see many of you soon.  

weekend finally

أَهْلاً وسَهْلاً

Hello and Welcome.  Hope everyone is healthy, happy, and well.  The weekend is here. Thank God.  It has been the longest week, really weekS (emphasis) for both Joy and me.  Joy has had a lion's share of obstacles to overcome at home to include constant spitting up, a suddenly irregular sleep pattern for Emma Grace, Aiden's sickness, fever, and the normal duties of motherhood and household while I have had nearly a full 2 weeks of testing and examination, just day after day of testing.  It has been physically and mentally exhausting for both of us. But---looking for the silver lining, we've made it.  Aiden seems to have regained his mojo as of today.  Emma is still teething and spitting up constantly, as well as waking up way too early now...but we've made it to a brief respite.  Neither Joy or I have slept well (or much) all week which has made the duties of motherhood all the more difficult and trying and likewise for me, it's been basically the worst period to have taxing exams day in and day out.  I'll say this about Joy; she's an amazing woman.  Her humility speaks for her character but I'm here to tell you that she performs the role of super-woman at times and excels with more class and grace than she would ever let on to the world.  But trust me, she's a fantastic mother and wife.  Today was the last of about 7 tests I've taken over the last 10 work days...I've done well until today...Dipped down into the B/C range on this "End of Course" exam which was frustrating and disappointing and also prompted the team leader taking an unnecessary line of scolding with me that sort of suggested maybe I work harder.  I'm only human; this probe was met with a rather swift retort that was not exactly kind.  I'm working my ass off, thank you.  I didn't tell her I hadn't slept right for weeks.  I know I'm working hard.  I was down for a spell, but after talking with some colleagues about 14 weeks ahead of me I felt much better.  Apparently, they all have gotten B's and C's on the EOC tests.  The EOC exams are based off the old curriculum so it's basically trying to answer things from context and guessing rather than Chapter X or Y material.  At the end of the  day, C may be lower than I wanted, but I didn't fail, and that is succeeding here at DLI.  I know I need to improve my listening and tune my ear with more authentic sound and material.  

Well, sorry for the rambling.  Here are some great photos of the kids.  I snapped this last Sunday morning.  Aiden is just a fantastic big brother.  Here is his snuggling "his girl".

"Daddy. Where is my Milk?"  Quite a cute pair.  Aiden has become very content to watch his little sister, turn her swing back on, pacify her, etc.  He's doing great with his new responsibilities.


Not the most flattering pic (complete with Emma spit-up on my shirt), but Aiden was proud of his pictures he took.  He'll be happy to see one of his on the blog.
"FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS..." 

Poor cowboy.  Aiden has been sick all week running fevers at night.  He has not been eating and just zapped after any activity.  I arrived home from work yesterday to find him sacked out on the couch yesterday.  No posing here.  This is where Joy found him, pistol at the ready.  Just the way I trained him, Matty.  Future Lifetime NRA Member? I think just maybe.

Even sick, no bad guys will get the drop on the Hoss.  Semper Fi.
This was my attempt to wake him up.  Watch the next few pictures and see how well that went.

"Daddy, I'm TIRED." Going...

Going....

GONE.

Bless his heart.

Here is one of Emma snoozing in her swing with "baby Boof." Aiden insists she have it in her swing.

That's it.  

Don't forget to watch the Dawgs whup up on the Gamecocks tomorrow.  Oh, I almost forgot:

أَتَمَنَّى لَكَ أُمْسيَة سَعيدَة and أَتَمَنَّى لَكَ عُطْلَةً سَعيدَة

Ins and Outs

I've just completed 1/5 of my time here at lovely DLI.  That is about a year or so worth of Arabic at a regular college program.

Yeah, I'm thrilled, too (sarcasm).  I'm just over it all here in Monterey. We're just ready to be back on the Right coast.  I'm riding my bike home the other day from school (yeah, I'm green) and I overhear a casual conversation on the street corner in which a typical monterey citizen exclaims,"Yeah Bush is just like Hitler man...blah blah blah...taking over the world...blah blah blah."  Listen, anyone who has talked to me in the last 3 years knows that I'm no huge fan of this administration, especially Cheney and Rumsfeld (Read Cobra II for a detailed analysis of their bumbling of Pre-Petraeus Iraq) who should be shot or at least jailed, but Hitler?  I almost turned my bike around to say something...you may disagree with the war, or Bush, or drilling offshore, energy policy, but last time I checked, my brother in arms were not rounding up Iraqis on trains and shipping them down the line to be crisped in an oven...this place is so out of touch.  And no, i'm not being dramatic...this was a bit extreme, but not at all unusual to see this sort of thing in monterey. 

On a sunny note, I snapped this pic of my little boy and girl with their Boofs.

In other news, we've been suffering a terrible heatwave of late...ok, Monterey heat wave is about 75-80, but relative to the normal freezing temps, fog, and rain, it has felt stifling.  And no one has AC to add to the sticky discomfort.  This pathetic pic of Herschel sums up how we've all been feeling trying to cool off of late.

And here is Aiden pretending to be Herschel. Such a ham.

Pray for Aiden. He has a bit of a fever.  Just not himself today.

I've given you international affairs, insightful commentary, a reading recommendation, some family news, and now sports...all in one blog entry!  Check out the 2008 Heisman winner leaping over a helpless Central Michigan defender on his way to 168 yards, 3 tds, and the Sportscenter highlight reel for this weekend:

Well, I'm all done for tonight.  I have a beautiful wife, a beautiful family, a great dog, and my Dawgs won.الْحَمْدُ لله. (praise be to God). So, الْحَمْدُ لله. أَتَمَنَّى لَكَ عُطْلَةً سَعيدَة

(I wish you a happy Weekend). Read right to left :)

Salam.